Page 8 of Clive Cussler Ghost Soldier

Callie frowned quizzically. “I know his name is Gomez, but the tag on his flight suit read ‘Adams.’ ”

“Gomez is his nickname,” Juan said. “He has a certain effect on the ladies. Well, one of the many ladies unable to resist his considerable charms was the courtesan of a Peruvian drug lord who looked a lot like Morticia fromThe Addams FamilyTV show—”

“And Gomez Addams was her husband.” Callie grinned. “Got it. Better than getting called ‘Lurch.’ ”

“True that.” Juan gestured toward Linda. “This is Linda Ross, my Vice President of operations, and third in command on theOregon.”

“It’s a real honor to finally meet you,” Linda said. She and Callie shook hands.

Callie noted Linda’s shockingly bright mane spilling out beneath her ball cap. “Love the neon hair.”

Linda pulled off her sunglasses, revealing a spray of freckles across her petite nose.

“Kinda crazy, I know. I change my hair color as often as I change my socks. Can’t break the habit.”

“Linda was a Pentagon staffer and blue-water naval intelligence officer before she came to work for me,” Juan said. “I think she’s trying to color away all of those Navy regulations she used to keep.”

“Thanks, Dr. Freud,” Linda said, pulling on her aviators.

“I might have to borrow a bottle,” Callie said. “I understand you’re a sub driver as well?”

“Best on the boat—except for the Chairman.” Linda nodded at Juan. She caught the eye of one of the hangar apes, a barrel-chested fireplug in blue utilities. He jogged over.

“Ma’am?”

Linda pointed at Callie’s enormous duffel.

“Please take Ms. Cosima’s luggage to her guest suite. It’s number 311, two doors down from mine.”

“That’s not necessary,” Callie protested. “It’s rather heavy. Gear, mostly.”

“Happy to, ma’am.” The deckhand snatched up the heavy bag as if it were filled with cotton candy and turned on his heels.

By the time she said, “Thank you” he was already speeding off toward the superstructure.

Callie turned back to Juan and flashed a curious look.

“So why do they call you ‘Chairman’?”

The big hydraulic motors of the aircraft elevator whined as the tilt-rotor disappeared belowdecks.

“We run theOregonand its operations like a Wall Street company, not a military organization. In fact, our business operation is called ‘The Corporation.’ ”

“You need a better marketing department.”

“I don’t disagree,” Juan said, chuckling, “because I am the marketing department. I’m the Chairman of the Corporation, Linda is Vice President, and Max Hanley is the President. You’ll meet him later.”

“I’ve Skyped with him several times. Supersmart guy.”

“He helped build theOregon,” Juan said. “He’s one of the best engineers I’ve ever known.”

“But theOregonwas Juan’s idea,” Linda said, “and he was the original designer.”

Callie nodded. “Impressive.”

“That’s quite a compliment coming from someone like you,” Cabrillo said. “I’ll take it and run. I bet you want to see your baby.”

“Sure do.”