The Portal (A Delphi Group Thriller Book 2) (17 page)

As Zane stood to leave, he heard footsteps coming up the hill. He’d waited too long. Seconds later, a distant shadow passed by and continued up the hill. When the man neared the top, he turned on his flashlight and disappeared over the crest.

If I can’t wait for you, at least I’ll follow you back.

Zane had only taken one step when he grunted in pain. Somehow he’d twisted his ankle in the fall. It wasn’t a bad sprain, but it was enough to prevent him from moving with speed.

He bent over and grabbed his knees, letting out a long sigh of frustration.

After remaining still for a full minute, he slowly rose and hobbled back toward the path.

As he turned and made his way up the hill, two things weighed heavily on his mind: The group had a mole. And he might never know who it was.

JORGE PULLED THE cigar out of his mouth. “You’re sure it was someone from our team, amigo?”

The group had been marching again since dawn, and Zane had just spent the last few minutes describing everything that had taken place the night before, including his theory that there was a mole in their midst.

“I have zero doubt that it was one of ours,” Zane replied.

“What makes you so sure?”

“For starters, he came out through the opening in our motion-sensor perimeter.”

Jorge nodded, then his eyes narrowed. “Unless they watched your men setting it up.”

“You’d have to get awfully close to know that.”

The two men began walking again.

“You said that you couldn’t tell who the person was,” Jorge said. “Could you tell
anything
about them?”

“Nothing other than it was a man who was about six feet tall,” Zane said.

“Which is obviously why you were comfortable coming to me,” Jorge said with a laugh.

“You said that, not me.” Zane slapped the Brazilian on the back.

“If a certain soldado wasn’t already dead, I might have already made a guess,” Jorge said.

“Agreed.”

As Jorge paused to relight his cigar, Zane looked ahead. Katiya and Max disappeared around a bend in the trail. Zane had kept his eye on the linguist ever since departing Manaus. He was about six feet tall, give or take a couple of inches, so he certainly fit the size and build of the man in the woods. But why on earth would he be meeting with someone in the middle of the jungle? For that matter, why would anyone?

“You said you couldn’t hear the conversation that took place?” Jorge asked.

“Nothing. Too far and too much background noise.”

“Did the people he was meeting have an accent?”

In the aftermath of the events, Zane thought he’d remembered something about the voices. But no matter how hard he tried to retrieve the little nugget of information, it always seemed just out of reach. Was it a Chinese accent? He couldn’t say. “There was something unusual about their voices, but I can’t put my finger on what it was. I’m hoping that something will jar my memory over the next day or so.”

“How many were there?” The Brazilian’s questions were coming quickly now.

“I counted four flashlight beams all together. I’m assuming one of those was from the person I followed.”

“So three?”

“At least.”

Jorge puffed a few times, obscuring his head in a cloud of smoke. “Do you think they knew they were being watched?”

“Probably not. If they suspected something, I think they would’ve searched the area where I was hidden.”

There was a long pause. Jorge used the opportunity to take another long draw, allowing the smoke to drift slowly out of his mouth. Finally, he asked, “So if you had to guess, who do you think it was?”

“For one of the few times in my life, I don’t even have a guess.” He sighed loudly. “I certainly can’t bring myself to think it was one of the soldiers.”

“You shouldn’t eliminate anyone until you have more information.”

Zane knew the Brazilian was right. He was no detective, but he did know you followed the evidence, regardless of where it led. Finally, he nodded and said, “I haven’t scratched them off my list. It’s just hard for me to believe that any of those men would be working against us somehow.”

“All I’m saying is to keep your eyes wide open, amigo.”

“If you eliminate the women, that really only leaves four other suspects.”

“Not so fast.” Jorge used his cigar to point at the two walking on the trail ahead. “The professor could’ve had her hair pulled up. She’s not close to six feet, but she’s not short either. Remember it was dark—”

Zane’s head turned quickly toward him. “Surely you’re not saying it was Dr. Mills I followed last night?

Jorge shrugged. “Why not? I hold her in high regard. She seems trustworthy. But I also know that our eyes can play tricks on us out here in the jungle.”

The two walked in silence for a few minutes. Zane knew it was a man he’d followed. The gait, the way he’d carried himself. And yet, he didn’t want to play favorites either. If something popped back into his memory that suggested it might have been a woman, he’d be open to that. But for now, he’d stay focused on the men.

“Have you considered calling this whole thing off and going back?” Jorge asked.

Zane’s answer was immediate. “No, I haven’t considered that.”

“Why not?” Jorge asked after pulling the cigar from his mouth. “You don’t think it’s dangerous to go deep in the jungle with a traitor in our midst?”

“Wouldn’t it be just as dangerous to announce that we have a mole and we’re going back? That might trigger this person to act irrationally. There is no telling what they might do. Not to mention whoever it is they’re working with. That would be a trigger, not a solution.”

Jorge shrugged. “You could always come up with a—”

Suddenly Zane’s radio squawked, cutting the Brazilian off. “Sir, are you there?” It was Bennett.

“Go ahead, Sergeant.”

“Sir, I think you need to get up here.”

Bennett’s voice had a tone Zane hadn’t heard before. He looked at Jorge then said, “We’ll be right there.”

AFTER ROUNDING A bend in the trail, Amanda came to an abrupt halt. Two of the Green Berets were standing in the middle of the path just ahead. Sergeant Bennett was facing the other way with a radio pressed against his ear. Corporal Wilson, who was standing next to him, turned and held up a hand, indicating she should proceed slowly.

Amanda approached carefully. What were they looking at? Was it a jaguar? An anaconda? She couldn’t see anything yet, but she still couldn’t help but picture a giant serpent coiled in the middle of the trail.

As she drew within a few feet, Wilson nodded at something just ahead. Amanda stepped closer then stopped. A wave of shock washed over her. She could scarcely believe her own eyes. There, in the trail about fifty yards away, stood an indigenous boy. She figured he was likely a preteen, although it was hard to tell because his muscles seemed developed beyond his years.

Bennett put away his radio and whispered, “He was just standing there when we came around the turn. Hasn’t moved since.”

“He doesn’t seem dangerous,” Wilson said in a low tone.

The corporal was right. The boy’s demeanor was one of calm curiosity. As far as she could tell, there was no hint of aggression in his eyes.

“He’s well armed though,” Bennett said.

The boy held a bow in one hand, and a quiver of arrows was slung over his back. His hair was typical of the indigenous males, an inverted bowl with bangs as straight as a ruler. A sharp piece of wood stuck horizontally through his nose, and black lines were painted across each cheek. From a distance, they looked like whiskers.

“Oh my,” Katiya said as she eased up next to them.

Max arrived just behind her, his eyes wide in awe. “Very young, but still probably a seasoned hunter.”

“He’s beautiful,” Katiya whispered.

“He is,” Amanda replied. “It’s one thing to see them in photographs, but it’s another to see one of them in person.”

Zane and Jorge came running around the bend in the trail then slowed when they saw everyone gathered in silence.

Jorge pushed up to the front. When he saw the boy, a startled look crossed his face. After staring at him for a while, he said, “I recognize the tribe. Papaqua. The face painting is typical of their hunting males.”

Max nodded. “I was thinking the same thing.”

“He looks awfully young,” Zane said.

“They begin hunting at an early age,” Jorge said. “This one has probably been hunting on his own for some time.”

Katiya looked at Max. “Can you speak to him?”

“I don’t know the Papaqua language well,” Max said, “but I know enough to hold a basic conversation.”

“Why don’t you give it a shot?” Amanda asked. She was dying to know what was on the young boy’s mind. How fascinating to think that they might actually be able to talk to him.

“Let’s give him a little time to adjust.” Max stared at the foliage on both sides of the path. “I’m not so sure he doesn’t have more friends waiting out in the bush.”

Jorge’s gaze had already been fixed on the jungle. “For now, I think he’s the only one.”

“What’s he wearing?” Bennett said, pointing with his rifle. “A puma hide?”

Amanda glanced at the garment he was referring to. At first it appeared to be a cloth tucked into the boy’s belt, but she quickly realized it was some sort of animal hide.

“
O gato grande… jaguar
,” Jorge replied. “Likely his first kill. They wear it as a source of pride.”

“Amazing that one so young could kill one of those stealthy jungle cats,” Zane said.

Katiya looked at Jorge. “And the necklace… is there any meaning to those teeth?”

“Likely another display of his skills as a hunter. I’m not entirely sure, but each tooth may represent a large kill.”

“It’s just like helmets in college football,” Bennett said. “You put a little sticker on the back each time you make a big tackle or a hit.”

Jorge nodded. “We may not like to admit it, but we are all much the same. Somewhere deep within, all men want to be known as warriors.”

“The more kills he makes, the higher his standing in the tribe,” Max said. “And the higher his standing, the better his choice of wife.”

The boy squatted down, his gaze still fixed on all the strange people in front of him. Amanda thought he seemed more relaxed, although it was hard to know for sure.

“I think it’s time.” Max looked at Amanda and Katiya. “I want the two of you to come with me.”

Zane looked at him. “I’m not so sure—”

“He’s right,” Jorge said. “Many of the tribes are dominated by males, so they don’t see females as a threat. I believe the two ladies will have a calming influence on him.”

Amanda saw Zane and Bennett exchange a knowing glance. It was obvious Zane was letting him know that they needed to be ready to take action if necessary.

Max looked at Amanda and Katiya then nodded toward the boy. As he stepped forward, they followed close behind. Amanda noticed that he moved slowly, with both hands at his side, palms facing forward. He’d obviously spent enough time with tribesmen to know what put them at ease, so she followed suit.

About halfway there, he turned his head slightly and whispered, “We’re going to be fine. Just don’t make any sudden moves. And please don’t do anything unless I say so.”

“I can’t get over how beautiful he is,” Katiya whispered as they drew closer. “I’ve been to the rainforest on many occasions, but I’ve never experienced anything like this.”

“He’s probably thinking the same thing,” Amanda said with a low chuckle.

When they approached within about ten yards, the boy stiffened slightly. Max stopped and got down on one knee. Amanda and Katiya did likewise.

Max smiled at the boy and then spoke in a strange, almost guttural tongue. Amanda marveled that the linguist could even make his mouth and voice box work like that.

The boy’s eyes widened at the sound of his own language. A smile spread over his face as he made a quick reply.

Moving slowly, Max reached into a pocket and pulled something out. Amanda shifted slightly, trying to get a look. It was a stick of beef jerky. After removing the wrapper, the linguist held the snack up in the air and said something. The boy nodded, and Max tossed it toward him. Without taking his eyes off them, the boy reached down and picked up the jerky. He lifted it to his nose and sniffed it for a few seconds before taking a bite. After chewing and swallowing, he nodded and smiled.

Max turned his head slightly. “That’s good news. He received my gift.”

Not to be outdone, the boy reached into an animal skin pouch that was hanging at his side. A few seconds later, he pulled out what appeared to be two nuts and tossed them toward the linguist, who gathered them up and ate them slowly. The two exchanged a few words, then the boy stood once again.

“We can approach now,” Max said softly.

Amanda rose and followed. The boy’s big brown eyes watched them closely, but she didn’t sense any distrust in his gaze.

When they drew within a few feet, Max stopped, and the two began to speak back and forth. Their exchange lasted for several minutes. At one point, Max gestured toward Amanda and Katiya and said something. Amanda presumed he was making a brief introduction. Katiya smiled and nodded, so Amanda did likewise. The boy spoke and then bowed his head slightly.

“We’re quite fortunate,” Max said. His face with beaming with excitement. “He’s very friendly and very trusting. Perhaps too trusting.”

“I see your point,” Katiya said. “Not everyone is as friendly as we are. Who did you say we are?”

“I told him that we’re a friendly tribe of people who are simply passing through. I told him we respect their boundaries and that we mean his people no harm. I also told him that we’d be happy to help him in any way we could.”

“And what did he say?” Amanda asked.

Max looked at her. “Something very exciting… he said that he would be willing to help us as well.”

Katiya’s face beamed. “Maybe he’d be willing to accompany us. Did you get his name?”

“Osak.”

Upon hearing his name, the boy’s eyes widened. Amanda smiled at him.