Trees Hold Up the Sky 16 William James Johnson

Pausing for a moment outside their office, Stuart listened, then entered quietly.

"Hate to disturb you, but Obispo is on the radio. Says he's got to speak to Laura. Now."

Jess and his two interpreters were huddled over the Russian pilot manual, the women debating the translation of the technical terms, while Jess clarified matters based upon his flying experience; making notes when they all agreed. At this rate, they would be weeks before they would be ready for the first flight.

"What's the problem?" asked Jess, annoyed with Stuart's interruption.

"It's got to be about Arturo," said Laura. "I'll be right back."

"Take your time. We're not going anywhere."

Laura hurried along the corridor to the lobby of the Granada, and followed Stuart to the radio room behind the main desk.

"Give me a couple of minutes to connect with the Secretary, then you can talk with him."

Her hands began to tremble as she waited. Generally optimistic, she was certain Verez had taken a turn for the worst, otherwise why would Obispo want to talk to her?

"Okay Doctor Marsh. You can talk to him now." Stuart passed her the microphone.

"This is Laura Marsh speaking, over."

"Miss Marsh, Fernandez Obispo. I'm so glad I can speak to you personally. Are you receiving me all right? Over."

"Yes Mr. Secretary. You're coming in very clearly. Over."

"It's about Captain Verez. He's very weak. His cold has developed into pneumonia and his doctor says there's little hope for him. Over."

"Oh no...poor Arturo. It was just a bad cold and fever when I was with him. I can't believe what has happened."

"He asked me to arrange to have you flown to Bogota before he dies. It's the least I can do," said Obispo, his voice cracking with emotion.

"I really would like to come, but I'm needed here, Mr. Secretary. We are working on the translation of the Russian flying manual and we're having great difficulty."

"I understand. Come to Bogota, and I'll give you Arturo's Spanish copy. That should make it easier for you."

"That would be fantastic. I'm fluent in Spanish, and with Estrelle's help, I'm sure we can do it. Jess will be so pleased to hear this."

"Good. Then you'll come?"

She was so excited about this other manual she didn't hear his question.

"I really appreciate you taking the time to call me about Arturo. We've all been very worried."

"It's a dreadful way to give someone bad news, but it's still better than sending it in a letter."

"I'm sure they'll all be so sorry to hear what has happened. He was such a young man, so vibrant, and full of energy."

"I'm going to miss him very much. Captain Verez was one of my best field men."

"It's very considerate of you to honour his request for my presence. I hope if I come, it will not cause any embarrassment for Mrs. Verez and her family."

"Not at all. She also wants you to come. She knows how much the Captain admired you."

"I'm glad to hear that."

"Then it's agreed. You'll come to Bogota."

"Yes I will. What arrangements have you made to get me there?"

"I'll have one of our Drug Brigade helicopters from Venezuela pick you up to-morrow morning at the airport outside San Fernando, and they'll take you to Caracas where I'll have tickets for you to fly Pan American to Bogota. You'll be with Arturo early to-morrow evening. Over."

"And the time of the helicopter?"

"It'll be there by nine. Give yourself at least thirty minutes before that."

"Thank you Mr. Secretary. I really appreciate what you're doing."

"And I'm so pleased you're willing to leave your work for a short time to be with Arturo. Until to-morrow. Over and out." Laura passed the microphone to Stuart and turning away began to sob. Stuart put his arm on her shoulder and tried to comfort her.

"I'm really sorry Doctor Marsh...Laura. This is terrible. Such a young man."

"Thank you Stu...I'll be okay. Such a shock. I was hoping Obispo would say that Arturo was over his illness and would be coming back. I'd better go tell the others."

Walking slowly back to their office, she tried to regain her composure. As soon as she entered the room, Estrelle saw her red eyes and wet cheeks, and put her arms around her.

"He's dying...Arturo's dying," she sobbed quietly.

"Oh Christ!" said Jess. "We've lost two of our men, and now Verez. This goddamn expedition is cursed."

"Obispo wants me to come to Bogota. Arturo has asked for me."

"Of course...Have you told Hank?" asked Jess.

"Not yet."

"We're not making much headway with this Slavic language," said Estrelle. "I'm practically hopeless when it comes to translating technical terms. We'll miss you Laura."

"Oh! I almost forgot. I told Obispo about our problem with the manual, and he said he has Arturo's Spanish version. So we can start working on the flying part of the program as soon as I return with it."

"Hey that's great," said Jess, a genuine sigh of relief as he closed the Russian manual on the table.

"With me as your co-pilot, and the book in my own language, our troubles are over," said Estrelle, convinced at last she could make a genuine contribution to this expedition.

"You as co-pilot!"

"Of course. You didn't think I'd let that young lieutenant take my place did you?"

"He's flown on this machine before. I've got to use him as co-pilot."

"Then make me flight engineer...Please Jess. Use me. I want you to use me."

Laura smiled knowingly at Jess, and started for the door. "I better find Hank and tell him what's happened."

When she left the room, Estrelle put her arms around Jess and squeezed him. He was still grinning.

"Now was that nice? Begging me to use you", chuckling as his lips tickled her ear and moved sensuously down the side of her lovely neck.

"You know what I mean."

"Of course I know what you mean, and so does Laura."

"Well! What are we waiting for? I've had a long day, and I could sure use a little of your tension treatment now. Let's go upstairs and relax."

"Suits me. I don't get off on studying Russian."

Stuart heard them laughing as they went up the stairs. Jess and Estrelle had gone public with their affair, sharing a suite of rooms at the rear of the hotel. They had all moved back into the Granada after Verez went to Bogota. Hank took over Arturo's luxurious suite at his invitation. Standing in the midst of all the expensive antiques the Captain had acquired, Laura explained to Hank, the urgency of her request.

"So we aren't really going to be losing anytime on the helicopter manual while I go to Bogota. Having the Spanish version should simplify matters for all of us."

"I still can't believe Arturo is dying," said Hank, obviously moved by Laura's report.

"I'll hurry back. After all, he's got a wife and kids. Surely Obispo doesn't want me hanging around with them there."

"I agree you've got to go. It's the least we can do. If he's conscious, please tell him how much we miss him. Oh yes, and thank him for everything he did for us while he was here."

Little did Hank know, it was Verez who had caused Barbarosa's attack on his small party. Nevertheless, he would have had little choice about Laura returning to Bogota anyway, since Obispo had requested her presence. He was the man who had authorized the expedition in the first place.

Up in Estrelle's room, the evening was just beginning. Jess was curious about her visit to Arumba.

"So what did you think of the Chief?"

"At first, he scared me a little."

"Oh! Why's that?"

"He's got a large knife hanging from his side, and a couple of grenades attached to his shirt. And he's a big man as well."

"Big...like Barbarosa?"

"I mean tall. He's over six feet."

"Handsome?"

"Not really...more fascinating than handsome. I think it's his voice that impressed me most. It's one of those resonant voices that comes from somewhere below his belt."

"Can he be trusted?"

"What can I say? I don't know the man. The way he talks about the natives and their families, I think he can be trusted. Hank seems to think he's using the system to set himself up politically. He thinks Arumba might even rule Colombia someday."

"And he's coming with us in the plane?"

"That's what he said. At least that way you'll be able to keep an eye on him."

Jess began undoing the buttons on her safari shirt.

"Is that all you wanted to know about Arumba?" asked Estrelle, teasing.

"I've suddenly lost interest in your fascinating black man."

He put his hand inside her shirt and softly caressed her warm breast. He could feel her nipple firming under his touch.

"Then you don't care to know that he's American."

Suddenly he yanked his hand from her shirt and took her by both shoulders.

"American!"

"That's what Hank said. His real name is Arnold Turner."

Jess was obviously shaken by this news.

"From Boston?"

"Yes. Why? Do you know him?"

"Arnold Turner was indicted for murder in Boston several years ago. He escaped custody and disappeared."

"My God. Hank never told me that. Who did he kill?"

"A guy called Wendell Weaver. Seems Weaver was a grand dragon of the KKK."

"KKK?"

"Ku-Klux-Klan. An anti-black secret society that went around terrorizing Negroes. Apparently Weaver was suspected of lynching several civil rights workers back in the fifties. Turner's father disappeared on a southern march and it was believed by most that Weaver was responsible for his murder. Arnold was an attorney in Boston with a lucrative practice. He didn't like his father taking such risks, and they had a falling out. When the older Turner's body showed up in a drainage ditch, the son put his total energies into getting the guys who had done the old man in. Witnesses saw Arnold shoot Weaver at point blank range on his own front porch in Selma."

"Hank never told me any of that. He said Turner took on his new identity to help the zambos because of his latent racial consciousness."

"My God woman...You do have a way with words...latent racial consciousness." Jess chuckled at her phrasing.

"But that's what Hank said. Is it wrong?"

"Of course not...I'm only joking. You're so uptight."

"I suppose if I ask you what 'uptight' means, you'll get angry with me."

"Forget all about this language business and let's get back to what I was doing. Now where was I?"

"Your right hand was titillating my breast."

"There...you've done it again."

"What's wrong now? I suppose you'd prefer I say, 'titillating my tit'."

Jess began to laugh. "You're a riot you know that."

"I didn't say tit because I'm a lady."

"Come here lady. I want to taste the sweet end of your lovely titty."

"Jess...please darling. Don't be crude."

His hand went up under her and swept her off her feet. Dropping her on the bed, he pretended to leap on top of her, pinning her to the mattress.

"And now woman, I'm gonna take liberties with you."

Estrelle laughed. "Now who's doing the strange talk? Unhand me sir, or I'll report you to the authorities."

Jess rolled over on his side of the bed and looked up at the fan, moving lazily in the tin ceiling.

"You're a wonderful woman Estrelle. I love being with you. You're fun. Sexy. Passionate. Bright. Beautiful. You're so many good things."

"Don't stop. I love it when you talk dirty like this."

He laughed so loudly he could be heard in the next room, Stuart's room. The young Scotsman lay on his bed fantasizing about what must be going on. He was tempted to go out on the balcony and take a peek. but then he lost his courage. Soon everything was quiet. Stuart fell asleep too, wondering if Laura and Hank were having as much fun in Arturo's antique bed.

Up early the next morning, Jess drove Laura to the airport to connect with the helicopter sent by Obispo. She was very quiet and he did not want to intrude on her privacy. Carrying her overnight bag to the small corrugated building, he suddenly had a twinge of conscience.

"I'm sorry Laura."

"Thanks Jess. I'm going to miss Arturo."

"I'm not talking about Arturo. I'm sorry about us. Somehow I wish it could still be like it was in Bogota, before Estrelle."

She touched his arm and began to speak, but the throbbing sound of a military helicopter coming over the mountains interrupted her.

"Thanks Jess. I do love you."

She kissed him, and hugged him warmly.

"You going to be okay?" he asked.

"Of course. See you in a few days."

The side door of the small aircraft swung open, and a soldier in green fatigues jumped out to help her board. Jess watched the pounding machine disappear over the mountains into the sun as it headed east to Caracas to make her connection.

By early evening, as Obispo had forecast, she arrived in Bogota. Entering the terminal she heard her name being paged over the loudspeaker, requesting she report to the main information desk.

"I'm Doctor Marsh. You have a message for me?"

"Yes Doctor. There's a gentleman waiting for you in the lounge."

She walked across the promenade to the lounge, a combination cocktail bar and restaurant. A uniformed chauffeur approached her.

"Doctor Marsh?"

"Yes."

"Good evening Doctor. I'm Carlos, Mr. Obispo's driver. Would you please follow me."

He took her overnight case and led her to a black Mercedes parked in a restricted area at the front of the terminal.

"I've been instructed to take you directly to the hospital."

"Thank you Carlos. Will the Secretary be there?"

"I'm sorry Doctor. I was told to bring you to the hospital, and nothing else."

The steady line of cars heading for the capital moved out of the way as the drivers saw the official government seal emblazoned on the side of Obispo's car. Shortly after seven, they arrived at Santo Espirito General Hospital. Carlos opened Laura's door.

"Thank you Carlos. I can carry my bag."

At the top of the stone steps, she pushed open the heavy metal doors and went to the information desk. Speaking Spanish, a young nun directed her to a side office. On the walls were large paintings of the historic exploits of the Sisters of the Holy Spirit. A few antique furnishings, and a couple well-worn leather chairs completed the sparse decoration. About fifteen minutes passed when the door opened, and an elderly man with white hair and lab coat entered.

"Doctor Marsh?"

"Yes."

"I'm Doctor Tomaso Oberon, Captain Verez' personal physician." Laura extended her hand.

"I don't know how much you know about this case," he asked.

"Only that Arturo had a rather heavy cold the last time we were together. That's about it."

"I regret I must tell you, the Captain is in the final stages of AIDS. Are you familiar with this disease?"

His words devastated her. "AIDS! My God. Are you sure?"

"Positive. He has maybe two or three days left. The Captain's lungs are filled with the nodules seen only in AIDS related pneumonia. It is tragic. He has such a wonderful family. Two beautiful twin daughters."

As he spoke, all Laura could think about, was her last night in Washington, when her gay ex-husband spent the night with her. If she was the carrier who had infected Arturo, then she might also have infected Jess, and he in turn passed it on to Estrelle.

"Why have you asked me to come to Bogota Doctor?"

"Captain Verez has been crushed by the realization he may have infected you with this terrible virus. He begged me to have you come so that you can be tested confidentially, and if you are negative, no one has to know."

His explanation puzzled Laura.

"Why would Arturo think he had infected me?"

"In cases like this, we do a very detailed study of all the patient's sexual contacts so that we can take steps to prevent the further spread of this vile disease."

"Then you don't think I may have given Arturo the infection?"

"Very unlikely Doctor. You've known each other for such a short time. The virus takes five to seven years to establish itself fully. Arturo asked me to tell you he is quite sure he was infected several years ago when he was taking his training in your country. Apparently he got involved with a young woman who was a heroin addict, who confessed to sharing needles with her fellow addicts. As you know, intravenous drug users and homosexuals are considered high risk groups."

"And you're not looking elsewhere?"

"Not really...Unless of course there's something you think I should know Doctor Marsh."

He could see something was troubling her. She didn't want to tell him about her gay husband.

"It's just that I know so little about this disease."

"There's so much we all have to learn about it."

"Is it true a person who is a carrier of the virus is at risk developing full blown AIDS in the future?"

"That's right. AIDS is something like cancer. In fact it can take the form of a killing cancer. It's difficult for most to understand that this condition is not a disease as we know it, but rather, it is a deficiency condition, in which the body's immune system shuts down and makes the patient vulnerable to a number of illnesses which normally a healthy body can destroy."

"Then Arturo's condition was not something that could have happened in the past several weeks?"

"Not at all. As I've already told you, we think he may have been carrying the virus for the past six or seven years. Are you sure there isn't something you want to tell me?"

"Yes Doctor. It's about our relationship."

"That's why I sent for you. Arturo has told me all about it. The wretched man is so tormented by the possibility he has infected you, I'm sure it's the only reason he's still alive. He wants to be certain you are tested. Would you like to come and see him now?"

She followed him to the intensive care unit, where they donned masks, gloves, and gowns and went to Arturo's room.

The brilliant dark eyes which had fascinated her, looked like two muddy pools surrounded by the jaundiced flesh, sagging over prominent cheek bones. Even cadavers have more personality. Laura was crushed by his emaciation.
Arturo raised his hand, the arm weighed down by needles and clear plastic tubes.

"Laura...what can I say? I'm desperately sorry my love. Please forgive me darling. I didn't know..."

"There's nothing to forgive Arturo. I only wish there was something I could do."

"There is. Let Doctor Oberon test you. God forbid I would be the cause of you having to face such an horrendous death."

"I've already told the Doctor I want to be tested. This only proves your love for me. You didn't have to tell them about us, but you were so concerned about my welfare, you had them contact me. I love you Arturo."

He smiled and closed his eyes. The tenseness left his face, and his arm went limp. Oberon listened to his heart, then pulled the sheet over his face.

"He's gone. It was like I said. He was waiting to see you. At least now his suffering is over."

Laura began to cry, and Oberon touched her gently on the shoulder then left her alone with her friend.

"My poor darling Arturo...Was I the cause of your terrible death? Ask God to forgive me. Surely he will be merciful to someone who has suffered so much."

The door opened quietly behind her. Wiping the tears, she looked into the sympathetic face of Fernandez Obispo.

"He was very lucky to have such a good friend," said the Secretary. "I'm very glad you got here on time. Come dear lady, and let Doctor Oberon begin his testing. It takes two weeks before he will have the results. There'll be no need for you to stay in Bogota."

"Thank you Mr. Secretary for your compassion."

He put his arm around her as he led her to the nursing station.

"Before you leave, pick up the package at the main desk. It's the flying manual you requested."

To read other novels by William James Johnson click www.noozoon.blogspot.com.