Part 114 (1/2)

But, as if in reciprocation for the voluntary cease-fire and the surrender of the spy's body, the submarine turned east in the ocean. It began moving on the gray surface, pointing away from them, until it was lower on the horizon.

Then only the periscope was visible, breaking through the waves.

Then nothing. The ocean was vacant, except for two small pleasure craft, both adrift and powerless. For a moment it was as if the underwater goliath had never been there. Then they felt its wake, rippling from a mile away.

Leslie sat on a cus.h.i.+oned seat within the cabin, her dark hair soaked and matted, an expression of exhaustion across her face. For her, the long intrigue with her father was over.

For several seconds, neither spoke.

Then,

”Lucky shot” she offered.

He looked at her, understanding.

”No, it wasn't.”

There was a pause and he continued.

”No one makes a shot like that on luck. No one guesses how to fire a rifle with accuracy like that” She nodded and a slight, unwilling smile crossed her face.

”How long have you known?” she asked.

”Known?”he answered.

”For about two minutes. Suspected? For a long time. Ever since I learned you had gulled your own foster father, George McAdam, into thinking you were dead. Where'd you learn it all? From him?”

She nodded.

”Learn from the best' she said.

”George McAdam was one of the best British agents of is day.- ”And now I'll bet you're one of the best. But not British. American.”

She shrugged.

”I try,” she answered.

”It's really the only thing I'm trained to do. Not much money in painting, you know.”

”Would you honor me with an honest answer or two?”

”Of course.”

”Why me?” he asked.

She almost laughed.

”It's not obvious?”

”Oh, I understand that part” he said.