Aftershock: A Donovan Nash Novel (A Donovan Nash Thriller) by Philip Donlay

head, and studied his long hair and beard. “Mr. Nash, I assume you’re in there somewhere?”
    Donovan reached out and gave her a hug. Janie had shown them all, firsthand, that she was one of the best helicopter pilots around. He and Michael had first met her years ago in Australia. They learned she’d grown up with four older brothers, and had developed a wicked sense of humor as well as a rough-and-tumble attitude toward life. One night in Perth, Michael and Donovan learned firsthand that they couldn’t out-drink her—it hadn’t even been close.
    Janie was typically based aboard the Eco-Watch ship
Pacific Titan
. Three months ago she’d been injured in a helicopter crash, the same crash that had injured Lauren and Buck. Thanks to Janie’s remarkable flying and Buck’s quick thinking, they all escaped with recoverable injuries. As far as Donovan knew, Janie was supposed to be recuperating from a broken elbow at home in Australia. To find her in Guatemala was a complete surprise.
    “It’s good to see you,” Donovan said as they disengaged. “How are you? How’s the elbow doing? Why are you here?”
    “I’m fine,” Janie nodded. “Since I was cleared to return to flight status ahead of schedule, Michael, Mr. Ross, was able to arrange with Bell to take an early delivery of our 412 last week. Eric and I finished our training, and yesterday we loaded it onthe cargo plane with the
Scimitar
and flew down here. When we’re finished, it’ll go back to Fort Worth for paint and a final inspection before we take her out to the
Pacific Titan
and her sea trials. She’s a beaut, isn’t she?”
    “Eric Mitchell is with you?” Donovan asked. Eric was the helicopter pilot on the other Eco-Watch ship, the
Atlantic Titan
.
    “Yeah,” Janie replied. “Michael thought it would be smart to train us both at the same time so we could standardize the new machines within Eco-Watch operational specifications. Eric’s off talking to another Bell operator based here. He should be back shortly.”
    “Is it flyable?” Donovan asked.
    “You bet. I’m just fussing with my new baby. You want to go up right now?”
    “Yes,” Donovan replied immediately. “Can you get us out to the volcano?”
    “No problem,” Janie smiled. “Eric and I will have her ready to fly in an hour. That’ll give you and Buck a chance to check out the
Scimitar
.”
    “Perfect,” Donovan said, ignoring the annoyed expression on Buck’s face.
    Donovan turned from the helicopter and took in the
Scimitar
. His first impression was that the drone was far larger than he’d expected. The basic airframe came straight from the latest version of the Predator. The MQ-9 Reaper was bigger, faster, and more powerful than its older cousin. Buck let out a low whistle as they both approached the nose.
    “What do you think?” Malcolm asked.
    “I’ve seen the military version of this thing.” Buck put out his hand and touched the black surface. “But this looks completely different, the skin feels more solid. What is it?”
    “A ceramic resin,” a deep, resonant voice said from the other side of the
Scimitar
. “It helps it deflect heat, like the ceramic tiles used on the space shuttle, only four generations more advanced.”
    Donovan discovered a short, rather rotund man walkingtheir way. He had on white coveralls and was wiping his hands with a rag. A full head of black hair framed an oval face and bright smile. From five paces away Donovan could see the unmistakable intelligence in the eyes of Professor Benjamin Murakami. Donovan held out his hand in greeting. “Professor, I’m Donovan Nash. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you—and the
Scimitar
.”
    “The pleasure is mine, Mr. Nash.”
    “This is my colleague, Howard Buckley.” Donovan let his eyes travel down the sleek lines of the
Scimitar
. He felt the aeronautical enthusiast within him begin to formulate a dozen questions.
    “Hello, Mr. Buckley.” Murakami shook Buck’s hand. “What