“Something drastic? Like global warming?”
“I’m afraid climate change is simply a symptom of our efforts to wipe out other species, intentional or not. It might get our attention, but it will only shift our focus momentarily. Then we will go back to eradicating everything that isn’t safeguarded in zoos. No, I imagine it would have to be more extreme.”
“And God looked upon the earth,” Locke interrupted, “and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.” Locke had taken time on the flight to Miami to re-read the Bible’s story of Noah.
Garrett turned to see who had intruded on their conversation. Locke made sure to keep his gaze on Garrett’s eyes. For a split second, Locke could see a combination of surprise and fear contort his face. Then like the consummate actor he was, Garrett immediately regained his composure. His face went neutral before erupting into a smile.
“Tyler Locke,” he said. “I didn’t know you were a biblical scholar.” He didn’t extend his hand, and neither did Locke.
“I just dabble,” Locke said. “I’m surprised that a billionaire who can afford his own yachts would lower himself to ride on a ship with the rest of us peons.”
The other passengers watched the exchange with curiosity.
“I happen to be a major stakeholder in this cruise line,” Garrett said, “and I thought I’d lend my support for this historic occasion.”
“What occasion would that be?”
Garrett paused for a moment, then widened his smile, as if acknowledging Locke’s meaning. “Why, the sailing of the world’s largest passenger vessel, of course. On my left is Svetlana Petrova. And who would your lovely companion be?” Garrett stole a glance at her locket. He knew very well who she was.
“I’m Dilara Kenner.” With her eyes, she bored a hole into Svetlana Petrova. “Are you originally from Russia?”
“From the outskirts of Moscow,” Petrova said with a faint Slavic accent. “I moved here when I was thirteen.”
Dilara nodded. A subtle tightening of her grip told him it was the woman who had poisoned Sam Watson.
“Are you here for business or pleasure?” Garrett asked.
“A little of both,” Locke replied. “The cruise line asked me to consult on some engineering plans for their next ship, and they offered me a cabin on this one as part of the deal. I thought, why not?”
“Are you staying for the entire cruise?”
“Just to New York. Forty days is too much time on board for me. What about you? What do the next forty days hold for you?”
“Oh, I’m spending the night on board, but then I must depart. I have a busy agenda.”
“What do you think about the Rex Hayden plane crash? I understand his brother was involved in your church.”
“It’s tragic for two brothers to die so young. The media has been somewhat cryptic up to this point as to the cause of the crash.”
“I’m actually involved in the investigation.”
Garrett eyes glittered malevolently. “Is that so? What have you determined?”
“I can’t talk about it. Still ongoing.”
“Of course. I know you engineers are sticklers for process. And what is your profession, Ms. Kenner?”
“I’m an archaeologist. My father got me interested. Hasad Arvadi. Maybe you’ve heard of him?”
“As a matter of fact, I have. I’m something of a Noah’s Ark buff, and I came across the work of your father. Intriguing ideas, if a bit misguided. I understand he’s been missing for quite some time. A shame.” He said it with exaggerated sympathy.
Garrett was having fun playing with them. Locke could sense Dilara rising to take the bait, so he headed her off.
“So when you were talking about something drastic,” he said, “you meant the Flood. Something to wipe out humanity and start over.”
“If God were so inclined, that would be His decision. But surely you know His covenant with Noah. God said He would never again send a Flood to destroy us. The Bible was very specific. Instead, God might choose to wipe us out with a rogue asteroid or some other method that we aren’t even aware of. Such a grim outcome, in His view, might be necessary to reset all of the damage we’ve done.”
“‘To save the village, we had to destroy it,’ as they said in Vietnam.”
“Do you think humans will change their ways, Tyler? Do you really believe six billion people can make the right choice when it comes to protecting this planet?”
“If we don’t, who will? A supreme being who believes he is the only one who knows what’s right for everyone else?” Locke made sure Garrett understood that the supreme being he was talking about was Sebastian Garrett.
“If that’s what it takes, I have faith that God has chosen the best path for humanity. Now, my dear,” Garrett said to Petrova, “I am worn out from this party. I think we should take advantage of our suite amenities. Good evening, everyone. It’s been a wonderful celebration. And Tyler, if we don’t see each other again,” he said pointedly, “enjoy your cruise.”
He gave a last smile at Locke, then turned. Before he could leave, Locke leaned in and whispered in Garrett’s ear.
“You’d better pray we don’t see each other again, Sebastian. Because if we do, you’ll know you’ve failed and I’ve won.”
That finally got the smile to disappear from Garrett’s face. The fear returned for a moment, then he dismissed Locke with a sneer and walked away.
Dilara watched them leave with a look of pure hatred.
“It took everything I had not to punch that woman in the face,” she said.
“I know how you feel. But at least we know one thing.”
“What? That Garrett is a psycho?”
“No,” Locke said, “I already knew that. And I could tell by his smug expression that he thinks we’re too late. Whatever he has planned, he’s here to kick it off.”
“It won’t happen with him on the ship.”
“That’s right. He said he’s leaving before it sails. So we’ve got until the Genesis Dawn leaves port tomorrow morning. If we don’t find out what he’s planning before then, he’s going to get his doomsday scenario.”
THIRTY-FIVE
Locke and Dilara took time to eat at the gala. Locke kept one eye on his cabin door five decks up just to make sure no one entered while they were gone. He had been quiet since the conversation with Garrett, considering his next move.
What was Garrett doing here? If the incident on Rex Hayden’s airplane was related, they could be planning the same thing on this ship. With such an immense vessel, distributing the bioweapon would be much more difficult. He could use the food, which was how the norovirus that continued to regularly sicken passengers was passed along, but the industry had gotten much better at maintaining a safe food supply. Locke looked at the empty plate on his table and immediately discounted that method. Garrett wouldn’t have infected people while he was still on board.
The water system might be vulnerable, but it would require accessing the central distribution point from the desalination plant. Someone would have to get access to secure areas of the ship. It was a possibility, but risky.
The easiest method, one which Locke guessed was used on the plane, was an airborne pathogen. That meant finding a central location for inserting it into the ship’s air handling system. But Garrett couldn’t expect any device to be left alone for a significant period of time, not with the rigorous maintenance a new ship would be
