Poplar considered silently. “That’s quite a story you want me to swallow. In fact, it’s pretty unbelievable.”
“A strange thing for you to say, Sea-Doctor,” smiled Ha’apu. “But I do not blame you. Come back with me. Bring a good boat and your diving tools. I will show you what remains of our young men’s paopao. And then I will take you to the spot where I saw Him, if you dare. He may have returned to the deeps. Surely this is a rare thing, or He would have been seen before. There must be a purpose for it.”
B.S., M.S., Ph.D., he thought hard for a moment. The legend stuff was all bushwah, of course. But the tooth … he tried to visualize its owner, and a little shiver went down his spine. This business about soul-changing . . . ridiculous! . . . he, frightened of another fish?
“This tooth could be very, very old, you know. They’ve been found before, like new. Although,” he swallowed and cursed himself for it, “not quite of this size. According to the best estimates these creatures became extinct only very recently.”
“Creatures? There is only one of him,” said Ha’apu firmly.
“You could fake the ruined outrigger,” persisted Poplar.
“To what end?”
“I don’t know!” He was irritated at his irrational terror. Goddammit, man, it probably doesn’t exist! And if it, by some incredible chance, did, it was only another fish.
“Maybe you want to attract those tourists you profess to dislike. Or want to try and wangle some free diving equipment. Or simply want to draw some attention to yourself. Who knows? But I can’t take that chance.” He took another look at the tooth. “You