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“Anything?”
“Absolutely.”
“I’m going to remember that.”
The next morning Sam and Remi watched as the Alhambra backed away and broke free from its position in the ice with a series of staccato cracks. Behind them, a large silver insulated tent with reflective coating stood like a forlorn orphan—their new home, stocked with as much comfort as was available from the ship’s stores.
“At least refrigeration won’t be a problem,” Sam said.
“Silver lining to every cloud, huh?”
“When you get lemons . . .”
The ship reversed for another dozen yards and then executed a three-point turn so it could break through the new ice using its bow. They watched as it neared the narrow channel and then sailed out of sight, the fading rumble of its throaty diesel engines the sole trace of its passage other than a jostling trail of fragmented surface ice.
A silence settled over the fjord.
“Finally. I thought they’d never leave.”
“I know. The crowds drive me nutty,” Remi agreed.
“Stupid kids, with their music and parties and everything.”
“Maybe now I can finally get some work done.”
Remi absently fingered the gold scarab on her neck as an icy gust blew remnants of snow around their feet. Sam nodded and turned from the fjord’s mouth.
“You really like your good-luck talisman there, I see.”
“It’s served us well so far. We just discovered a perfectly preserved longship and we weren’t even looking for it.”
“Can’t argue with success.”
Remi dug around in her oversize explorer jacket and found the satellite phone. She pressed a speed dial number and waited for the call to connect. Kendra answered on the third ring, and Remi was happy to note that she sounded sharp and efficient.
“Kendra? It’s Remi Fargo.”
“Mrs. Fargo, how are you? We got the messages you sent about the longship. That’s got to be exciting.”
“Yes, it is. It’s amazing. One of the most exciting finds we’ve ever made. But that’s not why I’m calling. How’s Selma?”
“The surgery went as planned and she’s starting her physical therapy in the hospital. They expect to keep her another two or three days and then she’ll be home. All the equipment’s arrived so that Selma can continue her PT at the house.”
“Be sure to tell her that we called and are wishing her well.”
“Of course.”
“Did Pete and Wendy have any luck on the research we asked them to do?”
“I’m helping them and we’re still running checks, but while it looks like there are a number of reports of Vikings in the Americas before Columbus, there’s no evidence on any one of them as being genuine. There are those who claim they were here and others who have alternative explanations.”
“Welcome to the world of archaeology. The good news is that this find will close any further debate. There’s no other explanation for the artifacts we’re finding. But all of you keep looking.”
“We will. We’re all getting along great, and Pete has been especially helpful.”
“That’s good to hear. Listen, Kendra, moving and restoring this ship is going to be a huge project. Years back, we had a similar challenge, on the confederate submarine CSS Hunley. When Selma makes it back in, would you have her touch base with Warren Lasch, who headed up that project, and see about putting him together with Dr. Jennings? They’re going to need all the expertise they can get.”
“Of course. Consider it done.”