A horde of reporters suddenly appeared, surrounding Lisa and barraging her with questions about the facility and her scientific discovery. Pitt and Loren slipped off to the side, then strolled across the grounds. Pitt had recovered fully from his injuries and enjoyed stretching his legs outdoors.

"It's so beautiful here," Loren remarked. "We should stay a few extra days."

"You forget your congressional panel hearings next week. Besides, I need to get back to Was.h.i.+ngton and ride roughshod over Al and Jack. We have a new submersible to test in the Mediterranean next month that we need to prepare for."

"Already on to the next project, I see."

Pitt simply nodded, a twinkle in his green eyes. "As somebody once said, it's in my blood."

They walked past the facility until reaching the sh.o.r.eline.

"You know, there is a potential downside to this technology," she noted. "If global warming can one day be reversed, the Northwest Pa.s.sage is liable to permanently freeze over again."

Pitt stared out at the nearby channel.

"I think Franklin would agree with me; that's as it should be."

ACROSS THE COMPOUND, a white boat motored up to the channel front dock and tied up behind a rented press boat. Trevor Miller stepped onto the pier and studied the large crowd spread across the grounds before spotting a tall woman with flowing red hair. s.n.a.t.c.hing a beer along the way, he walked up to Dirk and Summer, who stood laughing near the former security hut.

"Mind if I steal your sister?" he said to Dirk.

Summer turned to him with a look of relief, then quickly kissed him.

"You're late," she said.

"I had to put gas in my new boat," he tried to explain.

Dirk looked at him with a grin. "Go ahead and take my sister. Keep her for as long as you like."

Trevor walked Summer back to the boat and released the dock line. Gunning the throttle, he shot off the dock and was soon racing down Douglas Channel. He ran the boat all the way to Hecate Strait before cutting the motor and letting the boat drift as the sky overhead began to darken. Slipping an arm around Summer, he moved to the stern with her at his side and looked out toward Gil Island. They stood together, staring across the calm waters for a long while.

"The best and worst things in my life seem to happen out here," he finally whispered in her ear.

She slipped an arm around his waist and held him tight as they watched the crimson sun sink slowly beneath the horizon.