“Good morning, Selma,” he began.
“Afternoon. Six hours effective time difference. Although technically it’s tomorrow there, so it’s actually eighteen hours.”
“That’s right. Good to know.” He paused. “Any luck locating a ship?”
“We were fortunate. There’s a boat on its way from Australia, although it won’t be there for a few days, weather allowing. A hundred-foot expedition yacht that barely makes twelve knots.”
“That’s wonderful news, Selma.”
“It was doing research on the Great Barrier Reef when I convinced the institute that owns and operates it to make a little side trip.”
“Quite a side trip.”
“What’s a thousand miles each way between friends? Needless to say, the foundation will be making another generous donation this month.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“How are you faring on Guadalcanal? I hear it’s about as exciting as watching ice melt.”
He told her about the crocodile attack. When he was finished, she was silent for several moments.
“That’s terrible. Why don’t you two ever pick someplace safe to go?”
“I keep trying to convince Remi to let me retire, but she’s a slave driver,” Sam said, stealing a glance at his wife in the rearview mirror. She glared at him and shook her head in disapproval.
“It will be three more days before the ship gets there, so you’ll have to find other ways to amuse yourself in the meantime. Do try to keep away from the man-eaters. Besides the crocodiles, they have plenty of great white sharks there, too.”
“That’s good to know. Keeps us on our toes.”
When he hung up, Remi leaned forward as they bounced down the road. “Well?”
“Selma says hello. Said to practice your shark punching, too.”
Her eyes widened. “No.”
“Yes. Apparently, she’s been researching the area, and there are great whites in addition to the other local attractions.”
“And we’re going diving today?”
Sam shrugged. “Nobody lives forever.”
Remi glared at Leonid. “Tell me again why we agreed to fly halfway around the world to do this?”
“Scientific curiosity,” Sam tried. “Friendship. The thrill of discovery. A zest for knowledge.”
“Boredom,” Leonid said, and everyone smiled.
“You know we’ll look like seals in our wet suits to any great whites,” Remi commented.
Sam grinned. “I hear wet suits aren’t very tasty. Sharks tend to avoid them.”
“You’re thinking of sea otters,” Remi corrected.
“Ah, I always mix those up. Well, try to act like an otter while we’re in the soup.”
“At least the crocodiles aren’t a problem in open water. They tend to be mostly dangerous on shore or at the mouths of rivers.”
“As Benji, unfortunately, discovered.”