Read Online Piranha by Clive Cussler - Free Book Online Page B

and she foresaw following in his footsteps.
    But Dominguez had let her down and her empire was threatening to crumble.
    She had called him to check on the status of her arms smuggling operation. When he didn’t answer, she had called the guardhouse at the warehouse to check on him. Soon after the guards arrived at the security office, they found Dominguez and another man tied up in the bathroom. She immediately ordered the entire facility locked down so they could find the impostors who had sneaked in. She was now awaiting news that they had been found since no one had seen them leave the base.
    The phone rang and she snatched up the receiver.
    â€œReport,” she snapped.
    â€œDominguez here, Admiral,” he said. “We have them cornered.”
    â€œWhere?”
    He cleared his throat. “On the ship. They’re in the cargo bay. They knocked one of my men unconscious and locked themselves inside.”
    Ruiz had to find out who they were, how they’d discovered her operation, and whether any other part of it was in jeopardy.
    â€œI want them captured alive,” she said.
    â€œYes, ma’am. We have all the exits covered.”
    â€œWhat about the cargo door?”
    â€œWe’ve cut power to that part of the ship. There’s no way they can lower it. I have fifty additional men on the way. There’s no way they can escape.”
    â€œDo you know what they were after?”
    Another hesitation.
    â€œDon’t lie to me, Lieutenant. I will find out.”
    â€œThey took the laptop and my phone.” He added quickly, “The computer is encrypted and I destroyed the phone, so they won’t be able to transmit any information from inside the ship.”
    Ruiz’s hand tightened on the mug until it seemed in danger of shattering.
    â€œYou had better be right, Dominguez, or I’ll use you for target practice.”
    She could hear him gulp. “Aye, Admiral.”
    â€œDescribe these men.”
    â€œBoth were dressed in Navy uniforms. One was a large black man. The second . . . well, I could have sworn he was Captain Ortega. But, then, he thought you were a man. I was about to arrest him, but he and the other impostor were so quick—”
    â€œEnough. I’ll read about it in your report later. Call me the moment you have them in custody.”
    She hung up without waiting for acknowledgment.
    The news that they’d gotten hold of the computer and phone was the most disturbing part of Dominguez’s report. She could survive the discovery of her arms smuggling operation, but if anyone outside her inner circle found out about the second aspect of her illicit activities her standing in Venezuela would be destroyed. She’d be executed as a traitor.
    She retreated to her cabin. The next calls required more privacy.
    Ruiz dialed a number that she had memorized. She erased the number after every call.
    On the second ring, a clipped voice answered. “What?”
    â€œWe’ve had an incident, Doctor,” she said in fluent English using the only name she knew him by.
    â€œSo?”
    â€œI want to make sure it doesn’t jeopardize my plans. Is the
Ciudad Bolívar
on schedule?” she asked.
    â€œIt will be in position in thirty-six hours just like I said it would.”
    â€œHave you detected any interest in our activities?”
    â€œNo,” the man replied. “I expect the final payment to come through as soon as the
Bolívar
goes down.”
    â€œAnd in exchange you will hand over the encrypted software code for controlling the drones as we agreed?”
    â€œYes,” the Doctor said.
    â€œThen we’ll proceed. Dominguez will report when the
Ciudad Bolívar
is sunk. Make sure the drones are ready by tomorrow night.”
    â€œOf course. That’s why you’re paying me.”
    He hung up. Ruiz wasn’t used to being treated with such disrespect, but the Doctor’s special skills