The Amazon Job by Vince Milam

Author:Vince Milam [Milam, Vince]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-05-14T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

The first order of business was to make arrangements for a Rio de Janeiro immigration official, who would greet us upon arrival, provide a perfunctory passport stamp, and Kim would board a private flight and head home. If MOIS was present, I’d handle it. Odds were high such actions wouldn’t be necessary, but fanatics could be, well, fanatical.

The second order of business was a cocktail. I wasn’t jonesing for a drink, but small victories realized and a several-day dry spell prompted the request from the plane’s steward. Grey Goose on the rocks. Kim declined the steward’s initial offer but changed her mind after I ordered and asked for the same.

We chatted. Casual, personal, relaxed—the first and last time. I came to like her even more. She talked about growing up in her neck of the woods. Mom and Dad owned and operated a bakery in a smallish Swiss town. A family tradition, several generations deep. Married for a short while, then divorced. “I suppose I am married to my job,” she said. A passion for microbial life forms—exploration at the cellular and chemical-compound level. A Grand Prix racing fan and a reader of obscure biographies—fellow scientists more often than not. Plus a strong fondness for Mexican food. I sorely regretted her not opening the personal-life kimono during our search. But at the end of the day she was Swiss, and perhaps it took time and trauma and shared experiences before such a personal conversation could unfold.

She asked about my background. I kept it benign and shaded and obscure. She flashed a wry smile often—“Yeah, right” was my best interpretation of her feedback. But she also responded with humor and understanding. All good, a bond forged through a once-in-a-lifetime series of events. Two of the three people on earth who knew the dead zone’s location and fatal reality. A bond solidified through discovery and horror and death. A rare bond, and one we both recognized.

“So how did you pick your team?” I asked. “For this Amazon project?”

“There is a volunteer element, of course. Compatibility is also a consideration.” She sipped her drink. “A balancing of skill sets as well.”

“It doesn’t sound like Amsler was all that compatible. Taking off on her own, disregarding directives.”

“She is the most brilliant scientist I have ever met. Such an attribute overcomes many peculiar behaviors.”

Given the nature of the discovery, Kim and I might disagree on such a trade-off, so I didn’t go there, and instead eased toward Amsler’s lifestyle characteristics.

“You mentioned Grand Prix racing and biographies. And Mexican food. What about Amsler’s interests? Bungee jumping? Falconry?”

She laughed. “Very little in such regard. She has a complete work focus. I must assume she had other interests growing up. The Amsler family is quite wealthy.” She took a sip, closed her eyes for a moment, and continued. “She would often read at night, but otherwise Dr. Amsler is absorbed with her profession.”

The steward served us cheese and pâté with toast. Offered wine, which Kim accepted.

“What kind

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