“We're heading up the coast to a point that will enable you to go the shortest straight-line distance. Two hours maybe. In the mean- time, I can show you what I have to offer.”

With his sons taking up the rear, Aguirrez escorted the others down a companionway to a large, brightly lit below-decks helicop- ter hangar. “We have two helicopters,” he said. “The civilian one on the stern we use for getting about. This SeaCobra is held in reserve should the occasion arise. The Spanish Navy ordered a number of these aircraft. Through my connections, I was able to sidetrack one of them. It carries the standard armament.” Aguirrez sounded like a car salesman touting the extras for a Buick.

Austin swept his eyes over the naval version of the army Huey, the rocket and Minigun pods slung under the stubby wings. “The stan- dard armament will do just fine.”

“Very good,” Aguirrez said. “My sons will accompany you and your friend in the Eurocopter, and the SeaCobra will go along with you in case you need backup.” He furrowed his brow. “I'm concerned that someone smart enough to use such clever camouflage would have the best detection technology. You could be greeted by a wel- coming party, and even a heavily armed helicopter would be vul- nerable.”

“I agree,” Austin said. “That's why we're going in by land. We'll put down at an abandoned logging camp, and Ben will guide us through the forest to our target. We think they will expect any in- trusion to come across the lake, as Ben did before, so we'll come in from behind. We'll escape the same way-hopefully, with Ben's fam- ily and friends.”

“I like it. Simple in planning and execution. What do you do when you get to your target?” Aguirrez asked.

“That's the hard part,” Austin replied. “We don't have much other than Ben's account and the aerial photos. We'll have to improvise, but it wouldn't be the first time.”

Aguirrez didn't seem worried.

“Well, then, I suggest we get started.” He signaled Diego, who went over to a phone next to a battery of switches. He spoke a few words, then began to punch buttons. There was the hum of motors an alarm horn sounded, and doors in the ceiling slid slowly apart. Next, the floor started to move upward, and moments later, they and the helicopter were lifted up to the deck, where crewmen, alerted by the call, hurried in to prepare the SeaCobra for action.

NUMA 4 - White Death

32

THE VESSEL THAT Dr. Throckmorton had commandeered for his survey was a stubby converted stern-trawler used by the Canadian Fisheries Service. The one-hundred-foot-long Cormorant was docked near where Mike Neal's boat had been tied up on the Trouts' first visit to the harbor.

“To quote the great Yogi Berra, This is like deja vu, all over again,' ” Trout said, as he and Gamay walked up the gangplank onto the deck of the survey vessel.