Page 42 of No Questions Asked

Slash and I left first to get our backpacks and spray each other with sunscreen and bug repellent. As a precaution, I took some motion-sickness medicine. Together we headed to the lab and grabbed the computer equipment. Natelli was overseeing the transfer of the coolers and accompanying them to the jeeps.

When all the equipment was loaded, we stood at the jeeps. Vicente had shown up a few minutes prior and helped carry the last of the boxes. I made eye contact and acted as normal as I could, which probably wasn’t normal whatsoever. Still he didn’t seem overly interested in me, so maybe that was a good thing.

Our group today included Natelli, Gwen, Slash, Salvador, Vicente, Martim, me, and four guards, including Gabriel. Eleven people. I hoped the boats were big enough for all of us because I had no intention of dying in piranha-infested waters as the boats sank from our weight. In fact, I really wished I knew everyone’s weight, although I knew better than to ask, and the physical parameters of the boats so I could calculate the probability. Without it, I didn’t have enough data to go on.

Gabriel and another of the guards carried a satellite phone on a rope around their necks. Gabriel had debriefed Slash after yesterday’s events, but despite the fact that Slash had saved our butts, Gabriel hadn’t offered to arm him. I thought it a big mistake, but since security wasn’t my show, I didn’t say anything and neither did Slash.

We piled into the jeeps and drove off. Thankfully, the drive was much shorter today. After about twenty minutes, we made it to the river and the boats. I’m not an expert on boats, but these seemed to be regular motorboats with a flat bottom, presumably to handle the shallow waters around the shore. Unfortunately, there was no cover or protection from the sun and the seating looked like uncomfortable planks. Two men, who I presumed were the owners of the boats, waited in the shade near a pickup truck, smoking cigarettes. They each lifted a hand in greeting when we arrived.

Salvador and Vicente went to talk to them while the rest of us got to work unloading the equipment and getting it on the boats. Eventually, there was a lot of discussion about who would go in which boat. Apparently, of paramount importance were the coolers with the vaccines and the computer equipment, which Natelli insisted we should split between the boats. After a heated discussion, Natelli, Gwen, Slash, Salvador and one guard were assigned to the boat with the vaccine coolers. Vicente, Martim, Gabriel, me and another guard were to go to the boat with the laptop, water and additional medical equipment. Slash asked to switch places with someone in my boat, but Gabriel was insistent Slash stay with the other boat. Privately, I think Gabriel wanted the two of them in different boats so we’d be better protected. It was a secret to no one that Slash was worth the other three security guards put together, even if he wasn’t armed.

I could tell Slash didn’t like the arrangements at all, and wanted to argue. But in the end, he acquiesced and climbed on the boat with Gwen and Natelli. He gave me a glance that clearly indicated I should stay out of trouble. Since I knew I’d be floating on a river filled with piranha, the predatory black caiman—which tourists often mistook as alligators—water snakes, and who the heck knew what else, I hadnointention of causing any trouble whatsoever. I just hoped my little black cloud of trouble stayed safely back in the States.

I swallowed my fear as I stepped into the motorboat. It rocked precariously, so I sat down immediately in a center seat, bracing myself the best I could against the motion. The others climbed on and everyone took a seat. Vicente sat next to me, which I wasn’t thrilled about, but what could I do? When Martim took the spot on the other side of me even Slash also looked concerned about the arrangement. But before I could try and move, the motors started and we pushed off. I was now officially on the Amazon River.

Vicente told me it would take an hour by boat up the river and against the current to get to the path leading to the village. From there it would be another hour or so hike from the river’s edge where we would leave the boats. Although I don’t like boats or the water, the river was relatively calm, for which I was grateful.

“This isn’t so bad,” I said to no one in particular. “It seems peaceful.”

Martim snorted. “It only appears calm because the river is so wide at this point. The narrower the river, the more treacherous it becomes. You’ll see.”

I considered decking him, but I restrained myself...for now.

We traveled for a while without any issues. At one point, we drove past a boat anchored in one of the side tributaries. The boat had two men in it. I thought it was a little strange as they weren’t fishing or doing anything. Our driver said something in Portuguese, but Martim replied in a short curt voice, and moved over to sit closer to Gabriel who was watching the boat with interest.

“What was that all about?” I asked Vicente.

“Our driver claimed the boat holds bandits looking for easy prey. Martim said they were simply fishermen and we shouldn’t worry.”

Not long thereafter, I noticed a boat had started following us. It was hard to see clearly given the bright reflection from the sun on the water, but it appeared to be the boat we had passed. In fact, it seemed to be closing in on us. Gabriel had also noticed and was keeping a close eye on it. He had the satellite phone and used it to presumably contact Slash’s boat. As soon as he hung up, our driver revved the engine, as did our other boat. Unfortunately, it became clear the boat had started to chase us. Gabriel fired a warning shot, but the boat kept coming, close enough to see there were two men in the boat with automatic weapons.

Holy pirate ship!

It took me about five seconds of calculations to realize we were facing a losing battle. Our boats had six people each and equipment, while the boat chasing us had only two men weighing it down. As far as I knew, we had more guns, but they were not automatic. The range and rate of fire difference would make it a losing battle if we tried to engage.

Gabriel must have realized that and had instructed our driver to head toward the shore. The rainforest would make the automatic weapons less valuable and our numbers a greater advantage. It was a smart move.

The guard in Slash’s boat must have also fired a warning shot, but our pursuers did not slow in the slightest. Not a good sign.

Vicente told us to all hunch down in the boat to reduce our exposure and to help the boat go faster. We rounded a small bend in the river where a tributary entered the main channel from the left. Our driver steered the boat toward the bank past where the new tributary joined. As we neared the shore, the second boat, which had fallen slightly behind, suddenly veered off and headed up the tributary.

“Wait!” I shouted as the boat carrying Slash, Gwen and the others raced away. Even as I yelled, I realized that splitting up would allow one of the boats to call for help and arrange for rescue via the satellite phone. I was positive it was Slash’s idea.

Behind us, the pursuing boat paused, trying to figure out which boat to follow. To my astonishment, Martim abruptly stood up in the boat, nearly tipping it over. He waved to the pirates, shouting something and pointing to the other boat racing away up the side stream. Whatever he said caused the pirates to leave us and chase after the other boat.

Gabriel angrily grabbed Martim by the arm, yanking him to the bench. A furious exchange ensued between the two men before Gabriel turned away, his face red with anger.

“What is going on?” I said in alarm. “Why are they chasing the other boat?”

Gabriel didn’t answer because he’d picked up the satellite phone and had started speaking rapidly. But Vicente, who sat next to me, also glared at Martim and answered on his behalf.

“Martim was saving his own skin,” he said in disgust. “He told them the other boat had more valuables.”

I looked at Martim, astounded. “Are you freaking kidding me? What’s wrong with you?”

Martim looked at me like I was nothing more than a piece of gum on the bottom of his shoe. “Why should I die on a futile mission?” He stroked his mustache, looking bored by the entire incident. “I warned everybody this project was a stupid idea. Stop complaining. I just saved your life, girl. You should be thanking me.”

I’d never been madder in my life. I drew my fist back to punch him, but Vicente caught my arm, stopping me from landing a blow. “That won’t help, Lexi. We need to get ashore while we can and figure out what to do next.”

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