“Thank you, Colonel. And please thank General Kazim for his kind permission.”

“You will be accompanied by Captain Batutta and ten of his men for your protection.”

“I’m honored to have a bodyguard.”

“You will also report your findings directly to me. I expect your full cooperation in this matter-“

“How will I report from the hinterland?”

“The Captain’s unit will carry the necessary communications equipment.”

“We should get along handsomely,” Hopper said loftily to Batutta. He turned back to Mansa. “My team and I will need a car, preferably a four-wheel-drive, for personnel and two lorries to transport our laboratory gear.”

Colonel Mansa’s face reddened. “I will arrange for military vehicles.”

Hopper was well aware that it was important for the Colonel to save face and have the last word. “Thank you, Colonel Mansa. You are a generous and honorable man. General Kazim must be very proud to have a true warrior of the desert at his side.”

Mansa leaned back, a growing look of triumph and satisfaction in his eyes. “Yes, the General has often expressed gratitude for my loyalty and service.”

The interview was over, and Hopper returned to the aircraft and directed the unloading of the cargo. Mansa watched from the window of the terminal office, a faint smile on his lips.

“Shall I restrict their investigation to unclassified areas?” asked Batutta.

Mansa slowly shook his head without turning. “No, allow them to go wherever they wish.”

“And if Dr. Hopper finds signs of toxic sickness?”

“No matter. As long as I control communications with the outside world his reports will be altered to show our country lo be clean of illness, and hazardous wastes.”

“But when they return to the UN headquarters-“

“Won’t the true findings be exposed?” Mansa finished. “Yes, most certainly.” He swung around suddenly, his expression menacing. “But not if their aircraft tragically meets with an accident during the return flight.”

<<10>>

Pitt dozed off and on during the plane ride from Egypt to Nigeria. He woke only when Rudi Gunn came down the aisle of the NUMA executive jet, three coffee mugs firmly gripped in both hands. Taking a cup, Pitt looked up at Gunn in weary resignation, his expression devoid of enthusiasm and any expectations for fun times.

“Where in Port Harcourt are we meeting the Admiral?” he asked without really caring.

“Not exactly in Port Harcourt,” Gunn hedged, handing Pitt a coffee.

“If not there, then where?”

“He’s waiting on board one of our research ships 200 kilometers off the coast.”

Pitt fixed Gunn with the gaze of a hound staring at a cornered fox. “You’re holding out, Rudi.”

“Would Al like some coffee?”

Pitt glanced at Giordino who was snoring in sweet bliss. “Save it. You couldn’t wake him with a lighted firecracker in his ear.”

Gunn eased into a seat across the aisle from Pitt. “I can’t tell you what Admiral Sandecker has on his mind, because I honestly don’t know. I do, however, suspect it has to do with a study NUMA marine biologists have conducted on coral reefs around the world.”