Chapter 39
“Do not move.”
The voice behind them was low and quiet. Eddy’s breath jammed tight in her throat. Beside her, Durrand, too, was frozen. He cut his eyes to hers. They raised their hands in slow unison. Alvaro had warned them not to cross Santiago’s borders, but what choice did they have? They stood now, surrounded by miles of misty hills, countless acres of nearly impenetrable forest. Alone. Or so they had thought.
“Do not move!” The words were a hissed warning followed by a click. Eddy jerked, anticipating a bullet. But the sound was only accompanied by a flash of light. Something shuffled in the foliage behind them. “Wait. Just one more. Oh, never mind. He is gone.”
Every muscle taut, Eddy twisted slightly. Behind her stood a small man in loose fitting khakis and a pocketed vest. In his hands, he held a boxy looking camera. He smiled as he lifted it.
“I know the world has moved on to newer ways of capturing images, but they cannot compete with the resolution you get with an old Hasselblad.”
Eddy turned slowly, heart thrumming hard against her ribs. Durrand’s elbow brushed hers as he, too, swiveled about.
“Not when trying to capture such beautiful camouflage.”
They stared at him.
“The horned marsupial frog,” he said. “There are so few left these days.” He shook his head as if saddened. “Deforestation has cost us much.
“But I am forgetting my manners.” Shuffling his antiquated camera into his left hand, he thrust out his right. “My name is Tevio Ortez.”
Eddy calmed her heart and kept her expression benign as she reached for his hand. “I’m Sarah and this is my husband, Luke.”
“Americans, I assume.”
“Yes,” she said.
“Hiking. It is good to see. So often people come roaring through in motorized vehicles or zipping through on those silly lines.” He sighed. “They miss out on much. How are you enjoying our beautiful country?”
“It’s amazing,” Eddy said.
“Is it not?” He smiled like a doting father. “I have lived here all my life except for a few years at university, and I could not wait to return. There is nothing like it. Do you not agree?”
“Absolutely,” Eddy said.
“And what of you, sir?” Tevio asked. “Are you enjoying the adventure, or are you here simply to appease your sweet wife?”
“You have a very beautiful country,” Durrand said. “In fact, we were supposed to meet a buddy of mine here, to enjoy it with us.”
“Really? He is interested in Colombia’s natural bounties also?”
“Maybe the beer was more of an incentive,” Durrand said and Tevio laughed.
“Ah, yes, some of the locals are quite unforgettable. The beer and the señoritas, sí? Well… I cannot blame him for that. My humble country is famous for both. And I must admit there was a time I was more interested in them than in silly amphibians.” He smiled. “Even those that can produce enough poison to incapacitate an elephant.” He shrugged, seamlessly switching gears. “Where are you to meet this friend?”
Durrand didn’t miss a beat. “The plan was to hook up two days ago in Cali but he didn’t show.”
Tevio tsked and wrinkled his brow. “What do you suppose could have happened to him?”
“Knowing Shep, he met one of your señoritas and forgot all about our agreement. We’ve only been friends for twenty years.”
Tevio chuckled. “Does Shep not have a cellular phone?”
Durrand shrugged. “We tried calling it, but he didn’t answer.”
“Well, I do not think you need to be concerned. But…” He shifted his gaze to Eddy. “I would consider it an honor if you would spend the night at my hacienda. I can ask about to see if anyone has seen this friend of yours.”
“We’d better keep moving,” Durrand said. “If we didn’t meet in Cali as planned, we were supposed to wait in Esperanza.”
“But, honey…” Eddy said, “Mr. Ortez is a native naturalist. And isn’t that why we came here? To learn more about the flora and fauna of the region?”
Durrand scowled at her.
“I’d love to discuss with him what can be done to slow the degradation of the rainforest,” she said. “And maybe…you know…” She grinned. “If we have to, we could sleep on a real bed tonight.” She shifted her smile to Tevio, who laughed.
“Sí, señora, I could indeed offer you a bed. Since my children have grown and moved away, I have several empty rooms in mi casa. Come, señor, listen to the wisdom of your lovely wife. And I will do all I can to locate your friend.”
“Please, honey,” Eddy said and looked up at Durrand with all the adoration she could muster.
“All right,” he agreed. “If it’ll make you happy.”
She grinned and tipped up on her toes. “Thank you,” she said and kissed him on the mouth. Her lips were warm and supple, her eyes the color of spring.
It was impossible to tell if they were walking into a trap, but for a moment, Gabriel Durrand didn’t give a shit.