return.'
Fuentes pulled out his tactical night vision headgear and fixed it to his helmet. Once inside the cave, the special goggle would slip over the detective's eyes, giving him the ability to see in the dark. He had to stay far enough behind the men they were tracking to avoid their flashlights, which made his gear ineffective.
Christian shook his head. 'No worries. Me and the dark are old friends.' He took the lead, slogging through the mud. He didn't wait for Fuentes to catch up. The darkness had once been the catalyst for his greatest fear, only reminding him of the tragic loss of the Delacorte family who'd raised him all those years ago. The abject feeling of being powerless had been at the root of his worst nightmare.
Now, the inky black would be his ally.
Nicholas thought he saw a play of light on boulders to his left. Sitting alone in the dark had wrought havoc on his senses. Made his brain mush and messed with his equilibrium. Perhaps he had only imagined the dim flicker of light, needed to see it for his own sanity. He pushed his back against the rock wall and used his hands and arms to shove off the ground. He'd grown weak, his throat parched.
He stood and waited. Chin high, he mustered the last bit of dignity he had left. If he had a shot at escaping, he'd have to take it soon—no matter the odds. Eventually, he'd be too weak to make a convincing go of it. The light got brighter, more distinct. Someone was definitely coming. He heard their approach echoing in the cavern. His heart kicked up its usual pace.
Desperation was distasteful. He wanted no part of it.
'Ah, he stands on his own two feet. Good. Room service has brought food and water. This may not be Hotel Palma Dourada fare, but let it not be said I am an inhospitable host.'
The native man's face was painted and he wore elaborate ceremonial garb. Nicholas almost didn't recognize his abductor.
'What is this? Trick or treat? Sorry, but I'm fresh out of candy.' He couldn't help it. Sarcasm came naturally.
One of the men laid the water jug down and scooted a tin plate through the metal bars. The image shot a moment of deja vu through Nicholas. The peculiar sensation had something to do with Jasmine, but he couldn't explain how or why. Although he wanted nothing more than to drink and eat, he resisted the urges of his body and heeded his instincts.
'No thanks. I'm quite full, actually. Couldn't eat another bite.' He rubbed his lean belly and slouched against the back wall.
His captor walked toward the bars and sat on a nearby boulder, a smug look on his face.
'You are a stubborn man.' He shook his head. 'In my country, we learn not to squander such opportunities. You never know when or if your next meal will come at all. It makes no difference to me whether you eat or not. Your destiny is sealed.'
'Then perhaps we should talk instead. Food for the soul.' Nicholas remained standing and crossed his arms, trying to look nonchalant and in control. Hardly the way he felt. 'You mentioned that you know why I came to your country. And that I have committed crimes against your people. In the United States, the accused has a right to face his accuser. Surely you would grant me that simple right. Tell me what you think you know.'
Even in the dark, Christian took the lead with eyes shut, using his senses more than his eyesight to feel his way. He fought to suppress his trauma-induced fear of the dark, forcing himself to move and remain focused on the hunt. Like a bat with sonar, he maneuvered through pitch-black, second nature from the training he had obsessed over most of his adult life. His hand was never far from his Marine Corps Ka-Bar knife.
The native men had a lead. Their flashlights weren't visible, but he followed their trail all the same. Their rough-hewn damp clothing, the distinctive smell of their skin, and the face paint left a marker in the air for him to follow. Different from the natural smells of the cave.
Fuentes thought he had an advantage wearing his night vision gear and tried to slip ahead, taking a turn down a tunnel that veered right. But Christian stopped him from stepping into a hole, placing an arm across the man's chest. He shook his head after he knew he had the cop's attention.
Christian gestured without speaking, knowing the detective would understand he needed to step around the ditch and stick with him. He didn't have time to explain how he trailed the natives, but he kept Fuentes on track, back to the main cavern. The air in the cave smelled thick with minerals and an earthy dampness. His wet clothes brought a chill to his skin, but he kept moving, Fuentes close at his heels.
When he heard voices in the distance, Christian risked opening his eyes. Beyond the bend, a distant glow shone against a rock wall ahead. The light flickered. He couldn't make out the words that garbled in echo, but Fuentes removed his night vision gear and moved ahead with his Taurus .45 caliber ACP in a two-fisted grip, silent as death.
Christian knew it was out of his hands now. Fuentes would take over.
His captor insisted, 'You came to Brazil to conduct genetic experiments on my people that aren't condoned in the U.S. Something to do with drug addiction. Do not deny it. And that so-called new medical clinic you have added to Genotech Labs is a front for all of it.'
Nicholas grimaced and shrugged. 'What are you talking about? What clinic? Genotech is a lab for genetics research, yes. And yes, I've funded some of its efforts, but you're mistaken if you think there's some new medical facility there. I would know of such a thing.'
The man laughed aloud. His voice carried through the cavernous space.
'Do you think me a fool? I have seen this clinic with my own eyes. I can assure you that I know what I'm talking about, sir.' His captor stood, indignant. He paced the front of the cell. 'You have the local military police working with you. They take addicted men off the streets and use them to conduct their experiments. And these men are never seen again. This is reprehensible.'
Nicholas shook his head and stepped closer to the metal bars. 'I admit to purchasing the services of key personnel within the police force and the local government. Such an investment tends to work in my favor, but I prefer to be more discreet. What is this about taking drug addicts off the streets for experiments? I know nothing of this.'
'Why do you bother to dispute it? I have spoken to a witness. He confided everything.'
'Look, you and I are men who bend the rules when it suits us, but what you're suggesting seems foolhardy and risky. Who is this witness you speak of? Let me confront my accuser. Isn't a man's life worth the extra effort?' He pleaded his case, voice raised.
'That won't be necessary.' Another man's voice came from the shadows. Low and threatening.
On instinct, Nicholas rushed to the back wall of his prison cell. His captor reached under his tunic, no doubt in search of a weapon.
The other two native men turned with a start. One raised a flashlight and the other reached for a knife. A shot rang out. Then two more. The one with the knife took a round to the face. His head snapped back and twisted. His body followed the momentum and convulsed when it hit the ground. His brain was dead but the rest of
