“Dr. Mitchell, this is Admiral Vance at Main Navy,” a voice crackled through the static.

The connection was clear enough for me to hear the tension in his voice.

“Admiral,” I said. “The transmission has been intercepted and neutralized.”

“Are you secure?” Vance asked.

“For the moment,” I said. “Captain Turner is outside the door with an armed detail.”

“Do not open that door until my people arrive,” Vance said.

“How far out are they?” I asked.

“They landed at the Groton airport ten minutes ago,” Vance said. “They are en route to your position now.”

I looked at the brass dog lever on the door. It was starting to turn.

“They might not wait ten minutes, Admiral,” I said.

“Hold the room, Dr. Mitchell,” Vance said, and the line went dead.

I hung up the receiver and looked at Hayes.

“Federal investigators are on the way,” I said.

Hayes nodded once. “Then we hold.”

Outside, the screech of metal on metal echoed through the door frame.

They were using a crowbar or a heavy jack to force the latch.