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

have captured his attention. The Buddhist monk, on the other hand, kept his eyes respectful, even bowing
his head slightly. He spoke precise English touched by a British accent. "Dr. Cummings, I apologize for
the intrusion, but there has been an emergency. I was informed by the HRA clinic that you are a medical
doctor."
Lisa frowned, her brow furrowing. "Yes."
"A nearby monastery has been struck by a mysterious ailment, affecting almost all the inhabitants. A sole
messenger, a man from a neighboring village, had been dispatched on foot, traveling three days to reach
the hospital in Khunde. Once alerted, we'd hoped to ferry one of the HRA doctors up to the monastery,
but an avalanche has the clinic already shorthanded. Dr. Sorenson told us of your presence here at Base
Camp."
Lisa pictured the short Canadian doctor, another woman. They had shared a six-pack of Carlsberg lager
along with sweet milk tea one evening. "How can I be of service?" she asked.
"Would you be willing to accompany us up there? Though isolated, the monastery is serviceable by
helicopter."
"How long...?" she asked and glanced in Josh's direction. He had moved over to join them.
The monk shook his head, his eyes concerned and slightly abashed at imposing upon her. "It is about a
three-hour ride. I don't know what we'll find." Another worried shake of his head.
Josh spoke up. "We're held up here for the day anyway." He touched her elbow and leaned closer. "But
I should go with you."
Lisa balked at this suggestion. She knew how to take care of herself. But she had also been instructed on
the tense political climate in Nepal since 1996. Maoist rebels had been waging a guerrilla war in the
highlands, seeking to overthrow the constitutional monarchy and replace it with a socialist republic. They
were known to hack off victims' limbs—one by one—with farm sickles. Though there was currently a
cease-fire, occasional atrocities were still committed.
She eyed the well-oiled automatic rifle in the soldier's hands. When even a holy man needed an armed
escort, perhaps she had better reconsider her brother's offer."I...I have little more than a first aid kit and
some monitoring equipment," she said haltingly to the monk. "I'm hardly suited for a major medical
situation involving multiple patients."
The monk nodded and waved to the idling helicopter. Its rotors still spun. "Dr. Sorenson has stocked us
with everything we should need for the short term. We don't expect to impose upon your services for
more than a day. The pilot has a satellite phone to relay your findings. Perhaps the matter has already
been resolved, and we could return here as soon as midday."
A shadow passed over his features with this last statement. He didn't believe it. Worry threaded his
words...that and perhaps a trace of fear.
She took a deep breath of the thin air. It barely filled her lungs. She had taken an oath. Besides, she had
snapped enough photographs. She wanted to get back to real work.
The monk must have noted something in her face. "So you'll come."
"Yes."
"Lisa...," Josh warned.
"I'll be fine." She squeezed his arm. "You have a team to keep from mutinying on you."
Josh glanced back to Boston Bob and sighed.
"So hold the fort here until I get back."
He faced her again, not swayed, but he did not argue. His face remained tight. "Be careful out there."
"I have the very best of the Royal Nepalese Army to watch my back."
Josh stared at the lone soldier's oiled weapon. "That's what I'm worried about." He tried to lighten it with
a snort, but it came out more bitter.
Lisa knew that was the best she'd manage out of him. She quickly gave him a hug* gathered her medical
backpack from her tent, and in moments, she was ducking under the razored threat of the spinning rotors
and climbing into the backseat of the rescue helicopter. The pilot did not even acknowledge her. The
soldier took the copilot seat. The monk, who introduced himself as Ang Gelu, joined her in the backseat.