THE SOUND of a lone mosquito buzz-bombing a bloodied ear rattled Breeze Albury from a four-hour sleep. He rolled off his bunk and clutched his head with both hands to suppress the vertigo. His arm stung and his stomach roiled. His skull burned where Oscar had clubbed him with the pistol. of a lone mosquito buzz-bombing a bloodied ear rattled Breeze Albury from a four-hour sleep. He rolled off his bunk and clutched his head with both hands to suppress the vertigo. His arm stung and his stomach roiled. His skull burned where Oscar had clubbed him with the pistol.

Albury dragged himself to the deck where Jimmy and Augie lay like gaping, snoring corpses. He let them sleep. Dusk was settling in on the Florida Keys; a faint, cool gust from the west chased away the choking heat. Albury climbed to the pilothouse and studied his chart through blistered eyelids.

The Diamond Cutter Diamond Cutter lay tranquilly at anchor off Lignum Vitae Key, a pear-shaped mangrove islet west of Islamorada. Here Florida Bay offered deep water, and concealment. After the killings at Dynamite Docks, the crawfish boat's flight had been breakneck, confused, haphazard. Instinct had warned Albury to run south, home toward Key West, as swiftly as the big Crusader would take him. But prudence told him to lay low, hide for a few days, ask quiet questions. lay tranquilly at anchor off Lignum Vitae Key, a pear-shaped mangrove islet west of Islamorada. Here Florida Bay offered deep water, and concealment. After the killings at Dynamite Docks, the crawfish boat's flight had been breakneck, confused, haphazard. Instinct had warned Albury to run south, home toward Key West, as swiftly as the big Crusader would take him. But prudence told him to lay low, hide for a few days, ask quiet questions.

Augie had grabbed the helm for the first leg while Albury's head had cleared. The kid had steered safely southward in the heart of Hawk Channel, past Rodriguez Key, with the idea of slipping through the islands to the Gulf side at Tavernier. It was a good plan, but Augie didn't know the Upper Keys like he did Key West; numb from the shootout, Jimmy had been no help, either.

As the Diamond Cutter Diamond Cutter had cleared Tavernier Key, Augie had wheeled her starboard and promptly deposited all forty-three feet of Albury's pride and joy on a shallow mud flat. There the three of them had sat for two hours, watching the traffic crawl by on U.S. 1, squinting into the sky for some sign of the Coast Guard helicopter that was surely on its way to arrest them for murder. had cleared Tavernier Key, Augie had wheeled her starboard and promptly deposited all forty-three feet of Albury's pride and joy on a shallow mud flat. There the three of them had sat for two hours, watching the traffic crawl by on U.S. 1, squinting into the sky for some sign of the Coast Guard helicopter that was surely on its way to arrest them for murder.

Finally the tide had come up and gentled the big fishing boat back into the channel, where Albury had taken the wheel. Hunger and dwindling fuel had persuaded him to call at the first ocean-front marina. But a Monroe County sheriff's car innocently idling in the parking lot had run the Diamond Cutter Diamond Cutter off. off.

From then on it had been d.a.m.n-the-fuel, forget-the-hunger, and run for cover-and for the Diamond Cutter Diamond Cutter no cover was good enough on the Atlantic side of the Keys. Albury had taken the boat through to the Gulf side under the Indian Key Bridge and anch.o.r.ed behind Lignum Vitae, one of the largest islands in Florida Bay. Sheltered from the badgering southeasterly winds of summer, the no cover was good enough on the Atlantic side of the Keys. Albury had taken the boat through to the Gulf side under the Indian Key Bridge and anch.o.r.ed behind Lignum Vitae, one of the largest islands in Florida Bay. Sheltered from the badgering southeasterly winds of summer, the Diamond Cutter Diamond Cutter could at least expect a calm last leg back to Key West. could at least expect a calm last leg back to Key West.

That would be more than Breeze Albury could expect-if he dared go back to Key West at all. Albury swigged at a can of warm beer that had somehow escaped the aliens' marauding and tried to think it through.

By now everybody and his brother should be looking for the Diamond Cutter Diamond Cutter, from the Bahamian Coast Guard to the Florida National Guard. Sunk patrol boats and exploding vans have a way of attracting attention. But it might not be too bad. Suppose they caught him? There was no evidence on the boat to link him to anything, no scars he couldn't explain away. Augie had spent the whole trip down on his hands and knees scrubbing the blood off the wheelhouse floor. So they caught him, so what? He and his mates had innocently motored north to look for new fishing grounds; a lot of people knew Breeze Albury was fed up with Key West and wanted out. What aliens? An explosion? A Conch jury might believe him, certainly if the only testimony to vouchsafe the charge came from Colombian wetbacks. And who else was there to tell? Not Jimmy, certainly not Augie.

Albury tuned the VHF to channel 4 and tried to raise Crystal. Silence. He flipped to 16. Right after they had fled Dynamite Docks the air had been full of excited voices. Now there was only the routine chatter of pleasure boaters.

"How hot are we?" It was Augie, stretching.

"Not very."

"I'm not surprised. You think those a.s.shole Colombians would tell the cops anything? No way."

"They knew the name of the boat."

Augie laughed.

"Maybe some of them. But they have forgotten it by now. They don't get paid to remember names and faces. Those that got out of Key Largo aren't saying s.h.i.t to anybody, except maybe to their boss. If any got caught, all they're saying is "No comprendo, senor policeman. No hablo English." Don't worry about them, Breeze. Worry about their Don't worry about them, Breeze. Worry about their patron." patron."

Jimmy shambled into the pilothouse, rubbing his eyes.

"It's like a bad dream, Breeze."

"It's all over now."

Except that it was not. While part of Breeze Albury calmly plotted a defense, the rest of him howled bitter outrage. Now what, sucker? Anybody else want to come by and punch me out? No, it was not over.

"Is there anything to eat?" Jimmy asked. "I'm starved."

"Nothin'," said Augie.

"We need to let things cool off some more, Jimmy," Albury said. "In the morning we'll go up to Bud N' Mary's for food and fuel. No sense risking it now."

"Guess you're right, but I gotta eat." Jimmy vanished into the hold and emerged with a rusty spinning outfit with a frayed bucktail jig tied to the monofilament line. He began casting from the bow.

Albury noticed that Augie's T-shirt was crusted with dried blood and that a bandana had been tied as a makeshift bandage on his left forearm. Augie's eyes were bright and intent, but his voice was tired.

"What the h.e.l.l happened, Breeze?"

Albury said, "I don't know for sure. We were double-crossed."

"That much I figured out by myself. Tell me the rest, man. We almost died up there at Key Largo. Killed some people ourselves," Augie said. "Least you can do is tell me why."

"I don't know why," Albury repeated. He swatted at a cl.u.s.ter of gnats, whining around the open wound on his scalp. "I don't know who in Key West would want me killed. Maybe it was Oscar's brainstorm."

"Or Oscar's boss."

"Christ."

Augie asked, "Why did you do it at all, Breeze? The Diamond Cutter Diamond Cutter's an honest boat. That's your reputation. You wouldn't work for a snake like Tomas Cruz."

"Blackmail," Albury said in a dead voice and explained the whole story. "Boone promised that the dope charges would be thrown out if I made the run," he finished. "Tom said it was worth fifty grand. Fifty thousand dollars, Augie."

"That I understand. But Tom and his people work for the Machine. They run weed, 'ludes, cocaine when they can get it. Not illegals."

Albury shook his head tiredly. "My guess is that this was a favor for somebody, Augie. That's not important. I told them 'yes,' that's what's important. I said 'yes,' and I wish to G.o.d I hadn't. I thought it would solve everything for me and Ricky. The money would do it. But I thought the same thing a few years ago when Veronica was so d.a.m.n sick. They always give you the same line, the same bulls.h.i.t: 'We need a good captain and a fast boat. One run is all, captain. One run and all your troubles are over.' This time they helped helped me make up my mind. That's the only difference." me make up my mind. That's the only difference."

The words came out raw and tremulous. Augie felt embarra.s.sed. "s.h.i.t, any fisherman would have done the same. And for a lot less," he added. "Don't sweat it. n.o.body's gonna catch us. We're almost off the hook now."

"That's not enough."

"I knew it wouldn't be."

"I'll drop you and Jimmy at the gas docks tomorrow."

"Forget it," Augie said. "A captain's got to pay his mates. Fifty grand, you said, right? For my share I'd swim through a school of bull sharks. Nude!"

Albury laughed hard and in his exhaustion kept laughing. He needed to wind down, to back away from the cliff. The boat, the boys-solid, Lord, in d.a.m.n good shape. If only he was as sure of himself.

"Hey, bubba!" came a triumphant cry from the bow of the Diamond Cutter. Diamond Cutter. Albury and Augie turned in time to see Jimmy hoist a silvery five-pound barracuda into the boat. Albury and Augie turned in time to see Jimmy hoist a silvery five-pound barracuda into the boat.

"G.o.dd.a.m.n," Augie exclaimed. "The white boy's caught us some supper."

CRYSTAL WAS HUNCHED over the workbench when he heard the light tapping on the door. His wife came in quietly, kissed him once on the cheek, and whispered something. over the workbench when he heard the light tapping on the door. His wife came in quietly, kissed him once on the cheek, and whispered something.

"OK," Crystal said. He yanked the plug on the soldering iron and placed it, still smoking, on a slab of plywood. "Go ahead and send him in."

Crystal's wife led Shorty Whitting into the repair shop. The policeman's uniform was starchy clean; he carried his hat in his hands. His eyes surveyed the electronic jungle with a certain awe.

"Hey, Crystal."

"h.e.l.lo, captain. What's up?"

Whitting shifted uneasily from one foot to the other. "Chief Barnett asked me to stop by."

"And what does that fat f.u.c.ker want that he can't ask me himself?"

Whitting's face turned the color of fish flesh.

"I'm sorry, Shorty. I can't help it if the guy makes me puke. What does he want?"

"Were you on the radio yesterday morning?"

"When?"

"Early. Around dawn."

Crystal shook his head no and gave a roar of a laugh. "No, sir. Yesterday morning about that time I believe me and the old lady were rolling around in the sack. I didn't put my ears on till about ten or so."

Whitting asked, "You're sure?"

"Positive, captain. Why?"

"There was some shooting up in Key Largo. Supposed to be a crawfish boat involved. Chief Barnett heard about it from Tom Cruz-"

Crystal wheeled himself over to small refrigerator. "Wonder how Tom knew so fast. Want a beer, Shorty?"

"No thanks," Whitting said. "Apparently several people were killed. The sheriff's office hasn't identified the bodies yet. A truck blew up and some of them got fried."

"Where did this happen?" Crystal asked, popping a Miller Lite.

"A place called Dynamite Docks. It's a little jetty on a piece of private property up there off Card Sound Road."

"Sounds like dopers," Crystal said.

"That's what the chief thinks. He also thinks the boat might be the Diamond Cutter." Diamond Cutter."

"He's crazy. You guys just busted Breeze Albury last week. He's not dumb enough to try again so soon. Tell your larda.s.s boss he's crazy. No way was it the Diamond Cutter." Diamond Cutter."

Crystal could tell that Shorty was d.a.m.n uncomfortable with this errand.

"Just the same," Whitting pressed, "the chief wondered if you could ask around on the radio today. See if anybody heard anything or saw anything up there. Albury's boat isn't docked at the fish house, and most of the guys haven't seen it for a couple days. If you hear anything, maybe you could call me over at the office."

"Sure," Crystal said. What a poor sap this guy was. "But I really don't see what the big deal is. It happened a hundred miles away, Shorty. It's not a Key West case, is it?"

"The chief is interested," Whitting replied curtly. As he moved toward the door, a suitcase-sized radio mounted over the workbench crackled to life.

"Smilin' Jack, this is Lucky Seven, do you copy, over?" The signal was weak, but the voice was distinct. Crystal swiftly rolled himself across the workshop.

"Smilin' Jack? Can you copy, please? This-"

Crystal twisted the volume control to zero. The voice died in the speaker box.

"Who's that?" Shorty asked curiously.

"Some f.u.c.kin' crank. He's been jamming up the radio all morning. The Coast Guard ought to throw his sorry a.s.s in jail."

Whining studied the sophisticated VHF radio. "How far can you listen with this thing?"

"Depends," Crystal said. "Depends on the atmosphere."

Crystal waited until he heard Whitting's patrol car roll out of the gravel drive. He turned back to the radio, playing the dials like a maestro.

"Lucky Seven, this is Smilin' Jack, over. Can you copy?" he asked urgently.

"It's about time, you lazy sonofab.i.t.c.h," came the voice of Breeze Albury.

A few minutes later Albury came down from the pilothouse. Jimmy and Augie were scrubbing the mess from Key Largo off the fishing deck.

"Anchors up," Albury said. "We got trouble." He told them of his conversation with Crystal. Word was out about the fiasco with the Colombians. Tom knew about it; Barnett already was asking questions.

Albury took the Diamond Cutter Diamond Cutter to Bud N' Mary's to gas up. Jimmy and Augie went for groceries, Albury for a telephone. to Bud N' Mary's to gas up. Jimmy and Augie went for groceries, Albury for a telephone.

"Good morning," said Mark Haller on the other end.

"I was afraid you'd be out rousting trap robbers," Albury said.

"Naw. I used up my gas allotment for August, so I can't take the boat out. How d'you like that s.h.i.t-a Marine patrolman who can't go out on the water?"

"The State of Florida strikes again," Albury said. "Mark, I need a favor. I was around Key Largo yesterday ..."

"You weren't involved with those d.a.m.n Colombians?"

"What Colombians?"

"Christ, Breeze, I remember back when you were a decent fisherman."

Albury grimaced. Jimmy stood outside the phone booth and pointed to the palm of his hand. Albury opened the gla.s.s door and handed him a damp fifty-dollar bill.

"I talked with a friend of mine," Albury said. "He said there's a load coming in at Bahia Honda tonight."

"So what do you want from me? I told you I ain't got a boat with any gas in it."

"Just tell me, is it Tom's load?"

"That's what I heard," Haller said. "Five tons. If I knew exactly where they were bringing it in, I'd go sit there in my truck and cut loose a few rounds when the boats came."

"Well, I know exactly where," Albury said. He told Haller his plan, and he told him what he needed.

"You've got magnesium b.a.l.l.s," the Marine patrolman sighed. "John Cotter is on air-patrol duty this week. His truck is parked at the Exxon station in Marathon. What you need is in there, under the front seat. Don't get caught."

Albury asked Haller to pa.s.s the word to Ricky and Laurie that he was alive.

"Where are you?" Haller asked.

"Moving," Albury said. "Fast."