opportunity. It occurred to me that this could be the first clue in who these men were that had harassed Joe—our meek, little geology professor. If anything, it was a point to build on.
We met with Professor Joe in his cluttered office once more before our impending departure. He excitedly instructed us on what to wear, what to expect, and more importantly, where we would be going.
Galveston ‘s slight trepidation about going to Greenland subsided as Joe laid out our plan. I think Galveston didn’t really want to go because he viewed it as just a boring place of snow and ice with a bunch of smelly tourists running around looking at fish.
We heard a knock on the door just as Joe was finishing explaining how brutally cold it can get in the country.
“Probably a student,” Joe answered quickly as he got up to open the door.
“Tony,” Joe remarked with surprise. “What in the world are you doing here?”
Galveston and I couldn’t see who Joe was talking to and strained to hear the conversation.
“Hello, Joe. I had to get down here. I had to talk to you in person after you told me you were going back to Greenland,” Tony answered.
“Well, I’m meeting with the men I told you about. Please, come in. I would like you to share your concerns with them.”
I didn’t hear a response from Tony, but I saw his face appear around the door. On a first impression I felt he had a look of shock and nervousness. It struck me as odd, and I reminded myself to file it into my mental bank so I could tell Galveston later.
Joe motioned for Tony to follow him, and the man did—cautiously. He didn’t speak and appeared timid with a serious look on his face.
“Tony, these are the investigators that are going with me—Roger Murphy and Dan Galveston. Gentlemen, this is Tony Salono.”
Galveston and I stood up and shook Tony’s hand. He shook my hand loosely and it was sweaty. “Did he just run from his car, or something?” I thought to myself. He didn’t offer his name or where he was from.
Galveston was already observing the man’s behavior, and I could tell he didn’t like what he saw. This man was acting strange, but maybe his reason for seeing Joe would help clear things up.
“What did you need to say to me, Tony? If it’s about going to Greenland, then they need to be in on the conversation,” Joe said while motioning toward Galveston and me.
“Joe, in all honesty, I don’t think it’s a good idea that you go back to Greenland. I just don’t want you to get hurt,” Tony said to his friend, ignoring us.
“We’re going to get to the bottom of this, Tony, and these men are going to help me get my research back on track.”
Tony just shook his head. “No, it’s not a good idea. That area is becoming too hot, and there are some heavy players moving in.”
The conversation was beginning to go in circles before Galveston jumped in.
“What is your connection to Professor Stanwick, Tony,” Galveston asked bluntly.
“Oh, sorry,” Joe interrupted. “Tony here is a friend and a fellow geologist. He works for a company in New York called Terrain Scape.”
“What do they do?” I asked the pair, since Tony seemed unable to answer and only gawked at us.
“Mineral exploration; gold, aluminum, copper, that sort of thing,” Joe answered.
“Yeah, that’s right,” Tony managed to say.
“What did you need to tell Joe? We can leave if you like.” I gave Tony the opportunity to get us out of the room.
“No, that’s alright. I’m very worried. I really don’t think he should go back,” Tony finally said to us.
“But why? What is going on that would make you feel this way?” Galveston inquired, becoming slightly annoyed at Tony’s ineptness at giving answers.
“There have been shootings and people are getting aggressive. They have warned you twice already, Joe. What do you think they’re going to do next?” Tony said, looking at
R.L. Stine - (ebook by Undead)
Stella Price, Audra Price, S.A. Price, Audra