Brandy stepped down from the wheelhouse. "That evidence'll be explained fully on our return trip from Fort Augustus, right Dr. Wallace? As fer now, I'll need ye all to gather your belongings as we'll be docking in just a few minutes. A two-hour break'll give ye plenty o' time tae do a little sightseein' an' shoppin'. Fort Augustus is the largest village on Loch Ness, with many fine restaurants and shops. I recommend stopping at the Abbey, and ye'll definitely want to see …"

But Oldham refused to be put off by Brandy's sales pitch. "Yes or no, Dr. Wallace, do you believe large, mysterious aquatic animals inhabit Loch Ness?"

The passengers waited.

Brandy returned to the wheelhouse, emphatically nodding yes.

I closed my eyes, the migraine teasing at my right eye, the ghosts of Loch Ness at my spine.

"It's a simple question, Dr. Wallace. Yes or no?"

"No."

Moans of disappointment.

"Then you lied to us earlier?"

"I didn't lie. What I should've said, what I meant to say was there could be something large down there, but whatever it is, it's nothing to do with the Nessie lore as we know it."

"All right then, if you actually believe that, then why not investigate the Loch yourself? Whether you realize it or not, the Sargasso incident, combined with everything that's happened to your father, has drawn huge interest from our sponsors. I'd say the timing couldn't be more perfect for a well-financed investigation of Loch Ness, headed by Dr. Zachary Wallace himself."

The passengers clapped enthusiastically.

"Is that what brought you on this boat, Mr. Oldham?"

His smile revealed his intentions. "Let's just say, we try to deliver what our viewers want to see. The Werner Herzog movie was tongue- in-cheek, the public prefers something more scientific. Just say the word, Dr. Wallace, and I can have a film crew, research vessel, and sonar equipment at your disposal in less than a week."

My heart beat like a race horse's as Brandy cut the Nessie III's engine, maneuvering us into an open berth in the Fort Augustus marina. "Dr. Wallace, could ye grab the bow line for me? Hello? Zachary… the bow line?"

I refused to move, the pressure in my head continuing to build, the NOVA producer refusing to back down. "The public trusts you, Dr. Wallace. Why not end the controversy here and now?"

Frustrated, Brandy grabbed the line herself and jumped onto the dock. "I think Dr. Wallace would like to mull this over and discuss it on oor return trip, ain't that right, Dr. Wallace?"

Return trip? Was she insane?

"And everyone who prepays now will save an extra two pounds—"