Austin was no fan of mendacity, but he didn't want to involve Kaela and her gang in something that could bite them. They had been lucky twice so far. Their third encounter with the bad guys could be a strikeout.

“You're not the only one who's curious. After my first run-in with those guys on horses, I wanted to know more. I also felt I had to do something for Kemal's cousin Mehmet.”

“Is there a submarine base here?”

“Yes. Quite extensive, as a matter of fact.”

“I knew it. I want to get inside.”

“Okay by me, but you may have problems with that gentleman over there.” Ivan was making his way across the field from the woods, where he had been inspecting his men's work.

“Who is he?”

“His name is Ivan. He's the boss man.”

“Military?”

“Why don't you ask him yourself?”

Kaela grabbed her notebook and sprang to her feet. “I think I will.” She strode toward the Russian and intercepted him. Austin watched with interest as she used her body language to send a tantalizing message. She was wading in with a full feminine court press, standing first on one leg, then the other, hip out, touching Ivan lightly on the chest, flashing him her incredible smile.

Ivan stood there with his arms crossed like a granite statue, resisting the full assault. When she was done, he spoke a few words. Kaela's shoulders suddenly squared, she leaned forward and stuck her jaw into his face, then she wheeled and strode purposefully back to Austin.

“What a stubborn little man,” she fumed. “He said that the sub base is the property of the Russian government and is off-limits to the public. He suggests that I make arrangements with you to leave here as quickly as possible or suffer the consequences.” She grinned. “Well, we can still run the story. I've got film.”

She marched over to the helicopter wreckage with a determined step and talked with Lombardo and Dundee, who had been poking around in the wreckage. Their conversation was animated, and grew more so when he showed her the jumble of metal and plastic that was what was left of the video camera. Kaela slowly walked back to Austin.

“It looks as if we'll have to bum a ride with you,” she said, without enthusiasm.

Austin saw Joe Zavala making his way toward them from the direction of the beach, where he'd been checking visually and on the radio to see if the NR-1 crew had made it to the fishing boat. He excused himself and took Zavala aside.

Zavala said, “They all made it to Kemal's boat."

“Good news, but we've got a problem. Kaela and her guys need a ride, and I don't want them anywhere near the NR-1 crew.”