The Jaguar (33 page)

Marcus restarted the engine. He needed to get the party to dry land as soon as he could, to speak with some of the others. Cesar may know something already. Laura and Daniel would need to be briefed. It would be a big step, but maybe they should also inform some of the guests. He wasn't sure. It would be a risky strategy, as he still didn't know the nature of the threat. Thinking about who might not panic, to his surprise Marcus settled upon David.

David fell in. The helicopter had finally swung away and beat back over the horizon. David lost his balance as he stretched too far, trying to retrieve his paddle. Teetering on the brink, his knees pressed into the side of the boat. It tipped over, the weight slapping into the surface only inches from his now half-submerged head. There was a general peel of laughter, but Laura, David's partner, was nowhere to be seen. Alfredo noticed first. All his tension dissolved into action and he sprang forward, diving from the launch, ignoring the pain that coursed across his injured ankle. David waved hopefully to his rescuer, but was pushed roughly out of the way as Alfredo splashed frantically around the upturned canoe, in search of Laura.

Marcus drew his own launch alongside and reached down to retrieve a now floundering David. Seconds later he was dragged roughly aboard. Coughing out lake-water and red in the face, David sank to his knees. Initially he could not breathe, but it was the look of panic on Alfredo's face, as he stared up at Marcus from the troubled lake waters, that reinforced the gravity of the situation.

Before Marcus could react, Alfredo dived under the upturned canoe. Emerging, gasping for air, on the far side long seconds later, he snatched at the lifejacket which Marcus cast into the lake beside him. It was clear he was not a strong swimmer and his shoes and clothing were beginning to drag him down - but he dove again. Marcus heard the bump as Alfredo surfaced within the upturned hull. Cesar's launch was now on the far side, but nobody could see a thing.

Marcus was about to follow Alfredo when two entwined figures smashed, choking, through the water's surface. Laura was crying and clung to Alfredo as though she might otherwise be swallowed by some lurking lake monster. Alfredo stroked sodden locks away from her eyes and pressed his mouth intensely to her lips. As her body fell limp in his arms, Marcus jumped over the side to help him lift her to safety.

For a long while the flotilla remained tightly clustered, as Cesar and Daniel struggled to right the upturned vessel. Laura, David and Alfredo sat shivering in Marcus' boat, but the rapidly climbing sun proved to be a useful ally. Felicity and Ethan railed against the recklessness of the helicopter crew, for having precipitated the accident in the first place, concluding that they must have been rich sightseers. Various others fussed over kit bags and soon all three reluctant swimmers were freshly clad, and much recovered.

Crisis over, the remaining paddlers finally pushed away from the support vessels and relaxed into a steady rhythm. The deep blue at the lake's centre slowly gave way to turquoise, as the convoy headed for the sandy-bottomed shallows. Clumps of mangrove trees and grassy islands could be made out on the shore, surrounded by an immense sea of shifting reeds. Birds were calling from the tops of trees. There was an explosion of white, as a hawk scattered them over the waters. Felicity and Ethan forged ahead, still high on the adrenaline of outrage, hotly pursued by Sharon and John Tanner. Cesar opened his throttle and overtook, directing the party in towards a long, narrow, wooden jetty. Most were soon ashore and drinking from their water bottles, under the shade of the nearest vegetation. To Marcus' relief, Luis and Alfredo did the same, giving him the opportunity to speak with Cesar as they secured the boats.

“Cesar, what do you know about our two visitors?” Marcus' tone was blunt and accusing.

Cesar looked away guiltily and shook his head in self-disgust. “The older one - Luis - he said whilst you sorted things out after the accident that you would ask. He said you should talk to him, but must not say anything to the others.” Cesar looked relieved at sharing his burden. “I'm so sorry, Marcus,” he added, “I had little choice.”

They stared quizzically at each other and Cesar's expression told Marcus everything he needed to know about their situation. As he turned and prepared to face the team again, he became aware of his own rapid breathing. Stopping a few strides along the dock, he took a couple of deep gulps of air and then continued, somewhat more calmly. Whatever was going on, it was up to him to sort it out. He thought about taking Laura aside, but she had barely been able to speak since her emersion. Luis' eyes were already upon him. The pathway from the dock to the shade of the trees continued further onto the green island. Marcus gestured discretely for Luis to follow him and, to his relief, he did. They walked on, side by side, each turning as casually as possible to check that nobody had chosen to join them. Soon they were out of sight and standing in front of an old stone building, which seemed to be the only permanent human feature of the island. Luis spoke first. His tone was serious, but also placid and even friendly.

“You know that we are not who we said we were. We are on the run from some very bad people, but they will have difficulty getting to us here. They may have been in the helicopter, so we are lucky to be having this conversation now. They can be ruthless and, unlike us, do not necessarily care who else gets hurt.”

“You are putting my party in danger. You have no right to do that.” Marcus was blunt and angry.

“I understand you, Marcus. This is not something I want to do, but I'm afraid I have no choice. My brother and I are both armed and the safety of your party depends upon you following my instructions. To begin with, I would like that cell phone.”

Marcus complied, slapping the instrument forcefully into Luis' hand. “So; how will this end?” he challenged.

“As soon as we reach the sea, we will take a boat and go. We had intended to leave your party in a remote area, but I think we both realise now that others are aware of our presence here, so that will not be necessary.”

“If we change our plans and head straight for the sea, the group will realise something is wrong,” Marcus concluded.

Luis thought for a moment. “They are just tourists. They don't know where we are, even now. As long as we do not rush, and leave time for some of your activities, I doubt they'll know the difference. All I ask is to be on a beach before sunset. Then everyone will be safe, including us.”

Marcus stared back towards the others then nodded reluctantly in agreement. “If things go wrong, please do not use my people as shields or hostages.”

Luis said nothing. He did not know himself what he would do in such circumstances. Marcus thought about pressing his point, but realised he had little with which to bargain. He turned in frustration and walked back up the track to brief Cesar.

Chapter Forty-Two

The Marshes

“I see that our visitor likes you.”

Laura felt the sudden flush in her cheeks and stared fixedly at the ground. David recognised he had stumbled into a private affair and did his best to back-track. “I'm so sorry for putting you through that experience in the water earlier,” he pleaded. Laura still did not respond, so he decided to change tack again. “Cesar says there is a Mayan customs house on this island. There has apparently been a dock here since ancient times and there's still a Mayan canal that links this lake to the next. Do you want to take a look?”

“Yes, please.” It was Lloyd who answered and he and Hannah immediately jumped up.

Laura grasped David's arm and levered herself to her feet. “Come on then.” She smiled at the pair of youngsters and headed off up the track, leaving David to trail on behind. Moments later they passed Marcus, who was so preoccupied he barely noticed them. Laura wondered when it was they had last properly conversed. Her recent trauma had inspired no more than a perfunctory -
Are you alright?
If her current career were to continue, she reflected, it looked increasingly unlikely that it would be with Tailwind Adventure.

David caught up. “There it is,” he declared, slightly out of breath. They stared at the low stone building, which looked more like a Second World War bunker or gun emplacement than a pre-Columbian structure.

“Let's each go in through a different door,” Hannah suggested, sprinting forward and disappearing through the middle of three parallel portals.

The others followed her instruction then stood blinking in the single damp and gloomy interior. Laura put her finger to her lips and pointed upward. A large colony of fruit bats hung from ancient wooden rafters. Hannah squealed, despite her attempt at silence, and pointed too. A jet black tarantula with a bright red belly was sitting on a fallen roof-tile, only feet from where they stood. It was waiting patiently for something to fall. The bats began to shuffle and squabble at the sudden noise. Laura and David abruptly found themselves alone.

“I'm so sorry that I've embarrassed you, as well as giving you such a scare,” David grovelled.

“Don't worry. You're right, of course; about Alfredo,” Laura whispered, matter-of-factly.

“Do you feel the same way?” David quizzed.

“I think so, although I know it's crazy. We haven't spent more than thirty minutes together. What's even crazier is that life seems to have speeded up here. Everything before Muyil feels like the distant past.”

David readjusted his balance slightly on the uneven surface. “I know what you mean. I live more in a day here than in a month back home.” He gave Laura a serious look. “I wouldn't presume to offer you advice, but I've always wondered what would have happened if I'd been more forthright about my feelings with Culjinder. We only live once, as the saying goes. As an Indian Christian, rather than a Hindu, Culjinder may even have agreed with me, at least on that particular point.”

“Life is complicated,” Laura articulated through a gentle smile.

“Yes, but that's also when it can be most fun. I haven't a clue where my life is headed at the moment, but I'm enjoying every minute of it. Shall we re-join the others? I believe we're about to get wet again and, very possibly, eaten by crocodiles.”

Laura laughed. “I've no worries about crocodiles with you around, David.”

By the time they returned, everyone else was assembled once more on the wooden pier. Some were reaching precariously for the lifejackets, slung casually about each tin boat, alongside various items of drying clothing. Marcus, Cesar and Daniel were already standing in a line in the warm shallows and others were about to follow. Ethan jumped in first, breaking the crystal-clear waters with a loud, but slightly forced whoop. He waded back dutifully to help Jackie Morgan as she moved her good leg and then the bad gingerly into the lake. Lloyd and Hannah ran to the far end of the jetty, on the premise that it was a bit deeper, and made a point of jumping right on top of a shoal of multi-coloured fishes. Soon most were following Cesar, wading out to where the strong current cut a deeper channel as it headed for the canal. Next instant Cesar was floating and drifting slowly past the island. With various splashes and squeals others followed suit, floating on their backs, buoyed up by their lifejackets. Some held on awkwardly to soggy, wide-brimmed sunhats. Others let their toes protrude in front of them in the flow.

Back on the dock, Luis occupied himself helping Marcus and Daniel lash the boats together, so they could be guided down the narrow stream which marked the overgrown remains of the old Mayan canal. Laura only very reluctantly agreed to bring up the rear of the group floating unaided down this channel, having no great desire for another near drowning. She buried her own anxiety by reassuring David, as both struggled back into their lifejackets.

Alfredo stood indecisively watching the others float away. Now at least, thanks to his recent heroics, he was wearing more presentable clothing, although that too might be about to get wet.

Luis turned towards his brother, wondering at his sudden inertia. “Go, go,” he yelled. “Play your little tourist games.” He stowed the weapon quickly that Alfredo passed secretly to him, and gestured him away impatiently.

Alfredo struggled into his buoyancy aid, just in time to catch David in the stream. The absurdity of his situation struck him immediately. He threw his head back in the water, staring at a single con trail high overhead, and began to laugh. David did the same. Their very different worlds had each shrunk to a narrow waterway through reed and mangrove swamp. For the first time in a very long while Alfredo did not feel he was being pursued. A kingfisher flashed by and a moorhen croaked a protest from its nest, but no helicopter would ever find them here. The current grew even stronger as the banks narrowed and straightened, so that only gentle movements were needed to steer. Alfredo felt freer and more relaxed than he could ever remember. If only real life could be this simple.

Alfredo sent his hand arcing lazily through the water. It met another. For a few seconds the stray hand brushed easily alongside, then the fingers traced across his palm and entwined with his. He felt a sudden surge of happiness as he responded to their deliberate and sustained pressure. He took a deep breath, sucking in the moment, then spluttered as Laura used her other hand to send a wedge of water into his face. Alfredo found the bottom and stood up, coughing. Laura swung around in front of him and he drew her in. Both looked quickly behind. The support party managing the launches had yet to appear and, beyond Laura, David was drifting obliviously downstream. Alfredo pulled Laura closer, tugging at her narrow waistline. Hampered by their jackets, they had to strain to kiss but, once their lips met, neither could desist. Laura rode the wave of passion spreading from her core and shuddered. Alfredo reaction was beyond sexual. He felt as though his whole life had led him to this moment. For once, everything made sense. He was coming home.