The helicopter whisked over the pines. James couldn’t get over the feeling that each one was whisking across the bottom of the craft. He kept an eye out for an unusually tall tree that would reach up and snag them. Not that there was anything he could do in case something like that happened. He just didn’t think the pilot was paying enough attention and this was his way of helping.

He tried to sit back and remember that this was supposed to be exciting. There were millions of people that would pay good money for this type of ride. He was getting it for free. Well, not free, he corrected himself. It was just that the amount of money was trivial to him.

Maybe looking at the map would help. The pilot assured him that he knew the spot. They banked slightly and James was certain it was the wrong way. Should he speak up? Just as he was deciding, a clearing opened up and he could see the rest of the survey team. They’d helpfully left a clear section and they helicopter settled down nicely there.

He got out, quite certain that his head would be cut off. Next time, he’d take the road there, no matter how primitive. Maybe he should beg a ride home. No, best to make it look like he was fine and cool. His assistants loved to tease him and it wouldn’t do to make such an easy target.

Where was the opening? That’s right, over there. They’d have to take down the existing structure and rebuild. Well, there was quite a bit of construction that would have to take place anyway. A monumental amount. The structure at the top was a small part of it all.

He paused and asked himself the question. The one that kept popping up now and again in his mind. He was kind of outside the rules here, wasn’t he? Not so far outside as to be completely fraudulent but still…

Could he sleep at night? That was the landmark that he held to keep his ethics in place. When his head hit the pillow, what was the result? Every time he had a few sleepless nights he knew it was time to sit himself down at take a look at his dealings.

Well, he’d been sleeping just fine lately. Like a baby last night, if you must know. Whatever qualms he had, they weren’t big enough to really upset him. He put it out of mind.

Now, where was the foreman? Over there talking with the head engineer and the oceanographer. Perfect. He’d need the three of them to work well together. That was really the key to this.