Skype’s ringtone electrified the moment. Vaill raced over to his computer and in a few seconds, Lou was introduced to Itsuki Sakura, a.k.a. the Slugger. Lou’s first impression was surprise at how young the analyst looked, having imagined a thin, wizened man with wise eyes. The Slugger, by contrast, had a mop of dark unruly hair, gold-rimmed glasses, and a delicate nose and mouth. Dressed in a white shirt and black tie, he reminded Lou of a graduate student more than a seasoned FBI intelligence analyst.

Seated on the pull-out, Lou crowded in close to Vaill so that they could both be seen in the camera’s limited field. When they were properly positioned, the Slugger gave them a thumbs-up.

“You are very bright man to see what you saw,” the Slugger said.

According to Vaill, Sakura had become a naturalized citizen only ten years before.

“I just got a little lucky,” Lou replied.

“You know who considered self to be luckiest man on face of earth?”

Vaill leaned over, briefly blocking Lou’s view entirely.

“Slugger, we’ve got to focus here.”

“Lou Gehrig, that who,” Slugger answered. “He said so in farewell address to baseball. But he never really left game. He still one of most loved players of all time. So maybe he was lucky, like you, but that does not lessen your accomplishment any, or his.”

Lou liked the man immediately. Having worked with plenty of rhino-sized egos over his years in academic medicine, he took notice whenever somebody was not threatened by teamwork.

“That’s great, Slugger,” Vail said. “Now, what have you got for us?”

“You Lou Welcome, eh? That your name? Welcome?”

“That’s right,” Lou said.

“Good. Good. No relation to Welcome Gaston? Great-grandson, maybe?”

“Who?” Lou asked.

“Pitched for Brooklyn Bridegrooms from 1889 to 1899. They ancestor of Brooklyn Dodgers. Betcha not know that!”

“I do now. What a pearl,” Lou said.

“Slugger, the video!”

“Yeah. Well, video very good quality. Sorry I read it so poorly first time. Now that we know freighter is there, easy to enhance and see IMO number.”

“IMO?” Lou asked.

“IMO, International Maritime Organization. Each ship has unique identifier. Can track back to registered ship owner and management company. Ship in video belong to Exceed Maritime. Headquarters in New Haven, Connecticut. Name of ship is EM Sustinet.”

“That’s great work!” Vaill exclaimed, with Lou nodding his assent.

“Still feel like Bobby Richardson for missing ship altogether.”

“Feel like who?” Vaill asked.

“Bobby Richardson,” Lou said. “Second baseman for the Yankees. The only player ever to win the World Series MVP while playing for the losing team.”

“Very good, Lou Welcome! Remember Bill Mazeroski? He hit home run to win that 1960 series for Pirates. Major, major upset. But Richardson, he hit .367. Drive in twelve runs. Hit grand slam, too.”

“Slugger can we get back to the video?” Vaill pleaded. “Could you pick up the location?”

Slugger smiled.