James Rodriguez

I took the chair across from him, noting its calculated discomfort slightly lower than his angle to catch the morning glare.

Power positioning.

I shifted it two inches to the left before sitting.

Your message mentioned an expedition.

I kept my voice neutral and substantial compensation.

Wilson nodded once, then tapped something on the glass surface of his desk.

A three-dimensional topographic map appeared between us, projected from recessed lenses, an island roughly eight miles across at its widest point.

Dense jungle covered most of the interior, with a volcanic peak rising from the centre.

A coastline alternated between sheer cliffs and curved beaches.

This is Yossur Island.

Wilson's hand passed through the projection, rotating it.

Located approximately 300 miles northeast of Fiji.

Technically unclaimed territory.

I studied the projection volcanic dormant for at least four centuries, according to geological surveys.

He expanded the image.

What interests me is that it remains completely uninhabited and largely unexplored.

There's usually a reason for that.

Something changed in Wilson's expression at tightening around the eyes.

The local army tribe from neighbouring islands refuses to go near it.

Superstition.