"Ludlum, Robert - The Cry Of The Halidon" - читать интересную книгу автора (Ludlum Robert)

"Yes. They'll miss the in-island connection."

"They should have come into Kingston."

"They didn't," said the girl, her voice carrying the same disapproval as
Durell's statement, but not so sternly. "They obviously don't wish to
spend the night in Montego; they had Lufthansa radio ahead. You're to
get them a charter-"

"On three hours' notice? Let the Germans do it! It's their equipment
that's late."

"They tried. None available in Mo'Bay."

"Of course, there isn't.... I'll ask Hanley. He'll be back from
Kingston with the Warfields by five o'clock."

"He may not wish to......

"He,will. We're in a spot. I trust it's not indicative of the week."

"Why do you say that? What bothers you?"

Durell turned back to the railing overlooking the fields and cliffs of
coral. He lighted a cigarette, cupping the flame against the bursts of
warm breeze. "Several things. I'm not sure I can put my finger on them
all. One I do know." He looked at the girl, but his eyes were
remembering. "A little over twelve months ago, the reservations for
this particular week began coming in. Eleven months ago they were
complete. All the villas were booked ... for this particular week."

"Trident's popular. What is so unusual?"

"You don't understand. Since eleven months ago, every one of those
reservations has stood firm. Not a single cancellation, or even a minor
change of date. Not even a day."

"Less bother for you. I'd think you'd be pleased."

"Don't you see? It's a mathematical imp-well, inconsistency, to say the
least. Twenty villas. Assuming couples, that is forty families,
really-mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, cousins ... For eleven months
nothing has happened to change anyone's plans. None of the principals
died-and at our rates we don't cater exclusively to the young. No
misfortunes of consequence, no simple business interferences, or measles
or mumps or weddings or funerals or lingering illness. Yet we're not
the Queen's coronation; we're just a week-in-Jamaica."

The girl laughed. "You're playing with numbers, Mr. Durell. You're put