Free The Solomon Curse by Clive Cussler Page A

asked.
    â€œHe’s stable, but probably not up to seeing anyone yet. We have him sedated. I’m sorry. But I’ll tell him you stopped by.”
    â€œThanks. We don’t even know him, so he might not understand who we are,” Remi said.
    â€œI’ll just tell him the people who saved his life came by to check on him.”
    â€œThank you.”
    â€œWell, I am going to put the bite on you for a donation, so it’s the least I can do,” Vanya joked.
    â€œYou offered to help us last night. I hope you don’t mind if we take you up on that,” Sam said.
    â€œOf course not. What can I do?”
    â€œKeep a secret, for starters,” Remi said, looking around the area.
    â€œMy lips are sealed.”
    â€œThe anomalies we’re here researching? They appear to be the remains of a sunken city.”
    She blinked twice. “A what?”
    â€œAn ancient city off the coast.”
    â€œOff Guadalcanal? You can’t be serious.”
    Sam nodded. “We are. And we want to know if there are any legends about such a place. I’d imagine there would have to be. One of the old captains said something about a curse? We’d like to find out what’s behind it.”
    Vanya took a seat in the empty patient lounge and stared at the two of them as though they’d appeared from another universe. “I was born here and I’ve never heard of a cursed sunken city. That sounds like science fiction. No offense.”
    â€œNone taken. I know it sounds far-fetched. But we’re sort of in the legends business and this isn’t the first time that the seemingly impossible has turned out to be real,” Remi explained.
    â€œOh, I don’t doubt that you found something. I just can’t believe that . . . that you found ruins around here. I mean, no disrespect, but it’s not like the Solomons are known for their advanced civilization stretching back to ancient times. Look around. That someone built a city that’s now underwater . . .”
    â€œWell, city may be a bit grandiose. More like a complex,” Sam conceded. “But, still, is there anyone you can think of who might be able to answer some questions for us? Maybe an elder? Someone who’s well versed in all the oral traditions?”
    She shook her head. “Perhaps Orwen might know. He socializes a lot more than I do. But, off the top of my head, nobody springs to mind.”
    Sam frowned. “He seemed rather down on foreigners coming to theislands and taking advantage. He might not be receptive to an overture for help.”
    â€œOh, don’t let Orwen’s bluster put you off. He’ll help if I ask him to.”
    â€œWe’d really rather keep the circle that knows as small as possible,” Remi cautioned.
    â€œWell, if you’re going to mount any kind of real expedition, you’re going to need permission from the government and that’s Orwen. I can’t see the administration just allowing you to go around disturbing our heritage even if they don’t know it exists just yet. Orwen’s your best shot at getting their okay.”
    â€œWe don’t even know what it is we found. It might be premature.”
    â€œAnd better to ask forgiveness than permission? I wouldn’t try that here. As you probably surmised at dinner, the islanders can be touchy when it comes to their territory. I’d do it properly from the beginning.”
    Sam nodded. “Good advice. Could you touch base with him?”
    â€œI’ll call right now. Do you mind waiting?” Vanya asked, rising.
    She disappeared back into the hospital. Sam leaned into Remi, his voice low. “I wish we didn’t have to share anything about the find.”
    â€œI know. But it’s not like anyone can do anything about it even if it was on the nightly news. Look at the equipment on the island. At best, they could dive and confirm it’s man-made.