NUMA 3 - Fire Ice

-9-

THE SPOTLIGHT SNAPPED off and a portable table lamp came on, illuminating the face of a man in his forties. He had a broad forehead and high cheekbones and would have been handsome if not for the massive scar defacing his right cheek.

“Don't be alarmed, Mr. Austin,” Petrov said. “I'm not the Phantom of the Opera.”

Austin's mind flashed back fifteen years to the Barents Sea. He remembered the frigid waters penetrating his heated dry suit as he activated the timer on two hundred pounds of explosives. It was a miracle the Russian was still alive.

“Sorry about the booby trap, Ivan. Can't say I didn't warn you to stay clear.”

“No apology necessary. Simply a misfortune of war.” He paused, then said, “I've wondered something for long time. Suppose our places had been reversed. Would you have listened to a warning from me?”

After a moment's reflection, Austin said, “I might have assumed, like you, that the warning was a diversion. I'd like to think discretion would have won over valor, but I can't say for sure. It was a long time ago.”

“Yes, it was a very long time ago.” Petrov's lips widened in a sad smile. “Obviously, discretion did not rule over my youthful impatience. I was impetuous in those days. Don't worry; I bear you no animosity for the fruits of my own foolishness. I would have killed you long ago if I thought you were entirely to blame. As I said, c'est la guerre. In a sense you are as disfigured as I am, only you can't see the scars that cover your heart. The war made hard men out of both of us.”

“I recall hearing that the Cold War is over. I have a suggestion. Why not ask your friends to give us a lift to the bar at the Palace Hotel? We can talk about old times over a drink.”

“In time, Mr. Austin. In time. We have a matter of grave importance to discuss.” Petrov's voice had gained a businesslike edge, and his eyes drilled into Austin's face. “I would like to know what you were doing at the abandoned Soviet submarine base on the Black Sea.”

“Seems I was naïve to think our brief visit went unnoticed.”

“Not at all. It's a desolate part of the coast. Under normal circumstances, you could have landed a division of Marines without detection. We've kept the area under surveillance for months, but we were caught off guard. We know from intercepted radio messages that you landed some sort of air- craft and that the NUMA ship came in to pick you up. Please tell me what you were doing on Russian territory. Take your time. I'm in no hurry.”

“I'll be glad to fill you in.” Austin squirmed in his chair. “It might help my memory if I weren't sitting on my wrists. How about loosening the tape?”