Catherine's Cross (45 page)

When she woke the next morning, she was alone. Her body was stiff from the exertions of the previous day, and she slowly rolled out of the bed. Taking a few moments, she studied her cabana, admiring the thatched ceiling, tile floor, and the warmth created by lamplight. She had been too tired to admire the petite lodge the night before.

Seth opened the door carrying two large mugs of coffee in his hands. She could smell the delicious aroma of the drink as he handed her a cup. “Here, baby, this will get you going.”

She took a large sip. “Mmmm . . . tastes great. It's strong.”

“I was told that the coffee beans are grown nearby at Gallon Jug.”

“Gallon Jug?”

“Yes, I was told by the hostess, Irma, that when the British arrived to harvest mahogany, they found old gallon jugs left by the Spanish centuries before—hence the name, Gallon Jug.”

He looked at his watch. “Thomas will be arriving in Belize later this morning. The police will be picking him up from the airport for the drive up here. Two federal officers with the FBI will be flying to the airstrip at Gallon Jug this afternoon from San Salvador. We will be meeting here to make our plans.”

“I see.”

“Jenks, get dressed. I've been out exploring while you slept. I want to show you the grounds around the lodge. This place is remarkable. I was told that the lodge is built on a former Maya site, and
Chan Chich
means
little bird.
I don't think I've ever seen so many species of birds in my life. After we meet with Mr. Price for breakfast, let's take a walk around.”

After a delicious breakfast of sausage, eggs, biscuits, and fruit, Seth and Jenks set off on foot to explore the grounds. Mr. Price declined to join them, as he had visited the lodge on several occasions.

Seth took Jenks by the hand. “We'll start with this pathway. I was told that there is an undisturbed Maya site along this trail.”

As they ventured into the jungle, a group on horseback passed by them. Greetings were exchanged before the party on horseback disappeared around a bend in the pathway. Eventually, they reached the Maya site. The jungle was cleared away to some degree and a wall of limestone surrounded what appeared to be an ancient temple. “One of the guides said this site dates to approximately seven hundred BC.”

“It's simply amazing,” Jenks replied. She studied the structures at the site.

There was movement in the trees above them, and a group of large brown-and-black monkeys congregated in the tree limbs above.

“I was told that we might encounter howler monkeys. They're looking at you like they might carry you off.”

Jenks gazed at the monkeys for a moment and then looked at Seth. “I'm nervous.”

“I won't let the monkeys grab you.”

“I mean about Frank Hiller.”

“I know. I'm just teasing you. I plan to keep you busy today so that you don't have time to think about him.” Seth put his hand under her chin and tilted her head up to look at him.

“Everything's going to be all right. Just calm down and take a deep breath.”

She complied with his command and then they continued their walk. “I understand that a couple sighted a jaguar in broad daylight a few days ago along this path.”

He took her by her hand and led her back onto the trail. The monkeys continued to let out deafening growls and howls.

Late that afternoon, the combined law enforcement officers met in the lodge at the Chan Chich Resort. Detective Alvarez had secured the arrest warrant for Frank Hiller from a magistrate earlier in the day. Accompanying him was a young officer, referred to only as Lopez, from Belize City. Seth introduced himself and Thomas Campbell. Then he introduced Jenks to the group of officers.

The two FBI agents from San Salvador were physically fit men in their forties. The higher-ranking officer was named Warren Simpson. The other agent, Antonio Castillo, had a deep scar just at his hairline and remained quiet most of the time.

Seth drew out a sketch of the property with Mr. Price's help. The two police officers from Belize City agreed to go in before nightfall to watch the property and verify that Frank Hiller was there and that the warrant could be served at first light. Satellite phones and side arms were provided by the FBI. Due to Belize's strict gun control laws, special permission had been obtained from the police commissioner in Belmopan to bring the weapons into the country. Seth and Thomas would serve the warrant and the other officers would provide support. Jenks couldn't help but think how much she wanted to see Frank Hiller's face when he was placed under arrest.

Before the meeting concluded, Mr. Price said that he would remain off the property with Miss Ellington at a safe distance to observe and to help with surveillance. “Extra sets of eyes can only help,” he said.

Due to Price's reputation with both the FBI and the Belize police there was little argument. Jenks stood and thanked the men for their efforts to bring Frank Hiller to justice. She looked in Seth's direction after speaking, only to see him glaring at her with a dark scowl on his face. Thomas took a look at Seth, and then came to her patting her on the shoulder. Jenks looked up into his eyes. “Thomas—thank you for coming down here to help with the rendition process.”

“Yes, ma'am. I'll be glad to see this guy brought to justice.”

Mr. Price joined Jenks, Seth, and Thomas. He looked at Seth before saying, “I do not want you to worry. I am not only a private investigator, but I am still an employee of the Belize City Police Department, and I often work in security details as a bodyguard. I will look after Miss Ellington.” He nodded to the group and then said good night.

The two FBI agents were the next to leave the room. On the way back to the cabana, Jenks and Seth passed the two men as they sat on an open-air porch, smoking cigars. Their conversation was being conducted in Spanish, but when they noticed their presence they switched to English and said good night.

Seth followed her into the cabana. Jenks could see on his face a rare look of contained anger. “Did you ask Mr. Price to stay with you during the arrest? The truth, Jenks!”

“I'm always honest with you. Look, Seth—I need to do this for Gigi.”

“Anything can happen, and I don't want you to get hurt.”

“I think Mr. Price knows what he's doing.”

“That's not the point.”

“Seth . . . Please, no more discussion. I intend to see that bastard put under arrest.” She held up her hand to stop him from saying anything else.

During the night, a severe storm descended upon the area. The winds blew with such ferocity that Jenks feared that the roof might come off their cabana. She snuggled close to Seth, and she realized he was awake as well. He kissed her repeatedly on her cheeks and lips.

“Are you worried?” she whispered.

“I am about you.”

She didn't respond, but put her arms around him and held him tightly. “I love you.”

“Miss Ellington, I love you too.”

Before dawn, the police officers who had staked out the property overnight phoned the FBI agents to confirm that Frank Hiller was at home and to say that the road leading to his home was blocked by trees downed in yesterday's storm. The officers approaching the property would have to park a short distance away and walk in. The downed trees also meant that Frank Hiller had no effective means of escape—except on foot.

At first light, the group of law enforcement officers took their agreed-upon positions around the home. Jenks and Mr. Price were positioned just off the roadway to the property, in a location that made the viewing of the arrest possible.

The winds were still strong and Jenks pulled her hair back with a tie to keep it from whipping into her face. Mr. Price looked at her. “I was told this morning that the weather we experienced last night is coming from a tropical disturbance off the coast of Belize. We may be in for some more bad weather today . . . late in the year for it though.”

Jenks was so nervous that she had begun to twirl her hair with her fingers—a motion that was noticed by Mr. Price.

“Do not worry. We will soon have Mr. Hiller in custody.”

Jenks gave him a slight smile, and he returned it. He then handed Jenks a pair of field glasses before putting the telescopic lens up to his eye. Together, they watched.

Jenks's breathing hitched as she watched the officers take their positions around the house. Seth and Thomas went to the front door. Jenks could not hear what they were saying, but without hesitation they entered through the screened doors at the front entrance. Just as they went inside, movement caught Jenks's eye off to the right of the house. She quickly realized that a portion of a large tree had broken off during last night's storm, and someone was moving within the large boughs that lay across the lawn. “Frank Hiller,” she hissed.

Pointing quickly to the area, Jenks declared, “He's there . . . inside the boughs of a downed tree.”

The sound of chopping wood could now be heard above the whistling of the wind. Mr. Price laid his lens on its case and used his cell phone to alert the other officers. Jenks could barely breathe as she watched Seth and Thomas come back outside to the front of the house and then quickly race to the side with the downed tree limbs. She tried to lick her lips, but there was no moisture in her mouth.

The other officers appeared from other vantage points, and she could still see the torso of Frank Hiller. His lower body was obscured by the branches of the tree.

Within seconds, he was surrounded by the officers, and she watched as his hands went up into the air.

Then—almost as if some unknown force had intervened, another large bough broke off the partially downed tree and came careening to the ground. Jenks watched in horror as the limb descended upon the men. Frank Hiller was untouched and ran toward the jungle behind the house. For a moment, the story of Meta Andrews's relative losing his son when a large limb broke from a tree he was trimming, striking the child dead, flashed through her mind. Mr. Price put down the telescopic lens and removed a large black handgun from a holster underneath his linen shirt.

“The man has incredible luck,” Mr. Price murmured. “Miss Ellington, stay here,” he said, looking her in the eye.

He moved quickly in the direction of the house and she made a decision. Right or wrong—she was following Price to the home. She prayed that none of the officers were injured from the falling bough.
Dear God, let Seth be all right.

Her heart was beating fiercely when she reached the downed tree. The young officer, Lopez, who had accompanied Detective Alvarez, had been struck by a bough and was bleeding from a contusion to his head. Alvarez and Mr. Price were administering first aid. Jenks caught her breath, and Mr. Price looked up at her with a look of warning. “Miss Ellington, stay here. Do not go any further.”

“Mr. Price, I have to see about Seth.”

Jenks ran toward the back of the property. She could see on the damp lawn the trail of footfalls that led toward the jungle. As she neared the edge of the lawn, the path split in two. She could tell that both trails had been taken.
They've split up. What trail to take?