They were all crushed, perhaps no one more than Charlie. He had not slept the last two days, pushing himself relentlessly to figure out where they had gone wrong. The sad thing was, they already knew. Yet, they still did not know the identity of Falling. He was not big on leaving behind clues.

The owner of the shop came out to talk. A big brawny guy aged by sun and surf, he looked like he wrestled lobsters in his sleep. His story sounded familiar. Sure, he had rented two boats to a guy on the phone. Said his name was John Smith. It seemed John had sent him a cash deposit and told him to leave the keys to the twin boats in an envelope beneath the mat. He said he would pick them up sometime late Friday night. The owner had never met John. He couldn’t even remember what he sounded like. Charlie asked the man about the second, mysterious boat, and the guy pointed it out. The ship was docked nearby, looked like it had plenty of horsepower.

“Was he a criminal or something?” the guy asked as he led them onto the dock.

“He was something,” Charlie said. “We’re going to have to impound this boat. Do you mind?”

“You’ll have to pay me for it,” the guy replied.

“No, we won’t,” Charlie assured him with a hard look.

Charlie could be scary when he wanted. The guy immediately backed down.

Charlie called Sharp and arranged for the powerboat to be examined. In the car on the way back to the office, Kelly called Agent Lentil, asked about the Farallon propulsion device they had found. Lentil had more depressing news.

“He must have bought it through a private party,” Lentil said. “The Farallon people say they haven’t sold any of their devices to anyone in California in the last ten weeks.”

They knew Falling must have had at least two of the devices, not one.

“Ten weeks back is nothing,” Kelly snapped. “For all we know, he could have bought them a year ago. Get a copy of all their records for the last twelve months. No, go back two years. Look for anyone who bought two or more of the devices anywhere in the country. And Lentil, the purchases do not have to be at the same time. Understand?”

“I know that,” he said, insulted.

“While you’re at it, check all dive magazines for the last year. Look at the ads in the back for anyone selling Farallons. I want all those people contacted, even if they were only selling one.”

“That will take time,” Lentil said.

“Take as long as it takes.” Kelly broke the connection and turned to Charlie. “How did Lentil become an FBI agent? Is his dad a senator or a congressman or what?”

“He’s not so bad. You just intimidate him.”

“Why? Because I’m a woman?”