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“I want to hear noresponsible for this,” Dyson stated “So it Either catch hi any trouble”

“Yes, sir” It was a tight-lipped answer, acknowledging there would be no more discussion of the subject “If you don’t needback to the job”

“That’s all” There was a moment’s pause as Dyson somberly watched Grinnell head back for the office; then he seereement, they both started for the car parked a few yards away “What’s your opinion, George?” EJ finally asked

“It could be just a coincidence that so the oil lines on our machinery—and that Calder’s plane crash was caused by a broken oil line”

“Or so to throw suspicion on the Calders,” Dyson suggested

“But why?” Stricklin murmured to himself and opened the car door to slide behind the wheel

The ere rolled down, but the interior of the car still had that hot, sunbaked feel of stale air Stricklin flicked the air-conditioning fan on high Driving slowly through the congestion around the mine area, he approached the main road to the old Stocke tank truck loaded ater turn across the road in front of him

“Every time I see one of those trucks, I shudder when I think how h was heavy with displeasure

“It’s an invest wheel to follow the tank truck

“Well put” Dyson leaned to the side in an attelimpse of their investment

After the dull, coal-dusted earth of the barren land around the strip-e, the sudden patch of green made a healthy contrast It was the first of the row a thick stand of new grass Stricklin stopped the car to watch while the tank truck drew to a halt by a portable water-storage tank hooked to the irrigation system

“It’s certainly shut up the complaints from the environmentalists and silenced a lot of the ranchers,” Dyson stated, nodding with approval at the scene “Of course, it’s the reen”

“But it serves its purpose It’s a showcase reclamation project We spend the money now and on’t have to spend as much later We can leave it to Mother Nature instead” The economics of the situation were plain to Stricklin There was no other viable alternative “Ty needs to see this, especially now that he’s dropped the suit contesting the land titles” He said no ht ti After all, he was the promoter

“Yes” It was a thoughtful agreeht feel hi Tara has indicated they’re in a financial pinch right now, so it just ht be the time to approach him with

a deal”