“Nothing mysterious about it, Mr. President. Many of our people are in daily close contact with the navy, which owns the NR-1, and some of the men on board have worked with NUMA. Captain Logan's father is a friend and former colleague of mine. Family members who were concerned for the safety of their loved ones contacted me to ask what was being done. They assumed I was aware of the sub's project.”

“We owe you an apology,” the president said. “We were trying to keep this matter contained until we made some progress.”

“Of course,” Sandecker said. “Did the submersible sink?”

“We've conducted a thorough search. The sub didn't sink.”

“I don't understand. What happened to it?”

The president glanced at the CIA director. “The people over at Langley think the NR-1 was hijacked."

“Has anyone contacted you to verify that theory? A request for ransom, perhaps.”

“No. No one.”

“Then why hasn't news of the sub's disappearance been made public? It might help in tracking down its whereabouts. I'm sure I don't have to remind anyone in this room that there was a crew on that sub. To say nothing of the millions spent to develop her."

The vice president took over. “We don't think it's in the best interests of the crew to go public now,” Sparkman declared.

“It seems to me that broadcasting a worldwide alert would be in their best interests.”

“Under ordinary circumstances, yes. But this is pretty complicated, Admiral,” the president said. “We think it will jeopardize their welfare.”

“Perhaps,” Sandecker said, without conviction. He pinioned Wallace with an unwavering gaze. “I assume you have a plan.”

The president shifted uneasily in his chair. “Sid, you got an answer for the admiral?”

“We're trying to be optimistic, but it is possible that all the crew are dead,” Sparkman said.

“You have evidence to support that conclusion?”

“None, but it's a strong possibility.”

“I can't accept 'possibility' as a reason for sitting on our hands.”

The secretary of state had been simmering like a pot on a hot stove. At the presumed insult, he boiled over.

“We are not 'sitting on our hands,' Admiral. The Russian government has requested that we stay out of this for the time being. They have the contacts to chase this down. We'd stir things up, especially with nationalism riding so high. Isn't that right, Mr. President?”

“Don't tell me you think the Russians took the sub?” Sandecker said, ignoring the secretary and directing his question at the president.

Wallace again turned to his vice president. “Sid, you've been on top of this since day one. Can you explain to the admiral?”