Third Half (26 page)

             
She allowed her eyes to search the tree she leaned against for a
mark.  Instead, she felt her throat constrict as she saw brightly colored snake slide out from the leaves.  Frozen she stood staring as the reptile
slid closer to where she stood.  Then it stopped.

             
It seemed to be staring right into her eyes, as though summing
up its victim.  She heard a shrill scream, then realized it was her own,
but before she could turn to run, she saw something dark knock the
serpent from the tree.  Strong arms grabbed her and pulled her away.

             
Frightened, she looked up into Todd's own brown eyes, seeing
an instead of relief, followed quickly by undisguised humor.  "It only
wanted to give you a hug,"  he teased.

             
Her anger returned, replacing her fear.  "It's lucky you chased
it.  One snake today is more than enough for me!"

             
His smile faded as he released her and retrieved his jacket.  He
knew exactly what her words had meant.   She'd been able to score
one hit on him, yet it made her feel no better.

             
"We can't waste anymore time,"  Todd said as he roughly
pulled her arm and headed back on the path to the plane.

I

             
She accepted the drink of water from Todd's canteen, but still
refused his offer of more MREs.  "I don't want anything to eat.  All I
want to do is sleep," she said as she rubbed her temple.  "I have a
splitting headache."

             
"It's no wonder," Todd said as his weary brown eyes seemed to
scan her with sympathy.  "I suppose this hasn't exactly been an
ordinary day for you."

             
"Hardly."  She sighed as she lowered herself into the green
sleeping bag he had laid out for her. 
Green.  I'm sick of green. 
Everything outside is green.  I feel green. 
She closed her eyes against
the growing pain in her head, knowing she was being irritable, but
feeling too awful to care.

             
Todd went to the front of the plane and returned with a small
red metal case.  "I think I have some aspirins in here."

             
"Thanks," she said, forcing a weak smile, then watched as he
took a small bottle from the case.

             
"It still may help if you try to eat a little something,"  he said
as he handed her the white bottle.  "You should keep up your
strength."

             
She felt a twinge of guilt, remembering the half sandwich she
had hidden in her bag.  Though it had been stale, it still tasted like a
gourmet meal compared to the rations he had eaten.  "Actually, I never was a big eater,"  she said truthfully.  "And right now, I'd rather
rest."

             
"Okay,"  he said softly, watching her lie down again.  "You do
that.  We have an even bigger day ahead of us tomorrow."

             
"Bigger,"  she repeated weakly, as sleep finally overcame her.  

             
Todd leaned his head back against the wall of the plane. 
Yes,
it had been quite a day. 
So many unexpected things had occurred to
them.  For what he felt must have been the thousandth time, he
wished Mary Catherine had remained in New York.  But then . . .

             
His frown deepened as he remembered their moments together
at the edge of the pool.  He knew how much Mary Catherine now
regretted those moments.  He didn't want her to regret it, but how
could he blame her?  After all that happened she was weak and
vulnerable.  Yet, she hadn't seemed weak and vulnerable.

             
A long exasperated sigh escaped his lips as he looked back at
the woman now sleeping soundly only a few feet away.  He usually
had far better control of himself, but something about her got under
his skin.  And that was something he could not afford.  In his line of
work you had to keep your emotions in check.

             
I have to do whatever I can to get this whole mess straightened
out as quickly as possible.  Then put as much distance between us as
possible.

I

             
When Liane awoke, the throbbing in her temples had
increased, yet carefully she raised herself to a sitting position, trying
to recognize her surroundings.  Within a moment all memories
returned to her: the plane crashing in the jungle, the dead soldier
whose clothing she now wore, the trek through the tangled green
underbrush looking for a village. 

             
But instead of a village, they had found the clear, cool pool of
water, swimming in its refreshing depths, before . . .

             
As the final memory returned, Liane looked around the
compartment to find her companion, wondering where he had slept
the night before.  She found him propped up next to the hatch,
sleeping; yet she suspected he had kept vigilance there most of the
night while she had slept.

             
Quietly she started to get up, but stopped as a wave of nausea
overcame her.  Closing her eyes, she waited for the queasiness to
subside before again attempting to stand.  Weak and dizzy, she started
for the hatch, hoping to open it without his knowing.

             
"What are you up to?"  Todd asked as he stretched his arms
wide above his head.  "I must have dozed off."

             
"Were you awake all night?"

             
"Someone had to stand watch.  We aren't exactly safe in the
heart of Manhattan."

             
"We wouldn't exactly be safe sleeping out of doors there
either,"  she tried to joke, as another wave of dizziness caught her
unaware.  She leaned her weak body against the wall for support.

             
"Hey, what's wrong?"  Todd stood and stared intently into her
pale face.

             
"Nothing . . .well . . ."  She looked up, suddenly wrapping her
arms around her middle as a cramp nearly doubled her over.  "I better
go outside."    

             
Without a word he opened the hatch, stepping out ahead of
her.  "Can you wait while I check if it's safe?"

             
"No, I can't," she groaned, passing him as she nearly ran
toward the bushes.    

             
Todd watched with concern as she finally returned.  "Now, tell
me what's wrong."

             
"Isn't it obvious," she snapped irritably, immediately regretting
her anger after he seemed so concerned.  "I feel awful," she admitted
more softly.  "My head, my stomach . . .I . . ."  She stopped as the
color drained from her face.  She quickly turned, again rushing toward
the bushes.

             
This time when she returned, Todd made her sit as he felt her
head.  "You feel pretty warm, too.  You probably have a stomach
virus.  It's nothing uncommon to strangers in these regions.  I doubt
it's anything more serious.  The shots you get before coming down
here, take care of that."

             
"Shots?"  She gave him a grim look of despair, her green eyes
glittering within her ashen face.

             
"Yes, the ones you got before leaving the States."

             
"Oh . . .those shots."  Liane looked away, suddenly more
frightened.  She had not had those shots.  The same shots that had
made her sister so violently ill.

             
"Hey, do you think you'll be up to heading out of here today?" 
Todd asked, eyeing her with concern.

             
"I don't . . .Oh no."  She rose again and left him.

             
Liane was dragging herself weakly back toward the plane
when a shot rang out.  Without thought she hurried ahead to make
certain Todd was all right.

             
"Don't shoot!"  Todd shouted as the men raised their weapons
toward Liane.  "She's unarmed."    

             
One of the men said something in a language that was fast
becoming familiar to Liane, though she still didn't understand the
words.  She saw the men lowering their rifles.  Glancing at the group
before her, she realized they were all clad in clothing similar to what
she now wore.    

             
Her eyes stopped on a small familiar form standing behind the
others.  "It's you!"  She smiled at the boy, then looked at Todd.  "He
knows Jack.  Tell him I'm the nun from the orphanage."

             
Todd repeated her words in their language, as the boy slowly
stepped forward.  He looked at her face, then at the pants and shirt she
now wore.

             
"I'm only wearing this so I can walk more easily,"  she said in
excitement, trying to explain.  "My habit is inside the plane."  She
started for the plane, but one of the men jumped forward and grabbed
her.

             
The first man said something to the one now holding her, and
she was released.  "You may get it,"  he then said to her.

             
She started for the plane again, followed by the soldier, then as
she glanced over her shoulder she noticed Todd had joined the leader
and was pointing to the shallow grave some distance from the plane. 
She saw the man's grip tighten on his rifle, but his expression was
unreadable. 

             
Suddenly another pain shot through her middle as she nearly
doubled over.  "Todd!"  she called before slumping weakly to the
ground.

             
She felt smooth leather, cool against her warm cheek, and
knew when she opened her eyes she would find Todd.  She noted the
look of concern on his face, and the dark terror in his brown eyes.

             
"We're going with these men, M.C.,"  he said.  "Suarez, their
leader, won't take no for an answer.  Do you think you can make it?"

             
"Do I have a choice?"  she said, glancing around at the group
of men.  Not waiting for a reply, she sat up, supporting herself against
Todd.  "We
have
to go with them." Her words were urgent.  "I know
the name, Suarez.  It was in Jack's notes, hidden with the other things. 
These people may know something about Jack."

             
"I already asked them.  They know him, but won't say anything
else."

             
"Could they be the ones holding him?  They tie in with
Juanita, don't they?"

             
"Don't ask so many questions,"  Todd ordered. 
For your own
sake.
"Save your strength.  We have a walk ahead of us, and I don't
have any idea how long it will be."  He helped her up beside him. 
"They're ready to leave."

             
As they started she turned to look at the plane.   "My bag."

             
Todd sighed and looked to the leader, releasing her as he saw
the man nod.  He quickly went into the plane and returned carrying
her small duffle bag.

             
"Thank you," she nearly whispered, seeing his jaw tighten
beneath his beard.

             
"Don't worry about it,"  he replied gruffly.  "I realize you can't
forget what's inside here." 
Anymore than I can forget who I am.