- Shit !!!! - He scammed - I'm a good professional. I'm Associate Professor of Naval Architecture at the Webb Institute in New York, - he said this while he looking the wall, all covered in degrees and diplomas - I give lectures and conduct research in ship structures and environmental performance of tankers in collision and grounding accidents. I received my Ph.D. in naval architecture from UC Berkeley and a M.S. in mechanical engineering from the Helsinki University of Technology. I teach courses in ship design and structures at Webb.- he throw a file with ROGELIA data - I served on the NRC Committee I produced the 1998 report, Double Hull Tanker Legislation. I'm a member of a panel on risk analysis for the International Ship Structures Congress and an Assessment of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 OPA. Why is happening to my?!?.

Arthur Grutt went to his desk and looking for a business card that Sam Seaborn had given him three years ago when Gage Whitney advises C&L Oil in the fleet's purchase, to which the ROGELIA belonged. They had one interview at Gage Whitney. He had advised Seaborn about the ships via telephone on several occasions. He had informed Seaborn about the accidents when using old Ships and suggested to him several places on the Internet where information could be collected.

Seaborn agreed with him that purchase of those ships was a potential risk and that, if at that moment it was a cheap purchase, in the long run it would be expensive for everyone. Then he knew that Seaborn had quit Gage Whitney and that deal had been carried out in spite of his recommendations. And now, three years later, he was in tremendous trouble for that.

He knew Seaborn worked for the Bartlett Administration. Only the White House would help him to escape that nightmare. He sat down in his desk and began to type in his computer.

************************************************************************************************************************

It was Saturday at night when Josh enters to the bar. The bar was half-full, but smoke was dense and music loud and nobody evidenced the smallest interest in the anyone else. Josh found an isolated table; he requested a beer and drinks it slowly, while he waited for Sam. Sam arrived at the same time as the Josh's beer of Josh and asked only for coffee.

- Will you also give up the sex? - Asked Josh. Sam didn't pay attention to the joke.

- I hope you didn't have to come for anything.

- What happened?

Sam took a single page of a computer printout out his pocket.

- I found this in my mailbox when I returned from work this afternoon. - He said giving the page to Josh.

Josh deployed it and looked for enough light to read. Giving in, he took a yellow glass that continued a lit candle that was on the table, and held in next to the paper. It was enough, although anything but comfortable.

- It is obvious that this place doesn't serve as library- Josh comment while he made an effort to read the note - and the printer needs a new ink cartridge - but he remained silent while he read the message.

Mr.. Sam Seaborn:

I leave this for you because I don't know whom else I can trust, and I hope to be able to trust you. I believe I have information on a conspiracy dedicated to hide the true cause of purchase of old ships, by an oil company via the one, which you, in the past represented. Their owners are gentlemen Cameron and Loch. I have known this for several weeks, but I am afraid of facing anyone. I am desperate. I will call you tonight at your apartment and I hope that by then you has received this note and I can seek your advice. I hope you forgive me for not putting down my signature; I am afraid.

Josh raised his eyes. Then, without saying word, he leaned back and he reread the message.

- Is it real? - He inquired when finished reading it the second time.

- I should presume it is - Sam replied in voice so low that Josh could hardly hear him over the noise of the band.

- I don't know, but then I remember the conversation you had yesterday with the guy from Senate, about petroleum spills in the Argentine Peninsula of Valdez. Ordinary, I don't believe in conspiracies, but dammed, who would have believed that a robbery in Watergate would leave a rake that would lead until The President of the Nation?

- Sam, wait. I believe you overstate things

- Maybe. Maybe not.

The waitress with a coffeepot approached to refill Sam's cup again and pointed indicates expressively at Joshes empty bottle. Josh shook his head and the waitress looked irritated.

-Tight isn't you? I hope you leave a tip.

Josh waited impatiently until she left, then leaned on the table.

- What do you want to do?

- I donut know, Josh. I need your help. We cannot hold a press conference to denounce a supposed conspiracy on spill of petroleum in Peninsula of Valdez due to low costs and ships in disuse on the basis of an anonymous message.

And if it is certain - with an statement, he pointed to the note that remained on the table- the people responsible would hide beneath the earth, so deep that a nuclear bomb won't get them out. I know them Josh!!. I tried to convince them that it was a mistake to buy those ships at expensive price... God, what a fool I was! Until I gave them the idea of separate corporation for the purchase not involving the mother company.

- You cannot judge that until to know who wrote it - Josh said - when he calls you, supposing that he does calls you. Why don't you ask to meet with him in someplace?

- What if we do meet with someplace?

- That would be good.

- You're better than me in these cloak and dagger matters.

- Then listen to me

- Perfect. What do you suggest we do then?

Josh's conduct of keeping calm but mysterious delighted him.

- When this fellow calls you, try to arrange a meeting in some isolated place. Tell him you request that I participate, and we are both anxious to speak with him.

- It's not good idea - objected Sam - if this man is for real, he's afraid, and I believe we would scare him away. It ´ll be better if I set a meeting with him and we agree on a place where you can listen without being seen

- OK. Do you plan to ask him tonight?

- The sooner the better.

- I haven't pulled an all-night since I was a student. I don't know if I can do it now.

- You think this is all a game. The fright will keep you from falling asleep - Sam gestured at the waitress, requesting the bill. She placed it between the two of them. Josh picked it up.

- You paid yesterday - he said, smiling.

- I'm a lot cheaper than you are - replied Sam.

- I always tell you, I am older and sager. By the way, did you think of a place?

Where we could meet our friend?

- Let him to choose - Sam suggested - he would be calmer in a place he knows.

Josh throws a ten- dollar on the table, thinking that would cover the bill and the waitress's anger. The two friends entered the parking lot together.

- It is possible that you and I see this differently - Josh said - I expect that everything is a lie and that nobody doesn't appear with any conspiracy clue of any class. I don't want have a midnight phone call. But I believe that you want to establish a connection among purchase of those ships and petroleum spill. You should tell me what happened in that meeting that I take out you to trails, three year ago.

-God! You are incredible! You took out me to trails?!... But, yes I would be disappointed if I did not receive that call I could never understand why they wanted to buy those ships to that price, they were not worth it, I cannot avoid that. But, if it is not so, what the hell. I had already been disillusioned before, and I had survived. I´ll survive again.

Sam shook his head, misinterpreting Josh's silence.

- Calm down, Josh. I was having some seconds thoughts and personal doubts. If this is a trap, let us discover it. It'll help us o sleep through it the next time around.

They sealed their agreement shaken their hands.