‘No, sir. None was requested.’
‘What about at the bridge on the mainland?’ Siegfried persisted.
‘There was until you ordered it removed,’ Cameron said.
‘Then, we’re going right now,’ Siegfried said. He started for Cameron’s
car. As he did so, three vehicles sped down the street and turned into
the parking lot. They were army jeeps. They swooped over to the two
parked vehicles and stopped. All of them were filled with soldiers
bristling with guns.
From the front jeep stepped Colonel Mongomo. In contrast to the slovenly
soldiers, he was impeccably attired in his martial finery complete with
medals. Despite the fact that it was night, he wore aviator sunglasses.
He saluted Siegfried stiffly and said he was at his service.
‘I’d be very appreciative if you took care of those drunk soldiers,’
Siegfried said in a controlled fashion, while pointing toward the post.
‘There’s another group where Officer O’Leary can take you. And tell one
of these jeeps full of soldiers to follow us. We may need their
firepower.’
Kevin motioned for Jack to slow down. Jack cut back on the throttle and
the heavy pirogue quickly lost momentum. They had entered the narrow
channel between Isla Francesca and the mainland. It was significantly
darker than out in the open water because the trees on either side
formed a canopy.
Kevin was worried about the rope for the feeding float and he’d
positioned himself in the bow. He’d explained it to Jack so Jack was
prepared.
‘It’s eerie in here,’ Laurie said.
‘Listen to how loud the animals are,’ Natalie said.
‘What you are hearing are mostly frogs,’ Melanie said. ‘Romantically
inclined frogs.’
‘It’s coming up just ahead,’ Kevin said.
Jack cut the engine then stood in order to tip the outboard out of the
water.
There was a soft thud and a scraping noise as the boat passed over the
rope.
‘Let’s paddle,’ Kevin said. ‘It’s only a little way farther, and I
wouldn’t want to hit a log in the dark.’
The dense jungle on the right fell away as they reached the staging area
clearing. Once again they were in moonlight.
‘Oh, no!’ Kevin cried from the bow. ‘The bridge is not deployed. Damn!’
‘That shouldn’t be a problem,’ Melanie said. ‘I still have the key.’ She
held it up, and it glinted in the low light. ‘I had a feeling it would
come in handy someday.’
‘Oh, Melanie!’ Kevin gushed. ‘You’re wonderful. For a moment there, I
thought all was lost.’
‘A deployable bridge that needs a key?’ Jack questioned. ‘That’s mighty
sophisticated for out here in the jungle.’
‘There’s a dock coming up on our right,’ Kevin said. ‘That’s where we’ll
tie the boat up.’
Jack was in the stern. He used his oar to back paddle so the bow turned
toward the island. A few minutes later, they quietly bumped against wood
planking.
‘Okay, everybody,’ Kevin said. He took a breath. He was nervous. He knew
he was out of character since he was about to do something he’d never
done before: be a hero of sorts. ‘Here’s what I suggest. You all stay in
the boat. At least for now. I really don’t know how these animals are
going to react to me. They’re unbelievably strong, so there is a risk.
I’m willing to take it for the reasons I’ve already talked about, but I
don’t want to put any of you in jeopardy. Is that reasonable?’
‘It’s reasonable, but I don’t know if I agree,’ Jack said. ‘Seems to me
you are going to need some help.’
‘Besides, with this AK-47 it’s not as if we can’t defend ourselves,’
Warren said.
‘No shooting!’ Kevin said. ‘Please. Particularly not for my benefit.
That’s why I want you all to stay here. If things go badly, just leave.’
Melanie stood up. ‘I’m almost as responsible as you for these creatures’
existence. I’m helping whether you like it or not, bucko.’
Kevin made an expression of exasperation.
‘No pouting,’ Melanie said. She climbed out of the boat onto the dock.
‘Sounds like a party,’ Jack said. He stood up to follow Melanie’s lead.
‘You sit down!’ Melanie said sternly. ‘At the moment, it’s a private