Chapter Eight
After the limousine was exchanged for a rental car Dirk Pitt drove into the Maryland countryside. He stopped at a gas station for a few minute but then continued. The attendant spoke into a wrist communicator.
"Grandpa is definitely home," Dirk said smiling
Michelle turned to Summer, "Are you certain your dad hasn't lost it?"
"Nope!"
"But you're dad just lost his job."
"If you knew my dad he's playing a game of poker and the hand he has is four aces."
Later on Pitt pulled up to a gate and a secret service agent wave them through.
"I must remind certain people that was uncalled for."
Michelle expression was that of meeting Jesus, "Isn't this the summer home of the president?"
"He prefer this place over the white house."
"Do you call him sir or Mr. President?"
"Actually we just call him admiral."
"You act like he's a dad to you."
"Ever since I shot down his plane."
"I don't even know what to say when I meet him."
"Just tell him how well he's doing."
Pitt stopped the car right in a parking space. Shortly afterwards another secret service agent escorted them inside where a formal dinner was going on. Pitt recognized the secretary of the department of interior talking with Admiral Sandecker about some highly important business, but once James Sandecker saw Dirk he walked away without excusing himself. He approached Dirk and Al and said," You boys look like you just got back from the prom."
"Not the prom," Dirk said "Just found a little girl and nearly got killed by hired assassins. Oh, by the way. I also got fire from NUMA."
Sandecker peered at him, "What did you say?"
"I got fired from NUMA."
"That's impossible."
"Its true."
"I still got pull in NUMA. Until further notice you'll stay in that hangar of yours and work on the car you salvage from the Andrea Doria."
"What about her?"Pitt pointing at Michelle Tanner who was talking to one of the Admirals great-granddaughters
"She'll be going home. You'll never see her again."
"I doubt it. I doubt it very much."
