“The admiral told us that you failed to find any openings in the landfill casings under the docks before their security snatched your AUV.”
“Not so much as a crack,” admitted Gunn. “If Qin Shang is planning on smuggling illegal aliens through Sungari, it isn't from a ship through underground tunnels to the warehouse terminals.”
“You warned us they could be cagey,” said Stewart. “And, we found out the hard way. Now NUMA is out an expensive piece of equipment and we don't dare ask for it back.”
Gunn said bleakly, “We've accomplished nothing. All we've done for the last forty-eight hours is stare at empty docks and vacant buildings.”
Pitt placed a hand on Gunn's shoulder. “Cheer up, Rudi. While we stand here feeling sorry for ourselves for acting deaf, dumb and blind, a boatload of illegal immigrants from China was offloaded at Sungari and are now on their way inland to a staging center.”
Gunn stared into Pitt's eyes, startled, and saw them twinkle. “So tell us what you saw.”
“The towboat and barges that left Sungari a short time ago,” replied Pitt. “Al observed a couple of men on board the barges who were carrying weapons. When we passed over them they tried to hide.”
“Nothing shady about a towboat crew carrying arms,” said Stewart. “It's a fairly common practice if they're transporting valuable cargo.”
“Valuable?” Pitt said, laughing. “The cargo was trash and garbage thrown off the ship that had accumulated after a long voyage across the sea. Armed men weren't on the barge to protect trash, they were there to keep their human cargo from escaping.”
“How could you know that?” asked Gunn.
“A process of elimination.” Pitt began to feel good. He was on a roll. “At the present time, the only way in and out of Sungari is by ocean ships and riverboats. The ships smuggle in the immigrants, but there is no way to secretly transport them to a staging area for dispersion around the country. And you've proven they're not herded from the ships through hidden passages under the docks and warehouses. So they must be carried inland by barges.”
“Not possible,” stated Stewart flat out. “Customs and immigration agents come on board the minute the ship docks and search it from bow to stern. All cargo must be offloaded and stored in the warehouses for inspection. Every bag of trash is examined. So how do Qin Shang's people deceive the inspectors?”
“I believe the illegal immigrants are secretly housed in an underwater craft beneath the hull of the merchant ship that transported them from China. After the ship comes into port, the submerged craft is somehow transferred under the barge tied alongside to receive the trash and garbage. While this is going on, the customs and immigration agents do their job but find no evidence of illegal immigrants. Then, moving to a landfill up the Atchafalaya River to dispose of the trash, they make a stop at some out-of-the-way place to disembark the aliens.”
Gunn looked like a blind man whose sight had suddenly been restored by a faith healer in a revivalist tent. “You figured that out by simply flying over a garbage barge?”
“A theory at best,” Pitt said modestly.
“But a theory that can easily be verified,” pointed out Stewart.
“Then we're wasting time talking,” said Gunn excitedly. “We put a launch over the side and follow the towboat. You and Al can keep an eye on them from the air.”
“Worst thing we could do,” cut in Giordino. “We've already put them on guard by buzzing the barge. The towboat captain will know if he's being tailed. I vote we lay low temporarily and play inconspicuous.”
“Al's right,” said Pitt. “The smugglers are not dumb. They have calculated every option. Their uncanny intelligence sources in Washington may have already given the Sungari security force photographs of everyone on board the Marine Denizen. It's best we take our time and keep any scouting expedition as discreet as possible.”
“Shouldn't we at least notify the INS?” inquired Steward seriously.
Pitt shook his head. “Not until we can show them hard evidence.”
“There's another problem,” Giordino added. “Dirk and I are prohibited from working your side of the street.”
Gunn grinned perceptively. “Admiral Sandecker told me. You're AWOL from a government safe house in Maine.”
“They've probably got an all-points bulletin out on me for fleeing across state lines,” Giordino said, laughing.
“So what do we do to keep busy?” asked Stewart. “And for how long?”
“Keep the Marine Denizen anchored right where she is for now,” Pitt ordered. “After Qin Shang's security people stole your AUV, any cover you had as an innocent NUMA research project was blown. Maintain observation of Sungari as close as you can anchor.”
“If they're onto us, wouldn't it be better to move the ship further downriver toward the Gulf?”
Pitt gave a negative shake of his head. “I don't think so. Stay in close. I'm betting they're overconfident and think their smuggling tactics and strategy are undetectable and foolproof. Qin Shang believes he is untouchable. Let him go right on thinking Chinese are artful and crafty devils while Americans all attend village-idiot school. Meanwhile, Al and I mount a little clandestine operation of our own upriver and pinpoint the staging center. Immigration agents will want to know where the smuggled aliens are unloaded and held before boarding buses or trucks for circulation around the country.” Pitt paused. “Any questions, any comments?”
“If you've pegged Qin Shang's modus operandi,” Stewart said happily, “we're halfway home.”
“Sounds like a good plan to me,” said Gunn. “How should we proceed?”
“Subterfuge will be the order of the day,” explained Pitt. “Al and I will move into Morgan City, merge in with the locals and charter a fishing boat. Then head up the Atchafalaya and search out the staging center.”
“You'll probably need a guide,” Stewart suggested. “There are a thousand inlets, sloughs and bayous between here and the canal locks above Baton Rouge. Not being familiar with the river could cost you much time and wasted effort.”
“Good thinking,” agreed Giordino. “I do not wish to go off and perish in a quagmire and become a mystery like Amelia Earhart.”
“Little danger of that,” Stewart said, smiling.
“Detailed topographical maps should be the only guide we'll need.” Pitt nodded at the Marine Denizen's captain. “We'll keep you apprised of location and any progress over my satellite phone. You alert us to the next departure of the barge and towboat from the next ship to hit port.”
“Won't hurt for you to pass on the information regarding the United States too,” added Giordino. “I'd like to be around when she docks at Sungari.”
Gunn and Stewart exchanged confused looks. “The United States isn't bound for Sungari,” said Gunn.
Pitt's green eyes narrowed and his shoulders stiffened slightly. “I've heard nothing from Admiral Sandecker. Where did you get that bit of information?”
“The local newspaper,” answered Stewart. “We send a launch up to Morgan City once a day for any needed supplies. Whoever volunteers for the trip always brings back a newspaper. The story has been big news around Louisiana.”
“What story?” Pitt demanded.
“You haven't been told?” asked Gunn.
“Haven't been told what?”
“The United States,” Gunn muttered quietly. “She's heading up the Mississippi to New Orleans, where she's going to be remodeled into a hotel and gambling casino.”
Both Pitt and Giordino looked as if they had been told their life's savings had vanished. Giordino twisted his mouth in a wry grimace. “It seems, old buddy, that we have been led down the garden path.”