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deal of this complexity."

"The merger's moving quickly because it must," Voss countered smoothly. "AquaSonix navigation systems complement our next gen maintenance bots. The synergy is immediate."

"Swiftness makes sense for competitive advantage," Hannah conceded. "But shareholders in AquaSonix have suggested that Maritech stand to gain disproportionately. Meaning you get access to AquaSonix's acoustic navigation patents, without giving much in return." She let the accusation hang, savoring Voss's sharp intake of breath.

Voss's polished facade didn't crack. "They gain stability," she said. "They become part of something much bigger. Our infrastructure, our logistics ... the scale they've lacked."

Hannah decided to press the point. "Your deep sea bots need real time sonar mapping to navigate trench currents. AquaSonix holds the only military grade tech capable of that precision. Without it, Maritech's much touted next gen bots wouldn't be next gen. The access to infrastructure you're offering in return hardly appears to be on the same level of benefit."

A muscle tightened near Voss's jawline. "Our projections show significant value creation for AquaSonix shareholders. Their board unanimously approved the merger."

"Boards approve," Hannah countered, leaning forward slightly, "but shareholders revolt when value evaporates. Why the two month deadline?" She paused, letting silence amplify the question. As the silence stretched, a cargo ship's foghorn echoed across the harbor.

Voss took a long drink of her coffee. "Market conditions," she deflected, her voice fraying at the edges. "Delaying risks losing key contracts. We're streamlining integration."

Hannah noted that Voss was growing uneasy and she decided to press on. "But you could always have licensed the patents if you needed the technology urgently. I'm sure you could have come to some agreement which would have been preferable to rushing into a merger."

"Licensing would have been expensive," Voss replied abruptly. "That was never our preferred solution." She suddenly changed tack. "Anyway, that kind of discussion isn't really relevant now. We decided on the best path forward and the terms of the merger are fair."

Hannah decided to change tack too. "Perhaps this isn't about maintenance bots at all. Perhaps it's really about AquaSonix's naval connections and their defense technologies? A merger makes sense if there's defense IP that Maritech's determined to get its hands on."

Voss shook her head. "AquaSonix is a defense contractor, but they don't hold any classified information. They simply have applications which are dual use, both civilian and military."

"But the patents?" Hannah pressed. "Even if they aren't classified, they're valuable. Especially the acoustic mapping ones. Could Maritech itself be the subject of some ... external pressure? To acquire that technology quickly?"

"We're not under pressure from anyone. We're acting solely in Maritech's strategic interests."

"But the speed at which you're moving is causing potential investors to hesitate. That surely isn't in Maritech's strategic interests?"

"Our communications team handles investor inquiries."

"And it's prevented the AquaSonix stock price from rising," Hannah persisted.

"The AquaSonix stock price isn't our concern. Their board have already approved the merger."

"Perhaps they were the ones who were subject to some kind of pressure?"

"That's pure speculation," said Voss, sounding annoyed now. "Maritech operates with integrity. I'm quite sure AquaSonix does too. They accepted our proposal because it was a very fair one. No other reason. I think it's unwise of you to suggest otherwise."

"I'm conducting due diligence," replied Hannah, "and part of that is asking awkward questions. I'm sure you understand." Another foghorn sounded outside, as cargo ships slid across the harbor like ghosts in the February haze.

"One of those questions concerns the Maritech stock price. Down nine percent post-announcement while AquaSonix has seen only marginal gains. Odd for a merger promising ‘synergy.'" She paused, letting the financial anomaly resonate. "Unless someone orchestrated the dip to accumulate discounted shares before the merger goes ahead."

Voss's posture stiffened and her voice dropped to a harsh whisper. "You're suggesting market manipulation? Maritech's leadership holds significant personal stakes. They'd never..."

Hannah interrupted, her tone clinical. "Insider trading isn't always personal. Favors for third parties? Debts repaid? Who benefits from depressed prices? Who else is involved, directly or indirectly? AquaSonix's patents simplify deep sea mineral mapping. Lithium, cobalt ... whoever controls that tech corners exploration rights overnight. Is there a silent partner here?"

"I wouldn't say those were awkward questions. More like wild guesswork, verging on defamatory, which I don't need to answer. It's best if we wrap up this meeting now, but I can confirm that Maritech's board authorized the speed of the merger, as that's what they perceive to be in the company's best interests, and they are not working with any partner."

As she made her way back to her apartment, Hannah considered what she'd learned from the meeting. Two of Bradford's contentions had been reinforced, that Maritech was the prime mover in the merger and that Maritech was also responsible for the rush to get it done. She wasn't sure that she'd found out much else. The navigation systems required for the maintenance bots did provide a good explanation for the merger, as Voss had claimed, but it didn't explain the accelerated timeline. There had to be something more.

When she was back home, she found an email from Sylvia Archer at Creighton Bank. "We have a client looking to make an acquisition. The company in question have rebuffed our interest, as they are currently in talks with another party. We'd like you to take a closer look and determine which way the ground lies and if there's any chance of getting an offer considered. The company is AquaSonix, a mid-tier tech company based in Baltimore, specializing in sonar and navigation systems. Let me know if you're immediately available to work on this."

Hannah froze mid-sip of coffee. AquaSonix! The timing was eerie. Creighton Bank was approaching her to try and circumvent AquaSonix's merger with Maritech? Given that she was already involved in the matter, she could immediately see issues around conflict of interest.

She reread the email and assessed her position. Creighton wanted to know if the proposed merger was vulnerable, whereas her existing assignment was about evaluating the risks of the merger going ahead, not sabotaging the deal. She had to be careful how she handled this.

It was quite a coincidence that Creighton was asking her to work on the very matter she was currently working on. And quite a coincidence that there were two parties interested in acquiring AquaSonix. Or was that a coincidence? Perhaps its technology was that compelling and of interest to many parties. Or perhaps there was some other reason for them to covet AquaSonix that Hannah wasn't aware of. "The plot thickens," she thought to herself.

She decided against emailing Sylvia Archer back, thinking that she would gain more insight into the matter by talking to her. Once connected, her tone stayed professional, masking her racing thoughts. Sylvia explained that Creighton represented a European industrial group interested in AquaSonix's patents, viewing the company as undervalued.

"Given that Maritech have had some financial wobbles recently," Sylvia continued, "we suspect AquaSonix shareholders might welcome a competitive bid - if our client could access reliable insight on timing vulnerabilities."

Hannah's fingers tightened around her phone. Creighton's client wanted inside information - specifically, weaknesses to exploit before the merger finalized. A cold clarity washed over her. Rossi might be investigating suspicious haste, but Creighton's client was doing much more. They were hunting. AquaSonix was in demand, its tech was the battlefield.

"I can assess AquaSonix's receptiveness," Hannah finally replied, her voice smooth. "But bypassing Maritech? That's delicate. What timeline are we working with?"

Sylvia's answer was clipped. "Ten days. We need confirmation that their board will entertain alternate bids before the shareholder vote takes place."

Hannah's mind raced. The deadline was impossible without leverage - or betrayal. Rossi's assignment centered on due diligence, not sabotage. Yet Creighton's urgency mirrored Maritech's own inexplicable rush. Someone was playing chess with AquaSonix, and Hannah stood at the intersection of both clients' gambits.

After hanging up, she paced her apartment, trying to work out what her best course of action was. Conflict of interest screamed in her conscience, but opportunity whispered louder. If she pivoted strategically, she could satisfy Rossi's mandate while funneling Creighton the vulnerability they craved - keeping both of them happy.

She composed an email to Rossi. "Elena Voss of Maritech confirmed the accelerated merger timeline and admitted deep sea navigation patents were the primary motivator. However, she defensively dismissed alternative explanations for the rush, including external pressure or insider trading. Key anomaly: Maritech's depressed stock price during merger talks. Recommend deeper dive into major shareholders accumulating discounted Maritech equity."

For Sylvia Archer at Creighton Bank, Hannah crafted a different angle. "The AquaSonix board approval appears locked in place, but I have a leverage point. Disgruntled shareholders concerned that the proposed deal benefits Maritech disproportionately. Charles Bradford is a vocal opponent. I'll try to find others, with the objective of delaying the shareholder vote. I'll also pay AquaSonix a visit at their Baltimore HQ and see what I can uncover."

Next, she emailed Bradford. "Creighton Bank wants to make an alternate bid for AquaSonix. They have a client who covets their patents and believes that they can make an attractive offer. Is there any way we can mobilize shareholder dissent to delay the vote on the Maritech deal?"

Within minutes, Bradford called her. She listened intently as he described AquaSonix's chairman, Larry Forrester, and how he'd always been fiercely protective of his company's independence and talked down any prospective bids. Yet something had persuaded him to go along with the Maritech merger. What he would now make of Creighton's interest was hard to say.

As for delaying the shareholder vote, he couldn't see any chance of that happening through shareholder dissent. Any delay would have to be at the company's own initiative, which might be possible if the board were willing to give Creighton's interest serious consideration.

Hannah's next move needed precision. Following a suggestion from Bradford, she drafted an email to AquaSonix's CFO, Robert Jensen, requesting an urgent meeting under the guise of supporting shareholder concerns. His reply was very brief, but he agreed to a meeting.

At AquaSonix's Baltimore headquarters, Hannah noted the stark contrast to Maritech's sleekness: faded maritime charts adorned walnut-paneled walls, and the scent of ozone from prototype testing labs lingered in the corridors. Jensen, a wiry man with salt and pepper stubble, met her in a cramped office. "Bradford's group represents barely fifteen percent," he told her, sounding a little impatient. "Their objections won't sway the vote."

"But you can understand their point of view," she countered. "They believe AquaSonix is surrendering its crown jewels to Maritech."

Jensen rubbed his temples. "Both boards see the merger as a positive step. One that makes good sense for both parties."

"Then why the breakneck speed?" Hannah pressed. "If it's truly synergistic, why not allow more scrutiny and reassure investors?"

"Maritech set the timeline," he muttered. "We just went along with what they wanted."

Hannah leaned forward slightly, catching a note of discontent in his voice. "Why? What leverage did they have?"

Jensen hesitated. "A new project.," he whispered abruptly. "A new development. They can help with it."

Hannah caught the flicker of suppressed frustration in his eyes. "Something AquaSonix couldn't achieve alone?" she probed gently.

"I guess so. But I'm the CFO. I'm not an engineer, so I don't know the details."

"Are we talking about a naval project? Something requiring military-grade secrecy?"

Jensen shrugged. "I'm not in the loop. But my understanding is that the merger will give us access to complementary capabilities."

Hannah softened her tone. "Bradford's been saying that shareholders aren't being told the full story. It looks like he was right all along."

"He's been told enough. He's been told everything he needs to know. He and his mob think we're selling out. They need to learn to read between the lines."

"Given the rushed nature of the merger, you can't blame them for being concerned," Hannah persisted. "Even more so, now that there's an alternate bid."

"Alternate bid?"

"Yes," said Hannah. "European. Deep pockets. They're prepared to make an offer. A cash offer. Bearing in mind that the current offer is equity, shareholders might want to consider it."

"You're talking about Creighton? I know about that. They approached Forrester a week or two ago. He told them we weren't entertaining offers post-merger announcement. In fact, he had no choice in the matter, because we're bound by a no-shop clause we agreed with Maritech."

"But shareholders need transparency," Hannah pressed. "Delay the vote. Give them the chance to take stock. The chance to make a measured assessment."

"We can't delay the vote," said Jensen dismissively. "Most shareholders will vote by post and the proxy forms have already been sent out. In fact, some people have returned them, so in effect have already cast their vote."

"Then perhaps you should postpone the meeting?" Hannah suggested. "Delay the count. Surely that's legally possible?"

Jensen sighed, adjusting his tie. "Legally? Technically, yes. But Forrester won't consider it. He's committed to the merger and he fears that any delays may make it less likely to happen. In fact, now that Creighton are circling it makes it even more important to push ahead."

"Without anyone knowing what the offer from Creighton would be?"

"Yes because the Creighton offer would be an acquisition and Forrester has always vowed to avoid AquaSonix being acquired. The deal with Maritech is different. He sees it as a merger of equals, in which AquaSonix not only survives, but as part of a much larger entity is much less vulnerable to being acquired in the future."

Jensen looked out of the office window, the cranes around Baltimore harbor dominating the skyline. "Forrester believes that Creighton's client may well be the first of many. Many that want to gut us for patents and offshore R&D. He sees Maritech as protection."

"Protection? What leaves you so vulnerable that you need protection? What project puts you in that position? And pushes you toward this merger? What have you stumbled into that Maritech can - help you with?" She referred to his own words from a few minutes earlier.

Jensen's jaw tightened visibly. "I've already said too much," he muttered, looking out at the cranes again. The ozone scent sharpened as a distant clang echoed from the labs. "Forrester's consistent. AquaSonix maintains autonomy under Maritech. That's non-negotiable."

Hannah leaned closer, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Bradford's faction sees Creighton's bid as salvation - cash over diluted equity. If they knew about this project..." She let the implication hang.

"But I don't know much about it myself," Jensen replied. "As I said earlier, I'm not in the loop."

"Well whatever you've found, or whatever pressures or promises Maritech used on you, it looks like Creighton's client knows about it, even if you don't. Because I doubt that their sudden interest is a coincidence. So why not delay the vote, Robert? Give Creighton time."

"Giving Creighton time is exactly what Forrester's afraid of."

"Let me speak to Forrester," she urged. "I'll present Creighton's bid neutrally. If he hears the numbers, he might reconsider the risk."

"Forrester won't see you. He's protective of his position, paranoid even. The merger isn't just business to him, it's existential."

"Have you ever considered that your perception of the proposed acquisition may be flawed? Since you haven't ever considered it in detail? Acquisitions often leave the acquired company with substantial autonomy, practically independent, so you may be paranoid over nothing."

"AquaSonix is Larry's life's work. He sees any acquisition as surrender."

Hannah leaned forward, fingertips pressing into the walnut desk. "Then why not let the shareholders decide? Offer them Creighton's cash alternative alongside Maritech's equity. Transparency disarms Bradford."

"That's not how things work. It's up to the board to recommend whether a bid should be accepted or not."

"The board also has a duty to get the best deal for shareholders. And if you're talking about how things work, let's remember that directors have a responsibility to inform the shareholders of any alternative offers." Jensen looked away and gazed at the wall, where there was a large map of Chesapeake Bay. "I'm advocating for shareholder choice," Hannah continued. "Your proxy forms haven't been counted yet. Amend the meeting agenda. Add Creighton's expression of interest as a late item."

"We can't do that. Not a chance. We're bound by a no-shop clause."

"A no-shop clause doesn't prevent you from considering a potentially superior offer," Hannah countered, deliberately laying Creighton's letter of intent on his desk. Its embossed logo gleamed, catching Jensen's eye. "Delay the vote a week and present this. Offer shareholders liquidity instead of Maritech's volatile stock. Forrester's dislike of acquisitions doesn't mean you can ignore normal procedure."

"We can't delay the vote by a week. We would have to get new forms printed and sent out. It would be more like a month."

"So delay it by a month," Hannah pressed. "Surely it's worth it? Surely if Creighton's client's prepared to offer cash and Maritech's offering paper that's down nine percent, shareholders would want to know?"

"Maritech aren't offering their own stock. The offer is for stock in the new company. The merged company."

"Meaningless distinction," Hannah countered. "Shareholders see their AquaSonix shares converted into an entity tainted by Maritech's plummeting value. Creighton's client offers cash - now." She tapped Creighton's letter. "Unless..." She paused deliberately, watching Jensen's posture tighten. "Unless Maritech leveraged something against Forrester? Something irreversible?"

"Certain ... commitments were made," he admitted, voice fraying. "In fact, I understand that Maritech possesses information that we wouldn't want exposed prematurely..." He trailed off.

Hannah sensed blood in the water. "What kind of information? Something damaging?"

"Something confidential."

Hannah didn't relent. "Corporate sabotage? Accounting discrepancies? Something that could crater AquaSonix before the merger?"

"No, nothing like that. Engineering data."

Hannah tilted her head, holding Jensen's darting gaze. "Data? Or a prototype?"

"Test data, as far as I know."

Hannah leaned closer, lowering her voice to a near whisper. "What kind of test data? Something so sensitive it forced Forrester's hand?"

"Something sensitive, yes."

"On what?"

Jensen shrugged. "They don't tell me such things."

"But you know," Hannah pressed relentlessly. "You know - why - Forrester surrendered AquaSonix's independence so abruptly. Tell me, Robert. Before this becomes shareholder litigation."

"I've already told you everything I know."

Hannah didn't retreat. Instead, she slid Creighton's letter closer, her finger tapping the projected cash valuation. "Then why the panic? If it's just test data, shareholders deserve transparency. Delaying the vote is procedural, not betrayal."

Jensen grimaced. "I'll talk to Larry about rescheduling the vote. And making sure that shareholders are fully informed about the Creighton offer."

"Frame it as fiduciary duty - avoiding shareholder lawsuits over undisclosed bids. Creighton's cash offer validates Bradford's dissent." She leaned in, the walnut desk cold beneath her palms. "Delay quietly. Issue a supplementary notice citing ‘material new developments.' Keep Creighton unnamed. Buy time."

"Larry hates surprises."

"He'd hate class-action lawsuits more," Hannah countered flatly. "If shareholders vote on the merger, then discover later that Creighton were offering them a better deal, your directors would face breach of duty claims. Delay is prudent. And the legally correct thing to do."

Jensen stared at Creighton's letter, saying nothing. "They'll fight any delay," he finally rasped, without looking up. "Maritech has a no-shop clause ... with penalties..."

"Penalties?" Hannah countered softly, tapping Jensen's worn desk. "Compare those to lawsuits when shareholders learn that AquaSonix concealed a cash bid. Delay protects you."

Jensen grimaced again. "As I said, I'll talk to Larry about rescheduling the vote. And making sure that AquaSonix shareholders are fully informed about the Creighton offer."

Hannah was losing patience. "The vote is imminent. Delaying requires immediate board action."

"I'm sure he'll understand that." He rose to signal the end of the meeting. "I think that's everything. I'll ... reassess the timeline."

On the train home, Hannah considered what she'd gained from the meeting and where things stood now. Her thoughts were interrupted when her phone buzzed. It was Sylvia Archer.

"Sylvia. Excellent timing. I've just left a meeting at AquaSonix. I'd say that Creighton are free to present a formal offer, because it looks to me highly likely that they are going to delay the shareholder vote." Sylvia was very pleased to hear this news, especially as time had been so short, but wondered if Hannah had any insight into what their chances of success would be.

"Maritech still hold the advantage, not only because the talks between them and AquaSonix are very advanced, but because AquaSonix is currently working on a new project of some kind which they can apparently help with. I'm guessing it must be something that's simply too big for them to handle alone. From the AquaSonix perspective, this is what's driving the merger."

"Is this new project called Poseidon?"

"I don't know what it's called. Where did you hear that name?"

"Our client mentioned it last time I spoke to them. It's something they heard and were curious about."

"What do they know about it?"

"Just the name, Poseidon. And that it's something AquaSonix are working on."

Hannah's mind raced. Poseidon. The name resonated with military secrecy. "I met with AquaSonix's CFO, who was cagey, but Poseidon might be why Maritech pressured them. I'll verify." She paused, watching Maryland blur past the train window. "In the meantime, you need to get the bid in. As soon as you can. Once that's done, I think they'll postpone the vote."

Back in her apartment, Hannah drafted an email to Rossi. "Both parties have told me that the unusual pace of this merger has been set by Maritech. They say they want AquaSonix technology for their next gen maintenance bots. This may well be true, but it still doesn't explain the accelerated timeline. I feel the real reason for the speed of the merger may be connected to something called Poseidon, a new project at AquaSonix. I don't know the nature of the project, as it's being kept confidential, but it appears that Maritech know about it. In any event, the process is likely to be delayed now, due to interest in acquiring AquaSonix from a European industrial group. The shareholder vote on the merger is set to be rescheduled."

The information was a bit sketchy, as she didn't know what Poseidon was, and she didn't know for sure that it was the reason for the haste of the merger. But Maritech being the party pushing the timeline was good information, as was the news about the likely postponement of the shareholder vote. She clicked on send, feeling that she was providing a worthy update.

She found Rossi's reply waiting for her the following morning. It was short. "Where did you hear the name Poseidon?"

Before she could formulate a reply, Sylvia Archer called. A firm intention to make an offer for AquaSonix had been submitted by Creighton overnight. As a result, AquaSonix had immediately made an announcement of the impending offer and taken the considerable step of halting the current shareholder vote. AquaSonix shares had already surged on the news.

"It seems that Creighton's client was right to act quickly," Sylvia remarked. "But Poseidon remains unverified. Without knowing what it entails, Creighton risks overbidding."

Hannah gripped her phone tighter. "Poseidon is likely military grade. Tell your client to proceed cautiously."

After ending the call, she stared at Rossi's stark email question and her fingers hovered over the keyboard. Sylvia's client was the answer, but she didn't even know their name. "From the European industrial group preparing to bid," she typed, vaguely, and clicked on send.

Rossi's reply came quickly. "So we know of two companies that know the name Poseidon and they both want to acquire AquaSonix. Coincidence?"

She typed cautiously. "I don't think the European bidder knows much about Poseidon. I think they would have bid anyway, but they'd like to know about it. To understand its significance."

"They can join the club," read Rossi's reply. "Whatever it is, Maritech wants it badly. So badly that they pushed the merger as fast as they could. But the rescheduling of the shareholder vote gives us some breathing space at least. What's your thinking on this project?"

Hannah typed slowly, deliberately vague. "I'm thinking that the majority of AquaSonix's business is defense contracts, so Poseidon is likely military grade."

Rossi's reply came within a few minutes. "Military grade? Too vague. Defense contracts cover everything from sonar buoys to torpedo guidance systems. Poseidon's the key to AquaSonix's sudden vulnerability - and Maritech's desperation. Find its exact nature."

Hannah stared at the screen. "Thanks very much," she thought. "I've gone from being an investment consultant to an agent in corporate espionage." But at the same time she knew that Rossi was probably right. Poseidon wasn't just another project, it was the linchpin of the whole mystery around AquaSonix. She didn't know what her next move was, but her fingers flew over the keyboard regardless. "I'll dig deeper."

She wondered if any information was hiding in plain sight and searched online for Poseidon, finding nothing relevant. Poseidon was an ancient Greek god and the name of several hotels, but not the name of any proposed maritime technology. She turned to LinkedIn, feeling that was a much better bet, and searched for AquaSonix, filtering the search for past employees.

She found one person who had been an engineer at AquaSonix until only two months ago. Would he be able to talk? Would he want to talk? Would he even know about Poseidon? It had to be worth a try. She tried to draft a message to him, but felt it was a long shot, as she wasn't sure what she could say that would give him any good reason to reply.

Reading his profile further, she noticed his most recent posting announced his attendance at the Atlantic City Boat Show, which was taking place the following week, where the company he now worked for was exhibiting. Atlantic City wasn't that far away. It was surely worth a trip there if she had the chance of meeting him face-to-face.

Perhaps it was a wild goose chase and either he wouldn't talk or he wouldn't know anything, but Hannah had already made her mind up. She was going to Atlantic City, and if she failed to get anywhere with her prospective contact then at least she'd be able to spend a day walking along the boardwalk - the oldest, longest, and busiest boardwalk in the world.

Before her departure, Hannah was cheered by receiving payment into her bank account from Eridios Recovery. She had invoiced them twice, once for arranging the syndicate investment and a second time for arranging the return of the Asian marketing rights. She dropped Adrian Thornberry a short line, confirming receipt of the payment, wishing him and his company well, and asking him to let her know should he need her assistance again in the future.

She had truly gone the extra mile to get those Asian rights back and Steiner's strokes with the riding crop were still vivid in her memory. She hoped that with the syndicate investment Eridios would now prosper and would be making good use of those Asian rights in the years to come.

She decided to update Rossi on AquaSonix and sent him an email explaining that she was soon meeting an engineer who had recently worked at AquaSonix and would let him know the outcome. She took the opportunity to ask him for the latest news from Bolivia.

Rossi's reply was to the point. "Press him on Poseidon. We need to know." He added that progress in Bolivia had been very good. The pilot installation site at the Reyes mine was in the final stages of preparation and delivery of the DLE unit was imminent.

Hannah was pleased to hear of the progress being made. Her own task in Bolivia had been accomplished and the fee for her work had been paid, but she felt so personally invested in the matter that she couldn't just walk away as though she had no interest in it anymore. She also didn't rule out that the consortium might need her in Bolivia again in the future.

Her last task before heading to Atlantic City was to report back to Sylvia, a simple task because she sent her the same update she'd provided to Rossi. Her reply mirrored Rossi's too. "Let's hope you can find out something. We're putting the formal bid together now and anything you uncover could potentially make a significant difference to the offer."

Hannah returned to LinkedIn, finding the profile again of the engineer she planned to approach. Mark Parker, now working for Meyer Marine Systems. His picture showed a man of about thirty, she reckoned, while the profile showed quite a lot of activity, including several pictures of yachts.

She drafted messages in her head, asking if he would be willing to meet her sometime during the show, but couldn't come up with anything that sounded right. In the end, she decided not to contact him beforehand, thinking that approaching him on a seemingly casual basis was probably the best idea.

She was well aware that he might be under a non-disclosure agreement and as a result would tell her nothing. She was also aware that he may not have worked on the project in question anyway and would know nothing about it. But to her this trip still represented a real chance to solve the mystery of Poseidon - and she was determined to try and take that chance.

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