Devil's Gold Read Online Free PDF Page B

leaving Principe’s tropical paradise and returning stateside. “Yes, sir.” Jake clicked the mouse and disconnected the satellite link. He sighed, stretching the kinks out of his muscles. The lab door opened, allowing a stream of late afternoon sun to flood the interior of the room. Jake turned and glanced at Walter.
    â€œLab’s all yours, Walt. I’ll be heading home after this extraction.”

CHAPTER 4
    C ASSIDY STEPPED FROM THE INTERIOR OF HER TENT AND PAUSED for a moment, appreciating the subtle change from day to night that colored the sky in brilliant hues and softened the spiny edges of the mangrove. The bustling activity of camp ceased and settled into a more leisurely pace.
    A cluster of personnel gathered to Cassidy’s left, and she ambled in their direction. She heard her name being called and twisted around to find her assistant, Anna, waving at her from the direction of the birdcages. Cassidy smiled as a rustle of leaves and screeching signaled the presence of a group of monkeys. Searching the small canopy of leaves above her head, she spotted a Sclater’s guenon.
    Over the past several months, the tiny primates that topped Niger Delta’s most endangered species list had begun to reappear around their village, stealing food and entertaining the children. This particular guenon was named after Philip Sclater, a zoologist from the early twentieth century. Cassidy studied the guenons. They had wide, red-brown eyes surrounded by bright patches of white, and a crown of muted browns and greens covered the head and splayed across the back. She wasn’t certain if having a small monkey named after you constituted an achievement or failure.
    Cassidy snapped her pen off the edge of a clipboard and quickly jotted down the location and brief estimate of their numbers, then headed toward the tall wire cages that housed several Black Crowned Cranes. They stood tall, some with one leg tucked beneath each heavy round body. Long necks swept upward in a lazy graceful curve. They startled easily, swaying their black tufted heads back and forth. A strong scent of oil and feces wafted in her direction, causing her to wince.
    â€œDr. Lowell…” a man dressed in sweat-stained khakis and sporting a large straw hat signaled from beneath a large tent they used for group conferences.
    â€œYes, Charles?”
    â€œI received your e-mail regarding the future of this camp. Are you positive we’re all to relocate?”
    She nodded and offered the geologist a sad smile. “Yes. All of us.”
    â€œI see. And we have how long?”
    Cassidy reached out and squeezed his shoulders. “Ten days.” She twisted to her left, intent on continuing her trek toward Anna.
    â€œDr. Lowell …” The man huffed and moved to block her from walking away. “I’ve found something unusual on the geological survey.”
    She paused and tilted her head. “Will it help keep us here?”
    Charles sighed and moved one shoulder in a halfhearted shrug. “I can’t say, but it should definitely be contained within your report to OPEC. I’ve sent David upriver, but he’s not checked backed in. I’m worried.”
    Cassidy closed her eyes against a sudden surge of frustration. Without hardcore, kick-ass facts, she’d never convince Sharpe to recant his decision. “Well, if David shows up with a miracle, let me know immediately.”
    â€œI think I’ll head upriver and help him out.” Charles turned away and started to head back toward the cluster of tents.
    She caught his arm and shook her head. “Not tonight. I don’t like anyone traveling that river in the dark. It’s too dangerous.”
    â€œBut David?”
    With a frown, she shook her head. “Keep trying him on the radio.”
    â€œCassidy …”
    Anna’s panicked voice jolted her from the sudden worry Charles’ concern over his partner elicited.