Ukraine."

"Yeah," Overholt said, "we're working it as well."

Cabrillo and Overholt had been partners years before. A bad deal in

Nicaragua had cost Cabrillo his job with the CIA, but he'd kept Overholt

out of the mess. Overholt had never forgotten the favor and over the

years he'd funneled Cabrillo and the Corporation as much work as oversight

would allow.

"All this terrorism," Cabrillo noted, "has been a boon for business."

"Got time for a little side deal?"

"How many people will it require?" Cabrillo asked, thinking about

the jobs they were already contracted for.

"Just one," Overholt said.

"Full fees?"

"As always," Overholt said, "my employer is not cheap."

"Not cheap, just quick to fire."

Cabrillo had never gotten over being hung out to dry, and with good

reason. Congress had raked him over the coals, and his boss at the time

had done nothing to cool the fire. He had about as much compassion for

politicians and bureaucrats as he did for dental drills.

"I just need someone to run over to Greenland and pick something

up," Overholt told him. "Take a day or two."

"You picked a prime time," Cabrillo said. "It's freezing cold and

twenty-four-hour darkness this time of year."

"I hear the Northern Lights are pretty," Overholt offered.

"Why not have one of your CIA drones handle this?"

"As usual, none are available. I'd rather just pay your crew and wrap

it up with a minimum of hassle."

"We still have a few days' worth of work here," Cabrillo said, "before

we're free."

"Juan," Overholt said easily, "I'm pretty sure this is a one-man job.

If you could just send one of your men over there and retrieve what we

need, he'd be back before the end of the summit."

Cabrillo thought about it for a minute. The rest of his team was

40 CLIVE CUSSLER

handling security for the emir. For the last few days, Cabrillo had been

staying aboard the Oregon and tending to corporate business. He was

bored and felt like a racehorse in a stall.

"I'll take the job," Cabrillo said. "My people have this end controlled."

"Whatever

floats your boat," Overholt said.

"I only need to fly over and pick something up, right?"

"That's the drill."

"What is it?"

"A meteorite," Overholt said slowly.

"Why in the world does the CIA want a meteorite?" Cabrillo asked.

"Because we think it might be made of iridium, and iridium can be

used to construct a `dirty bomb."'

"What else?" Cabrillo asked, now becoming wary.

"You need to steal it from the archaeologist who found it," Overholt

said, "preferably without him knowing."

Cabrillo paused for a second. "Have you looked in your den lately?"

"What den?" Overholt said, taking the bait.

"The den of vipers where you live," Cabrillo said.

"So you'll take the job?"

"Send me the details," Cabrillo said. "I'll leave in a few hours."

"Don't worry-this should be the easiest money the Corporation

has made all year. Like a Christmas gift from an old friend."