“That would be like waving a red flag in front of a bull. I have another idea. I'll get back to you.”

Austin hung up and dug in his wallet for a business card. Then he dialed the New York number on it.

“Unbelievable Mysteries,” the receptionist said.

He asked if Kaela Dorn had returned from assignments. “I believe so. May I say who's calling?”

Austin gave his name and braced for a breath of icy air. He was surprised at the warmth in Kaela's voice. “Good morning, Mr. Austin. You certainly get up early in the day.”

“The early bird catches the worm, I've been told.”

“Never did like worms,” Kaela said. “What can I do for you?”

“First of all, tell me why you're being so friendly.”

“Why shouldn't I be? You saved my life. Even better, you got me transportation back to Istanbul on Captain Kemal's boat.”

“Which wasn't exactly the QE2, as I recall.”

“Doesn't matter. On the way back, the captain told me about a wreck he knew of and took me there. It was big and old, and my guess is that it was originally measured in cubits.”

“Noah's ark?”

“Who knows? Who cares? We got the story, plus bonuses. So thanks again, and I mean it with all sincerity when I say, what can I do for you, even though you still owe me a dinner.”

“How about Boston baked beans?”

“I was thinking more of rack of lamb at the Four Seasons.”

“Anything you say. But I need your help first. There's a trade reception tonight aboard a yacht in Boston Harbor, and I need some press credentials.”

“Is there a story here?”

“Eventually. But not now.”

“Okay, but under one condition. I'm going with you. Before you say no, think about it.”

Austin thought about Kaela's sultry beauty for a millisecond. “It's a deal. I'll catch a shuttle to Logan Airport.” He suggested a meeting time and place.

After they hung up, Austin sat back in his chair and stared into space, a distant expression in the coral-blue eyes. Finding Razov's central control system might be the breakthrough he and NUMA needed, but there was another reason he wanted to get aboard the yacht. Boris.

NUMA 3 - Fire Ice

-31- BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

KAELA DORN WAITED at Commonwealth Pier overlooking Boston Harbor and watched the parade of limousines drop off a steady stream of VIPs who quickly lined up to be transported to Razov's yacht. She stood near a line of television vans whose satellite dishes and antennae sprouted from their roofs like alien vegetative growths. She was scanning the crowd when the tall stranger approached from behind and greeted her. Hardly glancing in his direction, Kaela replied with a polite hello. She regretted it a second later when he said in a wheedling nasal voice: “Excuse me, but haven't we met before?”