Dirk Pitt 10 - Dragon by Dragon

Author:Dragon [Dragon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-09-20T03:14:48+00:00

"You are American?" the stranger blurted in broken English, his face blank in astonishment. "Who gave you authorization to be here?"

"Who's this mook?" Giordino inquired in blissful ignorance.

Reinhardt couldn't suppress a slight grin. "Herr Gert Haider, Minister of Historic Works. Sir, Herr Dirk Pitt and his staff from the American National Underwater and Marine Agency in Washington. They are here at the personal invitation of Chancellor Lange."

Haider looked as if he'd been punched in the stomach. He quickly recovered, straightened to his full height, half a head short of tall, and attempted to intimidate Pitt with a superior Teutonic demeanor. "Your purpose?"

"We've come for the same reason as you," replied Pitt, studying his fingernails. "If old interrogation records of Nazi officials in your Berlin archives and our Library of Congress are correct, eighteen thousand works of art were hidden in excavated tunnels under a secret airfield. This could very well prove to be that secret airfield with its art depository chamber extending somewhere beyond the water barrier."

Haider wisely realized he couldn't bluster the tough, purposeful-looking men dressed in loose blue-green Viking dry suits. "You know, of course, any art that is found belongs to the German Republic until it can be traced and returned to the original owners."

"We're fully aware of that," said Pitt. "We're only interested in one particular piece."

"Which one?"

"Sorry, I'm not allowed to say."

Haider played his last card. "I must insist the police dive team be the first to enter the chamber."

"Fine by us." Giordino bowed and gestured toward the dark water. "Maybe if one of your deputies is lucky enough to make it in and back, we'll find out what's eating people in that hell hole down there."

"I've lost four of my men." Reinhardt spoke solemnly. "They may be dead. You cannot allow more men to die through ignorance of the unknown."

"They are professional divers," Haider retorted.

"So are the men I sent in there. The finest divers in the Navy, in superior condition and more extensively trained than the police rescue team."

"May I suggest a compromise," said Pitt.

Haider nodded. "I'm willing to listen."

"We put together a seven-man probe team. The three of us because Mancuso here is a mining engineer, an expert on tunnel construction and excavation, while Al and I are experienced in underwater salvage. Two of Lieutenant Reinhardt's Navy men, since they're trained in defusing any demolitions we might encounter. And two of the police divers as rescue and medical backup."

Haider stared into Pitt's eyes and saw only grim tenacity. It was a solid proposal fortified with logic. He forced a smile. "Who goes in first?"

"I do," Pitt said without hesitation.

His two short words seemed to echo in the cavern for long seconds, and then the tension suddenly evaporated and Haider stuck out his hand.

"As you wish." He shook Pitt's hand and puffed out his chest to regain an image of authoritative dignity. "But I hold you responsible, Herr Pitt, if you trip any explosive devices and destroy the artworks."

Pitt gave Haider a contemptuous grin.

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