"James Rollins - Subterranean" - читать интересную книгу автора (Romeyn Henry)

into bed."

Khalid also shook his head. "We don't dance the tango in my country."

Linda brightened. "I'll go. I'd like to get out of this stuffy hotel."

"Superb!" Ben said. "I know of a bar in the San Telmo district. Quaint and authentic."

Ben scooted out of the booth and gave Linda his hand. "The night and the stars await us," he declared
with a slight bow.

Bashfully, Linda smiled at Ben's drama.

As the two walked away, Ashley noticed Khalid's brows lower. He mumbled something in Arabic, then
said his good-byes to her and slipped from the table also.

She watched as Ben escorted Linda across the bar. A small burst of her tinkling laughter could be heard
as the two exited onto the street.

Ashley remained, nursing the rest of her drink. As if on cue, the plangent chords of a tango began wailing
from the bar's speakers. The sultry music just made her feel that much lonelier.


BOOK TWO

Under the Ice
FIVE
IN A PLANE AGAIN, ASHLEY THOUGHT SOURLY, HER NOSEpressed to the window. Down
below, glacier fought granite from horizon to horizon.

This was the final leg of the two-day journey. Yesterday, they had flown the eight hundred miles from
Buenos Aires to Esperanza, the Argentine army base on the tip of an Antarctic Peninsula. There, Ashley
had her first taste of Antarctic airтАФlike ice water poured into her lungs. The team overnighted at the
base's military barracks and the next morning were hauled once again aboard the Argentine transport. By
noon, Blakely had promised, they would reach their final destination, the U.S. naval base McMurdo.
 Ashley longed to spend more than twenty-four hours outside an airplane's cabin. She pushed herself up
a bit to see if Jason was behaving himself. He was seated across the rattling cabin next to Ben, talking
animatedly, his hands expressive. The two had become fast friends since bunking together in the male
dormitory of the barracks in Esperanza.

Ben noticed her stare and grinned over Jason's head at her. The Australian was demonstrating admirable
patience. Jason's stories could get long-winded.

"He's fine," said Major Michaelson, seated next to her.

Startled, she snapped at him. "I didn't ask for your opinion."

"I just meant . . ." He shook his head with a frown. "Never mind."

Ashley bit her lower lip. He was obviously just trying to reassure her. "I'm sorry. That wasn't directed at