Trees Hold Up the Sky 20 William James Johnson

Estrelle was a changed person at breakfast. The stress which she had been under had suddenly disappeared when she learned that the others were aware of the power Obispo had been exercising over her. Hand in hand, she and Jess led the zambos up the path to the cave entrance. Hank and Laura waved goodbye as they returned to the work tent to study the film they had taken.

Arumba explained to Jess that many of the local natives wanted to work on the project now that they had seen their friends so eager to enter what they called "the temple cave,".

"They have some idea that as long as they are with you, they will not be hurt as some have been in the past."

"I don't suppose you can make them understand about the danger of the radiation?" asked Jess.

"I'm sure that is what they are referring to. Last night several of them were talking to my men. They told many stories of people becoming sick after having been in the cave, but they also said that the sacred pictures had miraculously healed some of them. They're convinced that you may have a way to help them be healed without running the risk of bad results."

"Tell them we would like to help them," said Estrelle, "but we have no more money to hire them."

"I've tried that already," said Arumba. "They are not interested in money. They just want to be able to say that they have been inside the sacred cave. It's a combination of religious belief and superstition. I don't know what you should do."

"If we say yes," offered Estrelle, "It won't stop there. I know these people. These are my people. They are very devout. Their beliefs are a mixture of the Christianity imposed by the Spanish, and the blood letting of the royal Incas. If we agree to let them come into the cave with us, word will spread throughout the jungle and soon we will not be able to do our work because of the thousands of the faithful looking for miracles."

"But if we turn them down, they may create a worse problem for us," said Jess.

"Let me tell them that if there is time when we are finished our project, we will let them come in with us, and we will use our powerful lights so that they can see what we have been doing. That way, they are less likely to create a problem, and we'll be able to delay having to deal with them."

"What do you think Arumba?" asked Jess.

"I can live with that. At least it's a solution in the short run."

"Is it going to add to your problem with providing security?"

"It isn't going to make it any easier. The more natives we have hanging around, the more chance there is of cartel intrusion. It's too early to tell."

"Estrelle, I would like you to tell them we hope they haven't had too much difficulty getting here. Tell them we will have to discuss what we wish to do about their entering the cave with our leader. We'll let them know as soon as we can, how we will handle their requests."

Estrelle moved into the centre of the group of natives and did as Jess had requested. Disappointed, some of them looked down as they began to move out of their group, when a voice in English shouted.

"You can't keep us out. This is our cave, not yours gringo."

Arumba recognized him, Carlos Mendoza, a former member of his select group of zambos. He too had come from the U.S. after escaping a DEA bust in Miami. He had been a trusted friend, but realizing that Arumba was too straight for him, made connections with the cartel to infiltrate Arumba's group with the ultimate aim of bringing down the American leader.

"Keep out of this Carlos. It's none of your business."

"I'm making it my business. These natives have every right to visit their cave, and neither you or all your American friends can keep them out."

"You don't understand. It's too dangerous inside the cave. We cannot risk letting in these simple folks who could be permanently damaged."

"Don't listen to him my friends. This is another trick by the gringos to control your lives. If it is so dangerous, why are they going in the cave?"

Arumba seized Carlos by the throat and turned him over to two of his security men.
"Cuff him and take him back to my tent. I'll be there in a few minutes."

"Wow! What was that all about," asked Jess.

"You and Miss Garvas should go on with your work. I'll take care of this security matter," said Arumba.

The two scientists entered the cave opening, leaving the small group of curious natives behind them. Arumba hurried along the path to catch up with his men and the protester, as they headed for the security tent. He didn't say anything until they were inside the privacy of the canvas walls. Arumba motioned to his men to leave. Alone, he spoke in a controlled, low voice.

"What the hell are you trying to do Carlos?"

"I was right wasn't I," asked Mendoza. "This cave is theirs, not yours or your American friends."

"You don't understand," said Arumba. "As I told them, the cave is a very dangerous place."

"Oh sure it is. That's why your people can go in, but the natives need permission. What the hell has happened to you Arny...And what is all this Arumba bullshit about? Wasn't there enough chance for you to save your own so-called African-Americans back home, you had to come down here and stick your nose into the Colombian trade?"

The black leader grabbed him by the throat in a vice-like grip which made his eyes bulge as the pressure built up inside his skull. "Listen to me you son-of-a-bitch. I'm only going to say this once. You mess around with this project, you and your people, and you are as good as dead."

Gasping for air when Arumba released him, he was stunned by the enormous strength of his former friend. "They aren't gonna let you get away with it. Even if you do me, they'll send someone else. Your innocent locals will soon be working for the cartel, and all the magic of your cave isn't gonna stop that."

"Two Americans have already lost their lives because of that cave," explained Arumba. "If we let the locals come and go as they please, there's no saying how many of them will be poisoned by the atmosphere inside there. I'm not sure myself what is going on, but having to worry that you and your thugs might try to knock us off isn't making it any easier."

"So what am I supposed to tell them?"

"Just that cave specialists from the U.S. are here on a cultural exchange, with the full approval of Obispo and the Colombians. It's a joint venture. Call it what you like, but believe me when I say, the only reason I'm being so easy on you now, is that I want you to bring them that message. Any more intrusions, and I promise, the next time we'll shoot first, instead of talking."

Carlos Mendoza ran back into the trees when Arumba released him, where two of his friends were waiting for him.

"How did you get away?" asked Juan Castillo.

"The guy's crazy if you ask me," replied Carlos. "He claims he's been hired to keep outsiders away from this cave study they're doing. Far as I can see, he's telling the truth. He could've gotten rid of me right there, but I don't think he's the kinda guy who can kill someone like that. No. My old pal Arnold Turner's too decent for that."

"That's great," said Tony Castro. "You figure if the boss wants us to move in on them, we won't have too much trouble then?"

"That's not what I said. Get this straight, Arnold is not the kinda leader who talks a good game. He's capable of making us all sweat if we interfere with this project. He said if I tried anything, or if any of my guys make a move on this project, all hell will break loose, and I believe him."

"What the hell is the real reason for this cave thing?"

"Arumba says it's dangerous going inside. Apparently they have already lost two of the Americans. I think it's something to do with the air inside. The scientists are wearing special gear for protection."

"That still doesn't answer my question. Is there something inside the cave they don't want us to see?"

"Yeah. And what about the natives," asked Juan. No matter where you go, they're talking about legends of healing powers coming off the walls."

"Of course they are," said Carlos. "These frightened whackos see God in everything, and anything, which gives their imaginations a chance to fly."

"He's right Juan," said Tony. "Not too long ago I read about some Indian woman in a small village saw the face of Christ in a taco she was making. She was so convinced, she walked miles to the nearest mission to show it to one of those young missionaries. The priest told her it was her faith which helped her see Jesus in her cooking, when in fact it was just a burn mark. The silly bitch built a small shrine in her tiny house, and natives came from all around to pray on the sacred taco."

"Sounds stupid doesn't it."

"That's the way it is with people who believe?"

"I suppose. So what are we going to tell the boss when we get back?"

"Don't tell him about the Jesus taco that's for sure."

"Well I know one thing. There's no way we're going to forget about what is going on here. There'll be plenty of time to move in on Arumba and the others once they have accomplished something. I think we'll just keep out of sight, so they'll think we bought their story."

"Then there's the one about the flying saucer with the face of the Virgin Mary appearing full size on its bottom."

They all laughed as they headed further into the dank green darkness of the rain forest. In many regions of this massive jungle the future was not waiting any longer. Bulldozers were ripping into the earth's air purifier at the rate of thirty thousand acres a day. No one was seeing the big picture. That would have to wait until the code of the cave was broken.