Cole thanked him politely, but turned it down. "But why?" insisted the Duke. "Surely you realize the importance of keeping in touch with all your ships and all your spies and spotters." "Of course," said Cole. "But I also realize the importance of being a moving target rather than a stationary one. Christine and Briggs can handle the operation from the Teddy R." "Then why have you got your engineer walking every inch of Singapore Station and its docks, making copious notes on our defenses or lack of them?" "This is where all the ships will be coming for fuel and for supplies whenever it's possible. We can't keep it secret forever, so this is the place we have to spend most of our efforts protecting." "I just wonder how much this is going to cost me," muttered the Duke. "If it's too much, tell Mr. Odom you won't pay it and that he shouldn't install it." "Have I mentioned what I think of your sense of humor?" asked the Duke. "Not since yesterday." "Well, it hasn't changed." Suddenly Christine's image popped into existence.
