Austin shook his head. “Before you buckle on your six-shooters and ride off, let me remind you what you're up against. Oceanus has money, and worldwide connections, and as you've seen, they don't hesitate to commit cold-blooded murder. They'd swat you and any- one you brought in from SOS like a fly. I'm sorry about Ben's cousin and your friend getting killed, but it only proves what I've been say- ing. You'll be putting your people in similar danger.” He glanced pointedly at Therri.

“They're willing to take any risk for the environment,” Ryan said. “Apparently, NUMA doesn't give a damn about it.”

“Hold on, Marcus,” Therri said. She had seen Austin's jaw harden. “Kurt has a point. Maybe we could offer a compromise. SOS could work behind the scenes with NUMA.”

“Spoken like a true lawyer,” Austin said.

Therri hadn't expected Austin's quick rebuff. “What's that sup- posed to mean?” she said, a hint of coldness creeping into her voice.

“I think this is less about the whales and the walruses and dead friends, and more about your friend's ego.” He turned back to Ryan. “You're still ticked off about the loss of the Sea Sentinel. She was your pride and joy. You were going to play the martyr in front of the cable news cameras, but the Danes beat you to the punch when they dropped the charges and quietly kicked you out of their country.”

“That's not true,” Therri said. “Marcus is-”

Ryan silenced her with a wave of his hand. “Don't waste your breath. It's apparent that Kurt is a fair-weather friend.”

“Better than no friend at all,” Austin said. He pointed toward the statue of Roosevelt. “Maybe you should go back and read that guy s resume again. He didn't ask others to stick their necks out. Sorry to hear about your cousin, Ben, and about Josh Green. Nice to see you again, Therri.”

Austin had had his fill ofRyan's self-aggrandizement. He'd been hopeful when he heard Nighthawk's story, but angry at Ryan for slamming the door on a possible lead. He was striding down the path when he heard footsteps from behind. Therri had followed him from the memorial. She caught up with him and grabbed him lightly by the arm. “Kurt, please reconsider. Marcus really needs your help.”

“I can see that. But I can't agree to his conditions.”

“We can work something out,” she pleaded.

“If you and Ben want help from NUMA, you'll have to cut loose from Ryan.”

“I can't do that,” she said, bringing the power other lovely eyes to bear.

“I think you can,” Austin said, boring back with his own, equally intense gaze.

“Damnit, Austin,” she said with exasperation, “you're one stub- born bastard.”

Austin chuckled. “Does that mean you won't go out to dinner with me?”