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

"So what do you think, kid?" Ben asked as he approached Linda's back.

She stood at the edge of the lake, nicknamed the "Bottomless Pit" by the grunts. Only a foot away,
black water lapped at a rock from the waves created by a passing Navy pontoon boat.

He scratched at the stubble on his cheek.

She glanced over at him, the light of the camp dancing in her eyes. "It's wondrous." She pointed at the
ceiling several hundred feet up. "It's like being outside."

He nodded, then shrugged in the direction of the water. "Thinkin' of skinny-dipping?"

She smiled. "No, but you could."

"Oh, no, you'd snatch up my skivvies and have the whole base laughing at me."

She grinned wider, more relaxed. "That's not what I meant. I meant youcould actually swim in there. I've
heard that some of the Marines do it. The water is quite warm. Eighty-two degrees. I tested it. Heated by
volcanic vents."

"Seems strange," Ben said. "Up above, it's ice and freezing winds. Here, it's bathwater and tropical
breezes."

"Not really so strange. I've heard that the seas around Deception Island off the coast of Antarctica
sometimes heat to spa temperatures. The volcanic activity is so pronounced that often the water actually
boils. Just meters away from a glacier."

"Uh-huh," he said, arching his eyebrows as if he doubted her.

She nudged him with her elbow. "It's true."

He smiled. "Actually, I believe you. I've been in other caverns warmed by subterranean rifts. Not really
that rare. I was just testing you."

"Yeah, right," she said, rolling her eyes.

A glowing amber fish jumped a yard from shore, causing Linda to let out a quick gasp. Ben's eyebrows
narrowed. "Listen, lass, there's something I want to talk to you about."
She wiped damp strands of hair from her face. "What?"

"I've been watching you, and I . . . well, IтАФ"

She held up a hand. "I'm sorry, Ben. I know we went dancing in Buenos Aires, but that was only to let
off a little steam. I want to keep this experience purely professional."

Ben grinned, realizing Linda thought he was making a pass at her. From her looks, she must get that a
lot. "Whoa, there, lady. That's not why I'm here."

"Why, then?"