The Adventurers

Chapter 36

Trask raged up and down the tiny strip of shore as his two men wrestled the Zodiac upright and examined the outboard for damage. Forrester sat on the bank in his shorts, his soaking wet clothes wrung out and hung in a patch of sunlight.

"After Chessery Blanchert those goddamn natives are next on my list," Trask roared, referring to the three native deserters who fled after being dumped in the river.

"We're lucky to have one sound boat," Forrester said. "Forget the natives. Thing is, what now?"

"Nothing has changed. We go after Saxon and that bitch, Chessery Blanchert. She's gonna pay big time for that chopper stunt."

"They could be long gone by the time we find the boat."

"Not too far, there wasn't that much fuel left and what we had as extra wouldn't get them to the coast."

"What about us? The outboards can't run on fumes."

"Then we goddamn well paddle!" Trask shouted, his anger rising dangerously high.

* * *

The lounge of the Cardinal's boat was crowded and the food that Sam and Archimedes could put together was wolfed down quickly Jed and Sax had a few private words together, resolving any hard feelings over the fact that Jed had stayed behind. Krena and Luna stayed to one side, uncertain of their future with the strange group of whites.

Chessery revealed the entire story after Archimedes told them again about InterSky and his company's involvement, including her attack on the Zodiacs.

"Trask was concerned that somebody was on to his interest in the treasure."

"Why did you go to him in the first place? You could've managed something on your own." Sax asked.

"I needed his connections to get set up down here and I needed you; that was a non negotiable demand. I didn't really trust that Trask wouldn't set up some kind of takeover with Forrester."

"And what was I supposed to do about that? He ordered me to go with you."

"Yes, but he stayed out of it himself. Trask's other men might have met me and then what? I would have had to take them. The way it stands only this group knows where and how much. We have a huge advantage."

"Not if he catches up with us." Sax looked purposefully at Krena and her daughter.

"I don't think that's too likely now."

"Don't underestimate Trask. I've worked for him a number of times; the guy's relentless when he wants something."

* * *

It was late afternoon, the group rested and made plans made for their trip up river. The chopper was ruled out because of fuel supply. Sam suggested they just cut it loose and let it drift back down the river. He reasoned that Trask might waste time trying to get it going or at least moor it somewhere safe. They agreed, and Jed stripped everything useful from the machine before untying it and, with some exertion and help, shoved it around Archimedes craft and into the river's flow.

"What about your boat, Stover?"

"What about it? I'll just sail on my merry way"

"Better rethink that," Jed said. "If you come across Trask you will be a very unhappy investigator."

"So what then, I'm supposed to throw my lot in with you? It's not me he's after."

"You found Parkhurst, remember?" Archimedes frowned and looked at Sam, he would collect a very nice bonus if he could present Parkhurst to his bosses.

"He'd have to cooperate. Without proof of any kind his plane could still be somewhere out there flying around."

"You want to spend a couple of weeks slogging through the jungle I'll show you the proof. Stover. Problem is we might not get back to do any good with the information. The folks I lived with like to watch people they don't like fight it out with wild boars."

"Marvelous."

"Tell you what. We get out of this, I'll go with you to your company and InterSky and I will swear out an affidavit about the crash and the subsequent years I managed to survive."

"But no proof."

"We can verify that he was in the lost city when we arrived and what the situation was." Chessery offered.

"Who'd believe that lost city and treasure crap?"

"Believe this then, asshole." Sam shoved one of his gems into Archimedes face, his anger spilling over at the man's obstinacy "Whoah..." Archimedes looked at the gem and then at the rest of the group, a tiny smile teasing his lips.

* * *

Trask sat by the bank in the Zodiac as they watched the helicopter drift past in the darkness. There was no way he could grapple the big machine to the shore in the dark; he would just have to hope it hit a bank somewhere and stayed put until he got back. His thermometer was creeping past the boiling point.

They set off again and after an hour of dangerous navigating they pulled into the bank again and killed the engine. Ahead they could see the glow from the light on the boat and Trask bared his teeth in vengeful anticipation.

"We'll take it slow up the river and hit them just before sunup."

"Hit them how?" Forrester wanted to know.

"Hard. I'm not interested in Saxon or that pilot and the Cardinal is just another greedy party we don't need anymore."

"You want to take them all out."

"Look, Forrester, this lost city treasure was the plan from the get go and when he failed to secure it he signed his own warrant. When he stole my chopper it became his death warrant."

"You're still going to need Chessery you know."

"I'll worry about her when this is over."

"I'm talking about the map. We still need the map and those two Katopi guides." Trask sliced a hand through the air indicating an end to the discussion.

* * *

The Zodiac paddled silently alongside the rear of the Cardinal's boat where Arkady tied up to one of the rails.

"What's that other boat?" Hammond asked.

"No idea. Looks like some peddler... shit! I bet it's Stover!"

Trask pulled his chin. "I wondered if he might turn up."

"Who's Stover?" Forrester asked.

"He works for a company that was investigating the InterSky plane disappearance. That pilot with Sax was his objective; InterSky said he stole the plane."

"So now we have another party that needs removing." Forrester was looking less pleased with each development.

"Think about it. The pilot would have to tell him where the plane went down and come up with some kind of proof he didn't steal the damn thing."

"Which means this Stover guy would be privy to the location of the city as well." The disgust was evident in his tone.

"Listen, Forrester. You don't want any part in this, fine. Sit here and shut up until it's over. I don't need a conscience dogging my tracks."