Chapter 43
Conroy and Baker were there to greet us and take control of the quantum nodes and the core processing module as soon as we transferred to the deco chamber aboard the DSV.
We passed them through a lockout chamber.
JD and I gave them a full debrief of the events and signed confidentiality agreements, as did the rest of the crew.
Conroy said, "You’ve been a great service to your country."
"Just remember that next time I need something," I said.
Conroy gave me a slight acknowledgment.
"They’re going to send another team to destroy the sub. Count on it. They don't want the technology getting out.”
"We’ll handle it from here. Thank you.”
It wasn’t my problem anymore. My focus now was getting Paisley back, if she was still alive.
We had Internet access in the deco chamber as well as cell service.
But the kidnappers had gone radio silent.
The sheriff hadn't been able to make any forward progress while we were stuck on the habitat. I felt sick about it.
Tristan said a few words to the aquanauts as we sailed back to Coconut Key. "I know you all have been through a traumatic ordeal. You experienced things you were never prepared for, and you all handled yourselves with courage and professionalism.”
It wasn’t exactly true, but it sounded good.
“I am proud of you all, and I know this experience will help pave the way forward. Once again, I’d like to offer my deepest condolences to Judy. Denver died doing something he loved and standing up for what he believed in. He will not be forgotten.”
I was sure Tristan would handle all the arrangements and provide Judy a generous sum to avoid a lawsuit.
After four days in deco, we were released from the hyperbaric prison. It wasn’t all bad. I managed to have a few private moments with Elana to pass the time.
The sunlight felt good on my face when I hit the deck of the Curiosity. The smell of fresh air, the gentle breeze, the squawk of gulls, the wide open spaces… it almost felt like an alien planet after being cooped up for so long.
The sheriff was there to greet us. He just looked at us and shook his head. “I see you two nitwits are still alive.”
Tristan put a proud hand on my shoulder. “These gentlemen saved the day. You should be so proud!”
Daniels wasn’t convinced. “Where’s that briefcase?”
“It’s someplace safe.”
“It should have been logged into evidence.”
“With the way things are around here, it might not be there. I couldn’t risk it.”
“It might not be where you left it either. I’ve had no contact with the kidnappers. They’ve gone silent.”
“I know,” I said with a grim frown. I asked Tristan, “What exactly was your meeting with Nathan Mercer about?”
“He contacted me about a prototype solar cell. That might be what’s in the briefcase.
According to Mercer, he’d developed a cell the size of a credit card that could power an entire house.
Game-changing. Imagine the possibilities.
No costly setup. No more electric bill. It could be integrated easily into vehicles, boats, and other methods of transportation.
It would dramatically shift the energy economy. ”
"I can see why people would be after it," I said.
"If what he said was true, there would be a lot of people who would want to stop that from coming to market," Tristan said. "But sometimes Mercer could be prone to exaggeration.”
“What would you do with it?"
"I would make it available to the masses. I believe that's the way forward." Tristan paused. "You see, gentlemen, I am no longer motivated by money. I can't spend what I have.”
"The first thing we're going to do is find that case," the sheriff said. "Then, we’re going to put it somewhere safe, figure out who killed Nathan Mercer and kidnapped Paisley. With any luck, that girl is still alive."
"If she is, we’ll get her back," I assured, making a promise I wasn't sure I could keep. The odds were high that Paisley was already dead, but I didn't want to think about that.
I said goodbye to Elana before disembarking from the DSV. I told her I'd be in touch. She gave me a hug and a kiss. I didn’t particularly want to let go.
We took the gangway to the dock. The press was there to greet us. Cameras focused, and microphones pointed in our direction. Reporters shouted questions.
I declined to comment.
Flynn took the opportunity to get some free PR. “We faced some challenging circumstances, but we pulled together as a group and overcame.”
“Was Commander Weyland murdered by someone on the habitat?”
“How will that affect future missions?
“Will this program continue?”
Flynn smiled. “Those are all excellent questions, and I will leave it to someone more qualified than I to answer. But I can tell you this—I am honored to have been in the company of these fine men and women who persevered through tremendous adversity. And I’m excited to live to tell about it.”
He stepped out of frame and said, “I’m ready to get back to the boat and have a beer.”
I cringed. “The Avventura is in Miami.”
His face wrinkled. “What the hell is it doing there?”
“Hurricane.”
“Oh, yeah. Right. I guess I’ll get a room somewhere.” A grin tugged his mouth. “I’ll get us a cabana at the Seven Seas.”
I told him we’d be in touch, then JD and I hustled to the sheriff's patrol car. We hopped in with him and drove to the station.
Daniels grumbled, "You’re going to take me to that case right now.”