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"The river Maritime," answered Giordino "The Chinese refuse to use local labor or boat coari is conducted by Chinese boats and creho live at the port and never coer that just in showing more respect to St Mary Parish residents"

"I doubt if Shang ever cultivated an affinity for dealing with peasants," commented Pitt drolly

"What's the plan?"

"First we find a local bed and breakfast Then, soon as the sun comes up, we'll board the shantyboat, travel upriver and canvass the canal to nowhere"

"And Bartholomeaux?" Giordino persisted "Aren't you curious to see if that's where the barge duo?"

"Curious, yes Desperate, no We're not working under a deadline We can size up Bartholomeaux after we check the canal"

"If you want to conduct an underwater search," said Giordino, "we'll need diving equipment"

"Soon as we're settled in, I'll call Rudi and have hi"

"And Bartholoar led aliens, then what?"

"We'll turn the chore of conducting a raid over to INS agents, but only after we give Ad Peter Harper that NUMA has uncovered another one of Qin Shang's illicit operations without his help"

"I believe that is what you call poetic justice"

Pitt grinned at his friend "Now comes the hard part"

"Hard part?"

"We have to find a taxi"

As they stood on the curb Giordino turned and looked back over his shoulder at the bar and grill "Did that old