rfp12to16
rfp12to16.docx
Food was far from Richard Dickenson’s mind. He was home in deep sleep, and
the prospects for any change in his consciousness status soon looked bleak. Mrs.
Dickenson took care of some chores around the house, and everything was peaceful until
Hayword alerted her that two gentlemen were requesting to see her husband. The urgency
was obvious in Hayword’s voice, which compelled Susan to move quickly. Richard
remained asleep through the initial commotion. Finally, Hayword was face to face with
Susan and said, “Mrs. Dickenson, there are two detectives who want to speak to your
husband. Mr. Dickenson is not in trouble, is he?”
“No Hayword, no! Now run along. I will handle this.” Susan saw Mr. Reynolds
on his way, and then she headed to face the detectives. “Yes,” replied Susan curiously.
“How can I help you gentlemen?”
“I’m detective Edward Pullins, and this is my partner, Gary Stevens. We would
like to speak to your husband.” “OK …, just a moment. Let me notify him of your
presence.”
Susan walked swiftly to get her husband, wondering why the police were back at
her home. The fact that there were different detectives caused more concern. “Richard!
Richard! Honey, honey, wake up.” Susan spoke sharply, and here words were followed
by a few jolts. “Wake up, the police want to talk to you.”
Richard woke up groggy “What, what! What Dear?”
“There are two detectives out here who want to speak to you. Some other
detectives came by yesterday evening to ask a few questions. What is going on dear?”
“What kind of questions — and a fine time to tell me?”
“First of all, you’ve been ripping and running all over the place, and I haven’t had
the chance. You’re up in the morning and gone before I know it. So what the hell am I
supposed to do? It’s not like I could have called the office real quick.”
Richard headed for the door to let the detectives in. They introduced themselves
to Richard, and they were offered a seat.
“Well what can I do for you gentlemen?”
“We just have a few questions for you. When was the last time you heard, or have
seen Joe Geshy?”
“Well he was supposed to meet me in South America, but his plane was due late.
When I went to pick him up at the airfield in South America, he wasn’t there.”
“That is not what I asked you.”
“Hah, pardon me?”
“I said that is not what I asked you!”
“What! What are you talking about?”
“I asked, when was the last time you saw Joe Geshy?”
“What, oh! I… I don’t know. I mean it’s been a while, I guess. That is why I
invited my friend to go along. I hadn’t seen him in some time.”
The two detectives stared at Richard as he answered their questions. Edward was
good at smelling fish.
“What were you doing down there, if you don’t mind me asking?” asked
Detective Pullins in the calmest tone imaginable.
“Well it was a mini-vacation, in celebration of a project I am building.”
Gary sat quietly for a while, then said, “Were you and Joe friends, or primarily
business associates?”
“We were friends! Look I don’t know where this is taking us.”
Edward was not convinced, declaring abruptly, “You say that his plane was late.
Was that flight booked out of the local airport.”
Richard only nodded his head as if still listening to Edward’s questions.
“What flight? Do you know what flight he was to be on?”
“I’m not sure what flight.”
“Well Mr. Dickenson, Joe’s wife indicated that he was to fly in your private jet.”
“Oh yes, but I’m not sure what flight it was numbered, or if they even bother with
private flights.
“There’s a record of every flight and a passenger count,” replied Gary. Richard’s
look became that of someone gone numb, but he tried hard to conceal it. Edward
demands, “I need the dates and times of your flight reservations. I’m sure you wouldn’t
send me to get a warrant and have me tearing up your house for a simple piece of
information I know you have.”
Richard looked at the gentlemen and appeared concerned, but his cool sustained
adequately. “Sure I’ll get that info no problem.” Richard did just that and the men were
on their way. Richard was furious after their departure and let off some steam that
showed he was in no mood to talk. His wife was the first to find that out as her
condolences were lashed at. His concerns now showed, and if the detectives were here,
he would be near a confession. Then Richard thought, a confession of what? I haven’t
killed anyone. They would even have to prove he’s dead. Richard’s logic got full firing
support from his neural net. Joe’s way down in South America, in the jungle. Who’s
going to find him? He considered many scenarios to try and calm his nerves. It finally
worked because Richard was back to sleep.
The next morning was hectic. Richard was up early as usual, assuring that his
team arrived on the plane. Detective Pullins was eager to check the airport records, and
that was the first task he would complete. He went alone while his partner did some
research on their suspect. Ironically, Rich and Ed were at the same airport, but Richard
was a step ahead and his posse on their way to South America. Edward immediately
asked around when arriving at the airport, and specifically searched for who had private
flight records. After talking with many people, he was finally directed to the same gate
Richard departed from.
“Excuse me,” he said politely. The attendant behind the ticket counter gave him
her complete attention. “I’m detective Edward Pullins.” He flashed his badge while
continuing his polite manner. “I need some information pertaining to private jets and their
flight schedules for the last two weeks. Also, if you know of anyone arranging flights by
the name of Richard Dickenson, he usually has private jets departing from here.
The attendant took a moment to review her records, and responded gingerly.
“Yes! I think so. He and a large group of people just departed.”
Edward squinted his eyes and grew eager to hear some more, but he asked, “Their
destination wouldn’t happen to be South America.”
“Yes, I believe so, but they are not required to release that information; however,
I could hear some of them speak of a rainforest, and … South America!” A grim look
surfaced upon Edward’s face, and he began to feel like a hound dog hot on a trail. “He
has actually had more than one flight, and they were all to South America.”
“Hmmm…,” responded Edward.
“That’s funny,” declared the attendant, but then she visibly shook it off as
nothing.
“What’s funny?” Edward asked.
“Oh nothing. It’s just that his last flight had only one guest.”
“OK, thank you. You have been an extreme help!” Edward jetted out of the
airport fueled by his ecstatic emotion from what he had just heard. He hauled ass back to
the station to inform his partner. The hasty driving caused him to curse a few drivers
along the way. Nevertheless, he arrived safely, and there were no casualties. “Hey
Joseph! Have you seen Gary?”
“Stevens!?”
“Yes, where is he?”
“He should be back there.”
Ed accelerated in the indicated direction. “Hey Gary, do you know that Joe guy
did get on that plane of Richard’s. So he did make it to South America, but Joe, hmmm!
Apparently he didn’t make it back.”
“We still don’t know if he just wanted to leave his wife.”
“Your right, but why did he lie? He knew all along Joe was on that plane.”
“Yeah, but maybe he is covering for him. You know, if I had a million dollars, I’d
probably up and leave my wife too. That is if she doesn’t get half, then it’s cheaper to
keep her. You know they are friends. Richard probably assisted him in his departure.”
“Friends!? According to him, but I just don’t know? Something about this feels
unbelievable.” Edward Pullins had to ponder deeply after that final comment. He snapped
out of his reverie and said, “Let’s get a bite to eat.”
The detectives were just about to walk out of the precinct, but a fellow officer
called out, “Pullins! Someone is calling in a missing report. I think you want to take this
call. The guy is very irate and he’s saying something about South America. Should I just
hang up on this guy — it may be a prank call.”
“Oh no! No!” Edward grabbed the phone after a few short steps. “Hello, this is
Edward Pullins.”
A voice on the other end raged. “Hello, Hello! Hey that Richard guy left my
friends to die.”
“Who is this? What are you talking about? Is someone dead?” Edward signaled
the fellow officer to begin recording the conversation in pursuit of a trace.
“He left them. My friend Milo is dead, and I haven’t heard from the others.”
“Hey wait a minute. What others?” The anonymous caller terminated the call just
before they could get a trace. Edward took the tape and the statement of the ticket clerk to
seek a warrant. “Gary, lets get a warrant. This scum bag is hiding something.”
The officers did just that and headed for the home of Richard and Susan
Dickenson. The captain was glad to issue the warrant because he still believed they were
barking up the wrong tree. The search of his home, and the temporary detaining of
Richard, would be very embarrassing to his reputation. In fact, the captain felt strongly
that Edward could jeopardize his career for wrongly accusing a well established man.
George wanted Edward out of his way anyhow, and this was the apparent way to
accomplish that goal. George Gunther sat back in his chair and wondered about the
situation, concluding everything would turn out for the better.
Gary and Edward were already driving off in a dark grey Crown Victoria with
dark tinted windows and no signs of police decals visible. Gary took the honor of
chauffeuring while Edward scanned a few issues. Gary looks at Edward a few times, but
only briefly due to the congested traffic. He was dying to say something, and finally he
did, “Well Ed! Do you think this could be foul play?”
Edward gazed up at Gary and treated his comments as premature. “I really can not
say! I know he’s hiding something, and that’s exactly why we’re on our way to his house.
His dishonesty caused that, and we’ll find out why?”
“What did the captain say?”
“Well he seemed eager, but I don’t know why. I have wondered why I was put on
this case, especially since someone else was already on it.”
“Maybe you’re being set up — I don’t know? Just be careful.”
“Don’t forget you’re my partner, so more than likely, whatever happens, you’re
coming with me.” Edward turned to look through his side mirror and continued, “Well,
whatever the case maybe, I drug you into this shit. So, I fall, you fall!”
“Oh no buddy, because I’m covering my ass.”
“Yeah you do that.”
“Oh I will! You just don’t do anything stupid.” A brief silence loomed
momentarily, but Edward snapped that by directing Gary to “Turn up here!” The
detectives were approaching the Dickenson’s estate.
“Damn, every time I see this house I’m awed. It’s lovely.”
“Yes it is! That is why I’m not quite clear on how to approach this case.”
“Yeah, I see. I wonder why he put you on such a high profile case,. The media
may be all over this. Yeah, the captain is setting you up alright, either that or testing
you.”
“Well maybe, but I will do my job the best way I can.”
“Oh man, that is what scares me.” Gary paused and looked upward. “Look at
these gates.”
Hayword had recognized the men and let them in. “What can we do for you
gentlemen this time.”
Edward responded instantly once he was fully out of the car. “Are Mr. or Mrs.
Dickenson available?”
Hayword gingerly replied, “Yes, she is in there. Let me get her for you.” He
walked toward the house but wondered why they followed so closely behind him.
Hayword hollered, “Mrs. Dickenson… We have guests!” He repeated his shouts as the
door flung completely open. There was amazement when he realized the detectives
followed right behind him. Susan proceeded down the stairs, a shocked response upon
her face when she realized that Hayword had allowed the detectives to barge in.
“Yes, may I help you. What is it you want this time?”
Edward replied, “We have a warrant to search the premises.” He flashed the
document with the judge’s John Hancock scribbled illegibly.
“On what grounds?”
“I’m sorry, but I reserve the right not to disclose that information, only to the
owner of this house.”
“What! Does marriage mean anything anymore.” Susan felt the fire of anger up
under her skin, but she couldn’t say a word that would help quench her anger.
The detectives looked around, not sure what they were looking for, but it scared
her as she didn’t know what was going on. Hayword looked on in amazement. Susan
gave him a look that said he should get lost. He took heed, but his nosiness aloud that to
be but brief. Hayword headed for Richard’s private room, knowing she was programmed
not to approach that room, especially when Richard was gone. Hayword was a smart
fellow, understanding that this search was about Richard and everything they were
looking for was in here.
Susan couldn’t bear the fact that her home was being ransacked, and to top it off,
her little one ran into the house to see what was going on. “Mommy, mommy. Who is
that? Why are they here? Are they Daddy’s friends? Mommy, tell them to leave. Why are
they messing up everywhere?” Susan grabbed her little one and hugged her tightly. She
walked her to the den’s sofa and sat down to cry. “What’s the matter Mommy. I’m scared
of those men — they’re ugly. They are monsters.”
“Oh dear, don’t say that. They are not monsters. They’re just doing their job.”
“Well, why are they making you cry?”
“Baby, they’re not making me cry. I just feel sad because I miss your father.”
“I do too, Mommy.”
The men searched room after room before searching the one Hayword had
retreated to. They opened the door and Hayword looked as if he was caught red-handed.
“We need to search in here now,” announced Edward. They began looking while
Hayword stepped aside and watched on. Edward asked Hayword, “Do you know where
he keeps his information on his back-and-forth trips to South America.”
“Well if I did, what’s in it for me?”
Gary replied anxiously, “You get to live!”
“So, what! Are you going to beat me up right here? That wouldn’t be smart of
you, especially with Mrs. Dickenson in the next room.”
Edward immediately thought of the captains hidden agenda and restrained Gary
from any assaults while beginning to negotiate. “Well what did you say your name was
again?”
“Hayword!”
“Oh, Hayword! Look, my partner isn’t going to harm you or anything.”
Gary lowered his voice to growl and said, “Let me get a hold of his smart-mouth
ass.”
Edward continued, “Look Hayword! We are just trying to conduct an
investigation. Tell you what! Tell me about yourself. Tell me about your dreams and
aspirations. Maybe I can help you.”
“Well first! I am tired of this boring ass job, securing his home. Hardly ever shit
happens here, so of what use am I. Just greeting people like you. I have a lot more
potential, and all Richard does is pass me off.”
“Well why does he get you angry?” replied Edward in the softest of voices.
“I’ve been trying to get him to post me at one of his office buildings or
something. Anything to save me from this agony. I even asked him to take me along on
one of his trips to South America. I could secure things there, but no, I get left here. The
same old-same old!”
“You said South America. Where does he keep information on that.”
“I was snooping around one day, and right under here, you see it, is a concealed
compartment under this chair.” Hayword pulled out a couple of maps and documents of
Richard’s detailed plans.
Edward read the city that was circled in red. “Macapa!” He also noticed a little
area Southwest of Macapa that was circled as well.
“Gary! I think we have what we were looking for, and we now need to start
looking elsewhere.” The gentlemen quickly headed back to the car, for they were eager to
get back to the station. All you could hear was burning rubber from the tires of a well
maintained Ford.
Gary said, “You still haven’t told me what we have found, and especially why we
left without completing the search.”
“Let’s just say we have more insight thanks to his travel agent.”
“What!”
“We’re going to see just why he’s constantly in South America, and maybe, just
maybe, we can find out why in the hell South America is so damned important.”
“Are you suggesting we go all the way to South America? I don’t believe the
captain will go for that. In fact, he may just say wait until he gets back.”
“We can’t wait.”
“Why?” asked Gary with a curious look?
“Because, I think we will find whatever we’re looking for right down there. I’ll
bet Joe went down there with Richard, whether it was voluntarily or involuntarily
remains to be seen. Gary’s face contained a stunned look; he knew they were on to
something, but exactly what was unclear. Edward parked the car quickly and exited the
car. Gary wasn’t as eager to get into the building, but was one-hundred percent with his
partner.
“Hello Ed!” “Edward.” “Yo Pullins!” And many more hellos went unanswered as
he focused on Captain Gunther’s office. “What’s wrong with Edward?”
Gary shook his head and replied, “Well, He’s… I guess you can say, he’s on a
mission.”
“Oh yeah, what now? He doesn’t plan on getting into anymore trouble?”
Gary knew that was a possibility when recalling the last incident. Gary’s head had
throbbed briefly knowing Edward knew for a fact those gangster’s were dealing, but he
rushed them with no regards for their rights — no warrant and just a hunch for a probable
cause. Gary understood because they did witness illegal activities, or what appeared to be
illegal, but sometimes there are procedures that must be followed. Edward seems to
forget that at times, and with that very thought, Gary exclaimed, “You’re right! I will be
sure to keep an eye on him.” Gary followed the path his partner had taken through the
precinct. As he came around the corner, he saw that Edward Pullins had opened the
captain’s door.
He heard the sternness reflected in a grumpy voice from just beyond Pullins’
entryway. “What do you want Pullins.”
“Well sir, I have to report!”
“Yes, I’m listening.” “Well, I questioned Richard Dickenson. He’s guilty of
obstruction of justice.”
“Oh! How so?” This really got Gunther’s attention.
“Well, you already know he said he had no knowledge of a flight, when in fact, it
was his plane that provided the transportation for the missing man. The attendant at the
airport reported this mysterious flight, because it was only one passenger. He did get on
that plane Richard provided and went to South America. That is why we can hardly ever
speak with Richard — he’s always in South America.”
“Hold up! Slow down and hold your horses for just a minute. Did she identify the
passenger as Joe…well did she?”
“No, I don’t believe so.”
“You see! Even if it was the missing man, then you still have nothing. Nothing
but a one way trip without evidence to suggest otherwise, as far as I’m concerned. It was
an unexpected one way trip, or maybe expected, would be a better way to put it.
Detective Pullins, you’re not married are you? I didn’t think so. The fact that Richard is
constantly in South America makes it seem to me this missing guy is in fact not missing
at all. A new tropical life in South America does sound splendid.”
Edward was not amused by Gunther’s unwillingness to reason. and he replied
shrewdly. “If that’s so, why did he have to withhold all this information?”
“Look, just because he didn’t want you snooping around his affairs doesn’t mean
he’s committed a crime. Maybe he doesn’t want the guy’s wife to know it was deliberate.
Have you considered that they may be dating each other?”
“Oh come on be serious,” replied Edward in a most disturbed tones.
“I’m serious, and I find no grounds to think otherwise. Besides, to go all the way
to South America would be futile.” Edward stood there staring through furious eyes, but
it mattered not. The captain raised his voice. “That’s all Pullins!” Edward’s heart dropped
and disappointment filled him. He turned slowly and exited the door, slamming it behind
him.
“Whoa! Hold up! What’s up,” asked Gary. Edward said nothing while walking to
his desk. Fellow teammates observed his tirade and Gary did the same. Ed sat there
thinking of his predicament, but only shortly due to Gary’s interruption. “I guess the
captain wasn’t buying it.”
Edward replied sarcastically, “No he wasn’t. I don’t know. He was eager to get
me on this case, and as soon as I get a lead he shoots it down.” Edward continued to
shake his head in disbelief. “Wow, I have to tell this lady we aren’t going to do shit about
her case.”
Gary looked on with empathy. “Tell you what, Ed! Let me go shut down my pc,
you make the call, and I’ll treat you to a few drinks. The Taj Mahal downtown maybe,
hang out for the rich and famous.”
“The drinks there are expensive.”
“Just an act of appreciation for a partner and friend.”
“OK,” he said and picked up the phone while Gary went to shut down his system.
He allowed the phone to ring three times, finally a frail voice answered. “Hello!”
“Mrs. Geshy, this is detective Pullins.”
“Yes!”
“I’m sorry to inform you, but there’s nothing else we can do at this moment.”
Claira’s profanities were exhausted, she just cried. “Mrs. Geshy, Mrs. Geshy!” Edward
said repeatedly with a caring voice. “I know how hard this is for you. I found a few leads;
however, my captain is restraining me, so be patient. I promise you I’ll get to the bottom
of this, OK? That is my promise.”
Claira responded finally after trying so hard to break her crying spurt. “OK , Mr.
Pullins! What leads are you referring to anyway?”
“Well, I believe Richard’s plane did have your spouse on it. He lied as well, so I
have to go to South America to find out. This is where I’m currently restricted, but you
just hold on and I’ll figure something out.” He terminated the call and joined Gary in
exiting the building.
They jumped in that same Crown Vic and sped off. Gary drove quickly through
the streets while trying to cheer Edward up. “You know you’ll like this place, lovely
women and good music. I also know the bartender, so we can get as many drinks as we
like. They have the best wings in town, and I want to beat your ass in some eight ball.
Take a few of your dollars in the process should be fun, to me at least.” Gary gave Ed a
sharp shove, “Man, cheer up.” Gary failed to get a smile out of his partner, but did get a
response.
“First of all, I’m as cheerful as I’m going to get. Secondly, you won’t do shit in
pool. I own you, eight ball, nine ball, or whatever! You can’t touch me.”
Gary surely disagreed. “I hope your money is where your mouth is. because here
we are.”
Shortly after parking the Crown Victoria, the men entered the building. Upon
doing so they could instantly pick up on the cluttered sounds of adults mingling. The air
was stuffy from the many smokers, but the temperature was cool from the facilities high
powered carrier unit. Ed was still in a grim mood, but he couldn’t help but smile as
beautiful women smiled at him.
Gary patted Ed on the back and yelled, “You’ll love it here. I know you noticed
the chicks checking you out. Get relaxed man, and don’t worry about work. It’s time to
play.” Gary slapped his comrade on the back again, but he took heed of Ed’s don’t-do-itagain stare. “Come on! Let’s get a few drinks,” shouted Gary as he directed them to a
particular section of the bar. The bar was packed, but fortunately two stools became
available. Gary reached for a menu while Ed sought comfort on his stool. Looking around
at the many people was probably what restricted his comfort, but suddenly his attention
was redirected.
A smile coupled with an eager voice greeted the detectives from behind the
counter. “Hey!” A triangle eye contact, each person looking at the other in turn, was
accompanied by a vibrant voice, which continued. “Gary! I haven’t seen you in a while.
Good to see you again.”
“Yeah, you the same Tee,” replied Gary.
“What can I get for you gentlemen?”
“I’ll have a martini on the rocks,” said Gary, his voice nearly sparkling.
“What about your friend?”
“Oh, I’m sorry Tee! This is my partner, Edward Pullins.” Ed gave her a hand
gesture.
“I’ll have a bud draft.”
“Any appetizers with this tonight.” Edward didn’t pick up on that final comment;
instead, he was trying to get the attention of someone. He thought that maybe eye contact
would get her to notice him like he noticed her.
Gary’s voice grew prominent and it was evident as he uttered, “I wouldn’t mind
those hot wings. Twenty pieces would suffice, and maybe some breadsticks. I’m getting a
little hungry, I don’t know about you!” Gary looked at Ed after jolting him on the
shoulder a few times. “Ed! Ed! Oh…I see you got your eyes on something.” By this time,
Ed had her attention and both were gazing at each other. “Hey man, do you want
anything to eat.”
Edward snapped out of his trance. “Yes let me get the house salad, with Italian
dressing. Extra dressing please.”
The entire brief moment Gary watched Edward place his order. “I see you
enjoying yourself already. You haven’t even mingled around — oh let me check that —
you’ve already started.” Gary now gave a stunning look at his partner and continued his
verbiage. “When I whip your ass in pool, don’t let me damage your attitude.”
Edward gulped his draft to the halfway point and then looked back for the
mysterious woman, but she was not in his immediate sight. He returned his head and
drank on. The two indulged in small talk while sipping and waiting for their meals. You
could hear the bar get a little more rowdy, and crowds began to clutter together. They
noticed a particular gathering at the far end of the bar, but chose tee’s delivery instead.
The crowd in that far end became more noticeable, but their foods kept them
concentrated. There was no violence appearing to brew, but profanities could be heard
spewing from the thick crowd. The grub was glorious, so the men ignored the commotion
and dug in. You could tell the place had good food because the entire bar seemed to have
hearty appetites. The detectives were a bit tipsy from the alcohol and their contents of
their plates were pulverized.
Edward thought he now had the energy to mingle, when suddenly, he spotted the
woman who had captivated him previously. He quickly darted towards the beauty to ask
her to dance.
Gary walked about making lewd comments to every human of the opposite
gender. “Pssst…pssst… Hey sexy thing.” His comments seemed to be something these
women wanted to ignore. He started sensing that, so he gave up and headed back to his
seat at the bar. The women in here were particularly in search of the rich and famous, or
at least someone pretending to be well established. It was hard to tell the difference
because everyone did their best to spend money, which is why the place prospered and so
did the women. The experienced women could tell the difference between a rich man and
average one, which is probably why Gary got no play. Edward was smooth and had an
aurora about him, so the women could easily become attracted to his pure honesty. The
woman he danced with proved his fox instincts as she showed all signs of enjoyment. The
detective was single, so he welcomed her eagerness. The men enjoyed themselves, and
continued to dance and drink.
CHAPTER 13
At the small airstrip, Richard’s plane had already landed and his guests were
escorted to their living quarters. There set up was a conference room with tropical chairs
made of bamboo. They were very sturdy and comfortable, so the crew had no problem
gathering around this conference table. Richard spoke. “I’m glad you were all able to
make it. We have a tough, but rewarding task ahead of us. You all have been briefed on
your assignments. As you know, this is not the actual spot where we will be working. As
you recall from your maps, it’s Southwest from here.”
Richard continued his speech and mostly directed it towards the five FBI agents.
They sat in a group of their own just to the left of Richard. The leader of this team was
Kyser Finley, a well rounded man who had been crime fighting for years. He commanded
a large number of agents at the Dallas office, but he had selected only the four agents
beside him. Wesley Zimmerman was the only one who questioned any and everything
that moved, said, or was done. He grew up in a family that regarded themselves as of the
highest quality, which caused aggressiveness in his style, but that trait was balanced by
understanding loyalty to his commander. His best acquaintance was fellow agent Adam
Newfield who hardly ever spoke but was extraordinarily observant, and being friends
with Wesley improved his manhandling skills. The relationship with Roy Beavers was
not as dandy, and was just dealt with. His loving and kind attitude was no way to
approach criminality, or at least in Wesley’s eyes.
Opposite in gender with a slight deficiency of physical output, but just as
efficient, Pamela Slaughter was the icing on the cake to what would prove to be a
resilient group. She got along with the rest of the group fine, except for a few erroneous
remarks it would be an excellent environment. Nevertheless, she shrugged them off and
proved to be a tough gal who was well bred. They all were loyal to Kyser, and rightfully
so, because he was a fair man.
Brutus Salapore vaguely listened to Richard and put more effort in reviewing his
notes. Thorough indeed, Mr. Salapore could always be seen working on something even
when just sitting. This was no exaggeration; if he wasn’t eating, shitting, or sleeping, then
he was reading, writing, or reviewing. These facts made him the most prepared to go out
here and get some work done. The FBI team really didn’t have a function but to patrol the
area. Richard had panicked the last time, so he felt good with a few licensed shooters on
his team. This seemed to be a good move, and Richard spoke on. “That is why I need
you…ah, hmm..!” Richard grunted again to interrupt Susie and Andrew’s lustful bon
voyage. “As I was saying, Susie! We need you, so you and your spouse should keep your
home affairs private, and at home. You are transportation to and from the site, also to
haul any and everything we need.” He stopped for a moment and spoke again sharply.
“Brutus! Are you not the leader here? Keep their hormones at a manageable rate, or they
will definitely be of no use.” Brutus face showed his acquiescence. “Oh! Jerry Kratz is
it.” He acknowledged affirmatively and Richard continued on. “Pretty soon, we will need
to transport heavy equipment here. So your first duty will be to sail a boat to the site and
set anchor. The vessel I have provided can be used as an emergency medical facility. My
dear old friend here, Doctor Julian Akbar, also specializes in language and medicine —
quite some talent the doc has.” Julian grinned and invited his introduction with arms
open.
“You say he specializes in language and medicine. What else does he specialize
in?” asked Agent Zimmerman. Julian remained silent, but he continued to gleam as he
allowed Richard the honors.
“He also studies ancient antiquities and indigenous peoples of the Western
hemisphere.”
Wesley looked puzzled and glanced at Adam and Kyser before responding. “I
hope this isn’t some kind of science field trip, because I hated science.”
Richard quickly soothed his confusion. “Oh no, believe you me! We are here to
make preparations to build a state of the art export/import facility. In fact, a wonderful
shipyard and maintenance complex. All of you will own the first shares. Just think of all
the people who passed on Microsoft, and think about the few that owned the first shares.
They are billionaires, to put it quite bluntly. Your money then can equal mine, well not
quite mine, but possibly close. However, until then, you have to help me.”
After Richard’s blabbering, he almost had everyone sold, but Wesley had to
question all he’s said. “I understand about all of your money, and all the money you want
to make, but I have one question. Why did you call, or NO. Excuse me. What caused you
to feel you need the FBI or a professor of antiquities?”
“That is what I had planned, but…that’s another story. The fact is that I need a
report on the area’s constructability delivered into the investors’ hands. The professor
advised of the possibility of this area containing tribes who are territorial. It’s possible
they won’t give up this unofficial land of theirs without a fight.”
Wesley, for some reason, remained puzzled. “What gave you the idea to ask him
if tribes were in the area? Have you seen any?”
Richard looked stunned and replied negatively. “Well Wesley, I did my
homework. I know tribes are plentiful in tropical rainforests all over the world. I know
also that they have some strange beliefs that can even be cannibalistic. I just want to have
someone on my crew I can rely on if we happen to run into any of these savages.” His
comments had sufficiently nourished Wesley’s curiosity, but only a moment, for his
appetite was tremendous.
Klinton Westfield was the other member of the team who remained silent. He was
a well built man who was a good friend of the Kemp’s. The many years they worked
together helped build that strong bond.
“You all know your jobs, so get ready to travel to the sight at dawn. As for now,
enjoy yourselves, as I have Caribbean foods being cooked as we speak. I also have mixed
drinks, but don’t get too pissy because we have a job to do.” Richard walked away and
the crew adjourned, scattering their separate ways. Some remained in groups to talk, or
some just had their own separate conversation. For instance, Wesley and Adam
approached the grill area, while the Kemps sat on rocks that trimmed a crystal clear
stream.
Andrew threw pebbles into the water and observed the evening sky. “Baby!
We’ve been married for little over a year now, and I think I love you all over again.”
Susie seemed surprised by the comments and hugged her loved one tight. At this point,
anything he said had the ability to lift her off her feet. Klinton interrupted the bliss by
blurting, “What are you two lovebirds doing out here? You know, when they say until
death do us part, well! If that be the case, I’m sure your hormones will play a dominant
role.”
Andrew loosened his grip and replied to Klinton’s friendly sarcasm. “What are
you talking about?”
“Oh you know that old saying: live by the sword, die by the sword. How about the
same thing that will make laugh can make you cry.”
“Hey! A man can’t indulge himself into his wife, the one he loves and cares for,
and cherishes?”
“OK! I didn’t mean for you to get all mushy on me.” Klinton looked around and
whispered to Andrew, but before the listener could understand a word, Susie intervened.
“Get lost Klinton!”
“Alright, alright. I can see when I’m not wanted. That’s OK, I’ll let you
newlyweds sicken yourself with an overdose of mush.” Klinton chuckled at his friends’
love and joked with them only because they were loving friends.
Susie grabbed Andrew and seductively declared, “Now that we have gotten rid of
our diversion…” She pecked him on the lips several times. “Sorry we were interrupted.”
Smacks sounded, but no one could hear them because the sounds of nature proved
prominent. Wesley and Adam talked over some jerk and curry chicken, a Caribbean
recipe that was unfamiliar to them. However, they way they devoured it proved it was
delightful.
“Hey Adam, I didn’t hear what you think.”
“About what!” Wesley looked at him in disbelief and said, “About this job.
Doesn’t something feel eerie.”
“I don’t feel anything. I’m just here to earn these twenty-five thousand dollars, in
what, five days. You can’t beat that. What, five thousand a day?” Adam’s head filled
with imagination when he wished this was his normal fulltime salary. “I’m not disputing
the money’s good, but forget the money. Is it not strange he would call us just to look
around.”
“Hey Wes, cool out man. I’m glad he needed us.” Wesley sipped his drink and
grunted in disagreement. “Stop being so damned skeptical. It might just be a legitimate
way to make a decent living for a change.”
Wesley drank on and uttered softly, “Hmm…I hope you’re right.” He drank the
last of his drink and grunted in the grimmest of tones. Wesley quickly fetched another
drink, declining to follow Adam. Adam walked towards the living quarters where nearly
all the crew had gone.
Kyser spoke to Richard, but no one could hear their conversation because they
were some distance away. Pam and Roy battled in a game of chess on the central waiting
room display set, which was made of stone and commemorated the ancient Aztec
civilization. The bishops, kings and queens, and other pieces were practically sculptured.
Pamela was the one who decided to make better use of it, other than just as a simple
display set. It took some convincing just to get Roy to play. After trying to talk her out of
it, Roy succumbed. She was a pretty good chess player, and it showed when she nearly
checkmated him, but Roy was also worried about tampering with the beautiful piece and
couldn’t really concentrate. His heavy drinking did not make his play much better either,
but not much worse as well. He was used to the heavy doses of alcohol because it almost
ruined him.
Pam hollered across the room, “Hey Adam! Do you want next on the shellacking
I’m putting on Mr. Beavers here.”
“No thanks!” Adam was more interested in speaking to Kyser. Nevertheless, it
was getting late, and everyone was heading to their rooms. Brutus had been embarked on
a review of their situation all the while, but he was now exhausted from the staring of a
lap top. Wesley made his way to the quarters pissy drunk, as was Roy and some of the
other members of the crew.
So were Edward and Gary thousands of miles away, but they continued to have a
good time and had no plans to turn in any time soon. Actually, Gary’s good time was an
illusion, but he made the best of his intoxication. Sitting at the bar, he turned his head
instantly when arms grabbed his shoulders. It was Edward Pullins with a great big smile
upon his face. “What’s up! Cheer up!”
“Yes, easy for you to say. You’re getting all the women.” Edward’s smile burned
like fire and refused to extinguish, but the commotion in the far corner of the bar nearly
acted as a commonly used fire prevention tool. He noticed someone dressed expensively
and buying every one drinks. It was obviously this guy laced with alcohol who was
walking a thin line between being just obnoxious and unbearably obscene. However, he
would eventually fall over into that gray area because the bartender became annoyed. Tee
asked the detectives to scare him a little. He didn’t want to instantly eject the man from
the bar, because he was spending quite a bit of money. However, if he didn’t’ calm
himself, then ejection was inevitable.
Gary jumped off his stool eagerly because this was his only real action all night.
Edward followed along reluctantly feeling he was off duty, and that was that. Gary
rushed on, so he followed. They approached closer to the commotion and noticed a well
dressed man in the middle of the crowd. Gary said, “Excuse me sir! You’re going to have
to calm down, or you’ll be asked to leave.” Edward watched the man respond.
“Well who the fuck are you?”
This attitude ended Edward’s silence quickly. “That doesn’t matter! What matters
is that bartender over there sent us over here because he’s tired of your disturbances.”
The spiffy man continued to be obnoxiously entertaining to the people who were
watching and benefiting from his generosity. Gary reached out and grabbed the man.
“Hold up! Get your fucking hand off me. I don’t know you,” declared the drunken
man, jerking from Gary’s grasp.
“Look sir, do you want to go to jail?” asked Edward.
The well dressed individual puffed himself up and replied, “I don’t give a damn.
I’ll bail right out. If I’m a disturbance, then let him tell me.” He pointed directly at Tee.
“Who are you anyway, talking about jail. I haven’t committed any crimes.” The two
detectives immediately flashed their badges and reached for the man.
“Hold up, Hold up!” the man yelled, jumping back and thereby resisting their
attempts to restrain him, he continued blabbering. “Look man, I don’t want to go to jail. I
didn’t know you were police, and I definitely didn’t know I was a disturbance.”
Gary had already grabbed the man’s arm and mantained a squeeze. “Now you
know,” Gary advised with a heavy dose of attitude in his tone. He was eager to boot him
out and was not paying any attention to the man’s plea to give him a break.
“Look officer’s, I’m just trying to relieve some tension. Let me buy you some
drinks.”
“Oh we don’t accept bribes,” said Gary.
“Give me a break. You police always want to arrest someone, but when you need
them, where are they? No where to be found.”
“Shut up!” Gary blurted with bitter annoyance.
The man got more emotional when saying, “Oh yeah! You don’t want to hear
that. They talk about the good, but hush-hush about the bad.”
Edward said, “Handcuff this fellow. We are taking him down ourselves.” Gary
responded gracefully.
“That’s fucked up — you all taking me to jail.”
“We asked you to leave and you refused.”
“Look officers, I’m a law abiding citizen…”
“You look like a drug dealer to me.”
“Now I’m being stereotyped! Oh, a man like me can’t have expensive shit? That’s
fucked up. You have to be confirmed rich. You know what, fuck you! Take me to jail.
I’m not rich, but well on my way thanks to a certain, should I say, misfortune. It
happened to turn an unfortunate into my good fortune.”
“Is it something you want to tell us?” Gary asked. “No! I don’t want to tell you
shit. Except that if I were a white man then you would have passed me off as a rich and
well established American citizen, but since I’m black I’m a drug dealer, a thug, or some
sort of criminal. The fine things I have on must have come through illegal means. I know
it, yeah, I know it. And if you think so, then you’re wrong. The fact is rich people get
away with murder. Where were you guys when I needed you, when that rich
motherfucker abandoned my friends.”
Edward looked at Gary and abruptly stopped what he was doing, paying strict
attention to the last thing he heard. “What rich guy?”
“Man I can’t talk with these handcuffs on.” Edward began walking again as if no
conversation had started. “OK, ok, some rich man named Richard.”
“Last name,” exclaimed Gary.
“I don’t recall his last name. We had a job in South America and I was the only
known survivor.”
The detectives were shocked. “Survivor of what?” they said simultaneously.
“I really can’t tell you — it happened so fast. What does it matter? He abandoned
my friends and I definitely won’t be going back.”
“Well, did you see anyone get murdered,” replied Edward.
“No! I just ran and actually fell asleep in a tree. He arrived the next morning.”
“He? The rich man?”
“Yes, that’s why I’m here. I haven’t heard from my partners and I fear they might
be dead, like Milo.”
“You called the office, didn’t you?” The man failed to respond to Edwards’s
comments, but he obviously felt relieved at being released from the handcuffs. The
detectives offered to escort the man home after he told them his name.
Detective Pullins talked with him one on one. “Look, I didn’t tell you this. I’m
investigating that case, but I hit a little snag. Are any of your partners named Joe Geshy?”
“No, and that name doesn’t ring a bell, but if you need any help, I will do
whatever I can! Those are my friends, lost in the wilderness.” Edward thought things over
for a moment while his partner could only wonder what he was pondering. “We can help
each help each other. I help you with details and you help me by finding my friends and
co-workers, but wait a minute. You said you hit a snag. What kind of snag?”
Gary took it upon himself to answer. “The captain won’t fund this one.”
“Why not?”
“Because the evidence is not clear, but wait, you could testify that Richard had
abandoned your crew.”
Edward rejected that idea, “No! We won’t tell the captain this bit of information
because something tells me he’s not that interested in successfully closing this case.”
Gary wondered what his partner was scheming. “Why not Edward? Why are you
going to keep this a secret from the captain.”
“Something tells me he doesn’t want this case solved, or at least by me.” Edward
turned to the man and said. “Well Nick! I’ll help you find your friends. You seem well
off finacially, can you contribute to our expenses? We can all go there together.”
“Oh no! I’m not going back there. I’ll fund the trip, but I’m not going anywhere,
but especially that place — it’s creepy.”
“What’s so creepy about it.”
“That thick forest overnight, but I suppose you’ll find out.”
“What were you doing out there, you and your crew?”
“He paid me for a job, money that me and my crew were to split, but they didn’t
return. The job was incomplete.”
“Well, why did he pay you?”
“I threatened to tell what happened. He told me to basically shut my mouth or he
would report the check he had written me stolen.”
Edward looked at his partner. “Now do you still believe there’s nothing going on
with this Dickenson character.”
Gary couldn’t disagree. “Are you going?” Gary asked.
Edward replied, “Of course.”
“Well, I’m with you.” The men exchanged information so they could get together in the
morning to make preparations for South America. The night had conquered day entirely
and the stars were no longer restricted from view. The detectives escorted Nick home and
turned in themselves soon after.
Many of Richard’s crew had turned in because they had a busy morning as well.
All sounds of nature creeped, and made their distinctions by vociferating broadly about
the forest. If one were to tour the forest at this time, he might find the surroundings
exhilarating, but not if he was a native to the surroundings. The indigenous people had a
bond with the forest, and so did the plant and animal life. This bond was so strong that
the presence of foreigners was immediately recognized by the forest dwellers. This was a
fact to the ancients because they believed every plant and animal on earth was designed
to flow according to the laws of nature. They also believed that nature was expressed in
the form of spirit, which were pure energy and consciousness absent physical form.
Every living thing had spirit: plants, animals, and even humans, who are also animals.
A spirit with good intentions could sense a spirit with bad intentions. The crew
was instantly sensed, especially because their intentions weren’t exactly soaked in
holiness. They wanted to destroy life for their own personal gain, and this was a direct
blasphemy of life itself. Anyone who could commit such vandalism couldn’t believe
what the ancients believed. They knew for a fact that the earth was alive and represented
the mother of life. The modern day members of the tribe hadn’t been in touch with their
ancestral knowledge for quite some time. Most of what they knew was passed down
through oral story telling. Even though some of their ancestors’ cities had survived the
ages, they had no access to them. Not that any tribal member would be able to read
anything from those times, but most of the records had been destroyed anyway. This very
fact caused their beliefs to become distorted and incomplete.
However, the foundation of their beliefs remained intact, such as: spiritually,
sorcery, and nature having God-like tendencies. It is believed that these people made the
forest their permanent homes when the Europeans first colonized the West. There were
even ancient texts that indicated the arrival of these Europeans would mark cursed times
for their people. After generations, it is understandable how one could lose their civilized
traits. However, it seemed they resorted to what their ancestors would have wanted. That
is to live on the land and flow peacefully with nature. That is what they did for thousands
of years, with their immaculate cities of gold and designer stone, sturdy as a continent
and thus still standing even to this day. The cities also resembled alignments that
complimented the stars victoriously. The curse was brought upon us to remember where
we came from. In the old days, kingdoms got grand, because now that they were civilized
and had amassed an enormous amount of culture, but they forgot where they came from.
So now the curse would return them to the state in which they came, and they would now
appreciate the next time the world was under their direction. The curse has gotten out of
hand. The lands that were once relied upon to evolve a civilized people were threatened
by a worldwide epidemic. So, the spirits were called upon, and by chance, all parties
setting foot on ancient soil were now asleep.
There were chants of high praise. They were loud, as evil was near. It was time,
and in the deep expanses of the soon to be explored forest lurked eyes that belonged to
animals of all types, but how many and what kinds was impossible to know. Exactly how
many belonged to fleeing descendants of those ancestors was also unknown. There are
said to be many groups that speak languages that are unknown to modern civilization.
However, these languages may be related to others that are known by outsiders, to similar
dialects, and the professor specialized in language, but his skills were no guarantee that
his companions would be able to communicate with the people they found. In the vicinity
of the project site were a few of those people whose language was unknown to outsiders.
They danced around enormous trees and appeared to be trying to communicate with
them, for they believed that the tree is the wisest living thing on earth. Everything about
the lifecycle of a tree can be translated into human life experiences. They also believed
the tree could be spoken to telepathically. Through certain sounds and vibrations
produced with mouth and instruments, the tree was called upon for protection. This is
what was happening, and the vibration got very loud, penetrating the dream state. Every
one who stepped foot on this soil had an immense flash during their R.E.M., and the
entire crew was affected, some worse than others. Joe’s image invaded Richard’s
nightmares, and it too flashed intensely.
Nick had felt deep sorrow for his friends and waved goodbye to them. He was
slowly carried away by a mysterious force; however, his eagerness to leave was nil.
Edward rolled over in his sleep several times. He was suddenly and rudely
awakened by Richard’s image flashing in his mind. He sat up worrying upon the night
sky, pondering heavily on why this had appeared to him. Could he really be dreaming
about a man he doesn’t know? He passed it off as anxiousness and laid his head back
down. Tiredness crept inside of him, and it was more than sleepiness that drew him back
to sleep so quickly. The night carried on fierce in spirit, and the elements brewed in
strength and terror.
The forces of nature in this part of the world were thought to be spirits, and spirits
could be called upon. This has been depicted in many cultures and communicated in
multiple shapes of diverse distinctiveness. Even unsuspecting cultures have these ideas
secretly placed to program the children. One example is the x-men comic book super
hero, “Storm.” Her abilities to call upon nature’s wrath and direct them in the purposes of
her self defense proves just that. Even the brave, beloved, and bizarre Tarzan, who beat
the odds and survived being raised by animals, to eventually obtain an essence and
spiritual unity with nature unheard of by modern day man, is such an example.
Nevertheless, your heart must be clean and sincere to now step foot on ancient property.
The sun pierced the eastern horizon and the radiance from its rays were slightly
visible. Muggy indeed was the air that seemed to hug you tight. The sun assisted began to
pound and sting like razor sharp clippers performing a close edge. The first individual to
bear those strenuous conditions was Brutus Salapore. It did not fail, he was immediately
drawn to the work planned for the day. They had to get up early anyway. He was to take
the boat with Jerry and Klinton. Their first job was to scan the bank where the river split
to flow west and south. Getting on shore was the second objective. Brutus had to give a
report to the investors as to the sufficiency of building such a structure. To do so he had
to trek the jungle and decide how to go about producing this envisioned design. He
walked out the door of his sleeping quarters to raise Jerry and Klinton.
Jerry had been up smoking a Salem while scarfing down black coffee. He was
used to getting up early back on his Louisiana farm, which was where he acquired his
talent to navigate — coasting the Mississippi River and Lake Bruin honed his skills.
“Early to rise makes a man healthy and wise! Well good morning to you Brutus.” The
whole while Jerry smiled ecstatically, but Brutus walked on past. replying gracefully.
“Yeah Jerry. We have a lot of work to do.” Jerry followed along to gather their
final team member. Salapore briefed Jerry on their way to Klinton’s room.
They halted briefly before knocking on the door, and Jerry said, “This air reminds
me of back home. The way it stuck to you felt like a cruel punishment. Even these
damned mosquitoes are just as fierce.” Slapping one to smithereens was exactly what he
was doing before admitting, “I think I have to give these here the edge.”
Brutus knocked on the door while calmly replying, “Yeah, they do seem to attack
fiercely, sacrificing their lives like kamikaze’s just to feed their youngens, and to die
without knowing they’ll grow, a pity.”
They knocked harder now, with both contributing to the ruckus. “Klinton!” Just
behind the wood that divided them, Klinton lay there, seemingly lifeless, but the ruckus
his comrades caused slowly respirited him. Opening his eyes was essential, and so he
wiped the mucus that permeated them, because it rendered his sight temporarily useless.
However, his ears worked fine because the noise from beating of the door could not be
ignored. Klinton finally got out of bed to throw on his work outfit. It wasn’t actually a
uniform, but pieces of clothing he felt comfortable in. He opened the door casually, a
groggy look upon his face. He seemed annoyed.
“Its time to work! Man, let’s get up! Klinton! Klinton!” Jerry continued in an
enthused manner.
“I’m up, damn it! Just because ya’ll are workaholics, don’t make me one. Shit! I
just do my job, and I’m Audi-5000,” Klinton said fiercely. “I’ll bet you didn’t have a
problem getting old Mr. Outback up! Did you Brut? Hell no!” Klinton uttered smoothly
and directly. With a grim look upon his face, he said, “That’s because you’re used to
being awakened by a filthy male bird, to remind you of your chores, to feed your swine
and milk your bull’s mate. I didn’t have the luxury growing up sailing boats and building
engines with sire and siblings. Mine was astray anyway, Brut! What’s on the agenda?”
“You know what Klinton? You’re crazy,” Jerry replied.
Brutus took note as he continued to lead them to their destination. “Listen up,
gentlemen! There’s an island, basically lying on the equator, southeast from here. Captain
Briscoe will take us by chopper. This is where we will rendezvous with the science
vessel, and of course board it and set sail.” He grabbed Jerry’s shoulder and reiterated,
“Now this is where I need you. See, you have to sail us down the Amazon about a
hundred and fifty miles southwest from our current position. This is where we reach the
corner where the river splits, and also the spot where we will drop anchor. I guess a half
mile or so off coast. It may be better to take smaller boats and view the coastline in that
manner. Five square miles should be sufficient, so splitting up should yield faster
results.”
The men watched Brutus as he rambled on and hardly even noticed Jerry’s
interjection. “Well Brutus, are you sure we can split up? I mean, will both crews know
exactly what we are looking for? It’s only the three of us. He’s the surveyor,” he said,
pointing swiftly and hastening to make his point. “You’re the damn mathematicians, or
whatever. The engineer, excuse me! I’m just a boat captain.”
Klinton grabbed Jerry’s shoulder and replied, “And a damn good one!”
Brutus looked as if he could not disagree, he calmed the men with his soft and
murky voice. “I guess it would appear we are a little undermanned. I wonder if Captain
Briscoe has any qualifications to assist us.”
Klinton replied, “Brutus, me and you can go on separate boats. I pretty much
know what you’re looking for. I may not be a civil engineer, but working with you for
eight years has developed my skills.”
Brutus replied in the same calm and easy manner. “I guess you’re right. I have
taught you well…
Klinton interrupted smoothly, “Yes you have! I only have an associate of science
in surveying and mapping, but working with you, I’ve learned a lot.”
“What do you expect? I have a way of rubbing my talents off on my workers. It
could be the equivalent of a doctoral program. Maybe when I retire I’ll…”
Jerry was quiet for a moment, but couldn’t help but interrupt. “That’s all fine and
dandy, Mr. Teacher and Pupil, but I’m the only navigator. Does Briscoe operate boats?”
Klinton blurted, “I really don’t know who this Briscoe guy is.”
Brutus did know and explained to his workers. “I think he has a few skills under
his belt. I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t be a problem to operate a small motorboat. In fact,
from what I hear, he’s quite skilled, possibly a hit man for Richard.”
“You think!”
“I’m just kidding, he’s just a good handy man.”
The leader of the group explained the plan, especially to Klinton. He had to be
sure Klinton would analyze the shores exactly as they should be analyzed. This was all
done, and Brutus now advised them of the arrangements. “OK Klinton! You and Jerry
take the east bank, traveling south. Briscoe and I will take the north shore traveling west.
We may need to travel up to five miles down river.” Brutus used his two way radio to
alert Briscoe of their readiness. He also wanted to explain that they needed his help.
Briscoe was OK with that. He was in fact being paid well by Richard. The three men
waited for Briscoe at the helicopter.
Briscoe was actually consulting with Richard while Brutus and his crew waited.
“They need your help,” declared Richard. He continued on in a pumped up manner.
“Actually, I need to be getting the rest of the crew set. You go ahead. Brutus knows
exactly what to do. I’m going to get Andrew and Susie, just help them out with whatever
they need. By the time your crew is finished we should already be there.” Briscoe ran off
to meet the men who waited for him, and Richard turned the opposite direction to get his
crew ready to go. He rounded them up quickly, advising them to meet in the helicopter
field.
Already in those fields, Jerry was saying, “I think that might be that Briscoe guy.”
They stared the best they could into the rising South American sun at the man that
approached them. The humidity could be measure using only your skin, and the sphere
now above the horizon made it evident that there was a blistering day to come. As early
as it was, the crew still had to shade their eyes for Briscoe was traveling west. He
approached them rapidly with the old man’s tower just behind him. The little man in fact
watched on.
“I’m Briscoe,” he said bluntly while reaching out his hand.
Brutus accepted his hand and replied, “Brutus! This is my crew, Jerry and
Klinton.” They looked each other eye-to-eye before Jerry halted the stand off.
“OK gentlemen! Are we ready? I hope you’re a good pilot.” Brutus and Briscoe
separated themselves from Jerry’s seeming touchiness.
“That I am. I hope you’re as good at whatever it is you do.”
“The best,” said Jerry, but before he could say anything else.
“Concentrate men. We have work to do,” Brutus replied. Klinton said nothing,
just wanting the job to be over. The amount of his pay even slipped his mind.
Jerry looked at Klinton and joked, “Why aren’t you saying anything, boy? Yah
getting scared?”
Amusement followed, but after that comments spilled from Klinton’s lips
instantly. “I told you. I just want to do my job. All that yibber-yabber, I really don’t need.
So if you’ll excuse me, I need to concentrate on what I was thinking about.”
“Whooah… The man is…”
“Let’s go, men. We need to get this chopper headed for the island.” They
complied with those commands, and off they flew.
“I told you gentlemen, we had to hurry because it will take us several hours to get
to the spot. This time does not include the job we have to do once we get there,”
exclaimed Brutus.
Briscoe flew the chopper undisturbed, but Klinton responded to Brutus’ previous
reminder. “OK Brut! We are on the way. No need to huff and puff.”
As Jerry listened he couldn’t help but add his own two cents. “Yeah Brutus!
We’re the best you got. Shit man, we’re all you got! We’ll get the job done!” He slapped
his hands on Brutus’ shoulder.
“Well, I hope so, because it pays a lot of money.”
“Oh yeah,” drawled Jerry in a deep and groggy country accent.
Klinton said, “I don’t care about the money! I just want to get the work done and
get home. Unfortunately enough, I work with you lunatics. Jerry! I don’t know what you
are so excited about, because Brutus is going to pay you whatever he wants. Shit, we
work for him.”
Jerry wasn’t fond of Klinton’s prior comments. He had a disappointed look upon
his face as he replied, “Brutus! We haven’t discussed pay. I know we’re salaried, but this
isn’t no ordinary job.”
Brutus was obviously annoyed, but he did not look Jerry’s way and responded
casually to his comments. “This really is not a good time to be discussing salaries. We
need to be concentrating on the work at hand. But, to keep your minds at ease, there will
be huge bonus incentives for a job well done.” Jerry and Klinton looked at Brutus as if he
had spoken uncivil words. Klinton didn’t give a damn — he was used to Brutus and his
impudence. That is why he set his mind on just getting the job done.
Klinton gazed out of the chopper’s window and felt deeply that he didn’t belong
here, and he was certain that he really didn’t care to be here. “I’ve been coerced!” He
thought.
Jerry’s actions were similar, but his thoughts were manifested verbally. “Is that
the type of response you give? I’m out here…like crocodile Dundee, slash Tarzan, some
type of hybrid because I navigate boats, and I get an answer like that about my money? I
thought we were better than that! We didn’t even get a chance to talk about money.
Forget, you called us in the wee hours of the morning and came just short of demanding
our presence or our jobs were suspect. Oh, I’ll give you a good job alright, but first, me
and you must talk.” Silence loomed for a few moments before Jerry continued his raving.
Looking at Klinton, he said, “You believe this…”
“Sit your happy ass down,” declared Klinton, growing impatient with the noise.
Captain Briscoe looked back at Jerry and felt a little compassion. His empathy was
because Jerry wanted proper compensation, and who could argue with that? As he
brought the chopper down, Briscoe decided to comment only on the fact that he intended
to land.
The landing and the following journey went smoothly, which led them to a well
equipped science vessel that made Jerry extremely excited. Neglecting to help the others
check off all needed supplies, he quickly familiarized himself with the helm. He found
touring the entire boat an ongoing thrill. He now understood who it was that he was
working for. To supply such a vessel proved that Richard was a man of means indeed. He
thought hard now, “I need to talk to Brutus! Money like this…” Jerry immediately
searched for Brutus to discuss his salary further. Brutus was not far off, just at the other
end of the vessel. He was setting up scopes and measuring equipment for the landscape.
The vessel was large enough to carry three emergency boats, two had a motor and the
other was a wooden paddle boat. This particular boat hung in the back of the vessel, and
the motorboats hung on opposite sides.
“Excuse me…Brutus! Can we talk?
“Sure! What is it plaguing your mind?”
“Well, I’m sure you know my concerns. I’m far away from home, and I don’t
know the dangers this job might entail. Look man! We’re all the way out here! Do you
see more than just duty?” Jerry continued to rave on, not giving his boss much time to
speak. Finally, Brutus did satisfy jerry after advising him of his pay. It wasn’t really what
could have been, or should have been, but Jerry was not keen to current labor trends.
Nevertheless, it was more than he had been accustomed to. He was eager to sail now, and
that’s what the crew did.
The other crew was being gathered by Richard Dickenson, alongside Kyser
Finley. The two made small talk while waiting for the others. Andrew and Susie were the
first to gather around Richard and Kyser. “Hello, gentlemen,” declared Susie with a
delightful voice. She was this way because her spouse had his hands rapped around her,
and she continued to feel tremors from earlier that morning. The newlyweds truly had
love, passion, and lust boiling within. They were unlike Jerry in that they were more
informed as to their compensation. In fact, they just about doubled what Jerry managed to
negotiate. Wesley and Adam approached, and they too were engaged in their own small
talk.
“Adam!” Wes hollered. “You ready to fly in this jungle, to watch a bunch of
smartass engineers survey land? I think you’re right — this must be the easiest, not to
mention most, money I have ever made on a side job.”
“I think it’s going to be pretty boring, if you ask me.” Adam looked at Wesley as
if he waited for a response.
“I guess your right, but if the money’s good…”
They approached Kyser Finley and the others, where greetings were exchanged,
and Roy and Pam finally dragged themselves along.
“OK, listen up! Once again, I would like to thank you all for being a part of this
team. This shouldn’t take long, two full days at the most. Then we are out of here.
Obviously we need two choppers, so if I can break you two love birds up.” He grabbed
Susie Kemp and placed her on the opposite side of Andrew.
“Who’s the best pilot?” asked Richard.
They both hesitated before Susie exclaimed, “Why, of course, Andrew. Clearly,
he taught me.”
Richard turned to Andrew and said, “I’m riding with you!” He proceeded to
separate the team, and they boarded their respective helicopters.
At the precinct, Edward and Gary sat at their respective desks and assumed they
were alone. Everyone was either on duty or at lunch or somewhere else deep in precinct
confines, except Rick Powers. He was walking down the hall towards the gentlemen.
Gary looked up at Edward and said, “Where are you going? I’m going with you.”
Edward looked at him sternly. “Shhhh!!!” His index finger split his lips dead
center and pointed to the sky. He moved as close as possible to Mr. Stevens and said, “I
don’t’ want this to leak.” Around the corner, that very statement halted Rick Powers.
Rick wanted to know what wasn’t supposed to be known. He eased alongside the wall
and tried honing his hearing. Edward whispered to Gary once more, “I’m leaving before
noon. I have a hunch that, even if Richard didn’t kill someone, he knows a lot about it.”
Edward got even closer to whisper again, with even more reduction in volume. Rick tried
hard to hear more, but the whispers became vague since the first comments. Richard
changed his mind on going into the room with Edward and Gary, especially after hearing
some portion of the scheme.
He turned one hundred and eighty degrees to head down the previously trotted
path, eager to reach George Gunther’s office. Barging into the captain’s office was never
a good idea, but he was intoxicated with hot news.
Gunther looked up, startled, and declared bluntly, “Oh, this had better be good.”
Gunther held his hand over the receiver of the phone. It was obvious that his
patience were wearing thin with his subordinate. Rick clumsily carried himself into the
captain’s office with the thinnest of breath. “Captain, Captain,” said Rick with
excitement. “I heard Edward saying something about Richard.”
“Well! What did he say?”
“He said something about Richard murdering someone, and he didn’t want
anyone to know.”
Gunther looked intrigued by the information just given to him. “You’re excused,
Powers.” Gunther wondered what Edward hadn’t reported. “Murder, that’s absurd!”
thought Gunther, but what if Edward really had something. Captain Gunther told the
person he was speaking to that he’d call them back, then called an authority within the
precinct. The two collaborated on a plan. The first step was to call Edward into his office.
He buzzed Edward at his desk, “Let me see you please, Mr. Pullins.”
Edward looked at Gary and both were puzzled by the sudden summons. Edward
headed for Gunther’s office with butterflies tingling within his stomach. He walked
hesitantly down the hall, wondering what Gunther could want with him. Edward slipped
the door open as if regret gave him the power to do so. As soon as he was fully inside
Gunther’s office, he was consumed with an anxiously heavy voice.
“I called to notify you of a change.”
Edward was baffled but responded in a tempered manner. “What change?”
“I’m taking you off the case.”
“What?! What the hell is going on?” Edward’s rage was nearly not containable.
“Why am I being…what reason do you have for pulling me?” Edward stuttered with his
speech, but he continued on frantically pleading his case. “What have I done? I don’t
understand.”
“It’s not for you to understand. I’ve just decided to make a change. I feel someone
else would fit better on this case. Besides, you haven’t gotten anywhere with the case yet,
have you?”
Edward snarled and blurted, “No! I haven’t, but who in the hell will be better than
me.”
Gunther ignored Edwards’s last comments and said, “Are you sure there is
nothing else to report about this case?”
“No there isn’t!”
“Hmm… Well, to answer your question, I’ll make an announcement when I see
fit. You’re dismissed.”
Edward was stunned and it delayed him from leaving the captain’s office. When
he did leave, he made sure that the door was slammed behind him. Edward’s rage now
boiled over. Before he could get back to his desk, he noticed fellow officers going
through his files.
Gary sat and watched with astonishment. “Hey Edward, man! I asked them what
they were doing, but they continued on as if I wasn’t here. Edward watched Gary through
the corner of his eyes to hear him out, but most of his attention was drawn to the
exploiting officers. “What the hell are y’all doing, Mike! Pete! What’s going on?”
Detective Mike Sasson looked up and responded as if he owed his colleague
nothing. “We are seizing all records for the Dickenson case, by order of the captain.”
Gary and Edward stood there shocked, but it didn’t stop Edward from declaring
rudely, “This is bullshit!” Then he stormed out the door.
The humidity was far from letting up, for it had just begun. The crew who
shuttled the science vessel experienced this from front row seats. Jerry stood tall in front
of the boat where he steered and enjoyed the view. Briscoe and Klinton sat in the quarters
and played cards, while Brutus walked alongside the boat railing checking out different
views. They were a ways from their destination, so any view now was just recreational.
The helicopter crew had already caught up with the departed science vessel in no
time. Susie Kemp’s aircraft lead the way, with Richard and her husband close behind.
Their flights were going smoothly, and besides the choppers’ ruckus, you could hear
small talk. Richard didn’t have much to say, because he dealt primarily with Brutus
Salapore. He in turn was the point of this entire trip. It so happened that he needed extra
pilots for the extra men Brutus would need. The premonition of the professor’s skills
coming in handy was the reason he felt the need for this man’s services. The FBI crew
was considered a buffer for his protection, but uncertainty set in fiercely and was the
cause for his dense thoughts. What was about to occur was truly the unknown, and that
fact heightened Richard’s every sensation. Nevertheless, Richard did not restrict his
pilots from proceeding. In his mind, all he needed was for Brutus to write the report, even
if it was exaggerated. That was the driving force for his eagerness, and nothing seemed to
be able to stop him. At least that is what he believed, especially since he could pay
whatever price was necessary to get what he needed.
“So, Andrew! That is your name, right?”
“Yes it is,” responded the pilot sarcastically.
“I’m sorry, I’m not good with names. So I see your wife is a pretty good pilot.
She’s really flying that baby” He noticed her because she led the way to a sharp left turn.
They were just about ready to land. It wasn’t that short of a ride, and they were all ready
to stretch out their stiffness.
One of the FBI agents blurted, “Damn, we’re not there yet?”
Kyser Finley rode in the chopper with Andrew and Richard and heard the
comments his fellow mates made clearly. It wasn’t a problem until the same agent
continued to blabber. “You know what, this is extreme! If we weren’t making what you
are paying us Mr. Rich guy, there’s no way I would be on this trip, not for a penny less.”
Kyser Finley immediately responded to the last comment. “Now that’s not
appropriate to say.”
Richard said, “Oh no, that’s OK! I like a man that is concerned about his money.
That reminds me of me. You see how I’m able to pay all of you? Sure the hell is not by
not worrying about my money. You see, this is why I’m out here. This project will leave
me strikingly rich, allow me to reach another level in which you all become peasants. My
goal is to be number one in the funds department.”
Richard sat back indulging in the silence his listeners now bathed him in. Then he
continued, “You know I do a little flying myself. Maybe we need to take three choppers
so we can race.”
“Just make sure I’m not a passenger!” Klinton replied meaningfully.
“It’s just about time to land,” Andrew indicated to Richard. Susie made that
apparent as her helicopter dipped severely, and Andrew followed her same procedure. It
was difficult to land because the jungle was very thick and would not cooperate. To find
clearance was difficult because they didn’t arrive at the already prepared landing field.
Susie had drifted off course a little, but even so, the previously prepared area would be
difficult to land in due to the thick trees.
Andrew followed his wife’s trajectory to a tee, until receiving a radio
transmission. “What is it baby?”
“This spot ahead is clear of trees, like a little patch, and it seems to be flat ground.
I’m going to land here.”
“Roger that!” They landed the choppers on soft ground, and had to walk about
200m to the camp that was built by the late Gary Russy.
Drifting along in the beautifully equipped boat, Jerry shouted, “There’s land just
ahead of us.”
Brutus approached Jerry to give him instructions. “Jerry! Sail the boat right along
there.” He pointed exactly where he wanted and Jerry comprehended quite well. The next
step was to drop anchor, for this was a good spot. A continuous scrape and rattle sounded
loudly from beneath the boat, and before you knew it the boat was idle. The men quickly
released the two motorboats.
“You think we should release the reserve boat?” Klinton asked. Jerry said no, but
Klinton had already started to untie the boat. Klinton did stopped, but had neglected to tie
the boat back tightly, and the inevitable was for the safety boat to drift away. For now it
seemed secure, so the men paid no attention. They were more interested in loading the
motorboats with the equipment they needed. All supplies were loaded, and it was now
time to survey the land, and map the shores.
Briscoe and Brutus cranked their motor as soon as they were fully loaded. They
were floating away from the sun because it was a little after noon and they sailed west.
Jerry and Klinton headed south. The science vessel pointed directly towards the land that
looked like a pointer itself, because that is where it split the river in two. It was the main
reason one crew went west and the other went south. Brutus had his boat moving
smoothly while Jerry and Klinton barely qualified as being setup.
Brutus looked back at what he could see of the science vessel. “They are just
leaving. Why are they so damned slow? Looks like they let the emergency boat free. I
don’t know why? They don’t need the damn thing.”
He seemed annoyed, and it carried over to Briscoe. “What Brutus? They weren’t
supposed to?”
“I don’t know what for — they don’t need it.” Briscoe shook his head in disbelief
and continued on with his westward survey.
Jerry and Klinton finally got going after scuffling over petty matters. The two
always bickered; however, their friendship allowed it to be humorous sarcasm in content.
“Goddamn it! Klinton, let me drive the boat.”
“You’re not the only one who can drive a simple motorboat. Just because you’re a
self-proclaimed captain don’t mean a damn thing to me.”
“Ahh… put a sock in it,” replied Jerry. He continued his defense in their war of
words. “You just survey the fucking land while I boat on.”
Several hours had come to pass, Brutus and Briscoe’s trip went fine in the
meantime. They worked well together and got much accomplished. In fact, they were just
about to turn around and head back for the science vessel. Things weren’t so speedy for
Jerry and Klinton. During their several hours of conflict, they managed only half the
work their counterparts produced. It was at least another hour before they could turn
around and head back to the big ship. At that rendezvous point, things were undisturbed,
except for the reserve boat that slowly drifted away. It floated slowly down stream
southward, and if Brutus saw this it would outrage him just because he knew the two
could hardly get anything done together. The boat continued down the river southbound,
and nothing was stopping its departure. It did not float fast, but briskly enough. No motor
nor sails powered it, but the strong river currents moved everything else and it was no
exception.
Even though it had been hours, Jerry and Klinton still tangled with each other
about every little thing. They had argued about Jerry going too fast and Jerry going too
slow. The bickering also resulted in Klinton inadvertently hitting Jerry in the head with
the equipment he was using. A hard clump with a scope was enough for Jerry. “Will you
watch where the hell you’re going with that?”
“I could if you keep the damn boat still!”
“I don’t see you driving it, do I?”
“I tried to remember, but you wanted to make yourself useful for a change.”
“That’s the problem with you people. You learn how to do something and you get
careless and think you know everything.”
Klinton was not fond of those comments, and stared with a sharp and short
tempered glare, responding in a hyperventilated manner. “What the fuck… did you say…
you people!” Then Klinton carelessly mishandled the scope, blundering into Jerry’s head
again.
“Goddamn it,” Jerry shouted in tremendous discomfort. He jumped up at Klinton.
In defense, Klinton lunged to grab Jerry in an effort to slow him to a halt. However, that
did not work the way he wanted. They locked up in a bear hug, both trying to do
something that was unclear. The uncertainty of their tussling loomed large since they had
little room on their four-party boat. Usually, when two men tussle, it is meant for one to
over turn the other. That is what happened, but who overturned who was not clear,
because both went overboard. The two remained entangled causing a large splash in the
water. A deep plunge into the deep trenches of the Amazon was the last thing on their
minds. Winning the entanglement was the first thought, but when they finally reached the
surface of the water their feelings had changed. They both gasped for air as they came up,
and Jerry shouted, “Shit, oh shit…” His shouts weren’t because they had fallen into the
water. He was used to that, but it was what Klinton stared at so hard. He even seemed
stunned from the view, and for that, Jerry continued his raving. “Help, what we gonna
do?” Klinton said nothing for the moment, but used that energy instead to tread water. He
still couldn’t stop looking at what was before him. “Klinton, man save me, shit. I didn’t
mean it.”
“It’s your fucking fault,” Klinton shouted, but he said no more for he knew his
energy would be needed.
On the other hand, Brutus and Briscoe were on the way back to the science vessel
to record their information. “I hope those gentlemen are about on their way back,” Brutus
exclaimed.
Briscoe listened and offered comforting suggestions. “Well, I’m sure they are
right on schedule.”
“Hmmm…,” Brutus muttered in a not so convinced manner. “Knowing them
two…Hmmm… you don’t know them two.”
“Relax, Brutus! We are here to make a little money, and at least we are in the
tropics. Just look at it as a vacation.”
Brutus looked at Briscoe with an unappealing smirk that had disgust written all
over it. “I hardly call this a vacation,” replied the engineer while slapping the life out of a
life sucking insect.
“Well, I’m sure you can’t disagree that the money’s good.”
“You’re right, I won’t deny that.” A momentary pause set in, just about a second,
“Oh shit!!!” Briscoe shouted while barely holding onto the side of the boat. Brutus had a
tight grip, with both hands clutched to the boat’s rails opposite of each other. The boat
took a large jolt. Brutus calmed the situation, declaring, “We got hit by a serious wave, or
maybe the current, or something.” The boat did however stay afloat and continued along
its original path. As they moved along the murky waters, their senses felt like they were
in overdrive.
Briscoe’s’ eyes were keen, because he noticed a boat ahead. It seemed similar in
size to the one he was on, but maybe his perception was disrupted from the overuse of his
senses. “Look Brutus! That looks like Jerry and Klinton but they are supposed to be on
their way back to the science vessel… I…I don’t think anyone’s on that boat. The motor
is running and it’s headed right for us.” The men shouted and kicked into overdrive in an
attempt to get out of the way of the runaway. It was an exhilarating experience, not to
mention there was no one seemingly here to save them because they were a bit short on
the lifeguards. Because their deadline was short, they gave no effort to catch the runaway.
Instead they continued on their course for the science vessel. Intrigue and suspense
dominated the two men.
“I wonder how in the hell could they manage that. Probably fooling around with
that other boat, and messed around a lost… the fucking boat.”
Briscoe softly replied, “I hope they are not overboard. These waters are filled with
things North America has yet to see.” Brutus seemed worried, and pushed the boat as fast
as it would go. In no time they had reached the science vessel.
“Think we should check the boat.”
“I don’t think they are on the boat. Something tells me they’re out there
somewhere. I knew something was strange when they released that emergency boat.
What in the hell are they up to? Now they lost the most valuable one. I told you, you
don’t know these dimwits.” They began to speed off towards the south.
There was no more bickering and fussing between Jerry and Klinton, because
they concentrated on saving their lives. Klinton yelled as softly as he can, “Just be quiet
and still.”
“I’s tired of treading. What are we going to do?” whined Jerry?
“I don’t know, damn it. Just swim.” Klinton did just that, and very fast. He
thought he could reach the science vessel by swimming, but he was wrong, because to
swim two miles or so would be extremely tiresome. If, in fact, he made it that far before
being eaten. There were definitely things lurking that would love to eat him. They
weren’t bleeding was a plus, but the havoc they made trying to swim was not. It proved
to be an extreme negative, when their initial plunge disturbed a nearby crocodile that was
absolutely territorial.
“I’m tired of swimming, Klinton!”
“Stop crying and swim. I can’t carry your ass. Shit, I’m tired too, but what? Are
you gone give up and just sink.”
“No! I’m swimming toward shore. It must be some ways ahead. It’s shorter to
land.” Klinton stopped for a moment and tread water in place. He glanced toward shore,
noticing it probably was closer but still a stint. The fact that the rugged shoreline
resembled swampland was also noticed, and Klinton realized the difficulty of
maneuvering trying to get ashore. Without notification, Klinton continued to swim
northward. Jerry started for shore just as quickly as Klinton, but their paths were
perpendicular. They both were extremely tired, nearly causing them to surrender to the
river’s demands. However, they both had fight left in them and continued on. The
disturbed reptile got more and more agitated. Jerry splashed heavily, and strikingly close
to his territory. The prehistoric lizard could swim fast, and Jerry was an intruder and
something had to be done. The lizard beast lunged his intimidating jaws out at Jerry and
chomps down forcefully.
Klinton was continuing to swim and leaving Jerry far behind. He appeared now to
be swimming at some distorted angle, heading directly towards what appeared to be a
boat. He swam fast and aggressively because, if he didn’t, the tiredness would set in.
Finally reaching the boat, he climbed in clumsily. He was ever so tired, and he didn’t
even think about Jerry just yet. He had to recover from the exhaustion of swimming and
treading. A loud shriek echoed, and Klinton jumped out of his recuperating status and
began to row towards Jerry’s distress call.
A near miss with the alligator sent Jerry underwater briefly, but he managed to
pull himself above water. He quickly tried to swim away from the dinner menu. Chance
was in his favor for the beast had already eaten a hearty meal. The prime reason for
striking out at Jerry was for the protection of his territory. Nevertheless, Jerry swam
ahead, to the north where his partner had gone. It was a panic swim, but he did reach his
comrade halfway.
“Jerry, Jerry, hold on,” yelled Klinton ecstatically. He reached over to pull Jerry
aboard.
“Oh shit, oh my goodness,” Jerry said through his panting. He was exhausted but
happy to be alive. Fortunate for them both, they were safely aboard the runaway reserve
boat. There time wasn’t now, but it had been a particularly close call for Jerry. They
rowed away soaking wet.
“Thanks Klint, man! I thought you might leave me.”
“Oh no, then I could pester you. Even though you say some foul shit, you still my
friend. We have a job to do besides that, and I can’t do it without you.”
“Hey! Thanks man, you’re right. We have money to make.” Klinton looked at
Jerry as if to say that all the previous comments were simply forgotten.
Just ahead, again Briscoe’s keen eyes were put to test. Briscoe informed Brutus of
his detection of a moving object before them. Brutus rose cautiously trying not to shake
the boat. “I think that’s a boat,” said the captain.
Brutus added his verbal contribution slickly, “It appears I am correct in my
assumption.” The captain was not clear what these comments meant. Brutus sensed that
and continued, saying, “I believe we’ve found our distressees, and why they gave up the
motorboat for that row boat is unapparent. I told you, these two together… So how in the
hell did you manage that?” asked Brutus, as soon as they were within hearing. He turned
to Briscoe, but still commented on the quicksilver his two employees produced. “Now,
tell me! How in the hell do you manage that? You see… didn’t I warn you, Briscoe…
These guys are nincompoops. So, let’s hear it. How in the hell did this happen, you’re all
wet… Oh, I’m eager to hear this!” Brutus had spoken erratically while Briscoe watched
on.
The two alleged dimwits spoke out simultaneously. “I, We…”
“Can I hear one at a time, or better yet! I do not want to hear a thing. Just make
sure you row that boat all the way back. Follow us and you better not fall behind. We are
not a search team, so try not to get lost. We may not be able to come search for you.”
Brutus cranked his motor and headed west. He was on his way to the campsite to meet
Richard.
Klinton and Jerry watched them pull away briskly, and hustled to begin rowing
behind them. “Come on! We need to keep up.”
“I’m rowing as fast as I can. I know your weak ass ain’t talking. Don’t act like
you on the all kayaking team, rowing your ass down wild white water rapids. You forgot,
all you good for is headaches and sailboats. But when it comes time to depend on your
physique, we’re in trouble.” The two rowed on even though Brutus and Briscoe were no
longer in their sights.
As it became impossible for them to see their co-workers, Jerry’s face became
longer, even speaking of his demeanor to Klinton. “You know Klinton, something’s real
funny, you know. I’ve been feeling strange.” A small stutter followed before Jerry
finished stamping his complaints. “I mean we’re supposed to make all this money, and I
think Brutus said something about a small partnership in whatever he’s building out
here… and why did he pick all the way out here anyway? Isn’t that funny! Goddamn it,
everything’s funny around here.”
Klinton had heard Jerry gracefully and wanted to respond eagerly. He did so, and
with a motivational tone comically delivered. “Shit! You just almost got your ass ate by
an alligator. I’d feel funny too, but I told you! I don’t wanna be here. First off, it’s damn
near winter, but I’ll be damned if they heard of that around here. It was hot as fish grease
when you all woke me up, and what time was that? No telling what time zone we’re in.
Shit, you’re the sailor. Can’t you look up at the stars or something and tell me where we
are.” Klinton looked up at the piercing sun receiving the best view, because on the water
the trees were wedged away. It nearly blinded him. “I guess not. Well, can you look at
the sun and tell me what time it is… I would say it’s about some time around after
noonish, since the sun is just above us.”
Jerry listened casually, because he was amazed by the conglomerations of the
trees on both sides of him. Klinton again asked, “What do you say about that?” Jerry
snapped out of his visual entrapment and gave Klinton a submissive response.
“Yeah sure.” Jerry, not fully free of his observational engagement, watched on
while ignoring Klinton’s efforts to get him to help row. Nevertheless. they carried on
slowly down the river.
The Kemp’s and their passengers were safely landed. They placed the choppers
down on soft land, and not the concrete laid by the late Mr. Russy. Richard forgot to tell
them that is where to land, but since Susie led and he rode with Andrew, it slipped his
mind. However, for the time being it remained a sufficient spot. They did indeed drift off
course by several meters, which made for a good trek to camp. They traveled in a
crooked line with Richard leading the way. He blabbered about how he was appreciative
that they had come, promising a relaxing trip filled with new experiences. Kyser Finley
was second behind Richard along the light-evading path. For some reason, Richard’s gut
feeling for direction was extraordinary, as if his soul has been here and knew the proper
direction well. Whatever the case might be, he quickly directed them to camp. In the
meantime, the group engaged in small talk amongst themselves. They had broken off into
groupings that switched periodically depending on the conversation at hand. Except for
Kyser, he remained behind Richard and mostly engaged in conversation with him. If he
wasn’t talking to Rich you could hear him slapping his arms for the constant bites
In the back of the line, agent Adam Newfield was occasionally watched by the
professor. However, agent Newfield was unaware and continued picking and poking at
wild plant life. “Ahhh… shit!” Adam yelled as he pricked his finger on an unidentifiable
plant that drew some small portion of blood.
Just as he experienced the slight pain, the professor blurted, “Hey! What did you
say your name was?”
“Adam.”
“Well you know Adam, you may not want to go around fondling unfamiliar plant
life. Catch yourself a serious case of poison ivy.” It was ironic the professor would say
such a thing, because Adam had an object in his hand at that moment that appeared to be
some type of small dried up berry he picked from that most recent plant.
He replied in a cocky manner, “I appreciate your concern, but I believe I’ll be
OK. I’ve been trained in identifying certain type of plants. I know what poison ivy and
poison oak look like.” He placed a period at the end of his statement by flipping the
unknown berry out of his hand. It hurled ahead of the pack, skipping over Wesley and
Pam and popping Roy Beavers in the back of the neck. Agent Beavers looked up quickly
to see what had fallen on him. He realized maybe nothing fell when, like radar dishes, his
ears began to pick up soft chuckles that were supposed to be concealed.
“Alright back there, who’s being the wise guy,” replied Roy, but it did nothing
but fuel the giggles.
Pam had exclaimed a bright and vociferous screech. “Ahhh…” feminely echoed
throughout the forest. This was caused by her looking down at a snake slithering below
her. Roy was a witness as well, and he jumped in the opposite direction, as did Pam. The
crew paused momentarily while they watched Wesley pull out his favorite blade and
jump to chop off the snake’s head off. He said with ridicule, “What’s the matter? Are
you scared of a little snake?” He laughed uncontrollably as the snake’s nerves shook like
a puppet. Kyser alerted the crew that they needed to continue along, because Richard
carried a fast pace. He stretched his arms fairly aggressive and chanted, “Let’s move
along, gentlemen.” The pace was resumed and so was the small talk.
“I’m not too fond of snakes. I’m glad you did away with that one,” said Julian.
Wesley responded grimly. “I hate them too.”
The professor continued the conversation with good intentions, “It seems you do
have something against snakes. Did you have some childhood encounter with snakes that
caused your disdain?”
Wesley replied, “No! I used to catch them to cut their heads off.”
The brilliant one was puzzled, but like all scholars, he lived by a simple dictum: if
you don’t know, ask! “Well why did you do that?”
“I used to get a kick out of watching the snake shiver the last life out itself.”
The professor instantly concluded that Wesley’s heart was cold. He made his way
to Pam to offer a gentle word. “Never mind him. I’m sure he didn’t mean it!”
Pam was not cooperating with Julian’s pep talk. She exclaimed, “Sure, I bet. You
know he’s a pig and can care less about my feelings about snakes.”
“Oh! How do you feel about snakes?” Pamela looked as if surprised he actually
wanted to know. Nevertheless, she told him. “Since I was a child, I had a few encounters
with snakes that terrified me. My brother used to keep them as pets, and they used to get
out sometimes, and…” She broke down her speech a bit just before crying surely ended
her statements prematurely. The professor placed his arms around her for comfort. In
fact, he had needed it more than Pam. This was a splendid opportunity, one that hardly
ever came Julian’s way, to be close to a woman. “It will be OK,” the professor uttered
softly.
Pamela turned away from the professor’s unwanted fondling. “Excuse me… I
think I’m OK now.” She picked up her pace and left him behind with Adam. Julian
looked at him with disgust. As if he lost his big chance to score, and this was his just
reward.
At that moment, Agent Newfield belched out a horrendous sneeze. “Oh excuse
me. My allergies are having a hard time in this humidity.” The professor tried to get some
distance from Adam because he seemed gross after snot blew from his nostrils.
They finally arrived at camp after their short hike through the woods. Fortunately
for them it was a manageable trail. Needless to say, that was for the time being and only
before nature had a say so.
“Is this what you call camp,” complained Akbar.
A voice pierced from around the corner boldly saying, “Well it will have to do!”
Whose voice was irrelevant because the statements were true.
“Well who made this place any way,” exclaimed Agent Newfield. No one seemed
to want to answer. Even the most qualified one remained silent momentarily.
After feeling a jolt in his conscience, Richard said, “That’s not important. What is
important is that this trip was prearranged, and it should go smoothly. We can set up the
tents over there, and there’s even… I know it’s not luxury.”
“You can say that again.”
“Well that is why you are paid so well, so it will have to do. I’m sure you won’t
have a hard time adjusting to make do.”
“Ahhhchooo…” disbursed from Adam’s mouth and nose, and the professor
replied treacherously.
“Your sinuses are bad.” He looked at Adam while assuring he kept some distance.
Adam said nothing, but showed signs of a minor cold brewing. The professor went away
to blabber his life’s history to Pam while Wesley assumed the conversation with Adam.
“You alright!?”
“Yes I’m fine.”
Roy Beavers, Kyser Finley, and Richard Dickenson sat in circle casually
conversing. “So, Rich!” shouted Kyser, but not really loudly. After scratching his arms he
patted Richard on the back and said, “So, what is the real reason you brought us out here
and are paying us so much money? It doesn’t seem like a place for the FBI I mean
something must have really scared you.” His speech was a little slurred. It became
apparent why when he sipped out of a container stashed in his vest pocket.
“Hey man, what are you doing? I need you gentlemen alert, not half drunk.”
“Ah, don’t worry. I’ve drunk liquor and solved cases like milk goes with babies.
I’m a grown man and am voluntarily on your payroll, which really isn’t a payroll
anyway, so don’t give me no shit. Goddamn it.” Kyser began to shout in a drunken
escapade. He shouted in discomfort again, scratching his arms roughly. “Ever since those
flies bit me, I’ve been itching like crazy.”
Pam had overheard. “Oh great! The flies here bite? Snakes and man-eating flies
are enough. When are you going to be finish with your stupid survey?”
“Wait a minute,” exclaimed Kyser, butting in with impaired verbiage. “You still
haven’t told me what scared you. Why are we here?”
Richard seemed cornered, but smoothly escaped by declaring, “Look! I paid you
to guard the area…so do I have to go through the third degree! I’m here to complete a job
and report to my investors.”
Richard was saved from the scrutiny as from as distance he noticed Briscoe and
Brutus coming ashore. He immediately walked towards the gentlemen because he was
eager to hear Brutus’ initial report.
Wesley snatched Kyser’s stash and began sipping. After gulping a significant
swallow, he declared, “I think that asshole’s hiding something.”
“Sit down,” commanded Kyser, snatching his drink back.
Wesley looks at Richard walking away and shouted, “Hey! What the hell are we
to do now? Just sit around and wait here? What the hell are we guarding?”
“Sit down and shut up!” Pam declared softly but firmly. Wesley didn’t take orders
from a woman, but he calmed because everyone else looked at him. Richard consulted
with his employees, eventually introducing them all to the group. They of course already
met, but there had been no real time to make that formal. This ritual now designated who
the authority was in this situation. Richard was indeed in charge, and Kyser stepping in
only if there would be trouble. However, Brutus Salvatore did the directing, and that he
made sure he did well. He instructed groups to cover certain distances strategically placed
on his map. He advised them to search for any streams, brooks, or small bodies of water
that would render a detour route. These spots would have to be thoroughly examined. He
wanted to know the high and low ground, or rather, whether it was soft or hard ground.
To cover all this area, they needed to split up, and that was what they did. Pam and Kyser
grouped together, and Wes and Adam did the same. Roy and Briscoe ended up together
by chance. The profesor went on his own — he had other things to do. The newlyweds
insisted on being together, trotting off on their own assignment. He put them all to work,
even Mr. Dickenson.
All you could hear was tires squealing from an abrupt stop. Next, there was a
clatter that indicated a car’s door had been slammed. The driver’s feet then clattered from
his acceleration, eager to get to the front door. Detective Edward Pullins knocked
anxiously at a door that was gently opened by a beautiful women with dark and hair and
eyes. “May I help you?” the women said softly.
“Yes, excuse me. I’m detective Pullins. Would Mr. Fusil be available?”
The woman kept the crack she peeked through small while advising the detective,
“One moment please.” She politely closed the door, but that attitude was not portrayed in
her following declarations. “Nick, Nick!” she shouted. She searched for him briskly and
wondered about the money. She thought, “Oh dear, I hope Nick hasn’t gotten all this
money…” Her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden run in with her fiancée. “Nick!
What is going on?”
“Baby, what? What are you talking about?” Nick gently shoved her.
“There’s a detective out here. Is there something you want to tell me? Where did
you get all that money from?”
Nick waved his hand, signaling he was paying no attention to her tirade as he
opened the door to greet Detective Pullins. “What brings you by,” asked Nick after
shutting the door behind them.
“Oh, this is my soon-to-be wife… since she is going to make it impossible for her
not to be seen.” The gentlemen sat down, which relieved Tameka. She figured out that
the detective was here on business of his own, so she quickly fetched them beverages.
“So, did you find my friends?”
“That is why I’m here. I’ve been taken off the case, and just when I was on to
something.”
“Oh! What are you onto?”
“Well, I believe your friends weren’t the only ones he abandoned. I want to arrest
him for obstruction of justice and hold him for questioning. A jury might even find him
negligent.”
“So, what do you need me for?”
“Well I need you to show me exactly where to go”
“Oh no! I’m not going back there no way are you going to get me back in that
godforsaken jungle.”
“Look! I need you! Don’t you want me to get that scum bag and bring him to
justice?”
“Yeah, but if it takes my presence, he’ll be a free ass. Because I am not going
back, absolutely not.” Nick made it clear that he meant what he said.
Edward gave up, and the two sipped on their drinks. “You sure, Nick? I really
need…”
Nick gave him a stare that had no deeply imbedded in it. However, it was getting
unbearably difficult for Nick to decline, but it was no longer impossible, and at some
point it was no longer even improbable. Nick’s rejections were continuous, however, but
empathy got the best of Nick, and he replied. “Look! I told you I was not going, but I
guess I could help.” Edward looked at Nick as if he had no choice but to be grateful, and
to take whatever it is Nick was offering. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll arrange for you to get
there, but you’re on your own then. I’ll arrange for you to be flown directly there, if you
don’t see any helicopters, then… they are probably where you want to go. I got a feeling
he’s still trying to do whatever it is he’s doing. I just hope he doesn’t abandon anyone
else.” Nick scratched his head before snapping his fingers in excitement. “You know! If
there are no helicopters at this landing site, then they will probably eventually have to
come back. If I were you, I would wait.”
The two men rambled on, and Nick’s sweetheart took full advantage of the
information session. She had been totally in the dark and now made it her business to be
included in the conversation. She had been curious ever since the night she picked him up
and he had all that money.
The gentlemen concluded their initial plans, and Edward stepped through the door
quickly, just catching Nick’s last remarks. “Hey, you just be here early. And I’ll get you
there. I know exactly where to go.” Edward climbed into his car and sped off, causing his
tires to scream louder than they did when he arrived.
There was the same anxiousness within Klinton’s eyes. He was tired of rowing,
and the so-called camp was where he wanted to be. Not that it was his first choice, but it
sure beat rowing on an unfamiliar river. It was hot and humid and that alone made it hard
to breathe. Klinton declared suddenly, “I’m tired of rowing. It’s your turn.” Jerry just lay
there not responding at all. “I’m not playing with you.” Klinton dropped the paddles and
their boat floated on current alone. Jerry’s idle motion appeared unchangeable. Klinton
grabs Jerry forcefully declaring, “Man, you better get your ass up!”
Groans escaped from Jerry’s mouth. Klinton allowed the boat to drift because
Jerry continued to stall on helping. Klinton finally got fed up. He grabbed Jerry
aggressively and ordered him to get up. “Wake up, damn it!” He shook Jerry furiously
until he slowly arose with sluggish body movements and the attitude of a lazy person. It
wasn’t that he didn’t like work, but exhaustion had set in from swimming for his life.
There wasn’t going to be much effort in him because he was really tired. He whined to
Klinton about just that, but Klinton responded in a rude manner. “Well shit Jerry, I’m
tired too. What do you want? Me to save your ass and row you to safety too? Oh no, I
don’t think so.” Klinton paused only momentarily just to scream, “Get your ass up!”
Klinton scooped as much water as he could with the cup of his hands and splashed Jerry’s
face.
“Hey, hey! What did you do that for?” Jerry exclaimed, awakening with a look on
his face that cut like sharp knives.
It didn’t phase Klinton, because he responded bluntly, “I don’t give a damn about
you looking the way you looking. I’m not fixin’ to be on this water til night time. Matter
of fact! How much further do we have to go?” Klinton tossed the other set of paddles
forcefully, while demanding participation. Finally the two caused the boat to go faster,
not that Jerry contributed much. The heat beat down upon them and the water they
floated on didn’t cooperate. “Hey! I’m tired too. Remember, I saved your ass. So at least
you can help.”
“Shut up, I’m helping now! Don’t give me none of your shit.”
Jerry was now more alert than ever. They began to row faster, and luckily so,
because they were in another gator’s territory. However, they quickly drifted by. “Hey,”
shouted Jerry, “There’s Brutus’ boat.” They veered the boat to head for shore, finally
arriving at the spot they called safe from the treacherous Amazon.