Of course, no matter where they went, they were going to garner a lot of attention, and Puerto Rico was no different. In fact, the entire island went wild when they found out that one of their old buildings on the south side of the island, just outside of Ponce, would be converted into a new research center for the famous ‘Dirk and Sally.' What was a surprise was the reaction of the kids in Puerto Rico.
In the States, during their early stages of research, Alison and her team played host to countless children on field trips, coming to visit the dolphins. Many of the kids were genuinely excited, but many others were not. Instead, they sat off to the side, glued to their cell phone screens. Alison had thought it odd at first, but after seeing the same thing class after class, it became downright depressing.
However, she did remember a very special fifth grade class from Hedrick Elementary in Lewisville, Texas, and the Puerto Rican children reminded her of them a lot. In Puerto Rico, all the children were absolutely thrilled to come. Every face remained pressed against the thick glass the entire time. They couldn’t get enough, and, as a result, it couldn’t help but bring back some of that early excitement for Alison and her team. So, in exchange, they decided to do something special for the kids.
Alison had an idea one day and talked to Lee and Juan about it. It took a while, but they managed to set up a smaller translation server for visitors. It had a much shorter vocabulary than the giant IMIS system and couldn’t translate new words, but it allowed the children to do something astounding: actually stand in front of the tank and talk with a real-life dolphin.
Alison remembered watching the children type on the keyboard for the first time, thinking some of the kids might actually pop from the excitement. It was contagious. She had never seen Dirk and Sally so excited either. They would stay and talk to the children for hours until the very last one had left.
Of course, Dirk and Sally were free now and they came and went as they pleased. So, when they did arrive, Alison and her team would promptly call the nearby schools to arrange some visits. And neither the children, nor Dirk and Sally, ever showed any signs of tiring. It was indeed a ‘zoo’ and she loved it.
“By the way,” Lee interrupted, standing behind her. “Did DeeAnn find you? She was looking for you earlier. Something about helping with her research this afternoon.”
“No. I’ll head over.”
Lee nodded and turned back to Juan, who was showing him something on his monitor. As Alison turned to leave, her phone rang. She looked at the screen and answered immediately.
“Hey there,” she said, smiling sheepishly.
“Hi,” replied a deep voice on the other end.
“How are you?”
She instinctively turned away from Lee and Juan, who both chuckled at her. Lee playfully cupped his hands over his mouth. “Tell him we said, ‘hi.’”
She made a shushing gesture with her hand and turned further around. “Sorry.”
John Clay chuckled himself. “I’m fine. How are you?”
“Oh, pretty good. I was just standing here giving Lee and Juan some tips on computers.”
Clay laughed. “I bet that’s some advice.”
“Hey,” she said, half pretending to be hurt. “I have a toaster. I know how this stuff works! So, where are you?”
“Um, I’m on a plane.”
Alison glanced at her watch. “Already? I thought your flight wasn’t until this evening.”
“Yeah, about that… unfortunately, something’s come up and I’m not going to be able to make it.”
Alison looked dejected. “That’s too bad. I was looking forward to seeing you.”
“I know. I’m sorry. So was I. Hopefully, it won’t be too long.”
“Where are you going?”
“Brazil,” Clay answered. “Not too far. Just on the other side of you.”
“Can you say what for?”
“I’m afraid I can’t. Let’s just pretend I’m scouting romantic vacation spots.”
“You know it’s going to be one year pretty soon.”
“Yes, I know.”
Of course he did, she thought. The man didn’t forget anything. He had a mind like a steel trap. He was actually kind of amazing that way. He not only knew how to listen, but he actually remembered what she said for more than ten seconds.
Alison had to admit, he was nothing like she had expected when they first met. He worked for the Navy, a branch of the military she loathed. Of course, to be truthful, she hated all military branches. But as it turned out, John Clay wasn’t just some Marine jarhead. In fact, he was not only a man; he was a bona fide anomaly. He was smart, considerate, and devastatingly handsome. And those shoulders!
“I’m really sorry, Alison.” Clay swayed side to side in his seat as his plane turned and bounced onto the runway. “I’ll call you in the next day or two, okay?”
“Okay,” Alison said, still wearing a trace of a frown. “Be safe.”
“Always.”
“Bye.” She ended the call and remained staring at the phone.
“I take it he’s not coming,” Lee said behind her.
She sighed and dropped her hand, sliding the phone back into her pocket. “No.”
The plane was a C-20 Gulfstream III, which had arrived less than thirty minutes after their video call with Langford. Clay powered off his phone and closed his eyes, pressing his head gently into the leather headrest. He regretted hearing the disappointment in Alison’s voice.
After a long moment and from the table between them, Clay picked up the folder containing his copy of the report on the Russian sub and flipped it open again. He remained quiet, thinking.
“So, what I can’t figure out,” Caesare said, speaking first, “is what the hell kind of interest Brazil would hold for a Russian sub, and an old one at that?”
“I’ve been wondering the same thing. Russia has a pretty good relationship with Brazil, so why the secrecy?”
“Because that’s what you do when you’re hiding.”
“But what were they hiding from?” Clay pondered. “And why a fifty-year-old submarine everyone else in the world thought had been decommissioned?”
“Maybe it was because everyone thought it had been decommissioned,” Caesare said, with a touch of sarcasm. He raised his bottle of beer and took a swig. “But if I was Russia and wanted to go stealth, I sure as hell wouldn’t do it in a November class sub. They’re noisy.”
Clay tilted his head back and absently examined the ceiling. “Brazil has the second largest navy in the Americas. Their entire fleet and infrastructure are well known. What could the Russians be trying to find out?”
“It’s also odd that they haven’t said anything.”
“Agreed. If there really was some secret to hide, wouldn’t they want to get their crew out quickly?”
“Unless speaking up makes it worse.” Caesare tilted his bottle, examining it. “Even if it did, why not just make up some PR story or misdirection? Governments do that all the time.”
“True. But it means we’re still asking the same question. What do they want to know about Brazil?”
Caesare placed the bottle in a cup holder and leaned his seat back. “Maybe there’s a simpler explanation.”