The Case of the Missing Deed Read Online Free

“we have applied to the government for a permit to operate the mine. In order to receive the permit, we have to meet three requirements. First, we have to submit an economic report showing how the mine will benefit the island’s economy. Second, we have to do an environmental assessment showing that the mine will have little or no impact on the environment. And third, we have to do public consultation. I’m happy to tell you that Tantalus is meeting all three of these requirements. So first, to tell you about the economic report, I’d like to call on Valerie.”
    The woman stood up, smoothing her skirt and smiling. “Thank you, Wayne,” she said, “and good afternoon, everyone.” When you see how great the mine will be for Otter Island’s economy, I’m sure you will be as excited about it as we are.”
    There were several snorts. But there were also some murmurs of “Yes” and “Let’s hear it” from the side of room where Stan Wilensky was seated.
    The cover page of an official-looking report filled the screen. OTTER ISLAND TANTALUM MINE: ECONOMIC REPORT , it read. London clicked the mouse, and a graph appeared. “This shows that 72.6 full-time jobs will be created by the mine,” she said.
    “I feel sorry for the point-six guy,” someone said, and some people snickered.
    London went to the next page. This was a chart full of numbers and dollar signs. Down the left column, all the businesses and shops on the island were listed: Tillie’s Café, Wilensky Air, Beachside Bed and Breakfast, and so on. As the columns moved to the right, the numbers got bigger and bigger.
    “As you can see, virtually every business on the island stands to get more business as a result of workers flooding in. And then, when they finish their jobs and tell their friends how terrific Otter Island is, tourism here will go through the roof!”
    “Too bad there’ll be nothing left to see,” Bernie called out.
    “Don’t worry, Bernie, they can go for a tour of the beautiful mine,” Leon said.
    London continued clicking through the pages, going over all the great things Otter Island would get from the mine. New roads. Better float-plane service. A real estate boom, as construction workers and others bought homes here. Money from the sale of the tantalum.
    The screen returned to the Tantalus Mining logo.
    “You can pick up a copy of the economic report and readall the exciting details,” London said. “But take it from me, with this mine, Otter Island has hit the economic jackpot!”
    There was a smattering of handclapping from the side of the room. Sébastien turned. Stan Wilensky, of course, was clapping. Next to him, also clapping, was Ted Crombie, Hugh’s son.
That’s odd
, Sébastien thought,
since Hugh is so opposed to the mine
. He looked at Hugh. A flush had spread up his face, and he was frowning.
    Mark Saxby strolled back to center stage. “Thank you, Valerie. Now, ladies and gentlemen, we’d like to present our environmental report. Here again is our resident scientist, Dr. Wayne Cheng. Wayne.”
    Cheng stood up, straightening his tie. He cleared his throat. “Yes,” he said, “we – that is, I – found that the tantalum mine will have little or no environmental impact on Otter Island.”
    “What!” several people shouted at once.
    As Cheng clicked the computer mouse and turned toward the screen, Sébastien noticed that he wasn’t just stiff. He seemed uneasy, as if he didn’t want to be up there. Maybe he just didn’t like speaking in public.
Can’t blame him
, Sébastien thought. He didn’t much like it himself. Still, Cheng seemed awfully uncomfortable.
    The lights went down, and the title of another report appeared: OTTER ISLAND TANTALUM MINE: ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT , by Dr. Wayne Cheng.
    He clicked the mouse, and the title “Waste Management Solved” appeared. Beneath it, a mathematical equation said:
    WASTE ROCK = STORED ROCK = ZERO WASTE PROBLEM
    “Now, it is true that the mining operations