The Jaguar

by A. T. Grant

  The head priest emerged from the building and beckoned to Mulac. He found himself propelled there by the crowd. The inside consisted of a single chamber. The walls were freshly plastered and hung with fine drapery. At one end sat an ornate stone table. Mulac was ushered to a cushion-covered bench beside it.

  “Welcome home, Chief Officer of Customs.”

  Mulac looked blankly at the priest.

  “This role is given to you by the people of Muyil - the greatest port city in the Kingdom of Coba. You have a house here and a salary for life. You will learn your trade and you will learn to write: there are two assistants, who will be happy to show you how. From every cargo you will collect a new tax. From these monies a monument will be erected, here in the marshes, in honour of our greatest victory and the man who inspired us.”

  Mulac shook his head in disbelief. He was crying.

  Chapter Forty-One

  The Marshes

  All morning Laura had busied herself with the boats, though she felt Alfredo’s eyes constantly upon her. Half the tents were already down. Whilst a few individuals lingered over cooked breakfasts, others were already paddling in experimental circles, or pushing valuables into watertight containers. Three solid metal motorboats with canvas sunscreens on metal scaffolds held the bulk of the kit. Marcus would take charge of one, Cesar another and the head porter, Daniel, the third. Everyone else, except Luis and Alfredo, had declared their intention to start out by canoe. Laura worried that Jackie’s injured foot would prove too uncomfortable for her to paddle far, but she had been insistent.

  As Laura helped to adjust life-jackets and apply sunscreen, she stole furtive glances in Luis and Alfredo’s direction. Both stood with hands in pockets, watching the minor panics and last minute searches for newly essential items with looks of increasing frustration. Something didn’t add up. Were they in more danger than Alfredo had suggested? If so, why was the trip proceeding? These thoughts were not alone in Laura’s mind. Much was still occupied by the events of the night before, when sudden panic had made her retreat to the safety of her tent, before Alfredo followed her into the night. The moment she left his side she had come to her senses. That hadn’t stopped an aching feeling of disappointment growing steadily inside her. Her senses had been heightened further by a deep and dreamless night’s sleep and an irrational, but intense feeling that she already knew this man.

  Laura noticed that Marcus was sitting in the lee of the shack, out of sight of the brothers, fiddling with his mobile phone. He seemed to be awaiting a call, so it was the children who helped launch Laura and David’s canoe. Once on the water, Laura felt more settled and descended fitfully into giggles as she realised David couldn’t steer. The children cruised past, sat between Ethan and Felicity. They managed to soak Ethan as they tried to splash David. David joined Laura in helpless laughter at Ethan’s splutter of surprise. For a brief moment, Laura forgot all about Alfredo.

  Marcus had called and texted Carlos several times, without response. The canoes were heading into deep water and he knew that he must soon follow. He was not a neurotic person but, fleetingly, as he listened to the cheery banter carried across the lake, he wondered if he hadn’t lost his nerve. His emotions were scrambled, of that he was sure. The current crisis with poachers provided the final stir, but Dana was most of the mix. If he wasn’t in love with Dana it was only because things had moved so rapidly his feelings had yet to catch up. He felt the inevitability of embarrassment and stilted conversation yet to come; the certainty of disappointment. He looked out towards Laura and shook his head slowly. He had hired her because she looked like Isabel, the dead cousin he had loved to distraction. Laura was not Isabel and he was reminded of that simple truth every time he saw her. Now he couldn’t help but resent her presence, all the more so as she was coping so much better than he. Marcus drew a deep breath and stood up. He took one last inspectorial look around the camp, shook the hands of the porters who were remaining behind, fixed a casual smile on his face and pushed his boat out to join the little fleet.

  The pace was slow and the lake expansive. The sun was still no more than a casual acquaintance, but it would soon muscle its way into the group. As the near shore became increasingly indistinct, Luis and Alfredo’s spirits lifted. They had shared an overtly leisurely breakfast, neither admitting to the other that tension meant they were forcing down their food. Alfredo had casually mentioned an interest in Laura and had been quite put out by Luis’ non-committal shrug of the shoulders. “They are good people,” he acknowledged, “but we cannot afford to get involved.” Luis nearly reminded Alfredo of the killer he was, but instead just patted his back - he too wanted to savour the innocence associated with their assumed roles for as long as he could. Besides Alex, his wife, and he had achieved some sort of normality for a time in the USA. Perhaps Alfredo could do the same, although surely not with some naïve little English girl? What was Alfredo going to do anyway: ask her to abandon her party and flee with him as a fugitive to Belize?

  Alfredo was sitting opposite his brother at the front of Cesar’s launch, staring into the bow wake. He was trying not to look at Laura, but thought about her anyway. Whenever he did so, he also thought of home. Now, for the first time, he wondered at the connection.

  There was a shout from Marcus. Cesar and Daniel immediately cut their engines. Jackie was struggling. Marcus took her and Darryl’s canoe in tow. As soon as the sound of the powerful outboard motors waned, another mechanical growling took their place - indistinct at first, but then increasingly insistent.

  Luis swivelled to face the distant marshes. A helicopter was sweeping towards them. Turning again, he grabbed Alfredo’s wrist to prevent him drawing his weapon. Then he stared hard at Cesar, to ensure he too kept his cool. People began to shout and wave. Alfredo followed Luis’ lead and joined in, at the same time grabbing the side of the boat in case he had to make a quick exit into the water. The overgrown insect slowed as it approached. There was no doubt that they were its target. It began to circle, the downdraught kicking up a concentrated mass of ripples. Craft began to drift apart in various directions. The children were standing and cheering, their canoe wobbling precariously.

  Luis could see it was a private machine, but why such a close approach if it was just another group of tourists on a joy-ride? He concentrated hard and made out two men within the Perspex dome. They seemed to be Mexican. They looked serious, but not necessarily threatening. Eusabio’s men, or Xterra: possibly, but why the lack of aggression? Detectives: again it was possible, but why no police force markings? Perhaps it was the park authorities, but they wouldn’t have their own helicopter and were likely to be wearing uniform. If it was park wardens, and they had gone to the expense of hiring a machine, then they must have major concerns about the group. That in turn meant someone in the party had probably been in contact. Luis stood up and made his way carefully down the boat to confront Cesar.

  From Marcus’ perspective, something didn’t add up. His party was already being escorted by two park officials and now a helicopter was checking up on them. Whatever the threat to the group was, it must be serious. He needed to speak with Carlos. Disconcertingly, one of the pilots actually looked like Carlos, although he didn’t acknowledge his wave. Even more troubling, the other man was the spitting image of the taxi-driver he had encountered on his arrival from England. He needed to take control, both of himself and of the situation. Glancing behind his boat, down the trailing tow-line, it was clear that Jackie and Darryl were now OK. However, the children in Felicity and Ethan’s boat were in danger of falling in, but Marcus couldn’t get their attention. Irritatingly, David had been waving with his paddle and had managed to throw it overboard. Laura, sitting at the front of their canoe, didn’t seem to have noticed.

  Marcus bellowed unsuccessfully again. He pulled out his mobile and pressed redial, still hoping for Carlos and a proper explanation of what was going on. Nothing happ
ened. Marcus held up the phone in an instinctive search for a signal. This caught Luis’ eye, over in Cesar’s launch. Luis smiled ingratiatingly, but slightly too slowly for Marcus not to notice the menace in his initial expression. At last Marcus understood. These men were not who they said they were. They were also dangerous, and whoever was in the helicopter must be aware of the same thing. Marcus smiled self-consciously back at Luis, at the same time thrusting the cell-phone deep into a pocket.

  “A helicopter too - you guys are really looking after us,” Marcus shouted breezily over the din.

  “Glad to be of service,” Luis hollered back, equally casually, before returning to his conversation with Cesar.

  Marcus restarted the engine. He needed to get the party to dry land as soon as he could, to speak with some of the others. Cesar may know something already. Laura and Daniel would need to be briefed. It would be a big step, but maybe they should also inform some of the guests. He wasn’t sure. It would be a risky strategy, as he still didn’t know the nature of the threat. Thinking about who might not panic, to his surprise Marcus settled upon David.

  David fell in. The helicopter had finally swung away and beat back over the horizon. David lost his balance as he stretched too far, trying to retrieve his paddle. Teetering on the brink, his knees pressed into the side of the boat. It tipped over, the weight slapping into the surface only inches from his now half-submerged head. There was a general peel of laughter, but Laura, David’s partner, was nowhere to be seen. Alfredo noticed first. All his tension dissolved into action and he sprang forward, diving from the launch, ignoring the pain that coursed across his injured ankle. David waved hopefully to his rescuer, but was pushed roughly out of the way as Alfredo splashed frantically around the upturned canoe, in search of Laura.

  Marcus drew his own launch alongside and reached down to retrieve a now floundering David. Seconds later he was dragged roughly aboard. Coughing out lake-water and red in the face, David sank to his knees. Initially he could not breathe, but it was the look of panic on Alfredo’s face, as he stared up at Marcus from the troubled lake waters, that reinforced the gravity of the situation.

  Before Marcus could react, Alfredo dived under the upturned canoe. Emerging, gasping for air, on the far side long seconds later, he snatched at the lifejacket which Marcus cast into the lake beside him. It was clear he was not a strong swimmer and his shoes and clothing were beginning to drag him down - but he dove again. Marcus heard the bump as Alfredo surfaced within the upturned hull. Cesar’s launch was now on the far side, but nobody could see a thing.

  Marcus was about to follow Alfredo when two entwined figures smashed, choking, through the water’s surface. Laura was crying and clung to Alfredo as though she might otherwise be swallowed by some lurking lake monster. Alfredo stroked sodden locks away from her eyes and pressed his mouth intensely to her lips. As her body fell limp in his arms, Marcus jumped over the side to help him lift her to safety.

  For a long while the flotilla remained tightly clustered, as Cesar and Daniel struggled to right the upturned vessel. Laura, David and Alfredo sat shivering in Marcus’ boat, but the rapidly climbing sun proved to be a useful ally. Felicity and Ethan railed against the recklessness of the helicopter crew, for having precipitated the accident in the first place, concluding that they must have been rich sightseers. Various others fussed over kit bags and soon all three reluctant swimmers were freshly clad, and much recovered.

  Crisis over, the remaining paddlers finally pushed away from the support vessels and relaxed into a steady rhythm. The deep blue at the lake’s centre slowly gave way to turquoise, as the convoy headed for the sandy-bottomed shallows. Clumps of mangrove trees and grassy islands could be made out on the shore, surrounded by an immense sea of shifting reeds. Birds were calling from the tops of trees. There was an explosion of white, as a hawk scattered them over the waters. Felicity and Ethan forged ahead, still high on the adrenaline of outrage, hotly pursued by Sharon and John Tanner. Cesar opened his throttle and overtook, directing the party in towards a long, narrow, wooden jetty. Most were soon ashore and drinking from their water bottles, under the shade of the nearest vegetation. To Marcus’ relief, Luis and Alfredo did the same, giving him the opportunity to speak with Cesar as they secured the boats.

  “Cesar, what do you know about our two visitors?” Marcus’ tone was blunt and accusing.

  Cesar looked away guiltily and shook his head in self-disgust. “The older one - Luis - he said whilst you sorted things out after the accident that you would ask. He said you should talk to him, but must not say anything to the others.” Cesar looked relieved at sharing his burden. “I’m so sorry, Marcus,” he added, “I had little choice.”

  They stared quizzically at each other and Cesar’s expression told Marcus everything he needed to know about their situation. As he turned and prepared to face the team again, he became aware of his own rapid breathing. Stopping a few strides along the dock, he took a couple of deep gulps of air and then continued, somewhat more calmly. Whatever was going on, it was up to him to sort it out. He thought about taking Laura aside, but she had barely been able to speak since her emersion. Luis’ eyes were already upon him. The pathway from the dock to the shade of the trees continued further onto the green island. Marcus gestured discretely for Luis to follow him and, to his relief, he did. They walked on, side by side, each turning as casually as possible to check that nobody had chosen to join them. Soon they were out of sight and standing in front of an old stone building, which seemed to be the only permanent human feature of the island. Luis spoke first. His tone was serious, but also placid and even friendly.

  “You know that we are not who we said we were. We are on the run from some very bad people, but they will have difficulty getting to us here. They may have been in the helicopter, so we are lucky to be having this conversation now. They can be ruthless and, unlike us, do not necessarily care who else gets hurt.”

  “You are putting my party in danger. You have no right to do that.” Marcus was blunt and angry.

  “I understand you, Marcus. This is not something I want to do, but I’m afraid I have no choice. My brother and I are both armed and the safety of your party depends upon you following my instructions. To begin with, I would like that cell phone.”

  Marcus complied, slapping the instrument forcefully into Luis’ hand. “So; how will this end?” he challenged.

  “As soon as we reach the sea, we will take a boat and go. We had intended to leave your party in a remote area, but I think we both realise now that others are aware of our presence here, so that will not be necessary.”

  “If we change our plans and head straight for the sea, the group will realise something is wrong,” Marcus concluded.

  Luis thought for a moment. “They are just tourists. They don’t know where we are, even now. As long as we do not rush, and leave time for some of your activities, I doubt they’ll know the difference. All I ask is to be on a beach before sunset. Then everyone will be safe, including us.”

  Marcus stared back towards the others then nodded reluctantly in agreement. “If things go wrong, please do not use my people as shields or hostages.”

  Luis said nothing. He did not know himself what he would do in such circumstances. Marcus thought about pressing his point, but realised he had little with which to bargain. He turned in frustration and walked back up the track to brief Cesar.

  Chapter Forty-Two

  The Marshes

  “I see that our visitor likes you.”

  Laura felt the sudden flush in her cheeks and stared fixedly at the ground. David recognised he had stumbled into a private affair and did his best to back-track. “I’m so sorry for putting you through that experience in the water earlier,” he pleaded. Laura still did not respond, so he decided to change tack again. “Cesar says there is a Mayan customs house on this island. There has apparently been a do
ck here since ancient times and there’s still a Mayan canal that links this lake to the next. Do you want to take a look?”

  “Yes, please.” It was Lloyd who answered and he and Hannah immediately jumped up.

  Laura grasped David’s arm and levered herself to her feet. “Come on then.” She smiled at the pair of youngsters and headed off up the track, leaving David to trail on behind. Moments later they passed Marcus, who was so preoccupied he barely noticed them. Laura wondered when it was they had last properly conversed. Her recent trauma had inspired no more than a perfunctory - Are you alright? If her current career were to continue, she reflected, it looked increasingly unlikely that it would be with Tailwind Adventure.

  David caught up. “There it is,” he declared, slightly out of breath. They stared at the low stone building, which looked more like a Second World War bunker or gun emplacement than a pre-Columbian structure.

  “Let’s each go in through a different door,” Hannah suggested, sprinting forward and disappearing through the middle of three parallel portals.

  The others followed her instruction then stood blinking in the single damp and gloomy interior. Laura put her finger to her lips and pointed upward. A large colony of fruit bats hung from ancient wooden rafters. Hannah squealed, despite her attempt at silence, and pointed too. A jet black tarantula with a bright red belly was sitting on a fallen roof-tile, only feet from where they stood. It was waiting patiently for something to fall. The bats began to shuffle and squabble at the sudden noise. Laura and David abruptly found themselves alone.