“The log of the Princess for that expedition would make interesting reading,” Paul Trout commented.

“I tried to track the 1848 logbook down through Harvard’s Widener Library,” Lee said. “My research led me to New Bedford. A dealer in antique books named Brimmer said he might be able to locate the book, but I was about to leave for home and had to put the whole thing aside.”

The pilot’s voice called back from the cockpit.

“We’ve been cleared for early takeoff. Anytime you’re ready . . .”

“Thank you, Dr. Lee,” Austin said. “I apologize for cutting you short, but we’re really about to leave.”

“I want to come with you,” she said without thinking.

The statement had leaped from her mouth on its own, but then she punctuated it with a firm set of jaw.

“That’s not possible,” Austin said. “We’ll be on the move, and things could get rough. Joe has uncovered information that suggests a Chinese Triad named Pyramid is involved in all this.”

“A Triad?” She got over her surprise quickly. “Why would a Triad be interested in the search for an antiviral vaccine?”

Zavala answered the question.

“The Triad developed the virus as part of a scheme to destabilize the Chinese government,” he said. “Your vaccine would have spoiled their plans. They had to take control of the lab to prevent the antiviral from being used by others.”

“This is overwhelming,” Song Lee said, “but it makes sense. My government is deathly afraid of social unrest, which is why it clamps down so hard at any sign of organized protest. All the more reason to take me with you. I should be part of any attempt to stop something started by my countrymen. I’m intimately acquainted with the entire research program, and there may be something relevant on Pohnpei.”

Austin eyed Lee’s smoky-smelling T-shirt and shorts, apparently the same clothes she had been wearing on Bonefish Key.

“You’d be traveling pretty light, Dr. Lee. We can give you a toothbrush but not much else.”

“I’ll take that toothbrush, and I can buy clothes when we get there.”

Austin sat back and folded his arms. Despite his body language, he was enjoying Song Lee’s display of pluckiness.

“Go ahead, Dr. Lee. You’ve got thirty seconds to make your case.”

She nodded.

“I believe that the blue medusa jellyfish the lab was using in its research was part of native medicine used to cure the crew of the Princess. And if we can find the place where it happened, it might lead us to the lab.”

“That’s a pretty slim premise, Dr. Lee.”

“I know that, Mr. Austin. But it’s something. Right now, we have nothing. Please don’t tell me it’s any more dangerous than the Florida mangroves where I was kidnapped and almost shot.”

Zavala chuckled softly.

“Lady’s got a point,” he said.

Austin turned to the Trouts.