16 The Lab RatsThe logging gang assembled by the innocuous red tape strung amongst the dense foliage in the Venezuelan forest. Ramon Nova, the foreman, called a halt to the slashing of machetes and roar of chainsaws while he contacted his boss on the radio.
‘Augustine, come in. Over,’ Ramon called.
‘Yes Ramon?’ Augustine queried.
‘We’ve come across a taped off area. I can’t see where it starts or finishes but it’s heavy duty red tape. Does the company have any logging exclusions in this area? Over.’
‘No Ramon - none that I know of but wait and I’ll make a call. Environmentalists might have spiked the trees in that area at some time or another. Sit tight until I call back.’
The logging gang had set out three days ago and cut a swathe wide enough for the access highway to run through th
