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Helger was silent as his wine arrived. He sampled it and then dabbed his lips. "We discovered the ruins after our independent survey. But we were quite aware ...
"That's another strange statement, since the group that inadvertently found the first sign of ruins did so five months before CoDevCo conducted its survey. An...
Helger sipped his wine. "I fail to see the relevance of these rather insignificant details."
So the main ruins were the first ones discovered. Hell, the others might just be decoys-for dupes like me. "These insignificant details will interest the Hagu...
"So you are reneging on your offer of cooperation so soon? My, it didn't even last one day."
"Mr. Helger, it didn't even last one morning, because while Ms. Rakir made sure I was discovering your supposed company secret-the oil wells-you were hustling...
"Mr. Riordan, you flatter me with your presumption that I am God, for you seem to assume that I can foresee and prevent any event which would intrude upon the...
"Unfortunate for me-suspiciously convenient for you. I wonder if she will return before I depart, just as I wonder if I will find her in Little Leyden once I'...
Helger's mouth didn't smile, but his eyes were crinkled and smug. "Who can say?"
"Who indeed. Besides, when I get back to Downport, I expect to be too busy to look her up."
"Oh? And why is that?"
"I'll be too busy filing reports that will retroactively justify the instructions I am going to relay immediately after dinner tonight."
Helger seemed amused. "Instructions? What instructions? And to whom?"
"To the Navy-which, if CoDevCo doesn't immediately cease archeological excavation, will compel the Port Authority to suspend all inbound and outbound movement...
Helger got pale, but then his color returned along with an unpleasant smile. "Mr. Riordan, this bluff is beneath your dignity. No messages get in or out of Sh...
"Actually, I think you are."
Helger's smile widened and he studied his blood-red wine. "Mr. Riordan, in a place such as this, it is not wise to presume that you know what will happen next...
There it was: the thinly veiled threat-and with it, the opportunity to riposte. "Actually, some people would miss me-and would be asking you where I was, shor...
Helger was evidently disappointed that his threat had not jarred Caine's composure. His tone was more brusque: "I don't think you realize how very alone you a...
Caine sipped his water. "I have friends in high places."
"I know all about your clearance-"
"No, I don't mean 'high places' figuratively; I mean it literally. 'High' as in 'orbital.'" Caine checked his watch. "In fourteen minutes, I'm due to contact ...
Helger had become pale, was no longer smiling. "You are bluffing. You-the Commonwealth-would not dare-"
"Let's not waste time and words on hypotheticals, Mr. Helger. Why don't we just sit here for twenty-nine minutes and see what happens next? I'm sure you can w...
Helger's eyes wavered; had they been equipped with nictating lids, Caine was sure they would have slowly shut at that moment. "Mr. Riordan, you are becoming o...
Caine forced himself to smile. "Of course not."
Helger's smile was no less manufactured. "Perhaps I might be present when you make your call to the admiral, so that I might extend my compliments?"
And to make sure I'm not bluffing. "I would welcome that, Mr. Helger. That way, if you have any questions about my status here-and his prerogatives-you may as...
"Very well. Now, surely you were exaggerating when you threatened to have even our routine landings and launches suspended."
"Surely, I was not."
"Preposterous: you haven't the authority to initiate such an action."
"Be assured, Mr. Helger: I have the authority, and I will use it. Today, if I must."
Helger's hand stopped short of his glass. "Again, you are bluffing."
"Again, you are wrong. I have no naval rank, but I have access to classified codes which can activate a variety of local contingency orders. I submitted one s...
"Odd: the Commonwealth naval routine seems unaltered."
"And it will remain so-until and unless a certain activating condition is met."
"And what is the activating condition?"
Caine smiled. "My disappearance or demise."
"I see." Helger waved the waiter away restively. "So, if I shut down the dig site, I can keep my oil operation running."
"For now, yes." Of course, once I'm no longer in your crosshairs, I'll recommend the Navy shuts that down, too. But if I take away the oil now, then you've go...
"What guarantee do I have that I will be allowed to keep my wells in operation after you leave?"
"Mr. Helger, I do not have the power to make such guarantees. I will assure you of this: if I find no further violations, I will not make any negative recomme...
Helger's lower lip protruded a bit; he pulled at it. "Very well: it seems I have little choice. Does this mean you are done here?"
"I'm afraid not. I have something else that I need to investigate, although it's nothing that should concern you directly."
Helger relaxed a bit; he curved a finger in the direction of the waiter, gestured toward the wine. The waiter dutifully disappeared to fetch and do as he was ...
"Reports of possibly intelligent creatures in this valley. Would you happen to know anything about that?"
Helger maintained the same nerveless pose, but his face was less relaxed. "I hear the same wild stories that everyone else hears. Local apes, forest men, spir...
"You have no evidence of local wildlife that travels in groups, shows any tendency toward tool use?"
"Me? No-but you could consult Mr. Bendixen, here. I brought him along because he is our best field expert and woodsman, and I suspected that you were planning...
"Thanks. I might indeed ask Mr. Bendixen a few questions."