Tepui: The Last Expedition by John Oehler

Author:John Oehler [Oehler, John]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-12-20T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24

At the edge of the forest, Jerry stopped Serena. If his suspicions needed confirmation, the scene before him furnished it. Anika squatted on the bank, swirling water in her hat as Hector hovered over her. She was panning for gold, and for the first time Jerry realized that her broad-brimmed hat with its shallow crown was perfect for the purpose.

Giving Serena’s hand a squeeze of reassurance, he continued toward the river. “Any luck?”

Anika shot him a quick glance before pawing through the residual sediment and tossing it out.

“Amigo, this is wonderful. The gold plant is real.”

Jerry’s eyes stayed fixed on Anika. “You knew about this already, didn’t you?”

“What do you care?” Standing, she slapped her hat against her thigh, then put it on.

“Little Anika,” he said in a singsong tone. “All sweetness and light. Honest as the day is long. Let’s retrace some ancestral footsteps so poor Mr. Varga can have his small place in history.”

“Screw you.”

“Again? I thought the novelty had worn off.”

Hector stepped between them, frowning at Jerry. “What’s gotten into you?”

“Ask her. This whole expedition’s been a giant lie, hasn’t it, sugar? The only reason you’re here is to find that idiotic plant.”

Anika’s face went livid. “Go to hell.”

“But you didn’t find any gold, did you? That’s because there isn’t any. I told you back in LA there’s no such thing as a geobotanical gold indicator.”

“And you’re full of shit. This is what the old nun didn’t want us to see.”

“Because the plant is sacred, you moron.” Not true, but part of his plan. “Outsiders aren’t supposed to see it. That’s why Serena threw it in the water.”

“Dream on. And leave me alone, I’m warning you.”

Jerry fluttered his wrists in mock tremors, then dropped the act. “I’m warning you. And I’m dead serious. If we see another one of those plants, you keep your hands off it.”

Hector puffed up like a crimson blowfish. “This is totally uncalled for. Jerry, I demand you apologize immediately. I’m ashamed of you.”

“Didn’t you hear me? The plant is sacred. You’re the one who’s so concerned about honoring indigenous customs.” When Hector’s eyes lowered, Jerry delivered his punch line to Anika. “Serena’s agreed that you can look at the plant. But no pictures, and don’t touch it.”

She let out a cackle. “Who gives a damn about the plant?”

That answered one of Jerry’s questions—it was gold she was after, not the plant itself.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me,” she said sarcastically, “I have work to do.” She tramped off along the bank, pausing here and there at the water’s edge, undoubtedly searching for sandy areas to pan.

Jerry briefly fantasized that she’d keep on walking, straight out of their lives. But he knew that wouldn’t happen. While they no longer needed her, she did need them. Instead, he waited until she was about fifty yards away, then shouldered the pack and called out, “See you later.”

“What are you doing?” Hector said.

As Serena started up the boulder pile that dammed the river, Jerry pointed across the lake.

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