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of the water and waved. He was wearing a long-sleeved T-shirt. Smart, in this sun. |
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''Want to see something?" |
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The man stared at him. It was clear he wanted to snorkel on. |
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"One heck of an eel down here," Jerry shouted, pointing below. He spread his arms. "A real monster." And waved the man over. |
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Slowly the man turned and floated to the shallow rock nearby. He steadied himself, then pulled off his mask and snorkel. |
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Jerry clicked his finger at the man. "Now I got it." |
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"I noticed you were back on the beach," he said. "For an hour I racked my brain wondering where I'd seen you before. It just hit me. You're Stefan Karsky. Excuse me, Doctor Stefan Karsky." |
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When the man smiled, his eyebrows arched into a chevron. "Do I know you?" |
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"Your reputation precedes you, doctor." Jerry held out his hand. "Jerry Mars. Just like the planet," he said. "The original, nobody could pronounce." |
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Karsky took Jerry's hand. The familiar realization flickered across Karsky's eyes when he noticed that Jerry had no index finger. "And how do you know me, Mr. Mars?" |
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"Jerry, please. Your picture in the papers." |
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"Got a hell of a memory. I don't think I've been in the papers for years." |
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Jerry tapped the side of his head with his finger. "I can remember faces, but I couldn't tell you what I had for breakfast." Jerry noticed the thick middle fill the man's shirt. |
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Karsky smiled politely. "Well, I'm flattered. And what do you do for a living?" |
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"Nothing as fancy as microbiology," said Jerry. "Wastes and disposals." |
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"I see." Karsky nodded. "Here on vacation?" |
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"Couldn't pick a better spot." |
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"I'll say. And yourself?" |
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