by K D McNiven
“Not really. Just that it’s big, and they assume it’s one of the caimans or sharks indigenous to this area. And Richard here said he saw a long tail and gray body. Other than that, nothing more specific.”
“Has there been any attacks on land?” Rourke asked.
“I’m not sure. I’ve not heard of any. If it’s a caiman it’s possible, they rest along the riverbanks and could overtake someone unawares. Maybe the police would have more knowledge to help you out?”
“Thank you. Not just for the information…for taking such great care of Richard. We all appreciate it,” Meg said.
“My pleasure. Now, if you could give me some time, I need to check out Richard’s wound and give him more meds. If you could come back later, that would be fine.”
“Take care of yourself, Richard,” Camilla smiled. “And Madison, if you need anything, or need to get back to the ship just call. We’re at your disposal.”
“Thanks, Camilla, I appreciate it. I’m fine for now. I just want Richard well and to get him home.”
***
After leaving the hospital, the team drove to the police department to see if they could gather more evidence. Surely, the police would have been notified had someone come across a body mutilated by an animal.
The police commander, Fernando Carvalho sat introspectively behind his desk, gazing at the group of Americans standing in front of him. Once they had begun to throw out their questions, he began formulating how he would respond. Without words, he got up from his seat and walked to the file cabinet. He thumbed through several folders before plucking one of them out and tossed it onto his desk, grim-faced.
“You will discover most of your answers inside this file,” he said bleakly, his face shadowed.
Rourke reached out to snag the folder almost hesitantly, then flipped it open. There were dozens of photos of mutilated bodies that had been discovered on the beach and in the jungle spanning several years, amidst stacks of complaints about being bitten by something while in the water.
One by one, Rourke took hold of the photos and laid them out on top of the desk, his eyes flickering up to meet Fernando’s. Rourke glimpsed the chiseled features in Fernando’s face, reflecting despair—with the sickening knowledge a creature or creatures were running loose on the mainland and feasting on its residents.
“This is unbelievable,” Rourke said, the hairs on the back of his neck standing taut and a cold finger of shock tracing his spine.
“We hired two trappers,” Fernando said quietly. “They were both eaten alive. We discovered what was left of them near the mouth of the tributary south of here.”
“Sorry,” Rourke replied. “I’m a paleontologist from San Diego. I was asked to come and identify the creature. I believe it is a Purussaurus, a prehistoric caiman from the Miocene epoch. I know from my studies, skull fragments were discovered in Brazil, Columbia, and the Peruvian Amazonia, as well as Northern Venezuela. The Purussaurus was one of the largest species in the crocodile-forms to have ever existed.”
“How is that possible?’ he questioned.
“The question of the day. I don’t have the answers until we investigate further. I hope I can eventually give you the details you’re looking for. In the meantime, I’m asking permission to do a thorough study along the river.”
“You are welcome to investigate. However, I cannot be responsible if any of your team is hurt or killed during your study.”
“I understand.”
“Then I wish you and the team the best of luck, Mr. Wolf.” He reached out with a firm handshake.
They sat in the rental jeep for a time, talking about what they had just learned. The photos told the story, sparing nothing in their graphic detail. The attacks were vicious.
“Isn’t it possible, it’s still only a caiman?” Jayden finally broke the silence.
“Not with the size of the prints we measured out. The creature has to weigh close to eight metric tons. I’m guesstimating the beast has around seven metric tons bite force, and anywhere from thirty-six to forty feet in its length. No caiman could match those dimensions today.”
“You’re talking prehistoric! How is that even imaginable?”
Rourke turned his head to look directly into Jayden’s black eyes. “As I told the police commander, I don’t have the answers…yet. One thing for sure, I’m not going to quit until I do.”
The mood was somber at best as they traveled along the jungle road skirting the river. They kept their eyes on the small houses dotting the banks, built on pilings in case of flooding, and took note of machinery or anything that might be the source of pollution. Presumably, it would not be a large corporation as the amounts of seepage were meager, yet enough to corrupt the integrity of the water flowing into the ocean and enough to create red algae.
Up ahead, they noticed a large warehouse enclosed by a ten-foot, chain-link fencing, topped with coiled barbed wire. Unusual in that it stood out like a penguin wearing a tuxedo, in contrast to the more dilapidated structures built alongside the river.
“I can’t see any oil barrels stacked outside,” Meg said, craning her neck for a better view. “What kind of business would be out here in the middle of the jungle?”
“Hard to say,” Rourke replied. “There aren’t any signs. There are a few cars on the west side, so we can assume someone is manufacturing something. Still, strange there isn’t a sign out front.”
“By the size of the warehouse, it must be some type of large equipment they’re constructing.”
Rourke pulled off to the side of the road and turned the key off. Without a word, he stepped out of the vehicle and walked over to the locked gate.
Meg couldn’t be sure what he was up to, so she hopped over the side of the jeep and hurried over to where he stood. A barking dog could be heard coming from the rear of the building, then the dog came bursting around the corner in a dead run toward them, its teeth bared. The German Shepherd lunged at the gate snarling and snapping at them.
The front door of the building swung wide open and two men in possession of rifles headed their way, guns at ready. Whatever they were doing inside, it was made clear they did not want anyone snooping around.
When they reached the fence, one of the men, dressed in olive-green cargo pants, tan short-sleeved shirt, and brown felt hat, leaned down and grabbed the dog’s collar. His eyes were narrowed and he reeked of tobacco smoke.
“What do you want?”
Rourke started to speak when Meg stepped in front of him, determined not to be bullied by the two men and a dog. She smiled sweetly. “We’re a team of biologists sent by the Oceanic Research Center. Our ship is anchored just offshore. It was reported that someone has been dumping oil into the river next to your compound and it has created the formation of red algae, which is detrimental to the ecosystem.”
“So, what do you want here?” he said, his lip curling back from two rotting teeth.
“We are trying to determine the source. We thought perhaps you may know of someone here in the area who might be working on vehicles, or equipment that might be responsible.”
“No idea. Now leave.”
“Sorry to rile you up,” she replied. “We’re only trying to help out the community.”
“Do it elsewhere.”
Rourke now stepped in front of Meg. The dog lurched forward, its paws bashing against the chain-link fence. Saliva dripped from the corners of his mouth, making it abundantly clear, he would rip them to shreds if they dared to take a step beyond the gate.
“Now the lady has been forthcoming and kind to you. I think perhaps you need to be a bit more amiable.”
The man pressed the stock against his shoulder and raised the barrel level at Rourke’s head, as did the other man. He sneered. “I think you’d better get the hell out of here unless you want your head blown off your shoulders!”
Rourke made a slight movement forward but stopped when Meg grabbed at his sleeve, holding him back. The last thing they needed wa
s for him to get shot.
Without another word, Rourke grabbed Meg’s hand, nearly dragging her back to the jeep. His face was etched with tension. Meg had seen that look before and knew had there not been a fence separating them, Rourke no doubt would have ripped the man’s throat out. He was not one to be bullied.
The two men did not move a muscle until Rourke had fired up the jeep and sped off down the muddy road. Their protective behavior only managed to make the team wonder what they were hiding in the warehouse.
“What do you think that was all about?” Jayden asked.
“I’m not sure,” Rourke replied. “Whatever it is, I have every intention to find out.”
“Why don’t you leave it well enough alone, Rourke,” Meg interrupted. “We have other worries right now, like giant caiman that likes to eat the residents out here in the jungle.”
“They are up to no good,” Rourke replied. “Why else would they need a fortress? Something fishy is going on behind those walls.”
“Maybe drugs,” Jayden said. “And if it is, you probably would be better off to steer clear of the facility don’t you think?”
Meg chuckled, drawing everyone’s attention. “You don’t know Rourke.”
She saw Rourke grin as he looked at Meg through the rearview mirror.
Chapter Seven
⁂
Dr. Wilhelm Dietrich turned his head when he heard the door open behind him. His wire-rim glass lenses had steamed up from the heavy humidity. His snowy-white hair was slicked back from his square face, and he appeared agitated.
“Who was here?” he asked, his German accent almost slurred. He quickly tipped a plastic water bottle to his lips and gulped down several swallows, then dabbed the sweat from his forehead. The large fan which usually kept him comfortable had broken down two hours before and the heat was nearly unbearable.
Ramon Sousa, a security guard, along with Aberto Rojas, stood framed in the doorway, rifles slung over their shoulders and dressed in khaki outfits.
“A team from Oceanic Research Center. Someone has been dumping oil into the river and causing some kind of algae growth.”
“Did you get rid of them?”
Ramon shook his head. “Took a bit of prompting, although we got the message through. They headed upstream.”
“Good,” Dr. Wilhelm replied. “Now I need you to do me a favor. One of you needs to run into town and pick me up a new fan. I can’t work under these conditions.”
“All right, I’ll get on it.” Ramon turned to leave, stopping when the doctor called out to him.
“Make sure those people don’t come snooping back around. The last thing I need is to have curiosity seekers.”
“We’ll make sure, Doc,” he replied. “If they are stupid enough to stop again, it will be their last time. I know just the place to dump their bodies where no one will ever find them.” Without further discussion, Ramon and Alberto headed back to their post.
Right then, Dr. Anna Povlov entered the spacious lab. She scanned the perimeters, shaking her head at the disorganized mess Dr. Wilhelm had made—test tubes, bone fragments, piles of folders strewn across the counter tops. Never had she met anyone so disorderly in their work habits, then again, there were only the three of them who shared the space so what did it matter?
She had worked with Wilhelm for several years when they both lived in Berlin and had worked at the same lab. After a time, they began seeing one another intimately, first on the weekends, then almost every evening when they got off from work. Not long after, they shared the same bed, and because of their deepening relationship, Wilhelm chose to include her in on what he had been researching, taking her fully off guard. Anna had been as excited about the prospect of cloning as he had. When it came time for Wilhelm to move to the new facility in the jungle, he made sure Anna was at his side. There had never been a moment when Anna regretted her decision. It had turned out to be the dream of a lifetime—all the sweeter because she had Wilhelm’s heart.
Anna immediately felt the oppressive heat and took notice that the fan had shut down. It had been much cooler in the basement where she spent most of her time monitoring the Purussaurus they had recreated more than three years earlier. Managing to contain the animals had become impossible because of their size. They had long since outgrown their quarters and could come and go freely out of the channel, enabling them to hunt for prey in the tributary nearby or even the Amazon should they wander that far. Unfortunately, multiple lives had been lost because of their freedom to roam. In the end, it had become a lucrative endeavor. At least for them.
As they progressed with their genetically altered genus, they were rewarded substantially. Funds had come in from a couple of conglomerates affiliated with a rich Japanese mogul, allowing Dr. Wilhelm to continue experimentation through the next year.
“Here are some more lab reports,” Anna said, striding across the room, folder extended in her arthritic fingers. It didn’t take more than a nanosecond to see Wilhelm was overcome by the heat. “Why don’t you sit down Will,” she said, having lost all formality over the years. Working so closely together had nurtured more than a friendship between them.
“Don’t mind if I do,” he replied, dotting his forehead with a white handkerchief and walking over to a small table across the room, where he plopped down. “Ramon headed off into town to buy a new fan. The blasted thing broke down and I feel like I’m suffocating.”
Anna walked over to a small refrigerator and grabbed two chilled bottles of water, thankful they had generators to keep their research program running smoothly. It would have been impossible otherwise.
He chugged half the bottle to cool himself. “We had some visitors.”
“Oh?”
“There’s a research ship anchored offshore. I’ve been keeping tabs on it because they were spotted roaming along the riverbanks. James noticed they were snapping lots of photos and were within a stone’s throw of the cave.”
James Holcombe worked as an assistant alongside Wilhelm. He’d been brought into the loop the year before, sworn to secrecy, and was an asset to Wilhelm. James happened to be a whiz at electrical engineering and saw to it that the equipment ran smoothly. When anything broke down, James used his incredible intellect and knowledge to make sure it got back up and running quickly. Had Wilhelm not been fortunate to have discovered James, he probably would have failed in keeping the place operational.
“Do you think they suspect something?”
“I’m not sure. I have a sneaking suspicion they’ve come across evidence supporting there’s more out there than just caiman.”
Anna smoothed back her silver threaded dark hair and sighed. Concern was stamped on her aged face. “What should we do?”
Wilhelm patted her hand. “Nothing for you to worry about, dear. We’ll keep an eye on them. If they do anything to interfere, I suppose we’ll have to dispose of them.”
Anna knew what that meant. She remembered the couple who were boating upstream when they heard loud noises crashing through the tangle of underbrush. Even the canopy of Lupuna and Wimba trees quaked. Fear-ridden, the two overturned their boat and made a frantic attempt to flee. When they spotted the out-of-the-way warehouse, they screamed and beat on the fence until they were brought in. Unfortunately, the two were dealt with and never seen again. It wasn’t what Anna had wanted, though necessary if they were to remain faceless to the rest of the world.
“Hopefully, they’ll keep their studies directed on the ocean,” she replied, not realizing they had already found mounting evidence there was some creature feeding on human flesh.
“As I said, don’t fret your pretty head over such matters. Ramon and Aberto will make sure they don’t pass through our gates.”
Anna smiled. “I suppose I need to head back down to the basement. It’s nearly feeding time and you know how cranky our friends get when they don’t get enough to satisfy them.”
He chuckled, drawing her fingers to his lips. I don’t know ho
w I got so lucky to find you, Anna. You have been my greatest reward in this venture.”
“And you have been mine, Will.” She turned to leave just as Ramon and Aberto were squeezing through the doorway, their arms loaded down with the large fan. As they set it in place and moved the other aside, they saw Dr. Wilhelm’s face smooth out. When the giant blades began to spin it took only minutes to cool down the room.
“I can’t thank you two enough,” he sighed, taking a moment to stand directly in front of the airflow. “I want you two to go post guard again at the gates. I have a gut feeling the group of scientists is not going to give up easily on finding out who we are and why we have a warehouse built in the Amazonian jungle.”
“Our thoughts, too,” replied Ramon. “That guy was really pushy. Even Rocky didn’t like him. I thought he was going to chew a hole in the fence to get at him,” he chuckled. “And though the woman tried to sound charming, we could sense the guy wouldn’t give up easily.”
“You do whatever you have to,” Wilhelm said. “This project is too important to let a couple interfere. And if you need to call on a couple of the other men to back them off, do it!”
“You’ve got it, Doc.”
Chapter Eight
⁂
After a point, the road narrowed out and became too mucky to go any further. The team had seen a few houses along the way but hadn’t noticed any canisters that might contain oil. If they didn’t come up with something on their own, they would probably have to involve the authorities, though chances looked good, something so insignificant to the community would almost certainly be shoved under the carpet and the dumping would continue.
“We might be able to get ORI to bring in another team for cleanup and find the source? However, with the prospect of running into a Purussaurus, I’m not sure we could convince them. At least not right now,” Meg said.
“You have a point,” Rourke said loudly over the roar of the jeep engine.