Page 47

“Anyway we called a doctor for the guy who got shot, but he has not arrived yet,” the officer continued. “He’s pretty messed up and in a lot of pain, but he isn’t getting any sympathy from us. We know what they are—parasites on the earth. His legs and lower abdomen are covered with bruises, thanks to the snake, and he was shot in the shoulder. Probably needs surgery or something, but he’s not getting it in Coari, that’s for sure. But we got a doctor on the way. They can’t call us barbarians, despite the fact that they’re worse than the scum on my feet.”

Slash didn’t feel even the slightest twinge of sympathy for the drug runners. “Did they say anything about the research project or the work we are doing? Or did they mention anything about orders to kidnap or demand ransom?”

“You know, that’s exactly what Mr. FUNAI just asked. You guys working together or something?”

For a moment, Slash just looked at him. “Mr. FUNAI? A big guy with a mustache and attitude?”

They laughed, apparently finding his description funny. “Yeah, he was here about an hour ago. He interrogated the prisoners. Let me confirm the name.” The officer pulled a card out of his pocket and flipped it toward Slash. He caught it between his fingers and read the name.

Martim Alves. Wasn’t that interesting?

Slash handed the card back. “So, Mr. Alves has already interrogated them?”

“Yes, sir. He asked to do it alone, as he said he has experience with drug operators, and they wouldn’t talk if a cop was present. He thought they might open up to him, since he’s government and all. But I don’t think he had much luck.”

“Why do you say that?”

“He wanted us to let him know if we uncovered anything else about their motives or connections.”

Slash let that sink in. “I see. Do you think you could notify me as well? I don’t have a card, but I’m staying out at the research camp along with Mr. Alves. I’d appreciate it.”

“Sure.”

He shook hands with all the officers. After a bit of back slapping, he took his leave. The driver was waiting, so on the ride back to the camp, Slash reviewed the information at hand.

Unfortunately, none of it was adding up. Why would drug runners get involved with a research team trying to validate a vaccine for malaria? It was a stretch to think that a Vaccitex competitor would stoop to forming an alliance with a drug cartel, no matter how much money was at stake. And what was in it for the drug cartels? Why would they risk getting involved in a high-profile, international research effort? Making that kind of alliance would be a huge risk and stupid, despite the money.

Salvador had told them the two pirates had known they were carrying vaccines, had been instructed to take care with them, and had wanted the scientists alive. Why? To force them to reveal the ingredients and procedure? That seemed far-fetched even to his own mind. Why not just break down an actual sample of the vaccine?

It made more sense to follow the money trail. Who was paying them and to what end? That had to be the first question asked by interrogators. Who was funding their escapades to capture and detain the research scientists? And how did Martim Alves fit into this? Was he just a pompous jerk or did he have an ulterior motive? Maybe he’d just wanted to save his own skin when he sent the pirates away from his boat, and perhaps he legitimately came to interrogate the prisoners on behalf of the government. Still, that seemed an unusual responsibility for a paper-pushing bureaucrat who was supposedly looking out for the indigenous population. It just didn’t fit.

Then there was Vicente Lopes. His gut was telling him there was something off about the guy, and he always trusted his gut. What had Vicente been doing the night before the trip, and what had he handed off to an unknown person outside of the camp?

He had a lot of questions, but unfortunately no answers when they finally pulled into the research camp.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Lexi

I had a good night’s sleep and awoke, after oversleeping, without a headache or any lasting effects of the day before, except for a few sore muscles and a couple of ugly bruises. I got dressed quickly, visited the facilities to wash my face and brush my teeth and headed into the dining area for coffee and food.

Natelli and Gwen were sitting together, drinking coffee and looking glum. I didn’t see Slash anywhere.

I grabbed some coffee and joined them. “Good morning. Why all the glum faces?”

Gwen heaved a huge sigh. “Natelli thinks we should cancel the trials and go home. It’s become too dangerous.”

“What?” I glanced in shock at Natelli, but she wouldn’t meet my gaze. “Natelli, you can’t do that. It’s exactly what they want you to do. They want to disrupt the project, and that’s what will happen if we pack up and go home.”

“We don’t even know whotheyis,” she answered heatedly. “People could have been killed yesterday, and the day before that. You could have died saving us, Lexi. I can’t ask anyone else in good faith to put their lives on the line for this project.”

I shook my head. “No. You don’t get to do that.”

She seemed taken aback by my firm voice. “Do what?”

“Make decisions about my life. Try to protect me. There are lives that need our protection. You’ve devoted your entire life to this vaccine, to helping people, most of them children. Wehaveto do what we came to do, otherwise they win.”

Before she could respond, Slash walked in with an elderly man who was dressed in black priest’s robes with the white collar. I gasped in surprise, but other than a brief acknowledgment with his eyes, Slash led the priest to Natelli. We all rose from our chairs.