SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

Jake slid from behind the steering wheel of a silver Audi A4 sedan and swung the door shut. As his gaze rose from the lush green landscaping to the twenty-story skyscraper, he removed a pair of aviator sunglasses and tucked them into his front pocket, all the while gathering his first impression of Ocean Blue. The glass reflected cottony wisps of clouds near the top. Closer to the bottom, the distant image of the Sydney Opera House was visible, its series of seashell-like arches overlooking the harbor, as well as the rest of the city in the background.

Across the roof of the car, Sarah appeared from the passenger side, dressed in a gray pants suit. Her turquoise blouse dipped low enough in the front to reveal an emerald pendant necklace. Jake's breath stalled for a second. Not because of the sterling silver piece of jewelry, but because of the slight valley of skin beneath the oblong stone, a hint of cleavage under the top button of her shirt. If it wasn't for the pendant, his gaze would've never been drawn there. But that was beside the point.

He blew a puff of air from his lips, forcing himself to look away.

Luckily, Tony stole his attention, rising from the back seat behind her.

Jake's focus shifted back to their mission objective: gathering intel on the Ocean Blue Corporation, an organization devoted to preserving marine wildlife, much like Sea Lab International. But he had his doubts about the nobility of the corporation's cause.

Key to that theory was the creature they hauled in from the barrier reef. It measured fourteen feet, five inches long, and its girth came in at six feet in diameter. It reminded Jake of a cruise missile with teeth. Lots of them.

A packed out parking lot surrounded the building, which was on the outskirts of the city.

Since the Atlantis research vessel wouldn't arrive in time for their Monday morning meeting with the corporation's chairman, Jake, Tony, and Sarah hopped a chopper to the city of Cairns, where they took a puddle jumper to Sydney. The plane landed on Sunday and allowed them an opportunity to check into The Grace Hotel Sydney, on the corner of York and King Street in the heart of the bustling metropolis. They needed Kevin and Rachel aboard the Atlantis to assist with the examination of the killer fish.

The research ship itself would dock well after the sun went down on Monday evening, long after the meeting ended.

Jake had a gut feeling they were on the right trail. His instincts often served him well, but he knew it'd help with their investigation if Sea Lab could prove someone had shot up the monstrous fish with an unknown concoction like a guinea pig in a lab.

Jake adjusted the front of his black suit jacket and led the way through a cluster of vehicles, his eyes locked on the glass doors of the front entrance. "So, we're here to see Roland Zanderthal."

"That's right," Sarah said, matching Jake stride for stride.

"A co-founder of Sea Lab with your father." He remembered the video briefing with Cat. They had forced Zanderthal into resignation because of health problems.

"He developed Parkinson's disease," Tony said, pointing a finger to his head. "I listen more than you think."

"I talked to Dad before we left the room this morning," Sarah replied. "He felt Zanderthal didn't have Sea Lab's best interests at heart. As soon as he had the opportunity, Dad exercised a clause in the organization's contract. It stated that if one of the co-founders grew ill and couldn't fulfill their duties, then that person would have to resign and receive a buyout as compensation."

Jake spied a Mercedes-Benz limousine parked in front of the building. The limo appeared brand new. "So what do you think about the shocking remission of his affliction?"

"I don't know. Zanderthal's been seen in public in what seemed to be perfect health. But I think, as far as our investigation is concerned, if he learns of Sea Lab's involvement, he might offer Ocean Blue's help as a jab at my father."

"So the trail heats up," Tony said as they entered the building.

They passed through a security checkpoint at the bottom of an expansive atrium adorned with giant Ocean Blue logos. The waves crested like a surfer could hang ten all the way to shore. Beyond the two guards, vivid photographs decorated the walls, one of dolphins launching themselves into the air and another of sea turtles swimming gracefully.

Deeper inside, cylindrical aquariums rose three-stories to the lobby ceiling like ancient Greek pillars, each glass column spaced out in a circle in the center of the vast room, filled with marine life. In one aquarium, a pair of surgeonfish meandered ever higher, showcasing black and royal blue bodies streaked with yellow tail-fins. In another column, a school of orange and white clownfish flurried about. The list grew. Yellow butterflyfish. Damselfish. Parrotfish. What was absent from the reef was present here.

To complete the scene, gentle sunlight penetrated the outer windows and provided a picturesque setting.

In the center of the lobby, a young man behind a counter waved them over. "You look like you're here on business. Can I point you in the right direction?" He pronounced the last word die-rection.

"We have an appointment with the chairman," Jake said.

"Last names please?"

"Gregory, Burke and Fairfield."

The man tapped a touchscreen imbedded in the countertop. Scrolled down a list with a swipe of his finger. "Ah, yes. Here we are. Come with me."

As they followed, Jake peered up at a staircase on one side that wrapped around the second and third levels of the atrium. Tourists snapped pictures and gawked at the impressive displays.

The man pressed a button on the wall and the elevator doors opened. "Once you get to the top floor, you'll know what to do."

"Awesome," Tony said, stepping inside. Sarah and Jake trailed close behind.

The doors closed, sealing them in a box covered with glossy redwood walls and a stainless steel handrail which wrapped around at waist level. Jake touched the number twenty on the panel and they ascended.

He snorted air through his nose and looked at Sarah.

"You've got this," she said. "Just be yourself... while pretending to be someone else."

"I'll keep that in mind. But I'm not worried about the meeting itself. I'm just having second thoughts about being here today, period. We could tip our hand."

"That's why we're using fake names."

"Right... well, just let me take the lead."

"Lead away, skipper," Tony said.

Jake's brow pinched together. "Quit calling me that."

"Sau-reee. You've had some real mood swings lately."

The circle lit up the number nineteen on the panel. "Guess I don't handle the stress so well."

"Easy, guys. Back off the throttle a little. We're almost there."

The elevator halted.

A second later, the doors sprung open to a wide vestibule with a secretary's desk to one side. A petite woman with blonde hair looked up at their arrival and pressed a button on a telephone.

"Mr. Zanderthal, your nine o'clock is here," she said in an authentic Australian accent. "Would you like me to send them in straight away?"

A less than thrilled voice answered, "Punctuality. How nice. Send them in."

"Mr. Zanderthal will see you now." She rose from her chair and ushered them toward a wide mahogany door with a gold handle.

As she pressed the thumb lever, Jake tried to imagine what he would see upon entering the office. Maybe a contemporary design with modern furniture?

Not even close.