From the Author

This book is a work of fiction.

A good share of it, however, is based on fact.

Several of the unique and amazing abilities that dolphins possess have been documented numerous times, even though scientists only began serious study of the species Cetacea a half-century ago.

Anyone who has swum with dolphins or been anywhere near them can testify to what researchers confirm -- that these creatures are able to "read" us internally with a type of ultra-sound that is only now becoming common in modern medicine.

The same is true of dophins' echolocation capabilities and their power to stun fish -- a "weapon" that countless observers report is never used for any other purpose, not even self-defense.

But can dolphins "speak" to humans?

One character in this novel is based on a real-life researcher who has worked closely with dolphins for most of his life, and as he said: "It wouldn't be a very long jump."

But this is still fiction.

I don't know anyone named Jill Gabriel who used to work for the BBC, the pleasant young Daisy in the book bears the name of my stepdaughter, but there's no other connection.

There is no submarine called the USS Eel, although there might have been. The United States Navy commissioned a sub called the Eel near the end of World War II, but construction was cancelled and there hasn't been another vessel of that name until we "created" our very own.

On the other hand, there is not only a flourishing colony of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in and around the Moray Firth in northern Scotland, but one of them actually is called Spike by researchers from the University of Aberdeen field station.

Most of the locations in the United States, England and Scotland have been described here as accurately as possible. There definitely is terrific apple pie in Auchterarder, the strange tales of Chanonry Point are believed absolutely true by the local populace and places like Inverness, Avoch and Fortrose are right where you'll find them in this adventure.

Although you'll find this book classified as fiction, however, I'd like you to think of it more as a story of logic mixed with hope.

There is considerable fact here to provide a backdrop to the bits of fiction.

But then there is a third category, the soul of the book, which requires that you decide for yourself.

It may pose a more difficult question than you imagine.

STEVE CAMERON

CALIFORNIA

2007