The Solomon Curse by Clive Cussler Page A

He barked a humorless laugh. “Fat lot of good it’s done us. We might as well be destitute. We’re sitting on a fortune in natural resources and we can’t make a go of it. Saddest story you’ll ever hear.”
    Vanya sighed, obviously having heard all this many times before. “Next, he’ll be railing about the gold mine.”
    â€œSo there’s still gold?” Remi asked.
    â€œOf course there is. But you wouldn’t know it to look at us, would you? And as Vanya alluded to, people get frustrated at all the jockeying and ineptness, so they kick their administration out with regularity, so the mentality of most politicians is to grab what you can while you’re in office because chances are you won’t be much longer. It’s a vicious circle. One I’ve lived in the last twenty years.”
    Vanya eyed the big man with a gentle gaze. “Orwen here is one of the last good ones. Don’t let him sour you on Guadalcanal. It’s got its share of problems, but it’s a beautiful place filled with warm-hearted people.”
    Manchester drained his beer. “And crocodiles. Can’t forget them. Maybe we should let them have a turn at running the thing. Can’t do much worse than we have.”
    The conversation stalled, and Vanya did her best to bring it back tocenter. “It’s confession time. I haven’t been completely honest with you two,” she said in a low voice.
    â€œReally?” Remi said with arched eyebrows.
    â€œYes. I’m a bit of a research fanatic, and when I went home to change, I googled Sam and Remi Fargo. I suppose you know what I found.”
    Sam looked sheepish. “Can’t believe everything you read on the web.”
    â€œPerhaps.” She eyed Manchester. “Orwen, I’ll have you know you’re sitting with celebrities. Sam and Remi are renowned treasure hunters.”
    Manchester’s face could have been carved from granite. “Treasure hunters?”
    â€œA distortion the media loves. They sensationalize everything,” Remi explained. “We’ve been fortunate a few times in locating significant finds. Some of our archaeological projects have turned up some historically valuable items. But it’s not like we find treasure and keep it,” she said, frowning. “It goes to the rightful owners for charitable work and enrichment.”
    â€œThat’s right. It’s a case of man bites dog. Anything to sell papers,” Sam echoed.
    â€œAnd modest as well as famous,” Vanya said. “The Fargos have discovered more hidden booty than anyone else on the planet, Orwen. Don’t let their humility fool you.”
    Sam waved a hand. “Most people have better things to do than root around in old temples and the like. That’s a meaningless statistic,” he said. “It’s like having seen more ghosts than anyone. Doesn’t say much.”
    â€œWhere did you say you were diving?” Manchester asked, his tone polite but with a hint of frost to it.
    Remi smiled megawatts at him. “We didn’t. It’s our friend’s expedition, so not ours to talk about. But I can assure you there’s no treasure involved.”
    His eyes narrowed. “It’s a small island. I’m sure everyone’s alreadytalking about the attack. Secrets like that don’t stay that way very long around here.”
    â€œProbably, but we have to respect our friend’s wishes. He’s an academic and these kinds of things are important to him. Bragging rights,” she said.
    Manchester nodded. “I completely understand. I just thought that perhaps I could be of service if you need any help with permits or that sort of thing.”
    Remi gave a polite yawn behind her hand, and Vanya took the hint and gestured for the check. When it came, Sam snatched it from the waiter’s hand before she could reach it. “Please. Let us buy dinner. That