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The islanders looked at one another again and the captain frowned “Money won’t do you any good here I should never have coood for you, you’ll leave and never return If not, there will be more misfortune, and may God help you”

Leonid barked a harsh laugh “Come on, old man Cursed? You don’t strike me as someone who scares easily”

The captain fixed him with a cold stare “I did as you asked, but no et out of here Just because you’re willing to gamble with your lives doesn’t mean I am”

“Little dramatic, don’t you think?” Leonid said The captain waited in silence as Leonid peeled off several bills and handed them to hiered another bill

“I won’t tell a soul And even if I did, nobody ant to te to the curse” The captain paused “There will be more That’s just the start”

Leonid passed hied back to the boat He used the outboard to back it off the sand, and then the re two crewSa alone on the beach

Relanced at Sam “Did you see the old man’s face? He was terrified”

“Native superstition Mumbo jumbo Nonsense,” Leonid scoffed

“He’s heard of this bay before, though Itto find out what the rumors are,” she said

“Doesn’t really ht offshore nobody knows about and we’ve discovered it Who cares what soends say about it?” Leonid spat

“There’s usually an element of truth to folklore, Leonid,” Sam chided “Can’t hurt to ask around”

“Well, if you want to waste your time, suit yourself Sounds like I have to learn how to scuba dive in the next three days”

CHAPTER 8

La Jolla, California

Selma looked up fro Her assistants, Pete and Wendy, were at lunch, and Zoltán bristled at her feet at the intrusion She reassured him with a stroke of her hand and then relaxed when she saas only Lazlo