Page 44 of Clive Cussler Ghost Soldier

Juan faced Hux, but spoke to Linda.

“I need you to get Murph and Eric on a search for an arms dealer that goes by the name of ‘the Vendor.’ ”

“ ‘The Vendor’? Sounds like a Bond villain. Any details? Age, race, nationality…zodiac sign?”

“That’s all I’ve got. It’s up to them to figure out the rest.”

Hux frowned. “Juan, your eyes are slightly dilated. I need you to come back to the clinic for an examination.”

“Not a good time, Doc.” He said to Linda, “I need one more thing.”

“Name it.”

“When that plane broke apart, were you able to track any of the debris?”

Linda nodded. “The big stuff, sure, until it hit the water.”

“Think you can plot a track to the center of the debris field?”

“Sure. What do you have in mind?”

Juan turned to Callie. “You ready to test your vehicle?”

“Heck ya. Let’s get after it.”

“Not an option,” Huxley said, stepping back. “Getting you to the clinic wasn’t a suggestion. It’s an order from your ship’s doctor.”

Juan raised an eyebrow. “An order, is it?”

“Ten minutes in my clinic so I can clear you for concussion. Otherwise I’m declaring you unfit for duty.”

Juan fought back a laugh despite the pain. The diminutive doctor was tough as nails when it came to the health of her crew. He glanced over her shoulder. MacD and Eddie were helping the deckhand wrestle the Jet Skis into the garage.

“Sounds like mutiny to me, Dr. Huxley.”

“Just following what my contract says. By the way, you wrote it, not me.”

“How about a couple of naproxen and a shot of Four Roses Single Barrel and we’ll call it a day?”

Huxley ignored him. “And then there’s that Hippocratic-oath thingy I keep reminding you about from time to time. Even if I do clear you, you need to get some rest.”

“Like my old priest used to say,” Juan said, “ ‘There’s no rest for the wicked and the righteous don’t need any.’ ”

Hux threw a thumb at the elevator door.

“Your choice: the clinic or the clink.”

Cabrillo raised his hands in surrender. “Okay, Doc. Let’s go.”

Hux guided Juan by the elbow toward the elevator. He called over his shoulder at Linda and Callie.

“Linda, get that radar fix as soon as you can and plot a course. Callie, get your boat ready.”

“What’s the plan, boss?” Linda asked.

“We lost all of our leads on that plane when it exploded. I think I know a way to get at least one of them back.”

“Hux, call me when you know something,” Linda said.