“Yes,” Sandecker said imperturbably, “it might look that way, but with a little luck you should come out of this without the least inconvenience.”

“Watching my head blown off seems more than an inconvenience.”

“Have you thought about using satellite sensors?” asked Gunn.

“Can’t be done with enough accuracy,” answered Chapman.

“How about a low-flying jet aircraft?” tried Giordino.

Chapman shook his head. “Same conclusion. Dragging sensors in the water at supersonic speeds won’t work. I know. I was in on an experiment that tried it.”

“There are first-rate labs on board the Sounder, “said Pitt. “Why not run her up the delta and at least pinpoint the type and class and level of contamination?”

“We tried,” replied Chapman, “but a Nigerian gunboat warned us off before we could get within 100 kilometers of the river’s mouth. Too far to make a precise analysis.”

“The project can only be done by a well-equipped small boat,” said Sandecker. “One that can get through occasional rapids and shallow waters. There’s no other way.”

“Has our State Department tried appealing to these governments to let a research team study the river on the grounds of saving billions of lives?” asked Gunn.

“The straightforward approach was tried. The Nigerians and the Malians turned the appeal down flat. Respected scientists came to West Africa to explain the situation. The African leaders didn’t believe the pitch, even laughed at it. You can’t really blame them. Their mentality is not exactly monumental. They can’t conceive on a grand scale.”

“Don’t they have a high death toll among their people who drank from the contaminated river?” asked Gunn.

“Nothing widespread,” Sandecker shook his head. “The Niger River has more than chemicals flowing in it. The cities and villages along its banks also dump human waste and sewage into its waters. The natives along its banks know better than to drink from it.”

Pitt saw the handwriting on the wall and didn’t like it one bit. “So you think a covert operation stands the only chance at tracking down the contamination?”

“I do,” Sandecker said doggedly.

“I hope you have a plan to overcome any and all obstacles.”

“Of course I have a plan.”

“Are we permitted to know just how we’re supposed to find the contamination source and somehow stay alive?” asked Gunn quietly.

“No great secret,” Sandecker said in exasperation. “Your arrival will be advertised as a working holiday by three wealthy French industrialists looking to invest in West Africa.”

Gunn looked stricken, Giordino dumfounded. Pitt’s face was clouded in growing anger.

“That’s it,” demanded Pitt. “That’s your plan.”

“Yes, and a damned good one,” snapped Sandecker.

“It’s crazy. I’m not going.”

“Me neither,” snorted Giordino. “I look about as French as Al Capone.”

“Nor I,” added Gunn.

“Certainly not in a slow, unarmed research boat,” stated Pitt firmly.