“It’s hard to imagine that there is a lab doing vital work here,” she said. “It’s so tranquil.”

“People would wonder if we put up barbed wire and guard towers. We’ve worked hard to project the image of a sleepy little research center. We decided that hiding in plain sight was the best strategy. Our website says that this is a private facility and suggests that our work is so boring to most people that no one would want to visit. You probably noticed the PRIVATE signs scattered around the island that say the same thing. We’ve only had a few requests to visit the center and we managed to put them off.”

“Where are the lab buildings?”

“We had to get a little sneakier when it came to the research space. There are three labs farther inland. The labs are pretty well camouflaged. Google Earth would see only trees.”

“What about security? I didn’t see any guards.”

“Oh, they’re there, all right,” Kane said with a tight smile. “The kitchen and maintenance staffs are all security people. There’s an electronic-surveillance center that keeps track of anyone coming too close to the island twenty-four/seven. They’ve got cameras all over the place.”

“What about the water-taxi man, Mr. Greene? Is he in on the deception?”

Kane smiled. “Dooley provides a useful cover. He worked for the old resort before Hurricane Charlie drove it into bankruptcy. We transported equipment and personnel here in our own boats when we were setting things up, but we needed someone to run people and supplies between the island and the mainland. Dooley’s never been farther inland than the dock. He’s a bit of a wind-bag, so if he does spout off about something he’s seen out here the people who know him will figure that he’s making it up.”

“He was curious about me. I put him off as best I could.”

“I’m sure everyone on Pine Island will know within hours about your visit, but I doubt anyone will care.”

“That’s good. I must confess that I’m nervous enough at the enormity of the task confronting us and the consequences if we fail.”

He considered her answer and then said, “I’m optimistic from what we have done so far that we will not fail.”

“I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but I would feel more at ease if I knew the scientific basis for your optimism.”

“Skepticism is the lifeblood of scientific inquiry,” Kane said, spreading his hands. “I’ll do my best. Our work is complex but not complicated. We know what we have to do. The toughest part is doing it. As you know, nothing is ever certain when you’re dealing with viruses.”

Song Lee nodded.

“With the exception of the human race,” she said, “I don’t think there is a more fascinating entity on the planet. What has your strategy been?”