The Solomon Curse by Clive Cussler Read Free Book Online

she asked bluntly.
    Remi stepped in. “We oversee a foundation that does charitable work all over the world.”
    Vanya blinked twice and then smiled, the tiny stress lines around her eyes crinkling. “Well, in that case, you must have dinner with me. How long will you be on Guadalcanal?”
    Remi shrugged. “We haven’t decided.”
    Sam chuckled. “Until they throw us off.”
    Everyone laughed. Vanya nodded. “Given your recent act of heroism, that’s unlikely. Seriously. If you’re free this evening, I’d love to show you one of the local hideaways. I’m having dinner with a colleague and I’m sure he’d be interested in discussing your project. We don’t get a lot of archaeologists nosing around. And of course I want to tell you all about my clinics.”
    Remi exchanged a glance with Sam. “Are you sure it’s not an imposition?”
    â€œAbsolutely,” Vanya said. “The truth is, I get bored out of my skull around here after a time. I could use some time with fresh faces, hear some new stories. I’m afraid after my time in Sydney, Honiara doesn’t have quite the interest it did when I was ten. I assure you my invitation is purely driven by selfishness.”
    â€œWell, then, it’s a date,” Sam said. “Shall we meet you here?”
    â€œIf you like.” She paused, thinking. “Or I can swing by whereveryou’re staying. That way, I can go home and freshen up, and, if it’s still pouring, you won’t have to brave the rain to get here. What hotel?”
    Sam gave her their information and they agreed to meet in the lobby at eight. Vanya spent another minute with Ricky, explaining his uncle’s condition to him, and then returned to the bowels of the hospital after stopping to briefly examine the man with the broken arm.

CHAPTER 6
    When Sam and Remi checked at the front desk for Dr. Vanya, the clerk handed them a message slip.
    â€œLooks like we’re in business,” Sam said as he read the note. “Leonid’s going to be picking us up at nine tomorrow morning.”
    â€œI have mixed feelings about diving in a crocodile-infested swamp,” Remi said.
    â€œIt’s not a swamp. And it was only one crocodile.”
    â€œWhat’s the exact procedure for fending off an underwater crocodile attack? I wonder if it’s like a shark?”
    â€œNot to worry. I have the tactical skills necessary.”
    â€œThat’s very thoughtful. But it does raise the question of what your plan would be if one attacked.”
    â€œOh. Simple,” Sam said. “I’m a fast swimmer.”
    â€œNot faster than one of those things.”
    â€œI don’t have to be.” He smiled. “I just have to be faster than you.”
    Remi returned the smile. “Touché.”
    â€œThing about saltwater crocs is they’re solitary and territorial, so it’s unlikely another will move into the area so soon. We’ll keep an eye peeled, but where we’re diving we should be safe.”
    Remi gave him a sidelong glance. “Let’s hope someone told the crocs all that.”
    The doctor pulled up in a silver Mitsubishi SUV that was covered in mud. They piled into the backseat and buckled in. The rain had stopped with the approach of dusk, but the roads were still flooded in many places, and Vanya drove cautiously to the waterfront.
    â€œI hope you like seafood. This is the best place on the island. Very authentic, but not fancy,” she said. “It’s been here for twenty years, so they’re doing something right.”
    â€œThat’s perfect,” Remi said. “I love fish.”
    â€œMe too,” Sam chimed in.
    The exterior of the restaurant showed fading blue paint peeling from crooked wooden planks. A simple hand-lettered sign over the door featured a stylized depiction of a crab and the restaurant name:
Eleanor’s
.
    â€œShe