Cate tried to appear relaxed as she also eased back into the soft leather. She shook her head slowly, but smiled. “We have nothing but our expertise, and the location.”

He tilted his head. “I already know the location. It took me all of a few minutes to have your communication traffic accessed and then pinpoint the conversations you had with your colleague, Mr Frederick Wan Ling, on Baranof Island.”

She stood, anger flaring. “Listen, I didn’t come here with a begging bowl. I came here because I admire your dedication and interest in ancient species. I assumed you’d be an ideal and enthusiastic sponsor. I’m thinking now I was wrong.”

Mironov never flinched. “What’s in it for me?”

Cate paused, analyzing the question. She had assumed that just being involved was enough for the man. After all, he didn’t need fame, money, recognition, or a new circle of friends. She folded her arms. “Knowledge, unique knowledge. To a man like you, a million dollars is a small investment for that type of payoff.”

“A million dollars?” Mironov rose from the couch. “So, I think you would need a multi-man submersible with potential deep-sea capability, a crew, specialists, and supplies. You would need to excavate into the cavern void with sophisticated mining equipment – you’d need a team of specialists for that. You would also need to sink communication relay silos along the way. You would need transportation costs for personnel and equipment, and also be undertaking your project in an extreme environment. All up, I estimate an initial investment requirement of one hundred and fifty million US dollars.” He shrugged. “And possibly a lot more when it comes to retrieval.” He turned an unblinking gaze on her. “Expensive price for knowledge, even unique knowledge.”

Cate licked her lips, realizing he was right, and she had been thinking like an amateur in regard to her projections. I’ve got nothing to lose. “Yeah, one fifty million, expensive, sure, but not for you. So, in or out?” Cate held his gaze.

Mironov turned and walked to a huge window of darkened glass that overlooked the city. He clasped fingers together behind his back. “Those that lead and do not take risks themselves, cannot truly expect their followers to also take risks.”

Cate smiled, immediately understanding. “You want to come.”

He turned. “Like you said, we have a lot in common, Professor Granger.”

“Cate.” Her smile broadened, and she joined him at the window.

“Cate.” He held out his hand. “Here’s to unique knowledge.”

She nodded. “Welcome aboard, Valery.”

*   *   *

Valery Mironov sat staring into the depths of the huge, blue tank, watching the pair of dinosaur eels coil around each other. One slowed, its bony eye socket swiveling to regard him momentarily before it vanished into the deeper recesses of the contained lake.

“What do you think?” Sonya asked, standing beside him.

“Interesting.” He pursed his lips.