Words of Love

chapter EIGHTEEN



Frederico throttled the engine back.

That was his boat all right. He angled toward it.

The Zodiac was tied off at a muddy embankment. The rope was stretched taut as the swollen river tried to take the boat away. He looked up at the jungle behind it.

This was an area he’d always meant to explore. But the rich finds that surrounded it were more than enough to keep him busy.

What did that gringo find?

“Ernesto,” he barked. “Get the rope and tie off the boat.”

As the two boats bumped, Ernesto jumped into the water and quickly waded ashore.

Frederico jockeyed the boat as Ernesto tied a knot and then he killed the engine. He picked up Ernesto’s rifle and tossed it to him. Ernesto caught it with both hands. Then he took his pistol from its holster and tossed him that too, followed by the burlap sacks.

Then, he stepped from his boat to the other.

Two life jackets.

That’s right. The woman had been with him this time. He smirked. This might actually be fun.

He pulled his hat down tight, stepped onto the edge of the boat, and jumped all the way to the mud.

Ernesto immediately handed him the pistol. He thumbed the cylinder open out of habit, checked the bullets, and snapped it back closed before holstering it. His other hand went to the handle of the machete.

He pushed past Ernesto onto what looked like a small footpath.

“Follow me,” Frederico said.