The Cosmic Crime: Part Ten

The little island showed up very grey against the deep blue of the Pacific. A largish speedboat patrolled the approach slowly, kicking up a lazy wake behind it. The whole atmosphere was lazy and warm. If it had not been for the air of impending doom that hovered over America, it would have been a perfect day.

On a smaller island, a little way from the old fortress island, Ms. Madison was in the process of concealing a rowing boat, while Andrea prepared a couple of sets of oxygen gear. Both girls wore bathing suits, in an effort to appear only tourists tresspassing. In all probability it was a silly idea, but the girls though it at least worth a try.

"It's a great day for a swim," Ms. Madison returned to the beach, having hidden the boat.

"I still don't like it," Andrea shook her head. "I mean, going in like this, without weapons or anything like that..."


"If we got caught with weapons," Ms. Madison replied pluckily, "we'd be goners for sure. If the Green Man's right, then that island" -she indicated the tower on the island- "is swarming with men from the Oder of Cain. "Even if we took all the guns we could carry, we'd probably be overpowered. If we're going to beat the Order of Cain, then it won't be by brute force, but guile."

"I still don't like it." Andrea shook her head. "I mean, so much could go wrong..."

"Probably," the blonde smiled, starting to pack her golden curls into her swimming-cap. "But the Green Man's plans always count on a few things going wrong from time to time. This time there's a Plan B that more-or-less depends on one of us getting caught."

"On you getting caught," Andrea gave the blonde a hard look. "Now, put on your diving kit and get on with it."

Ten minutes later, the patrol boat picked up a blonde in a bikini and oxygen tank. She was hurried back to the island, and into custody.