Trees Hold Up the Sky 3 William James Johnson

Jess Martin slowed his Volvo wagon as he approached the entrance to Andrew's Air Force Base. Martha was taken by surprise. He had not mentioned his assignment had a military connection.

"Andrew's...? Thought you'd be leaving from Dulles."

"Some other people are returning to Bogota on a dig and a pile of equipment is being sent with them. They're using one of those C119 flying boxcars. Not exactly first class."

"Never can understand the government. Spends money like a drunken sailor on defense contracts, and still expects its personnel to pinch pennies."

"Guess this was the most convenient way of getting me south, and save money at the same time."

His answer was about as convincing as the reason he had given her for his new assignment. She sat quietly while Jess showed his identification at the entrance and watched the young marine raise the barrier and salute smartly.

"Is there something you're not telling me Jess?"

He knew she hadn't bought his excuse about the language professor. She had a precise sense of timing when she wanted to get something out of him.

"Never could slip anything past you."

"Well...I'm waiting. There is more to it, isn't there?"

"I told you I might be a week but honestly it could be much longer. I just didn't want you to worry that's all."

"And the professor you're supposed to be meeting, is that really a part of this?"

"I'd like to tell you more, but I was only told enough to convince me I was needed. Please don't keep pressing. It's classified information and I'd be violating the official secrets act if I even hinted at what's going on. All I can say is that it's nothing for you to worry about."

"You're the one who should be worrying."

"Me...? What's that supposed to mean?"

"My friend Karen Dixon is nursing at Bethesda in the toxic chemical ward, and she told me a horrible story when I told her about you going to Colombia."

"What's that got to do with me?"

"Apparently some young photographer who was in Colombia with Henry Newton was brought in a week ago with a dreadful disease. He died yesterday. It's all hush hush. I just thought you should know."

Jess struggled to maintain his composure. Remembering how Frum and Newton had tried to keep some of the details from him at the briefing, he wondered now what other secrets were being withheld.

"I think your friend Karen is no friend at all. Not if she's going to tell you scare stories just when I'm leaving."

"She's got no reason to lie Jess. She said the young guy fell apart in only a week. Something to do with radiation. I'm only telling you what she told me."

"I know Marty. I know. You're just trying to be helpful. If it was radiation, he would've been brought to Dr. Khan. He's the best."

"That's who looked after him. He's that specialist from Pakistan isn't he?"

The more details she gave him, the more Jess felt betrayed. There had to be a good reason for them withholding this information. Surely Joe Frum wouldn't risk his neck without giving him the chance to refuse.

He parked his car and went to the back to get his suitcase. Through the terminal window he spotted Frum and Newton talking to Laura. His heart was pounding after what Martha had told him, and now on top of that, he might have to explain about Laura.

"You don't have to wait if you don't want to."

Martha looked at the people in the terminal, trying to identify them through the glare on the window. She knew most of the scientists who associated with Jess.

"Isn't that Joe?"

"Where?"

"By the entrance, talking to...I think its Henry Newton. I'm not sure. I've only seen pictures of him"

Jess looked casually towards the window. "Looks like him. Yes that's Joe."

"And isn't that Laura Mason with them?"

Jess looked again. He hated playing games like this. Lying was not his thing. People liked him because of his down to earth honesty.

"Right again darling." He took a quick look at his watch. "Gotta go. Keep the faith while I'm gone. Love you."

As she kissed him goodbye, she pushed him away slightly and studied his face carefully. "Ask Dr. Newton about that man with the dreadful disease. Karen said he was there when the young man died. I'm sure he knows all about it."

"If I do sweetie, he's going to know someone has talked and your girl friend Karen what's-her-name is going to lose her job."

"You're probably right. But I'm worried Jess."

"Then don't be. I know how to take care of myself."

"I just want you back safe and sound. Is that asking too much?"

Her voice broke. Jess saw a touch of wetness coating her lovely blue eyes. Martha Martin was a very attractive woman whose modeling career terminated early because of alcoholism, a result of a cruel first marriage. She had met Jess at AA, and together they had fought back to respectability.

"You've always given more than you take Marty. That's why I love you so much. Believe me darling I'll take real good care of myself. You do the same." Jess felt her fear, and wanted to help her, but he knew anymore comments would only increase her anxiety. She kissed him quickly almost pushing him towards the terminal. Entering the building, he looked back and waived as she pulled out of the parking area.

"Martha not coming in?" asked Frum.

"Not this time." There was a hollowness in his reply which Joe picked up immediately. Jess was the kind of person who telegraphed his emotions.

"What's the problem Jess?"

"No problem."

Laura left Newton and came over to him. She was wearing a beige safari outfit, complete with an off white pith helmet.

"You're looking real smart Miss Mason," said Jess, trying to get his spirits in tune with the others.

"Thank you Dr. Martin. So do you."

Hank Newton joined the others. "Can I see you for a moment Jess, if you don't mind." They moved several feet away from the others where they could not be overheard.

"Jess, I've got something to tell you before we leave."

"Oh. What's that?"

"Yesterday we lost one of our party at Bethesda, a young photographer."

"Go on."

"Eric Price died of radiation poisoning, acquired in the cave we discovered."

"What?"

"I didn't tell you before, because I wasn't sure myself. It's a terrible way to die. I couldn't in good conscience ask you to go on this trip without telling you about this new risk."

As much as his revelation confirmed Martha's story, and he should reconsider his decision to go, Jess felt relieved that Newton was telling him the truth. "Knowing the risk, you're still going aren't you?" asked Jess.

"Yes. Dr. Khan has given us special suits to protect us from whatever it was that killed Eric. I'm returning, because Eric begged me to continue with the work. In fact it was his dying wish, and even though I didn't make any deathbed promise, I think he was right."

"Does Joe know about it?"

"I told him last night. I've had a helluva time making up my mind. But like I said, I know Eric was right. We must find a way to do the work without risking anyone else."

"And Laura...what does she say about it?"

"I'm leaving that up to you. You were the one who wanted her to come. If you both decide to back out, I would understand. We'll make use of your talents some other way if we have to."

"This is a helluva bind you've put me in. What would you do if you were me Hank?"

"I'm not you. But knowing the sort of guy you've been in the past, I would go. I would go because my curiosity has been so aroused. As for me, there is no other choice."

"Is there anything else I should know about this mission, before I give you my decision?"

"You now know as much as the rest of us. I really hope you will come with us Jess, but as I've already said, if you decide not to, I can live with that."

"Let's hope we can all live with it. Thanks for telling me Hank. I'll have a talk with Laura now."

Walking back to the others, Jess felt more relieved than when he had entered the terminal. A known hazard is always easier to deal with than an unknown hazard.

"Laura, can we talk for a few minutes."

"Of course Jess. What's up?" He took her by the arm and returned to the area where he and Hank had spoken. "Something wrong?"

"Could be. I've just learned that one of Newton's party died yesterday in Bethesda."

"Oh. That's terrible. I'm really sorry."

"The poor bastard died of radiation poisoning."

"What do you mean? Where would he be exposed to radiation?"

"Apparently in that cave we're going to study."

"Oh God Jess. What should we do?"

"Hank tells me that now that they know the problem, they're going to wear special suits for protection. He still wants to go ahead with the trip, but our decision to join him is being left entirely with us."

"What are you going to do?"

"I've got to go Laura. There's no way I want to miss out on such a tremendous discovery."

"Even at the risk to your own life?"

"We'll do whatever we can to minimize the risk, but there's no way we can eliminate it entirely. So what about it? You can stay here in Washington and supervise the data I send on to you, or you can come with us and pray like hell, we come out of this thing unhurt."

"Since you came by and told me about this expedition, that's all I've been able to think of. And if you tell me these precautions will get us through this thing, I'm willing to risk it with you. Of course I'll go." With her answer, she impulsively threw her arms around his shoulders. Hugging her warmly, he felt her firm breasts pressing against the pockets of her safari jacket. She let the full length of her taut body confirm she enjoyed his intimacy.

"Wow. That's great news. Let's tell Hank and the others." Watching their warm embrace, the others already knew what the answer was before they returned. "It's all systems go Hank. Laura and I still want to be in on this great party."

"Marvelous. You couldn't make me happier."

Joe Frum stood apart from the others with a wry smile on his face. Jess went over to his old teacher.

"So what do you think Joe?"

"I think radiation is going to be the least of your problems."

"Oh...getting cryptic in your old age?"

"Sure wish I was going with you. With a honey like that, I'd like to give you a run for your money."

Well well. Not exactly the kind of scientific observation I would have expected from a senior professor of anthropology."

"It's an accurate observation nevertheless. Watch closely Jess. I sense a bit of piranha in that wench. Like, I mean voracious."

"Is there something you're trying to tell me about sweet Laura that I may have missed?"

"From what I've heard, she'll screw a pile of rocks if she thinks there's a snake in it."

Jess was shocked by Frum's characterization of Laura. He hadn't seen this side of Joe before. But then, he knew very little about the sexual life of Laura Mason except that her husband left her for the love of a man.

"Knock it off Joe. I don't think it's fair you're talking like this behind her back."

"Just be careful Jess. Don't end up a shrunken head on her new safari belt that's all."

Joe's relentless degrading of Laura created doubts in Jess, and as much as he preferred to drop the discussion, his own prurience made him pursue it. "Have you any real evidence, or is this just sour grapes hearsay?"

"I'll give you only one example because I owe you that at least."

"I'm listening."

"Did you get a chance to take a look at some of the expenditures on her Kargil trip?"

"Not particularly. Why?"

"If you had looked very closely, you would see that the liability policy of Roosevelt College paid a sum of money to the family of one of the Sherpa's who died on the expedition."

"I noticed that. What was so strange about that?"

"I looked into his death and although they were reluctant to come forward and talk, two of the men on that trip said the poor sonofabitch was screwed to death by sex starved Laura at the fourteen thousand foot level."

Their colorful conversation was interrupted as Laura came towards them. Jess didn't get the chance to ask Joe any more questions. He couldn't take his eyes off this stunning creature who would be spending several weeks with him in the steamy jungles of southeast Colombia.

"I hope I'm not intruding."

"Not at all Laura. I've just been giving Jess a few last minute instructions about the hazards of this trip. He'll probably brief you about it on your flight."

"Hank asked me to tell you, they're ready to load now. Goodbye Joe. I hope we can send some exciting information back for you."

"I'm sure you will. Godspeed you two. Take care of each other."

"That's a promise," said Laura, smiling at Jess.

"You heard the lady. Bye Joe. And from time to time, please give Marty a call. I'd appreciate it."

"Consider it done."

Joe Frum watched them climb the metal ladder into the cargo bay of the C119. He had mixed feelings about it. Now in his late sixties, he hadn't gone on field work for quite some time, but this time, the risk was greater than he had ever experienced during his career. He only hoped they would all make it safely back to their ivory towers, where they could devote the rest of their lives interpreting their findings, without any more danger.