The Atlantis Riddle by Kevin Tumlinson

Author:Kevin Tumlinson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Happy Pants Books

CHAPTER 12

Eastern University, Sri Lanka

Dr. Tharushi Kalla greeted them at the Eastern University’s Oceanic Studies facility. Kotler and Gail had come alone—Denzel was busy responding to queries from the home office, which had the bite of something that had to be dealt with right now.

“Besides,” Denzel had said, “I don’t think I can stomach five more minutes of academic pontification.”

“Are you sure?” Kotler asked. “There’s sure to be some fascinating data about oceanic currents and tectonic activity in this region.”

“That, right there, is justification enough.”

Kotler had laughed and let it go, and had driven the rental car to the Eastern University campus. He and Gail were now being given a brief tour of the university’s facilities, led by Dr. Kalla herself.

Dr. Kalla was an old friend, though Kotler had never met her in person. He had really only communicated with her by email and Skype, generally seeking out her expertise on oceanic currents and properties as part of his research. This was their first time to meet face-to-face, and she was more than happy to greet them.

“We so rarely get visitors,” Kalla said, her Tamil accent making her every word sound intriguing. She was a lovely woman, with the mocha-colored skin of the native population here. Her dark hair was tied back in a fetching ponytail, making her seem more youthful than one would expect from a department head. And yet everything about her demeanor said she was in charge, and quite capable.

Kotler knew that beyond her beauty, she was fiercely intelligent. She had studied at Plymouth University—one of the UK’s top universities for Oceanography. And when she’d completed her PhD she had immediately returned to Sri Lanka to teach the brightest minds among her people.

In light of 2004’s tsunami, there was a sudden booming interest in Oceanography, and Kalla had been at the forefront of bringing new technology and new resources to her home town university. She was something of a hero here, lauded and respected by her peers, and by the international community as well.

“We’re thrilled to get an inside peek at this place,” Kotler said, smiling. “And it’s so good to meet you in person.”

“Yes, it is,” Kalla beamed. She looked to Gail. “And you as well, Ms. McCarthy. Welcome.”

“Thank you,” Gail smiled. “We really hope you can help us unlock this map.”

Kalla nodded. “It sounds intriguing. Shall we take a look?”

They moved into Dr. Kalla’s small office, which was tidy and organized. Her desk was completely free of any objects whatsoever—not so much as an open laptop adorned its surface.

“I often need a large work surface,” she explained, catching Kotler’s gaze. “My laptop rests on a slide-out tray, which allows me to access it as needed, and gives me the ability to move it out of the way when I do not.”

“You are an anomaly among academics,” Kotler smiled. “I didn’t believe it was even possible to see the surface of a professor’s desk.”

Kalla nodded, smiling, and motioned to the desk where Kotler spread the printed copy of the map they had been studying for over a month now.

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