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"Women?" Giordino perked up

"Most attractive, but business executive types Very aloof, very efficient Never talked or offered to be friendly with any of the local people"

"How did they arrive?" Pitt put to Rathbone

"Landed and took off on the river in a big amphibian airplane painted like an orchid"

"Lavender?"

"I guess you could call it that"

Giordino swirled his scotch around the ice cubes "Did you ever get a hint about why the project never got off the ground?"

"Ruossip and hearsay came up with at least fifty reasons, but none ua acted as a the river They claimed the fault was not theirs They offered Odyssey every benefit, every advantage, since the project would have greatly enhanced Nicaragua's economy My own opinion is that Specter found other more profitable projects for the Odyssey Corporation and simply moved on"

At thatand the ice in their glasses tinkled, and the contents quivered as if invisible raindrops were falling on it The tops of the trees in the jungle swayed in unison with the birds squawking and the moan of unseen animals

"Earthquake," Giordino said indifferently

"More like a slight earth tre another sip from his drink

"You fellows don't seeround movement," said Rathbone in mild surprise

"We grew up in California," Giordino explained

Pitt exchanged glances with Giordino Then he said, "I wonder if we'll experience any tree up the river"

Rathbone looked uneasy "I doubt it They coo like thunder, but very infrequently and have yet to cause any dae The natives are a superstitious lot They believe the ancient gods of their ancestors have returned and are living in