"A classic case of yin and yang?" he asked.
"I hate to think that the opposing forces of good and evil were bound together in this case, she said, "but without one, the other would not have produced a benefit to the world."
"More than one," he said. "China and U.S. relations have never been warmer. And the Triad is no longer with us. Yin and yang on hormones."
They had climbed the hill to the patio and settled into a couple of chairs that faced the waterfront and the mangroves beyond.
"I have a tough question to ask," Austin said. "Dr. Huang's role as an informant enabled the Triad to pursue its evil goals. After he tipped off the Triad about the lab, they eavesdropped on Doc Kane and pinpointed its location. What should we do about him?"
"I don't know," Lee said. "He is a mouse and frightens easily, but he's a brilliant doctor. I would hate to turn him over to the government. They would execute him." She looked off at a snowy egret gliding over the water, and when she turned back to Austin a smile lit up her face. "This is what I propose for Dr. Huang."
She explained her idea to send Huang to take her place as a country doctor. Austin threw his head back and let out a hearty laugh.
"A solution that is perfect in its symmetry. Now it's my turn to make a proposal."
He zipped open his rucksack and pulled out a bottle and two shot glasses. He poured each glass half full and offered one to Song.
"This is the Micronesian sakau I promised you. It's made from a pepper plant and is slightly narcotic, so it is best taken in small doses."
They raised their glasses, and, after a moment of thought, Song said, "Here's to warm relations between China and America."
They clinked glasses. She made a sour face and put her glass down on the table.
"It's an acquired taste, which is probably a good thing," Austin said with a smile. "As I recall, I also promised you a dinner with a water view." He swept his hand in the air. "Here's the water view. Dinner may have to wait until your work here is done."
"Maybe not," Song said. "One of the lab techs caught some fresh redfish this morning, and we will be grilling them for dinner. Please join us."
Austin accepted the invitation, and they sat on the patio talking until the dinner bell clanged. They ate in the dining room with a half dozen staffers, then retired to the patio to enjoy an after-dinner drink as the island became enveloped by a liquid darkness. Austin had repacked the sakau, and they were drinking a less lethal port.
Kurt and Song talked for hours, with the sensuous sounds and smells of the semitropic night in the background, and it was late when they realized that the rest of the staff had drifted off and they were all alone.
Austin glanced at his watch, and said, "It's almost midnight. I had better call Dooley to have him pick me up."
Song laughed softly, and said, "Dooley is in bed by now. And you would have to climb the water tower to pick up a signal. Why don't you stay the night with me in my cottage? It's quite snug and comfortable."
"Never let it be said that Kurt Austin stood in the way of warm Chinese-American relations, he said. "But these clothes are all I have. I left my pajamas at home."
Song reached out and touched Kurt's hand.
"You won't need them," she said with a smile in her voice.
They awoke early the next day to a waterbird symphony. Austin had to get back to Washington for a meeting. While he climbed the tower to call Dooley, Song and the lab technicians produced a send-off breakfast that was heavy on fresh fruit. As they dined on the patio, Austin savored the peace and quiet of the island.
"It's going to be tough to leave paradise," he said.
"Do you really have to go so soon?" she asked.
"Unfortunately, yes. I'm sorry to rush off."
"Maybe you can rush back just as quickly."
"I have the feeling we'll be seeing each other sooner than we think. How's your research going on the New Bedford anomaly?"
"I've been going over what material I have. But so much is missing." She frowned, and said, "I think I hear Dooley."
Song walked Kurt to the end of the dock. They embraced and kissed good-bye. Before Austin got in the boat, he reached into his rucksack and pulled out a package wrapped in plain paper. He handed it to Lee.
"You might find this of interest," he said.
Lee took the wrapping off and stared at the book in her hand.
The blue leather cover was crinkled with age and weathered from the time it had spent at sea. She turned to the first page and read aloud:
"November 20, 1847. Wind northwest at ten knots. Good ship Princess departs New Bedford on maiden voyage. Adventure and prosperity beckon. H. Dobbs."
"It's the missing logbook!" she said. "Where did you find it?"
"The Trouts picked it up when they went to New Bedford for the dedication. Seems Harvey Brimmer's story about Caleb Nye's secret marriage was true. The book was part of a dowry he gave his daughter. It's been in her family since then. They'd like it back after you're done with it."
Kurt gave Song a peck on the cheek, then got in the boat with Dooley. As the boat headed toward the mangroves, Song finally seemed to realize that Kurt was leaving. She waved her hand and shouted a thank-you.
"Too bad you got to leave Dr. Lee so soon," Dooley said.
"That's okay," Austin said. "She's got a young guy to keep her company."
"Sorry to hear that," Dooley said with real concern. "Anybody I know?"
"Probably not. His name is Caleb Nye."
"Women," Dooley muttered with a sad shake of his head.
Minutes later, they broke out of the mangroves into open water. Dooley goosed the throttle, and the boat raced across the blue-green waters of the bay to the distant mainland.
Also by Clive Cussler
DIRK PITT® ADVENTURES
Arctic Drift
Treasure of Khan
Black Wind
Trojan Odyssey
Valhalla Rising
Atlantis Found
Flood Tide
Shock Wave
Inca Gold
Sahara
Dragon
Treasure
Cyclops
Deep Six
Pacific Vortex
Night Probe
Vixen 03
Raise the Titanic!
Iceberg
The Mediterranean Caper
KURT AUSTIN ADVENTURES
The Navigator
Polar Shift
Lost City
White Death
Fire Ice
Blue Gold
Serpent
OREGON FILES ADVENTURES
Corsair
Plague Ship
Skeleton Coast
Dark Watch
Golden Buddha
Sacred Stone
OTHER FICTION BY CLIVE CUSSLER
The Chase
NONFICTION BY CLIVE CUSSLER AND CRAIG DIRGO
The Sea Hunters
The Sea Hunters II
Clive Cussler and Dirk Pitt Revealed
About The Author
Clive Cussler is the author or coauthor of twenty previous books, most recently the number-one best seller Valhalla Rising, the NUMA Files novel Blue Gold, and the non-fiction work The Sea Hunters. The last describes the true-life adventures of the real NUMA, which, led by Cussler, searches for lost ships of historic significance. With his crew of volunteers, Cussler has uncovered more than sixty ships, including the long-lost Confederate submarine Hunley. More of NUMA's discoveries and adventures will be detailed in the forthcoming The Sea Hunters II. Cussler divides his time between the mountains of Colorado and the deserts of Arizona.
Paul Kemprecos coauthored Serpent and Blue Gold with Cussler, and is the Shamus Award-winning author of six underwater detective thrillers. A certified scuba diver and a former newspaper reporter, columnist, and editor, he lives on Cape Cod.
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