The Adventurers

Chapter 33

The boat kept swinging sideways on the river and frustrated, Sax finally pulled up the night anchor and decided to creep up river with just the riding lights.

"A bit risky don't you think?"

"Better than winding up facing the wrong way I'm not a sailor don't forget. Straight ahead and stop, that's about the extent of my nautical skills."

"Why not take it closer to shore?"

"For a guy who was a Sky God in the middle of this jungle for as long as you were, you didn't learn much did you? The only thing we have to worry about out here in the middle is our friend the caiman. Near the shore there are all kinds of nasty critters that could find their way aboard."

Sam shrugged, patted Sax on the back and said he was going to see what the Cardinal had in his galley.

* * *

Jed stood at the bottom of the compound while Tapuk, Matzumen, Krena and her daughter waited in the dugout. Chessery strode up to the ever present priest blockade and said that she wanted to see Father Montcleefe.

"Miss Blanchert." The greeting was cool as Montcleefe joined her at the foot of the stairs. There was no invitation to the verandah for drinks.

"I'm here to tell you that I'm taking possession of Mr. Arthur Trask's stolen helicopter."

"I know nothing of its theft. His Eminence Cardinal Carlo Giovanni made an arrangement with your questionable friend Mr. Saxon. The helicopter for immediate passage on his boat. They have been gone well over a day now."

"Mr. Saxon had no right to make any such arrangements. He stole the machine in the first place and I am taking it back."

"Your friend Trask came by and he insisted that I keep it here for his return."

"He's not my friend and I told you, I'm taking it. You can give me the keys."

"How do you-1 don't have the keys." Montcleefe protested.

"You see that man down there?" Chessery pointed to Jed. "You give me the keys or that gun he's carrying will get it for me."

"You-1 am an agent of the Holy Rom-"

"Jed!" Chessery called. "Bring your gun up here."

Montcleefe gaped at her and at the man sauntering up the hill toward them.

"Wait! You can't do this!"

"The keys, Father."

He acquiesced, head bowed. Chessery bowed her head in return and marched back down to the shore.

"Well?"

Chessery related the Father's news and then flipped an impatient hand toward the boat. "Let's get out to that machine and gas it up."

"Who is going to fly it?"

"I am." She climbed into the dugout and told Tapuk to push off Jed stared dumbfounded, almost missing his ride.

* * *

When Jed had passed the empty gas cans back to the two native guides and they were well away from the helicopter Chessery flipped the switches on the console and slowly listened as the rotor blades began their flup-flup sound, gaining speed and at the right moment she eased the stick into position and the machine lifted gracefully off the water and surged forward.

Jed turned in his seat and gave Krena and Luna a reassuring smile as they huddled uncertainly in the back.

"Everything is fine, Krena." He said in his broken Katopi, hoping in his heart he was right. Chessery just grinned and gave him a smug look.