Half the allotted time was gone. "Yes, it would transfer from clothing

and skin, even through the air."

"How long would it take for someone to die from exposure?"

The digital clock on the dash flipped over a number. "Within a

week-maybe less. I'll be at my land line tonight if you want to talk

more."

The line went dead and the man sat back in his chair. Then he

smiled.

"JUST OVER TWO million seems a steep price, considering last year's

revenue," the lawyer said over the telephone. "Once they fill the contracts

they have, their books are a little bare going ahead."

"Just do the deal," Hickman said quietly. "I'll write off any losses

against the gains on my Docklands property."

"You're the boss," the lawyer said.

"You got that right."

"Where do you want the funds to come from?"

Hickman scrolled through a screen on his computer. "Use the Paris

account," he said, "hut I want to close the transaction tomorrow and

take possession of the company within seventy-two hours at the latest."

"You think there'll be a shortage of British mills for sale in the next

couple of days?" the lawyer said. "Or do you know something I don't?"

"I know a lot you don't," Hickman said, "but if you keep talking

you'll only have seventy-one hours to put this together. You just do what

you're paid to do-I'll take care of planning."

"I'm on it, sir," the lawyer said before disconnecting.

Sitting back in his chair, Hickman relaxed for a moment. Then he

picked up a magnifying glass on his desk and stared at the aerial photograph

in front of him. Placing the magnifying glass down, he examined

a map. Lastly he opened a file folder and flipped through the photographs

inside.

The photographs were of victims of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki

58 CLIVE CUSSLER

nuclear bombings at the end of World War II. And although the photographs

were graphic and disturbing, the man smiled. Vengeance is mine,

he thought.

THAT EVENING HE called Vanderwald on his land line.

"I found something better," Vanderwald said. "It's an airborne plague

that affects the lungs. Very toxic, it should kill eighty percent of the population

of the country."

"How much?" Hickman asked.

"The amount you need will be six hundred thousand dollars."

"Have it delivered," Hickman said, "along with as much C-6 as you

can find."

"How big is the structure you're intending to demolish?" Vanderwald

asked.

"The size of the Pentagon."

"That much will be a million two."

"Cashier's check?" Hickman asked.

"Gold," Vanderwald said.

11

CABRILLO STARED AT the musk ox horns on the door, then reached

over and lifted a fish-shaped iron door knocker and let it slam against

the heavy planked door. He heard the sound of heavy footsteps from

within, then it grew quiet. Suddenly a small hatch in the door the size of

a loaf of bread opened and a face peered out. The man had shallow