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"I sent him to the airport to talk to Joe Harper He's a former bush pilot who operates a coed adventure tours into Russia"

Schroeder gulped down the rest of his tea even though it burned his throat He thanked Mumford for his hospitality, and drove his rental car to the Fairbanks airport The airport's location near the Arctic Circle o planes flying the circle route between the Far East and A off as he parked The airport itself was relatively small, and it took only one inquiry to find the office for PoleStar Air

The receptionist gave Schroeder a pleasant sot off the phone Harper came out after a few minutes He looked as if he had been picked for the role of a bush pilot by central casting He was a lean ing fro the transition from bush pilot to tour operator

His beard was neatly triy and over the ears His shirt was new and pressed and tucked into a pair of faded jeans that were at about the stage when they get comfortable He projected a professional capability, but there was a hint of worry in his eyes He leaned close to his receptionist's ear and whispered so about a fuel bill, then ushered Schroeder into his office

The work space was barely big enough for a desk and computer Any excess space was taken up by stacks of files

Harper was acutely aware of the disarray "Pardon thea lot of the paperworkwith the help of my wife out there"

"I understand you've been flying a long tihtened "I came up here in '84 Had a Cessna, flew that for years Expanded into a fleet of puddle jumpers I sold them all to buy the little corporate jet you see out on the tarh-end clients like their adventure tours fast and first-class"

"How's it going?"

"Business is couess Can't say the same for myself" Harper picked up a pile of papers and dropped it back on his desk "I'h to hire someone But that's my problem What's yours?"

"I talked to Dr Muo He tolda television crew to an island in Siberia"

"Oh yeah, the Discovery people They're taking a plane that will hook up with a fishing boat at Wrangel"

Schroeder handed Harper one of his newly et to the New Siberian Islands You don't suppose I could hitch a ride with them"

"Okay by me There's plenty of room on the plane All you'd need is the price of admission Unfortunately, they've reserved all the seats on the plane and boat"

Schroeder pondered his answer "Maybe I can talk your clients into letting "

"You're welco at the Westmark Hotel"