Meg_A Novel of Deep Terror by Steve Alten

Author:Steve Alten [Alten, Steve]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Carcharocles megalodon--Fiction, Pacific Ocean--Fiction, Sharks--Fiction, Deep diving--Fiction
Publisher: Gere Donovan Press
Published: 2011-08-17T07:00:00+00:00

OPTIONS

TERRY TANAKA ENTERED the Aura naval hospital and glanced at her watch—8:40 a.m. That gave her exactly twenty minutes to get Jonas to Commander McGovern’s office, assuming he was in any condition to travel. She walked down the empty hallway, the navy MP no longer on duty.

Jonas’s door was ajar.

Inside, a woman with platinum blond hair was ransacking a chest of drawers. The bed was empty. Jonas was gone.

“Can I help you?” Terry asked.

Maggie jumped. “I’m... I’m looking for my husband.”

“You won’t find him in a drawer. Wait... you’re Maggie?”

Maggie’s eyes narrowed. “That’s right, I’m Mrs. Taylor. Who the hell are you?”

“Terry Tanaka.”

Maggie eyed her up and down. “Well, well... ”

“I’m a friend. My brother... he was the one who was killed. I stopped by to drive Dr. Taylor to the naval base.”

Maggie’s disposition changed. “Sorry... about your brother. Did you say naval base? What does the navy want with Jonas?”

“There’s a hearing. Exactly what are you doing here?”

“My husband was nearly killed. Where else would I be but by his side?”

Terry frowned. “Not that it’s any of my business, but—”

“—but you’re right,” said Maggie, “it’s not your business. Anyway, since Jonas obviously isn’t here, he must already be at the meeting, so maybe you can take me?”

· · ·

The hearing at Guam’s naval base took place in a refrigerated warehouse that had once been used to “hold” the bodies of deceased soldiers awaiting transport back to the States. Under three sets of mobile surgical lights lay the remains of the male Megalodon. Two Japanese men, both scientists from JAMSTEC, were busy examining the enormous jaws of the ancient predator.

An MP greeted Terry and Maggie, handing each woman a lined coat as they entered the cooler.

A conference table and chairs had been set on the far side of the room. Frank Heller and Al DeMarco were consoling Masao, who wore dark sunglasses to obscure his red-rimmed eyes. Terry embraced her father, then introduced Maggie.

Commander Bryce McGovern, a silver-haired veteran of two wars, entered the warehouse, followed by an aide and a Frenchman in his late forties. “I’m Commander McGovern. This is Andre Dupont of the Cousteau Society.”

“I’m Tanaka,” Masao said. “My daughter, Terry.”

The commander nodded. “Our condolences. We’ll try to make this briefing as painless as possible. Mr. Tanaka, is everyone present?”

“Dr. Tsukamoto and Dr. Simidu have just arrived from the Japan Marine Science and Technology Center. But Jonas Taylor is not here. Apparently, he left the hospital late last night.”

McGovern grimaced. “Our only real witness. Anyone know where Dr. Taylor went?”

Terry pointed to Maggie. “There’s his wife. Ask her.”

Maggie flashed a smile. “I’m sure Jonas will show up eventually. Studying these creatures was such a big part of our lives.”

Terry rolled her eyes.

“Let’s get started,” said McGovern, taking his place at the head of the table. “If everyone can find seats... including the two gentlemen by the shark.” The commander waited. “The Mariana Trench is under United States jurisdiction. As such, the United States Navy has assigned me to investigate the incident that occurred in the Challenger Deep.

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