Sea of Fire Read Online Free PDF Page B

listen.”
    It also meant that Coffey would have time to mingle, eavesdrop, and find out what other people were thinking. He would have time to address up-to-the-moment issues in his speech.
    “Will our nemesis Brian Ellsworth be there?” Coffey asked.
    “He was invited, of course,” Penny said. “But he declined as usual.”
    “I’d be honored to take it personally,” Coffey said.
    “Your keynote speech in Brisbane last year was not in his nightstand reading stack, I’m sure,” Penny said. “But I do believe his disinterest is spread across the entire organization.”
    Ellsworth was chief solicitor for the Australian Maritime Intelligence Centre. Based in Darwin, Northern Territory, the MIC was the first line of defense against illegal aliens trying to make their way into Australia. They maintained that nationals who desired amnesty typically defected to foreign embassies in their own countries. As far as Ellsworth was concerned, every boat, plane, or raft that came through the back door carried drugs, smugglers, or terrorists. According to ARRO’s research, just over 65 percent of those craft did. The other 35 percent transported people who were poor, terrified, and searching for a less oppressed life. The “Australia first” MIC had a great deal of influence in parliament. By law, illegal immigrants were typically returned to their point of origin within twenty-four hours. ARRO and the MIC were constantly fighting one another for a way to make the process more equitable.
    As Penny spoke, her cell phone beeped. The young woman excused herself and answered it.
    “It could be the baby-sitter,” she said apologetically. She punched the hands-free phone that was bracketed to the dashboard. “Hello?”
    “Mrs. Masterson?” asked a man’s voice.
    “This is she.”
    “Mrs. Masterson, is Mr. Lowell Coffey with you?”
    “I’m Lowell Coffey,” the attorney said. “Who is this?”
    “Sir, this is Junior Seaman Brendan Murphy in the command of Warrant Officer George Jelbart, MIC,” the young man replied. “I have your name from Mr. Brian Ellsworth. Sir, Warrant Officer Jelbart was wondering if you might have some free time today.”
    “I’m here for a conference,” Coffey replied.
    “Yes, sir, we know.”
    “What did Mr. Jelbart have in mind?” Coffey asked.
    “A flight to Darwin,” Murphy replied.
    “That’s clear across the continent!” Coffey declared. “Why does he need to see me?”
    “We have a situation, sir,” the officer replied. “One that he needs to discuss with you face-to-face.”
    “What kind of situation?” Coffey asked.
    “A hot one, sir,” the caller replied gravely.
    The way the MIC officer emphasized hot led Coffey to believe that he was not referring to the temperature or an imminent event. That left just one interpretation.
    “There are some people I should talk to before I agree to anything,” Coffey said, glancing at Penny.
    “We are a little squeezed for time,” Murphy said. “You are the first and hopefully only call I’m making about this.”
    “If I decide to come, when can you arrange for transportation?”
    “A P-3C patrol craft has been dispatched to Sydney Airport, Mr. Coffey,” the caller replied. “It will arrive within the hour. As I said, sir, the warrant officer would like to talk to you in person.”
    Penny and Coffey exchanged looks. She tapped the Mute button.
    “That doesn’t sound like an invitation,” she said.
    “No,” Coffey agreed. It sounded like an order.
    “What do you want to do?” she asked.
    “That doesn’t seem to matter, does it?” he asked.
    “Why not?” she asked. “You’re a civilian and an American. You can tell the junior seaman, ‘No thanks,’ and hang up.”
    “Then I wouldn’t find out why Ellsworth recommended they call,” Coffey said. “I have a feeling the MIC is interested in talking to Op-Center, not just to Lowell Coffey.”
    “What makes you say that?” Penny asked.
    “I’d rather not