Rick replied, “Well, well, you do know a whole lot more than you were letting on.”
“I had to be sure I could trust you,” Javier said. “I am a member of a small, hidden sect of the Shuar people. We help guard access to our land and protect our people’s historical artifacts.”
Sofia let out a long breath, thinking how this night just kept on revealing surprises.
“Hang on,” Rick said, “is that what you were doing out in the jungle at night, and how you just happened across an armed prison camp?”
Sofia listened intently.
Javier nodded. “My people and I, we help to protect our land, day or night. Many intruders would come and try to take from us that which is sacred to our people.”
Rick realized something. “I’ve been trying for weeks to find not only a guide, but men I could hire for my own expedition out to that region. No takers. I couldn’t figure out why. I had every intention of getting the proper permits, doing everything by the book.”
Javier frowned. He stared at Rick for a moment before replying.
Rick could tell he was sizing him up. Trust doesn’t come easy in these parts. He knew that better than anyone.
“That’s no accident,” Javier said, finally. “We put the word out that it just isn’t safe to go out there. Because it isn’t. People are going missing. We need to keep the area clear of any more potential victims or... intruders.”
Rick understood the implication of what he said. “Look, I’m not here to steal anything from anyone, I promise. I was only trying to uncover a very old mystery...”
A flash of anger crossed Javier’s face as he cut Rick off, “Perhaps we don’t need you to uncover anything,” he snapped.
Rick felt taken aback, but then he realized that Javier had a right to feel as he did. He bit his tongue. He sensed there was a lot Javier was still keeping to himself, but he wasn’t going to press him on it after what he’d just said. Maybe, if the fates were smiling on him, his dream of locating the metal library could still come true, somehow. But for now, he’d stay quiet about that desire around Javier and just see where this journey would lead.
But first, they had a lot more pressing matters to deal with.
“So,” Rick said, sidestepping the issue, “do you have any suggestions as to how we should proceed to mount a rescue?”
“Si, what should we do?” Luis asked, desperate to do something to help his father.
Sofia spoke up, “From what you’ve said, these people are armed and we might be outnumbered.”
Javier shook his head. “We will not win in a direct fight.” He thought for a moment. “The best we can do is try to free the prisoners without them seeing us. Stealth and knowledge of the jungle will be our best weapons. They cannot match my knowledge of the area. I can get us there and get us back.”
“What about enlisting the help of the other Shuar people in the area?” Rick suggested. “They could help us with transportation, with supplies, with...”
“Absolutely not,” Javier quickly replied, cutting Rick off again. “I do not want my people put in harm’s way. This situation is far too dangerous. Myself and my missing friends, we are part of a secret sect of the Shuar, as I told you. We have taken an oath to guard our people’s history and sacred places and artifacts. The responsibility is ours. I will not put innocent people in danger.”
“I understand,” Rick said, letting the matter drop. “We’ll figure something else out.”
They were all quiet for a few moments.
Sofia spoke up, there was something she needed to address. “Rick, you’ve done a lot for us already. You do not have to do this.”
Luis’ eyes went wide. He looked at Rick, scared about what he might say.
Javier leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers.
Rick saw them all staring at him intently. The faces of people he’d never met before today. For a moment, he wondered the same thing. But then he realized he had come to this place for a reason, and like it or not, this is how it was playing out. Strange as it seemed, he sensed he was on the journey he was meant to take, but like before, it was unfolding in the most unexpected of ways.
Rick looked at Sofia and Luis. He could see the fear in their eyes, the well of emotions and longing just to have their father back safely. He thought of his own father, the closeness he’d longed for, and now there was no possibility of ever having that. It had long slipped beyond his grasp. But he could help these two recover what they held most dear.
He then looked at Javier, who continued to regard him with thinly veiled suspicion and mistrust. He wondered what the young man wasn’t telling them, but his instincts told him he was an honorable person.
In spite of the scars Rick bore, both physical and psychological, and the bad memories that had haunted him since the Mato Grosso, he was going to try to do whatever he could to help these young people. Once a prisoner himself, he would’ve given anything at that time to have a rescue party, even one such as this, come and try to free him. But he’d been alone. No one came for him. These people weren’t alone. That made all the difference in the world, and that was good enough for him.
He finally answered Sofia, “I was once in your father’s shoes and no one came to help me. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.”
She was startled at his admission, but then gave him a soft smile.
Luis fought back tears.
Javier tried to mask his surprise at Rick’s response, wondering what had happened to him.
“Let’s do it,” Rick said, clapping his hands together.
CHAPTER 8
That
