"Will Hubbell - Cretaceous Sea" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hubbell Will)

Rick watched her with a perplexed expression on his face. As she reached for the knob, he called out,
"Wait. Wait!"

"Why? You obviously think I'm a charlatan."

"Look, you appear out of the blue and tell me my wild-est fantasy has come true. Of course I'm
skeptical. Who wouldn't be? If you were in my place, would you believe it?"

"Maybe not," admitted Ann, "but I'd keep an open mind."

Rick looked at her with indecision, as hope battled with skepticism. When he spoke again, it was as if he
were pleading on behalf of hope. "All I think about is fossils. Searching for them ... imagining the animals
that made them. Can I really visit their world?"

"Yes," said Ann.

"Why are you offering this?"

"We need a naturalist on our project."

"A naturalist?"

"That's what we're calling the position. Someone who is knowledgeable about the animals and plants of
the area."

"The Upper Cretaceous, judging from what you showed me."

"Correct."

"Why me? Surely there are more qualified people."

"This is a commercial venture, not a scientific one. I think you meet our requirements perfectly. To be
frank, we're looking for a tour guide, not a researcher. Someone with personality. Professor Harrington
assures me you have one ... when your nose isn't in a rock."

Rick smiled at her remark. "Assuming that I don't wake up and find I've been dreaming, what kind of
tours are you talking about? Aren't you afraid of having your clients eaten?"

"Of course, that's why we have a special aircraft for sight-seeing and our base is on an island. You'll be
point-ing out the sights from a safe distance."

"Can I see that disk again?"

I've got him, thought Ann. "On one condition," she said, knowing she had gained the upper hand. "My
client insists on strict confidentiality."

"Sure," said Rick, reaching for the disk.

"I'll need that agreement in writing. You must keep our discussion strictly confidential, regardless of
whether you accept our offer or not." Ann produced some legal documents from her suit pocket.