Potomac Retreat

Whenever the bureaucratic weight of Washington or the relentless demands of Admiral Sandecker become too overbearing, Dirk Pitt enjoys retreating to his ultimate sanctuary: a historic aircraft hangar standing on the edge of Washington National Airport, looking directly out across the gray waters of the Potomac River. Inside this sprawling garage, the endless chaos of the job is replaced by the comforting, static presence of the engines inside his cars. Pitt rarely finds time for hands-on, routine maintenance. So this afternoon is a respite from all the noise. Leaving his satellite phone upstairs in his office, but still on ring in case he is needed. This hangar acts as a living museum, and today Pitt moves through it with a simple purpose; to maintain his engines or clean the cars since he finally has time this quiet afternoon. Racing is not on his mind today as he chooses instead to focus on the therapy of detailing and tuning. There is a deep, meditative satisfaction as he buffs a fender and making the chrome reflect the overhead lights. Dirk checks fluid levels, inspects gaskets, and other tasks in his maintenance checks Today Dirk's racing mind is at rest, the itch to push an engine to its redline is absent. Beyond the open hangar doors lies the track. Despite that temptation his focus belongs on the tasks awaiting inside the garage.