Trees Hold Up the Sky 18 William James Johnson

Hank Newton notified Washington that despite all the obstacles, Project Atabapo was back on track. Jess and Tomaso were honing their flying skills on the Severski 210. Estrelle and Laura were becoming experts in the use of the video equipment which was so essential to the outcome of their mission. The zambos had taken on the demanding task of preparing a suitable landing pad for the Severski in the midst of a dense jungle.

Arumba was proving himself to be a valuable leader, admired by his men who drew courage from his willingness to be involved in all the training which was necessary before going to the cave. After having tried descending and ascending with the winch, he insisted on operating it for his men. Jess encouraged his full participation, including letting him designate each man's responsibility.

"You sure have picked a great group of guys. It's amazing how quickly they can clear a landing pad."

"Thanks. I appreciate the way you have shown your trust in me. It's essential that a leader not be just a figure head."

"I agree. But you don't have to be down there, doing the grunt work yourself," said Jess.

"I don't believe in asking my men to do anything I wouldn't do myself. You may think that's old fashioned, but that's just the way I am."

Jess felt this was as good a time as any to ask the zambo leader about something which had been bothering him.

"Please don't take this the wrong way, but I've been wondering why you have done the Muhammad Ali thing," said Jess.

"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Arumba, puzzled at his question.

"Cassius Clay. The boxer. You remember, how he changed his name after the run in with the Army."

"Of course I remember. What are you trying to say Jess?"

"I know you are Arnold Turner, and you are wanted back in the states for murder."

Arumba fell silent, as the sting of his remark felt like he had been struck in the solar plexus without seeing it coming. Suddenly all he could think of was the futility of trying to run away from his past.

"I don't blame you," said Jess. "Not after what those guys did to your father."

Jess' reassurance helped Arumba regain his composure. Over six feet tall, with a splendid athletic build, his powerful black features made him a standout among men. The resonance of his voice, and confidence when speaking, impressed strangers. There was no doubt Arumba was a natural leader.

"My father was fighting for our people. That is what I want to do."

"But why here, in this backwater?" asked Jess.

"You know Jess, you're the first one who has confronted me with this since I've been here. I thought I could make a difference here, like my father was trying to do back home, before they killed him."

"But why here? Couldn't you have done more staying home and fighting them?"

"I would have been long gone if I didn't run when I got the chance."

"So what is it you are trying to do? " asked Jess
.
Arumba realized this was his chance to relieve himself of the enormous burden he had been carrying ever since he had been associated with Estrelle's father. He felt Jess was a man he could trust. The other Americans would not have understood why he was so committed to fighting for his own in this foreign land.

"You have no idea how corrupt everything is in Colombia. Judges on their Supreme Court have been assassinated when they tried to fight the drug lords. I'm trying to develop a loyal group of zambos, proud men of black and Spanish heritage, to turn this into a personal fight between the good guys and the bad guys. That fat pig Barbarosa, who almost killed you, came to my camp and threatened to kill anyone who would work for you gringos. Everyone around San Fernando knew about his reputation. That was why my men refused to work on your project. That peacock Verez not only knew about this, he was the one who ordered the monster to attack your party so that he could scare you off. He knew Obispo and the government wanted to take credit for the cave discovery."

"But they need us to evaluate the symbols and try to make some sense out of them."

"Of course. This cave thing is a convenient way this government can pretend they are co-operating with the mighty USA on an important cultural exchange. This is window dressing for the world. It is the same with their public pronouncements they want to work with your DEA to stamp out the drug problem. They want to make it look as though they are helping your government The real reason they are playing this false game of co-operation is that they need military help in the form of patrol planes, and sophisticated weaponry. But the U.S. is too naieve to see what is really going on."

Jess was shocked by his ongoing revelations.

"But Obispo. Isn't he on our side?"

"He's the worst one. Has Estrelle not told you?"

"Told me what?"

"About her father. He is in prison in Medellin."

"No. She hasn't. Why is he in prison?"

"She didn't tell you because the poor woman is scared to death. One false step and her father will be killed."

"My God! Is this true?"

"Her father is a genuine patriot. He was working for the government with the American DEA. He is an exceptional man. He and I were very good friends. He knew about my past and I guess that made him trust me, because he could reveal my true identity if I betrayed him."

"This is getting more and more complicated." said Jess.

"Enrico Garvas, Estrelle's father, discovered that someone was smuggling cocaine in the American planes which were supposed to be used to fight the drug lords. He tracked the contraband to a military airstrip in Florida, where a Cuban defector would remove the drugs and exchange it for weapons and American currency. This scheme was a license to print money. A couple of aircraft were returning to Florida every week for servicing. Millions of dollars came back to someone high up in the Colombian government. Garvas found out it was Obispo, the Secretary of the Interior himself. With the support of the drug barons, Obispo is planning to set himself up as dictator of this country. This was the secret which resulted in Garvas disappearing shortly before he was to go public. Obispo had him tortured in the cruelest of ways. No one can excel the Spanish when it comes to devising monstrous methods of destroying a captive. Just remember what was done during the Spanish Inquisition in the name of religion. Obispo tortures his victims until they are near death, then he orders they be given treatment and false hope they are going to be freed, before he starts the torture all over again. Estrelle was taken to see her now crippled father, and it was then she promised desperately to do whatever it would take to save his life."

"That miserable son-of-a-bitch. What can we do about it ?"

"Be on your guard. Knowledge is power. When the time comes to return to your country, or should I say our country, get out as quickly as you can with the information you need. Don't give them a chance to detain you."

"What about you?"

"This is a vast hiding place. I'll take my men and expand my force until we can attack the drug problem at its source. Interrupting the drug supply in a massive way is what is needed."

"What do you think I should do about Estrelle?"

"Love her. Never stop loving her. There is nothing she can do for her father now. But she can do much for you. She is a truly wonderful woman."

"Should I tell the others what you have told me?"

"When the time is right."

This highly personal conversation increased the mutual trust both men experienced. Jess became more attentive to Estrelle, without ever saying anything about the dilemma she was in . Resilient Laura began showing a genuine interest in Hank who gave no doubt something could develop here in time.

After two weeks of difficult physical work clearing landing pads, Hank was ordered to proceed with the move to the cave. Arumba and his zambos had developed a technique for using chain saws adapted with brush clearing blades, to level thick jungle growth in a variety of terrain within a ten mile radius of San Fernando.

"To-morrow we start the real thing," said Hank. "So here is what I would like you to do. Laura and I will be the first team to go into the cave."

Jess interrupted Hank.

"Wait a minute. I didn't come down here just for the ride."

"This wouldn't have happened if Arturo had not died" said Hank. "He and Tomaso would have been piloting us and transporting our equipment. Unfortunately that has changed. I want to pair you up with Estrelle, after we have all our gear on location. You and I are going to have to rely on our video experts to record the cave symbols. I think the teams I've picked will get along very nicely. As for the cave, don't worry, you'll have plenty of time inside it's massive walls."

"Are you going to need my men in the cave?" asked Arumba.

"I was coming to that. You and your men at first will help us establish the site. Then I am counting on you providing security for us."

"Security?" asked Jess, wondering why they would need someone to protect them.

"One of our native staff warned me that the cartel has a crew of hit men who have been ordered to destroy our cave site once we are established. He said they are out to assassinate Arumba, and scare off his men."

"Are you serious?" asked Laura.

"Down here Laura, you will find a threat is really a promise. Washington has sent us a large crate of weapons for our protection. Jess, I want you and Arumba to prepare the men once we get located at the cave."

"You've got it," said Jess.

At sunrise the Atabapo Project went into high gear. Trucks and jeeps shuttled back and forth between their hotel and the hangar on the edge of the village. Jess and Tomaso loaded the zambos with their shrub clearing equipment and the large craft roared into life, its turning blades bending the limbs of trees several feet away. Slowly it lifted above the crates and canvas stacked nearby for the next flight. The sun was higher on their port side as they headed for the cave, a hundred miles south, in a dense forest.

Forty minutes later Jess pointed to the small outcrop in the midst of a verdant carpet of tropical growth. With precision he controlled the Severski over a small clearance beneath them, thirty feet above the jungle floor. Arumba lowered each of his men with the winch, giving a thumbs up signal as the native released the cable for the next passenger. When they had all landed, Arumba put the harness on himself, and Tomaso assisted him. Soon the craft was on its way north, to begin loading the supplies.

"How did it go?" asked Hank.

"No problem. Arumba landed them all safely, then went down to help them clear the landing pad."

"We sure are lucky to have him."

"You can say that again."

"He's American you know," said Hank.

"Yes. I know."

Hank was surprised Jess knew. "And there's more."

"Arumba told me Hank. How did you find out?"

"We got a fax from Washington. One of these missing persons reports with photographs. It was just a routine thing. Something about the bureau wanting to locate him for questioning."

"That was it?" asked Jess.

"Yes. That was it. Why? Did Arumba tell you more?"

Jess decided this was not the time to create doubt about the zambo leader by giving Hank anymore personal information about him.

"Only that we should not trust Obispo."

"Why not? He's always been straight with us."

"Arumba feels Obispo is planning to take the whole ball of wax once we get the information we need."

"That's ridiculous. If Obispo didn't want us here, he could pull the plug on this project by making one phone call back to Washington. No. I don't think I would be placing too much credibility on what Arumba says. This is probably a racial thing. Zambos are half breeds. Colombians like Obispo have their own way of establishing a caste system. I think Arumba is aware of that, and this is probably his way of getting back at the system."

From the tone of Hank's voice, Jess could tell this was not the time to be debating the racial issue in Columbia.

By the end of the first day, all the equipment was transported to the cave camp and was stowed away. The clearing was completed so that Jess and Tomaso were able to land their craft.

Before returning to the village, Jess and Arumba found the arms container and distributed the automatic weapons to the zambos. Arumba instructed them in the handling and loading. Four of his men were positioned at the four corners of the site. They were to be replaced every four hours.

Back in the air, Jess could not see how there could be an assault on their camp. The forest canopy was so dense, it seemed virtually impossible anyone, including a hit team could make it there on foot.

He forgot to consider the opportunity their new landing pad provided for an airborne assault group to locate them easily, and attack the small group of defenders, who had been dispersed by the well-meaning Arumba.

After a farewell dinner at the hotel, the desk clerk said there was a telephone call for Dr. Marsh.

"Dr. Marsh. I wanted to be the one who told you." It was Obispo, calling from Bogota.

"What is it?" she asked, with trepidation.

"Good news. Your tests for HIV were negative. I had them redo some of the testing because I wanted to be sure."

"Oh my God. This is wonderful. Thank you so much General. You have no idea how happy I am with this news. Thank you for being so compassionate."

"I too am delighted senorita Marsh. Before I go, please wish all of your companions much success, now that they are located at the cave."

When she hung up she wondered how Obispo knew the camp had been set up. She returned to the bar where Hank was treating everyone to a champagne toast.

"And here she is. A toast to the lovely Dr. Laura Marsh and her beautiful companion Miss Estrelle Garvas. You guys don't know what a treat it is for fellows like us to have the company of such bright, attractive partners."

Tears began to well up in Laura's eyes. She could barely contain herself.

"That was General Obispo. My tests are back. He assured me they were negative. I don't have HIV." Jess got to her before Hank and kissed her, squeezing her lithe body in a more than friendly embrace.

"Wonderful...great news sweetie," said Jess.

"Hey move on young fellow," said Hank. "Leave some for us."

Everyone suddenly got into a real party mood, despite the exciting day which would begin in several hours. Hank and Laura left the bar and went for an evening walk in the small village. Estrelle and Jess continued talking about the message Obispo had given Laura.

"What a great way to be starting our project," said Hank.

"I can't tell you how relieved I am. I'm so excited, I hope you will do me the honour of sharing my happiness with me in Arturo's big bed."

Hank stopped in the dusty walk and kissed his companion. He had been wanting to do this for months. Her warm inviting mouth promised more. He could hardly wait as he steered her back to the hotel. Suddenly she stopped and looked at Hank.

"Did you tell him?"

"Tell who?"

"Obispo. He told me to congratulate everyone for setting up the cave site."

"How the hell would he know that?" asked Hank.

"That's what I was wondering. If you didn't tell him, someone must have done it. I thought there was supposed to be tight security about our work."

"There is. I'm not sure I like this. He must have someone inside, reporting to him."

"Arumba...could it be Arumba?"

"I doubt it. Obispo apparently doesn't care for zambos. And believe me, Arumba can't stand him."

"Well I thought I better tell you about it," said Laura. "I hope this is not going to spoil our time together."

"Are you kidding. I've been wanting to have a go at you since the first time I saw you."

"Have a go at me...not exactly romantic would you say?"

They both entered the quiet foyer of the hotel and went to her room. Still in a playful mood, Hank had his shirt off before she opened the door. Laura was impressed to see this middle aged scientist still had an energetic looking physique. She tweaked the wiry hairs on his chest.

"I like a man with a good set of pects."

View other novels by William James Johnson at www.noozoon.blogspot.com.