PLEASE KISS ME TONI WHISPERED

A smoldering passion possessed him !o"#re $lir%ing &i%h $ire' he m"rm"red' ("% I %hin) *o" )no& %ha% And %hen' "nh"rriedl*' his lips me% hers +or e,-"isi%e momen%s his mo"%h (r"shed ligh%l* (a.) and $or%h/%a"n%ing' %emp%ing' deli(era%el* aro"sing0 She .losed her e*es as a grea% &a1e o$ &an%ing $looded %hro"gh her Her hands .rep% "n(idden aro"nd his ne.) as her lips par%ed more $"ll* and she so"gh% his mo"%h &i%h a (e%ra*ing ardor L"is s%opped a% on.e' (rea)ing a&a* &i%h a s"ddenness %ha% le$% her da2ed Odd' he said derisi1el*' I ha1e a $eeling %ha% *o" didn#% &an% %o s%op Wo"ld *o" ha1e pre$erred more3 O$ .o"rse no% Toni $eigned ligh%ness I don#% den* I en4o*ed %he e,perimen% 5"% %ha%#s all i% &as His lo& am"sed .h".)le did no%hing %o .alm her see%hing e,.i%emen%

A5RA TA!LOR is also %he a"%hor o$ %hese S6PERSOMAN7ES 8 / END O+ INNO7EN7E 9 / 7LO6D O:ER PARADISE 8; / A TASTE O+ EDEN

These %i%les ma* (e a1aila(le a% *o"r lo.al (oo)seller or (* &ri%ing %o World&ide Reader Ser1i.e 8<<= So"%h Pries% Dri1e' Tempe A> ?9 ;?8 7anadian address@ S%ra%$ord' On%ario N9A AW;

P"(lished B"ne 8C?; +irs% prin%ing April 8C?; IS5N =/DED/E= =;8/= 7op*righ% F.G 8C?; (* A(ra Ta*lor All righ%s reser1ed Philippine .op*righ% 8C?; A"s%ralian .op*righ% 8C?; E,.ep% $or "se in an* re1ie&' %he reprod".%ion or "%ili2a%ion o$ %his &or) in &hole or in par% in an* $orm (* an* ele.%roni. me.hani.al or o%her means' no& )no&n or herea$%er in1en%ed' in.l"ding ,erograph*' pho%o.op*ing and re.ording' or in an* in$orma%ion s%orage or re%rie1al s*s%em' is $or(idden &i%ho"% %he permission o$ %he p"(lisher' &orld&ide Li(rar* ;;9 D"n.an MHI Road' Don Mills On%ario' 7anada MD5 DKC All %he .hara.%ers in %his (oo) ha1e no rela%ion &ha%soe1er %o an*one (earing %he same name or names The* are no% e1en dis%an%l* inspired (* an* indi1id"al )no&n or "n)no&n %o %he a"%hor' and all %he in.iden%s an p"re in1en%ion The S"perroman.e %rademar)' .onsis%ing o$ %he &ord S6PERTOMAN7E and %he World&ide %rademar)' .onsis%ing o$ a glo(e and %he &ord &orld&ide in &hi.h %he le%%er o is represen%ed (* a depi.%ion o$ a glo(e' are %rademar)s o$ &orld&ide Li(rar* Prin%ed in 6SA CHAPTER ONE

A MISOH!NIST3 !o"#re )idding This sho"ld (e $"n %o &a%.h The am"sed dra&l .ame $rom a %all %hin man &i%h a p".)ish pro$essorial $a.e and prema%"rel* %hinning hair Li)e his %&o .ompanions' he &as sea%ed on %he edge o$ a large pa.)ing .ra%e' par% o$ a mis.ellaneo"s .olle.%ion o$ (aggage and $ilm e-"ipmen% %ha% res%ed on %he ri1er(an) near a .omple, o$ enormo"s do.)s The (la.) &a%ers o$ %he ri1er %eemed &i%h a 1arie%* o$ pi.%"res-"e .ra$%' 4"s% as %he shoreline s&armed &i%h h"mani%* o$ e1er* s)in .olor $rom ligh% %o dar)' and &earing e1er* manner o$ .lo%hing .onsis%en% &i%h %he %ropi.al hea% o$ %he da* Else&here along %he ri1er(an) Por%"g"ese &as (eing sho"%ed' ("% %his %rio spo)e English / a ma%%er %ha% se% %hem apar%' as did %he s%ore/$resh 4"ngle gear %he* all &ore +"n %o &a%.h &ha%3 p"22led a se.ond' some&ha% *o"nger man &i%h an open ingen"o"s e,pression !o"#re one "p on me' T* I .an#% e1en remem(er &ha% %he &ord Imisog*nis%# means I do"(% *o" e1er )ne&' 5arne*' la"ghed %he %hird and onl* $emale mem(er o$

%he gro"p Her pleasan% h"s)* a..en%' li)e %hose o$ %he %&o men' &as Ameri.an I% means %he 1er* opposi%e o$ *o" / in o%her &ords' a &oman ha%er So don#% loo) $or an* pre%%* li%%le n"rses a% %his pla.e &e#re going %o I don#% e,pe.% %here are an* No &omenJ No& she %ells "s M* Hod' Toni' &ha% %he hell are &e s"pposed %o do3 Ta)e .old sho&ers' s"gges%ed %he *o"ng &oman e-"a(l* The %hree &ere a %eam@ T* 7hisholm' dire.%or and .ameramanK 5arne* E1ans' so"ndman and some%ime assis%an% .ameramanK Toni 7arr"%hers' prod".er Toge%her %he* $ormed a s%ripped/%o/%he/(one $ilm/prod".%ion .re&' %he ma.hiner* o$ %heir small opera%ion &ell oiled (* more %han a *ear o$ &or)ing %oge%her The independen% Ne& !or) prod".%ion .ompan* %ha% emplo*ed %hem spe.iali2ed in %ra1el and &ildli$e do."men%aries' and i% &as $or %his reason %ha% %he %rio &as no& in 5ra2il@ a %&el1e/par% %ele1ision series on So"%h Ameri.a had (een sold %o an ed".a%ional ne%&or) The $irs% si, sho&s' $o."sing on So"%h Ameri.an .i%ies' had alread* (een p"% in %he .an S%ill %o (e $ilmed &ere %hose segmen%s dealing &i%h %he remo%er par%s o$ %he .on%inen%@ and $irs% and mos% impor%an% o$ %hese &as %he grea% Ama2on (asin' a .omple,' e,.i%ing' .hallenging area almos% as large as %he 6ni%ed S%a%es While T* and 5arne* .on.l"ded some s.hed"led shoo%ing in :ene2"ela' Toni had .ome on ahead %o %he Ama2on %o la* %he gro"nd&or) $or %he mon%h/long e,pedi%ion a(o"% %o (egin +or her' mos% o$ %his pas% &ee) in Mana"s' main .i%* o$ %he Ama2on in%erior' had (een spen% in a%%ending %o %he .onsidera(le shopping re-"ired $or an e,pedi%ion in%o %he 4"ngle A% %he momen%' s"rro"nded (* %he .ra%es and .ar%ons .on%aining Toni#s p"r.hases' %he prod".%ion %eam &as &ai%ing $or %he &ee)l* s"ppl* plane %ha% &as %o $err* %hem in%o %he Ama2on hin%erland' and $or %he 5ra2ilian o$$i.ial &ho &as %o es.or% %hem %o %heir des%ina%ion Hood LordJ A mon%h &i%ho"% &omen' gr"m(led 5arne*' loo)ing a% Toni a.."singl* Al%ho"gh se1eral *ears pas% his s%"den% da*s' &hen he had learned so"nd/ re.ording %e.hni-"es a% %he Eas%man S.hool o$ M"si. in Ne& !or) S%a%e' 5arne* &as s%ill a (a.helor / an eligi(le and en%h"sias%i. one' &ho re1eled in %he appeal his (o*ish good loo)s held $or mos% &omen 5arne* &as "n"sed %o (eing depri1ed o$ %he $air se, Toni merel* smiled serenel* I$ %his man L"en%al .an manage &i%ho"% &omen $or ele1en *ears' s"rel* *o" .an manage $or a mon%h Ele1en *ears' &his%led T* A Mid&es%erner' T* &as a dedi.a%ed &omani2er %&i.e di1or.ed $or his sins He had %ro"(le a(4"ring &omen $or ele1en da*s' le% alone ele1en *ears In %ha% respe.%' he and 5arne* &ere %&o peas in a pod

Wha%#s &i%h %his Dr L"en%al3 as)ed 5arne* A S.h&ei%2er .omple,3 Sa1e %he Ama2on Indians and %ha% sor% o$ %hing3 Ma*(e a (i% o$ %ha%' Toni a.)no&ledged ligh%l*' ("% I hear his main aim &as %o ge% a&a* $rom %he $emale o$ %he spe.ies He ("ried himsel$ in %he 4"ngle &hen he &as -"i%e *o"ng / %he *ear he (e.ame a do.%or' in $a.% T* shoo) his head in dis(elie$ I% %a)es all )inds Does L"en%al )no& %ha% one o$ %he spe.ies is a(o"% %o land in on him3 As Senhor Har.ia made all %he arrangemen%s (* le%%er' Toni replied' I reall* .an#% sa* When Har.ia arri1es' perhaps he#ll $ill "s in on %he de%ails Dr L"en%al )no&s &e#1e (een gi1en go1ernmen% permission %o $ilm %he Mara Indians' and he )no&s &e#ll (e s%a*ing $or a mon%h Tha% m".h he agreed %o "nder d"ress' on .ondi%ion &e don#% %r* %o $ilm him And I s"ppose he )no&s %here are %hree o$ "s 5"% &he%her he )no&s a(o"% meN As I said' i% sho"ld (e $"n %o &a%.h' T* grinned' gi1ing his shapel* $emale %eamma%e a )no&ing on.eo1er I% &as no% %he $irs% glan.e Toni 7arr"%hers had a%%ra.%ed on %his ("s* &a%er$ron% Hers &as a .ool serene (ea"%* One .o"ld onl* g"ess a% %he elegan% shape o$ long legs hidden (enea%h dra( and "n$la%%ering %ro"sers' ("% all her o%her asse%s &ere 1isi(le eno"gh' and %he* in.l"ded some 1er* $eminine ."r1es Her hair' a &arm s"(%le .aramel .olor' &as ."% in a sho"lder/leng%h s&ing &i%h a s%raigh% $ringe a.ross her (ro& She &ore i% looped .as"all* (ehind her ears' &i%h no% so m".h as a single ."rl in%err"p%ing i%s sa%in* &ell/groomed smoo%hness A% %he momen% lips%i.)' a has%* slash o$ pin)' &as her onl* .on.ession %o $eminini%*K and li%%le o$ %ha% &as needed %o enhan.e a $a.e &i%h 4"s% %he righ% %o".h o$ independen.e %o %he .hin' 4"s% %he righ% ."r1e o$ h"mor %o %he mo(ile mo"%h' and 4"s% %he righ% hin% o$ s%"((ornness %o %he s%raigh% &ell/shaped nose Toni &as %oo m".h o$ a .areer &oman %o ind"lge in an* e,.ess o$ $eminine $ro%h Per$"me &as her one &ea)ness' and a% %he momen%' .lad $or an e,pedi%ion %o a remo%e Ama2on %ri("%ar*' she had no% e1en ind"lged in %ha% A$%er a *ear o$ li1ing &i%h %he %&o o$ *o"' Toni re%or%ed imper%"r(a(l*' I#1e had plen%* o$ pra.%i.e &i%h di$$i."l% males He &on#% gi1e me a momen%#s pa"se Does an*one3 snor%ed 5arne* E1ans Who %old *o" all %his s%"$$ a(o"% L"en%al' Toni3 as)ed T* Tha% pre%%* girl a% %he airpor% / %he (londe *o" &ere (o%h ogling *es%erda* a$%ernoon We s%ar%ed %o .ha% &hile I &as &ai%ing $or *o"r $ligh% %o .ome in The name L"en%al &as $amiliar %o herK she#s deal% &i%h him $rom %ime %o %ime E1iden%l* he does

.ome o"% o$ hiding on.e in a (l"e moon' and &hen he does he "s"all* $i4es %o Rio She %hin)s he m"s% ha1e ("siness in%eres%s %here 5arne* p"% on a p"22led e,pression Hirl a% %he airpor%3 I don#% )no& &ha% girl *o"#re %al)ing a(o"% Nei%her do I' T* e.hoed inno.en%l* The one a% %he :arig des) Am"sed' Toni loo)ed a% %he %&o o%her mem(ers o$ her $ilm %eam &i%ho"% re1ealing %ha% she had o1erheard (o%h o$ %hem' a% separa%e momen%s' %r*ing %o ma)e a da%e &i%h %he a%%ra.%i1e :arig emplo*ee $or ne,% mon%h' &hen %he .re& &o"ld (e re%"rning %o Mana"s a$%er %heir $ilming in %he 4"ngle &as .omple%ed T* p"rsed his lips and pre%ended %o %hin) Mmm' *es' I 1ag"el* remem(er .a%.hing a glimpse o$ some e,o%i./loo)ing $emale In passing' agreed 5arne*' $eigning idleness Wha% else did *o" learn $rom0 &ha% did *o" sa* her name &as3 A h"moro"s gleam %o".hed Tom#s &ide/spa.ed gra* e*es I didn#% sa* her name a% all' she re%"rned pla.idl* I %hin) *o"#re holding o"% on "s' gr"m(led 5arne* So do I' sni$$ed T* Wha% else did *o" no% $ind o"%3 Pensi1el*' Toni .as% her e*es hea1en&ard and &rin)led her a%%ra.%i1e nose Well' she said he#s %he lean' mean %*pe Tall' dar) and arrogan% as sin A ma.ho So"%h Ameri.an male' %o hear her %ell i% Hell' Toni' .omplained T*' *o" )no& %ha%#s no% &ha% &e mean Wha% else do *o" &an% %o )no&3 as)ed Toni &i%h (land inno.en% e*es I %hin) she said he &as o1er si, $ee% %all' &i%h a %ra.e o$ Indian (lood / Kno.) i% o$$' Toni' 5arne* gro&led L"is L"en%al isn#% %he %opi. "nder dis."ssion The :arig girl' "rged T*' gi1ing "p e$$or%s a% s"(%le%* Tell "s a(o"% %he :arig girl She sa*s he#s %he %*pe &ho )no.)s &omen $la%' m"sed Toni as i$ she had mis"nders%ood' %a)ing some small re1enge $or %he %easing so o$%en in$li.%ed on her Wi%h *o" aro"nd' T* said disg"s%edl*' i%#s more li)el* he#ll (e %he one &ho ge%s $la%%ened / &i%ho"% e1en )no&ing &ha% hi% him I#1e seen *o" do i% %oo man* %imes %o

do"(% *o"r a(ili%* No& gi1e' ToniK%ell"sall !o" %&o are se, $iends' Toni sighed A(sen%/mindedl* she %&irled %he plain gold (and on her ring $inger Do I ha1e %o se% *o" "p &here1er &e go3 !esJ As prod".er i%#s *o"r d"%* %o )eep "s happ* And as *o"#re s%ill no% in %he open mar)e% *o"rsel$0 Ho& .an &e head o$$ $or a &omanless mon%h in %he 4"ngle &i%ho"% some re&ard a% %he o%her end3 No% e,a.%l* &omanless Toni#s &arm "n$lir%a%io"s la"gh re$le.%ed her .omradel* rela%ionship &i%h %he %&o men !o"#ll ha1e me As I said' T* .ame (a.) gr"mpil* Womanless Than)s $or %he .omplimen%' said Toni dr*l* Then she smiled and ga1e in' rea.hing in%o %he (reas% po.)e% o$ her shir% %o e,%ra.% a small pie.e o$ paper Here#s her name' her phone n"m(er and all %he 1i%al in$orma%ion She has a $riend' rep"%edl* s%"nning I#1e made a do"(le da%e $or %he %&o o$ *o" $or a mon%h $rom no& She %ho"gh% *o" &ere (o%h 1er* s&ee%' %r*ing %o pi.) her "p in (ad Por%"g"ese There &as a sign on her des) sa*ing she spo)e se1en lang"ages Didn#% *o" see i%3 No' said 5arne* We &ere %oo ("s* loo)ing a% her' e,plained T* Wha% a %&osome *o" are' sighed Toni 5arne* slapped her pla*$"ll* on %he (a.) &i%h %he ease o$ $amiliari%* We#re no% a %&osome' &e#re a %hreesome A(o"% %ime &e (e.ame a $o"rsome' Toni remar)ed &i%h a glan.e "p %he high ri1er(an)' %o&ard %he .i%* %ha% la* a% i%s .res% Mana"s &as an e,%raordinar* pla.e %o $ind in %he hear% o$ %he 4"ngle On %he grea% Rio Negro onl* miles $rom i%s 4"n.%ion &i%h %he Ama2on i%sel$' i% &as a modern spra&ling .i%* &i%h a ri.h and $as.ina%ing pas%' &here "n"s"al old ar.hi%e.%"re e,is%ed side (* side &i%h %all .on%emporar* s%r".%"res +rom %he ri1erside li%%le o$ %his &as 1isi(le I% &as near %he end o$ %he dr* season' and %he in)* &a%ers o$ %he Rio Negro &ere a% %heir lo&es%' $i$%* or si,%* $ee% (elo& %he .oming high/ &a%er mar)' an ann"al rise and $all %ha% ne.essi%a%ed h"ge $loa%ing do.)s and .a"sed %he presen% enormo"s heigh% o$ %he ri1er(an) B"s% li)e Har.ia %o ma)e a las%/min"%e en%ran.e' gr"n%ed T* 7hisholm' &ho had li%%le lo1e $or %he 5ra2ilian o$$i.ial assigned %o deal &i%h %he $ilm .re&#s needs I don#% .are &ha% his posi%ion is' assis%an% %o %he minis%er' spe.ial ad1iser or &ha%e1er He#s a

pompo"s li%%le man &i%h red %ape r"nning in his 1eins Oh' he#s no% so (ad' soo%hed Toni 7onsidering he#s a $airl* high o$$i.ial' he#s p"%%ing himsel$ o"% %o deli1er "s %o L"en%al#s .ompo"nd personall* Wha%#s more' i% &as Har.ia &ho pre1ailed "pon Dr L"en%al %o p"% "s "p $or %he mon%h He has some )ind o$ p"ll &i%h L"en%al (e.a"se o$ $amil* .onne.%ions The*#re rela%ed3 No& I )no& I &on#% li)e L"en%alJ The*#re onl* (ro%hers/in/la&' Toni re1ealed She hersel$ had learned o$ %he .onne.%ion 4"s% da*s (e$ore' in her las% o$$i.ial .omm"ni.a%ion $rom %he 5ra2ilian go1ernmen% I ga%her Diogo Har.ia m"s% ha1e married one o$ L"en%al#s sis%ers / he has si, o$ %hem I $o"nd %ha% o"% a% %he li(rar*' &hen I &as loo)ing "p (a.)gro"nd ma%erial and happened %o r"n a.ross a L"en%al $amil* %ree Some *ears ago someone did a s%"d* on %he des.endan%s o$ %he old r"((er (arons' and %he name L"en%al .a"gh% m* e*e I don#% )no& ho& *o" e1er $o"nd %ime %o go %o %he li(rar*' remar)ed 5arne*' e*es roaming o1er %he n"mero"s pa.)ing .ra%es among &hi.h %he* &ere &ai%ing !o" m"s% ha1e (o"gh% e1er*%hing ("% pi%h helme%s No(od* &ears a pi%h helme% in %he Ama2on' smiled Toni 5esides' mos% o$ %ha% isn#% $or "s Hi$%s $or %hree h"ndred Ama2on Indians don#% $i% in%o a n"%shell' no ma%%er ho& *o" pa.) Iem 7an#% %hin) ho& *o" $o"nd %ime %o s.o"% lo.a%ions' %oo' T* mar1eled +rom &ha% *o" %old "s a(o"% %he Mana"s Opera Ho"se' Toni' i% sho"ld ma)e -"i%e a / M* Hod' in%err"p%ed 5arne* in a s%age &hisper There#s Har.ia And &o"ldn#% *o" )no& i%3 A pi%h helme%J

THE LOENTAL 7OMPO6ND &as no more %han an ho"r $rom Mana"s (* air' ("% i% &as an ho"r %ha% %oo) %he .argo plane o1er hin%erland so remo%e %ha% i% seemed $e& men .o"ld e1er ha1e pene%ra%ed %hese par%s Li)e an endless green (o"-"e% %he 4"ngle s%re%.hed (enea%h' %hreaded here and %here &i%h ri((ons o$ ri1ers %ha% &ere a mere hand$"l o$ %he ele1en h"ndred %ri("%aries po"ring %heir li-"id o$$erings in%o &ha% &as (e*ond a do"(% %he migh%ies% ri1er in %he &orld Ea.h %ri("%ar* seemed %o ha1e i%s o&n h"e@ (l"e' %"r-"oise' green' gra* / %he shades separa%e and dis%in.%' and easil* dis%ing"isha(le $rom %he (road m"d/*ello& $lo& %ha% &as %he Ama2on i%sel$ +irs% o$ %he %ri("%aries seen (* air &as %he Rio Negro' on &hose (an)s %he* had (een &ai%ing no% so 1er* long ago I% &as a ri1er %ha% in %he &e% season &o"ld (e.ome as

&ide as %he S%rai% o$ Do1er E1en no&' in %he dr* season' i%s $lo& &as so grea% %ha% man* min"%es a$%er %he plane had p"% %he .on$l"en.e o$ %he %&o ri1ers (ehind' %he Rio Negro#s in)*/(la.) s%ream .o"ld (e seen .o"rsing alongside %he mo.ha/*ello& &a%ers o$ %he Ama2on' no% in%ermingling $or man*' man* miles And %he Rio Negro &as no% e1en %he larges% o$ %he Ama2on#s %ri("%aries 5"% %hen' re$le.%ed Toni' e1er*%hing a(o"% %he Ama2on seemed larger %han li$e And perhaps i% &as onl* %o (e e,pe.%ed o$ a ri1er %ha% .oiled a.ross %he So"%h Ameri.an .on%inen% li)e a grea% sleeping sna)e $o"r %ho"sand miles in leng%h' &i%h i%s %ail almos% %o".hing %he Pa.i$i. in %he high rea.hes o$ %he Andes' and i%s mo"%h opening in%o %he A%lan%i. in a %&o/h"ndred/mile/&ide *a&n The Ama2on#s $lo& e-"aled %ha% o$ %&en%* Mississippis' and in %he season o$ $lood i% .o"ld spread o"% %o .rea%e s&amplands as (ig as %he s%a%e o$ Te,as No &onder %he earlies% Spanish e,plorers had mis%a)en %he ri1er $or a $resh&a%er seaJ Senhor Har.ia sa% (eside Toni d"ring %he $ligh% He poin%ed o"% %he o..asional pa%.h o$ (ro&n "n$ores%/ed land &here se%%lers &ere a%%emp%ing %o .rea%e agri."l%"ral .oopera%i1es in %he middle o$ %he 4"ngle' ("% $or %he mos% par% %he sea o$ greener* &as "nin%err"p%ed (* signs o$ h"man ha(i%a%ion' e,.ep% on %he 1er* $ringes o$ %he ri1er(an)s Ah' i$ %he plane &ere $l*ing lo&er' he said' %hen *o" &o"ld ha1e some idea o$ %he si2e o$ %he Ama2onJ Hal$&a* "p %rees a h"ndred $ee% high %here are m"d lines $rom las% *ear#s $lood Man* o$ %he ho"ses are ("il% on s%il%s' and &hen *o" see a se%%lemen% o$ an* si2e i% is li)el* per.hed high on a .li$$/side Al%ho"gh Har.ia spo)e e,.ellen% English' he &as "sing Por%"g"ese a% %he momen%' largel* (e.a"se Toni had s%ar%ed %he .on1ersa%ion in %ha% lang"age' ha1ing $o"nd %ha% pra.%i.e &as %he )e* %o $l"en.* Tra1el (* &a%er and %hen *o" &ill (e impressedJ Har.ia &en% on I &o"ld do so m*sel$' ("% I am al&a*s in a h"rr* When a man has man* responsi(ili%iesN Har.ia &as a (i% %iresome' re$le.%ed ToniK ("% "nli)e T* and 5arne* she had some appre.ia%ion o$ %he .onsidera(le .oopera%ion re.ei1ed $rom %he 5ra2ilian go1ernmen% in general' and Senhor Har.ia in par%i."lar An impor%an% par% o$ Toni#s 4o( &as %o handle %he some%imes deli.a%e nego%ia%ions &i%h 1ario"s go1ernmen%s as %he* %ra1eled $rom .o"n%r* %o .o"n%r*' and in o%her par%s o$ So"%h Ameri.a she had deal% &i%h man* o$$i.ials less o(liging %han Diogo Har.ia The $"ss* pompo"s li%%le man &as no% her $a1ori%e person' ei%her' ("% he had (een help$"l %o %he $ilm %eam mon%hs (e$ore' d"ring %he $ilming o$ 5ra2ilian .i%ies In $a.%' d"ring %he segmen% sho% in Rio de Baneiro he had loaned his o&n ho"se / a large se.l"ded home in a (e%%er dis%ri.%' &hi.h &as "sed (* Har.ia and his &i$e onl* on %hose o..asions &hen %he* &ere a(le %o %a)e %ime a&a* $rom %he ro"nds o$ o$$i.ialdom in 5rasilia Toni#s %oleran.e $or h"man $oi(les had s%ood her in good s%ead in %he *ears sin.e

she had (e.ome a $ilm prod".er !o"ng $or %he 4o( ("% %o%all* dedi.a%ed' she had %hro&n hersel$ in%o her &or) a$%er %he dea%h o$ her h"s(and nearl* $i1e *ears (e$ore' a..ording %o him a lo*al%* %ha% had long sin.e dis.o"raged T* and 5arne* $rom dire.%ing %heir roman%i. a%%en%ions %o her No&' nearl* %he age o$ %&en%*/se1en' she had (een a prod".er $or %hree *ears / $irs% &hen she had $illed in on a s%opgap (asis (e.a"se o$ someone#s s"dden illnessK %hen on a permanen% (asis &hen %ha% par%i."lar assignmen%' a spe.ial on A2%e. r"ins' had (een .omple%ed &i%h dispa%.h' %a.% and ("dge%ar* res%rain% Toni#s )no&ledge o$ Spanish had helped on %ha% o..asion in Me,i.oK i% had also led %o her ."rren% assignmen% in So"%h Ameri.a Her $l"en.* had (een a%%ained d"ring her %eenage *ears' a$%er her paren%s / an elderl* .o"ple $or &hom Toni had (een a la%e' onl* and m".h &an%ed .hild / had %a)en an earl* re%iremen% and mo1ed %o Spain Wi%h Spanish alread* a% her $inger%ips' i% had (een eas* eno"gh $or Toni %o (one "p on Por%"g"ese' %he lang"age o$ 5ra2il Earlier' d"ring %he $ilming sessions in Rio de Baneiro' Sao Pa"lo and 5rasilia' she had de1eloped a .ommand o$ Por%"g"ese nearl* e-"aling her grasp o$ Spanish And a good %hing' %oo@ T* and 5arne* &ere hopeless &i%h lang"ages 7onsidering &ha% aP("s* man *o" are' Toni in%er4e.%ed as soon as a pa"se .ame in Har.ia#s monolog"e' i%#s good o$ *o" %o .ome along in person %o in%rod".e "s %o Dr L"en%al I %ho"gh% *o" &o"ld send one o$ *o"r aides Ah' ("% I ha1e ("siness' personal ("siness / a ma%%er %ha% .an hardl* (e a%%ended %o (* le%%er There is a message %o deli1er' and as L"is / %ha% is Dr L"en%al#s name' did *o" )no&3 / as L"is has no% 1isi%ed Rio de Baneiro $or se1eral mon%hs0 &ell' someone had %o spea) %o him a(o"% %his ma%%er' and as %ime &as r"nning shor%0 Har.ia#s &ords %railed o$$' and he spen% some momen%s $idge%ing &i%h %he ("%%ons o$ his &hi%e linen s"i%' as %ho"gh some&ha% apprehensi1e a(o"% his approa.hing en.o"n%er &i%h L"is L"en%al Perhaps %he message regarded some sensi%i1e s"(4e.%' Toni spe."la%ed' sin.e i% .o"ld no% (e en%r"s%ed %o %he mail I hear *o"#re rela%ed %o Dr L"en%al (* marriage' she remar)ed !o"r aide men%ioned i% in his las% le%%er Ah' did *o" no% )no&3 Har.ia loo)ed s"rprised 5"% I am s"re 8 men%ioned i% man* mon%hs ago' &hen &e las% me% To (e .onne.%ed &i%h %he L"en%al $amil*' i% is no% a %hing %o (e )ep% se.re%' li)e a s)ele%on in %he .lose%' ha' haJ Al%ho"gh %he &i%%i.ism es.aped Toni' she smiled diploma%i.all* Perhaps *o" did %al) o$ *o"r $amil* .onne.%ions' Senhor Har.ia In %r"%h' d"ring %heir earlier a.-"ain%an.e Har.ia had %al)ed o$ li%%le else Ho&e1er' a% %he %ime %he name L"en%al mean% no%hing %o me

Har.ia p"$$ed his .hee)s impor%an%l* Ah' ("% no& %ha% *o" )no& %he name *o" .an appre.ia%e &ha% i% means I %hin) I do no% e,aggera%e %o sa* %ha% %he L"en%als are (l"e(loods o$ %he Ama2on !es' indeed / (l"e(loods I ga%her %he $irs% L"en%al &as a r"((er (aron in Mana"s I pres"me he &en% (an)r"p% a$%er %he %"rn o$ %he .en%"r*' li)e all %he o%hers3 5an)r"p%3 Har.ia appeared %o (e %a)en a(a.) $or a momen% On %he .on%rar* Oh' -"i%e %he .on%rar*J The $irs% L"en%al &as a man o$ 1ision He sa& &ha% &as .oming &hen ."l%i1a%ed r"((er (egan %o appear on %he mar)e%' a(o"% se1en%* *ears ago He had sold his in%eres%s long (e$ore %he .rash o$ %he &ild/r"((er mar)e% 5* %hen he had in1es%ed in o%her %hings / .o$$ee' real es%a%e' mines In his la%er *ears he sold %hese' %oo' and .rea%ed a $amil* $o"nda%ion / a .hari%a(le $o"nda%ion' head-"ar%ered in Rio de Baneiro As i$ he had an*%hing %o repen%' ha' haJ The L"en%al +o"nda%ion is &ell )no&n in 5ra2il I m*sel$ manage a small par% o$ i%' &hi.h is &h* I ha1e had %o 1isi% L"is a% his .lini. on a $e& pre1io"s o..asions Oh3 Dr L"en%al main%ains some .onne.%ion &i%h %he $o"nda%ion3 Tha%' %hen' &o"ld e,plain %he o..asional %rips %o Rio 7onne.%ion3 !es' ass"redl*' as L"is is no& head o$ %he L"en%al $amil* 5"% he has li%%le lo1e $or (oards and s"(.ommi%%ees He pre$ers %he li$e o$ a re.l"se Wh*3 as)ed Toni' de.iding on dire.%ness Har.ia $ro&ned' harr"mphed and sh"$$led his $ee% (enea%h %he sea% (e$ore ans&ering L"is is0a (i%%er man' he said .are$"ll* I hear he doesn#% li)e &omen Wh* is %ha%3 Har.ia ran a $inger "nder his shir% .ollar' as %ho"gh her -"es%ion .a"sed him %o s&ea% a li%%le Perhaps i% .ame a(o"% in 1iolen% rea.%ion %o his *o"%h 5e.a"se o$ %he L"en%al $or%"ne' &omen &ere al&a*s eager %o p"% %hemsel1es in his &a* Perhaps he gre& si.) o$ his o&n s"..ess M*sel$' I .an %hin) o$ no%hing else %ha% &o"ld ha1e .a"sed him %o &al) o"% on his responsi(ili%ies I% &as possi(le' Toni re$le.%ed' %ha% s".h a se% o$ .ir."ms%an.es migh% %"rn a man in%o a .*ni. 5"% eno"gh o$ a .*ni. %o remo1e himsel$ $rom %he &orld and ("r* himsel$ in %he 4"ngle3 When &e &ere in 5rasilia I didn#% mee% *o"r &i$e' Toni remar)ed pleasan%l*' in hopes o$ $inding o"% more a(o"% %he L"en%al .onne.%ions I (elie1e Senhora Har.ia &as in deli.a%e heal%h a% %he %ime Har.ia sighed and la.ed his p"dg* $ingers !es' I remem(er A ma%%er o$ e,ha"s%ion She had %a)en %he s%a$$ and re%"rned %o Rio $or a %ime

!o" "nders%and ho& i% is &hen a man has impor%an% d"%ies s".h as mine@ %here is li%%le pea.e e1en $or a momen% There are .eremonies' openings' ri((ons %o (e ."%' o$$i.ial 1isi%ors %o en%er%ain' and a man .anno% delega%e e1er*%hing %o his aides0 Toni#s de%o"r had (een a mis%a)e' $or i% "nleashed a (arrage o$ in$orma%ion o$ %he %*pe she had no &ish %o )no& She &as relie1ed &hen %he plane (egan i%s des.en% a $e& momen%s la%er' allo&ing her %o re%"rn her a%%en%ion %o %he plane &indo& 5elo&' %he .arpe% o$ m"l%ih"ed green resol1ed i%sel$ in%o indi1id"al %ree%ops' some %o".hed (* gold or $lame .olors And 4"s% a% %he momen% &hen she &as .er%ain %he plane &as aiming $or disas%er' i% (an)ed sligh%l* and a %&is%ing green ri1er sna)ed in%o 1ie& As %he pilo% .losed in $or a landing' $ro%hings o$ &hi%e sp"me signaled %he presen.e o$ rapids in %he s&i$%l* $lo&ing ri1er +or hear%/s%opping se.onds %he plane seemed %o s)im danger' onl* a $e& $ee% a(o1e %he %"m(le o$ &a%er o1er 4agged ro.)s Then %he 7a%alina %o".hed do&n &i%h a hiss and (egan %o %a,i along sa$el* .lear o$ all o(s%a.les' in a si%e &here %he ri1er &as (road' le1el and de.ep%i1el* .ahn I%s goal &as a h"ge ra$% moored in %he .en%er o$ %he ri1er' and i% &as here %ha% %he passengers deplaned &hile %he .re& s%ar%ed %o "nload %he &ee)l* s"pplies $or %he area' along &i%h %he (ales o$ gi$%s $or %he Mara Indians As %he plane .o"ld land no .loser %o %he pla.e &here L"is L"en%al had $o"nded his .lini.' %he par%* &as %o (e me% here and %ranspor%ed (* ri1er.ra$% $or %he (alan.e o$ %he 4o"rne*' a ma%%er o$ a $e& miles +rom a .learing &here %ha%.hed roo$s .o"ld (e seen peeping o1er %he high ri1er (an)' a n"m(er o$ d"go"% .anoes no& p"shed o$$ %o&ard %he ra$% As %he paddlers sa% &ell $or&ard in %he (o&' %he s%erns o$ %he (oa%s rose high / an e$$e.% s%range %o %he "na.."s%omed e*e 5"% %heir some&ha% .l"ms* appearan.e &as (elied (* %he gra.e &i%h &hi.h %he odd .ir."lar paddles o$ (righ% red and green $lashed in%o %he &a%er' (ringing %he .anoes s&i$%l* %o&ard %he 7a%alina T&o lan.has' d"go"%s di$$eren% onl* in %ha% %he* &ere po&ered (* an.ien% o"%(oard mo%ors' also 4oined %he %ra$$i. in %he ri1er The* .ome $rom %he 1illage o$ .a(o.los' Har.ia e,plained' "sing %he &ord Toni )ne& %o mean hal$/(reeds / %he hard* and he%erogeneo"s ri1er d&ellers o$ %he Ama2on &ho &ere par% Indian' par% E"ropean and par% a mi,%"re o$ almos% an* o%her ra.e imagina(le' re$le.%ing %he man* na%ionali%ies &ho had a%%emp%ed %o &res% order o"% o$ %he 4"ngle %hro"gh %he .o"rse o$ %he .en%"ries Wh* is Dr L"en%al#s .lini. so $ar $rom %he se%%lemen%3 she as)ed 5e.a"se %here are o%her 1illages along %he ri1er' e,plained Har.ia' ad4"s%ing his s%i$$ pi%h helme% L"is .hose a pla.e .en%ral %o all o$ %hem' and %o %he Mara 1illage' %oo A n"isan.e' %his ri1er 4o"rne*J Le% "s hope &e do no% ha1e %o &ai% long $or He%"lio He%"lio3

He%"lio O#HarQ' a man &ho &or)s $or L"is Al%ho"gh He%"lio is onl* a .a(o.lo' he has some ed".a%ion He spea)s Por%"g"ese 1er* &ell' "nli)e some o$ %he .a(o.los' &ho are more a% home &i%h %he Indian diale.%s spo)en in %hese par%s O#Hara3 Tha%#s a 1er* Irish name %o $ind in %he dep%hs o$ %he Ama2on 5"% no% so 1er* "n"s"al' .laimed Har.ia I (elie1e He%"lio is des.ended $rom Ameri.ans &ho se%%led San%arRm a$%er %he 7i1il War 7er%ainl* his an.es%r* in.l"des more %han Indian and Por%"g"eseJ I %hin) *o" &ill "nders%and &hen *o" see He%"lio#s hair Wi%h %ha% $ore&arning' &hen a mo%ori2ed lan.ha appeared aro"nd a ri1er(end %o pi.) "p %he $ilm .re&' Torn had no do"(% as %o %he iden%i%* o$ i%s o.."pan% Long (e$ore she .o"ld de$ine %he $ea%"res o$ %he $a.e she .o"ld dis.ern %he hair / an as%onishing ri.h papri)a red %ha% &as %he lega.* o$ some "n"s"al ra.ial mi, Al%ho"gh i% &as gra*ing no&' p"%%ing He%"lio#s age a% some%hing &ell more %han $i$%*' i% &as s%ill his mos% dis%in.%i1e $ea%"re' and do"(l* in.ongr"o"s (e.a"se i% %opped a &ea%her(ea%en $a.e %he .olor o$ a 5ra2il n"%' &i%h dar) Indian e*es' high .hee)(ones and a grin as da22lingl* &hi%e as his shir% 5om dia' Senhor Har.ia' he .alled in Por%"g"ese as he mane"1ered alongside %he ra$%' a1oiding %he &ingspan o$ %he plane We did no% e,pe.% *o" %o arri1e %oda*' in personJ As he s%epped $rom his San.ha he no%ed Toni $or %he $irs% %ime' and his e*es &idened 6na&are o$ Toni#s grasp o$ his lang"age' he m"rm"red %a.%lessl*' She is one o$ %hose &ho &ill (e ma)ing %his $ilm3 Me" De"s' &hen %he do.%or $inds o"% / Ne1er $ear' He%"lio' ne1er $ear' Har.ia soo%hed has%il* There &ill (e no o(4e.%ion In a li%%le %ime *o" &ill "nders%and He%"lio s%ar%ed %o 1oi.e more .on.erns' onl* %o (e o1erridden (* Har.ia' &ho per$ormed has%* in%rod".%ions and .on1e*ed %he in$orma%ion %ha% Toni spo)e $l"en% Por%"g"ese He%"lio#s alarmed pro%es%s pe%ered %o an em(arrassed hal%' ("% %he do"(% in his e*es remained "n.hanged' a rea.%ion %ha% added %o Toni#s gro&ing apprehension A% las% He%"lio ga1e "p his &ar* inspe.%ion o$ Toni and her asso.ia%es and %"rned his $"ll a%%en%ion %o Har.ia Ha1e *o" an* ne&s o$ 5ra23 he as)ed eagerl* Ah' *es' indeed' (e.a"se I ha1e 4"s% .ome $rom Rio de Baneiro I ha1e ne&s o$ %he 1er* (es% sor% $or *o" Har.ia (eamed a% He%"lio' his manner .onsidera(l* &armer %han i% had (een &i%h %he ro"ghl* dressed .a(o.los $rom %he 1illage' man* o$ &hom &ere s%ill s%anding a(o"% on %he ra$% 5ra2 and Ana are &ell' and *o" &ill see %hem one &ee) $rom no& He%"lio#s e*es li% in%o s"n(eams 5ra2 and Ana are .oming %o 1isi%3

Har.ia#s sm"g smile s"gges%ed %ha% He%"lio#s hopes &ere no% in 1ain No more -"es%ions no&' He%"lioK &e#ll %al) la%er He %"rned %o %he $ilm .re& and e,plained in English' He%"lio#s son is a do.%or in Rio de Baneiro 5ra2 O#Hara is a 1er* .le1er lad and &ell ed".a%ed !o" &ill mee% him ne,% &ee)' and his &i$e' Ana' %oo / a s.hool%ea.her Wi%h an "na.."s%omed %o".h o$ .*ni.ism' Toni &ondered i$ 5ra2 O#Hara#s pro$essional s%anding had an* (earing on Har.ia#s &arm manner %o&ard He%"lio 5"% %he %ho"gh% &as "n)ind' and she %hr"s% i% s&i$%l* $rom her mind Momen%s la%er %he s"ppl* plane depar%ed &i%h ass"ran.es $rom %he pilo% %ha% he &o"ld re%"rn a$%er his dail* ro"nds %o pi.) "p Senhor Har.ia' &ho &as %o remain $or a $e& ho"rs onl* Wi%h %he help o$ o%hers on %he ra$%' He%"lio a%%ended %o loading .ra%es and l"ggage in%o his lan.ha When his d"go"% .o"ld .arr* no more' he pre1ailed "pon a 1illager &i%h a similar mo%ori2ed (oa% %o %ranspor% T*' 5arne*' %he $ilm e-"ipmen% and %he (ales o$ goods s%ill remaining on %he do.) And so i% &as %ha% Toni se% o"% $or %he L"en%al .ompo"nd in He%"lio#s laden .ra$%' &i%h onl* Senhor Har.ia a% her side M"d and %railing de(ris .l"ng high on %he %r"n)s o$ %he enormo"s %rees %ha% pressed in "pon %he ri1er(an)s' a %angle o$ impene%ra(le green I% &as a (ea"%i$"l' de.ep%i1el* pla.id s.ene' &i%h %he (l"e o$ %he s)* and %he green o$ %he ri1er and %he m"l%ih"ed $ores% $ringing %he (ri.)/red (an)s Wi%h %he plane no& gone and %he 1illage p"% (ehind' %he ri1er seemed eeril* lonel* I%s silen.e &as (ro)en and *e% a% %he same %ime s%rangel* a..en%"a%ed (* %he s%ead* p"%/p"% o$ He%"lio#s o"%(oard mo%or' an in1ader in an alien &orld &here an*%hing migh% l"r) A sensa%ion %ha% &as hal$ appre.ia%ion and hal$ apprehension shi1ered a.ross Toni#s s)in In %he gloom* io&er shado&s ne.)la.ed (* .reepers' no li$e &as 1isi(le' ("% high in %he %ree%ops 1i1id (irds res%ed' silen% in %he gro&ing hea% o$ da*/One green "m(rella o$ a %ree%op &as so laden &i%h grea% s%ill herons %ha% i% seemed %o ha1e ("rs% in%o (loom &i%h enormo"s &hi%e (lossomsK para)ee%s and o%her ga"dil* .olored spe.imens also inha(i%ed %he high (ran.hes One large red/&a%%led .rea%"re loo)ed .omi.all* li)e a %"r)e*' and perhaps &as Toni .a"gh% hersel$ on %he 1erge o$ imp"lsi1el* %railing her $ingers in %he .ool green &a%ers and ins%ead as)ed He%"lio %he sensi(le -"es%ion 7er%ainl* %here are piranha' He%"lio said .heer$"ll* 5"% %here is no need %o &orr* There are piranha in nearl* all %he ri1ers' and people %ra1el %hem all %he %ime Mos% &ho li1e in %hese par%s (a%he %&i.e a da*' al%ho"gh %he* pi.) %heir spo% .are$"ll* I% is sa$e &here1er %he ri1er r"ns s&i$%l* eno"gh There are %hings more %ro"(lesome %han piranha / %he pi"ms' $or ins%an.e Pi"ms3 -"es%ioned Toni' &ho had no% .ome a.ross %ha% par%i."lar &ord in her

s%"d* o$ Por%"g"ese In1en%ions o$ %he de1il' &arned Har.ia' &ho had e,%ra.%ed a .an o$ aerosol inse.% repellen% $rom his (rie$.ase and &as in %he pro.ess o$ appl*ing i% %o e1er* e,posed par% o$ himsel$ He o$$ered %he .an %o Toni 5elie1e me' *o" &ill need i% &hen &e rea.h %he (end &here %he ri1er narro&s There is a sand(an) %here &here %he pi"ms (reed E1en (e$ore she had managed %o $inish appl*ing %he spra*' a $e& min"s."le inse.%s ma%eriali2ed and (egan %o ma)e %hemsel1es a% home in %he $olds o$ Toni#s garmen%s 5"% %ha% &as onl* %he ad1an.e .on%ingen% Momen%s la%er a s&arm des.ended' ea.h inse.% so %in* i% &as almos% in1isi(le' ea.h seemingl* &i%h a homing ins%in.% $or %he 1ee o$ Toni#s "n("%%oned .ollar' and o%her pla.es &here %he inse.% repellen% had no% rea.hed There are no pi"ms a% %he .amp o$ %he do.%or' reass"red He%"lio' no%i.ing Toni#s dis%ress He himsel$ seemed imm"ne %o %he (i%e o$ %he de1il#s in1en%ions We ha1e (een $igh%ing s".h %hings $or *ears (* ma)ing &ar "pon %heir (reeding pla.es And I %hin) %he*#1e de.ided I#m one o$ %hose (reeding pla.esJ Toni .laimed &r*l*' pl".)ing a% her shir%$ron% Do no% s.ra%.h or %he (i%e &ill (e m".h &orse' He%"lio &arnedK and Toni o(e*ed %he sensi(le .ommand A$%er all' &ha% harm .o"ld (e done (* a %in* inse.% li)e %ha%' ho&e1er (o%hersome3 Se1eral min"%es passed (e$ore %he lan.ha ro"nded ano%her (end in %he ri1er and a %all $lagpole .ame in%o 1ie&' i%s $lag drooping lis%lessl* in %he ho% (ree2eless air 5* %hen %he .lo"d o$ inse.%s had almos% disappeared' ("% %ha% &as o$ li%%le .onsola%ion %o Toni' &hose s)in &as alread* a$lame $rom %heir perni.io"s lo1e a$$air &i%h her ne.)line Pi"ms had $o"nd %heir &a* "p her an)les' "nder her shir% slee1es' do&n her (a.)K and (* no& i% %oo) a de.ided e$$or% o$ &ill %o a1oid s.ra%.hing The lan.ha p"lled in (eside a $loa%ing do.) .ons%r".%ed o$ &hole logs and a%%a.hed %o %he shore (* ro"gh $i(ro"s ropes +or %he momen%' (e.a"se o$ %he heigh% o$ %he s%eepl* sloping red ri1er(an)' no ("ildings &ere 1isi(le L"sh grasses and a s%and o$ (am(oo rimmed %he rise' and .r"de s%eps had (een ."% in%o %he ear%h %o .rea%e a pa%h %o %he higher le1el He%"lio ."% %he mo%or' leaned o1er %o gra( %he do.) and .lam(ered o"% %o ma)e %he (oa% $as% Toni a..ep%ed his helping hand and s%epped o"% on%o %he (o((ing do.) Where %he (ar) had de.a*ed o$$ %he damp logs' %he ro"nded s"r$a.e &as smoo%h and slipper*' ("% %han)s %o %he r"((er soles o$ her pra.%i.al ne& la.ed (oo%s' (alan.e &as no% %oo di$$i."l% Har.ia managed %he $ea% &i%h some&ha% less de,%eri%* (e.a"se o$ %he .i%* shoes he &ore

He s%ar%ed a% on.e "p %he rise' lea1ing %he "nloading o$ %he (oa% %o lesser mor%als Toni &as alread* .ro".hing %o hea1e a d"$$el (ag %o %he do.)' her (a.) %"rned %o %he shore' &hen she heard a deep mas."line 1oi.e gree%ing Har.ia a% %he %op o$ %he rise' i%s %im(re harsh and some&ha% impa%ien%' &i%h %he ring o$ one a.."s%omed %o plain spea)ing I didn#% e,pe.% *o"' Diogo' said %his ro"gh resonan% 1oi.e There &as an a(r"p%ness %o %he sen%en.e' as i$ %he man &ho spo)e did no% ha1e m".h lo1e $or his 1isi%or 7"rio"s' Toni %"rned her head &i%ho"% rising %o her $ee% Perhaps (e.a"se she &as a.."s%omed %o hearing Senhor Har.ia addressed &i%h a .er%ain amo"n% o$ de$eren.e d"e %o his go1ernmen% ran)' i% seemed %o her %ha% %he &ords (ordered on r"deness' some%hing %ha% a"g"red ill $or her o&n re.ep%ion The man gree%ing Har.ia &as s%anding a% %he 1er* .res% o$ %he ri1er(an)' a $a.%or %ha% .on%ri("%ed %o %he impression o$ a sine&* heigh% e1en grea%er %han Toni had e,pe.%ed She &as in no do"(% as %o his iden%i%*@ e1er* (one in her (od* 1i(ra%ed &i%h %he ins%an% in%"i%i1e )no&ledge %ha% %his &as L"is L"en%al There &as an a"ra o$ po&er %o his presen.e' a p"rel* ph*si.al impa.% d"e no do"(% %o his si2e and his lean m"s."lar $rame He &as no% loo)ing in Toni#s dire.%ion' and $or %he momen% she .o"ld see onl* a par% o$ a pro$ile / eno"gh %o de%ermine %he s%rong delinea%ion o$ %he 4a&' %he 4"% o$ high .hee)(ones and %he (la.) s&a%h o$ hair %ha% ."r1ed .arelessl* o1er %he .ollar o$ a r"mpled' s&ea%/ s%ained )ha)i shir% His %h"m(s &ere hoo)ed .as"all* in%o %he (el%line a% his $la% &ais%' ("% his s%an.e &as o%her&ise aggressi1e / long legs plan%ed $irml* apar%' slee1es rolled %o re1eal m"s."lar $orearms' head %hr"s% a% an angle %ha% s"gges%ed some%hing less %han pleas"re I had reason %o .ome in person' Har.ia said in a 1oi.e ner1o"s &i%h apolog* Wi%h her good "nders%anding o$ Por%"g"ese' Toni had no %ro"(le $ollo&ing %he .on1ersa%ionK alread* i%s n"an.es had p"% all her &arning s*s%ems on%o $"ll aler% Tha% m".h I .an see $or m*sel$' .ame %he sar.as%i. and some&ha% "ngra.io"s re%or% Were *o" a$raid I migh% .hange m* mind a(o"% allo&ing %his $ilm nonsense3 No' no' L"Ts' o$ .o"rse no%' Har.ia denied has%il* I )no& %ha% &hen *o" agree %o some%hing *o" al&a*s )eep *o"r promises His s"dden o(se-"io"sness p"% a (ad %as%e in Toni#s mo"%hK i% also ga1e her some insigh% in%o %he po&er &ielded (* %his .*ni.al do.%or &ho had .hosen %o lead %he li$e o$ a re.l"se in %he Ama2on 4"ngle I ass"re *o"' L"is' I appre.ia%e %he $a1or I don#% do $a1ors' L"en%al re%"rned ."r%l* I .onsen%ed onl* (e.a"se i% migh% help people "nders%and %he Mara Indians and o%her %ri(es li)e %hem

Har.ia has%ened %o agree E,a.%l* &ha% I %old %he minis%er' he said' mopping his (ro& (enea%h %he pi%h helme% Ho&e1er' i$ %hese $oreigners .a"se an* %ro"(le %he*#ll (e o"% on %he ne,% plane I &on#% s%and $or ha1ing %he Mara "pse% The ameri.anos ha1e agreed %o all *o"r %erms' Har.ia ass"red him The* reali2e %he* .an $ilm %he Mara onl* on.e a &ee)' and %ha% %he* are %o "nder%a)e no e,pedi%ions %o %he Mara 1illage on %heir o&n The* also )no& %he* m"s% no% a%%emp% %o in.l"de *o" in %heir do."men%ar* I hope %he*#re no% e,pe.%ing l","r* a..ommoda%ion The onl* a1aila(le sleeping spa.e is in %he .lini. i%sel$ So %he* &ere %old' Har.ia has%ened %o sa* 5elie1e me' L"is' %here &ill (e no pro(lem Tha% remains %o (e seen' re%"rned L"is L"en%al &i%h an arrogan.e %ha% made Toni#s ha.)les rise Al%ho"gh she "s"all* reser1ed 4"dgmen% "n%il a$%er she had )no&n people $or a %ime' she $o"nd hersel$ alread* disli)ing %he do.%or#s a(rasi1e manner And as *e% she had no% e1en sigh%ed his $a.e L"en%al &en% on' no& &i%h a s%rea) o$ deep sar.asm' And %o &ha%' Diogo' do I o&e %he honor o$ *o"r presen.e here in %he 4"ngle3 S"rel* *o" didn#% .ome 4"s% %o in%rod".e me %o some Ameri.ans %oo ill/mannered %o learn Por%"g"ese' &hen *o" )no& I spea) %heir lang"age per$e.%l* &ell 6s"all* *o" a1oid %his (a.)&a%er li)e %he plag"e' "nless *o"#re in need o$ more $"nds $or some .hari%* (all +or an a&)&ard momen% Har.ia did no% ans&er In spi%e o$ %he %hir%* or so $ee% (e%&een hersel$ and %he p"dg* go1ernmen% o$$i.ial' Toni had %he dis%in.% impression %ha% he &as s&allo&ing' %r*ing %o &or) "p .o"rage %o sa* some%hing Well3 said L"is L"en%al s.orn$"ll* O"% &i%h i%' Diogo And &hile *o"#re a% i%' %a)e o$$ %ha% l"di.ro"s ha% In %he ele1en *ears I#1e (een here in %he 4"ngle' I#1e ne1er on.e had %o %rea% a .ase o$ s"ns%ro)e As %he ha% .ame o$$' Har.ia#s e*es shi$%ed %o&ard %he do.) &here He%"lio &as "nloading .ar%ons "n/helped (* Toni' &ho remained %oo ri1e%ed (* %he s.ene a% %he %op o$ %he ri1er(an) %o lend a hand as she had in%ended %o do I %hin) *o" &o"ld ra%her hear m* ne&s in pri1a%e' L"is' Har.ia s"gges%ed apologe%i.all* I$ I .o"ld spea) %o *o" alone $or a momen%' a% on.eN/ Al&a*s %he diploma%' eh' Diogo3 .ame %he ironi. ans&er There#s no need no& %o %ell me &ha% *o"r mission .on.erns I$ *o"#1e .ome %o as) me %o .hange m* mind

a(o"% an*%hing / he hesi%a%ed per.ep%i(l* / %he ans&er is np I s%ill plan %o pro.eed Then' &i%h an a(r"p% .hange o$ %opi. %ha% seemed li)e a deli(era%e .r"el%* %o his s&ea%ing (ro%her/in/la&' he as)ed' a li%%le %oo derisi1el*' And ho& is 7ons%an.ia3 S%ill in %he so.ial &hirl3 L"is0 implored Har.ia' pa%en%l* "pse% (* L"en%al#s sar.asm' &hi.h seemed %o e,%end e1en %o one o$ his o&n sis%ers' a ma%%er %ha% added %o Toni#s sense o$ $ore(oding Dr L"en%al' i% appeared' had li%%le "se $or so.ial pre%ensions and e1en less $or poli%eness L"en%al#s .*ni.al mo.)er* &en% on' li)e a s.alpel pro(ing a% his (ro%her/in/la&#s &ea)nesses Well' Diogo3 Aren#% *o" going %o %ell me a(o"% 7ons%an.ia#s la%es% e,ploi%s3 S&ea%ing pro$"sel*' Har.ia m"m(led' She sends her lo1e' and a le%%er %ha% I ha1e in m* (rie$.ase To".hing' derided L"en%al Re.o1ering a small por%ion o$ his digni%*' Har.ia said' There is no need $or mo.)er*' L"is No& i$ &e .an %al) in pri1a%e / So impa%ien%' Diogo3 mo.)ed L"is L"en%al I admi% *o" ma)e me ."rio"s Then le% "s ha1e a $e& min"%es alone' L"is I% is impor%an%' (elie1e me' and i% .an hardl* (e said &i%h o%hers lis%ening This %ime' &hen Har.ia#s e*es s)a%ed %o&ard %he do.)' reminding his hos% %ha% o%hers &ere presen%' L"is L"en%al also %"rned +or %he $irs% %ime Toni .o"ld see his $"ll $a.e / %he lean .*ni.al $ea%"res' %he high as.e%i. .hee)(ones %ha% deno%ed some %ra.e o$ Indian (lood' %he s.orn$"l %&is% o$ %he mo"%h' %he dar) e*es I$ she had (een ri1e%ed earlier she &as immo(ili2ed no&@ i% &as a $a.e she had seen (rie$l* on.e (e$ore 5"% &here3 A% sigh% o$ Toni' %h"nder deepened %he line e%.hed (e%&een %hose (la.) (ro&s' &here %he $"rro& &as alread* so deep %ha% i% .o"ld onl* ha1e (een p"% %here (* *ears o$ pain or .on.en%ra%ion The (la.) e*es (la2ed &i%h a dis(elie$ and $"r* L"is L"en%al made no e$$or% %o .on.eal Wha% is she doing here3 he e,ploded' his 1oi.e %rem(ling &i%h a rage $righ%ening in in%ensi%* Wh* in %he de1il#s name ha1e *o" (ro"gh% %ha% &oman %o m* pla.e3

CHAPTER TWO

WAIT' L6ISK I .an e,plain / I ga1e permission $or no &oman %o .ome hereJ L"is L"en%al a% las% dragged his s%orm/and/ligh%ning e*es a&a* $rom Toni#s (en% $ig"re As he did so she rose %o her $"ll slender heigh%' $inding more digni%* in s%anding on %&o $ee%' despi%e %he slipperiness o$ %he do.) She had no% e,pe.%ed %o (e gree%ed &i%h &arm%hK e1en so %he dep%h o$ %his ins%an% an%agonism disma*ed her There &as some%hing p"rel* primi%i1e a(o"% L"is L"en%al / a sa1ager* %ha% reminded her o$ a h"ngr*' angr* 4"ngle animal snarling a% some na%"ral enem* !o" said *o" &o"ld e,plain' Diogo S%ar% e,plaining a% on.eJ Diogo Har.ia#s s&ea%* apologies in.l"ded %he admission %ha% %he ne&s had (een deli(era%el* .on.ealed $rom his (ro%her/in/la& (* %he simple e,pedien% o$ misspelling Toni#s $irs% name 5"%' L"is' *o" do no% *e% )no& %he &hole s%or*' he "rged in a de.idedl* "pse% 1oi.e Wai% / do no% sa* more "n%il &e ha1e %al)ed in pri1a%e There are %hings I m"s% %ell *o"' impor%an% %hings / Who is she3 snapped L"en%al' ."%%ing %hro"gh Har.ia#s pro%es%s a"%hori%a%i1el* E1en $rom %his dis%an.e Toni .o"ld see %he m"s.les &or)ing in deep hollo&s (enea%h %hose high .hee)(ones She#s a mem(er o$ %he $ilm .re& / %he prod".er' in $a.% 5"% I s&ear *o" &ill no% mind "nder %he .ir."ms%an.es 6s"all*' L"is' *o" are prepared %o lis%en %o reason No% %his %imeJ .ame %he ."r% repl* E1er* (one in %ha% long lean (od* &as rigid &i%h hos%ili%*' and Toni $el% an ans&ering an%agonism (ris%ling along her spine / a 1iolen.e o$ rea.%ion she .o"ld remem(er $eeling $or no o%her person in her li$e Perhaps he didn#% e,pe.% her %o "nders%and his Por%"g"ese' ("% %ha% &as no real e,."se Tell her she#ll' (e $l*ing (a.) %o Mana"s &i%h *o"' L"en%al snapped I migh% s%and a &oman aro"nd %his pla.e $or a $e& da*s' ("% $or a mon%h / ne1erJ !o"#1e had &omen here (e$ore' Har.ia reminded him Pa%ien%s' g"es%s I %ho"gh% / I don#% &an% %ha% oneJ L"en%al e,ploded &i%h no lessening o$ %he $or(idding de%ermina%ion in his $a.e L"is' please' &e m"s% %al) in pri1a%e I#ll gi1e *o" one min"%e' Diogo' ("% don#% e,pe.% me %o .hange m* mind L"is

L"en%al shoo) himsel$ $ree o$ his#(ro%her/in/la&#s impor%"na%e hand Imperio"sl* he %"rned on his heel and s%ar%ed %o s%ride a&a*' %he se% o$ his (road sho"lders (oding no good' $ollo&ed (* %he p"dg* $ig"re o$ %he shor%er man h"rr*ing %o )eep "p Hol* mo%her o$ Hod' *o" o$ all people' Diogo' sho"ld )no& no% %o (ring a &oman here $or a mon%h#s s%a* In %he .i%* &omen are %ro"(le eno"gh 5"% here in %he 4"ngle0 The harsh 1oi.e diminished in%o %he dis%an.e as %he rise o$ land in%er1ened in her 1ision' so %ha% Toni .o"ld no longer see %he %&o men She dire.%ed a -"i22i.al glan.e a% He%"lio' &ho li)e hersel$ had long sin.e a(andoned all pre%ense o$ "nloading %he (oa% He%"lio shr"gged and loo)ed apologe%i.' ("% said no%hing And %hen an i.* shi1er ra.ed %hro"gh her 1eins as she heard %ha% "nprepossessing 1oi.e on.e more' in an angr* e,plosion o$ one &ord@ Wha%3 The &ord had (las%ed o"% $rom some dis%an.e' $or %he %&o men &ere (* no& $ar o"% o$ 1ie& None%heless Toni )ne& %he e,.lama%ion .o"ld onl* ha1e (een "%%ered (* L"is L"en%al I% &as spo)en &i%h a deep .ommanding ring' de1oid o$ %he hea1*' oil* nasal -"ali%* %ha% .hara.%eri2ed Har.ia#s %onesK and i% so"nded s.ar.el* less en.o"raging %han an* o%her s*lla(les he had "%%ered d"ring %hese pas% $e& momen%s Onl* long ha(i%s o$ .ompos"re )ep% Toni#s $a.e $rom e,pressing %he apprehension %ha% ."rled in %he pi% o$ her s%oma.h +irs% %he pi"ms and no& a horne%#s nes%J A$%er %ha% %here &as onl* a raging o$ 1oi.es $rom %he dis%an.e' .lose eno"gh %o de%ermine %he s%rong emo%ion ("% %oo $ar %o "nders%and %he .on%en% o$ %he .on1ersa%ion And *e% i% seemed %ha% L"is L"en%al &as no& lis%ening %o &ha%e1er his (ro%her/in/la& had %o sa* Toni dar%ed ano%her sidelong glan.e a% He%"lio and &as s"rprised %o $ind him grinning "n.er%ainl* Perhaps' %ho"gh% Toni griml*' He%"lio had en4o*ed %he spe.%a.le o$ his emplo*er#s %emper and &as ho& am"sing himsel$ &i%h %he .on%empla%ion o$ %he $ire&or)s s%ill %o .ome She smiled a% He%"lio &i%h %he s"r$a.e .almness she al&a*s adop%ed "nder s%ress' and remar)ed &i%h an a%%emp% a% pleasan%ness' Tha% &as -"i%e a re.ep%ion I ha1e %he dis%in.% $eeling I#m less %han &el.ome Perhaps He%"lio#s em(arrassed grin had onl* (een one o$ en.o"ragemen%' $or no& he shr"gged and said' Do no% &orr*' senhoraK perhaps i% &ill (e all righ% Lis%en0 He .o.)ed his head %o&ard %he %op o$ %he ri1er(an)' &here all so"nds had no& .eased The do.%or has %a)en Senhor Har.ia %o his o&n ("ngalo& %o %al)' I %hin) And he &o"ld no% ha1e done %ha% i$ he did no% plan %o lis%en When %he do.%or lis%ens' he is a reasona(le man Tha% &as a s%a%emen% &i%h &hi.h Toni .o"ld no% a% %his momen% agree Does he al&a*s &el.ome &omen %his &a*3 she as)ed' %he &r* %&is% o$ her mo"%h indi.a%ing a

$eeling %ha% $ell some&here shor% o$ am"semen% He%"lio p"rsed his lips and %"rned (a.) %o his %as) o$ "nloading s"pplies He is no% al&a*s so 1er* (ad' he said mildl* Mos%l* he 4"s% %"rns %he (a.) And %o some &omen he .an manage a li%%le poli%eness' i$ he does no% disli)e %hem %oo m".h He has (een 1er* good %o m* son#s &i$e' Ana When she .ame here %o 1isi% $o"r *ears ago' 4"s% a$%er she and 5ra2 &ere married' Dr L"en%al did no% e1en %"rn his (a.) on her As a de$ini%ion o$ (eing good %o someone' i% la.)ed in .redi(ili%* Wha% a (oorish' domineering' "nli)a(le man %heir hos% had %"rned o"% %o (eJ And &here had she seen %ha% griml* .ar1ed' .*ni.al $a.e (e$ore3 She .o"ld no% en%irel* agree &i%h %he :arig emplo*ee#s assessmen% o$ L"is L"en%al#s loo)s and mas."line appeal He had a .ommanding ph*si-"e' %o (e s"re' and an "n"s"all* s%rong .hara.%er' i$ %he messages de$ined in %ha% grani%e/hard mo"%h and %hose e,%raordinaril* high slan%ing .hee)(ones &ere %o (e (elie1ed I% &as a de.idedl* memora(le $a.e' $or she hersel$ remem(ered i% al%ho"gh she &as a(sol"%el* .er%ain she had ne1er so m".h as e,.hanged %&o &ords &i%h %he man Where .o"ld she ha1e seen him3 In Mana"s las% &ee)3 No' some ins%in.% %old her i% had (een long (e$ore %ha%N To -"ell %he $eelings o$ $ore(oding %ha% had (een in no &a* diminished (* He%"lio#s &ords o$ reass"ran.e' she %"rned on.e more %o %he (oa% and se% a(o"% hea1ing s".h l"ggage as she .o"ld manage on%o %he (o((ing do.) Toni &as no% one %o r"n $rom %ro"(le' and she had no in%en%ion o$ r"nning no& Alread* she &as $irming her resol1e %o deal pa%ien%l* &i%h &ha% appeared %o (e some di$$i."l% da*s ahead She )ne& %ha% she m"s% no% gi1e in %o %he 1er* h"man %emp%a%ion %o re%"rn r"deness $or r"deness' an%agonism $or an%agonism' ."%%ing &ord $or ."%%ing &ord To do so &o"ld (e %o 4eopardi2e %he s"..ess o$ %he 1en%"re %ha% la* ahead@ and a$%er %he di$$i."l%ies o$ a.-"iring permission %o $ilm %he remo%e Mara Indians' she had no in%en%ion o$ "ndermining %he arrangemen%s in an* &a* +or Toni' her 4o( %oo) pre.eden.e o1er all ins%in.%s $or .hildish re%alia%ion As long as Dr L"en%al allo&ed her %o s%a*' le% him do his &ors%J He%"lio pa"sed in %he a.% o$ remo1ing Toni#s personal .arr*all $rom %he lan.ha and loo)ed a% her "n.er%ainl* I ha1e remo1ed e1er*%hing ("% %he senhora#s %hings' he said We#ll remo1e %he senhora#s %hings' %oo'#U Toni said $irml*' hois%ing her s"i%.ase on%o %he do.) A% %his poin% she &as no% a(o"% %o plan $or de$ea% She had al&a*s )no&n %he Ama2on e,pedi%ion &o"ld (e no so$%' sa$e sine."re / ("% she had no% e,pe.%ed a ha2ard li)e L"is L"en%al' ne,% %o &hom a pa.) o$ &ild (oars &o"ld loo) %ame Deep do&n she &as $ar less .on$iden% %han her manner %o He%"lio s"gges%ed Ne1er%heless she had all %he proper go1ernmen% permissions %".)ed in%o her po.)e%s' and she had no in%en%ion o$ lea1ing no& "nless $or.i(l* e1i.%ed Se1eral min"%es la%er' no so"nds o$ %he se.ond lan.ha (earing T* and 5arne* had

*e% (een heard Perhaps I sho"ld go and see &ha% is %he ma%%er' s"gges%ed He%"lio' loo)ing an,io"sl* along %he green ri1er 5* no& all %he l"ggage &as on %he do.) and a&ai%ing $"r%her disposi%ionK He%"lio had .arried some o$ %he .ar%ons %o %he %op o$ %he rise There migh% (e engine %ro"(le' perhaps3 No% all mo%ors are as dependa(le as o"rs As He%"lio .lim(ed on.e more in%o %he (oa% and s%ar%ed %he po&er$"l ne& o"%(oard mo%or' Toni pondered &i%h a %o".h o$ h"mor %ha%' engine %ro"(le or no' T* and 5arne* .o"ld no% possi(l* (e $a.ing more $l*ing spar)s %han she hersel$ &as li)el* %o $a.e &i%hin %he ne,% $e& min"%es Too (ad %he* &o"ldn#% (e here %o help her %hro"gh %he .oming de(a.le &i%h L"en%alJ Shor%l* a$%er He%"lio#s .ra$% p"lled a&a* $rom %he do.)' 1oi.es $rom %he %op o$ %he rise ad1er%ised %ha% Diogo Har.ia and his "nmannerl* (ro%her/in/la& &ere no& approa.hing on.e more T".)ing her s"i%.ase "nder one arm and slinging a d"$$el (ag o1er one sho"lder' Toni glan.ed "p&ard' her $a.e alread* s.hooled in%o a .ool' pleasan%' "nre1ealing smoo%hness in e,pe.%a%ion o$ %he (a%%le %ha% &as %o .ome Toni had her o&n &a*s o$ dealing &i%h %ro"(le' and losing her %emper &as no% one o$ %hem / e,.ep% in e,%reme .ases Her $irs% sensa%ion &as one o$ s"rprise' as she no%ed %ha% %here &ere elemen%s o$ de.ided relie$ in Har.ia#s e,pression Had %here (een a .hange o$ hear% on L"is L"en%al#s par%3 His $a.e &as s%ill se% in%o grim "nprepossessing lines 7ome along' %hen' he .ommanded ro"ghl*' loo)ing do&n %he hill $rom his disdain$"l heigh% He had s&i%.hed %o English' and Toni had %he dis%in.% impression %ha% %he .hange &as di.%a%ed no% o"% o$ poli%eness ("% as a deli(era%e ins"l% / as i$ he e,pe.%ed her Por%"g"ese %o (e so poor %ha% he did no% &ish %o s"ll* his o&n lang"age (* lis%ening %o Toni#s e$$or%s The serene smile she had donned $or %he o..asion &as %o%all* &as%ed on her hos% L"en%al#s e*es &ere dire.%ed a% a poin% se1eral in.hes %o one side o$ Toni#s $a.e' as %ho"gh she &ere %ransparen%' she %ho"gh% &r*l*K or as %ho"gh (* pre%ending she &as no% %here he .o"ld &ill her o"% o$ e,is%en.e His s.o&l &as no more &el.oming %han (e$ore And *e% i% seemed %ha% Senhor Har.ia had managed %o .on1in.e L"is L"en%al o$ %he desira(ili%* o$ allo&ing her %o s%a* Ho& had Har.ia s"..eeded in %ha%3 The .h"((* o$$i.ial had seemed so o(se-"io"s %o&ard his da"n%ing rela%i1e %ha% Toni had (een s"re %he (a%%le &o"ld no% (e so easil* &on L"en%al s%ooped and s.ooped in%o his po&er$"l arms %he larges% o$ %he .ar%ons He%"lio had alread* %rans$erred %o %he %op o$ %he ri1er(an) Where his slee1es &ere rolled' Toni (e.ame "n&illingl* a&are o$ %he eas* $le,ing o$ m"s.les a.."s%omed %o s%ren"o"s e,er.ise L"en%al %hen %"rned %o his (ro%her/in/la& and iss"ed a .risp arrogan% order in Por%"g"ese And *o"' Diogo' s%ar% .arr*ing *o"r &eigh% He% do&n %here and relie1e %ha%

(i%.h o$ her l"ggage Toni#s e*es &idenedK she .o"ld no% (elie1e her ears +or a momen% o$ deep sho.) she &as %oo paral*2ed e1en %o pre%end s"r$a.e .ompos"reK and so' i% seemed' &as Diogo Har.ia' &ho had %he gra.e %o loo) %horo"ghl* mor%i$ied on (ehal$ o$ his (ro%her/in/la& L"is' she spea)s Por%"g"ese' &hispered Har.ia a% %he end o$ %he a&)&ard momen%' in a 1oi.e 4"s% a"di(le %o Toni#s ears In %ha% .ase I %a)e (a.) %he epi%he%' L"en%al said' so derisi1el* %ha% Toni )ne& he did no s".h %hing I#m s"re she#s a per$e.%0lad* There &as no apolog* &ha%soe1er in his manner' and al%ho"gh he had s&i%.hed (a.) %o e,.ellen% English he did no% e1en loo) in Toni#s dire.%ion He %rans$erred his sar.asm %o Har.ia Well' Diogo' &here are *o"r manners3 I ha1e seen *o" leap %o 7ons%an.ia#s side &hen she is .arr*ing no%hing hea1ier %han a ha%(o,J I s"gges% *o" %a)e %he &oman#s s"i%.ase Toni $o"gh% do&n %he 1er* h"man ins%in.% %o spea) sharpl*' )no&ing she m"s% no% digni$* his earlier ins"l% (* .ommen%ing on i% I$ L"is L"en%al &an%ed %o .all her a (i%.h on no e1iden.e &ha%soe1er' %here &as 1er* li%%le she .o"ld do %o de$end hersel$K ("% %ha% did no% mean she in%ended %o le% his .h"rlishness pass al%oge%her "nmar)ed She &o"ld mar) i% in her o&n &a* So good o$ *o" %o ma)e me &el.ome' Dr L"en%al' she said &i%h admira(le sereni%* as she .lim(ed "p %he rise "naided She .ame %o a hal% on %he "ppermos% le1el &here %hi.) grasses spi)ed a% her an)les' and de$ied %ha% .r"ell* .hiseled $a.e &i%h .ool gra* e*es I% isn#% ne.essar* %o p"% Senhor Har.ia %o an* %ro"(le on m* (ehal$ Reall*' his manners ha1e (een per$e.% in e1er* &a* Her pleasan% in$le.%ions p"% no emphasis on %he his' ("% %he emphasis &as %here all %he same And *e% L"en%al .o"ld hardl* %a)e e,.ep%ion &i%ho"% admi%%ing %ha% he himsel$ had (een less %han poli%e The "nspo)en .omparison seemed %o %ro"(le him in no &a*@ his lip merel* ."rled &i%h s.orn I%#s a man#s 4o( 5esides' &omen are %oo so$% $or s".h ("rdens' he said .on%emp%"o"sl*' &i%ho"% (o%hering %o loo) Toni in %he e*e Toni#s pla.id smile remained per$e.%l* in pla.e' and no%hing dis%"r(ed %he millpond s"r$a.e o$ her e*es Al%ho"gh no &omen#s li((er' she &o"ld ha1e li)ed %o de$end her gender 5"% she )ne& i% &o"ld (e imma%"re %o rise %o L"en%al#s (ai%' and she &as %oo m".h o$ a diploma% %o do %ha% Appearan.es .an (e de.ep%i1e' she said ligh%l* Reall*' I#m %o"gher %han I loo) L"en%al hal$ %"rned his sho"lders "n%il he &as $a.ing Diogo Har.ia To %he poin% o$ r"deness' %he mo1emen% "nders.ored his .on%in"ing an%agonism No do"(% *o" are'

he m"%%ered sar.as%i.all* Ne1er%heless' Diogo &ill .arr* *o"r l"ggage The e,er.ise &ill do him good Toni#s $ingers %igh%ened o1er %he s"i%.ase' %he onl* ges%"re o$ de$ian.e she allo&ed hersel$ Perhaps Senhor Har.ia .o"ld .arr* some%hing else' she s"gges%ed le1eV*' al%ho"gh her smile &as (* no& a %ri$le %oo $i,ed Har.ia hesi%a%ed' "n.er%ain &ha% %o do As i$ impa%ien% &i%h %he dela*' L"is L"en%al deposi%ed his o&n load in%o his (ro%her/in/la&#s p"dg* $ingers and rea.hed $or Toni#s ("rdens' &res%ing %hem $irml* $rom her grip +or one (rie$ momen% o$ .on%a.%' her $lesh seemed %o si22le' no do"(% d"e %o a &ell/.on.ealed $lash o$ anno*an.e a% his o1er(earing a%%i%"de She ("rned in&ardl*' ("% she did no% pro%es%K %o arg"e &i%h her hos% o1er s".h a %ri$ling ma%%er &o"ld $"r%her no par%i."lar .a"se Wh*' %han) *o"' Dr L"en%al' she said &i%h per$e.% possession Tha%#s 1er* .onsidera%e o$ *o" No&ada*s one so seldom mee%s a real gen%leman Har.ia no& per$ormed (ela%ed in%rod".%ions' d"ring &hi.h L"en%al#s e*es remained $or %he mos% par% dire.%ed some&here (ehind Toni#s head' $li.)ering onl* on.e %o&ard her mo"%h &i%h %he mos% s.orn$"l o$ e,pressions 5"% Toni did no% need %o see in%o %he (la.) ("rning e*es %o sense %he o1erpo&ering hea% and hos%ili%* %ha% emana%ed $rom %ha% %all 1irile (od* Despi%e Har.ia#s s"..ess$"l in%er.ession on her (ehal$' i% &as all %oo .lear %ha% L"is L"en%al resen%ed her presen.e %here &i%h e1er* $i(er o$ his $or.e$"l (od* I$ he had a disli)e o$ &omen' i% seemed %o (e do"(led in her .ase He%"lio#s .ommen%s s"gges%ed %ha% her re.ep%ion &as e1en less a"spi.io"s %han mos%K ("% &h*3 Had she o$$ended L"is L"en%al a% some poin% in %he "nremem(ered pas%3 I ha1e %he odd $eeling I#1e seen *o"r $a.e (e$ore' Dr L"en%al' she said &i%h all %he pleasan%ness she .o"ld m"s%er' on.e Har.ia had $inished his ner1o"s in%rod".%ions Ha1ing had a $e& momen%s %o re$le.% on %he si%"a%ion' she had de.ided i% &as (es% %o .on$ron% ma%%ers head/on@ i$ L"is L"en%al had some par%i."lar reason %o disli)e her' she &an%ed %o )no& i% no& Possi(l* I#1e seen *o" in Rio de Baneiro3 I "nders%and *o" some%imes go %here M".h %o m* regre%' .ame %he dis.o"raging re%or%' &hi.h pro1ided no par%i."lar insigh%s The ans&er' Toni no%i.ed' .a"sed Har.ia %o loo) as "n.om$or%a(le as she hersel$ &as $eeling (enea%h her "n.ra.)ed e,%erior I &as in Rio m*sel$ a(o"% eigh% mon%hs ago' she persis%ed e-"a(l*' &hen &e &ere $ilming in %he .i%* Her e,plora%or* remar) &as gree%ed (* a da"n%ingl* "n$riendl* silen.e $rom L"is L"en%al I$ he re.ogni2ed her' no%hing in %he (rooding dar)ness o$ his $a.e ga1e an*

indi.a%ion Har.ia $illed %he a&)&ard momen%' %"rning %o his s%one/$a.ed (ro%her/in/la& I% migh% (e possi(le' L"is' he said hal$ apologe%i.all* The $ilm .re& &as s%a*ing a% m* ho"se $or a ma%%er o$ a $e& &ee)s And as *o" *o"rsel$ &ere in Rio $or a $e& da*s a(o"% %ha% %ime0 5i%%erness ."rled do&n %he .orners o$ L"en%al#s mo"%h' and a (rie$ emo%ion %ha% Toni .o"ld no% "nders%and %o".hed %he dar) e*es %ha% had $as%ened %hemsel1es some&here in %he neigh(orhood o$ her .ollar(one The dire.%ion o$ his ga2e ser1ed %o se% her $lesh on $ire in %ha% 1er* regionK i% %oo) $"ll* $i1e se.onds (e$ore she reali2ed %his &as d"e no% %o his a%%en%ions ("% %o %he pi"m (i%es +orgo%%en $or %he pas% "nse%%ling min"%es' %he dis.om$or% o$ %hose (i%es no& re%"rned &i%h a raging in%ensi%*' .on%ri("%ing %o %he di$$i."l%* o$ main%aining her "s"al poise L"en%al dragged his e*es a&a* So *o"#1e alread* reminded me' Diogo' he said %igh%l* 5"% I ha1e eno"gh %o remem(er $rom %ha% %rip &i%ho"% re.alling e1er* $a.e I ma* ha1e seen in passing A deroga%or* no%e en%ered his 1oi.e I &as -"i%e ("s* in Rio' as *o" *o"rsel$ poin%ed o"% no% long ago Har.ia loo)ed %a)en a(a.) !es' I / 7ome along' (o%h o$ *o"' L"en%al ."% in He %hen %"rned a(r"p%l* on his heel %o s%al) a.ross %he grasses o$ %he .learing' lea1ing %he o%hers (ehind him Har.ia &hispered %o Toni en.o"ragingl*' Things &ill impro1e'' *o" &ill see L"is is a gen%leman a% hear% Oh' a li%%le (i%%er' ("% no& %ha% he has agreed *o" .an s%a*' *o" need ha1e no $ear L"is al&a*s )eeps his &ord And %hen' (alan.ing %he .ar%on &i%h more spr*ness %han Toni &o"ld ha1e e,pe.%ed' Har.ia h"$$ed o$$ in %he &a)e o$ %hose long impa%ien% legs %o&ard a large lo& &hi%e ("ilding %ha% o.."pied %he .en%ral posi%ion in %he .learing I% &as' she .o"ld see $rom here' %he onl* si2a(le s%r".%"re in %he .learingK she s"rmised a% on.e %ha% i% &as %he ("ilding "sed as a hospi%al / or perhaps .lini. &o"ld (e a more e,a.% &ord' $or i$ i% &as a hospi%al i% &as .er%ainl* no% a 1er* large one +lan)ing i%' agains% a (a.)drop o$ %angled 4"ngle 1ege%a%ion' &ere a $e& small "%ili%arian/loo)ing ("ildings One open/sided s%r".%"re .learl* ser1ed as a )i%.henK a ("ilding ad4a.en% %o %ha% appeared %o (e a s%oreho"se' i$ %he pa.)ing .ra%es 1isi(le %hro"gh %he open &indo&s mean% an*%hing Ano%her %in* edi$i.e se% a% a small dis%an.e appeared %o ho"se a genera%or' e1iden.ed (* %he dr"ms o$ $"el s%anding alongside i%s o"%er &all Ele.%ri.i%*@ %ha% &as more %han Toni had e,pe.%ed Perhaps she .o"ld hope $or proper pl"m(ing' %oo3 Se% apar% $rom %his gro"ping o$ ("ildings' in a lo.a%ion some&ha% more $a1ored onl* (e.a"se some person had %a)en %he %ime %o gro& pro$"se masses o$ m"l%ih"ed

$lo&ers %o so$%en %he impa.% o$ s%ar) &hi%e&ashed &alls' s%ood an L/shaped ("ngalo& o$ modera%e dimensions The do.%or#s o&n -"ar%ers' Toni .on.l"ded@ i% &as %he onl* ha(i%a%ion in %he .ompo"nd %ha% loo)ed as %ho"gh i% migh% (e in%ended $or %ha% p"rpose Perhaps He%"lio &as %he gardener &ho had %rained %he $ragran% $lo&ering 1ines "n%il %he* almos% en.losed %he %in* shaded 1eranda se% in%o %he L o$ %he ("ilding3 A% %he momen%' as Toni s%ood in %he ho% dire.% s"n o$ noon' %a)ing a momen% %o s"r1e* %he pla.e &here she &o"ld (e spending %his ne,% mon%h' %ha% 1eranda &as %he onl* noo) %ha% loo)ed .ool' pri1a%e and appealing The res% o$ %he .learing loo)ed (lea) and (ro&n agains% %he l"sh green $ores%K %he hospi%al ("ilding i%sel$ &as "n.ompromisingl* s%ar) Her -"i.) appraisal o$ %he s.ene %oo) se.onds onl*' and she had almos% .a"gh% "p %o Har.ia (* %he %ime he rea.hed %he &hi%e&ashed main ("ilding' a do2en s%eps (ehind L"is L"en%al L"en%al en%ered %he .lini. (* onl* %&o pa.es' his (road/sho"ldered $rame e$$e.%i1el* pre1en%ing %he o%hers $rom &al)ing %hro"gh S%anding in %he door&a*' Toni had a good 1ie& o$ %he small' sparsel* $"rnished en%ran.e area A 1er* old hal$/(reed .lad in hospi%al &hi%e sa% a% a &ooden %a(le' do2ing He &o)e &i%h a s%ar% &hen L"en%al spo)e a $e& &ords %o him in %he T"pi/H"arani diale.% o$ %he region' addressing him as Manoel Har.ia &hispered %o Toni' Tha% old man spea)s no Por%"g"ese So i$ *o" need an*%hing &hile *o" are here' *o" &ill ha1e %o as) He%"lio' or L"is himsel$ To %he le$% o$ %he en%ran.e area &as a hea1* ."r%ain sh"%%ing o$$ a spa.e %ha% ser1ed some inde%ermina%e p"rpose To %he righ% &as a &ide do"(le door' s.reened %o permi% .ooling (ree2es %o pene%ra%e' and %his re1ealed &ha% appeared %o (e a &ard A% %he $ar end %here &ere %&o proper hospi%al (eds' ("% %hese &ere no% in "seK %he se1eral pa%ien%s in 1ie& "sed hammo.)s The* s%ared a% %he ne&.omers &i%h d"ll in."rio"s e*es' %oo ill or %oo apa%he%i. %o s%ir in %heir (eds o$ s%ring or gro& sel$/.ons.io"s a(o"% %he near inade-"a.* o$ %he &hi%e hospi%al go&ns %ha% .o1ered %hem There &as a good deal o$ medi.al e-"ipmen%' I : s%ands and o%her gleaming s%ainless/s%eel paraphernalia' no% all o$ &hi.h Toni .o"ld iden%i$*' ("% &hi.h s"rprised her (* i%s 1er* 1arie%* and moderni%* 7er%ainl*' $or a medi.al $a.ili%* in s".h a remo%e lo.a%ion' %he .lini. appeared %o (e 1er* &ell e-"ipped / e,.ep% $or (eds 5"% %hen' L"is L"en%al &as (* all a..o"n%s no% a man &ho needed %o re.)on %he .os% o$ an*%hingK and she alread* )ne& %ha% $e& people in %his par% o$ %he &orld slep% in (eds' hammo.)s (eing pre$erred (* mos% inha(i%an%s o$ %he Ama2on She pres"med %here &ere o%her small rooms o"% o$ range o$ 1isi(ili%* / an opera%ing room' no do"(%' and o"%pa%ien% $a.ili%ies' as &ell as %he rooms &here %he $ilm %eam &o"ld (e sleeping 5"% $rom her 1an%age poin% %hese .o"ld no% (e seen There &ere no n"rses' nor had Toni e,pe.%ed an*K and no% 4"s% (e.a"se o$ L"is

L"en%al#s misog*n* In %his sparsel* inha(i%ed par% o$ %he &orld i% &as "n"s"al eno"gh %o $ind a do.%or' le% alone a .lini. &here pa%ien%s .o"ld sleep In an* .ase' He%"lio and possi(l* %he old man Manoel $"l$illed %he n"rsing $"n.%ionK and no do"(% %ha% &as eno"gh L"en%al deposi%ed his o&n load o$ (aggage in order %o relie1e Senhor Har.ia o$ his ("rden A$%er se%%ing do&n %he .ar%on he s%raigh%ened' almos% .olliding &i%h Toni' &ho had (een leaning $or&ard %o sa%is$* her ."riosi%* a(o"% %he ("ilding &here she ass"med she &o"ld (e sleeping +or %he (rie$es% o$ momen%s %heir e*es .onne.%ed' and his $li.)ed a&a* a% on.eK ("% in %ha% momen% Toni reali2ed %ha% he did re.ogni2e her' %ha% he had pro(a(l* re.ogni2ed her $rom %he 1er* $irs% momen% he had seen her 5enea%h %he deep %an a d"ll red .olor appeared high on %hose .ragg* Indian .hee)(ones' %he onl* sign o$ h"mani%* she had seen in %he man sin.e arri1ing in %his remo%e o"%pos% Where had she seen him (e$ore3 The m*s%er* o.."pied her mind $or %he ne,% $e& se.onds &hile L"is L"en%al .he.)ed %he l"ggage la(el on %he s"i%.ase and as.er%ained %ha% %ha% par%i."lar pie.e o$ (aggage (elonged %o Toni He pi.)ed i% "p on.e more and %"rned %o his (ro%her/in/la& While I se%%le Senhora 7arr"%hers *o" .an &ai% $or me in m* ("ngalo&' Diogo' he dire.%ed Po"r a drin) i$ *o" &ish No do"(%' no& %ha% *o" ha1e %he promise *o" .ame $or' *o" &ill $eel *o" ha1e some%hing %o .ele(ra%e His &hole demeanor s"gges%ed %ha% he himsel$ did no% Is %ha% *o"rs' %oo3 he as)ed Toni .oldl*' prodding %he d"$$el (ag &i%h his $oo% I$ so' *o"#1e (ro"gh% %oo man* personal e$$e.%s %o %he Ama2on !o"#ll ha1e li%%le need $or pro1o.a%i1e .lo%hes in %his pla.e The s.orn in his 1oi.e %riggered a &a1e o$ hea% %ha% rose "p Toni#s %hroa% and %his %ime had no%hing %o do &i%h %he a$%ere$$e.%s o$ her en.o"n%er &i%h %he &re%.hed li%%le pes%s along %he ri1er She $irmed her lips and reminded hersel$ %ha% %here &as no poin% in %a)ing e,.ep%ion %o e1er* 1eiled ins"l% %ha% .ame her &a* The onl* hal$&a* $eminine pie.e o$ apparel in her l"ggage &as a sheer %ailored sil) shir%' and %ha% had (een in.l"ded on a las%/ min"%e %ho"gh% onl* (e.a"se i% %oo) "p 1er* li%%le spa.e and migh% (e "se$"l i$ .ir."ms%an.es .alled $or some%hing sligh%l* dressier %han %he (agg* and %horo"ghl* "npro1o.a%i1e .lo%hes she had p"r.hased in Mana"s 5"% &h* (o%her pro%es%ing3 No' onl* %he s"i%.ase is mine' she re%"rned in a deli(era%el* le1el 1oi.e 7ome along' %hen' he dire.%ed (r"s-"el* Lea1ing %he en%ran.e o$ %he .lini.' he s%rode o$$ &i%ho"% loo)ing a% Toni' %his %ime in %he dire.%ion o$ a s%and o$ hea1* ("shes &here a %ha%.hed roo$ .o"ld (e seen (arel* peeping %hro"gh %he greener* 6n.er%ain%* .a"sed Toni %o hesi%a%e (rie$l* (e$ore $ollo&ing I %ho"gh% I#d (e sleeping in %he hospi%al &i%h %he res% o$ %he %eam' she m"rm"red in some s"rprise' &i%h

Har.ia her onl* a"dien.e She shielded her e*es agains% %he per1asi1e s"n %o &a%.h L"en%al#s long rapid s%ride Diogo Har.ia spread his hands in a ges%"re %ha% indi.a%ed he "nders%ood his di$$i."l% (ro%her/in/la& 1er* li%%le more %han she did Wi%h some men' he reass"red her in a .onspira%orial 1oi.e' %he (ar) is &orse %han %he (i%e L"is is no% al&a*s %he %*ran% he appears %o (e %oda* Perhaps he %hin)s *o" &ill &an% %o sleep in a pri1a%e pla.e' o"% o$ sigh% o$ %he men More li)el* o"% o$ sigh% o$ him' Toni re%"rned dr*l* Do as he sa*s I% is (es% %o o(e*' i$ *o" &ish %o s%a* on his good side !o" mean he has one3 Toni#s mo(ile mo"%h ."r1ed in%o %he (eginnings o$ a smile' and Har.ia responded &i%h a so$% in%ima%e .h".)le' as i$ he pri1a%el* shared her opinion In %ha% momen% she $o"nd hersel$ -"i%e li)ing %he li%%le man' pomposi%* and all He a% leas% &as h"man' &i%h a &hole hos% o$ h"man $ailings0 and pro(a(l* a $e& redeeming $a.e%s' as &ell Ho no&' Har.ia said' leaning .lose and s-"ee2ing her arm en.o"ragingl* L"is is gro&ing impa%ien% Toni %"rned her e*es (a.) in L"en%al#s dire.%ion %o $ind he had .ome %o a hal% no% $or%* $ee% a&a* and &as &a%.hing %he small s.ene &i%h deepl* (rooding e*es and a disappro1ing mo"%h %ha% promised no%hing ("% %ro"(le Sereni%* in%a.% onl* %o o"%&ard appearan.es' Toni nodded a (rie$ &ordless $are&ell %o Har.ia and s%ar%ed a.ross %o &here %ha% %all imperio"s $ig"re &ai%ed In %he dis%an.e Toni .o"ld hear %he 1i(ra%ions o$ He%"lio#s re%"rning o"%(oard dis%"r(ing %he ho% -"ie% air Well' &i%h T* and 5arne* a(o"% %o arri1e' i% &as a good %hing %he &ors% o$ %he re.ep%ion &as o1er S"rel* i$ she managed %o )eep her .ool in %he $a.e o$ L"en%al#s o"%righ% insolen.e his a%%i%"de &o"ld s%ar% %o impro1e And perhaps i$ she .o"ld remem(er &here she had seen him on.e (e$ore she &o"ld s%ar% %o "nders%and %he reasons $or his immedia%e and "n"s"all* deep an%agonism L"is L"en%al had alread* mo1ed in%o %he small shel%er (* %he %ime Toni arri1ed a% i%s en%ran.e She s%ood spee.hless' s%r"ggling $or .ompos"re' as a &a1e o$ disma* &ashed %hro"gh her a% i%s &re%.hed appearan.e I% &as li%%le (e%%er %han a ho1el Sli1ers o$ da*ligh% appeared %hro"gh %he %ha%.hed roo$ and %hro"gh %he &alls' &here %he m"d pa.)ing had $allen a&a* here and %here %o re1eal %he (am(oo .ons%r".%ion (enea%h There &as no $"rni%"re &ha%soe1er on %he (ea%en ear%h $loor' e,.ep% $or one ri.)e%* %a(le and .hair and a .o"ple o$ d"s%* h"rri.ane lan%erns s%anding in one .orner Was %his an a%%emp% %o h"milia%e her3 To $or.e her %o .omplain' so %ha% he migh%

ha1e some e,."se %o as) her %o lea1e3 I$ so' Dr L"en%al had sadl* mis4"dged herJ !o"#ll ha1e %o "se a hammo.)' he said' p"%%ing her s"i%.ase do&n He s%raigh%ened %hen' his m"s."lar heigh% 1er* imposing in %he dim .on$ined spa.e Toni &as s"re %ha% his &ords had (een in%ended as a %a"n%K she ans&ered %hem &i%h a smile as .ool and enigma%i. as Mona Lisa#s Her gra* e*es' ho&e1er' &ore a mirror sheen %ha% re$le.%ed no emo%ion a% all I e,pe.%ed %ha%' she said in a le1el 1oi.e I (ro"gh% a hammo.) &i%h me 5"% %hen' %o her s"rprise' L"en%al $ro&ned a% a par%i."larl* large .hin) in %he &all I$ I#d e,pe.%ed a &oman I &o"ld ha1e done some%hing a(o"% %his' he m"%%ered As i% is' I#m a$raid *o"#ll ha1e %o p"% "p &i%h i% $or a nigh% or %&o' "n%il some%hing (e%%er .an (e arranged Toni s%ared a% him' &ondering i$ she .o"ld ha1e (een mis%a)en 7o"ld i% (e %ha% she had mis4"dged his in%en% in assigning her %o %his ho1el3 I .o"ld mo1e in%o %he main ("ilding &i%h %he o%hers' she s"gges%ed' some&ha% hear%ened (* %he apparen% rela,a%ion o$ his r"deness 5"% %ha% onl* (ro"gh% a re%"rn o$ %ha% %igh% %a"% anger %o his lean $ea%"res A(sol"%el* no%' he snapped' dire.%ing his ga2e %o&ard %he ."r1e o$ her hip There#s onl* one emp%* room in %ha% ("ilding' and i%#s no% designed $or separa%ion o$ %he se,es Moreo1er' I &on#% ha1e a &oman "pse%%ing m* pa%ien%s I$ *o" &an% %o share -"ar%ers &i%h *o"r $riends' do i% some&here else' ("% no% on m* proper%*J While *o"#re aro"nd here *o"#ll sleep alone / li)e i% or no%J Toni %ensed' &ondering &ha% .o"ld ha1e .a"sed s".h a $ero.i%* o$ $eeling a(o"% some%hing %ha% seemed a 1er* simple s"gges%ion %o her She $el% her $a.e .oloring' an "n.ommon o.."rren.e $or her' and &as glad %ha% his e*es seemed in%en% on a1oiding %ha% par% o$ her ana%om* Her lips $el% s%i$$ &i%h %he e$$or% o$ )eeping her %emper' ("% she .o"ld no% le% his inn"endo pass %o%all* "nremar)ed Mee%ing %ro"(le .alml* &as her s%*le' no% sides%epping i% al%oge%her She $or.ed a no%e o$ reasona(leness in%o her 1oi.e !o"#1e made se1eral remar)s' Dr L"en%al' %ha% s"gges% *o"r opinion o$ me is no% 1er* high Am I .orre.%3 !es The single $la% &ord' dire.%ed a% her $ee%' dripped s.orn Toni s&allo&ed deepl*K despi%e all pre1io"s happenings she had no% e,pe.%ed s".h r"de dire.%ness Pride sen% her .hin %il%ing higher and ."rled her $ingers in%o her palms so %igh%l* %ha% she .o"ld $eel %he nails ."%%ing a% her s)in Wh*3 she as)ed mildl*' s%ill main%aining .on%rol' ("% &i%h e$$or% I$ *o" ha1e some reason $or passing 4"dgmen%' Dr L"en%al' perhaps *o" sho"ld %ell me &ha% i% is

His lips &ere %&is%ed in a (i%%er line o$ disdain as his e*es no& %ra1eled %o %he plain gold (and on her ring $inger !o"#re a married &oman' senhora And *o"r s"rname s"gges%s %o me *o"#re married %o nei%her o$ %he men &i%h &hom *o" do *o"r %ra1eling Does *o"r h"s(and ha1e no%hing %o sa* a(o"% *o"r %raipsing aro"nd $oreign .o"n%ries' li1ing &i%h o%her men3 S%"nned' Toni .o"ld onl* s%are a% %he .*ni.al se% o$ his mo"%h 6nner1ed' she li.)ed her lips' )no&ing she m"s% no% a%%emp% %o ans&er "n%il she had .on%rolled %he in1ol"n%ar* %ide o$ indigna%ion %ha% &as sending ripples do&n her rigid spine I% &as (e.oming apparen% %ha% L"en%al &an%ed her %o lose her %emper / and %ha% &as some%hing she a(sol"%el* re$"sed %odo 5* %he %ime she spo)e none o$ her in%ernal (a%%les regis%ered in her .ool e1en 1oi.e Le% me se% *o"r mind a% res%' Dr L"en%al As i% happens' I#m a &ido& and ha1e (een $or nearl* $i1e *ears And as i% also happens' sin.e m* h"s(and#s dea%h I ha1en#% (een in%eres%ed in %he %*pe o$ arrangemen% *o" men%ion I &or) &i%h m* asso.ia%es / I don#% li1e &i%h %hem' a% leas% no% in %he &a* *o" seem %o (e impl*ing He &as onl* (rie$l* %hro&n o$$ s%ride' his e*es $li.)ering onl* %o narro& again' all &i%ho"% a(andoning %heir s%"died and some&ha% ins"l%ing .on%empla%ion o$ her hip !o"#re %oo *o"ng %o (e a &ido&' he o(ser1ed in ."r% "n$la%%ering $ashion Wha% did *o" do / marr* an elderl* man3 No' she ans&ered -"ie%l* M* h"s(and &as onl* %&en%*/$o"r &hen &e married' and I &as nine%een He died in an a..iden% a li%%le more %han %&o *ears la%er !o"r h"s(and m"s% ha1e (een an e,%raordinar* man' L"en%al no%ed &i%h a sar.asm so deep i% 1erged on a sneer' %o .ommand lo*al%* so long a$%er his dea%h +or a momen% pain$"l memories %igh%ened Toni#s %hroa% I lo1ed m* h"s(and' she s%a%ed le1ell*' &i%ho"% %a)ing o$$ense' and I s%ill do Spare me %he pro%es%a%ions A$%er $i1e *ears I $ind %ha% %oo hard %o (elie1e' espe.iall* in %his da* and age Toni (rea%hed deepl* and slo&l*' reminding hersel$ %ha% %o -"arrel &i%h %his man &as %o (ring %ro"(le %"m(ling do&n on %he heads o$ %he en%ire $ilm .re& L"en%al &as spoiling $or a $igh%' and she &o"ld no% gi1e him %he sa%is$a.%ion / .er%ainl* no% o1er a ma%%er as personal as %his 5elie1e i% or no%' as *o" please' she said In an* .ase I ass"re *o" I#ll .a"se no %ro"(le &hile I#m s%a*ing in %his pla.e I sho"ld hope no%' he gra%ed' s&i1eling a&a* $rom her and going do&n on his

ha"n.hes %o inspe.% %he h"rri.ane lan%erns The mo1emen% &as .learl* in%ended %o p"% an end %o %he %rain o$ .on1ersa%ion I#ll ha1e He%"lio re$"el *o"r lamps (e$ore dar) Lea1e one li% %onigh%' all nigh% I#m no% a$raid o$ %he dar)' Dr L"en%al Ne1er%heless' do as I sa*' he snapped' .oming %o his $ee% on.e again and mo1ing %o&ard %he e,i% Toni main%ained silen.e' o"%&ardl* .omplian% ("% in&ardl* in a s%a%e o$ %"rmoil o1er his a(r"p% di.%a%orial manner Perhaps %o relie1e some o$ %he emo%ions %ha% had (een s"ppressed d"ring %he en.o"n%er' a $ingernail ga1e in %o a long/s%anding imp"lse a% %he .ollar o$ her shir% Don#% s.ra%.hJ L"en%al ordered' %"rning in %ime %o see %he momen%ar* lapse His dar) e*es pro(ed %he shape o$ her shir%$ron% $or a momen%' and %hen he &ren.hed his e*es a&a* and %"rned his (a.)' ("% no% (e$ore Toni sa& %he (eads o$ mois%"re s%ar% %o ga%her on his (ro& Wi%ho"% loo)ing a% her he said' Pi"m (i%es' I imagine3 Or is i% some%hing else3 Pi"ms' she .on.eded' &ondering &h* %ha% sheen o$ s&ea% on his (ro& seemed %o %rigger some ha"n%ing ghos% o$ memor* Are %he* (o%hering *o" m".h3 No' she lied' s"re %ha% %o admi% %he %r"%h &as %o la* hersel$ open %o a sar.asm more (i%ing %han an* pi"m she had en.o"n%ered I &as .o1ered &i%h repellen% I onl* ha1e one li%%le (i%e +or on.e he made no ."%%ing remar) 7ome %o %he dispensar* and I#ll gi1e *o" some sal1e The ."r%ained area a% %he $ron% is %he o"%pa%ien% se.%ion No' %han) *o" I .ame preparedK %here#s oin%men% in m* s"i%.ase And %hen' s%ill in a reasona(le 1oi.e' I#1e ne1er $o"nd i% ne.essar*' Dr L"en%al' %o see) medi.al aid $or a $lea(i%e I &asn#% planning an e,amina%ion' he re%or%ed .a"s%i.all*' and s%ar%ed %o&ard %he door Dr L"en%alJ He hal%ed on %he %hreshold &i%ho"% %"rning %o $a.e her again' his sine&* sho"lders dra&n in dar) silho"e%%e agains% %he l"sh ("shes (e*ond %he door&a* I% almos% h"r% Toni#s e*es %o loo) a% %ha% %all $rame (a.)li% (* s"n' %ension in e1er* %endon' as i$ he had alread* g"essed &ha% she &as a(o"% %o sa*

!es3 he said' ("% in s".h a dis.o"raging %one o$ 1oi.e %ha% Toni almos% regre%%ed ha1ing s%opped him I% had (een on an imp"lse' a$%er allK she &as no% *e% s"re &he%her her memor* &as .orre.% Are *o" allergi. %o per$"me' Dr L"en%al3 His (od*' alread* %ense' s%i$$ened e1en more' and his hands .ame "p %o (ra.e %hemsel1es on %he door $rame He did no% %"rn aro"nd Wi%h some par% o$ her mind Toni no%ed %he long' s%rong' .apa(le $ingersK %he (l"n% ."% o$ &ell/)ep% $ingernailsK %he m"s."lar $orearms &here a .risp d"s%ing o$ hair dar)ened %he $irm %anned $lesh No' he denied $la%l* 5"% *o" &ere in Rio a(o"% eigh% mon%hs ago3 A(o"% %ha% %ime' he admi%%ed &i%h e1iden% rel".%an.e And *o" &en% %o a res%a"ran% in a .on1er%ed .olonial home3 I don#% remem(er %he name' ("% i% &as de.ora%ed &i%h 5ra2ilian an%i-"es and some reli.s o$ %he .on-"is%adores I reall* don#% remem(er' .ame %he .old ans&er Toni no%ed' &i%h some long/a&ai%ed sa%is$a.%ion' %ha% her $or%hrigh% approa.h had p"% him on %he de$ensi1e' as i% had (een in%ended %o do !o" ordered de1iled .ra(s' she s%a%ed pleasan%l* Did I3 I% seems' senhora' %ha% *o"r memor* is s"perior %o mine Toni &ished she .o"ld see his e,pression Wi%h her e*es $as%ened on %he (a.) o$ his head &here dar) %hi.) hair ."r1ed o1er %he )ha)i .ollar' she &illed him %o %"rn aro"nd' &i%ho"% s"..ess I remem(er &ha% *o" ordered onl* (e.a"se *o" &al)ed o"% (e$ore i% arri1ed' she said I don#% %hin) I .a"gh% more %han one glimpse o$ *o"' al%ho"gh *o" &ere si%%ing 1er* .lose %o me / no% %&o $ee% a&a*' on a (an-"e%%e sea% !o" &ere alone His silen.e seemed %o .on$irm %he .orre.%ness o$ her ha2* memor*' so she .on%in"ed !o" &en% o$$ in a h"rr*' lea1ing a large (an) no%e on %he %a(le %o pa* $or *o"r meal La%er I o1erheard %he mai%re d# %ell %he &ai%er %ha% *o" had said *o" &ere allergi. %o m* per$"me The res%a"ran% &as 1er* .ro&ded' and he hadn#% (een a(le %o gi1e *o" a di$$eren% %a(le Again %ha% pregnan% silen.e' d"ring &hi.h L"is L"en%al nei%her .on$irmed nor denied her s%a%emen% A% las% Toni &en% on' de%ermined %o ge% %o %he roo% o$ %he ma%%er' I$ *o"#re no% allergi. %o per$"me' do.%or' perhaps *o"#re allergi. %o some%hing else3 Me'

$or ins%an.e' she added in her mind I sho"ld ha%e %o %hin) I had dri1en *o" $rom %he res%a"ran% %ha% da* !o" $la%%er *o"rsel$' he responded in .hilling $ashion 5"% *o" &ere in %he res%a"ran%' she persis%ed amia(l*' &i%h %he )ind o$ ass"ran.e %ha% s"gges%ed %ha% $a.% had (een es%a(lished (e*ond a do"(% I &as %here' he admi%%ed ."r%l*' ("% i$ *o" happened %o (e si%%ing ne,% %o me' I ass"re *o" i% es.aped m* a%%en%ion Perhaps I ga1e %he mai%re d# some $oolish e,."se $or lea1ing Reall*' I don#% re.all Were *o" no% $eeling &ell3 as)ed Toni' s%ill ."rio"s +rom %he one glimpse I had' I remem(er *o"r $a.e loo)ed -"i%e gra* (enea%h %he %an And %here had (een %ha% sheen o$ mois%"re on his (ro&' %oo / %he %hing %ha% had %riggered her re.olle.%ion o$ an o..asion she migh% ha1e $orgo%%en al%oge%her (* no& had no% %he da* (een memora(le in o%her &a*s Perhaps *o" &ere imagining %hings' he said I le$% $or o%her reasons al%oge%her A $orgo%%en appoin%men%' Dr L"en%al3 Toni as)ed' no% in order %o in1ade his pri1a.* ("% %o p"% %he in.iden% in%o perspe.%i1e on.e and $or all 7er%ainl*' $rom her memor* o$ %he long/ago o..asion' she had done no%hing in %he spa.e o$ %he $e& min"%es in1ol1ed %o earn %he )ind o$ re.ep%ion %ha% had a&ai%ed her here eigh% mon%hs la%er And i$ L"is L"en%al had mis"nders%ood an*%hing %ha% had (een happening a% an ad4oining %a(le' (e%&een %&o a(sol"%e s%rangers / &ell' %ha% &as his $a"l%' no% hers Some%hing li)e %ha%' he agreed %ersel*' and &al)ed a&a* &i%ho"% a single (a.)&ard glan.e 6nse%%led' Toni &a%.hed "n%il he 1anished (e*ond %he ("shes %ha% shel%ered %he .r"de sha.) $rom o%her ("ildings in %he .ompo"nd To her anno*an.e' she $o"nd her $ingernails mis(eha1ing on.e again a% %he si%e o$ %he pi"m (i%es S.olding hersel$' she .ame %o her )nees and opened her s"i%.ase %o sear.h $or %he sal1e %ha% &o"ld o$$er a less ill"sor* relie$ %han s.ra%.hing' &hi.h no do"(% onl* aggra1a%ed %he %ro"(le Dra% %hose li%%le mons%ersJ Momen%s la%er she .on$irmed her s"spi.ion %ha% %here &ere se1eral o$ %he min"s."le .rea%"res s%ill a% &or) (enea%h her shir%' ea.h a maddening %or%"re %o her $lesh 7oin/si2ed s&ellings had risen on e1er* a1aila(le in.h / (*passing' $or%"na%el*' her hands and $a.e and all %he e,posed par%s %ha% had (een pro%e.%ed (* repellen% 7learl* %he pi"ms &ere as 1enge$"ll* in.lined %o &omen as &as Dr L"en%al himsel$ She sla%hered %he sal1e o1er her %hroa%' o1er her midri$$' o1er %he 1alle* o$ $lesh "npro%e.%ed (* her (rassiere' and o1er her an)les' %oo 5* %he %ime she $inished' %he .on%en%s o$ %he %"(e had (een "sed "p

%o %he 1er* las% s-"ee2e The oin%men% helped' ("% no% m".h As she re("%%oned her shir% prepara%or* %o lea1ing %he h"% in sear.h o$ T* and 5arne*' she re$le.%ed %ha% %ha% da* in Rio migh% ha1e (een memora(le %o (o%h o$ %hem' %oo / and $or reasons %ha% had no%hing %o do &i%h L"Ts L"en%al Wh* had %he em(i%%ered do.%or (een so e1asi1e a(o"% %ha% $lee%ing en.o"n%er mon%hs (e$ore3 She sensed he &as no% %elling %he &hole %r"%h +or one %hing' in%"i%ion %old her %ha% despi%e his denials he had re.ogni2ed her %oda*K she had (een s"re o$ %ha% earlier' and she &as s%ill s"re o$ i% Wh* had he le$% %he res%a"ran%3 Had he reall* 1anished %o )eep some s"ddenl* remem(ered appoin%men%3 I% &as possi(leK ("% she re.alled no& %ha% she had (een .ons.io"s o$ his &hi%ened )n".)les $orming $is%s agains% %he %a(le.lo%h $or some min"%es (e$ore he had le$% Tha%' in $a.%' had (een &ha% had .a"sed her %o glan.e side&a*s and .a%.h %ha% one glimpse o$ his $a.e I% migh% (e %r"e %ha% his (eha1ior had had no%hing %o do &i%h herK ("% he had (een in a s%a%e o$ %ension $or some %ime (e$ore his a(r"p% depar%"re Wha%e1er had dri1en him $rom %he res%a"ran%' i% had (een nei%her s"dden nor $orgo%%enJ No more %han hal$ an ho"r had passed sin.e her arri1al here' and alread* she had .on$ron%ed a hos% o$ "ne,pe.%ed "n.er%ain%ies Wha%' $or ins%an.e' had Senhor Har.ia said %o L"is L"en%al %ha% had .a"sed him %o .ome %o %erms &i%h Toni#s "n&an%ed presen.e3 And &ha% &as her o&n rea.%ion' her real rea.%ion' %o %he dis%"r(ing do.%or3 She disli)ed him in%ensel*K ("% she &as hones% eno"gh %o admi% %o hersel$ %ha% she &as a$$e.%ed (* him in a p"rel* ph*si.al sense' &i%h a se,"al a&areness o$ %he )ind %ha% had (een sh"% o"% o$ her li$e $or man* *ears 5"% no' she m"s% no% %hin) li)e %ha%K i% &as dislo*al %o Ma%%he& And &ha% "ne,pe.%ed di$$i."l%ies &o"ld %his ne,% mon%h (ring3 Well' %here &as no "se p"22ling o1er -"es%ions %o &hi.h %here &ere no immedia%e ans&ersK i% &as %ime %o re%"rn %o %he o%hers and s%ar% la*ing plans $or %he s.hed"le o$ shoo%ing %ha% la* ahead She $ro&ned a% %he $inished %"(e o$ sal1e' ga1e i% a las% angr* and "nre&arding s-"ee2e %o 1en% some o$ %he e,.ess emo%ion a&a)ened (* L"is IL"en%al' and %hr"s% i% aside along &i%h her in%rospe.%i1e and oddl* %ro"(ling %ho"gh%s She &o"ld no% le% L"is L"en%al ge% "nder her s)in li)eN Li)e a pes)*pi"m: she m"%%ered o"% lo"d' and %hen gri%%ed her %ee%h as %he %ho"gh% se% "p a ne& &a1e o$ "n(eara(le i%.hing %ha% seemed %o assail e1er* millime%er o$ s)in' all %he &a* $rom her ne.) %o her sa$el* (oo%ed %oes Oh' Lord' &ha% miser*J Wha% p"rga%or*J Her $ingers ho1ered %&o in.hes $rom her ne.)line' .a"gh% in a %"g/o$/&ar (e%&een maddening ins"$$era(le ins%in.% and ordinar* .ommon sense Was she going %o (e a(le %o (ear i% in %he Ama2on3 Was she going %o le% hersel$ (e

li.)ed (* a li%%le inse.% so %in* i% .o"ld hardl* (e seen3 Was she going %o gi1e in no&3 Damn' damn' damnJ she pro.laimed &ildl*' as her $ingernails $le,ed o1er emp%* air CHAPTER THREE

SHORTL! A+TER THE ARRI:AL o$ T* and 5arne*' %he noon meal %oo) pla.e I% &as ea%en in %he shel%er o$ %he open/sided edi$i.e %ha% also ser1ed as a .oo)ing sha.)' aro"nd a large' .r"de pi.ni./s%*le %a(le $lan)ed (* (en.hes As Har.ia#s re%"rn $ligh% &o"ld no% lea1e $or a $e& ho"rs *e%' he 4oined %he gro"pK and so did He%"lio' s&elling %he n"m(ers a% %he %a(le %o si, I$ L"is L"en%al s%ill had s%rong reser1a%ions a(o"% Toni#s presen.e in his 4"ngle re%rea%' he managed %o )eep %hem largel* %o himsel$ d"ring %he $irs% par% o$ %his meal A&are no& o$ her .ommand o$ Por%"g"ese' he "%%ered no more disparaging remar)s' a% leas% no% in Toni#s hearing 5"% i$ he &as no% a.%i1el* r"de' nei%her did he in an* &a* en.o"rage .omm"ni.a%ion He simpl* %rea%ed her as %ho"gh she &ere no% %here I$ he had an*%hing %o sa*' he said i% %o one o$ %he men' e1en i$ i% a$$e.%ed Toni dire.%l* Did *o" (ring mos-"i%o ne%s3 he as)ed T* 7hisholm near %he end o$ %he meal Toni3 as)ed T*' his e*es s)a%ing in her dire.%ion As T* had %a)en no par% in %he p"r.hasing or pa.)ing o$ s"pplies' he &as "na(le %o $ield %he -"es%ion !es' &e did' she said' her le1el 1oi.e e$$e.%i1el* .on.ealing an* resen%men% she migh% $eel Pre1io"s par%s o$ %he .on1ersa%ion m"s% ha1e made i% .r*s%al .lear %o L"is L"en%al %ha% she had (een in .harge o$ pro1isioning $or %he %rip 5* no& she &as onl* %o*ing &i%h her meal' a .on.o.%ion o$ some )ind o$ $ish along &i%h (la.) (eans %ha% &ere $illing ("% hardl* a go"rme% %rea% She had li%%le in%eres% in %he meal e,.ep% as an e,."se %o )eep her $ingers .l"%.hed $irml* aro"nd )ni$e and $or) I% &as %he onl* &a* %o $igh% %he o1erriding desire %o s.ra%.h' a desire %ha% had (* no& (e.ome a $ire %o her (rain and a $e1er %o her $lesh Des."lpe/me' m"rm"red He%"lio apologe%i.all*' &iping his mo"%h and .oming %o his $ee% a% %he $ar end o$ %he %a(le He .leared a&a* mos% o$ %he dishes' Toni#s e,.ep%ed' and deposi%ed %hem else&here in %he .l"%%ered .oo)ing sha.) $or la%er a%%en%ion No &onder He%"lio &an%ed %o e,."se himsel$' %ho"gh% Torn Al%ho"gh he had smiled and nodded his (ri.)/%opped head poli%el* %hro"gho"% %he meal' he .o"ld no% possi(l* ha1e "nders%ood a single &ord o$ %he English %ha% &as (eing spo)en aro"nd %he %a(le !e% he seemed %o (e en4o*ing %he .ompan*' so .learl* he &as a so.ial animal a%

hear%' &i%h none o$ his emplo*er#s ins%in.%s $or sel$/immola%ion Ho& lonel* he m"s% (e' ("ried in %his remo%e spo% &i%h onl* a (i%%er (rooding do.%or and some si.)l* pa%ien%s $or .ompan*J E,."se me' also' m"%%ered Senhor Har.ia h"rriedl* I &ish %o spea) &i%h He%"lio a(o"% a li%%le ma%%er He mopped his mo"%h and has%ened a$%er %he old .a(o.lo' &ho had gone o$$ in %he dire.%ion o$ ano%her small shel%er %ha% &as e1iden%l* his o&n a(ode So %here &as %o (e *e% ano%her pri1a%e .on1ersa%ion' re$le.%ed Toni &i%h a re%"rn o$ ."riosi%* Tha% Har.ia#s ne&s .on.erned He%"lio#s son' 5ra2' &as some%hing she alread* )ne&K ("% some n"an.e in %he earlier .on1ersa%ion had also s"gges%ed %o her %ha% %he message Har.ia &as a(o"% %o impar% &as .onne.%ed in some &a* &i%h %he ne&s he had alread* %old L"is L"en%al Wha%e1er %ha% &asJ 5"% &i%h her $lesh en$lamed (* pi"m (i%es she .o"ld no% .on.en%ra%e on %ha% line o$ spe."la%ion' and so she %"rned her a%%en%ion de%erminedl* (a.) %o %he .on1ersa%ion a% %he %a(le L"is L"en%al &as spea)ing again The slan% o$ %he roo$ pro%e.%ed mos% o$ %he %a(le $rom s"nligh%' ("% a single sha$% $ell on his $a.e' emphasi2ing %he harsh high planes o$ his .hee)(ones and %he deep 1alle*s o$ his e*es !o" &on#% li)el* need mos-"i%o ne%s %onigh%' he said' s%ill %o T*' &hom he seemed %o ha1e sele.%ed as o$$i.ial spo)esman $or %he gro"p E,.ep% $or Senhora 7arr"%hers' o$ .o"rse / (e.a"se o$ %he .hin)s in %he &alls o$ %ha% par%i."lar ("ilding 7hin)s in %he &alls3 -"es%ioned T*' loo)ing a% Toni again Are *o" s"re *o" &o"ldn#% (e (e%%er o$$ ("n)ing in &i%h "s' Toni3 There#s room $or ano%her hammo.) in %he room 5arne* and I are sharing Tin* .hin)s' said Toni &i%h a serene smile' %a)ing a (a.)handed re1enge in %he )no&ledge %ha% L"en%al )ne& she &as l*ing She &as damned i$ she in%ended %o 1oi.e a single .omplain% a(o"% an*%hing $or %his ne,% mon%h She .rossed her $ingers' men%all* a% leas%' and &en% on' M* -"ar%ers s"i% me 1er* &ell' and I#d m".h ra%her sleep &here I .an#% hear %he res% o$ *o"' in .ase *o" snore A&' .#mon Toni' o(4e.%ed 5arne* In all %he %ime &e#1e )no&n ea.h o%her' ha1e *o" e1er heard me snore3 S"re she has' T* s%".) in' (e.a"se *o" snore li)e %he pro1er(ial man $rom 7al."%%a No&' on %he o%her hand' she#s ne1er heard me Isn#% %ha% so' Toni3 The d"al response .a"sed Toni %o .ringe in&ardl*' $or she )ne& i% .o"ld (e in%erpre%ed as meaning she had reason %o )no& %heir snoring ha(i%s As I ha1en#% had %he oppor%"ni%* %o hear ei%her o$ *o"' she said &i%h $eigned ligh%ness' I#m no% %a)ing sides

She dar%ed a s&i$% glan.e %o&ard %he end o$ %he %a(le %o s"rprise L"is L"en%al#s e*es %rained in her dire.%ion His ga2e shi$%ed a% on.e' ("% no%hing so$%ened %he s)ep%i.al s.orn$"l lines e%.hing his mo"%h T* and 5arne* engaged in some $"r%her $riendl* (an%er d"ring &hi.h ea.h a.."sed %he o%her o$ &orld/.lass snoring 6nder o%her .ir."ms%an.es Toni migh% ha1e 4oined in %he good/na%"red ri((ing' ("% %oda* she &as in no mood / &he%her (e.a"se o$ L"en%al#s .*ni.ism and disappro1al or (e.a"se o$ %he $ier* dis.om$or% o$ %hepi"m (i%es A&are no& %ha% some par% o$ his a%%en%ion &as dire.%ed %o her' she .l"%.hed her )ni$e and $or) e1en more resol"%el*' redo"(ling her e$$or%s %o )eep her $ingers $rom &andering inad1er%en%l* %o&ard her shir% !o"#ll all need *o"r mos-"i%o ne%s %omorro& nigh%' L"en%al in%err"p%ed a(r"p%l* a$%er a $e& momen%s' e1iden%l* %iring o$ %he meaningless .on1ersa%ional nonsense a% %he %a(le Tomorro& &e go %o %he Mara 1illage T* and 5arne* hal%ed %heir repar%ee a% on.e and %"rned %o&ard %heir hos%' as did Toni Wednesda* is %he da* I .all on %he Mara 1illage' L"en%al e,plained Some%imes I re%"rn %he same da*' ("% "s"all* I .amp o1ernigh% And na%"rall*' %ha%#s &ha% &e#ll do %his %ime As i%#s si, miles ea.h &a*' I hardl* %hin) some o$ *o" / here he pa"sed almos% imper.ep%i(l*' p"n.%"a%ing %he sen%en.e / I hardl* %hin) some o$ *o" &ill (e .apa(le o$ ma)ing %he re%"rn %rip &i%ho"% a nigh%#s res% Toni needed no promp%ing %o )no& e,a.%l* &hi.h mem(er o$ %he par%* he .onsidered in.apa(le She &as gra%e$"l &hen 5arne* groaned' T&el1e milesJ I .er%ainl* .o"ldn#% do i% I#1e ne1er &al)ed %ha% $ar in m* H$e M* Hod' do &e reall* ha1e %o .arr* o"r e-"ipmen% %ha% $ar3 He%"lio &ill arrange $or se1eral .a(o.los $rom along %he ri1er %o ser1e as (earers He &o"ld .ome himsel$' ("% he s%a*s here %o r"n %he .lini. &hile I#m a&a* He#s had paramedi. %raining and he#s &ell e-"ipped %o deal &i%h simple emergen.ies L"en%al la.ed his $ingers and leaned $or&ard' propping his el(o&s on %he %a(le and %a)ing o1er %he .en%er o$ a%%en%ion m".h as i$ he &ere a% %he head o$ a (oardroom %a(le ins%ead o$ in an Ama2on (a.)&a%er In an e$$or% %o )eep her mind $rom her %ormen%ed s)in' Toni $o"nd hersel$ pa*ing rap% a%%en%ion %o %he &a* a dar) li.) o$ $orelo.) $ell o1er his (ro&' %he &a* %he m"s.les mo1ed in his %hroa% &hen he %al)ed He%"lio#s .o"sin +ernQo &ill li)el* (e .hie$ (earer $or %he %rip Li)e He%"lio' he#s par% Mara Indian He spea)s Por%"g"ese and he also spea)s %he diale.% o$ %he Mara' so he .an help &i%h %ransla%ions i$ ne.essar*' sho"ld I (e ("s* else&here Onl* i$ Toni helps' %oo' .ommen%ed 5arne* T* and I ha1en#% mas%ered *o"r lang"age *e%

L"en%al#s hard lips %igh%ened (rie$l* as i$ he did no% li)e %o (e reminded o$ Toni#s .ompe%en.e in an* &a* There#s also a *o"ng Mara girl &ho spea)s Por%"g"eseK I#ll %ell *o" a(o"% her in a min"%e' a$%er &e#1e .o1ered %he %ra1el arrangemen%s He loo)ed a% T* poin%edl*' hal$ %"rning in his sea% so as %o e,.l"de Toni al%oge%her The Mara aren#% reall* e-"ipped %o handle so man* o1ernigh% 1isi%ors As I generall* go alone' %he* manage %o p"% me "p 5"% &i%h *o"r $ilm .re&' and (earers' %ooN He nodded in %he dire.%ion o$ %he h"% "sed as a s%oreroom I ha1e a %en% %he (earers .an "se I (elie1e *o" &ere %old *o"#d ha1e %o pro1ide a %en% *o"rsel1es Did *o" remem(er %o (ring one3 I (ro"gh% %&o I% &as Toni &ho responded &i%h %he $"ll o"%&ard sem(lan.e o$ .oolness' ignoring %he $a.% %ha% %he &ords had no% (een aimed in her dire.%ion One $or T* and 5arne*' and a smaller one $or me !o" see' Dr L"en%al' I pre$er %o sleep alone I$ %ha% small ("% poin%ed .ommen% made an* impression on L"is L"en%al i% did no% regis%er in a single $li.)er o$ his $a.e Inad1er%en%l* Toni %ho"gh% a(o"% a sill* des) sign Ma%%he& had (o"gh% her *ears (e$ore' in %he mon%h (e$ore %heir marriage@ M* Mind Is Made 6pK Don#% 7on$"se Me Wi%h +a.%s And (e.a"se %ha% memor* (ro"gh% a l"mp %o her %hroa%' she %"rned her mind de%erminedl* (a.) %o %he ("siness a% hand We#ll need -"i%e a n"m(er o$ (earers %o .arr* o"r gi$%s %o %he Mara 1illage' she poin%ed o"%' s%raining $or a %one o$ reasona(leness %ha% seemed a% %his momen% 1er* di$$i."l% %o main%ain As prod".er i% &as her %as) %o deal &i%h %he ma%%ers %ha% L"en%al persis%ed in addressing %o T* No% %ha% she &o"ld ha1e minded' i$ i% &ere onl* a ma%%er o$ personal pride in1ol1edK ("% T*#s 4o( as dire.%or &as going %o (e "nne.essaril* .ompli.a%ed i$ he had %o s%ar% ser1ing as in%ermediar* $or all o$ Toni#s adminis%ra%i1e $"n.%ions' %oo We#ll lea1e %he (ales o$ gi$%s here' L"en%al de.reed %o an air spa.e some&here in %he middle o$ %he %a(le The Mara .hie$%ain &ill send r"nners %o pi.) %hem "p' &hen I gi1e him %he &ord I ass"me *o" &ere %old %o (ring ma.he%es $or %he men and .oo)ing po%s $or %he &omen3 T* and 5arne* loo)ed %o Toni $or %he ans&er 5"% %his %ime she main%ained silen.e' ."rio"s %o see i$ L"en%al .o"ld (e $inessed in%o addressing %he -"es%ion dire.%l* %o her She &a%.hed him .o1er%l* $rom (ehind a s&eep o$ lashes' her poli%e pleasan% e,pression %he 1er* an%i%hesis o$ his When no one responded' L"is L"en%al#s nos%rils $lared (rie$l* in a &a* %ha% %old Toni her s%ra%eg* o$ silen.e &as ha1ing i%s e$$e.% T* and 5arne*' &ho )ne& Toni &ell' &a%.hed &i%h in%en% in%eres%' %heir mo"%hs %o%all* e,pressionless ("% %heir e*es no& on $"ll aler% L"en%al did no% repea% his -"es%ion ("% ins%ead said &i%h a $ro&n' %o %ha% same

ne"%ral air spa.e' Wha% )ind o$ ma.he%es did *o" .hoose3 Some ma)es are in$erior In %he e,%ending silen.e Toni .o"ld see T* and 5arne* sliding am"sed glan.es in her dire.%ion' "n%il T* a% las% promp%ed la.oni.all*' Tell him' Toni Oh' &ere *o" %al)ing %o me' Dr L"en%al3 she as)ed inno.en%l* I#m so sorr* I didn#% hear *o"r -"es%ion She .o"ld pra.%i.all* hear his %ee%h snapping &i%h e,aspera%ion I don#% imagine *o" remem(er %he ma)e o$ ma.he%e *o" (o"gh%' he said sar.as%i.all* 7ollins' Toni ans&ered promp%l*' .on$iden% a$%er %he %horo"gh in1es%iga%ions she had made %ha% no $a"l% .o"ld (e $o"nd &i%h her .hoi.e None .o"ld' ("% %ha% did no% prod".e an* rela,a%ion o$ %hose dar) lo&ering (ro&s Lines o$ irri%a%ion (ra.)e%ed %he harsh mo"%h' and he la.ed his lean $ingers %igh%l* %oge%her as i$ he &o"ld li)e no%hing (e%%er a% %his momen% %han %o .lose %hem aro"nd her %hroa% Toni hid a smile (ehind a (land e,pression and a smoo%h s&ing o$ hair' her "s"al sense o$ h"mor reasser%ing i%sel$ a% %his 1isi(le proo$ %ha% she had managed %o sli1er her &a* "nder his s)in +or one (lessed millise.ond o$ %ime' %he pi"m (i%es &ere $orgo%%en L"is L"en%al .hanged %a.) sligh%l* E1en &i%h +ernQo and one or %&o o%her (earers along' ea.h o$ *o" &ill ha1e %o .arr* *o"r o&n load %omorro& As &e#re s%a*ing o1ernigh%' i% &o"ld (e "n$orgi1a(le %o impose %oo man* e,%ra 1isi%ors on %he Mara This %ime Toni ans&ered &i%ho"% hesi%a%ion' sa%is$ied &i%h ha1ing made her poin% on.e' e1en %ho"gh L"en%al &as s%ill no% loo)ing a% her Tha% &ill (e $ine' she said e1enl* I#m s"re I spea) $or m* %eamma%es' %oo All o$ "s are prepared %o .arr* o"r share I#m spea)ing %o %he men' snapped L"en%al Na%"rall* I &o"ldn#% e,pe.% a &oman %o .arr* a load !o" &o"ldn#% ha1e %he s%reng%h !o"#re 1er* .onsidera%e' Dr L"en%al' Toni .ame (a.) promp%l*' ("% perhaps *o" p"% &omen on %oo m".h o$ a pedes%al A.ross %he %a(le she .o"ld see T* and 5arne* &earing %he e,aggera%edl* s%raigh% $a.es %he* al&a*s &ore &hen %he* &ere highl* am"sed (* some%hing Well' %he* migh% %hin) she &as handling L"en%al' ("% she &ished she had %he same .on$iden.e The %emporar* reprie1e o$ a momen% ago had passed' and no& her sel$/possession &as on.e again s"$$ering $rom %he a$%ere$$e.%s o$ a h"ndred / no' a %ho"sand / long/1anished pi"ms A $lood %ide o$ i%.hiness %ha% &as almos% a pain $lo&ed "p&ard $rom her an)les She lo.)ed her $ee% %oge%her so %ha% she &o"ld no% gi1e in %o %he desire %o r"( her legs agains% %he s"ppor%ing .rosspie.e o$ %he %a(le' li)e a (ear s.ra%.hing on a %ree a$%er hi(erna%ion

I$ she simpl* ignored %he (i%es' %he* &o"ld s"rel* go a&a* in %heir o&n good %ime 5"% she m"s% no% s.ra%.h M"s% no% s.ra%.h Don#% s.ra%.hJ snapped L"en%al' and Toni almos% 4"mped in %he momen% (e$ore she reali2ed he &as no% %al)ing %o her T* 7hisholm' &ho had (een .a"gh% &i%h one $ingernail &orr*ing a% a reddened pa%.h (ehind one ear' lo&ered his hand g"il%il* I%#s %hose li%%le de1ils %ha% a%%a.)ed me on %he ri1er' T* said in sel$/de$ense' &inning Toni#s immedia%e and hear%$el% s*mpa%h* I#ll gi1e *o" some spe.ial sal1e' L"en%al promised An* pro(lem H)e %ha%' i%#s (es% %o a%%end %o i% a% on.e The res% o$ *o" migh% remem(er %ha%' %oo In %his par% o$ %he &orld parasi%es .an (e a pro(lem I$ %here#s a s-"are in.h o$ ra& $lesh' %he*#ll $ind i% And in$e.%ions o$ all )inds li)e no%hing (e%%er %han a ho% damp .lima%e So please' no s.ra%.hing His e*es s)ir%ed %he %a(le and .ame %o res% on Toni#s slender $ingers .len.hing %he )ni$e and $or) as i$ her li$e depended on i% I s"gges%' he added &i%h deep iron*' %ha% an*one &ho .an#% .ope &i%h %oda*#s %ro"(les .er%ainl* sho"ldn#% head (a.) in%o %he in%erior %omorro& Some people are simpl* no% ."% o"% $or %he 4"ngle e,perien.e Is an*one else s%ill s"$$ering $rom %he pi"msl Toni#s lips remained sealed' &hile 5arne* said .heer$"ll*' No% a (i% Toni pro1ided "s &i%h some oin%men% %ha% $i,ed me "p righ% a&a* Me' %oo' said T* I 4"s% $orgo% %o p"% i% on %ha% one spo% Toni#s s*mpa%h* e1apora%ed I$ %he oin%men% &or)ed $or %hem' &h* didn#% i% &or) $or her3 5"% a% %his momen% she &o"ld ha1e (i%%en o$$ her %ong"e ra%her %han admi% her de$i.ien.ies %o %he sar.as%i. and "nli)a(le do.%or Tha% (rings me %o m* ne,% poin%' L"is L"en%al &en% on di.%a%oriall*' his dar) s.orn$"l e*es s%ill %rained on Toni#s $ingers She had %he dis%in.% $eeling %ha% he .o"ld see her $a.e per$e.%l* &ell o"% o$ %he .orners o$ his 1ision I$ an* one o$ *o" has so m".h as a sni$$le' I &an% %o )no& a(o"% i% (e$ore &e s%ar% $or %he Mara 1illage 6nder no .ir."ms%an.es are *o" %o )eep *o"r medi.al pro(lems %o *o"rsel1es Is %ha% .lear3 Per$e.%l*' Toni replied &i%h a .ool smile %ha% she hoped &as no% going %o &as%e on L"en%al#s hal$/a1er%ed ga2e He $ro&ned Are *o" all &ell s"pplied &i%h an%imalarial pills3 Than)s %o Toni' *es' 5arne* said' and Toni )ne& he &as doing his small par% %o $"r%her her .a"se She made "s %a)e o"r .hloro-"ine (e$ore &e e1en le$% Mana"s She#s a &hi2' T* dra&led' %"gging a% his ear as i$ %o relie1e %he si%e he .o"ld no% s.ra%.h Then he added' some&ha% r"ining %he e$$e.% as $ar as Toni &as .on.erned' She

loo)s a$%er e1er*%hing' e1en o"r lo1e li1es Toni#s smile (e.ame some&ha% gla2ed She .ra&led in&ardl*' ("% )ne& she m"s% no% digni$* %he %&o/pronged remar) (* pro%es%ing L"en%al &o"ld mis.ons%r"e i%' she &as s"reK ("% T*#s in%en%ions had (een good All %he same' .o"ldn#% he ha1e praised her in some o%her &a*3 L"en%al merel* nodded' his mo"%h a"s%ere No& le% me %ell *o" a li%%le (i% a(o"% %he MaraN Toni %ried %o .on.en%ra%e as he pro.eeded &i%h a shor% des.rip%ion o$ 1ario"s Mara ."s%oms and .eremonies Sin.e she had read man* $a.%s a(o"% o%her S%one Age %ri(es in prepara%ion $or %his e,pedi%ion' 1er* li%%le &as ne&s %o her e,.ep% $or %he gi1en names o$ some o$ %he %ri(e#s mem(ers Her a%%en%ion &as ri1e%ed' ho&e1er' &hen L"en%al %"rned dire.%l* %o T* and 5arne* and said in an impressi1el* a"%hori%a%i1e 1oi.e' And &ha%e1er *o" do' s%a* a&a* $rom %he Mara &omen Tha%#s a dire.% order The Mara are 1er* possessi1e' m".h more so %han o%her %ri(es And al%ho"gh %heir ne& .hie$%ain is a man o$ some in%elligen.e' e1en %he smalles% lapse migh% res"l% in serio"s %ro"(le / $or all o$ "s To emphasi2e %he gra1i%* o$ his s%a%emen%' he added' I &on#% e1en e,amine a &oman e,.ep% in %he presen.e o$ o%hers' pre$era(l* her o&n h"s(and I a1oid %al)ing %o %he &omen' %oo I s"gges% *o" do %he same / i$ *o" 1al"e *o"r hides 5arne* made a lo& &his%ling so"nd %hro"gh his %ee%h Wha% do %he* do' shrin) heads3 L"en%al smiled' ("% griml* I% &as %he $irs% %ime Toni had seen him smile' and al%ho"gh i% &as no% an en%irel* hear%&arming e,pression' i% did so$%en %he harsh lines some&ha%' ma)ing her &onder &ha% %his man migh% ha1e loo)ed li)e i$ he had no% (een so em(i%%ered (* li$e The smile' ho&e1er "npropi%io"s' dre& a%%en%ion a&a* $rom %he ga"n% .hee)(ones and imperio"s nose' redire.%ing i% %o a s%rong mo"%h and .hin %ha% on .loser e,amina%ion %"rned o"% %o (e remar)a(l* &ell $ormed In %he lips &ere "nderl*ing hin%s o$ some%hing o%her %han .r"el%*@ sens"o"sness' perhaps3 All a% on.e and agains% her &ill' Toni re.alled &ha% Har.ia had said a(o"% L"is L"en%al#s &omani2ing in his *o"%h' and $or one momen% o$ dislo*al%* %o her dead h"s(and she $o"nd hersel$ &onderingN/ No' %he Mara don#% ind"lge in head shrin)ing' L"en%al replied in response %o 5arne*#s -"es%ion 5"% %he* do go in $or ."rare/%ipped spears !o" gen%lemen do )no& a(o"% ."rare' I imagine3 The &ord gen%lemen needed no emphasis %o ma)e i%s meaning $el% Toni re$reshed o"r memories (e$ore &e .ame here' T* nodded' earning Toni#s "nd*ing gra%i%"de and e1en some $orgi1eness $or his earlier (l"nder No&ada*s i%#s "sed

as a %ool o$ modern medi.ine' isn#% i%3 L"en%al s.o&led $or reasons )no&n (es% %o himsel$ 6nder proper .ondi%ions' he said Needless %o sa*' %he Mara spears are no% %he proper .ondi%ions One s.ra%.h .an $inish a man' and %he Mara .an (e 1er* ho%/%empered I don#% &an% %o alarm *o" "nd"l*' ("% I sho"ld &arn *o" %ha% i%#s onl* a ma%%er o$ $i$%een *ears sin.e a par%* o$ garimpeiros / prospe.%ors / &ere )illed o$$ (e.a"se one o$ %hem %ampered &i%h a Mara &oman Rape0 or so i% &as .laimed a% %he %ime The %r"%h &ill pro(a(l* ne1er (e )no&n' $or no one &as le$% %o %es%i$* %o %he s%or* No% e1en %he &oman Ano%her lo& &his%le o$ alarm &as so"nded Wha% happened %o her3 The Mara )illed her' %oo' L"en%al said in an "nin$le.%ed 1oi.e Tha%#s horri(le' Toni ("rs% o"%' (rea)ing a pri1a%e 1o& no% %o in%r"de in%o %he .on1ersa%ion e,.ep% in ma%%ers %ha% per%ained %o her o&n d"%ies I% &asn#% her $a"l% i$ she &as raped L"en%al#s (rooding ga2e &as dire.%ed a% his o&n s%eepled $ingers I%#s e-"all* horri(le %ha% %he o%her prospe.%ors &ere )illed' %oo' $or %he* had done no%hing' he said harshl* B"s%i.e is s&i$% and primi%i1e in %hese par%s The Mara are a S%one Age %ri(e' and %he*#re a 1er* par%i."lar lo% The* don#% li)e %heir &omen (eing %o".hed' perhaps (e.a"se %he* sa& i% happen %oo o$%en (a.) in %he da*s o$ %he r"((er (oom Then' Mara &omen &o"ld (e sei2ed and %a)en a% g"npoin% / He%"lio#s grandmo%her is a .ase in poin% Tha%#s ho& he a.-"ired his s%rain o$ Mara (lood 5"% %he &oman / Toni s%ar%ed %o pro%es%' p"%%ing aside .a"%ion $or %he momen% (e.a"se she &as angered (* his .allo"sness The Mara &on#% s%and $or in$ideli%*' no ma%%er &ha% %he .ir."ms%an.es' %ha% peremp%or* 1oi.e ."% in' e1en &hen i% happens among mem(ers o$ %heir o&n %ri(e The*#re .omple%el* monogamo"s / e1en %he .hie$ himsel$ %a)es onl* one &i$e' and he %a)es her $or li$e Ad"l%er* is p"nished se1erel*' and so are o%her se,"al o$$enses 6n$or%"na%el*' %he Mara some%imes pro.eed on %he &rong e1iden.e The (ir%h o$ %&ins' $or ins%an.e Se1eral pairs o$ e*e(ro&s remained raised' "n%il T* spo)e $or all %he lis%eners T&ins3 Wha% does %ha% ha1e %o do &i%h i%3 L"en%al#s deep/se% e*es remained sh"%%ered' as %ho"gh he did no% par%i."larl* li)e %his %opi. o$ .on1ersa%ion Some -"ali%* in his 1oi.e' perhaps i%s 1er* harshness' (egan %o s"gges% %o Toni %ha% he &as no% as "nmo1ed as he pre%ended (* %he $a%e o$ %ha% "n$or%"na%e &oman &ho had died $i$%een *ears (e$ore She s"(sided' lis%ening &i%h less an%agonism as L"en%al &en% on

I ha1e no s"re &a* o$ )no&ing &he%her %his s%ill happens' ("% in %he pas%' &hen a Mara &oman ga1e (ir%h %o %&ins / some%hing %ha%#s done in pri1a%e' in %he 4"ngle' e1en %oda* / she &o"ld )ill one (a(* and hide i%s (od* I$ she had gone (a.) %o %he 1illage &i%h %&o (a(ies' e1er*one &o"ld ha1e (een .er%ain she had slep% &i%h %&o men A $i% o$ na"sea gripped Toni#s s%oma.h 5arne* loo)ed a li%%le pale' %oo' as he said' Tha%#s si.) T&ins are %&ins L"en%al nodded in grim agreemen% 6n$or%"na%el*' I (elie1e %here#s a par%i."larl* high in.iden.e o$ %&ins among %he Mara Perhaps i% &o"ld (e (e%%er i$ %he* had ne1er $ig"red o"% %ha% men are in1ol1ed in %he ma)ing o$ (a(ies / a %hing some S%one Age %ri(es ha1e *e% %o ded".e 7an#% %he* (e %a"gh% %he %r"%h a(o"% %&ins3 Toni as)ed' s%ill %oo horri$ied (* &ha% she &as hearing %o %hin) o$ holding her %ong"e S"rel* *o" m"s% ha1e %riedJ +or on.e %he s.o&l on L"en%al#s $a.e had no%hing %o do &i%h his rea.%ion %o %he presen.e o$ a &oman O$ .o"rse' he said' his 1oi.e $la% and hard He' %oo' seemed %o ha1e $orgo%%en %heir 1ende%%a $or %he %ime (eing 5"% gene%i. lessons aren#% 1er* &ell re.ei1ed (* a %ri(e &hose s*s%em o$ .o"n%ing is so simple %ha% %he &ord $or %he n"m(er %en is amai)r"%amai)r"%/amai)r"%amai)r"%amai)r"% / in o%her &ords' %he n"m(er %&o repea%ed $i1e %imes The Mara are 1er* .le1er in man* &a*s' ("% %he* simpl* ha1en#% %he logi. s*s%ems or e1en %he 1o.a("lar* %o "nders%and some .on.ep%s The Mara (elie1e &ha% %he* see &i%h %heir e*es / no more' no less The*#1e ne1er seen %&ins 5"% *o" said / L"is L"en%al in%err"p%ed $or.e$"ll* Perhaps *o" mis"nders%ood me' senhora I said no %&ins had (een seen / I didn#% sa* no %&ins had (een (orn I also said' i$ *o" remem(er' %ha% no Mara &oman &o"ld dare re%"rn %o %he 1illage &i%h %&o (a(ies Nor &o"ld I dream o$ s"gges%ing %o %he Mara males %ha% %heir &i1es migh% (e prod".ing %&ins' or %here .o"ld (e &holesale sla"gh%er The %ri(e is deple%ed eno"gh as i% is A dread$"l silen.e $ell o1er %he %a(le as o%hers assimila%ed %he $"ll horror o$ %hese harsh re1ela%ions Pale and $or on.e sha)en %o %he 1er* .ore' Toni sensed %ha% despi%e %he s%oniness o$ his e,pression' L"is L"en%al &as as a$$e.%ed as an*one (* %he $a.%s he had .on1e*ed A% las% he .on%in"ed' his 1oi.e $or.i(l* .on%rolled I#m no% s"re o$ %he e,a.% in.iden.e o$ %&ins in %he %ri(e' ("% m* g"ess is %ha% i%#s remar)a(l* high In(reeding o1er %he *ears ma* ha1e in.reased %he gene%i. pro(a(ili%ies The men ma* no% "nders%and &ha%#s going on' ("% I (elie1e %he &omen do There#s a lo% o$ &hispering among %hem e1er* %ime %here#s a pregnan.*K in $a.% I %hin) %he Mara $emales are 4oined in a .onspira.*

o$ silen.e I#m s"re I .o"ld %ea.h %he &omen ho& %&ins are .on.ei1ed' ("% reall*' i%#s %he men &ho ha1e %o (e .on1in.ed And &i%ho"% e1iden.e I .an#% .on1in.e an*(od* In m* $irs% *ear here I made %he mis%a)e o$ predi.%ing %&ins $or one &oman' (e$ore I )ne& %he %ri(al ."s%oms Sin.e %hen no pregnan% &oman has allo&ed me %o e,amine her Then ho& .an *o" (e s"re o$ all %his3 as)ed T* 5e.a"se o1er %he *ears a si2a(le n"m(er o$ &omen (ra1e eno"gh %o do so ha1e &al)ed %hro"gh %he 4"ngle a$%er gi1ing (ir%h and le$% one o$ %heir ne&(orns here / in.l"ding %ha% $irs% &oman' %he one $or &hom I predi.%ed %&ins so man* *ears ago She nearl* died $rom %he e$$or% A (rooding dar)ness .rossed L"en%al#s $a.e' and Toni &ondered i$ %here &ere no% a% leas% a $e& &omen he admired in %his li$e As she &a%.hed his grani%e/hard mo"%h' so as.e%i. no&' a %erri(le %igh%ness sei2ed her %hroa% Perhaps all o$ %he Mara (a(ies ha1e (een sa1ed in re.en% *ears' he said hea1il*' ("% I .an#% (e .er%ain Wha% happens %o %he (a(ies *o" %a)e in3 Toni as)ed -"i%e gen%l*' $inding all %ho"gh%s o$ hos%ili%* pe%%* a% %his momen% When %he in$an%s are old eno"gh %o %ra1el' He%"lio ma)es a %rip %o a .on1en% do&nri1er' &here %he n"ns &ill .are $or a(andoned .hildren and ed".a%e %hem' as &ell In $a.%' i% &as %ha% same religio"s order %ha% ed".a%ed %he one Mara girl I men%ioned earlier / %he one &ho spea)s Por%"g"ese The n"ns %old me she &as a Mara %&in' %oo' sa1ed (* .han.e &hen a missionar* pries% happened %o (e in %his neigh(orhood a(o"% nine%een *ears ago So *o" see %his sor% o$ %hing has (een going on $or some %imR Those Mara men so"nd li)e a dread$"l ("n.h' Toni remar)ed "n%hin)ingl* Her o(ser1a%ion seemed %o anger L"is L"en%al' res%oring %he man Toni disli)ed in%ensel* and p"%%ing her (a.) on %he de$ensi1e a% on.e The*#1e had %o p"% "p &i%h a lo%' %oo' o1er %he *ears His 1oi.e &as ."r%' his manner on.e more so a(rasi1e %ha% i% &as .lear he &as p"%%ing an end %o %he %emporar* %r".e The*#re a $ine people' (ra1e in &ar ("% pea.ea(le "nder mos% .ir."ms%an.es The Mara ha1e more good -"ali%ies %o re.ommend %hem %han mos% people &ho .all %hemsel1es .i1ili2ed Here his lip ."rled &i%h a .on%emp% dire.%ed solel* a% Toni' on &hose %hroa% his e*es had .ome %o res% In pri1a%e %he*#re gen%le' lo1ing / and "n$ailingl* lo*al %o %heir .hosen par%ners T* 7hisholm .o"ghed and .hanged %he s"(4e.% sligh%l*' sensing "n.om$or%a(le "nder."rren%s !o"r hospi%al seems 1er* &ell e-"ipped' he o(ser1ed Wh* do *o" ma)e %he ro"nd %rip e1er* &ee) %o %he Mara 1illage3 I% seems %o me %he* sho"ld .ome here &hen %he*#re in need Some%imes %he* do' $or "rgen% .omplain%s L"en%aPs e*es %"rned %o T* again

His 1oi.e (e.ame le1el' i$ some&ha% dis.o"raging in i%s %one The* .ome %o %he edge o$ %he .learing and .all o"% 5"% %he* &on#% s%a* in %he hospi%al' and %he* &on#% .ome a% all i$ %he pro(lem .an &ai% Well' a% leas% i% )eeps *o"r hammo.)s emp%*' 5arne* m"sed &i%h an "ns"..ess$"l a%%emp% a% ligh%ness %ha% onl* .a"sed L"is L"en%al#s $a.e %o sh"%%er o1er .omple%el* Tha%' he snapped' is no% %he p"rpose o$ a hospi%al Toni p"% in a -"ie% and seemingl* inno."o"s remar)' %hin)ing %o %a)e some o$ %he press"re o$$ 5arne* and $ill &ha% had (e.ome an a&)&ard l"ll in %he .on1ersa%ion I$ %he Mara &on#% s%a* in %he hospi%al' she said' I s"ppose i%#s (e.a"se %he*#re s"spi.io"s o$ modern medi.ine3 As *o" don#% )no& %he &hole s%or*' he lashed (a.) &i%h a ran.or %ha% seemed o"% o$ all propor%ion %o &ha% she had said' I s"gges% *o" )eep *o"r .on.l"sions %o *o"rsel$ The* "sed %o s%a* in %he hospi%al' "n%il I de.ided i% &asn#% sa$e %o allo& i% No& i$ *o"#ll e,."se me' I ha1e some "rgen% ma%%ers %o a%%end %o He p"shed himsel$ a&a* $rom %he %a(le' (ringing %he %al) %o a $la% and $inal .on.l"sion Se1eral pairs o$ e*es &a%.hed as his long lim(s s%rode impa%ien%l* a&a*' $ee% .r"n.hing %he grasses $la% and dar) head %hr"s% $or&ard a% an angle %ha% s"gges%ed some (elligeren.e' or perhaps 4"s% has%e %o lea1e a .on1ersa%ion %ha% had (e.ome dis%as%e$"l To".h* $ello&' m"rm"red T* on.e L"en%al had 1anished in%o %he large ("ilding IMisog*nis%# is p"%%ing i% mildl* I ge% %he $eeling' Toni' %ha% he ha%es *o"r g"%s Toni $or.ed a smile !o"#1e 4"s% &on a gold medal $or %he "nders%a%emen% o$ %he *ear' she said ligh%l* I ha1e a dis%in.% premoni%ion %ha% he has plans %o $eed me %o %he piranha Or %o %he pi"ms' her an)les s.reamed (a.) "p a% her He doesn#% seem %o li)e "s m".h' ei%her' 5arne* no%ed' ma)ing a &r* $a.e He m"sed silen%l* $or a momen% and %hen added' When he &as ge%%ing "s se%%led in%o o"r -"ar%ers' I happened %o &onder o"% lo"d &ha% a lone man &o"ld do $or &omen i$ he had %o s%a* here 1er* long IDo &i%ho"%'# he snarled M* Hod' he pra.%i.all* %oo) m* head o$$ +r"s%ra%ion does %erri(le %hings %o a man' sighed T* !o" )no&' I ha1e %his odd $eeling %ha% I#1e seen %he man (e$ore' ("% I .an#% %hin) &here !o" ha1e a good memor* $or $a.es' Toni D#*o" %hin) &e migh% ha1e r"n in%o him (e$ore / perhaps in Rio3 Tha% &o"ld (e %oo m".h o$ a .oin.iden.e' Toni e-"i1o.a%ed ligh%l*' managing %o a1oid a dire.% lie She &as .er%ain %ha% T* and 5arne*' $or reasons o$ pride' &o"ld (o%h &ish %o $orge% %ha% long/ago da* in Rio And she did no% &an% %o remind %hem o$ i% / a%

leas%' no% in ea.h o%her#s hearing Wor)ing almos% in %andem as %he* did in 1ir%"all* e1er*%hing' T* and 5arne* had (o%h .hosen %ha% par%i."lar da* %o ma)e serio"s passes a% her' &i%ho"% %he o%her#s )no&ledge 5arne*#s a%%emp%' %he more di$$i."l% and also %he more ph*si.al o$ %he %&o' had .ome d"ring %he a$%ernoonK T* had made his mo1e in %he res%a"ran% %ha% e1ening' a meal a% &hi.h 5arne* had no% (een presen% (e.a"se he had (een n"rsing a (la.) e*e I% &as en%irel* li)el*' Toni m"sed' %ha% L"is L"en%al had o1erheard some o$ T*#s (landishmen%s on %ha% long/ago nigh% I$ he had' %ha% .o"ld a..o"n% $or his lo& opinion o$ her morals No do"(% he %ho"gh% she had gi1en in %o %he sed".%i1e s"gges%ions' possi(l* (e.a"se she had lis%ened %o T*#s o"%righ% proposi%ion &i%ho"% %"rning a hair 7on.ei1a(l* her smile and her eas* manner had gi1en L"en%al %he &rong idea@ .er%ainl* some%hing had And *e%' a$%er his a%%emp% %ha% nigh%' T* had (een -"i%e as demolished as 5arne* / al%ho"gh in T*#s .ase %he onl* in4"r* in$li.%ed had (een %o his ego L"en%al seems %o %hin) *o"#re %oo so$% $or %he %rip %omorro&' Toni' .hor%led 5arne*' &ho had good reason %o )no& o%her&ise I .an hardl* &ai% %o see him ea% his &ords I#ll %r* no% %o le% *o" do&n' Toni responded &i%h a grima.e' adding in %he pri1a.* o$ her mind %ha% she &o"ld die a %ho"sand dea%hs (e$ore .omplaining %o L"is L"en%al a(o"% an*%hing E1en i$ %he* en.o"n%ered a million pi"ms along %he &a*J OddK (e$ore .oming %o %he Ama2on she had (een some&ha% apprehensi1e a(o"% %he (ig .rea%"res she had read a(o"%@ ana.onda and 4ag"ars and .aiman and &ild (oars' and a $e& o%her %hings' %oo Had she .ome all %his &a* 4"s% %o (e de$ea%ed (* a $lea3 No' she m"%%ered alo"d' rea$$irming her grip on %he )ni$e and $or) I (eg *o"r pardon3 Er' no' I &on#% le% *o" do&n Or m*sel$J She p"shed some (la.) (eans aro"nd her pla%e simpl* %o 4"s%i$* her .on%in"ed possession o$ %he )ni$e and $or)' ("% %he 1er* %ho"gh% o$ s&allo&ing ano%her mo"%h$"l re1ol%ed her The ea%ing implemen%s .ame %o res% a% a%%en%ion' li)e sen%inels' (eside her pla%e Tomorro& I don#% in%end %o gi1e Dr L"en%al a single reason %o loo) do&n his disappro1ing nose' she s%a%ed T* spen% a .on%empla%i1e momen% meas"ring Toni#s hands and %heir imm"%a(le grasp aro"nd %he ea%ing implemen%s Tho"gh%$"ll* he pro(ed a% %he reddened spo% (ehind his ear and %hen s%opped as i$ he had s"ddenl* remem(ered L"en%al#s in4"n.%ion Perhaps "nder %ha% a(rasi1e s"r$a.e o$ his' L"en%al#s a%%ra.%ed %o *o"' he s"gges%ed' li$%ing his e*es and smiling a% Toni (landl*

No% a .han.e' said Toni !o" .er%ainl* go% "nder his s)in' said T* Toni managed a ligh% la"gh His armor pla%ing' *o" mean' she .orre.%ed No& &h* did T* ha1e %o phrase himsel$ %ha% &a*3 B"s% %he %ho"gh% o$ s)in sen% a ne& $lood o$ %or%"re %o e1er* ner1e ending in her (od* I% doesn#% seem %o %a)e m".h %o r"( him %he &rong &a*' T* &en% on idl*' ("% some%imes $ri.%ion is a sign o$ a%%ra.%ion Tha%#s nonsense' Toni said &i%h some%hing less %han her "s"al good %emper Wh* did he ha1e %o )eep "sing &ords %ha% reminded her o$ %he ills her $lesh &as heir %o3 T* m"sed on as i$ he had no% heard Wh*' a$%er ele1en *ears in %he 4"ngle' an* red/(looded male migh% ge% an i%.h he .o"ldn#% s.ra%.h I%#s -"i%e possi(le *o" %i.)le his $an.*0 &h*' Toni' lo1e' &ha%e1er are *o" doing &i%h %ha% $or)3 Toni sna%.hed %he o$$ending $or) %ines a&a* $rom her righ%/hand slee1e' &here %he* had .rep% inside %he ."$$ pla.)e%' propelled / al%ho"gh she .o"ld hardl* (elie1e i% hersel$ / (* her o&n le$% hand Disg"s%ed &i%h hersel$' she dropped %he $or) on %he %a(le and pre%ended inso".ian.e B"s% $idge%*' she said Odd' said T*' r"((ing ligh%l* a% his earlo(e on.e again' I had %his $"nn* impression %ha% m* .omplain% migh% (e .a%.hing Tell me' Toni' lo1e' do %hepi"ms ha%e *o"' %oo3 The* don#% ha%e me a% all' she re%"rned as .as"all* as possi(le "nder %he .ir."ms%an.es I%#s all in *o"r imagina%ion' T* Wh*' I don#% %hin) I go% a singlepi&n (i%e %oda* Lies' lies' liesJ Well' e,.ep% $or one pie.e o$ %r"%h The pi"ms didn#% ha%e her The* lo1ed herJ Then &ha% &ere *o" doing &i%h %he $or)3 as)ed 5arne* &i%h a la2* smile' 4oining in%o %he e,.hange %o &hi.h he had (een merel* an in%eres%ed lis%ener "n%il %his poin% I0&as $iddling (e.a"se I $el% li)e ha1ing a .igare%%e T* and 5arne*' &ho )ne& she almos% ne1er smo)ed' e,.hanged glan.es %o%all* de1oid o$ e,pression' %hen %"rned as one %o loo) a% her again Then &h* didn#% *o" 4"s% p"% a $lea in m* ear3 m"rm"red T*' dra&ing a m"%ila%ed pa.) $rom his po.)e% and %hro&ing i% a.ross %he %a(le' along &i%h a (oo) o$

ma%.hes 5o%h men &a%.hed &i%h in%ense in%eres% as she s%r".) a ma%.h and held i% &i%h "ns%ead* $ingers An%onia' m* lo1e' dra&led 5arne*' *o" loo) as %ho"gh *o"#re in %he %hroes o$ &i%hdra&al I ne1er %ho"gh% I#d see *o" (i%%en (* %he %o(a..o ("g M* Hod' %ho"gh% Toni &ildl*' &i%ho"% needing an ans&er' are %he* doing i% deli(era%el*3 A$%er %he .lose .amaraderie o$ a *ear' she &as in no do"(% And she )ne& %he* &o"ld persis% She dre& deepl* on %he .igare%%e on.e' &i%ho"% inhaling' and %hre& i% on %he gro"nd' r"((ing i% in &ell &i%h %he heel o$ her (oo% I g"ess i%#s no% a .igare%%e I &an%' 4"s% an a$%ernoon sies%a Will *o" please e,."se me3 No% $eeling "p %o s.ra%.h3 in-"ired 5arne*' his &ide e*es $ar %oo ingen"o"s Oh' I imagine she#s 4"s% i%.hing %o ge% a&a* $rom here in .ase L"en%al .omes (a.)' $"r%hered T* Tha% &o"ldn#% $a2e Toni' 5arne* said serio"sl* She .an $a.e an* )ind o$ %i.)lish si%"a%ion Hri%%ing her %ee%h' Toni s%ooped %o .olle.% %he sho"lder/s%rap .arr*all she had pla.ed on %he gro"nd (e$ore %he meal' .ons.io"s %ha% 5arne* &as .on."rren%l* ma)ing his &a* aro"nd %he %a(le &i%h some $o"l in%en% E1en )no&ing %his' she .o"ld no% s%op her rea.%ion &hen he passed ligh% %an%ali2ing $ingers do&n her spine She s.issored %o a%%en%ion' rigid &i%h rage Will *o" please s%op i%' *o" %&o3 !o"#re li)e a (ad 1a"de1ille a.%J Wh* so pri.)l*' Toni3 as)ed 5arne* inno.en%l* Is some%hing ea%ing *o"3 T* said Temper no& (eginning %o $ra* (adl*' Toni glo&ered a% %he %&o men &arningl* Loo)' I don#% need *o" %&o .lo&ns %o %ell me &hen I need %o .ons"l% a do.%or One li%%le (i%e on m* &ris% and / Tha% (ad' is i%3 as)ed T* la.oni.all* She sl"ng %he (ag o1er her sho"lder in a de$ian% ges%"re' m".h %o %he de%rimen% o$ %he sho"lder in -"es%ion Wha% ma)es *o" %hin) i%#s (ad a% all3 !o"#re %he one &ho men%ioned a do.%or We didn#% Toni sagged and sighedK %here &as no "se %r*ing %o hide e1er*%hing $rom %hese %&o Well' I am a %ri$le "n.om$or%a(le' ("% onl* (e.a"se m* oin%men%#s all gone I &as %oo genero"s &i%h %he s"ppl*' and i% ran o"% (e$ore I rea.hed m* arms No% %r"e a% all@

her arms had (een as &ell anoin%ed as an*%hing else 5"% $or her %he oin%men% simpl* hadn#% helped all %ha% m".h There#s more sal1e in %he l"ggage some&here' ("% I ha1en#% had %ime %o loo) $or i% And a% %his poin% I#d ra%her %ie m* %ong"e in )no%s %han as) Dr L"en%al $or an*%hing Wh* didn#% *o" sa* so in %he $irs% pla.e3 5arne* rea.hed in%o his (reas% po.)e% and e,%ra.%ed a %"(e %ha% &as hardl* "sed' reminding Toni on.e again %ha% o%hers m"s% (e m".h less s"s.ep%i(le %o %he pi"ms %han she hersel$ seemed %o (e Here' .a%.h I .an do &i%ho"% I#ll loo) in %he l"ggage $or more' o$$ered T* Toni .a"gh%K and (le& (o%h o$ %hem a )iss Than)s' she said &i%h hear%$el% gra%i%"de' remem(ering %ha% %here &ere reasons she .o"n%ed %hese %&o as $riends In %ha% momen% she (e.ame a&are o$ ano%her presen.e in %he dis%an.e' and %"rned s&i$%l* %o go Sleep %igh% and don#% le% %he ("gs (i%e' dra&led T*' &i%h no more %han a sligh% s"gges%ion o$ a g"$$a& And &hen %ha% seemed %o p"% a $ire.ra.)er "nder Toni#s $ee%' .a"sing a s"dden sp"r% %ha% %oo) her se1eral pa.es a&a* $rom %he %a(le in re.ord %ime' he .alled o"%' Some%hing ("gging *o"' s&ee%hear%3 She s&i1eled long eno"gh %o hiss' in a lo& 1oi.e' L"en%alJ and %hen res"med her headlong progress 5arne* m"s% ha1e mis"nders%ood her &arning' &hi.h had (een in%ended onl* so %ha% %he pair &o"ld no% sa* an*%hing %o gi1e a&a* her s%a%e o$ dis.om$or% Don#% &orr*' lo1e' he .ried %oo a"di(l*' &e &on#% le% L"en%al (i%eJ We &o"ldn#% &an% %he (as%ard %o ea% *o" ali1eJ .ro&ed T* As she h"rried a&a* %o %he in$"ria%ing so"nd o$ %heir sniggering' she &ondered ho& long i% &o"ld %a)e T* and 5arne* %o dis.o1er %ha% L"is L"en%al had emerged $rom his dispensar* onl* se.onds ago and &as &a%.hing $rom a shado&ed .orner o$ %he ("ilding &i%h a dar) (rooding e,pression IN MIDA+TERNOON %he dis%an% drone o$ %he plane re%"rning %o pi.) "p Senhor Har.ia (ro"gh% Toni o"% o$ her hair/shir% hiding' $rom %he s"pposed sies%a d"ring &hi.h she had no% slep% a% all' nor e1en %ried %o A mild shor%ness o$ (rea%h had added i%sel$ %o her o%her .omplain%s She made her &a* %o %he ri1erside %o $ind %he o%hers alread* ga%hered %o sa* good(*e Among %hem' e,pe.%a(l*' &as %he %all $or(idding $ig"re o$ L"is L"en%al She $irmed her resol1e and des.ended %he slope' de%ermined %o re1eal none o$ %he a$%ernoon#s s"$$erings in his presen.e He %"rned his (a.) (e$ore she rea.hed %he ga%hering on %he do.)

More .om$or%a(le no&3 T* m"rm"red in %he -"ie%es% o$ 1oi.es' his -"es%ion .o1ered (* %he noise o$ %he o"%(oard mo%or .o"ghing in%o li$e Or are *o" s%ill s"$$ering3 Some%hing in %he &a* L"en%al#s sho"lders s%i$$ened %old Toni he had o1erheard Damn his $ine/%"ned ears No pro(lem' she ans&ered T* e1enl* I had a &onder$"l sleep And she %"rned a&a* -"i.)l* %o ma)e her $are&ells %o Har.ia' gi1ing T* no .han.e %o in.rimina%e her &i%h $"r%her -"es%ions A% las% Har.ia .lim(ed in%o %he ri1er.ra$% &here He%"lio alread* &ai%ed The .a(o.lo#s n"%/.olored $a.e &as so &rea%hed in .on%en%men% %ha% Toni .o"ld onl* .on.l"de %ha% Har.ia#s ne&s had (een e,.ellen%' as promised Ade"s' L"isJ .alled Har.ia as %he .ra$% $inall* p"lled a&a* in%o mids%ream A prW,ima semanaJ 6n%il ne,% &ee)3 Was Har.ia planning %o re%"rn in a &ee)3 He had made no men%ion o$ %ha% %o Toni 5"% perhaps he .onsidered i% his d"%* %o re%"rn and .he.) "p on %he si%"a%ion' a$%er %he "npromising re.ep%ion earlier in %he da* As she %"rned %o lea1e %he ri1er(an)' a hand .a"gh% a% her slee1e $rom (ehind' %he (ro&n lean $ingers ."rling aro"nd her slee1e $or se.onds onl* / 4"s% long eno"gh %o pre1en% her $rom $ollo&ing her $ello& $ilmma)ers "p %he slope Toni hal%ed &i%ho"% %"rning %o $a.e her in%er.ep%or A% her side T* pa"sed $or a momen%' raising a -"i22i.al (ro& %o as) i$ she needed moral s"ppor%K Toni signaled an imper.ep%i(le nega%i1e She s%ood -"ie%l* ("% %ensel*' a&areness li)e ele.%ri.i%* .harging %he a$%ernoon air Wi%ho"% seeing L"en%al#s $a.e' she s"spe.%ed %ha% $rom his "nseen 1an%age poin% he &as s.r"%ini2ing her more .losel* and openl* %han he had e1er done (e$ore / pro(a(l* assessing her ph*si.al s%a%e (e.a"se o$ %he small remar) he had o1erheard She had %he pe."liar sensa%ion %ha% e1er* ner1e ending in her (od* &as (e%ra*ing her (* $lashing i%s o&n .oded message %hro"gh %he air L"is L"en%al &ai%ed "n%il %he %&o Ameri.an men &ere &ell o"% o$ hearing and %he ri1er -"ie% ("% $or %he dis%an% ("rr o$ %he mo%or %ha% had long sin.e 1anished aro"nd a ri1er (end 5* %he %ime he spo)e Toni &as s"re he &as s.orn$"ll* a&are o$ e1er* pri.)ling imp"lse in e1er* hair on %he nape o$ her ne.) The "s"al .o"rse o$ a.%ion &hen one is s"$$ering is %o .ons"l% a do.%or I pres"me *o" &eren#% lis%ening &hen I said %ha% all %ro"(les' e1en minor ones' &ere %o (e (ro"gh% %o m* a%%en%ion prior %o %omorro&#s %rip His manner &as dampening M".h as she &o"ld ha1e li)ed %o respond &i%h some ."%%ing remar)' Toni )ne& she m"s% no% do soK L"is L"en%al#s .oopera%ion &as 1i%all*

impor%an% in %he 1en%"re %ha% la* ahead She remained silen%' &ai%ing $or him %o .on%in"e M* personal pre4"di.es' I ass"re *o"' do no% e,%end in%o m* pro$essional "$e As %he person in .harge here' I ha1e some responsi(ili%* $or *o"r &el$are' and e1en more $or %he &el$are o$ %he Mara No& %ell me *o"r pro(lem I%#s "nimpor%an%' she said Reall*' Dr L"en%al' I don#% %hin) / I insis% There &as %empered s%eel in %he &ords' and Toni )ne& she .o"ld e,pe.% no pea.e "n%il she ga1e him a sa%is$a.%or* ans&er And *e% i$ she admi%%ed %o her presen% dis.om$or%s' migh% he $or(id her %o "nder%a)e %he e,pedi%ion %o %he Mara 1illage3 She had (een loo)ing $or&ard %o %he ad1en%"re &i%h some eagerness' and inse.% (i%es &ere no% e,a.%l* a medi.al emergen.* / or sho"ldn#% (e 5* %omorro& hers &o"ld mos% .er%ainl* (e (e%%er And %he sligh% shor%ness o$ (rea%h she had (een e,perien.ing .o"ld (e d"e %o %he h"mid air I%#s no% a medi.al pro(lem a% all' she .laimed' so please don#% %ro"(le *o"rsel$ a(o"% i% A s%oma.h disorder' perhaps3 I no%i.ed *o" %o*ed &i%h *o"r l"n.h And *o" m"s% ha1e spo)en %o *o"r $riend a(o"% some%hing' $or him %o (e a&are *o" &ere s"$$ering Wha% &as *o"r .omplain%3 I0happened %o men%ion %o T* %ha% I $el% ho% and s%i.)* and "n.om$or%a(le Well' as a 1ersion o$ %he %r"%h %ha% &as no% %oo $ar amiss I mean% %o as) He%"lio i$ he .o"ld arrange a (a%h' ("% I didn#% ha1e a .han.e (e$ore he %oo) o$$ I#ll as) him &hen he .omes (a.) There &as a small silen.e' .ompo"nding %ha% s%range air o$ %ension (e%&een %hem A% las% L"en%al spo)e' a derisi1e no%e no& ringing in his resonan% 1oi.e He%"lio &ill (e s%opping o$$ a% %he 1illage %o 1isi% his .o"sin +ernQo' in order %o arrange $or %omorro&#s (earers As he#s alread* prepared s"pper' I do"(% he#ll (e (a.) "n%il shor%l* (e$ore %he end o$ %he da* Wo"ld *o" .are %o p"% %he -"es%ion %o me3 She did no%K ("% she .o"ld see no o%her op%ion And %r"%h$"ll*' 1isions o$ immersing hersel$ in .ool &a%er' pre$era(l* la.ed &i%h (a)ing soda' dan.ed in her head Wha% does one do a(o"% a (a%h in %his pla.e' Dr L"en%al3 she as)ed pleasan%l*' s%ill &i%ho"% %"rning %o $a.e him O"r pl"m(ing is 1er* limi%ed There are no pl"m(ers in %his par% o$ %he &orld' and (esides' an* pa%ien% &ell eno"gh %o grad"a%e $rom sponge (a%hs .onsiders he#s &ell eno"gh %o go home He pa"sed' and a mo.)ing .ondes.ension en%ered his 1oi.e Personall* I "se %he ri1er 5"% i$ *o"#re ner1o"s a(o"% piranha' *o" pro(a(l* &on#% li)e %ha% s"gges%ion I .an arrange some o%her .on%ri1an.e $or *o"' I s"ppose I imagine *o"#d

(e happier &i%h a small (asin o$ %he %*pe He%"lio "ses %o gi1e sponge (a%hs I% has i%s limi%a%ions' ("% a% leas% *o" &on#% ge%0 ea%en ali1e So he had o1erheard T*#s par%ing sho% No% %ha% i% reall* ma%%eredK e,.ep% %ha% i% mean% L"en%al pro(a(l* %ho"gh% she had (een .omplaining a(o"% his %rea%men% o$ her And she &o"ld pre$er him no% %o )no& %ha% his arrogan% disdain had rea.hed her in an* &a* +ore&arned and $orearmed (* He%"lio#s .han.e &ords' Toni &as a(le %o repl* .alml* The ri1er &o"ld (e $ine' Dr L"en%al I#m s"re *o"#ll sho& me a sa$e pla.e 6n$l"s%ered' she %"rned and (es%o&ed on him a .ool smile' %a)ing some spi%e$"l deligh% in .a%.hing %he (rie$ s"rprise in %he dar) e*es (e$ore %he* dropped a&a* $rom hers I#m no% s"re %he ri1er#s a good idea $or *o"' L"en%al said &i%h a s.o&l' .on$irming Toni#s g"ess %ha% he had (een .er%ain she &o"ld re$"se %he s"gges%ion The onl* par%s sa$e $rom piranha are &here %he &a%ers r"n 1er* s&i$%l*' as %he* do o$$ %his do.) Piranha a1oid s&i$% ."rren%s 5"% one has %o (e a s%rong s&immer %o .ope I#ll .ope' she responded &i%h more e-"animi%* %han she $el% I#m a good s&immer The dar) .oals o$ L"en%al#s e*es &ere $as%ened on Toni#s .ollar(one' (arel* 1isi(le a(o1e %he shir%$ron% she had $as%ened high eno"gh %o .on.eal %he %opmos% o$ %he pi"m (i%es She had %he odd sensa%ion %ha% he .o"ld see righ% %hro"gh %he $a(ri.' %ha% he &as imagining %he $lesh (enea%h' loo)ing $or &ea)nesses' dis.o1ering all se.re%s He %ore his e*es a&a* !o" .an#% (a%he &i%ho"% a par%ner near(*' he said gr"$$l*' $ro&ning a% %he s"r$a.e o$ %he green ri1er Tha% I a(sol"%el* $or(id Do *o" ha1e a (a%hing s"i% &i%h *o"3 No I% &as a need %ha% had no% o.."rred %o Toni' and no& she $o"nd hersel$ &ishing she had a..ep%ed %he o$$er o$ a small (asin 5"% pride &o"ld no% allo& her %o (a.) o"% a% %his poin%K %o do so &o"ld (e %o earn more o$ L"en%al#s .on%emp% And in an* .ase' a mon%h o$ sponge (a%hs &as no% a %hrilling prospe.% Perhaps *o"#d .are %o .hange *o"r mind' he %a"n%ed No' %han) *o"K ri1er i% is Well' she %ho"gh% griml*' she .o"ld al&a*s (a%he in her "nder%hings The* &ere "nero%i. and pra.%i.al garmen%s' a $ar .r* $rom %he dain%* lingerie she had .hosen $or her hone*moon so man* *ears (e$ore Sin.e Ma%%he&#s dea%h' %he a.he %ha% s%ill la* in her hear% had al&a*s $or(idden %he .hoi.e o$ pro1o.a%i1e lingerie' and %he nea% piles o$ (ras and pan%ies in her s"i%.ase &o"ld hide $ar more %han mos% (i)inis She %"rned a&a* $rom L"Ts L"en%al and s%ar%ed %he shor% .lim( "p %he ri1er(an)

Where are *o" going3 he .alled She %"rned and %oo) a las% loo) a% %he glo&ering man on %he do.)' %a)ing some 4o* in ha1ing &on a small moral 1i.%or* in %he .on1ersa%ion o$ %he pas% $e& min"%es To ge% soap and %o&els / and %o as) T* 7hisholm %o s%and g"ardJ T* agreed' and aimed on do&n %o %he ri1er &hile Toni &en% %o her &re%.hed h"% %o $e%.h soap' shampoo and %o&els Wi%h no .hes% o$ dra&ers %o hold her %hings' she had no% "npa.)ed' and %he sear.h %hro"gh her s"i%.ase %oo) a $e& min"%es When she rea.hed %he ri1er again' she &as s%ar%led %o see %ha% %he (rooding $ig"re sea%ed on %he red .la* (an) &as no% T* ("% L"is L"en%al Al%ho"gh his (a.) &as res%ing agains% %he s%o"% $lagpole and his el(o&s &ere propped loosel* agains% (en% )nees' %here &as a %ension in %he long lim(s' a .oiled and &ai%ing a&areness as he s%ared moodil* in%o %he s&i$% emerald eddies o$ %he ri1er Where#s T*3 she as)ed as she des.ended %he s%eps he&n in%o %he (an) L"en%al did no% e1en spare her a glan.e I sen% him a&a*' .ame %he dr* sar.as%i. re%or% A non/s&immer is a 1er* poor .hoi.e $or a par%ner %o sa1e *o" in .ase o$ %ro"(le I %old him I &o"ld ma)e o%her arrangemen%s $or *o"r (a%h Then I#ll as) 5arne*' she said e1enl*' al%ho"gh a $ain% &arm%h in her .hee)s migh% ha1e (e%ra*ed some .ons%erna%ion i$ L"en%al had (een loo)ing a% her Don#% (o%her Nei%her o$ *o"r $riends is a1aila(le I ga1e %hem a (o%%le o$ m* (es% (rand* %o share and &arned %hem %o drin) i% in %he .oo)ing shed' &here m* pa%ien%s .an#% see No%hing T* and 5arne* &o"ld li)e (e%%er' re$le.%ed Toni &i%h a %ra.e o$ e,aspera%ion Al%ho"gh %he* .laimed o%her&ise' %he* (o%h had an o..asional &ea)ness $or %he grape This %ime i% %oo) a grea% deal o$ e$$or% no% %o rea.% %o L"en%al#s high/handed %a.%i.s Toni &as no maso.his%' and his e1er* mo1e seemed .al."la%ed %o dri1e her %o %he (rin) o$ .on$ron%a%ion Ne1er%heless she g"arded her %emper Wh* did *o" do %ha%' Dr L"en%al3 she as)ed mildl* I happen %o )no& 5arne* s&ims' and 1er* &ell' %oo Ha1e *o" some reser1a%ions a(o"% allo&ing him %o a.% as m* par%ner3 !es' L"en%al %old her &i%h (r"%al $ran)ness' (e.a"se I#1e de.ided %ha% i$ *o"#re going %o s%rip $or a s&im' *o" .an do i% in $ron% o$ me Toni s%ared' hardl* (elie1ing %he &ords %ha% had iss"ed $rom %hose hard lips He had nei%her risen %o his $ee% nor %"rned his hooded ga2e $rom %he &a%er / -"i%e as i$ he had de.ided on a good 1an%age poin% $or %he s%rip%ease he e,pe.%ed All her "s"al e$$i.ien% %hin)ing pro.esses deser%ed her $or %he momen% O"%raged a% his arrogan.e' she &as %oo angr* %o (o%her pro%es%ing %ha% she had no% planned %o "ndress a% all

!o" .an#% mean %ha%J she e,ploded' %a)ing no %ro"(le %o .on.eal %he %rem(le o$ $"r* in her 1oi.e The edges o$ his s%rong mo"%h %oo) on a deeper ."rl' indi.a%ing s.orn and perhaps a %&is%ed sa%is$a.%ion %ha% he had a% las% dra&n some emo%ional rea.%ion $rom Toni He shi$%ed his posi%ion agains% %he $lagpole "n%il he had her (el%line in 1ie&' his ga2e %ra1eling no higher and no lo&er His a%%en%ion %o her (el% (".)le &as insolen% I am a do.%or' he reminded her I ha1e seen na)ed &omen (e$ore Do *o" %hin) 5arne* hasn#%3 $lashed Toni' (e$ore she %oo) %ime %o reali2e ho& %ha% so"nded I#m s"re he has' man* %imes The (i%%er (i%ing &ords le$% her in no do"(% as %o ho& her o&n -"es%ion had (een %a)en Ne1er%heless %his is one o..asion &hen he &on#% I ha1e no reason %o %r"s% his s&imming a(ili%ies' and %his ri1er is s&i$% I#m responsi(le $or *o"r sa$e%* as long as *o"#re in m* domain I ass"re *o" %ha% o$ all %he men &i%hin miles' I#m %he onl* man &ho &ill (e %o%all* "na$$e.%ed (* %he sigh% o$ *o"r na)edness A do.%or ge%s "sed %o s".h %hings No& "ndress' and h"rr* a(o"% i% Toni (i% (a.) a gasp a% %he (r"%al dire.%ness o$ his .ommand +is%s .len.hing so %igh%l* %ha% her )n".)les h"r%' she s%r"ggled %o regain her sha%%ered poise' &i%h some degree o$ s"..ess I ha1e no in%en%ion o$ doing an* s".h %hing' she .laimed .oldl* His (la.) (ro&s dre& %oge%her in%o a $or(idding s.o&l as his e*es s&ep% $rom her &ais% %o her an)les &i%h slo& searing .on%emp% In o%her &ords' he .on.l"ded &i%h (i%%er iron*' *o" don#% .are &ha% man *o" "ndress $or' as long as i%#s no% me Shall I %r* %o g"ess &h*3 There is no %hrill' is %here' is "ndressing $or a man &ho &ill no% respondJ A deep o(sessi1e e,pression (egan %o dar)en %he ga2e $i,ed on her an)les No' *o" &an% a man &ho &ill gro& aro"sed' &ho &ill perhaps (e "na(le %o hide his aro"sal' &ho &ill (e dri1en %o &an% *o"' a% %he ris) o$ e1er*%hing' e1en his o&n sani%* / Dr L"en%alJ Toni#s o"%raged in%err"p%ion (ro"gh% an immedia%e hal% %o %he dri1en &ords I% had a s%range e$$e.% on %he em(i%%ered do.%or' m".h as i$ she had slapped him $or.i(l* in %he $a.e Barred $or a momen%' he seemed almos% as sho.)ed as she And %hen his e*es le$% her an)les' &here %he* had (een mesmeri2ed' and $as%ened on a (lade o$ grass His $a.e (e.ame .losed and &ooden' as i$ %he 1ehemen.e o$ momen%s ago had ne1er (een Onl* a d"ll s"$$"sion o$ .olor high on %he slan%ed .hee)(ones (e%ra*ed his s%a%e o$ mind in an* &a* Na%"rall*' i$ *o" pre$er I shall )eep m* (a.) %"rned &hile *o" disro(e' he said s%i$$l* Toni .o"ld no% so easil* dismiss %he laden emo%ions she had so re.en%l* &i%nessed

I %hin) perhaps I#ll $orge% %he (a%h al%oge%her' she said' de.iding her %or%"red s)in &o"ld simpl* ha1e %o do &i%ho"% %he .ool immersion "n%il some o%her %ime His lips dre& (a.) (rie$l*' re1ealing &hi%e %ee%h gri%%ed in%o an e,pression %ha% &as no% a smile I$ *o" pre$er' I#ll promise %o remain %"rned a&a* e1en &hile *o"#re in %he &a%er / "nless *o" .all $or help And al%ho"gh I s"ppose *o" ma* no% appre.ia%e %he $a.%' I am a man o$ m* &ord As her ra%ional po&ers re%"rned' Toni re.alled %ha% e1en Har.ia had said %his &as so And *e% "nder %he .ir."ms%an.es she did no% $eel en%irel* .om$or%a(le &i%h %he idea o$ s%ripping %o her "nder&ear' despi%e i%s la.) o$ ero%i.ism L"en%al#s emo%ional 1ehemen.e had le$% her $eeling 1"lnera(le eno"gh' e1en $"ll* .lo%hed in "n$eminine 4"ngle $a%ig"es She spen% a momen% .on%empla%ing %he .ool green &a%er &hile she de.ided &ha% %o do All righ%' %hen' she said $inall*' &i%h remar)a(le sel$/possession "nder %he .ir."ms%an.es' and e1en managed a $ain% smile (ehind a %hi.) 1eil o$ lashes &hile she &a%.hed L"is L"en%al ma)e good his promise He rose %o his $ee%' %he leng%h o$ him "n$olding %o i%s $"ll a"%hori%a%i1e heigh%' and %hen he s&i$%l* s&er1ed so %ha% his $a.e &as %"rned %o %he $lagpole and his s%rongl* m"s.led (a.) %o %he ri1er He s-"ared his sho"lders and &ai%ed Toni mo1ed on%o %he slipper* do.)' &ell o"% o$ his line o$ 1ision She %oo) her %ime' pla.ing her soap dish' %o&els and shampoo (o%%le &here %he* .o"ld (e easil* rea.hed $rom %he &a%er Wi%ho"% %a)ing her e*es o$$ L"is L"en%al#s %ense spine' she remo1ed her lea%her (el%' dra&ing i% $ree o$ %he loops %ha% .on$ined i% aro"nd her &ais% And %hen' &i%h a deli(era%e la.) o$ speed' she sa% do&n %o loosen her (oo%la.es' s%ill $a.ing %he spo% &here he s%ood Please h"rr*' he dire.%ed gr"$$l* a $e& momen%s la%er I#m ha1ing %ro"(le &i%h a s%".) 2ipper' Toni said' noisil* manip"la%ing %he slide $as%ener a% one hip po.)e% I#ll le% *o" )no& i$ Tneed help Wi%h slo& deli(era%ion she remo1ed %he .on%en%s o$ %ha% po.)e%' and %hen ano%her' and ano%her' "n%il all her perisha(le personal e$$e.%s had (een remo1ed $rom her .lo%hes Toni in%ended %o ha1e a small momen% o$ re1engeK and L"is L"en%al#s promise %o )eep his (a.) %"rned had s"gges%ed %he means I %a)e i% *o" managed &i%h %he 2ipper' he remar)ed in a some&ha% (lea) 1oi.e a$%er lis%ening %o %he so$% %h"d o$ a small no%e(oo) landing on %he do.) !es' I managed' she re%"rned .ooll*' ma)ing a men%al no%e %ha% %he signs o$ s%rain %ha% had .rep% in%o his 1oi.e &ere .on$irmed (* %he rigid se% o$ his sho"lders I &on#% need %o %ro"(le *o" a$%er all Are m* %hings li)el* %o (e sa$e here on %he do.)3

!es Hood' said Toni .alml*' loo)ing a% %he min"s."le pile o$ personal possessions she had remo1ed $rom her po.)e%s I sho"ldn#% &an% a &a1e %o .ome and &ash %hem a&a* Her mo"%h ."r1ed "p&ard &hen %ha% remar) .a"sed L"is L"en%al#s $ingers %o $le, on.e a% his sides Are *o" going in no&3 he as)ed %ersel* No' I#m no% -"i%e read* *e% I ha1e a $e& more %hings %o remo1e Then do i%' .ame %he grim order I#m doing i% as $as% as I .an' Toni responded' "nper%"r(ed The do.) is a li%%le slipper*' and i% slo&s me do&n And &i%h %ha% her so.)s' %oo' .ame o$$' again &i%h a la.) o$ speed %ha% allo&ed her all %he %ime in %he &orld %o s%"d* %he &a* L"en%al#s hands had rea.hed $or&ard and gripped %he $lagpole $or s"ppor% She smiled %o hersel$ So m".h $or his .laim %o (e "na$$e.%ed (* a &oman#s na)ednessJ I$ he ("% )ne& i%' %he onl* na)ed %hing a(o"% her &as her %oesJ +or a shor% %ime she sa% &a%.hing him' arms .rossed and hands sliding "p and do&n o1er her slee1es' par%l* (e.a"se i% &as %he ne,% (es% %hing %o %he s.ra%.hing she &as %r*ing %o a1oid' and par%l* (e.a"se i% made noises 1er* m".h li)e %hose o$ someone remo1ing .lo%hes When she .o"ld prolong %his par% o$ %he %or%"re no longer' she said &i%h a s%"died %ra.e o$ ner1o"sness' I#m a(o"% %o go in no& Are *o" s"re *o"#ll hear me i$ I need help3 A(sol"%el* s"re' .ame %he %hi.) ans&er Is i% sa$e %o s&im o"% in%o %he ri1er3 As I &on#% (e &a%.hing' i% &o"ld (e sa$er %o hang on%o %he do.) His 1oi.e &as m"$$led' his )n".)les &hi%ening o1er %he $lagpole %o an alarming degree And *o"#re .er%ain %here are no piranha here3 7er%ain Me" De"s' m"s% *o" s%and %here -"es%ioning e1er* li%%le %hing3 He% in %he &a%er a% on.eJ Torn hesi%a%ed $or ano%her momen% and %hen as)ed ingen"o"sl*' Do *o" ha1e a pa%ien% &ai%ing $or *o"' Dr L"en%al3 No' he gra%ed

Hood' she (rea%hed I &as a$raid *o" &ere in a h"rr* And reall*' I#d li)e %o &ash m* hair He% in' he snapped Ha1e *o" no sense3 Some (oa% migh% .ome aro"nd %he ri1er(end a% an* momen% Am"sed' Toni glan.ed do&n a% her $"ll* .lad (od* and %hen loo)ed (a.) a% %hose rigidl* held sho"lders no% a do2en $ee% a&a* Wi%ho"% seeing his $a.e she .o"ld pra.%i.all* $eel %he .len.h o$ his %ee%h and %he %igh% .los"re o$ his e*elids Deli(era%el* she pre%ended %o mis"nders%and his &arning Please don#% &orr*' Dr L"en%al I &on#% le% m*sel$ (e r"n do&n in %he &a%er I$ a mo%or(oa% approa.hes' I#m s"re I#ll hear i% in %ime %o .lim( o"% He% in' he repea%ed' and %his %ime i% so"nded 1er* li)e a ."rse 5* no& dar) pa%.hes o$ s&ea% had %a)en possession o$ %he armpi%s o$ his shir%' and .ords o$ e$$or% s%ood o"% along %he (a.) o$ his ne.)' 1isi(le on ei%her side o$ %he li.) o$ (la.) hair %ha% (r"shed agains% his damp .ollar L"en%al#s imagina%ion &as doing i%s 1er* &ors% / and a$%er &ha% she had s"$$ered a% his hands' Toni &as h"man eno"gh %o en4o* i% %horo"ghl* 7oming %o her ha"n.hes' she .l"ng %o %he side o$ %he do.) and lo&ered hersel$ &i%h a ligh% splash in%o %he s&i$%l* $lo&ing green' $eeling i%s .oldness li)e a sho.) agains% her hea%ed $lesh +or an ins%an%' &i%h %he r"shing speed o$ %he ri1er dragging agains% %he hea1* &eigh% o$ her .lo%hes' she almos% los% her grip on %he log In1ol"n%aril* she gasped' and %hen glan.ed "p&ard %o ma)e s"re L"en%al had no% loo)ed aro"nd He %ensed ("% did no% %"rn' merel* raising his head $or a momen%' li)e a 4"ngle animal sni$$ing %he (ree2e Are *o" all righ%3 +ine' she ass"red him -"i.)l* I%#s .old' %ha%#s all Li)e i.e on m* s)in She sa& a small sh"dder %ra1el o1er %he s&ea%/dren.hed shir%' as %ho"gh emana%ing "p&ard $rom %hose $la%' male' m"s."lar %highs B"s% as i$ someone had p"% an i.e ."(e do&n his spine' she %ho"gh% &i%h am"semen% Keeping a g"arded &a%.h on him' she .l"ng %o %he side o$ %he do.) and &ashed as &ell as she .o"ld / s&i$%l* loosening $as%enings' re$as%ening %hem e1en more s&i$%l*' soaping her arms dire.%l* %hro"gh %he .lo%h and her legs (* p"shing %he (agg* %ro"sers high on her legs A% las%' reasona(l* .er%ain she had .leansed e1er* par% o$ hersel$ e,.ep% her hair' she repla.ed %he soap in i%s dish and de.ided %ha% s&ee% re1enge .o"ld (e a li%%le s&ee%er *e% Oh' dear' she said $orlornl* L"en%al rea.%ed ins%an%l* and &i%h a rigor %ha% did her 1enge$"l hear% good Wha%

is i%3 he demanded' his head 4er)ing (a.) "p&ard $rom a de%ermined (end %ha% had s"gges%ed .on%empla%ion o$ his $ee% No%hing' she said a% on.e' so %ha% he &o"ld no% %"rn I#m no% s"re I .an rea.h m* shampoo' %ha%#s all 5"% I don#% %hin) I need *o"r help Wai% a momen%N She ind"lged in some minor splashing' as i$ raising %he %op hal$ o$ her (od* o"% o$ %he &a%er In %r"%h' %he shampoo (o%%le &as onl* in.hes $rom her $inger%ips Her .ool gra* e*es %oo) in L"en%al#s long (ron2ed $ingers' .len.hing and "n.len.hing o1er %he $lagpole' p"%%ing %he %endons o$ his sho"lders and %anned $orearms in%o a s%a%e o$ perpe%"al %ension I%#s all righ%' I ha1e %he shampoo' she anno"n.ed' de.iding %he .r"el game had gone on long eno"gh A$%er %ha%' she shampooed -"i.)l*' d".)ing se1eral %imes and &or)ing her $ingers %hro"gh her s.alp %o le% %he s&i$% ."rren%s o$ &a%er rinse a&a* %he la%her A% leas% her per1erse pleas"re in (ai%ing L"en%al had %a)en her mind o$$ piranha and e1en pi"ms@ d"ring %he .hilling pl"nge she had -"i%e $orgo%%en her $ormer dis.om$or% In$li.%ing %or%"re' she .on.l"ded &r*l* as she a% las% .lam(ered o"% on %he do.)' &as $ar s"perior %o s"$$ering "nder i%s slings and (lo&sJ All $inished' she said .alml*' p"shing her sodden hair $rom her e*es and gi1ing her &a%erlogged .lo%hes a -"i.) sha)e' li)e a dog a$%er a s&im As a $e& drops o$ &a%er sha)en loose (* Toni spla%%ered agains% L"en%al#s .lo%hes' he rea.%ed as i$ s%"ng He% dressed' he rasped Toni %oo) %ime onl* %o %o&el do&n %he shir% %ha% .l"ng %oo re1ealingl*' a%%emp%ing &i%ho"% m".h s"..ess %o pl".) i% a&a* $rom her s)in so %ha% i% &o"ld no% delinea%e %he .on%o"rs o$ her (reas%s There &as no need %o dra& %his s.ene o"% %o %he poin% o$ sadism Toni had pro1ed 1er* m".h %o her sa%is$a.%ion %ha% L"is L"en%al had a &ea)ness all %he &illpo&er in %he &orld .o"ld no% .on-"er 5* no& she had a 1er* good idea o$ &h* he migh% ha1e le$% %he res%a"ran% on %ha% long/ago nigh%@ perhaps her per$"me had (een a% $a"l% a$%er all I% &as e1iden% %ha% %he *ears o$ $r"s%ra%ion had aro"sed in him a dangero"s need' a need %ha% rea.hed deep in%o/%he 1er* roo%s o$ his (eing He migh% ha%e &omen' ("% a$%er %his da*#s e1en%s le% him %r* %o pre%end he .o"ld do &i%ho"%J And *e% she sa& no need %o h"milia%e him .omple%el*K she had no &ish %o see his $a.e She .o"ld g"ess 1er* &ell %ha% i% &o"ld (e (a%hed in perspira%ion and s"$$"sed &i%h %he d"ll $l"sh o$ desireK %ha% his $orehead &o"ld (e .reased &i%h e$$or% and possi(l* ang"ish And man* *ears had passed sin.e she had (een nai1e eno"gh no% %o )no& &ha% o%her signs o$ aro"sal migh% mar) a man#s (od* "nder s".h .ir."ms%an.es H"rriedl* she shoo) o"% her (oo%s and slipped her damp $ee% in%o %hem' &i%ho"%

%a)ing %ime $or %he la.es Wi%h no ado she ga%hered %oge%her her so.)s' (el%' (a%hing ne.essi%ies and o%her possessions and a% on.e s%ar%ed $or %he rise' &here she &o"ld soon &al) in%o L"en%al#s line o$ 1ision !o" .an#% go "p %here "n%il0 .ame a %or%"red .ommand as she (egan %o (r"sh pas% %he pla.e &here he s%ood' in s".h shor% order %ha% he m"s% )no& she had no% had %ime %o dress When %he res% o$ %he sen%en.e &as s&allo&ed she )ne& he had seen She .ame %o a hal% near %he %op o$ %he ri1er(an)' &i%ho"% %"rning %o .on$ron% him She &an%ed him %o (e in a(sol"%el* no do"(%K %here &as no poin% 1anishing (e$ore he had %a)en a good loo) a% her &a%erlogged .lo%hing And perhaps one more %as%e o$ %ri"mph &as no% %oo m".h %o as) !o" (a%hed li)e %ha%3 he demanded in a s%range' sho.)ed' s%rangled 1oi.e Wh*' Dr L"en%al' she said' m"s%ering her 1er* .ooles% air' s"rel* *o" didn#% %hin) I &as na)ed3 And %o a silen.e &i%h %he impa.% o$ a %h"nder.lap' she %railed %he res% o$ her damp 1i.%or* mar.h "p %he slope CHAPTER FOUR

I+ THE PRE:IO6S A+TERNOON had seemed li)e 1i.%or* o$ a sor%' %his a$%ernoon seemed 1er* li)e de$ea% As Toni %r"dged along single $ile &i%h %he men' she %old hersel$ %ha% %he se1ere shor%ness o$ (rea%h and %he pains shoo%ing li)e g"ided missiles %hro"gh her legs and her arms &ere imagina%ion' all imagina%ion A$%er all' %he pi"m (i%es had loo)ed m".h (e%%er %his morning The s&ellings had s"(sided Onl* %in* do%s remained a% %he si%e o$ ea.h (i%e' al%ho"gh a pale e1en rash / more o$ a $l"sh' reall* / had appeared here and %here I$ onl* %he dra%%ed i%.h hadn#% )ep% her a&a)e las% nigh%J I$ onl* she had (een a(le %o a.."s%om hersel$ %o sleeping in a hammo.)J I$ onl* He%"lio had no% &arned her %ha% %he reason %he lan%ern m"s% (e le$% ("rning all nigh% &as %o )eep 1ampire (a%s $rom .oming %hro"gh %he .hin)s in %he &allsJ I$ onl* %he mo%hs and o%her inse.%s had sh"nned %he ligh% in li)e $ashionJ I$ onl* %he s)ies had no% released a %orren% o$ rain$all' one o$ %he $irs% o$ %he &e% season' some%ime d"ring %he nigh%J I$ onl* %he rain had no% .ome dripping %hro"gh %he roo$ o$ her 1er* inade-"a%e shel%erJ And i$ onl* %ha% horrid .a.ophon* o$ so"nd hadn#% a&a)ened her 4"s% &hen she had $inall* managed %o dri$% in%o a &re%.hed sleepJ The din had e,ploded %hro"gh %he 4"ngle a% a(o"% $o"r in %he morning Toni#s $irs%

%erri$ied ins%in.% had %old her %ha% a h"ndred $"rio"s ("lls &ere .harging her h"%' 1*ing $or %he pri1ilege &i%h a h"ndred enraged lions I% had (een a mons%ro"s' mind/sha%%ering roar %ha% shoo) %he 1er* ear%h' and some min"%es had passed (e$ore she &as ra%ional eno"gh %o remem(er %he &arning L"is L"en%al had iss"ed o1er %he dinner ho"r %he pre1io"s e1ening 5* %ha% %ime his sel$/.on%rol had (een $"ll* res%ored' his $a.e more $ormida(le %han e1er A$%er her momen% o$ %ri"mph a% %he ri1er' Toni had (een m".h %oo sensi(le %o .on%in"e her (ai%ing in an* &a*K in $a.%' &i%h %he s"..ess o$ %he $ilm 1en%"re a% s%a)e' she had made e,%ra e$$or%s no% %o an%agoni2e him $"r%her Ho&ler mon)e*s' he had &arned' dire.%ing his &ords poin%edl* a&a* $rom Toni' are reall* -"i%e gen%le and inno."o"s/loo)ing The* ha1e enormo"s 1o.al .ords' %ho"gh Their Adam#s apples are %he si2e o$ %ennis (alls' and %he* en4o* "sing %hem I% %a)es an old Ama2on hand %o sleep %hro"gh %he din A$%er %he ho&ler mon)e*s .eased %heir "proar' Toni had no% (een a(le %o sleep again 5* %hen e1er* (ird in %he en%ire 4"ngle seemed %o (e .ele(ra%ing %he approa.h o$ da&n' ma)ing "p $or %heir midda* silen.e There had (een a nois* s*mphon* o$ %rills' .ha%%ers' s-"ea)s' dr"m(ea%s' .a.)les' &his%les' $l"%ings' (ooms' groans' .ooings' .han%s and .himes .o1ering e1er* no%e in %he s.ale and %hen some 5"% las% nigh%#s %or%"res seemed %ame (* .omparison &i%h %he dis.om$or%s she &as $a.ing no& The Mara 1illage migh% (e onl* si, miles dis%an%' ("% i% seemed li)e do"(le %ha% I% had rained again in %he earl* a$%ernoon' and %he 4"ngle s%ill dripped' %"rning e1er*%hing %o m"d and miser* The dripping &e%ness had no% dis.o"raged %he inse.%s' .lo"ds o$ &hom seemed %o (e %hri1ing on a die% o$ one par% inse.% repellen% and %en par%s Toni 7arr"%hers / or so i% seemed %o Toni A% leas% %here &ere no pi"ms in %he 4"ngleK i% appeared %he* pre$erred %he ri1er and o%her open spa.es No% %ha% %he pi"ms .o"ld ha1e $o"nd a pla.e %o roos%' &i%h s&ea% (ees %a)ing "p e1er* a1aila(le in.h o$ s)in no% .laimed (* mos-"i%oes Oddl*' %ho"gh' %he mos-"i%o (i%es a$$e.%ed her less %han %he pi"ms had doneK and %he s&ea% (ees didn#% (i%e a% all' al%ho"gh %heir n"isan.e 1al"e &as .onsidera(le Toni#s %ro"(les &ere no% .on$ined %o inse.%s The la.ed &a%erproo$ (oo%s she &ore/X/a ne.essi%* $or %ramping %hro"gh %he 4"ngle / had (een (o"gh% in Mana"s on a da* &hen her $ee% had no% (een s&ollen &i%h hea% and damp No& %he (oo%s $el% a% leas% a hal$ si2e %oo small Oh' miser*J The pa%h %o %he Mara 1illage pene%ra%ed a green dan) &orld .omposed o$ ro%%ing 1ege%a%ion "nder$oo% and rio%ing 1ege%a%ion o1erhead There &as less "ndergro&%h %han Toni had e,pe.%ed' ("% more o1ergro&%h / or.hids e,ploding on highK .reepers as %hi.) as a man#s arm s"ppor%ing %rees long sin.e deadK and e1er* gro&ing %hing $igh%ing "p&ard' "p&ard' "p&ard %o see) i%s o&n hard/&on spa.e in %he s"n

+e& .rea%"res seemed %o inha(i% %he lo&er spa.es' or i$ %he* did %he* s%a*ed o"% o$ sigh% 5"% a% %imes %he air seemed $"ll o$ $l"%%ering gian% ("%%er$lies / gli%%ering morphos and o%her spe.ies' irides.en% in shades o$ .o(al% and emerald and orange and *ello&' li)e h"ge shimmering $lo&ers $reed $rom %heir ear%hl* .on$ines I% &as a &orld &i%h man* (ea"%ies' ("% &i%h ph*si.al dis.om$or% dis%ra.%ing her Toni &as %oo misera(le %o appre.ia%e an* o$ %hem@ she $el% as %ho"gh she had s"$$ered m"%a%ion in%o one gigan%i. inse.% (i%e Al%ho"gh L"is L"en%al had indi.a%ed %ha% he %ra1eled %his ro"%e e1er* &ee)' and %ha% %he Mara Indians o$%en .o1ered i%' %oo' alread* green %hings / 1ines and .reepers and s%rangler $igs / had p"% o"% %o"gh %&is%ing %en%a.les along %he &a*' li)e gian% $ingers rea.hing o"% %o re.laim %he pa%h $or %he 4"ngle The* sa* na%"re a(hors a 1a.""m' ("% I didn#% )no& %he* &ere %al)ing a(o"% a li%%le pa%h in %he Ama2onJ grima.ed T* 7hisholm as %he par%* .ame %o a (rie$ hal% &hile He%"lio#s .o"sin +ernQo' &ho &as leading %he $ile' ha.)ed a&a* a% a %o"gh $oo%/%hi.) liana %ha% had $allen $rom i%s aerial s"ppor% Toni#s e,ha"s%ed response &as .loser %o a gr"n% %han a la"gh Her sense o$ h"mor had pl"mme%ed %o some%hing (elo& 2ero on %oda*#s mar.h' and onl* L"is L"en%al#s in%imida%ing presen.e (ringing "p %he rear $or.ed her in%o an* )ind o$ pre%ense a% all Are *o" going %o admi% *o"r &ea)ness no& and le% me .arr* %ha% pa.)3 .ame a s.orn$"l 1oi.e $rom (ehind' and Toni hal$ %"rned %o $ind %ha% L"en%al#s e*es had se%%led on %he r".)sa.) s%rapped %o her (a.) She s-"ared her sagging sho"lders and %il%ed her .hin s%"((ornl* The r".)sa.) s.ra%.hed agains% her s)in' .on%ri("%ing %o her ear%hl* hell No' she said' and $a.ed $or&ard again as %he $ile res"med i%s progress The "na.."s%omed shallo&ness o$ her (rea%h pre1en%ed her $rom ela(ora%ing on %he single &ord 7o"ld i% (e' derided %he man (ehind her' %ha% *o"#re (eing p"rel* s%"((orn3 I &arned *o" %o .arr* no%hing This is no %rip $or a &oman' espe.iall* one &ho is as so$% as *o" Toni .len.hed her %ee%h and %r"dged on' "n&illing %o digni$* his sar.asm &i%h an ans&er A% %he momen% i% &as di$$i."l% %o remem(er %ha% L"is L"en%al had &ea)nesses' %oo He &as .er%ainl* displa*ing none a% %he momen% The ("rden on his sho"lders &o"ld ha1e s&a*ed %he (a.) o$ a pa.) m"le' and he &as .arr*ing o%her %hings' as &ell / a medi.al )i% and a hea1* .ali(er ri$le The .on%emp%"o"s m"rm"r a% her ear .on%in"ed' so lo& %ha% %he o%hers mar.hing ahead .o"ld no% hear i% When *o" %"rned I no%i.ed a $e& (i%es a% *o"r %hroa%' he

.ommen%ed' .a"sing a momen% o$ n"m( &onder (e.a"se Toni had no% no%i.ed his e*es lea1ing her r".)sa.) I s"spe.% *o"#1e (een s.ra%.hing Perhaps *o" sho"ld le% me ha1e a loo) a% *o" No% ne.essar* Toni &as passingl* pleased %ha% her 1oi.e did no% so"nd %oo m".h li)e a &hee2e No do"(% no%hing &o"ld please L"en%al#s %&is%ed mind more %han %he proo$ %ha% her ph*si.al s%a%e &as $ar $rom good And as $or %he sigh% o$ her %ormen%ed $ee% / ho& %ha% &o"ld am"se himJ I#m $ine' she said %hroa%il* Reall*3 He so"nded s)ep%i.al ("% made no $"r%her .ommen% on &ha% he had o(ser1ed The Mara 1illage is s%ill a hal$ mile $rom here Are *o" s"re *o" ha1e %he s%amina3 S"re' she a1erred' on.e more &as%ing no &ords And i$ an*%hing )ep% one $oo% slogging a$%er %he o%her $or %he ne,% hal$ mile' i% &as a gri%%* de%ermina%ion no% %o ma)e a $ool o$ hersel$ in $ron% o$ L"is L"en%al Damn his ra&hide s)in and his s%inging sardoni. %ong"eJ A% las%' groaned T* dire.%l* ahead o$ her' and Toni .ame o"% o$ a ha2e o$ e,ha"s%ion %o no%e %ha% %he* &ere a% las% emerging $rom %he 4"ngle Dire.%l* ahead la* a small %&is%ing s%ream )no&n as an igarapR' a %ri("%ar* %oo %in* %o (e digni$ied (* %he name o$ ri1er A.ross i% la* a s%r".%"re %oo ri.)e%* %o (e digni$ied (* %he name o$ (ridge@ i% &as a $lims* .on.o.%ion o$ saplings sha)il* (alan.ed o1er %res%les res%ing on %he m"d (o%%om' &i%h lianas s%r"ng a.ross %o ser1e as handrails Se1eral %o%all* na)ed *o"ngs%ers &ho had (een $ishing $rom %he (ridge s%opped &ha% %he* &ere doing and &a%.hed &i%h a mi,%"re o$ ."riosi%* and hos%ili%* as %he par%* approa.hed Handsome' s%"rd* and 1er* ligh% o$ s)in' %he* all had shor% (o((ed hair and (angs' a ."% %ha% loo)ed as %ho"gh i% had (een done &i%h a (o&l and made no dis%in.%ion (e%&een %he se,es Al%ho"gh %he* appeared %o re.ogni2e +ernQo and %he o%her %&o (earers' %heir $a.es %"rned &ar* a% sigh% o$ %he %hree Ameri.ans' and %heir s"spi.io"sness did no% ease "n%il %he* sa& L"is L"en%al' las% %o emerge $rom %he 4"ngle +rom (ehind Toni#s sho"lder his 1oi.e .alled some reass"ring &ords %o %he *o"ngs%ers' in %he diale.% o$ %he Mara people One o$ %he older (o*s' spo)esman $or %he gro"p' .alled a gree%ingK and %hen s"ddenl*' li)e lea1es s.a%%ering in a s%orm' %he &hole .olle.%ion o$ .hildren s.ampered %o&ard %he 1illage %ha% la* on %he o%her side o$ %he %in* %ri("%ar*' pres"ma(l* %o ad1ise o$ %he approa.h o$ s%rangers The Mara 1illage' Toni sa& as %he* .rossed %he sha)* (ridge and ad1an.ed %o i%s edge' &as a ring o$ h"%s %ha% $ormed a grea% o1al aro"nd a large &ell/%rampled .learing To (e e,a.%' i% &as more li)e one h"ge .on%in"o"s h"% &i%h minimal par%i%ions' .omple%el* open/sided &here i% $a.ed on%o %he .en%ral .ore o$ %he 1illageK an arrangemen% %ha% &o"ld seem %o o$$er 1er* li%%le pri1a.* $or %he inha(i%an%s o$ %he .omm"ni%*

A large n"m(er o$ men and &omen &ere ga%hered in %he .en%ral .learingK %he men s%anding %o &a%.h %he 1isi%ors# arri1al' %he &omen s-"a%%ing in small separa%e gro"ps aro"nd homel* ho"sehold %as)s A% $irs% sigh% o$ %he ne&.omers %he %as)s .ame %o a hal%' ("% i% &as eas* %o see &ha% %he &omen had (een doing@ &ea1ing .r"de (as)e%sK minding small .hildrenK pressing soa)ed manio. roo%s %o remo1e %he poisono"s pr"ssi. a.idK gra%ing %he pressed and no& edi(le roo%s in%o large %ro"ghs made o$ hollo&ed logs Toni' &ho had read some%hing o$ %hese %hings' loo)ed aro"nd her &i%h in%eres% as she .a"gh% her (rea%h' her o&n ills $or %he momen% p"shed aside Ea.h and e1er* one o$ %he ad"l%s' li)e %heir .hildren' had shor% (o((ed hair The men &ere reasona(l* .o1ered (* si2a(le (ree.h.lo"%s made o$ (ar)K %he &omen &ere .lad in no more %han pain% Wai% here' L"en%al ordered Don#% en%er %he 1illage "n%il I gi1e %he &ord And &ha%e1er *o" do' don#% s%ar% $ilming "n%il I gi1e %he go/ahead While Toni and %he $ilm .re& remained a% %he $ringe o$ %he 1illage .learing &i%h +ernQo and %he o%her men &ho had (een hired as (earers' L"en%al mo1ed $or&ard in%o %he %hi.) o$ %he %ri(esmen / a %all' a"%hori%a%i1e' alien $ig"re s"rro"nded (* men hal$ a head shor%er %han himsel$ The Mara men migh% ha1e (een handsome (* Wes%ern s%andards ("% $or %he mode o$ lip de.ora%ion %he* $a1ored Pegged in%o pla.e (elo& ea.h man#s lip &as a large &ooden dis) %ha% ser1ed %o s%re%.h i% and ma)e i% 4"% $ero.io"sl* $or&ard' &he%her $or p"rposes o$ (ea"%i$i.a%ion or in order %o $righ%en enemies in (a%%le Toni had seen pi.%"res o$ %hese lip dis)s d"ring preliminar* resear.h on 1ario"s Ama2on %ri(es' and so %he e$$e.% &as less s%ar%ling %han i% migh% o%her&ise ha1e (een There seemed %o (e a pres.ri(ed order %o %he pro.eedings The s%anding men all &a%.hed L"en%al#s approa.h impassi1el*' sa*ing no%hing' as i$ ea.h man &ere &ai%ing $or some o%her %o ma)e %he $irs% mo1e +ollo&ing %he dire.%ion o$ +ernQo#s ga2e' Toni soon reali2ed &ha% %he* &ere &ai%ing $or In one o$ %he open/sided h"%s' a %all' s%rongl* ("il% man' a(o"% %hir%* *ears o$ age (* Toni#s re.)oning' &as in %he pro.ess o$ donning a ragged pair o$ men#s shor%s He %hen .lapped a misshapen $edora o1er his nea%l* (o((ed hair' sho"ldered a $ea%hered spear and s%epped (a.) in%o %he .en%er o$ %he .learing %o gree% his 1isi%or' .lad in &ha% he apparen%l* (elie1ed %o (e %he a..o"%remen%s o$ a .hie$ +as.ina%ion &i%h %he s.ene o1er.ame some o$ her e,ha"s%ion as she &a%.hed The headman' $or so he appeared %o (e despi%e his *o"%h' &as a &ell/m"s.led man o$ handsome appearan.e He alone o$ all %he &arriors &as missing %he "ngainl* dis)K %he s.ars on his lo&er lip s"gges%ed %ha% his pie.e o$ &ood migh% ha1e (een %orn o"% (* some misad1en%"re

Despi%e %he %o".h o$ l"di.ro"sness added (* %he .hie$%ain#s spe.ial gar(' %here &as an impressi1e digni%* in his manner as he gree%ed L"is L"en%al He also displa*ed .onsidera(le &arm%h' and Toni re.ei1ed %he dis%in.% impression %ha% %he %&o men li)ed ea.h o%her The e,.hange o$ gree%ings seemed %o $ollo& a rigoro"s .eremonial pa%%ern 5o%h men spo)e lo"dl*' as ora%ors &o"ld' &hile %he o%her Mara men lis%ened in respe.%$"l silen.e No% "nders%anding a &ord o$ &ha% &as (eing said' Toni spen% a par% o$ her %ime loo)ing o1er %he Mara &omen Wi%h &or) $or %he momen% p"% aside' %he* &ere no% &a%.hing %he gree%ing .eremon*' &hi.h %he* had do"(%less seen man* %imes (e$ore' ("% &ere .as%ing .o1er% glan.es a% %he s%rangers &ho had .ome %o %heir 1illage The $a.es o$ all %he &omen &ere s%ained (righ% red a(o1e %he .hee) line Toni had seen pi.%"res o$ similarl* pain%ed &omen and )ne& %ha% %he shin* s.arle% .olor &as o(%ained $rom %he oil* seeds o$ a lo.al ("sh )no&n as "r".Y The mar)s on %heir (odies &ere o$ a di$$eren%' dar) 4"i.e' genipap' &hi.h &as "sed %o .rea%e %he mos% in%ri.a%e o$ geome%ri.al designsK a $orm o$ de.ora%ion %ha% %ended %o dis%ra.% %he e*e $rom %he o%her&ise %o%al na)edness o$ %he Mara $emales S"ddenl* Toni#s a%%en%ion &as .a"gh% (* one par%i."lar *o"ng $emale o$ nine%een or %&en%* / no% (e.a"se %his &oman#s appearan.e di$$ered in an* mar)ed &a* $rom %ha% o$ %he o%hers o$ her %ri(e' ("% (e.a"se she alone appeared %o (e pain$"ll* sel$/.ons.io"s a(o"% her na)edness' a %hing %ha% ga1e no% a momen%#s pa"se %o an* o$ her peers Migh% %ha% (e %he Mara girl &ho had (een (ro"gh% "p (* n"ns3 I% seemed possi(le She &as a(o"% %he righ% age' $or one %hing Her arms .on.ealed her (reas%s in a &a* %ha% s"gges%ed shameK her e*es remained de%erminedl* $i,ed %o %he gro"ndK and Toni re.ei1ed %he s%rong impression %ha% %he s.arle% s%ain on %he *o"%h$"l $a.e &as in %his .ase s*m(oli. o$ a deep mor%i$i.a%ion no% shared (* an* o%her &oman in %he 1illage A ("rs% o$ spon%anei%* $rom %he Mara men .alled Toni#s e*es (a.) %o %he pla.e &here %he headman and L"Ts L"en%al had a% las% $inished %heir .eremonial e,.hange No& smiles and em(ra.es repla.ed %he $ormali%* o$ %he earlier pro.eedingsK al%ho"gh &h* %he Mara sho"ld gree% %he do"r do.%or &i%h s".h a$$e.%ion &as a .ir."ms%an.e %ha% remained (e*ond Toni#s .omprehension 5"% perhaps her (rain &as no% in i%s (es% &or)ing order@ %he shor%ness o$ (rea%h %ha% had (o%hered her d"ring %he mar.h s%ill ro((ed her o$ her "s"al 1igor' .a"sing sensa%ions o$ $ain%ness %ha% %oo) e1er* o"n.e o$ &illpo&er %o .om(a% Well' &ell' m"rm"red 5arne* E1ans in%o Toni#s ear' i% loo)s as %ho"gh one o$ %hem has a li%%le modes%* / (esides %he .hie$' %ha% is She $ollo&ed %he dire.%ion o$ 5arne*#s dis.ree% nod %o $ind %ha% he &as %al)ing o$ %he same *o"ng &oman &ho had dra&n Toni#s in%eres% a $e& min"%es (e$ore The girl' $reed (* %he .on.l"sion o$ %he .eremonies d"ring &hi.h she had no% dared %o mo1e' no&

de%a.hed hersel$ $rom %he small gro"p o$ $emales &here she had (een si%%ing and slipped almos% "nno%i.ed in%o one o$ %he open/sided h"%s' s%ill %r*ing %o .on.eal her *o"%h$"l na)edness &i%h her hands She emerged se.onds la%er' .lad in a simple "n(lea.hed .o%%on smo.) %ha% &as oddl* a% 1arian.e &i%h %he shin* red pain% on her $a.e Tha% m"s% (e %he girl L"en%al %old "s a(o"%' 5arne* &hispered The one (red in a .on1en% Maria' I %hin) her name is Toni li.)ed her lips and %ried %o remem(er &he%her she had e1er heard %he girl#s name (e$ore Lis%ening %o L"is L"en%al %al) o$ %he Mara a% meal%ime %he pre1io"s da*' she had heard him "se 1ario"s %ri(al names' 5e(gog%i and E)e%i and 5ep)"m and Mr"/prire and o%hers e1en more "nprono"n.ea(le The name Maria seemed -"i%e o"% o$ )eeping in %ha% e,o%i. ros%er 5"% o$ .o"rse i% m"s% ha1e (een gi1en %o %he girl (* %he n"ns' &hi.h &o"ld a..o"n% $or i%s "n/%ri(al so"nd / *e% ano%her %hing %ha% se% %he girl apar% $rom %he res% o$ %he Mara &omen 7ome on' Toni' &ha% %he de".e is %he ma%%er &i%h *o"3 T* 7hisholm ga1e her a gen%le sho1e $rom (ehind 7an#% *o" see L"en%al#s mo%ioning $or "s %o .ome $or&ard3 Onl* a s%rong desire no% %o la* hersel$ open %o L"is L"en%al#s s.a%hing .ri%i.isms pre1en%ed her $rom as)ing %o $orgo %he &el.oming .eremonies Ho& she go% %hro"gh %he .on$"sion %ha% $ollo&ed Toni ne1er )ne& The nodding' %he smiling' %he endless poli%e spee.hes' mos% o$ %hem in a lang"age o$ &hi.h she .o"ld no% "nders%and a single s*lla(leK and %hro"gh i% all s%anding on %&o $ee% $or &hi.h pain seemed %oo small a &ord S%a*ing in one pla.e helped %he .on%in"ing shor%ness o$ (rea%h' ("% %ha% &as a(o"% all L"is L"en%al in%rod".ed %he $ier.e *o"ng headman as E)e%i' and a$%er %he in%rod".%ion E)e%i made an a%%emp% %o s&i%.h %o (ro)en Por%"g"ese He addressed a $e& remar)s %o 5arne* and T* and %hen ga1e "p &hen L"en%al e,plained %ha% %he Ameri.an men did no% spea) %he lang"age I% had no% es.aped Toni#s a%%en%ion %ha% none o$ E)e%i#s e$$or%s had (een dire.%ed %o&ard hersel$' a $a.% %ha% led her %o .on.l"de %ha% in %his par%i."lar %ri(e &omen &ere .rea%"res %oo lo&l* %o &arran% mas."line a%%en%ion And %hen E)e%i %"rned %o L"en%al again and re1er%ed %o %he Mara diale.% Her (leared mind (egan %o $o."s on.e again on her o&n ph*si.al dis.om$or%s All a% on.e she (e.ame a&are o$ %he dar) sardoni. e*es %ha% &ere dire.%ing a pro(ing a%%en%ion %o her (osom L"is L"en%ai had said some%hing %ha% had no% -"i%e pene%ra%ed %he ha2e o$ dis.om$or% %ha% seemed %o ha1e (e.ome a .ondi%ion o$ li$e e1er sin.e she had arri1ed in %his par% o$ %he Ama2on (asin I (eg *o"r pardon3 (lin)ed Toni' ma)ing e$$or%s %o p"ll hersel$ (a.) %o %he momen%

I %old E)e%i *o"#re a &oman' he repea%ed in English' ges%"ring a% her shir%$ron% He#s no% s"re &he%her %o (elie1e me A glan.e a% %hose s%anding aro"nd in$ormed Toni %ha% his &ere no% %he onl* e*es dire.%ed a% %he ("%%ons o$ her shir% The *o"ng .hie$' E)e%i' and a s.ore o$ o%her Mara' as &ell' &ere s%aring &i%h open $as.ina%ion Toni &as %oo %ired %o .are m".h' as long as %he* .on$ined %heir a.%i1i%ies %o %heir e*e(alls Then %ell him again' she said I#1e %ried' se1eral %imes' .ame %he dr* re%or% 5"% he#s ne1er seen a &oman &earing %ro"sers (e$ore As $or %he shape / he sa*s shape .an (e .hanged &hen i%#s .o1ered (* .lo%h He &an%s %he demons%ra(le proo$' and *o"r hair &on#% doK %he Mara ma)e no se,"al dis%in.%ion (* a person#s hair."% He demands %ha% *o" "n("%%on *o"r shir% L"en%al#s $a.e &as s.r"p"lo"sl* e,pressionless' %he e*es hooded as %he* $as%ened on %he so$% s&ell o$ (reas% .on.ealed (* 4"ngle )ha)i Ho&e1er' ins%in.% %old Toni %ha% he &as en4o*ing %his li%%le s.ene / mo.)ing her' perhaps' in some )ind o$ per1erse re1enge $or %he ri1erside happenings o$ %he pre1io"s da* 6nder his dire.% ga2e a -"i1ering sel$/ a&areness $ea%hered o1er her s)in' momen%aril* displa.ing %he (odil* a.hes and pains Ho righ% ahead' Toni' dra&led T* in his (es% %ong"e/in/.hee) 1oi.e Do as %he man sa*s@ "n("%%on *o"r $ron% We#ll (e &a%.hing .are$"ll*0%o see %ha% *o" .ome %o no harm' o$ .o"rse !o" (e%' added 5arne*' e*elids drooping in %he dire.%ion o$ Toni#s $ron% We#ll )eep o"r e*es peeled $or *o"' all righ% Toni .as% a .hilled s%on* loo) in %he dire.%ion o$ her %&o $ello& $ilmma)ers Trai%orsJ L"is L"en%al#s -"i.) s.o&l s"gges%ed %ha% he %ho"gh% %he 4o)e a% Toni#s e,pense had gone $ar eno"gh I%#s all righ%' i% &on#% (e ne.essar* %o do an*%hing in p"(li.' he ."% in (r"s-"el* I#1e alread* %old E)e%i %ha% *o" &on#% (e &illing %o "ndress in $ron% o$ %he &hole .ongrega%ion "nder an* .ir."ms%an.es He s"gges%s %ha% i% &o"ld s"$$i.e i$ *o" &en% in%o a h"% &i%h one person onl*' &ho .an %es%i$* %o %he res% o$ %he %ri(e I%#s an imposi%ion' I )no&' ("% a ne.essar* one !o" ha1e %o reali2e %ha% %he Mara are %he 1er* opposi%e o$ g"lli(le As I %old *o" *es%erda*' %he* (elie1e %hings onl* i$ %he* .an see %hem &i%h %heir o&n e*es Toni mois%ened her lips again &hile she %ried %o %hin) %hings %hro"gh &i%h her po"nding (rain The open/sided h"%s did no% seem 1er* .ond".i1e %o pri1a.*' and %he indigni%* o$ %he re-"es% %"rned her hands .lamm* She &as a.."s%omed %o .oping' ("% no%

&i%h %his )ind o$ %hing I%#s (es% %o go along &i%h %heir &ishes' L"en%al said' his 1oi.e $or on.e gra1e and -"ie%' la.)ing i%s ."s%omar* (i%e The* &an%ed %o sei2e *o" and per$orm %he e,amina%ion se1eral min"%es ago I%#s %a)en some arg"ing %o &in %his m".h o$ a .on.ession Na%"rall* i% &ill (e one o$ %he Mara &omen &ho a..ompanies *o"' no% one o$ %he men Is %ha% so 1er* hard3 Toni shoo) her head' %here(* agreeing %o %he re-"es% +or some s%range reason' .onsidering %ha% L"is L"en%al &as a% %his momen% (eha1ing in less ha%e$"l $ashion %han he had e1er done (e$ore' she $o"nd hersel$ "na(le %o loo) higher %han %he open .ollar &here his s%rong %hroa% rose Her o&n %hroa% $el% %igh% / possi(l* (e.a"se she sensed %ha% he' o$ all men here' &as pro(a(l* en1isioning %ha% par% o$ her (od* she &o"ld (e re-"ired %o (are I ha1e one re-"es%' she said 7o"ld i% (e %he *o"ng &oman Maria / %he one &ho &as (red in a .on1en%3 L"en%al %"rned a% on.e and e,.hanged a $e& more &ords &i%h %he Mara headman E)e%i agrees' he %old her momen%s la%er Despi%e %he respe.%$"l dis%an.e %he* )ep%' all &omen o$ %he %ri(e &ho &ere &i%hin hearing m"s% ha1e (een lis%ening &i%h e,%raordinar* in%eres%' (e.a"se &i%h no .ommand iss"ed %he* %"rned %o loo) a% %heir smo.)/.lad .ompanion Those neares% her (egan %o giggle and n"dge her $or&ard Maria h"ng (a.) a% $irs%' as pain$"ll* sh* a(o"% ha1ing a%%en%ion dire.%ed a% hersel$ as she had (een earlier a(o"% her n"di%* 5"% &hen %he s%rong $earsome *o"ng .hie$ "%%ered a dire.% .ommand' .alling her (* name' she mo1ed di$$iden%l* $or&ard and s%ood in $ron% o$ him &i%h do&n.as% e*es She &as -"i%e (ea"%i$"l' %ho"gh% Toni The s.arle% s%ain %ha% .o1ered %he "pper hal$ o$ her $a.e gleamed on an in%elligen% $orehead and $ine .hee)(ones' se%%ing o$$ %he smoo%h (la.)ness o$ shor% (o((ed hair Al%ho"gh %he *o"ng Mara &oman#s ga2e &as ne1er on.e li$%ed $rom %he gro"nd &hile E)e%i spo)e a $e& .ondes.ending &ords %o her' Toni imagined %ha% her e*es &o"ld (e dar) and li-"id' and 1er* lo1el* (enea%h %heir s&eep o$ lashes And %he in%ri.a%e (la.)' pa%%erns %ha% s%ood o"% .learl* on Maria#s pale slender arms and legs migh% no% (e %he Nor%h Ameri.an ideal o$ (ea"%*' ("% %he* &ere -"i%e (ea"%i$"l all %he same E)e%i deal% &i%h %he girl &ho s%ood h"m(l* (e$ore him in a $e& ."r% o$$hand &ords' dismissing her &i%h a ges%"re Ha1ing iss"ed his orders' he a% on.e %"rned his (a.)U pres"ma(l* e,pe.%ing a lo&l* &oman %o o(e* his dire.%ions ins%an%l* and %o %he le%%er

Ho &i%h Maria no&' L"is L"en%al .ommanded' his 1oi.e (e.oming as dismissi1e as E)e%i#s had (een Then he' %oo' %"rned a&a* and dre& T* and 5arne* in%o an e,.l"si1el* male dialog"e &i%h E)e%i Toni %"rned %o Maria in %ime %o &i%ness a small ("% re1ealing in.iden% +or one $lee%ing momen%' %he Mara girl li$%ed her lashes %o loo) a% %he m"s."lar sho"lders o$ %he man &ho &as .hie$ o$ her %ri(eK %hen lo&ered %hem 4"s% as s&i$%l* The e,pression in her e*es &as 1eiled a% on.e' ("% as Toni $ollo&ed %he *o"ng Mara girl she $o"nd hersel$ &ondering ho& an* &oman .o"ld displa* adora%ion' ho&e1er &ell hidden' $or a man &ho spo)e %o her in s".h peremp%or* $ashion To Toni#s gra%i%"de' %he girl Maria led her pas% %he open/sided h"%s and %he ."rio"s glan.es o$ %he o%her %ri(es&omen and o"% o$ %he Mara 1illage al%oge%her She &al)ed ahead &i%h h"m(l* (en% head' no% &a%.hing %o see i$ Toni $ollo&ed' silen% "n%il %he* rea.hed %he edge o$ %he 4"ngle 7ome &i%h me' she said %hen in Por%"g"ese' dar%ing %he mos% %imid o$ glan.es a% Toni#s $a.e There is a pla.e &here &e &ill no% (e seen Some%imes' &hen I &ish %o (e alone' I go %here I% seemed %ha% Maria "nders%ood Toni#s need $or pri1a.* Toni smiled and m"rm"red a &ord o$ appre.ia%ion $or %he girl#s deli.a%e sensi(ili%ies She had no %ro"(le "nders%anding Maria' &ho spo)e &i%h a so$% pleasing m"si. in her h"shed s*lla(les The %&o progressed a shor% dis%an.e in%o %he 4"ngle Al%ho"gh %here &as no &ell/ (ea%en pa%h in %his pla.e' i% &as an eas* eno"gh ro"%e' $or %he "ndergro&%h &as no% par%i."larl* dense Rea.hing a gigan%i. .ei(a %ree &hose h"ge ("%%resses $ormed na%"ral par%i%ions a% %he (ase' Maria p"shed some green .reepers aside' re1ealing a hollo& dar) spa.e li)e a small room' &alled (* %he %ree and ."r%ained &i%h 1ege%a%ion I% is m* pri1a%e pla.e' she said simpl* Wai% &hile I ma)e s"re %ha% no .rea%"res ha1e .ome here (e$ore "s Wi%hin se.onds a s%ar%led roden% a(o"% %he si2e o$ a ra((i% s.ampered in%o %he open' and Maria indi.a%ed %ha% i% &as sa$e $or Toni %o en%er I% is (es% %o (e s"re' she said in her %en%a%i1e "nass"ming &a* Tha% animal &as onl* an ago"%i' ("% on.e %here &as a 1er* (ad small sna)e Pro(a(l* a $er/de/lan.e' Toni g"essed' a%%emp%ing %o -"ell a momen% o$ "nease as she eased her &a* in%o %he dan)' dar)' pri1a%e en.los"re Here i% &as no% possi(le %o s%and ere.%' and so (o%h &omen sa%' ."rled in%o %he diml* li% spa.e' $a.ing ea.h o%her Toni#s $ingers s%ar%ed a% on.e %o $"m(le &i%h her %op ("%%on Toda*' &i%h e1er* par% o$ her (od* a.hing as i% had ne1er a.hed (e$ore' she &an%ed onl* %o (e done &i%h %his em(arrassing

pro.ed"re as speedil* as possi(le I% is no% ne.essar*' senhora' .ame Maria#s -"i.) an,io"s response I do no% need %o see %o (elie1e' as o%hers do Toni (rea%hed a sigh o$ relie$' and her $ingers $ell $rom %heir %as) Tha%#s &ha% I &as hoping *o" &o"ld sa*' she admi%%ed We &ill ha1e %o s%a* here a li%%le %ime' in order %ha% E)e%i &ill %hin) I ha1e done as he as)ed !o" &ill no% mind3 No% a% all' agreed Toni I% &as good %o (e o$$ her $ee% In %his dim .ool en.los"re she $o"nd some relie$ $rom her %hro((ing head' and her (rea%hing seemed %o .ome more easil* She $el% a .er%ain amo"n% o$ ."riosi%* a(o"% Maria' %oo' and %ha% helped pre1en% %o%al preo.."pa%ion &i%h her o&n maladies She .onsidered loosening her (oo%la.es and de.ided agains% i%@ she had %he $eeling %ha% on.e released $rom %heir .on$ines' her an)les &o"ld s&ell li)e (alloons We do no% need %o h"rr* I heard E)e%i as) Dr L"en%al i$ %he men &o"ld 4oin him $or a drin) o$ )ashiri' a &ine made $rom %he s&ee% po%a%o and o%her $r"i%s When men drin) )ashiri' &omen are no% &an%ed 5esides' i% is good %o %al) &i%h someone &ho spea)s m* lang"age The hesi%an% remar) &as &is%$"l / ("% %hen Maria &en% on &i%h grea% has%e' as i$ she had $orgo%%en hersel$ 5"% o$ .o"rse Por%"g"ese is no% m* %r"e lang"age' al%ho"gh I &as (ro"gh% "p %o %al) i% &i%h %he n"ns M* %r"e lang"age is %he lang"age o$ m* o&n people I% is a good %hing %ha% %he n"ns arranged $or me %o learn m* lang"age as &ell as %heirs The* (ro"gh% me "p in all %hings %o (e pro"d o$ m* people' in .ase I migh% someda* re%"rn Had %he* also %old Maria %he reason she had (een handed o1er (* her mo%her %o an i%ineran% pries%3 As Toni .o"ld hardl* as) Maria ho& m".h she )ne& a(o"% her (ir%hrigh%' she said ins%ead' I don#% spea) Por%"g"ese as &ell as *o" do' I#m a$raid 5"% *o" spea) i% 1er* &ell' and &e .an "nders%and ea.h o%her' said Maria I% is good %o %al) &i%h someone &ho )no&s o$ %he0%he o%her &orld Dr L"en%al )no&s' ("% i$ I spo)e &i%h him pri1a%el* o%hers migh% %hin) me0(ad I &o"ld no% &ish0 some people0 %o %hin) me (ad I don#% see ho& an*one .o"ld possi(l* %hin) %ha% And %hen' hearing Maria#s so"l/deep sigh' Toni "sed her si,%h sense %o add' I imagine %ha% E)e%i' $or one' m"s% %hin) *o" are 1er* %r"s%&or%h*' or he &o"ld no% ha1e as)ed *o" %o .ome &i%h me Maria hesi%a%ed in a .on$"sion o$ %imidi%* and %hen (l"r%ed o"%' Did E)e%i %hin)

%o send me &i%h *o" (e.a"se I spea) Por%"g"ese3 Toni &in.ed in&ardl* (e.a"se she s"spe.%ed Maria &as no% going %o li)e her ans&er Maria &as %o".hingl* eager %o )no& &h* E)e%i had .hosen her' ("% i% &o"ld (e "n$air %o raise $alse hopes in %he girl I% &as (e.a"se I as)ed %ha% i% (e *o"' Maria' she said gen%l* I% &as *o" %ha% made %he .hoi.e3 OhN The %imid op%imism on Maria#s $a.e $aded' and she loo)ed do&n a% her $ingers -"i.)l*' as i$ %o hide her disappoin%men% Toni $el% a s"rge o$ s*mpa%h*@ i% &as .lear %ha% Maria had %ho"gh% %he .hoi.e %o (e E)e%i#s o&n' and perhaps i% &as %he onl* sign o$ no%i.e %he lordl* .hie$ had e1er paid her I#m s"re he %hin)s highl* o$ *o" all %he same' Toni said' or he &o"ld ha1e se%%led on some o%her &oman E)e%i does no% %hin) o$ me a% all Maria#s di$$iden% 1oi.e shoo) a li%%le' and her %&is%ing $ingers' %oo There &as a hopelessness in her demeanor %ha% &as no% $"ll* .on.ealed Was Maria in need o$ a .on$idan%e3 Her earlier &ords had s"gges%ed as m".h' and i% %oo) li%%le imagina%ion on Toni#s par% %o reali2e %ha% a *o"ng &oman (ro"gh% "p a&a* $rom her o&n %ri(e migh% $ind i% hard %o re1eal her mos% personal hopes and longings %o o%hers &ho had (een raised in -"i%e di$$eren% .ir."ms%an.es In order %o en.o"rage Maria %o %al) i$ she &ished %o' Toni said' E)e%i is a 1er* handsome man Maria#s $ingers $al%ered $or a momen% and %hen .on%in"ed %heir %&is%ing She said no%hing He is 1er* *o"ng %o (e s".h an impor%an% man in %he %ri(e' Toni persis%ed Ho& did he .ome %o (e .hie$3 The dire.% -"es%ion o1er.ame Maria#s rel".%an.e 5e.a"se he is s%ronger and (ra1er %han %he o%her men' she said Her 1oi.e %rem(led &i%h a hesi%an% pride There is no %es% o$ .o"rage E)e%i .o"ld no% pass He .an %ra.) a 4ag"ar $or a &hole da* &i%ho"% a res% He .an $a.e a &ild (oar He .an %a)e an ele.%ri. eel in%o his (are hands and hold i% &i%ho"% a -"i1er' &hen o%her men migh% s.ream $rom %he pain Wi%h his (lo&g"n he .an shoo% a small (ird high in a %ree%op' &hen i% is so $ar %ha% e1en Dr L"en%al &i%h his ri$le migh% ha1e %ro"(le %o %a)e aim And al&a*s E)e%i (rings i% do&n' e1en &hen %he (ird is no (igger %han a h"mming(ird' e1en &hen %here is no ."rare on %he %ip o$ his dar%N As i$ she reali2ed she had admi%%ed %oo m".h' Maria $ell in%o silen.e' in a s%a%e o$ some .ons%erna%ion Her &an% o$ .on$iden.e p"% a ne& %ho"gh% in%o Toni#s mind@ o$ .o"rse' E)e%i m"s% (e married L"is L"en%al had made some remar) a(o"% monogam* %ha% s"gges%ed s".h a possi(ili%*' and .er%ainl* E)e%i &as a man in his prime / old eno"gh

%o ha1e prod".ed se1eral .hildren I s"ppose %here are &omen in %he %ri(e' she said -"ie%l*' &ho are en1io"s o$ E)e%i#s &i$e E)e%i has no &i$e Maria#s 1oi.e &as (arel* a"di(le So %he g"ess had (een &rong@ $or Maria#s sa)e' Toni $el% relie1ed 5"% s"rel* he m"s% ha1e rea.hed %he age o$ marr*ing3 Oh' *es A man o$ %he Mara (e.omes a man' a real man' &hen he is 1er* *o"ng' &hen %he pie.e o$ &ood is added %o his lip E)e%i %oo) himsel$ a &oman *ears ago' (e$ore he &as .hie$' &hen he &as e1en *o"nger %han I am %oda* 5"% his &i$e died' and his .hildren' %oo Wha% happened3 as)ed Toni gen%l* I% happened in %he %ime o$ %he 5ig Si.)ness' Maria said simpl* in a sad 1oi.e Tha% &as (e$ore I re%"rned %o li1e &i%h m* o&n people Dr L"en%al' he %old me %ha% is &hen all o$ m* o&n $amil* died' &hen I had no% e1en me% %hem 5"% %ha%N A shado& passed %hro"gh Maria#s e*es' and she $inished' I .anno% %al) a(o"% %ha% Toni (i% (a.) %he -"es%ion she had (een a(o"% %o as) The 5ig Si.)ness3 Perhaps i% &as .holera' or *ello& $e1er' or some o%her 4"ngle ailmen%3 5"% i$ i% &as a pain$"l s"(4e.% $or Maria' she had no &ish %o p"rs"e i% There &as also %he dis%in.% possi(ili%* %ha% $or Maria' dis."ssion o$ her o&n (a.)gro"nd and her %&inship &as a %a(oo s"(4e.% Wha%e1er %he reasons $or %he girl#s rel".%an.e' Toni respe.%ed %hem Ho& long ago did E)e%i#s &i$e die3 she 1en%"red' hoping %o dra& $"r%her .on$iden.es Maria sa% &i%h %he .o%%on smo.) p"lled modes%l* o1er her (en% )nees No& she (egan %o &orr* a% %he $a(ri. %ha% .o1ered her legs' in a hesi%an% ner1o"s ges%"re I% is %&o *ears ago no& E)e%i &as 1er* sad in %he *ear %ha% $ollo&ed' %he *ear Dr L"en%al .on1in.ed me I m"s% .ome (a.) %o li1e &i%h %he Mara I %hin) E)e%i is o1er his sadness no& and &ill soon pi.) ano%her &i$e Is %here a &oman he migh% pi.)' Maria3 Maria#s 1oi.e (e.ame a m"$$led &hisper There are se1eral *o"ng girls o$ marr*ing age' she said I %hin) an* o$ %hem &o"ld (e glad %o mo1e in%o E)e%i#s h"% A man &ho is so s%rong' so $ine' so handsome' so pro"dN S"ddenl* she (ro)e o$$' and .o1ered her .on$"sion $or again ha1ing .on$essed %oo m".h (* sa*ing' O$ .o"rse I do no% %hin) o$ s".h %hings E)e%i does no% loo) in m*

dire.%ion And I am pas% %he age o$ marr*ing !o"3 as)ed Toni' as%onished To her Maria seemed 1er* *o"ng / no older %han she hersel$ had (een &hen she married Ma%%he& And ho& *o"ng she had (een %hen' ho& $"ll o$ hope and promise' and ho& 1er* m".h in lo1e0 Wh*' Maria &as hardl* more %han a .hild Maria e,plained a li%%le more In %his %ri(e mos% girls o$ $i$%een are alread* mo%hers And I0 I &ill (e %&en%* soon 5esides' I &o"ld (e a 1er* (ad &i$e 5e.a"se I &as no% (ro"gh% "p &i%h m* people' I am no% 1er* $as% or 1er* .le1er a% %he %hings a Mara &oman m"s% do / %he &ea1ing o$ (as)e%s' %he &or)ing &i%h (ar)' %he gra%ing o$ manio.' %he dra&ing o$ designs &i%h genipap 4"i.e / !o" learned o%her %hings ins%ead' Toni reminded her Por%"g"ese' $or one Ha1e *o" (een %ea.hing E)e%i3 Maria loo)ed alarmed No' E)e%i &o"ld no% as) a &oman %o help him &i%h s".h a %hing Dr L"en%al has (een %ea.hing him' $or he sa*s %ha% E)e%i m"s% learn' i$ he is %o (e a good .hie$ $or %he Mara Wha% o%her %hings did %he n"ns %ea.h *o"' Maria3 To read and %o &ri%e Maria o1er.ame her %imidi%* eno"gh %o raise her e*es' and in %hem &as &ri%%en a )ind o$ ang"ish 5"% %hose %hings do no% ma)e a good &i$e Wha% Mara &arrior &o"ld &an% a &oman s".h as I3 I am ignoran% in %he &a*s o$ %he %ri(e And I am0 di$$eren% Di$$eren%3 !es' Maria .er%ainl* &as di$$eren%K and %he mira.le &as %ha% ha1ing (een raised in a .on1en% she had o1er.ome her na%"ral %imoro"sness eno"gh %o re%"rn %o %he Mara a% all Maria#s e*es dropped again' and she pl".)ed a% her dress I am di$$eren% (e.a"se o$0%his When o%hers arri1e $rom o"%side' as *o" did %oda*' I $eel I m"s%N !o" didn#% ha1e %o dress $or "s' Maria' Toni ass"red her )indl* The di$$iden% 1oi.e slid do&n %o %he range o$ (are a"di(ili%* I dressed $or me' Maria &hispered No& her slender $ingers .ame "p %o (ra.e %hemsel1es agains% her s.arle% .hee)s' as i$ in re.olle.%ion o$ par%i."larl* pain$"l memories I% &as 1er* hard $or me a% $irs%' %o0go na)ed as %he o%her &omen do 5"% I0 learned' $or I did no% &ish %o (e di$$eren% I% &as0hard' ("% i% did no%0help Oh' I ha1e %ried %o (e %he same' and s%illN All in hopes %ha% E)e%i &o"ld no%i.e her' no do"(% Poor' poor Maria Her "p(ringing had prepared her %o (e nei%her $ish nor $o&l The n"di%* demanded (* li$e among %he Mara &o"ld no% si% &ell &i%h %he modes%* ins%illed (* %he n"nsK %he %imoro"s

girl m"s% ha1e died a %ho"sand dea%hs o$ mor%i$i.a%ion %o $ind .o"rage %o s%rip %ha% 1er* $irs% %ime And all %o no a1ail As $or E)e%i' he m"s% (e %en %imes a $ool i$ he had %r"l* $ailed %o no%i.e %his dem"re pre%%* girlJ I% &as a si%"a%ion %ha% a&a)ened e1er* s*mpa%he%i. imp"lse Toni possessed' ("% i% &as also a si%"a%ion a(o"% &hi.h she .o"ld do no%hing And .onsidering her o&n sha)* rela%ionship &i%h L"is L"en%al' she .o"ld no% e1en (roa.h %he s"(4e.% %o him We m"s% go (a.) no&' senhora The %ime is passing' and perhaps E)e%i &ill (egin %o &onderU I &o"ld no% li)e %o aro"se his anger The %ime o$ si%%ing in a .ool -"ie% pla.e and %hin)ing o$ ano%her person#s %ro"(les had gi1en Toni onl* %emporar* release $rom her in%ense ph*si.al dis.om$or% Wa1es o$ pain' %his %ime a..ompanied (* $ain% na"sea' re%"rned as she $ollo&ed Maria#s $oo%s%eps (a.) %o %he Mara 1illage She &as relie1ed %o see %ha% %he .a(o.lo (earers' "nder +ernao#s dire.%ion' &ere in pro.ess o$ pi%.hing %en%s in %he .leared $ringe (eside %he ri1er' (e*ond %he ring o$ Mara h"%s Perhaps (e$ore long she .o"ld e,/."seXhersel$ &i%ho"% losing %oo m".h $a.e In %he 1illage .learing a s.ore o$ small $ires &ere no& ("rning' and %he &omen &ere %ending %heir s"pper po%s In %hese d"%ies %he men seemed %o ha1e no par%K %heir &or) o$ $ishing and h"n%ing m"s% ha1e (een a..omplished earlier in %he da* E)e%i' perhaps mello&ed (* %he po&er$"l lo.al &ine )no&n as )ashiri' m"s% ha1e alread* gi1en permission $or some $ilming %o (e done A% %he $ar side o$ %he .ir.le $ormed (* %he h"%s' Toni .o"ld see T* a% &or) &i%h his e-"ipmen%' %he s"(4e.% $or %he momen% %he *o"ng .hie$%ain himsel$ +or %he (ene$i% o$ %he .amera' E)e%i &as (randishing a spear and loo)ing %horo"ghl* $ero.io"sK he had also donned a (ree.h.lo"% and a $ea%hered ne.)la.e o$ (ea"%i$"l design Wi%h %he ragged shor%s gone and %he $edora no longer on his head' he seemed %o ha1e gro&n in s%a%"re and no(ili%* Ho& odd' m"sed Toni' %ha% E)e%i sho"ld %hin) %he %rappings o$ .i1ili2a%ion (es%o&ed "pon him an* digni%* a% all He &as in$ini%el* more impressi1e no& / a heal%h* handsome man &ho migh% 1er* &ell .a"se hear%a.he in a *o"ng &oman li)e Maria The o%her Mara males s%ood lis%ening %o %heir o&n 1oi.es on %ape' so %o%all* en%hralled (* 5arne*#s Nagra so"nd s*s%em %ha% %he* paid no a%%en%ion a% all %o %he &hirring Arri$le, .amera / a r"se %ha% m"s% ha1e (een s"gges%ed (* L"is L"en%al A% E)e%i#s orders' %he $ilming .ame %o a (rie$ hal% &hile he heard Maria#s sh*/e*ed and %o%all* $a(ri.a%ed repor%' no% one &ord o$ &hi.h Toni "nders%ood She "sed %he oppor%"ni%* %o spea) -"ie%l* %o T* 7hisholm' &ai%ing "n%il he had li$%ed his e*e $rom %he

1ie&$inder Where#s Dr L"en%al' T*3 T* ("sied himsel$ &i%h .hanging lenses' no% loo)ing "p $or %he momen% In a h"% o1er %here' loo)ing o1er %he si.) (a* There#s -"i%e a line"p Las% %ime I sa& him' he &as remo1ing a plas%er .as% $rom someone#s leg Toni glan.ed (rie$l* (a.)&ard and sa& a .l"s%er o$ Mara .hildren s"rro"nding an "nmis%a)a(le %all $ig"re L"en%al &as in pro.ess o$ demons%ra%ing his s%e%hos.ope %o a rap% *o"ng a"dien.e' and i% appeared he migh% (e %ied "p $or a %ime Do *o" %hin) *o" and 5arne* .an ge% along &i%ho"% me $or a &hile3 S"re T* a% las% loo)ed "p Wha%#s %he ma%%er' lo1e / $eeling "nder %he &ea%her3 I $eel $ine' T* +i% as a $iddle 5"% m* $ee% are a li%%le sore $rom %he %re) I %ho"gh% I#d go and lie do&n in m* %en% / ("% don#% %ell %ha% %o L"en%alJ Wha% shall I %ell him' %hen3 Tha% I#m re$reshing m* ma)e"p 5"% don#% %ell him an*%hing "nless he as)s He pro(a(l* &on#% e1en no%i.e I#m missing 5"% *o" &ill (e aro"nd a% s"pper%ime' I pres"me' T* no%ed' %"rning (a.) %o his Arri$le, I#m %old &e#ll (e ea%ing soon E)e%i has o$$ered %o le% "s share his meal A..ording %o L"en%al' %here#s an old grandmo%her &ho .oo)s $or his highness %he .hie$ He sa*s she#s a hag %o loo) a%' ("% she p"%s %oge%her %he (es% .ho& in %he 1illage T"r%le#s eggs %onigh%' I hear The* %ried %o shoo% a ho&ler mon)e* in o"r honor' ("% didn#% s"..eed I#m glad o$ %ha%' said Toni $ain%l*' %hin)ing o$ %he almos% h"man li%%le $a.es she had seen in a dis%an% %ree earl* %ha% morning S%ill (ending o1er his .amera' T* dra&led &i.)edl*' L"en%al sa*s %he Mara ea% an* damn %hing %ha%#s edi(le' e1en gr"(s Don#% (e s"rprised i$ *o" $ind a $e& in %he po% Na"sea .lim(ed %o Toni#s %hroa% and .l"ng %here' re$"sing %o o(e* .ommon sense Perhaps I#ll pass on s"pper' T* I#m no% h"ngr* no&' and i$ I ge% h"ngr* la%er I ha1e some dr* (is."i%s in m* )i%' and some .ho.ola%e T* glan.ed "p&ard' his p".)ish $a.e &earing %he %o%all* inno."o"s e,pression %ha% %old Toni he &as "p %o no good I$ *o" don#% $an.* %"r%le#s eggs' ho& a(o"% piranha3 Tha%#s %he o%her %hing on %he men" L"en%al sa*s i% %as%es 1er* de.en%

Toni s&allo&ed a s%rong "rge %o ma)e a $ool o$ hersel$ Despera%e no&' she longed onl* %o s%re%.h o"% in %he pri1a.* o$ her o&n %en% and sleep "n%il morning And %here are a $e& more spe.ial%ies o$ %he ho"se / +or on.e Toni didn#% gi1e a damn i$ T* had %he las% la"gh Don#% (o%her going %hro"gh %he &hole men"' T* This %ime *o" &in I .on$ess I .o"ldn#% ea% piranha i$ m* li$e depended on i% 7o"ldn#% *o" ma)e some e,."se $or me3 Tell L"en%al an* old %hing Tell him *o"rsel$' &in)ed T*' and %"rned (a.) %o res"me $ilming (e$ore E)e%i de.ided %o %a)e o$$ in $a1or o$ %he mira.le sho& (eing o$$ered (* 5arne* Toni $el% her el(o& gripped s%rongl* $rom (ehind a% %he 1er* momen% &hen she $el% her legs &ere going %o gi1e o"% !o"#ll ea% &he%her *o" li)e i% or no%' .ame a lo& s%eel* .ommand a% her ear I% &o"ld (e r"de (e*ond (elie$ %o %"rn do&n E)e%i#s hospi%ali%* no& Wi%h $ood hard %o .ome (*' he#s gone %o grea% e$$or% %o p"% %oge%her a meal $or so man* 1isi%ors Do *o" &an% %o 4eopardi2e *o"r pro4e.% 4"s% (e.a"se *o"r appe%i%e re(els a% %he idea o$ piranha3 Toni#s senses l"r.hed' ("% she 1oi.ed no $"r%her pro%es% S"mmoning %he dregs o$ inner s%reng%h' she %"rned "n%il all o$ %ha% long lean (od* &as in 1ie& L"Ts L"en%al#s e*es $as%ened a% on.e on her lips' and in %hem &as a .old .hallenge As E)e%i sa*s' he mo.)ed' piranha ea% "s' &e ea% %hem The Mara &o"ld no% s"r1i1e in %his hard &orld i$ %he* had &ea) s%oma.hs s".h as *o"rs T* o1erheard and %"rned (rie$l*' $ro&ning Toni#s ne1er had a &ea) s%oma.h (e$ore Perhaps she#s no% $eeling %oo &ell' despi%e &ha% she sa*s I#m $ine' pro%es%ed Toni' p"lling hersel$ %oge%her (* sheer gri% $or.e o$ &ill I s"ppose I .an s%oma.h piranha i$ I reall* m"s% Hood L"is L"en%al released his grip on her arm 5e.a"se i$ %here#s %he sligh%es% indi.a%ion %ha% *o"#re no% $eeling &ell' I#ll ha1e %o ge% *o" a&a* $rom %his 1illage a% on.e O%her&ise0 (e prepared %o ea% &i%h o"r hos% in hal$ an ho"r Some%hing %old her i% &as no% an idle %hrea% And so' (e.a"se she .o"ld no% allo& %he mission %o a(or% on her (ehal$' she %"rned %o help &i%h %he $ilming' all hope o$ a res% $orgo%%en Se1eral min"%es la%er' de%ermined %o pro1ide 1isi(le proo$ %ha% her ph*si.al .ondi%ion did no% &arran% spe.ial %rea%men%' she $o"nd hersel$ helping T* and 5arne* as %he* .arried %heir e-"ipmen% %o&ard %he %en%s on %he $ringe o$ %he Mara 1illage / a displa* o$ de%ermina%ion di.%a%ed largel* (* %he $a.% %ha% she )ne& L"is L"en%al &as &a%.hing her

A% %he %en%s she separa%ed $rom her %eamma%es in order %o $reshen $or %he e1ening She &as no% alone in $eeling ho%' s%i.)* and %horo"ghl* dishe1eled a$%er %he long a$%ernoon %re) %hro"gh %he 4"ngle T* and 5arne* 1o%ed in $a1or o$ a -"i.) dip in %he s%ream' in a spo% %ha% had (een $en.ed o$$ %o pre1en% in$es%a%ion (* piranhaK Toni de.ided in $a1or o$ a &e% .lo%h and a small go"rd o$ &a%er pro1ided (* +ernQo I% helped %o appl* oin%men% %o her s)in and ge% in%o $resh .lo%hes' and Tom#s spiri%s had lined some&ha% (e$ore i% &as %ime %o re4oin E)e%i She &as peering in%o a small mirror' appl*ing (righ% pin) lips%i.) %o gi1e her $a.e some .olor' &hen 5arne* appeared a% %he %en% $lap she had opened in order %o admi% more ligh% He &as ne&l* &ashed' (r"shed and sha1ed and had .hanged in%o a $resh shir%' a &hi%e one %his %ime' in honor o$ %he o..asion M* Hod' e,.laimed 5arne* &i%h his e*es on Toni#s lips%i.) %"(e' %ha%#s 4"s% %he %hing I $orgo% %o (ring a $el% mar)er %o ma)e no%a%ions on m* %ape reels' and I#1e (een loo)ing all o1er $or some%hing %o "se Is %ha% s%"$$ indeli(le3 Onl* &hen i%#s on some%hing o%her %han lips' Toni ass"red him &i%h a las% grima.e in %he mirror The hair' smoo%h and shin* as li.)ed ("%%ers.o%.h' &as %he onl* %hing %ha% passed m"s%er in her e*esK her $a.e &as $ar %oo pale An* .han.e I .an (orro& i% $rom *o"3 Toni repla.ed %he .ap o$ %he lips%i.)' p"% do&n %he mirror and %ossed %he small gil% %"(e in 5arne*#s dire.%ion 5e m* g"es% And no need %o h"rr* a(o"% re%"rning i% I ha1e ano%her 5arne* %".)ed %he %"(e in%o his .lean shir% po.)e% &i%h a gra%e$"l grin No& h"rr* along' lo1e L"en%al#s sen% a Mara es.or% %o (ring "s %o E)e%i#s h"%' and %hose &arriors ma)e me damn ner1o"s !o" )no& %hose ."rare/%ipped spears o$ %heirs3 I almos% (a.)ed in%o a ni.e sharp one &hen I &as %r*ing %o ge% m* Nagra a&a* &i%ho"% losing i% al%oge%her L"en%al &arned me 4"s% in %ime Toni sh"ddered and eased hersel$ o"% o$ her %in* .ramped %en% %o 4oin 5arne* Aro"nd here i% seems a li%%le %oo eas* %o ma)e a $alse s%ep' she said more prophe%i.all* %han she )ne& Someho& she managed %o $or.e hersel$ in%o %he appropria%e (eha1ior $or %he ne,% %&o ho"rs The meal &as made .onsidera(l* easier (e.a"se o$ %he Mara a%%i%"de %o &omen@ Toni $o"nd hersel$ ea%ing a% a respe.%$"l dis%an.e $rom %he men I% &as a silen% meal shared &i%h %he old (eldam &ho .oo)ed $or E)e%i' &ho seemed %oo%hlessl* pleased %o dip her $ingers in%o Toni#s (o&l &hene1er she .o"ld Someho& %he (o&l go% emp%iedK and onl* Toni and %he old grandmo%her )ne& ho&

The men &ere o.."pied o1er dra$%s o$ po%en% $ermen%ed )ashiri &hen Toni $inall* s%"m(led o$$ %o her readied %en% Hammo.)s .o"ld no% (e sl"ng in %en%s as small as hers' so a %hin l"mp* ma%%ress and a pillo& o$ piassa1a $i(er had (een dragged in%o pla.e / (o%h' +ernQo in$ormed her' %he proper%* o$ L"is L"en%al himsel$ She pla.ed her $lashligh% on %he ma%%ress' ligh%ed a h"rri.ane lan%ern %o lea1e ("rning in i%s s%ead' se."red %he %en% $lap &i%h some .are agains% %he .rea%"res o$ %he nigh% and dropped on%o %he ma%%ress &i%ho"% e1en remo1ing her (oo%s Le% %he ho&ler mon)e*s do %heir &ors%' she %ho"gh% as she slid in%o sleep Tonigh% she &o"ld no% hear a %hing / CHAPTER FIVE

IT WAS NOT LONH PAST DAWN &hen %he .ommo%ion dragged Toni (a.) %o %he land o$ %he &a)e$"l Ho&ler mon)e*s3 No' %hose &ere h"man so"nds' and %here &as an "gliness' a mena.e' in %he 1er* air She rolled o$$ her ma%%ress' $eeling ill' &re%.hed and all %he more misera(le (e.a"se she had slep% in her .lo%hes Her an)les a(o1e %he %igh%l* la.ed (oo%s &ere s&ollen' she &as s"re' and so &as e1er* o%her par% o$ her 5"% a% leas% (enea%h %he (oo%s her $ee% &ere so n"m(ed %ha% she .o"ld $eel no%hing a% all Her mind &as s%ill (leared &i%h %he long sleep &hen she s%"m(led %o her %en% $lap' opened i% / and $ro2e Li)e a s.ene o"% o$ a (ad dream' %&o near/na)ed and "%%erl* sa1age/loo)ing Mara &arriors &ere g"arding %he en%ran.e %o her %en% The* &ore no smiles %o so$%en %he in%imida%ing e$$e.% o$ %heir lip dis)s' and %heir spears &ere poin%ed dire.%l* a% her She in.hed her &a* in%o %he open' mo1ing &i%h %he "%mos% .ir."mspe.%ion' and s"(sided &hi%e/$a.ed in%o a si%%ing posi%ion in her %en% en%ran.e The &a1ing spear %ips &arned her %o go no $ar%her A -"i.) appraisal o$ %he si%"a%ion %old her %ha% T* and 5arne* &ere in similar dire s%rai%s' in %he en%ran.e o$ %he ad4a.en% %en% no more %han %en $ee% a&a* Wha%#s happened3 Toni as)ed in a h"shed 1oi.e The %igh%ness o$ (rea%h %ha% had %ro"(led her on %he pre1io"s da* had re%"rned' ("% "nder %he .ir."ms%an.es %he .ondi%ion seemed en%irel* na%"ral She )ep% one e*e on %he 1er* %ips o$ %he spears' &here a sli.) dar) (ro&n s"(s%an.e .o"ld mean onl* one %hing As) 5arne*' said T* dole$"ll*

Pra.%i.all* no%hing#s happened' said 5arne*' so"nding sha)en All I did &as go %o %he edge o$ %he 4"ngle a(o"% $o"r o#.lo.) %his morning' onl* a $e& %rees pas% %he .learing I &as a li%%le dr"n)' or I#d ne1er ha1e had %he .o"rage We s%a*ed "p &i%h E)e%i' drin)ing )ashiri "n%il shor%l* (e$ore %hen T* &as in pre%%* (ad shape' %oo T* p"% in his %&o .en%s &or%h o$ sel$/de$ense Hell' Toni' *o" )no& &e don#% "s"all* o1erdo i% 5"% L"en%al &as gi1ing E)e%i a long le.%"re on %he 1ir%"es o$ %a)ing a &i$e and raising a $amil* / or so &e ga%hered' $rom %he odd sna%.h &e .o"ld "nders%and The* &ere spea)ing Por%"g"ese' a sor% o$ &ee)l* lesson' and i% &as pre%%* (oring We $ig"red i% &o"ld (e r"de %o &al) o"% on %hem' and as &e .o"ldn#% "nders%and more %han %he odd &ord0 &ell' *o" )no& ho& i%/is We ind"lged a li%%le %oo m".h Wh* on ear%h did *o" go in%o %he 4"ngle3 Toni as)ed' &i%ho"% %a)ing her e*es o$$ %he spear %ips The ho&ler mon)e*s had 4"s% s%ar%ed "p %heir din' .ame 5arne*#s misera(le admission' and I de.ided I migh% as &ell s%a* "p and re.ord some nigh% so"nds I% &as a .ra2* %hing %o do' I )no& I% doesn#% so"nd e,a.%l* (righ%' Toni agreed dr*l*' ("% i% doesn#% seem li)e a p"nisha(le o$$ense' ei%her Wh* on ear%h &o"ld %he Mara .are3 There seems %o (e a s%rong s"spi.ion %ha% 5arne* had an assigna%ion &i%h a Mara &oman' T* re1ealed M* Hod' I &o"ldn#% %o".h one o$ %hose dames &i%h a %en/$oo% pole' 5arne* sh"ddered' no% a$%er %he s%ories &e heard There isn#% eno"gh )ashiri in %he &orld %o ma)e me do a dam$ool %hing li)e %ha% A %hro((ing head and a.hing (od* &ere %he las% o$ Toni#s &orries no&@ %he si%"a%ion so"nded $ar %oo serio"s $or her li)ing 7an#% Dr L"en%al do an*%hing %o help3 L"en%aPs in %he 1illage no&' %r*ing %o %al) some sense in%o E)e%i and %he o%her men +ernQo here / T* %il%ed a sho"lder a% %he %en% on %he $ar side o$ his o&n' and Toni ris)ed a side&a*s glan.e / +ernQo and %he o%her .a(o.los are in %he same (oa% as "s Wai%ing $or %he 1erdi.% A% %he %hird %en%' +ernQo sa% &i%h his head (o&ed' his $a.e seamed &i%h lines o$ resigna%ion 5eside him' h"ddled in e-"al miser*' &ere %he %&o o%her men &ho had ser1ed as (earers d"ring %he 4"ngle %re) o$ %he pre1io"s da* Al%ho"gh +ernQo spo)e %he Mara diale.%' he &as ma)ing no e$$or%s %o .on1erse &i%h %he men &ho s%ood g"ard And (e.a"se he spo)e no English' his head had no% e1en li$%ed a% %he presen% .on1ersa%ion 5arne* in%er4e.%ed a no%e o$ hope$"lness L"en%al sa*s %his $ello& E)e%i isn#% as

ho%headed as %he man &ho &as .hie$ (e$ore In $a.%' &e %ho"gh% $or a %ime %ha% %he &hole %hing &as going %o (lo& o1er' "n%il someone iden%i$ied %he girl I#m s"pposed %o ha1e (een leading do&n %he garden pa%h Whi.h girl &as i%3 The one in %he dress Maria' groaned Toni Her hear% san) ano%her in.h' i$ %ha% &as possi(le Maria &as do"(%less some&here inside %he 1illage .ir.le' $a.ing a $a%e similar %o %ha% no& (eing (randished no% %&o $ee% $rom her o&n $a.e Perhaps *o"#d (e%%er %ell me more a(o"% ho& i% all .ame a(o"%' she said -"ie%l* The Mara ha1e a .ra2* li%%le ."s%om' 5arne* e,plained The* all ge% "p a% a(o"% $o"r in %he morning' %he &hole damn 1illage I%#s one o$ %he %hings %ha% ga1e me %he g"%s %o go and s%ar% re.ording The* don#% ha1e .lo%hes and %he* don#% ha1e (lan)e%s' T* in%er4e.%ed' so in %hose ho"rs (e$ore da&n' &hen i% ge%s reall* .old' %he* go and %a)e a long dip in %he s%ream To &arm "p' i$ *o" .an (elie1e i% A hell o$ an i.* pla.e %o &arm "pJ We learned some o$ %hese %hings las% nigh% a$%er *o"#d %a)en o$$ %o (ed 5arne* %oo) o1er %he e,plana%ion Se1eral people sa& me .oming o"% o$ %he %en% &i%h a $lashligh% and heading $or %he edge o$ %he 4"ngle The* didn#% pa* me m".h a%%en%ion a% %he %ime 5"% %hen' &hen %he* &ere all $iling (a.) $rom %he ri1er some %ime la%er' %he* spo%%ed Maria .oming o"% o$ %he 4"ngle Someone remem(ered she hadn#% (een $or %he .omm"nal s)inn* dip' so0 The Mara al&a*s loo) $or a -"ie% li%%le noo) in %he 4"ngle &hen %he* &an% %o ma)e lo1e' T* said gl"ml* Par%l* $or pri1a.*' par%l* (e.a"se i% .an#% (e managed %oo &ell in a hammo.) Tha%#s ano%her %hing L"en%al %old "s las% nigh%' &hen &e .ommen%ed on %he la.) o$ &alls Maria .laims she onl* &an%ed %o (e alone' ("% no(od* (elie1es her' 5arne* added So %he* p"% %&o and %&o %oge%her and .ame "p &i%h %&o' T* remar)ed in gl"m .on.l"sion Toni re$le.%ed A$%er *es%erda*#s .on1ersa%ion in Maria#s pri1a%e pla.e' she $or one (elie1ed %he Mara girl I% &as -"i%e li)el* %ha% Maria had gone %o her pri1a%e pla.e %o a1oid %he morning#s .omm"nal n"di%*' espe.iall* &i%h s%rangers aro"nd 5"% %ha%' (e.a"se i% &as a need %he o%her Mara &o"ld no% "nders%and' &o"ld (e 1er* hard %o pro1e And &here &ere *o" (* %he %ime %he Mara .ame (a.) $rom %heir s&im' 5arne*3

Toni as)ed Asleep in m* %en% Hood Lord' I &asn#% %&o %rees pas% %he edge o$ %he .learing &hen i% .ame %o me &ha% a .ra2* %hing I &as doing I high%ailed i% (a.) %o (ed %he $irs% %ime some%hing mo1ed in %he dar) / and (elie1e me' i% &asn#% a &oman And no(od* sa& *o" go (a.) %o *o"r %en%3 No 5* %hen %here &asn#% a Mara &i%hin spo%%ing dis%an.e And %he* s%a*ed do&n a% %he ri1er $or nearl* an ho"r' T* p"% in' so %here &as plen%* o$ %ime $or %he &ors% %o happen E,.ep% %ha% i% didn#%' 5arne* gloomed Hell' I passed o"% &i%ho"% e1en %a)ing o$$ m* .lo%hes A% %ha% poin% I .o"ldn#% ha1e managed a ("%%on' le% alone a (road A sidelong glan.e .on$irmed %ha% 5arne* &as s%ill &earing las% nigh%#s .lo%hes' %he &hi%e shir% no& a li%%le %he &orse $or &ear Tom $or one $o"nd e1er* &ord o$ %he s%or* -"i%e .redi(le' ("% she &as no% %he one %ha% needed .on1in.ing Oh' Lord Her %ee%h &orried a% her lip as she .onsidered %he apparen% hopelessness o$ %he si%"a%ion All her .on%in"ing ph*si.al s"$$erings seemed "nimpor%an% in .omparison %o %hose %hrea%ening spear %ips' &hi.h had no% &a1ered (* so m".h as an in.h There &as no poin% e,pe.%ing "nders%anding $rom %he Mara &arriors &ho &ere s%anding g"ard Their lip dis)s' %heir rippling m"s.les and %he an%agonis%i. e,pressions on %heir $a.es promised no -"ar%er a% all L"is L"en%al had said se1eral %imes %ha% %he Mara %ended %o (elie1e onl* %hose %hings $or &hi.h %he* had %he e1iden.e o$ %heir e*es And ind"(i%a(l*' &i%h 5arne*#s en%r* in%o %he 4"ngle and Maria#s s"(se-"en% e,i%' %he* (elie1ed %he* did ha1e %he e1iden.e o$ %heir e*es So &h* no% in4e.% some di$$eren% e1iden.e3 5arne*' she said slo&l*' do *o" s%ill ha1e %ha% lips%i.) %"(e I ga1e *o" *es%erda*3 5arne* pa%%ed his (reas% po.)e% !es' he a.)no&ledged 7an *o" manage %o ge% a $e& %ra.es o$ i% on *o"r shir%$ron% &i%ho"% %hose g"ards no%i.ing3 No% %oo m".h' and in an in.onspi."o"s pla.e Perhaps "nder %he shir% .ollar or on *o"r .hes% Ma*(e T* .an .o1er $or *o" Smar% girl' m"rm"red T*' a% on.e "nders%anding Toni#s in%en% E1en E)e%i admired o"r ni.e .lean shir%s las% nigh%

He %hen .o"ghed lo"dl* and rose %o his $ee% &i%h one &ar* e*e on %he &a1ing spears In a lo"d o(s%repero"s 1oi.e he s%ar%ed %o spea) %o %he g"ards' ges%i."la%ing all %he &hile +or a $e& 1i%al se.onds no e*es ("% Toni#s paid a%%en%ion %o %he o%her Ameri.an man s%ill sea%ed on %he gro"nd' .ro".hing o1er his )nees in seemingl* inno."o"s $ashion Done' m"rm"red 5arne* as he s"rrep%i%io"sl* %ossed some%hing small in%o %he %en% (ehind him / %he %"(e o$ lips%i.)' Toni &as s"re He $lashed a s&i$% $re.)led grin a% Toni No& i%#s "p %o *o"' s&ee%hear% I$ *o" .an onl* ge% +ernao %o %ransla%eN Wi%h +ernQo#s help i% &as no% hard %o .on1in.e %he Mara g"ards %ha% i% had (een Toni' no% Maria' &ho had en%er%ained 5arne* d"ring %hose preda&n ho"rs Wi%h %he e1iden.e o$ smeared pin) lips%i.) on %he "nderside o$ 5arne*#s .ollar' and a li%%le more %ha% he had managed %o s%ro)e on%o his .hes%' %he $a.%s seemed in.on%ro1er%i(le Wi%hin momen%s %he prisoners &ere (eing led %o E)e%i The Mara &ere o(ser1an% i$ no%hing else Man* people .o"ld %es%i$* %ha% 5arne* had donned a $resh shir% (e$ore %he pre1io"s nigh%#s $eas% Man* had seen him (a%hing in %he ri1er' his $lesh "nmar)ed (* %hose %ra.es o$ dis%in.%i1e pin) Man* .o"ld remem(er %he e,a.% .olor o$ %he lips%i.) Toni had (een &earing' and %he* all )ne& i% &as no% %he .olor o$ %he "r".Y s%ain on Maria#s $a.e And e1er* single Mara %ri(esman' in.l"ding E)e%i himsel$' )ne& %ha% 5arne* and T* had s%a*ed "p "n%il all ho"rs drin)ing )ashiri %ha% %he* had no% re%"rned %o %heir %en% "n%il shor%l* (e$ore %he ho&ler mon)e*s se% "p %heir din The onl* %ime 5arne* and Toni .o"ld ha1e (een in%ima%e &as d"ring %he period &hen %he Mara &ere a% %he ri1erK and %he lips%i.) smears ser1ed as proo$ %ha% %he* had indeed (een in%ima%e And i$ 5arne* had (een (edded do&n &i%h Toni' ho& .o"ld he possi(l* ha1e repea%ed %he $ea% &i%h Maria in s".h a shor% spa.e o$ %ime3 I &o"ld ha1e men%ioned i% (e$ore' ("% I &as %r*ing %o pro%e.% Toni' 5arne* insis%ed &hen as)ed &h* he had no% re1ealed %he $a.%s (e$ore Is she &or%h pro%e.%ing3 L"is L"en%al m"%%ered .on%emp%"o"sl* %hro"gh his %ee%h' (e$ore he %"rned %o rela* %he la%es% de1elopmen%s %o E)e%i The &hole .harade p"% a so"r %as%e in Toni#s mo"%h' despi%e %he reprie1e $rom %hose %hrea%ening spears 5"%' she re$le.%ed &i%h sin)ing spiri%s as she &a%.hed L"is L"en%al spea)ing pers"asi1el* %o E)e%i' %he &ors% %hing &as %ha% i% had pro(a(l* no% (een ne.essar* a% all 5* %he %ime %he Mara g"ards had herded %heir ("n.hed prisoners in%o %he 1illage o1al %o displa* %he ne& e1iden.e %he* had (een sho&n' L"is L"en%al had alread* (een in pro.ess o$ leading a 1er* $righ%ened Maria in%o one o$ %he h"%s' along &i%h se1eral o$ %he Mara men' among %hem E)e%i himsel$ Maria#s (en% shamed head had %old a par% o$ %he s%or*K so had %he s%on* e,pression on E)e%i#s $a.e A% L"en%aPs s"gges%ion' Maria &as %o

(e e,amined $or e1iden.e o$ %he 1irgini%* she persis%ed in pro%es%ing 5"% %he do.%or#s &ord alone &as no% %o (e %a)en (* %he s"spi.io"s Mara (ra1esK %he %ri(e#s 1enge$"l males &an%ed %o see $or %hemsel1es A% leas%' m"sed Toni' Maria had (een s.ared %he indigni%* o$ a p"(li. e,amina%ion' some%hing %ha% &o"ld ha1e mor%i$ied %he pain$"ll* %imid girl (e*ond (elie$ A$%er m".h rhe%ori. among %he Mara males' E)e%i and his $ello& %ri(esmen had a..ep%ed 5arne*#s &ord' (a.)ed as i% &as (* %he e1iden.e o$ %he lips%i.) And L"en%al had a..ep%ed %he s%or*' %oo On hearing i% his e*es had gli%%ered &i%h disdain' no% %he relie$ one migh% ha1e e,pe.%ed Perhaps i% &as %ha%' his i.* .on%emp%' &hi.h made Toni $eel .hilled %o %he (one $or %he res% o$ %he morning' despi%e %he gro&ing hea% o$ %he da* Thro"gh a ha2e o$ happenings i% &as L"en%al#s disappro(a%ion %ha% s.ored in Toni#s .ons.io"snessK L"en%al#s lean .*ni.al $a.e %ha% loomed s%rong in her mindK L"en%al#s %a"% mo"%h %ha% %old her %he s"pposedl* "nseeml* (eha1ior did no% mee% &i%h his $a1or Ea.h %ime his e*es %o".hed on Toni' he poin%edl* %"rned a&a* / ("% no% (e$ore she had glimpsed his e,pression' one o$ %he $e& %hings %ha% seemed .apa(le o$ pene%ra%ing her "%%er ph*si.al miser* The res% o$ %he morning passed in $lashes Mara r"nners arri1ing &i%h %he enormo"sl* hea1* sa.)s o$ gi$%s' onl* %hree ho"rs a$%er %he* had (een dispa%.hed %hro"gh %he 4"ngle %o $e%.h %hem / a ("rdened %&o/&a* 4o"rne* %ha% %oo) less %ime %han a single s%re%.h had done on %he pre1io"s da* Then E)e%i dis%ri("%ing %hings@ %he 7ollins ma.he%es and %he al"min"m .oo)ing po%s' and also ma%.hes' (eads' magni$*ing glasses' .om(s and mirrors $or %he &omen' mo"%h organs' .ra*ons' paper' sa.)s o$ sal% T* $ilmingK 5arne* re.ording / (o%h s.r"p"lo"s no% %o ma)e a single $alse mo1e And %hro"gh i% all L"is L"en%al#s s.ornK and a .old' n"m(' hear%si.) $eeling %ha% Toni .o"ld no% e1en (lame .omple%el* on her ph*si.al &re%.hedness !e% &h* sho"ld she .are &ha% he %ho"gh%3 And &ha% righ% did he ha1e %o -"es%ion her morals3 E1en i$ %he morning#s s%or* had no% (een a %o%al $a(ri.a%ion' L"is L"en%al &as no% %he ar(i%er o$ her (eha1ior Ne1er%heless' some inner 1oi.e %old Toni %ha% he did indeed 4"dge herK %ha% she had no% *e% heard %he las% o$ %he morning#s happeningsK %ha% she &o"ld (e sorr*' sorr*' sorr*0 In %he $inal hal$ ho"r (e$ore %he slo&' slogging re%"rn %re) (egan' Toni &as s%ill &ondering i$ %he de.ep%ion had (een &or%h i% The $are&ell .eremonies no& (eing .ele(ra%ed in sonoro"s spee.hes seemed as endless as %he &el.oming .eremonies had (een S%anding on her .omplaining $ee% on %he o"%er $ringe o$ a .ir.le o$ men $illed her &i%h a n"m( en1* $or %he &omen s-"a%%ing else&here' largel* e,.l"ded ("% a% leas% .om$or%a(le in %heir e,.l"sion A% %he momen% a li%%le ."rare s.ra%.h migh% ha1e (een &el.omeK a% leas% i% so"nded li)e a painless end

Senhora' &hispered a %imid $eminine 1oi.e a% Toni#s ear A% %he "rging o$ a slender hand' she hal$ %"rned %o see &ho &as pl".)ing a% her slee1e Sin.e Toni &as s%anding on %he 1er* o"%s)ir%s o$ %he Mara &arriors' a posi%ion di.%a%ed (* her se,' her mo1emen%s &ere "nno%i.ed e1en (* %hose neares% %o her I% &as Maria' as Toni had )no&n i% m"s% (e 7reeping "p $rom (ehind' %he *o"ng girl had (ra1ed %he possi(le &ra%h o$ %he Mara males (* ad1an.ing righ% %o %he 1er* $ringe o$ %he .ir.le in &hi.h %he* had ga%hered $or %he $are&ell .eremonies All aro"nd %he .learing' li%%le h"ddles o$ &omen had hal%ed %heir &or) and &ere &a%.hing %hro"gh sh"%%ered e*es' %heir s.arle%/pain%ed $a.es so s%ill %ha% i% seemed %he* m"s% (e holding %heir (rea%h as one' in e,pe.%a%ion %ha% E)e%i#s righ%eo"s $"r* &o"ld s"rel* $all "pon Maria#s head a% an* momen% +or *o"' &hispered Maria' dar%ing a s&i$% ner1o"s glan.e in E)e%i#s dire.%ion She pressed some%hing small' .old and &eigh%* in%o Toni#s hand and e1apora%ed in%o a near(* .ir.le o$ &omen as silen%l* and as s&i$%l* as she had .ome Toni -"i.)l* re%"rned her a%%en%ion %o %he gro"ping o$ men dire.%l* ahead' in order %o ass"re hersel$ %ha% none o$ %hem had no%i.ed Maria#s lapse +or%"na%el* all e*es &ere %"rned in %he dire.%ion o$ E)e%i' &ho &as in %he a.% o$ de.laiming a leng%h* spee.h And E)e%i himsel$ / had his e*es $li.)ered (rie$l* in Maria#s dire.%ion3 A% $irs% Toni %ho"gh% %he* had' ("% &hen %he *o"ng .hie$%ain .on%in"ed his ora%or* &i%ho"% a single pa"se' she .on.l"ded %ha% Maria#s daring 1en%"re in%o male %erri%or* had no% (een no%ed S"rrep%i%io"sl* Toni e,amined %he %hing %ha% Maria had pla.ed in her hand I% &as a green s%one s"spended on a %hong Al%ho"gh no% a gems%one' i% had (een ine,per%l* .ar1ed %o represen% a re%i.en% %"r%le &i%h i%s head inside i%s shell The s%one appeared %o (e 1er* oldK %he mar)s o$ %he .ar1ing &ere (l"rred (* age 7learl* i% &as a .r"de primi%i1e pie.e and no% li)el* o$ grea% in%rinsi. 1al"eK all %he same Toni &as s"re i% &as one o$ Maria#s mos% pri2ed possessions Perhaps handed (* Maria#s mo%her %o %he pries% &ho had sa1ed one o$ her %&ins $rom .er%ain e,%in.%ion so man* *ears (e$ore3 Toni &as "n"%%era(l* mo1ed (* %he ges%"re Her %hroa% gre& %igh% as she .onsidered &ha% .o"rage i% m"s% ha1e %a)en $or %he Mara girl %o o1er.ome her na%"ral %imoro"sness' espe.iall* in $"ll 1ie& o$ E)e%i 5e.a"se she sensed %ha% Maria &as &a%.hing her no&' and (e.a"se she &an%ed %he *o"ng Mara &oman %o )no& %ha% %he gi$% had (een a..ep%ed in %he spiri% in%ended' Toni -"ie%l* slid %he %hong o1er her head and dropped %he green s%one in%o %he 1alle* (e%&een her (reas%s' &here her shir% &o"ld hide i% $rom %he possi(le ."riosi%* o$ %he Mara men As %he .old s%one .onne.%ed &i%h her $lesh' Toni had %o $igh% (a.) %he (eginnings o$ %ears +or %he $irs% %ime sin.e she and 5arne* had %old %heir $i.%i%io"s %ale' %he )ni$e edge o$ L"is L"en%al#s .on%emp% seemed (l"n%ed And all (* %he memor* o$ %he gra%i%"de %ha%

had shimmered' (rie$l* ("% "nmis%a)a(l*' in Maria#s li-"id e*es Perhaps %he morning#s pre%ense had (een &or%h&hile' a$%er all

LE+T +OOT Righ% $oo% Le$% $oo% Righ% $oo% +orge% %he shoo%ing pains +orge% %he s&ea% +orge% %he inse.%s +orge% %he di$$i."l%* o$ dra&ing e1er* (rea%h +orge% e1er*%hing ("% %he pa%h and %he plodding' plodding on Le$% $oo% Righ% $oo% Perhaps *o" &o"ld (e less &ear*' senhora' i$ *o" had %a)en more sleep in %he nigh% The insidio"s m"rm"r &as so so$% i% &as hardl* lo"der %han %he s%ead* sh"sh/ sh"sh o$ (oo%ed $ee% on %he $loor o$ %he damp 4"ngle pa%h Oh' &h* didn#% L"is L"en%al s%op insin"a%ing his 1er(al %or%"res in her ear3 Righ% $oo% Le$% $oo% Righ% $oo% Toni &as dr* o$ lip' (lear* o$ e*e' &ear* o$ lim(' sore o$ (one and n"m( o$ (rain She a.hed in e1er* 4oin% To (rea%he &as %o s"$$er She hardl* )ne& &ha% L"en%al &as sa*ing' and in her less l".id momen%s she &ondered i$ L"en%al &as reall* %al)ing a% allK i$ his 1oi.e &as onl* a .rea%ion o$ her o&n mind Perhaps i% &as 4"s% a 4"ngle madness %ha% had %a)en possession o$ her The Hreen Hell o$ her o&n imagina%ion Is i% gro&ing di$$i."l%' senhora' %o mo1e *o"r $ee%3 No' %ha% s.orn$"l mo.)er* &as -"i%e real I &arned *o" %his %rip &as %oo hard $or a &oman as so$%' as *ielding' as *o" As I %old *o" (e$ore' I#m prepared %o .arr* *o" S"rel* *o" .an#% .on%in"e %o re$"se3 Toni managed %o sha)e her head in .on.er% &i%h her n"m( plodding legs' in lie" o$ a 1er(al re$"sal Her (rea%hing &as %oo shallo& no& %o allo& $or a responseK she $el% de.idedl* as%hma%i. Are *o" a$raid %o .on$ess *o"r &ea)nesses3 he m"rm"red Or is i% %ha% *o"#re a$raid %o (e held in m* arms3 M* arms are no% so di$$eren%' senhora' $rom %he arms o$ an* o%her man *o"#1e )no&n Me" De"s' ("% *o" are a sill* &oman Ho& .an *o" pre%end %he idea o$ (eing .arried o$$ends *o"3 I% is a $ar less in%ima%e em(ra.e' *o" m"s% admi%' %han %he one *o" s"(mi%%ed %o las% nigh% Toni &as %oo e,ha"s%ed %o respond %o %his rene&ed e1iden.e %ha% L"en%al s%ill (elie1ed %he pre1ari.a%ions o$ %he morning T* and 5arne* had e,plained %he %r"%h %o him shor%l* a$%er %he Mara 1illage had (een p"% (ehind' ("% L"en%al had onl* %"rned his (a.)' his (la.) e*es glin%ing &i%h dis(elie$ and s.orn Wha% &as i% he had m"%%ered %hen3 Li)e %he Mara' %here are %imes &hen I' %oo' (elie1e %he e1iden.e o$ m* e*es

Hi1e in' senhora' %he ine,ora(le m"rm"r &en% on The ("rden on m* (a.) .an (e le$% (ehindK I .an re%"rn $or i% la%er Wh* are *o" so s%"((orn no&3 Las% nigh% *o" &ere no% so loa%h %o lie in a man#s arms Lie %here and more0 Le$% $oo% Righ% $oo% And s%ill %he relen%less m"rm"r assa"l%ed her $rom (ehind Ho& man* %imes ha1e *o" (een held in o%her arms3 Ho& man* di$$eren% men3 And *e% *o" re$"se %o (e held in mine / in %he mos% inno.en% o$ em(ra.es Wh* do *o" .on%in"e %o re$"se3 The de%ermined $or&ard rh*%hm o$ her $ee% ans&ered him She mo1ed li)e an a"%oma%on no&' no% &an%ing %o %hin)' (e.a"se %o %hin) migh% (e %o s%op %he pis%onli)e %hr"s% o$ her pained m"s.lesK %o %hin) migh% (e %o s"(mi% %o L"is L"en%al And %ha% she &o"ld ne1er do Righ% $oo% Le$% $oo% Righ% $oo% A% some poin% earl* in %he %rip %hose s%rong hands (ehind her had (ro"gh% her %o a $or.i(le hal% and remo1ed %he r".)sa.) $rom her sho"lders She had no% o(4e.%ed (e.a"se she had no% had s%reng%h %o o(4e.%K nor had she %han)ed himK nor had she e1en %"rned %o $a.e him When had %ha% (een3 So long ago A %ho"sand %ho"sand s%eps ago And ha1ing remo1ed %he r".)sa.)' he had mo1ed e1en .loser %o her in %he line' so .lose %ha% she .o"ld almos% $eel his (rea%h s%irring in her hair All %he (e%%er %o %or%"re her &i%h his .r"el insin"a%ions !e% perhaps she sho"ld (e gra%e$"l %o L"en%al' $or his %a"n%s had )ep% her going long a$%er e1er* m"s.le in her (od* s.reamed s"rrender As %he* )ep% her going no& Le$% $oo% Righ% $oo% Le$% $oo% Righ% $oo%0 Than) HodJ .ame 5arne*#s hear%$el% e,.lama%ion a shor% %ime la%er' $rom %&o posi%ions ahead in %he line His 1oi.e so"nded 1er* $ar a&a*' ("% she )ne& i% &as no% She raised her head &earil* and hal%ed in her leaden %ra.)s Dire.%l* ahead' %he la%e/a$%ernoon s"nligh% o$ %he hospi%al .learing h"r% her e*es a$%er %he deep gloom o$ %he h"mid rain $ores% I %ho"gh% &e#d ne1er ma)e i%' .ame T*#s e,ha"s%ed ans&er $rom dire.%l* ahead o$ her His ("rdened (a.) &as %"rned' and so Toni had %ro"(le ma)ing o"% %he &ords as he .on%in"ed %o mo1e $or&ard She hersel$ .o"ld no%K her $ee% $el% roo%ed %o %he gro"nd Mo1e along' said a s%eel* 1oi.e $rom (ehind' and &hen she did no% do so' L"en%al added' The %ime $or gi1ing in &as hal$ an ho"r ago S"rel* no& *o" .an $ind s%reng%h %o .on%in"e $or a $e& more $ee%3 T* and 5arne* and all %he .a(o.lo (earers &ere &ell o"% o$ %he 4"ngle no& O"% o$ %he 4"ngle &as onl* a(o"% one s%ep a&a* An e%erni%* a&a* Le$% $oo% Le$% $oo% Le$% $oo%

7#mon' slo&po)e' &ha%#s / T* hal$ %"rned %o loo) o1er his laden sagging sho"lders He s%opped in his %ra.)s Hood Lord' Toni' &ha% is i%3 !o" loo) &Z&Zl Le$% $oo% Her dr* lips $ormed %he &ords hal$ %o hersel$ Her )nees seemed %o ha1e a mind o$ %heir o&n' &an%ing %o mo1e in e1er* &hi.h &a* e,.ep% %he one &a* she &an%ed %hem %o go Wh* &ere %he* all s%aring a% her3 5arne*' T*' e1en %he .a(o.lo%$J And He%"lio / he had emerged $rom %he .lini. ("ilding and h"rried $or&ard a% $irs% so"nds o$ %he par%*#s re%"rn And he &as s%aring' %oo Le$% $oo%' she &hee2ed %o hersel$' and %he e,%ra e,pendi%"re o$ (rea%h .a"sed her %o pi%.h $or&ard She &as hardl* .ons.io"s o$ %he hands %ha% .a"gh% her $rom (ehind (e$ore she .o"ld ma)e .on%a.% &i%h %he $ores% $loorK hardl* a&are o$ %he lo& ."rse %ha% &as gro"nd o"% so .lose %o her earK hardl* a&are o$ %he 1iseli)e grip %ha% p"lled her .lose agains% &arm s"ppor%ing s%reng%h He%"lio' go and prepare a (ed +or no& &e#ll p"% her on %he da*(ed in m* ("ngalo& The ."r% .ommand &as iss"ed (* %he one man Toni .o"ld no% see' %he man &ho had helped ma)e e1er* s%ep o$ %his %rip an e,er.ise in sel$/in$li.%ed %ormen% The senhora needs %o res%' and I %hin) a hammo.) &ill no% do I#m0all0righ%' Toni go% o"% in an "nna%"rall* la(ored 1oi.e The momen% o$ (la.)ness had passed' ("% she &as s%ill %oo $ar gone %o reali2e %ha% she &o"ld no% (e (elie1ed +ee(l* she %ried %o $ree hersel$' ("% her &ea) e$$or%s me% &i%h no s"..ess Toni' *o"#re &hi%e as a shee%' 5arne* said Wh* didn#% *o" sa* some%hing3 Toni $el% hersel$ s&ep% in%o a pair o$ m"s."lar arms (e$ore her legs had ano%her .han.e %o (".)le (enea%h her Me" De"s' gri%%ed %he 1oi.e %ha% had s".h po&er %o .a"se dis%ress !o" $ool' *o" li%%le $oolJ Wha% &ere *o" %r*ing %o pro1e3 He &as angr*' so 1er* angr* She .o"ld %ell (* %he $ero.io"s %ension in his sine&ed armsK she .o"ld %ell (* %he pro(ing $"r* in his e*es' s&eeping o1er her (od*' sear.hing $or %he signs o$ her &ea)ness And someho& %ha%' %he %erri(le anger in L"en%al#s $a.e' seemed %he hardes% %hing %o (ear Tears o1er &hi.h she had no .on%rol sprang %o her e*es and ho1ered %here' s&imming ("% no% sliding o1er her ashen .hee)s Wai%' L"en%aiK *o" .an#% .arr* her &i%h all %ha% s%"$$ on *o"r (a.) Here' le% me helpN L"en%ai e1aded 5arne*#s rea.hing hands &i%h a (i%%er impa%ien% oa%h Ha1en#% *o" alread* done eno"gh3 he rapped o"%' in %he )ind o$ 1oi.e %ha% .a"sed 5arne* %o (a.) a&a* I$ *o"#d allo&ed her a good res% las% nigh%' she#d (e in (e%%er .ondi%ion %oda*

S%and asideJ She doesn#% need a lo1er no&K she needs a do.%or Lea1e her %o meJ I$ *o" so m".h as la* a hand on her' *o"#ll li1e %o regre% i% O"% o$ m* &a*J As L"en%ai s%ar%ed %o s%ride %o&ard %he lo& ("ngalo& %ha% &as his o&n' 5arne* .alled a$%er him' Wha% %he hell#s %he ma%%er &i%h *o"' L"en%ai3 We %old *o" &e in1en%ed %ha% %aleJ I &as in m* %en%' no% hersJ And e1en i$ I had (een her lo1er / &hi.h I ha1en#% / i%#s none o$ *o"r damn ("sinessJ Toni#s her o&n mis%ressJ And e1er*one else#s' .ame a hiss %hro"gh .len.hed %ee%h' %he so"nd so lo& %ha% i% migh% ha1e (een 4"s% ano%her $igmen% o$ Toni#s (en"m(ed (rain Oh' damn I$ her legs and her %ear d".%s had %o (e%ra* her' &h* .o"ldn#% %he* ha1e &ai%ed $or 4"s% %&o more min"%es3 L"en%ai )i.)ed open %he s.reen door %o his ("ngalo& &i%h an impa%ien% (oo%ed $oo% and s%epped inside In her presen% s%a%e' Toni &as in no .ondi%ion %o appraise %he some&ha% Spar%an in%erior Wi%h arms %o s"ppor% her and no need no& $or eno"gh o,*gen %o s"ppor% a s%ren"o"s mar.h' her (rea%hing had (e.ome marginall* easier' ("% %ha% &as o$ li%%le .om$or% She remained m"%el* misera(le a(o"% her s%a%e o$ appalling helplessness' and "nhappil* .ons.io"s o$ %he %all grim/loo)ing man &ho held her in an imm"%a(le grip &hile He%"lio has%il* applied shee%s and a pillo& %o a da*(ed in one .orner +rom %he .lose s%ill &a* L"en%al held her' she )ne& he &as lis%ening &i%h %he pro$essional par% o$ his mind %o e1er* small ra%%le in her .hes% A% las% He%"lio $inished and s%ood (a.) I% is no% so .om$or%a(le as a hammo.)' senhora' he apologi2ed' loo)ing .on.erned' ("% as %he do.%or#s ("ngalo& has no (edroom' and no e,%ra hoo)s "pon %he &alls0 P"lses s"ddenl* "ns%ead*' Toni glan.ed a% her .ap%or All a% on.e she &as gasping again $or %he air %ha% seemed no% %o &an% %o en%er her l"ngs I .an#%0 %a)e *o"r0(ed' she pro%es%ed The da"n%ing line o$ L"is L"en%al#s mo"%h %old her he &o"ld (roo) no arg"men%s I ne1er "se i%' he said in a -"elling 1oi.e' %hen s&i%.hed %o Por%"g"ese A$"i%o (em' He%"lio No& la* an e,%ra shee% o1er %he $oo% o$ %he (ed' &here %he senhora#s (oo%s &ill (e L"en%al added a $e& more ins%r".%ions in Por%"g"ese' and Toni reali2ed he &as as)ing $or his medi.al )i%' &hi.h m"s% ha1e (een a(andoned on %he pa%h He%"lio dropped %he se.ond shee% and %oo) o$$ li)e a 4a.)ra((i%' (anging %he $ron% door (ehind him Toni $o"nd hersel$ laid "pon %he da*(ed more gen%l* %han she#d e,pe.%ed 6na(le %o per$orm a proper e,amina%ion "n%il He%"lio re%"rned' L"en%al mo1ed %o %he $oo% o$ %he (ed and sa% on i%' no% %ro"(ling %o p"ll "p a .hair as he "nla.ed one o$ her m"d/.a)ed (oo%s

Too small' he $ro&ned as he le1ered %he (oo% $rom her $oo% and remo1ed %he so.) I s"spe.%ed as m".h $rom %he &a* *o" &ere &al)ing Moreo1er' *o"r (oo%s &ere la.ed %oo %igh%l* P"shing %he leg o$ her %ro"sers higher' he pro(ed %he an)le and %he .al$ ligh%l*' his s%rong s"re $ingers re$le.%ing none o$ %he anger %ha% ("il% in his $a.e a% sigh% o$ %he $lesh %h"s re1ealed Me" De"s' he (i% o"% "nder his (rea%h' s.o&ling as %ho"gh he did no% li)e %he loo) o$ %he an)le Toni &in.ed &i%h pain and %"rned her e*es a&a* She did no% li)e %he loo) o$ %he an)le' ei%her The li%%le she .o"ld see &as p"$$* and $ain%l* pin) &i%h rash' as she had s"spe.%ed i% migh% (e She had no% "n.o1ered her (od* %his morning' no% e1en %o her o&n e*es / par%l* $rom e,ha"s%ion and par%l*' she admi%%ed no& %o hersel$' (e.a"se she had no% &an%ed %o see The glimpses she had %a)en &hile &ashing prior %o s"pper %he pre1io"s e1ening had (een an*%hing ("% reass"ringK %he rash had (een spreading e1en %hen Ho& horri(le %ha% L"is L"en%al o$ all people sho"ld (e a(le %o &i%ness %he signs o$ her ina(ili%* %o &i%hs%and %he rigors o$ %he 4"ngleJ I &as0all righ%0"n%il %oda*' she lied $ee(l* %hro"gh la(ored (rea%hs L"en%al .ompressed his lips ("% did no% .ommen% on %he pre1ari.a%ion His 1oi.e &as %erse' "rgen% When did *o" $irs% see %his rash3 T"esda*0nigh% !o"r $irs% nigh% here' he m"%%ered And %his shor%ness o$ (rea%h / ha1e *o" e1er (een as%hma%i.3 N0no When did *o" $irs% no%i.e %ha% par%i."lar s*mp%om3 Tha% same0a$%ernoon' she admi%%ed rel".%an%l*' air &hinn*ing o"% &i%h %he e$$or% o$ respira%ion I% &asn#%%oo0(ad0a%%he0%ime I#ll do some%hing a(o"% i% as soon as I de%ermine %he .a"se A% %he momen% he seemed more in%eres%ed in %he .a"se %han in %he s*mp%om' and %he repressed anger in his $a.e s"gges%ed 1er* li%%le .on.ern $or her as a pa%ien% As he "nla.ed %he se.ond (oo%' he as)ed a n"m(er o$ ."r% %elling -"es%ions' man* o$ %hem so in.isi1e %ha% Toni $o"nd hersel$ admi%%ing more o$ %he %r"%h %han she had in%ended The rash0.ame0 a$%er0 %hepi"m0 (i%es &en% do&n' she .on$essed a% las% He dre& a .hair in%o pla.e (eside %he (ed and p"shed her slee1es high on her arms %o e,amine %he $lesh %ha% had (een .on.ealed (enea%h %he .lo%h His inspe.%ion &as

impar%ial and .lini.al' and his $ingers mo1ed o1er %he s"r$a.e no more %han ne.essar* I %old *o" %ha% an* medi.al pro(lems &ere %o (e (ro"gh% %o m* a%%en%ion (e$ore %he %rip %o %he Mara 1illage Do *o" ha1e some e,."se $or ignoring %ha% order3 A&are o$ %he (la.) .ri%i.ism in his 1oi.e' Toni gasped o"% a misera(le lie The0 (i%es0impro1ed' she said I &as0$ine0*es%erda* As he pla.ed his hand on her $orehead' %here &as disappro1al in e1er* %igh% line o$ his mo"%h The hand $el% .ool' s%ead* and reass"ring in a &a* his e,pression did no% E1en i$ %he ini%ial s*mp%oms 1anished $or a %ime' %here#s no e,."se $or %a)ing in%o *o"r o&n hands &ha% sho"ld ha1e (een a do.%or#s de.ision I$ %his happens %o (e some%hing in$e.%io"sN Tha% par%i."lar sen%en.e %railed o$$ on a no%e so dire %ha% Toni had %o .len.h her %ee%h $or a momen% in order %o pre1en% %hem $rom .ha%%ering I#m no%0 %ha%0 si.)' she s%r"ggled o"% a% las% Perhaps no%' he agreed griml*' $inall* remo1ing his hand 5"% %he de.ision &as no% *o"rs %o ma)e Ha1e *o" no .on.ep%ion o$ %he .onse-"en.es i$N/ He s%opped' $or.ed his s.o&l in%o a more orderl* e,pression and s%ar%ed again There#s no poin% se.ond/ g"essing (e$ore He%"lio (rings m* medi.al (ag There ma* (e no pro(lem And as *o" &ere &ell eno"gh las% nigh% %o en%er%ain *o"r $riend0 I0didn#%' she pro%es%ed in a gasp' ("% %ha% onl* .a"sed a deepening o$ %he %h"ndero"s lines aro"nd his mo"%h A% %his poin% He%"lio arri1ed &i%h %he medi.al (ag' $"ll o$ apologies (e.a"se +ernQo had .arried i% %o %he .lini.' .a"sing some dela* A% a ."r% &ord $rom L"en%al' his assis%an% p"lled a small %a(le .loser %o %he (edside' laid o"% %o&els and &ash.lo%hs and 1anished onl* %o re%"rn &i%h a shallo& enamel (asin o$ &a%er Momen%s la%er he le$% Thro"gh %his minor $l"rr* o$ a.%i1i%*' Toni s"(mi%%ed %o %he e,pe.%ed %hermome%er' $lin.hing onl* sligh%l* in %he momen% &hen L"is L"en%al#s $ingers sei2ed her &ris% %o .he.) her p"lse ra%e In %he ne,% $e& momen%s o$ en$or.ed silen.e she &as $ar %oo .ons.io"s o$ %he s%rong $ingers %ha% .ap%"red her &ris%K o$ %he lean grim $a.e (en% in .on.en%ra%ionK o$ %he ass"red e.onomi.al mo1emen% o$ his &ris% as he shoo) %he %hermome%er do&n The %ension in his $a.e rela,ed %o a .onsidera(le degree a$%er he#d read her %empera%"re Ho&0 is i%3U# she &hee2ed Normal His anger had s"(sided' and %here &as a no%e in his 1oi.e %ha% so"nded almos% li)e relie$ She migh% ha1e (een $la%%ered (* %ha% i$ he had no% added so .ooll*'

5"% %ha% doesn#% ne.essaril* mean *o" are I %hin)0I#m a/allergi.0%o %he Ama2on' she .on$essed &i%h di$$i."l%*' ma)ing a sorr* s%a( a% ligh%ness as L"en%al mo1ed $rom %he .hair he had (een o.."p*ing and lo&ered himsel$ on%o %he (ed' onl* a $e& in.hes $rom her &ais% I %hin) *o"#re allergi. %o some%hing else' he .on%radi.%ed gra1el* as he p"shed her .ollar aside %o e,amine her %hroa% Toni )ne& i% &as onl* %he e,%remi%* o$ her o&n dis%ress %ha% .a"sed %he %&o $a% &ai%ing %ears %o lea1e her e*es and slide do&n her .hee)s "n.he.)ed Wh* did he $inall* ha1e %o loo) a% her no&' &hen she loo)ed li)e %his3 And &h* sho"ld an insane %ho"gh% li)e %ha% o.."r %o her3 I% didn#% reall* ma%%er &ha% he %ho"gh%0 And %hen his hands mo1ed %o %he ("%%ons o$ her shir% She )ne& (e%%er %han %o pro%es%' an* more %han she &o"ld ha1e pro%es%ed &i%h an* do.%orK ("% perhaps %he rel".%an.e she did no% 1oi.e &as apparen% in %he s"dden %&is% o$ her mo"%h and in %he &a* she %"rned her head %o %he &all Tr* %o remem(er I#m a do.%or' L"en%al said &i%h a s%rong elemen% o$ sar.asm in his 1oi.e 5"% $or %he momen% his hands ho1ered in %he air a(o1e her (reas%' lea1ing %he ("%%ons alone I% &as %he &ea)ness' i% m"s% (e %he &ea)ness %ha% pre1en%ed her $rom (eha1ing in a ra%ional manner Toni#s $ingers %ra1eled %o her $a.e and s%a*ed %here' spread de$ensi1el*' as i$ (* hiding her .hee)s and her e*es she .o"ld sh"% o"% %he )no&ledge o$ &ha% L"en%al#s e,pression m"s% (e / s.orn$"l' .*ni.al' impa%ien% &i%h %his idio%i. re%i.en.e she &as sho&ing 5eing (i%%erl* ashamed o$ hersel$ $or %hose %&o re.al.i%ran% %ears did no%hing %o help She had no% .ried $or *ears' no% sin.e Ma%%he&#s dea%hK ("% pride pre1en%ed her $rom %elling %ha% %o L"en%al no& Oh' damn' damn' damn S"rel* *o"#re no% al&a*s so modes%' he o(ser1ed in an arid %one Her (rea%h &as ragged' and no% 4"s% $rom %he as%hma%i. e$$e.% I#m no%0 %r*ing %o s%op *o" I%#s 4"s% %ha%08 don#% &an% *o"0*o" or an*one0%o s/see me li)e %his I loo) so0 so a&$"l And %hen' (e.a"se %ha% so"nded li)e s".h a %*pi.all* $eminine %hing %o sa*' and one %ha% &o"ld onl* .a"se a deepening o$ %he disdain in %hose dar) e*es' she s%"%%ered on' I#m s/sorr*' L"isN She .ho)ed $or air and s&allo&ed pain$"ll* as she reali2ed &ha% she had .alled him Dr L"en%al' she .orre.%ed &i%ho"% opening her e*es He did no% .ommen% on her lapse His hands re%"rned %o her shir%' and %his %ime Toni managed %o s%ill her -"i1ering ner1es As %he %op ("%%on s".."m(ed %o his

a"%hori%a%i1e $ingers' he said in a -"ie% reass"ring 1oi.e %ha% held none o$ %he s.orn she had e,pe.%ed' and none o$ %he sar.asm o$ a momen% ago' !o" see' senhora' i% is no% so hard &hen *o" %hin) o$ me as a do.%or and no% as a man And *e% i% &as impossi(le $or her %o %hin) o$ him as an*%hing else Ho& h"milia%ing %ha% an* man sho"ld see her li)e %his' ("% espe.iall* L"is L"en%al As his $ingers .on%in"ed %heir slo& 4o"rne* %o %he se.ond ("%%on and %he %hird' she )ep% her $inger%ips pressed %igh%l* %o her lids She did no% need %o see %o g"ess %ha% all par%s o$ her (od* m"s% loo) m".h as her arms and legs had done Oh' &h* &as she ma)ing s".h a $ool o$ hersel$3 And &h* did she ha1e %o pi.) %his e,a.% momen% in %ime %o s%ar% %hin)ing o$ him as L"is3 He par%ed %he shir% &i%ho"% releasing %he .lip %ha% )ep% her (rassiere in pla.e' on.e again .are$"l %o ma)e .on%a.% no more %han ne.essar* Toni $el% his $ingers %o".h (rie$l* on %he .r"de green s%one %ha% res%ed in %he hollo& (e%&een her (reas%s He m"%%ered an in.omprehensi(le $oreign &ord' one %ha% did no% so"nd li)e Por%"g"ese ("% more li)e %he diale.% spo)en in %he Mara 1illage Where did *o" ge% %ha%3 Then in s&i$% s"..ession he added' Don#% (o%her ans&eringK *o" .an %ell me %omorro& His $ingers' s%rong' .ool' ass"red' mo1ed $or a momen% a% %he (ase o$ her %hroa% and %he (ase o$ her ears' $inding p"lses' $eeling glands The %o".h &as impersonal and pro$essional and did no% las% long Then %he s%e%hos.ope@ and %ha%' %oo' &as done Don#% &orr*' *o"#ll s"r1i1e' he in$ormed her as he nes%ed %he s%e%hos.ope (a.) in i%s .ase !o" sho"ld (e all righ% (* %omorro& 5"% a% %he momen% *o"r s*s%em needs a li%%le help %o sha)e o$$ %he e$$e.%s o$ %hepi"ms The0pi"ms: she .roa)ed $ain%l*' opening her e*es %o as) %he -"es%ion He had mo1ed (a.) %o %he lo& .hair a% %he side o$ %he da*(ed' and %here he sa% / %he (road sho"lders in.lined $or&ard' %he el(o&s loose on his )nees' a dar) $orelo.) $alling o1er his (ro& His hard mo"%h &as e,pressionless' nei%her s%ern nor smilingK his hooded e*es &ere $as%ened %o %he $ingers she had 4"s% lo&ered $rom her $a.e !e% some%hing %old Toni %ha% $or some reason %he diagnosis &as %o his li)ing !o"#re allergi. %o pi"ms' he said dr*l* The pi"ms on %he ri1er "ndo"(%edl* s%ar%ed %he rea.%ion' al%ho"gh $rom &ha% *o" %ell me *o" m"s% ha1e sha)en i% o$$ a% %he %ime 5"% allergies some%imes ha1e a ."m"la%i1e e$$e.%' and I s"spe.% %ha% %he pi"ms a% %he Mara 1illage &ere %he las% s%ra& !o" m"s% ha1e rea.%ed %o %hem 1iolen%l* %he se.ond %ime aro"nd Pi"ms a% %he Mara 1illage3 She s%ared' no% .omprehending' "n%il he &en% on' There &ere -"i%e a $e& pi"ms aro"nd %his morning Didn#% *o" no%i.e3

No' she admi%%ed in a (rea%h* g"lp' no% adding %ha% she had (een %oo misera(le (* %hen %o no%i.e 1er* m".h a% all Hmm He $ro&ned a% her' loo)ing sligh%l* p"22led I$ *o"#d %old me a(o"% %he pro(lem earlier' I .o"ld ha1e gi1en *o" some%hing %o pre1en% %his )ind o$ rea.%ion 5"% as i% is0I#m going %o ha1e %o gi1e *o" a .o"ple o$ sho%s +irs% Adrenalin' %o ge% *o"r o&n de$enses &or)ing Then 5enadr*l / an an%ihis%amine %ha% sho"ld se% *o" %o righ%s The* &on#% help *o"r sore $ee%' o$ .o"rse Onl* a ne& pair o$ (oo%s &ill do %ha% As he leaned o1er %o r"mmage in his medi.al (ag Toni $o"gh% (a.) a desire %o ("rs% in%o %ears o$ &ea) relie$ So i% &asn#% merel* ina(ili%* %o .ope &i%h %he 4"ngle' a$%er allNShe s%r"ggled %o .on%rol %he sill* imp"lse %o .r* as she &a%.hed %he lean in%en% $a.e no& $ro&ning &i%h .lini.al de%a.hmen% a% a s*ringe The .old s&a( o$ al.ohol and %hen %he sharp s%ing o$ a h*podermi. in her arm (ro"gh% her (a.) %o her senses' and a$%er a -"i.) gasp her e,pression (e.ame more orderl* A se.ond sho% $ollo&ed in -"i.) s"..ession' %his %ime aro"sing no a"di(le rea.%ion A$%er %ha% %here &ere %&o $"s.hia/.olored %a(le%s %o (e s&allo&ed' a $ea% Toni managed &i%ho"% %ro"(le Wi%h an "nders%anding o$ her pro(lem (ringing some men%al relie$' a .er%ain amo"n% o$ s%reng%h &as re%"rning Or had %he sho%s alread* done %heir &or)3 The imp"lse %o .r* had 1anished' and al%ho"gh e,ha"s%ion remained' alread* her (rea%hing seemed $ar less la(ored L"is L"en%al s.o&led in %he dire.%ion o$ her hip as he a% las% rose %o his $ee% No& I &an% *o" %o "ndress and gi1e *o"rsel$ a sponge (a%h I %hin) *o"#re .apa(le I#1e le$% *o" some oin%men%' %oo / some%hing %ha% &ill do %he 4o( a li%%le more e$$i.ien%l* %han &ha%e1er *o" ma* ha1e (een "sing Toni p"lled hersel$ "p on %he pillo&' on.e more in .on%rol o$ hersel$ To her mild s"rprise' %he e,er%ion .a"sed no %ro"(le %o her l"ngs Hra%e$"ll* she dre& in a deep (rea%h Am I going %o ha1e %his )ind o$ %ro"(le e1er* %ime I see aZEZ&m3 So %he ins%an% relie$ had no% (een imagined@ %he sen%en.e had .ome o"% &i%h none o$ %he di$$i."l%* o$ (e$ore No% i$ *o" $ollo& do.%or#s orders Tha% in.l"des %a)ing an%ihis%amines &hene1er *o"#re li)el* %o ha1e an en.o"n%er Toni allo&ed hersel$ a deep sigh o$ relie$K %his ne,% mon%h or so in %he Ama2on 4"ngle &o"ld ha1e (een -"i%e impossi(le i$ %he %ro"(le had $lared "p .on%in"all* Do.%or#s orders also in.l"de s%a*ing o$$ *o"r $ee% "n%il $"r%her no%i.e I %hin) *o"#ll (e (a.) %o normal in a shor% %ime' ("% I in%end %o %a)e no .han.es In a li%%le &hile He%"lio &ill (ring *o" a s"pper %ra* Wi%ho"% e,plaining his in%en%' he mo1ed a.ross %he

room and %hro"gh an open door' re%"rning se.onds la%er &i%h one o$ his o&n shir%s !o" .an "se %his as a nigh%shir% / "nless *o"#d pre$er me %o $e%.h *o"r personal sleeping apparel No' I0%ha% &on#% (e ne.essar* A -"i1er o$ &ea)ness %ha% had no%hing %o do &i%h pi"ms assailed her a% %he men%al image o$ %hose lean long $ingers pa&ing %hro"gh her mos% in%ima%e .lo%hing A.%"all*' I#d pre$er %o go (a.) %o m* o&n pla.e (e$ore (ed%ime' she said L"en%al had alread* rea.hed %he $ron% door o$ %he ("ngalo&' his e1iden% in%en% %o lea1e Toni alone &hile she per$ormed her a(l"%ions 5"% no&' &i%h his hand on %he door)no(' he pa"sed and %"rned +or %he $irs% %ime in memor* he loo)ed a% her dire.%l*' $or a long sear.hing momen% In %he deepl* se% e*es %here &as some%hing dar)' ("rning' p"rpose$"l No' he said' I &on#% permi% %ha% Then perhaps *o" sho"ld mo1e me in%o %he hospi%al A(sol"%el* no% !o"#re allergi. / no% ill O%her %han %he pi"m rea.%ion and a $e& (lis%ers on *o"r $ee%' %here#s no%hing &rong &i%h *o" %ha% &on#% (e ."red (* a good res% 5"% / !o"#ll sleep here as long as I %ell *o" %o' he said ."r%l*' and &al)ed o"% Toni#s head $ell (a.) on %he pillo&' and she s%ared a% %he s.reen door %ha% had (anged (ehind him li)e an e,.lama%ion poin% %o %he sen%en.e S"rel* he mean% merel* %ha% he in%ended %o relin-"ish his -"ar%ers %o her' as %he* &ere more .om$or%a(le %han %hose she had (een assigned3 S"rel* he in%ended %o mo1e in%o %he hospi%al &i%h %he o%her men3 S"rel* he had no% mean% %hose &ords %he &a* %he* so"nded Or had he3 CHAPTER SIX

TONI AWAKENED SLOWL! AND REL67TANTL!' 6n&illing %o a(andon %he &arm pleas"ra(le le%harg* ind".ed (* a good sleep and a re%"rn o$ some (odil* &ell/ (eing Her e*es $ea%hered la2il* open %o en.o"n%er a dar)ness &here onl* %he $ain%es% sil1er o$ moonglo& re1ealed shapes and shado&s To her ears .ame a $ain% reg"lari%* o$ (rea%hing / %he so"nd o$ a -"ie% sleeper Disorien%ed $or %he momen%' she .o"ld no%

remem(er &here she &as And %hen she )ne& Wi%ho"% alarm her e*es s.o"%ed %he dar)ness again' $inall* dis.erning %he dim silho"e%%e o$ a hammo.) s"spended no% %en $ee% $rom her (edside I%s %a"% ."r1ed o"%lines %old her i% &as ("rdened (* a h"man &eigh%' and she needed no g"ess&or) %o )no& &hose &eigh% i% &as So he had no% mo1ed %o %he hospi%al ("ilding &i%h %he o%her men0 5"% %he $lee%ing sleep* %ho"gh% &as $ollo&ed (* a 1ag"e .om$or%a(le reali2a%ion S"rel* her imagina%ion had (een o1era.%i1e las% nigh%3 S"rel* his .on.ern &as onl* $or a pa%ien%#s &ell/(eing3 His handling o$ her d"ring *es%erda*#s e,amina%ion had hardl* s"gges%ed in%en%ions o$ a las.i1io"s na%"re Normall* Toni &as aler% and (righ%/e*ed &hen she &a)ened S%ill grogg* %his %ime' she .on.l"ded %ha% %he .olored pills she had (een gi1en m"s% ha1e (een sleeping medi.a%ion o$ some sor% 7er%ainl* she had $allen asleep (e$ore her s"pper had arri1ed las% nigh% She rolled on%o one side' ."rio"s %o see i$ %he promised $ood had (een le$% a% her (edside On %he %a(le &here %o&els and (asin had res%ed las% nigh% her e*e en.o"n%ered &hi%e dishes %ha% gleamed li)e pale (one' l"minis.en% in %he moonligh% She &as no% h"ngr* a% %he momen%' so she rea.hed $or no%hing She &as sleepil* dis%ressed %o dis.o1er %ha% her s%reng%h had no% .omple%el* re%"rned The s%resses o$ %he pas% $e& da*s had %a)en %heir %oll' i% seemed Al%ho"gh medi.a%ion had $reed her (rea%hing and relie1ed %ha% s&ollen sensa%ion' i% had no% *e% res%ored her %o her energe%i. sel$ All %he same' she sho"ld (e gra%e$"l $or %he mer.i$"l relie$ o$$ered (* %he sho%s And %he sponge (a%h' %oo' had .er%ainl*N Wha% sponge (a%h3 Bangles o$ alarm %ingled her %o $"ll &a)e$"lness as she remem(ered %ha% she had done no more %han &ipe her $a.e and her %hroa% She had %ried %o remo1e her shir%' going so $ar as %o ge% one arm o"% o$ a slee1e (e$ore $alling (a.) agains% %he pillo&' e,ha"s%ed She had in%ended %o s%ar% again a$%er a momen%#s res% And %ha% &as %he las% %hing she remem(ered !e% her sear.hing hands no& %old her %ha% she &as 1er* de$ini%el* o"% o$ her o&n .lo%hes' e1er* las% s%i%.h The loose man#s shir% she &ore' %&is%ed aro"nd her midri$$' &as se1eral si2es %oo (ig And (elo& %ha% %here &as no%hing / no%hing ("% s)in %ha% $el% soo%hed' .ool $rom %he Ama2on nigh% and "nmis%a)a(l* .lean A% some poin% a shee% and (lan)e% had (een dra&n "p %o her &ais%' possi(l* no% so 1er* long ago' (e.a"se %he real .hill did no% "s"all* se% in "n%il hal$&a* %hro"gh %he nigh% She had (een sponged .lean sin.e *es%erda*#s 4"ngle %re)' and 1er* %horo"ghl*' %ooK and she had .er%ainl* no% done i% hersel$ A% %he 1er* %ho"gh% o$ &ha% m"s% ha1e happened' pe."liar $eelings assailed her

lo&er lim(s' %"rning %hem sha)* L"is L"en%al migh% a1oid loo)ing a% her &hen she &as a&are o$ his a%%en%ion' ("% had he (een so .ir."mspe.% &hen she &as asleep3 No' dr"gged' .orre.%ed Toni' &i%h a %o".h o$ anger %ha% helped alle1ia%e %ha% $eeling o$ a(4e.% helplessness She needed onl* %he memor* o$ L"is L"en%al#s %erri(le %ension (* %he ri1erside %o %ell her %ha%' gi1en %he .ir."ms%an.es o$ las% nigh%' he m"s% ha1e s".."m(ed %o %he %emp%a%ion %o loo) a% her' and 1er* %horo"ghl*' %oo No do"(% %ha% dar) ("rning ga2e had possessed her $lesh &i%ho"% a -"almK and perhaps %he hands %ha% had (een so impar%ial *es%erda* had (een less so d"ring %he in%ima%e a(l"%ions re-"ired Oh' Lord' ho& long had he $ed his $ier.e h"ngers3 7er%ainl*' in ligh% o$ %his ne& and "nse%%ling de1elopmen%' i% seemed "n&ise %o remain in %his ("ngalo& $or an* longer %han ne.essar*' despi%e all do.%or#s orders %o %he .on%rar* The s"dden e,plosion o$ ho&ler mon)e*s in%o %he dar)ness sha%%ered %he se-"en.e o$ Toni#s %ho"gh%s' ("% onl* momen%aril* The "near%hl* din %ha% had (een so %erri$*ing %&o nigh%s ago &as $ar less so (* no& She .as% a (rie$ glan.e in %he dire.%ion o$ %he hammo.)@ %ha% long lean (od* had no% e1en s%irred a% %he so"nd Wr*l* she re$le.%ed %ha% i% migh% (e possi(le in %ime %o a.."s%om onesel$ %o %he Ama2on / pi"ms' in her .ase' e,.ep%ed S"rel* i$ %he ho&ler mon)e*s had se% "p %heir .a%er&a"ling i% .o"ld no% (e so man* ho"rs $rom da&n3 And i$ she .o"ld s%a* a&a)e "n%il %hen and ga%her her s%reng%h' she .o"ld .er%ainl* manage %he %rip a.ross %he .ompo"nd %o her o&n shel%er The prospe.% o$ "nder%a)ing %he 4o"rne* on her sha)* legs &as da"n%ing' ("% less da"n%ing %han s%a*ing here &i%h her "nner1ing hos% A pin) da&n &as (arel* s%aining %he s)* &hen Toni slid her na)ed legs o"% $rom "nder %he .o1ers She remained sea%ed' no% p"%%ing her $ee% on %he $loor' &hile she loo)ed aro"nd %he dim room %o see i$ she .o"ld spo% her o&n .lo%hes The* &ere no&here in sigh%K perhaps %he* had (een gi1en %o He%"lio $or &ashing3 The* had .er%ainl* needed i%J Her (oo%s' %oo' &ere gone' perhaps $or .leaning' ("% a pair o$ mo..asins / her o&n / &ere on %he $loor (eside %he (ed A"%oma%i.all* she rea.hed o1er and shoo) %hem o"%' as she had (een &arned she m"s% al&a*s do Less %han %hree da*s in %he Ama2on and alread* she &as (e.oming an old handJ She %oo) some (rie$ pleas"re in no%ing %ha% her lim(s &ere on.e more normal in appearan.e@ long' slender' shapel* and' as $ar as she .o"ld see in %his "n.er%ain ligh%' no longer (earing %ra.es o$ an "nsigh%l* rash 5"% i$ %he legs &ere normal in appearan.e %he* &ere normal in no o%her &a*K %he* almos% (".)led &hen she p"% her &eigh% on %hem A momen% passed (e$ore her

e-"ili(ri"m &as res%ored' and she reali2ed %he e$$e.% &as onl* momen%ar* / %he res"l% o$ m"s.le s%rain and possi(l* medi.a%ion She made a $a.e a% %he shir%%ails $lapping a(o"% her %highs 5"% i%s o&ner &as a %all man' and %he shir% .o1ered her ade-"a%el* i$ no% elegan%l* Well' i% &o"ld ha1e %o do She se% one pre.ario"s $oo% o"% %o (egin her 4o"rne* I %old *o" %o s%a* o$$ *o"r $ee% "n%il $"r%her no%i.e' said a .ool a"%hori%a%i1e 1oi.e Toni gasped so$%l*K she &as .er%ain she had no% made a single noise As her )nees ga1e &a* .omple%el*' she .ollapsed (a.) on%o %he (ed and sa% %here s%aring a% L"is L"en%al Ho& .o"ld he possi(l* ha1e heard her o1er %he in.essan% .hor"s o$ earl*/ morning 4"ngle so"nds %ha% $illed %he air3 He had no% s%irred e,.ep% %o %"rn his head His e*es &ere %o%all* &a)e$"l' aler% and dar)l* enigma%i. She had no% *e% gro&n a.."s%omed %o %he ne& dire.%ness o$ %ha% ga2eK i% $illed her &i%h &o((l* sensa%ions Moreo1er' I %old *o" *o" &ere sleeping here "n%il I permi%%ed o%her&ise In %his .ompo"nd e1er*one o(e*s m* orders Where did *o" %hin) *o" &ere going3 To m* o&n -"ar%ers I $eel $ine no& Wha% -"ar%ers3 .ame %he sar.as%i. re4oinder He reared himsel$ "p on one el(o&' &i%ho"% on.e %a)ing his e*es o$$ her $a.e The gro&ing ligh% in %he ("ngalo& re1ealed %ha% he &as .lad in pa4amas o$ a pale .ream .olor %ha% emphasi2ed %he dep%h o$ his %an' &i%h a ligh% (lan)e% %hro&n o1er his lo&er lim(s He%"lio and I loo)ed %ha% shel%er o1er *es%erda*' %o see &ha% .o"ld (e done a(o"% repairing %he .hin)s We de.ided %he &hole s%r".%"re &as %oo "ns%ead* %o (e &or%h %he e$$or%' so He%"lio disman%led i% al%oge%her Toni gasped' %his %ime a"di(l* Those dar) e*es had %"rned de.idedl* derisi1e' and e1en %he normall* grim mo"%h had ."rled in%o %he (eginnings o$ a %a"n%ing smile He%"lio $o"nd no%hing s%range in m* order A h"% li)e %ha% .an (e re("il% in an a$%ernoon' &i%h %he help o$ a $e& .a(o.los $rom %he 1illage He%"lio &ill see %o doing i%0 la%er 5elie1e me' (* %he %ime I permi% *o" %o lie "nder *o"r o&n roo$' %he s%r".%"re &ill (e 1er* m".h so"nder Toni#s poise &as s%ill sha)en And &hen &ill %ha% (e3 S"rel* *o" don#% e,pe.% me %o s%a* here &i%h *o"J His in.ipien% smile 1anished &i%h %he a(r"p%ness o$ a s&i%.h(lade (eing shea%hed He se%%led (a.) on his hammo.) on.e more and res%ed %he (a.) o$ one loosel* ."rled hand o1er his e*es Onl* his mo"%h &as 1isi(le no&' and i% &as e,pressionless ("% $or %he

(i%%er lines %ha% seemed permanen%l* molded in%o pla.e Onl* %&en%*/$o"r ho"rs ago *o" had no s".h -"alms a(o"% sharing -"ar%ers &i%h ano%her man' he poin%ed o"% .*ni.all* Anno*an.e .a"sed Toni %o (i%e her lip so $or.e$"ll* %ha% i% h"r% !o" reall* aren#% going %o (elie1e me' are *o"3 she said' p"%%ing a .a"s%i. ring in%o her 1oi.e No' .ame %he aloo$ ans&er' $ollo&ed (* a $"ll %en se.onds d"ring &hi.h Toni s%eamed in silen.e No%hing happened a% %he Mara 1illage' she s%a%ed a% las%' her 1oi.e &ell .hilled %o .on.eal %he $a.% %ha% she had rea.hed (oiling poin% 5"% e1en i$ i% had' *o" ha1e no reason %o %hin) I#d (e &illing %o s%a* "nder %his roo$ S"rel* *o" don#% (elie1e' .ame %he arid o(ser1a%ion' %ha% I &o"ld %a)e ad1an%age o$ %he si%"a%ion I am a do.%or' senhora' and *o" are m* pa%ien% As long as %ha% si%"a%ion persis%s *o" are -"i%e sa$e &i%h me !o" &ill mo1e o"% &hen I allo& i%' and no% (e$ore And I &ill .er%ainl* no% allo& i% (e$ore I de.ide *o"#re ."redJ Whi.h' i$ *o" .on%in"e %o e,er.ise *o"r .hildish emo%ions' ma* (e longer %han *o" %hin) E1er* a%om o$ Toni#s (od* -"i1ered' par%l* (e.a"se she &as s"re she had managed %o .on.eal her emo%ions 1er* &ell +or.e o$ ha(i% helped her %o hold her %ong"e "n%il she .o"ld .on%rol i% again And e,a.%l* &hen' in *o"r medi.al opinion' &ill I (e ."red3 she as)edK &i%h admira(le .on%rol' .onsidering her .on%in"ing s%a%e o$ anger He rea.%ed %o %he %o".h o$ sar.asm no% a% all I#ll de.ide0la%er A$%er *es%erda*#s e,er%ions' a da*#s res% is pro(a(l* in order' al%ho"gh I ma* allo& *o" o"% o$ (ed $or a $e& ho"rs la%er on I .an hardl* gi1e an in$ormed opinion "n%il I#1e e,amined *o" again Whi.h *o" did las% nigh%' Toni snapped' all .a"%ion s"ddenl* $l*ing %o %he &inds And 1er* %horo"ghl*' rms"reJ I migh% ha1e )no&n &hen *o" ga1e me %hose sleeping pills %ha% *o" onl* &an%ed %o loo) %o *o"r hear%#s .on%en% Wha% did *o" see' Dr L"en%al3 Wha% did *o" %o".hJ The (ron2ed hand a% on.e 1anished $rom his e*es The ga2e %ha% on.e more %"rned in her dire.%ion &as .old' pro"d and disdain$"l Is %ha% *o"r opinion o$ m* pro$essional e%hi.s3 !esJ Then $orm a ne& opinion a% on.e His re%or% &as so posi%i1e and s.orn$"l %ha% Toni sensed he .o"ld onl* (e %elling %he %r"%h Those &ere no% sleeping pills' ("% %he oral an%ihis%amine *o"#ll .on%in"e %o %a)e &hene1er %here#s a prospe.% %ha% *o" migh% en.o"n%er pi"ms0in order' senhora' %ha% I do no% ha1e %o pri.) *o" $"ll o$ so man* holes %ha% *o" $eel li)e a pin."shion I$ *o" didn#% &a)e' i%#s (e.a"se *o"r (od* %old *o" no% %o

&a)e / 4"s% as i% sho"ld (e %elling *o" no& %o lie do&n and s%op %his $oolish $eminine (eha1ior Toni s%ared Was i% possi(le she had (een mis%a)en a(o"% L"is L"en%al3 I% .o"ld 1er* &ell (e %ha% %he pills had no% (een a sleeping medi.a%ion' as her s"spi.io"s mind had s"gges%ed earlier I$ so' she had onl* hersel$ %o (lame $or no% &a)ing All %he same' ho& %horo"ghl* had he $eas%ed his e*es3 An%ihis%amines do ma)e a person sleep*' he &en% on shor%l*' heaping more .oals o$ $ire "pon her head In an* .ase i% &as He%"lio &ho (a%hed *o" and .hanged *o" $or %he nigh% He#s "sed %o orderl* d"%*K he#s (een doing i% $or man* *ears The sha)iness %ha% assailed Toni %his %ime &as d"e %o rea.%ion' no% %o rage I% &as e1iden% %ha% "pon $inding hersel$ .lean and .lad in %he nigh%shir%' she had .ome %o some 1er* &rong .on.l"sions' and %hese had %o (e -"i.)l* re1ised Oh' Lord' &h* had she iss"ed %hose &ild a.."sa%ions3 She ha%ed ha1ing %o apologi2e %o L"is L"en%al' ("% she &as ma%"re eno"gh %o )no& she m"s% do so a% on.e I#m sorr*' she said -"ie%l*' her long lashes $anning do&n&ard %o shield her e*es I seem %o ha1e mis4"dged *o" I %ho"gh% / I%#s 1er* .lear &ha% *o" %ho"gh% The s.orn$"l sardoni. 1oi.e dis.o"n%ed her lo& apolog* !o"r en.o"n%er &i%h %he Ama2on' senhora' appears %o ha1e a$$e.%ed *o"r po&ers o$ reasoning E1en i$ I had "l%erior mo%i1es' ho& .o"ld I possi(l* p"rs"e %hem "nder %he .ir."ms%an.es3 I$ I %ried' *o"r Ameri.an $riends &o"ld s"rel* leap %o de$end *o"r / again %ha% mar)ed' mo.)ing hesi%a%ion / *o"r honor No& lie do&n and res%K i%#s s%ill 1er* earl* Toni $el% a(o"% as large as api"m hersel$ as she se%%led (a.) on %he (ed Alread* %he air &as gro&ing %oo &arm $or %he (lan)e%' and so she p"shed i% a&a* &i%h her $oo%' in%ending %o "se onl* %he %op shee% %o .o1er her lo&er lim(s In %he pro.ess %he nigh%shir% shi$%ed' re1ealing $or one (rie$ ins%an% %oo m".h o$ her %high She glan.ed "p&ard -"i.)l*@ L"is L"en%al &as no longer e1en loo)ing in her dire.%ion 7learl* i% &as no% he &ho had %he nas%* mindK i% &as she hersel$ 7has%ened (* his reprimand and ashamed no& $or her "n4"s% s"spi.ion' she &an%ed %o sa* some%hing %o mend $en.es / i$ s".h a %hing &ere possi(le I reall* am sorr* I% seems *o"#1e had onl* m* &el$are in mind' and I0 I#1e (een .h"rlish I%#s 1er* good o$ *o" %o as) He%"lio %o re("ild %he shel%er When &ill i% (e read*3 There $ollo&ed some momen%s o$ silen.e d"ring &hi.h his onl* .ommen% on her se.ond apolog* &as %o p"% on a so"r e,pression As %o her -"es%ion a(o"% %he shel%er' he

did no% ans&er i% a% all Well' %ho"gh% Toni &i%ho"% p"rs"ing %he ma%%er' he pro(a(l* $o"nd i% hard %o $orgi1e her $or her ill/&arran%ed a.."sa%ions D"ring %his %ime o$ silen.e he %hre& o$$ his (lan)e%' re1ealing %he res% o$ his .ream/.olored .o%%on pa4amas The mo1e delinea%ed %he po&er$"l m"s."la%"re o$ %he long legs a li%%le %oo .learl*' and Toni %"rned her e*es %o o%her par%s o$ %he room This ("ngalo& .er%ainl* &as more s%"rdil* ("il% %han %he small s%r".%"re she had (een assigned earlier@ i%s .eiling as &ell as i%s &alls &ere o$ a .ool &hi%e s%"..o %ha% &o"ld allo& no rain or inse.%s or horri(le .rea%"res o$ %he nigh% %o pene%ra%e The $"rni%"re' (am(oo $or %he mos% par%' &as simple and spare and no% "na%%ra.%i1e M".h o$ %he ("ngalo& appeared %o (e one large room' &hi.h migh% a..o"n% $or %he la.) o$ a (edroom Possi(l* %ha% one open door led %o a dressing room or a s%"d*3 !es' i% had (een %ho"gh%$"l o$ L"is L"en%al %o allo& her %o sleep in here' and %o p"% He%"lio %o &or) on re("ilding Wi%h %ha% ."rio"s pend"l"m e$$e.% %ha% some%imes .omes a$%er mis4"dgmen% o$ ano%her person' Toni (egan %o &onder i$ she had (een "n$air in o%her &a*s +eelings (ordering on &arm%h s%ar%ed %o s%ir as she remem(ered o%her %hings / %he a$$e.%iona%e respe.%$"l &a* %he Mara had gree%ed %he do.%orK %he &a* he had relie1ed her o$ her ("rden d"ring %he 4"ngle %re)K %he &a* he had respe.%ed her rel".%an.e %o "ndress d"ring las% nigh%#s medi.al e,amina%ion I% .o"ld no% (e said %ha% her a%%i%"de %o him had "ndergone a .omple%e re1ersal' ("% i% &as .er%ainl* in %he pro.ess o$ (eing reassessed I promise I#ll $ollo& do.%or#s orders $rom no& on' she said %o %he .eiling Hood' .ame %he ."r% .lipped ans&er' (e.a"se *o" ha1e no .hoi.e Toni sighed I% &as %oo m".h %o e,pe.% %ha% a dedi.a%ed &oman ha%er li)e L"is L"en%al &o"ld a..ep% her %en%a%i1e ges%"res o$ $riendship Where did He%"lio p"% m* %hings3 she as)ed on a s"dden %ho"gh% I had a s"i%.ase $"ll o$ $resh .lo%hes' and I#ll (e needing %hem la%er / pro1ided *o" permi% me U %o ge% o"% o$ (ed Wh* don#% *o" as) He%"lio &ha% he did &i%h %hem3 The irri%a(le re%or% o$$ered no en.o"ragemen% %o .on%in"e %he .on1ersa%ionK i% s"gges%ed %ha% he &as gro&ing de.idedl* $ed "p &i%h her .ha%%er He#s al&a*s "p and a(o"% (e$ore da&n A% some poin% he#ll %"rn "p &i%h *o"r (rea)$as% Toni (ra1ed ano%her -"es%ion When3 When he#s a(le' L"en%al re%"rned in a shor% 1oi.e The$e are a $e& people here &ho are si.)er %han *o" He%"lio &ill (e a%%ending %o %hem $irs% I% &as immedia%el* a$%er %his -"elling e,.hange %ha% L"is L"en%al rose $rom his

hammo.) A% %he so"nds o$ rising' Toni angled a s&i$% glan.e in %he dire.%ion o$ %he man &ho had 4"s% le1ered himsel$ on%o %he $loorK %hen loo)ed a&a* s&i$%l* as she reali2ed %ha% %he %hin .ool .o%%on o$ his pa4amas allo&ed dis%"r(ing shapes and shado&s %o (e seen a li%%le %oo .learl* $or .om$or% O%her %han %ha%' his .on.ern $or her sensi(ili%ies .o"ld no% (e $a"l%ed In order %o .hange in%o his da*%ime gear' he 1anished %hro"gh %he open door This' Toni la%er learned' led %o a small "%ili%arian dressing room and a .l"%%ered s%"d*K $ar%her along a shor% hall &as a %in* $"n.%ional (a%hroom &i%h sin) and %oile% onl* These e,%ra rooms $ormed a &ing a% righ% angles %o %he main ("ngalo&' &i%h %he 1ine/shaded 1eranda she had no%ed on arri1al se% in%o %he L shape o$ %he ("ilding D"ring his a(sen.e in %he dressing room' Toni#s sense o$ h"mor reasser%ed i%sel$ as she re$le.%ed on %he .on.l"sions T* and 5arne* migh% ha1e dra&n &hen %he* sa& He%"lio a% his ho"se/&re.)ing %as) las% e1ening Or had %he* seen3 The small a(ode &as so e$$e.%i1el* s.reened (* ("shes %ha% %he o%hers migh% no% ha1e (een a&are o$ He%"lio#s a.%ions a% all And no do"(% i$ %he* had no%ed %he* &o"ld ha1e (een reass"red (* %heir sardoni. hos% %ha% %he si%"a%ion &as onl* %emporar* O%her&ise T* and 5arne* &o"ld mos% .er%ainl* ha1e as)ed some %elling -"es%ionsJ Momen%s la%er L"is L"en%al emerged $rom %he dressing room' his hard/m"s.led heigh% on.e more res%ored %o $"ll de.en.* As al&a*s' his )ha)i shir% &as open a% %he %hroa% and rolled a% %he slee1es' re1ealing %he po&er$"l $orearms dar)l* %anned (* man* *ears spen% "nder a %ropi.al s"n The 4"ngle gar( s"i%ed him / emphasi2ed %he lean $i% (od* on &hi.h no% an o"n.e o$ $la( resided I% o.."rred %o Toni $lee%ingl* %ha% i$ i% &ere no% $or %he .*ni.al personali%* he &o"ld (e a 1er* a%%ra.%i1e man0and in %ha% momen% her e*es lo.)ed &i%h his She .olored and loo)ed a&a* -"i.)l*' $eeling "na..o"n%a(l* *o"ng and imma%"re a% %ha% momen% I#ll (e (a.) %o ha1e a loo) a% *o" la%er' he said .ooll* E1en %ho"gh %here aren#% %oo man* pa%ien%s in %he .lini. righ% no&' I .an#% negle.% m* morning ro"nds When He%"lio arri1es' he#ll see %o *o"r more personal needs Don#% &orr*' *o"#ll (e per$e.%l* sa$e in his hands And don#% (o%her %r*ing %o .on1in.e him %o le% *o" o"% o$ (ed (e$ore I#1e .he.)ed *o" o1er He%"lio al&a*s $ollo&s m* ins%r".%ions / %o %he le%%er I &asn#% going %o %r* an*%hing o$ %he )ind' she pro%es%ed &i%ho"% raising %he lashes %ha% $anned o1er her .hee)s Oh' damn Wh* did her e*es ha1e %o %"rn as e1asi1e as his on.e had (een3 I% &as (e.a"se she had lo&ered her de$ensi1e g"ard' she )ne& The morning#s (rie$ al%er.a%ion had $or.ed her %o %a)e s%o.) o$ her a%%i%"de %o&ard L"is L"en%al I$ he &as pre4"di.ed agains% &omen / &ell' no do"(% i% res"l%ed $rom some .ompelling reason long ("ried in his pas% B"s% (e.a"se Har.ia )ne& o$ no reason did no% mean %ha% no reason e,is%ed And L"en%al did ha1e honora(le ins%in.%sK o$ %ha% she &as

no& s"re She had %a)en a ne& meas"re o$ him as a man' and %ha% had made her a&are o$ his 1irili%* as she had ne1er (een (e$ore E1en a$%er he 1anished %hro"gh %he s&inging s.reen door %he %ang o$ him %an%ali2ed her nos%rils@ %ha% .lean male s.en% no% $"ll* .on.ealed (* %he .linging a"ra o$ soap and an%isep%i. .ommon %o his pro$ession Pi.%"res $lashed %hro"gh her mind li)e images on a s.reen@ %he shado&s o$ mas."lini%* seen %hro"gh $lims* .ream .o%%onK %he .orded m"s.lesK %he dar) dis%"r(ing e*esK %he mo"%h &i%h i%s hin% o$ $irml* .on%rolled sens"ali%* No% sin.e Ma%%he&#s dea%h had she allo&ed hersel$ %o %hin) o$ an* man in s".h %erms I$ she allo&ed i% no&' perhaps i% &as (e.a"se L"en%al#s a(iding ha%red o$ &omen' his s.r"p"lo"s e,amina%ion o$ %he pre1io"s e1ening and her o&n ill/$o"nded a.."sa%ions o$ %he morning had ass"red her %ha% she &as -"i%e sa$e $rom his ad1an.es And so her mind mis(eha1ed' pla*ing dangero"s games' "n%il He%"lio arri1ed a shor% %ime la%er 5om dia' senhora' he grinned' .heer$"ll* &agging his (ri.)/.olored head So' I a%%end on.e again %o *o"r needs 5"% I %hin) *o" &ill no% remem(er %ha% I &as here las% nigh%J I#m a$raid I don#%' He%"lio' Toni admi%%ed He%"lio remo1ed las% nigh%#s "nea%en $ood $rom (eside %he (ed and se% do&n a $resh %ra* On i% res%ed a li%%le glass .on%aining %&o pills similar %o %hose Toni had %a)en %he pre1io"s e1ening I% is %r"e' senhoraK *o" &ere 1er* $ar $rom a&a)e &hen I ga1e *o" %he (a%h No& $irs% %he %empera%"re' 4"s% in .ase' and %hen %he %a(le%sN D"ring %he ne,% $e& min"%es' &hile He%"lio a%%ended %o his minis%ra%ions' Toni %"rned her mind %o &ondering &ha% messages Senhor Har.ia migh% ha1e impar%ed %hree da*s (e$ore He%"lio s%ill &ore %ha% a"ra o$ a man $airl* ("rs%ing &i%h good ne&s L"is L"en%al' on %he o%her hand' had no% seemed pleased a% allK *e% Toni had re.ei1ed %he dis%in.% impression %ha% %he %&o pie.es o$ ne&s &ere someho& lin)ed No% %ha% she .o"ld sa%is$* her ."riosi%* in an* &a*@ i% &o"ld (e imper%inen% %o as) He%"lio o"%righ% &ha% Har.ia had %old him S)e%.h* a(l"%ions per$ormed and $a.e $reshened &i%h a damp .lo%h' Toni a..ep%ed %he (rea)$as% He%"lio handed her' a (o&l o$ porridge la.ed &i%h grea% sli.es o$ $resh $r"i% There &as more $resh $r"i% on %he %ra*' and %&o (oiled eggs !o" seem 1er* .heer$"l %his morning' He%"lio I% is (e.a"se m* son' 5ra2' &ill (e arri1ing soon' senhora' and his &i$e' Ana

Where does he sleep &hen he (rings his &i$e3 Tha% o%her %ime' %he* slep% in %he li%%le h"%' %he one I %oo) do&n las% nigh% Tha% side%ra.)ed Toni' and $or %he momen% -"es%ions a(o"% 5ra2 and Ana &ere p"% aside When &ill *o" (e re("ilding i%' He%"lio3 He shr"gged When I ha1e %ime' and &hen I .an ge% a $e& men %o help A li%%le ("ilding li)e %ha% .an (e p"% "p in a single a$%ernoon I% &ill (e (e%%er %hen' $or %he rain &ill no% .ome %hro"gh %he roo$ So L"is L"en%al had no% (een l*ing a(o"% %ha%' ei%her So m".h $or her &re%.hed s"spi.ionsJ +or a %ime' as she de1o"red her (rea)$as% &i%h a relish she had no% e,perien.ed $or se1eral da*s' He%"lio mo1ed aro"nd %he room' $olding (lan)e%s' "nhoo)ing L"en%al#s hammo.) %o s%ore i% $or %he da*' d"s%ing and %id*ing As he &or)ed he as)ed some -"es%ions a(o"% %he %rip %o %he Mara 1illage' e$$e.%i1el* pre1en%ing $or %he momen% a re%"rn %o o%her %opi.s A% las% he .ame (a.) %o %he (edside and per.hed on a .hair %o &a%.h Toni $inish her meal !o" m"s% (e 1er* pro"d o$ *o"r son' He%"lio When did he grad"a%e as a do.%or3 Onl* las% *ear' senhora 5"% he is no% so *o"ng a man as *o" migh% %hin) He is pas% %hir%*' and he has (een married $or $o"r *ears 5"% %hen' he &as alread* %&en%* *ears old &hen Dr L"en%al sen% him %o (e ed".a%ed Dr L"en%al sen% him3 Ass"redl* I$ %he do.%or had no% de.ided %o do some%hing %o help' 5ra2 &o"ld (e no more %han a poor .a(o.lo li)e me I ha1e %he ed".a%ion o$ %he .on1en% and some medi.al %raining' %oo' ("% I .o"ld no% ha1e sen% 5ra2 $or all %hose *ears o$ spe.ial learning A laden spoon pa"sed in $ron% o$ Toni#s mo"%h Oh' Lord' her opinion o$ L"is L"en%al &o"ld ha1e %o "ndergo some dras%i. re1isionJ Dr L"en%al said %ha% 5ra2 &as .le1er' al%ho"gh he had had no more %han a li%%le ed".a%ion $rom %he n"ns along %he ri1er So he sen% 5ra2 %o s.hool in Mana"s Tha% &as ele1en *ears ago' &hen Dr L"en%al $irs% .ame here / %he *ear he himsel$ had (e.ome a do.%or Then' &hen 5ra2 learned 1er* $as%' he sen% him %o medi.al s.hool And a$%er m* son $inished a% s.hool' he &en% %o in%ern in a (ig hospi%al in Rio de Baneiro / and %ha%' %oo' Dr L"en%al arranged I% is onl* las% *ear %ha% 5ra2 has se% "p a pra.%i.e o$ his o&n in Rio' and again %he good do.%or helped &i%h %he .os% Oh' *es' he .o"ld no% ha1e (een )inder %o

5ra2 i$ he had (een his o&n $a%herJ Perhaps %ha% &as one o$ %he reasons L"is L"en%al had himsel$ (een in Rio eigh% mon%hs (e$ore3 I% migh% 1er* &ell ha1e (een a(o"% %ha% %ime %ha% 5ra2 O#Hara needed help in se%%ing "p his pra.%i.e I% is good %o ha1e a .le1er son li)e 5ra2' He%"lio sighed I$ onl* he &o"ld prod".e some grand.hildren' %o (ring me .om$or% in m* old age Perhaps he and his &i$e ha1e (een &ai%ing "n%il he $inished &i%h his %raining' Toni .onsoled Perhaps' He%"lio ans&ered' ("% in 1oi.ing %he &ish he %"rned %emporaril* pensi1e Toni p"% aside %he emp%* shell o$ %he se.ond so$%/(oiled egg Where did *o" p"% m* %hings' He%"lio' &hen *o" p"lled do&n %he li%%le shel%er3 In %here' he said &i%h a &a1e in %he dire.%ion o$ %he dressing room Tom#s s&i$% "nease s"(sided &hen she heard He%"lio#s ne,% &ords@ Dr L"en%al said %o lea1e %hem in %he s"i%.ase' so %ha% is &ha% I did Wo"ld *o" li)e me %o "npa.) some%hing $or *o"3 A mirror and a hair(r"sh' andN Toni (i% (a.) %he re-"es% $or her .osme%i.s .ase@ s"rel* %here &as no reason %o .are %ha% m".h a(o"% her appearan.e3 Despi%e her &a*&ard dreams o$ a $e& min"%es ago' she had no in%en%ion o$ le%%ing do&n her g"ard as $ar as men &ere .on.erned And an*%hing else *o" %hin) I migh% need' she $inished M"i%o (em' agreed He%"lio' and &hile Toni d"g in%o a (anana he 1anished in%o %he dressing room' %o emerge a $e& min"%es la%er .l"%.hing no% onl* %he re-"es%ed i%ems ("% also a small 2ipped $loral (ag %ha% she re.ogni2ed as %he "nas)ed/$or .osme%i.s .ase I% .on%ained li%%le more %han $a.e .ream' a .ompressed $o"nda%ion and a %"(e o$ lips%i.)K e1en her per$"me had (een le$% (ehind in Mana"s He%"lio laid %he re-"isi%es near Toni#s lap and re%"rned %o his .hair Nearl* $o"r *ears ago' i% &as' he m"sed' %ha% %ime &hen 5ra2 (ro"gh% his &i$e' 4"s% a$%er %he* &ere $irs% married The li%%le shel%er has no% (een slep% in sin.eK %ha% is &h* %he rain &as .oming %hro"gh %he roo$ and %he inse.%s %hro"gh %he &alls Sin.e %hen &hen 5ra2 .omes he has (een alone' and so he sleeps in %he (ig ("ilding' in %he room &here *o"r $riends are no& s%a*ing 5"% %hen' a% %ha% %ime he .o"ld no% O' De"sJ In %hose da*s a person .o"ld no% ha1e $o"nd a pla.e %o sling an e,%ra hammo.) The li%%le hospi%al &as al&a*s ("s* %hen And %ha% raised a n"m(er o$ o%her "nans&ered -"es%ions' le$%o1ers $rom Toni#s $irs% da* %here The dis.om$or%s o$ her (od* had p"shed man* %hings $rom her mind'

among %hem L"is L"en%al#s ine,pli.a(le re1ela%ion %ha% %he Mara no longer slep% in %he hospi%al &hen %he* &ere ill' as %he* on.e had done Wh* is i% seldom ("s* no&' He%"lio3 I% seems %o me i% &o"ld (e (e%%er i$ %he Mara &ho are serio"sl* ill s%a*ed here ra%her %han in %heir o&n 1illage He%"lio s.ra%.hed his as%onishingl* .olored hair 5"% Dr L"en%al sa*s i% is (e%%er i$ %he* do no%' he said # ISome%imes' i$ %here is a si.) Mara &ho m"s% (e &a%.hed da* and nigh%' he &ill (e (ro"gh% %o sleep here' in %his ("ngalo& 5"% o%hers .ome onl* as $ar as %he edge o$ %he .learing' and %he do.%or goes %o see %hem %here He sa*s i% is (e%%er Toni#s (ro& $re%%ed &i%h %he -"es%ion Wh*' He%"lio3 He &ishes %o )eep %hem a&a* $rom %he o%her pa%ien%s / %he .a(o.los &ho li1e near(* and %hose &ho .ome $rom %he o%her se%%lemen%s along %he ri1er To le% %hose people .ome .lose %o %he Mara / oh' mo%her o$ HodJ Tha% .an (e 1er* dangero"s Toni .ame %o %he seemingl* ines.apa(le .on.l"sion %ha% %he dangers s%emmed $rom %he Mara#s hair/%rigger %empers and %heir $ier.e possessi1eness a(o"% %heir &omen$ol) Wi%h o%her %hings she had (een %old' and espe.iall* a$%er her spine/.hilling personal e,perien.e o$ *es%erda*' i% seemed a logi.al ass"mp%ion !o" see' senhora He%"lio &en% on' in %he old da*s &hen %here &as a pa%ien% &ho sho"ld (e )ep% a&a* $rom %he Mara' %he do.%or &o"ld (ring %ha% pa%ien% in here %o share his o&n roo$ Al&a*s %ha% pa%ien% &as ordered %o s%a* a&a* $rom %he (ig ("ilding Then one da* one man diso(e*ed' and %ha% is &hen %he %ro"(le s%ar%ed I% happened %&o *ears ago Tro"(le3 He%"lio po"red a m"g o$ dar) s%eaming .o$$ee $rom %he po% on %he (rea)$as% %ra* and added .opio"s amo"n%s o$ s"gar &i%ho"% as)ing Toni#s pre$eren.e' &hi.h $or%"na%el* did in.l"de s&ee%ening !es !o" see' al%ho"gh %he man had a (ro)en arm' he also had in$l"en2a' 4"s% a 1er* li%%le .ase He &as no% 1er* si.)' ("% i% &as eno"gh Wi%hin a &ee) nearl* e1er* Mara in %he hospi%al &as dead Sho.) $ro2e Toni#s arm 4"s% as she had (een a(o"% %o rea.h $or %he pro$$ered m"g Wha%3 she &hispered 5"% perhaps Dr L"en%al .o"ld no% ha1e pre1en%ed i%' e1en i$ he had %ied %he man %o his (ed !o" see' %he man had (een sear.hing $or gold &hen he (ro)e his arm / %here are al&a*s s%ories o$ gold %o (ring men %o %he (a.) ri1ers o$ %he Ama2on The man had (een $o"nd and (ro"gh% here (* some people o$ a Mara 1illage Wi%hin one &ee) %he people o$ %ha% 1illage &ere d*ing' %oo And %hen %he ne,% 1illage' and %he ne,%' and %he

ne,%N The %ime o$ %he 5ig Si.)ness In$l"en2a3 Toni had %ho"gh% Maria had mean% some s%range %ropi.al diseaseK ("% %hen' perhaps %he Mara had &or)ed "p imm"ni%* %o s".h %hings Thoro"ghl* sha)en' she lis%ened as He%"lio &en% on %o .on$irm %his g"ess +or %he Mara' %he diseases o$ %he 4"ngle are no% so m".h' $or %he* are "sed %o %hem 5"% %he si.)nesses %ha% .ome $rom o"%side0oh' i% &as 1er* 1er* (ad Li)e $lies %he* died And Dr L"en%al' he .o"ld do no%hing %o pre1en% i%' e1en &i%h %he ne&es% o$ medi.ines No &onder L"en%al &as so pa%ernalis%i.all* pro%e.%i1e o$ %he %ri(eJ No &onder he had %hrea%ened %o lea1e her here i$ she sho&ed an* signs o$ illnessJ No &onder he had le$% %he %a(le so a(r"p%l* %ha% $irs% da* &hen %he %o".h* %opi. had (een (roa.hedJ To L"is L"en%al' %he do.%or &ho had (een "na(le %o pre1en% so man* dea%hs' i% m"s% (e %he mos% pain$"l o$ s"(4e.%s He%"lio &en% on' adding %o %he horror s%or*' In %ha% %ime %here &ere $i1e Mara 1illages +or %&o mon%hs %he do.%or hardl* slep% Mo%her o$ Hod' i% is $or%"na%e %ha% %he man has %he s%reng%h o$ a ("llJ Ea.h morning he &o"ld &al) %o one o$ %he 1illages He &o"ld &or) %here all a$%ernoon and all nigh%' sleeping onl* &hen %he ho&ler mon)e*s s%ar%ed Then he &o"ld rise &i%h %he s"n and &al) %o %he ne,% 1illage And %he same %he ne,% da*' and %he ne,%' and %he ne,% I do no% )no& ho& he did i% I m*sel$' I &as %ired all %he %ime' and I slep% ea.h nigh% Those &ee)s' %he* &ere 1er* %erri(le And &hen %he* &ere o1er' some &ere sa1ed' %he s%ronges% onl* Dr L"en%al' I %hin) he (lamed himsel$ $or no% (eing $i1e men' ("% I %ell %he %r"%h &hen I sa* %ha% no% one Mara' no% one' &o"ld ha1e s"r1i1ed &i%ho"% him And &hen %ha% (ad %ime $inall* .ame %o an end' %he do.%or .ame (a.) here' and he sa% li)e %hisN He%"lio h"n.hed o1er in his .hair and dropped his head in%o his hands in a pos%"re o$ a(4e.% despair When he raised his e*es again' %he* &ere 1isi(l* mois% $rom %he mere memor* o$ &ha% had %ranspired %&o *ears (e$ore +or man* ho"rs he sa% li)e %ha% &i%h his head in his hands' no% ea%ing' no% sleeping' no% ans&ering &hen I spo)e When a s%rong man has s%rong $eelings i% is a %hing %o %"rn %he hear% (ig in %he .hes% Perhaps *o" &ill %hin) me a &ea) man' ("% I .on$ess %here &ere %ears in m* e*es %o see him %ha% da* Toni $el% her o&n %ears 1er* .lose %o %he s"r$a.e Oh' He%"lio I$ %ha%#s a &ea)ness' %hen perhaps &e sho"ld all (e &ea) He%"lio (lin)ed and r"((ed one e*e as i$ i% .on%ained a spe.) o$ dir% 5"% %he do.%or' he did no% .r* He some%imes0 .ho)ed' ("% he )ep% i% all inside And %hen' &hen

i% (egan %o gro& dar)' he raised his head His e*es &ere 1er* (la.) and 1er* old and 1er* deep His mo"%h &as0 He%"lio .as% a(o"% $or a &ord %o des.ri(e &ha% he had seen and .ame "p &i%h none I% &as %he &a* i% o$%en is %oda*' ("% more M".h more 7losed' (i%%er' (rooding' and do"(%less s.ored &i%h e,ha"s%ion and s.arred &i%h %he ha"n%ing mar)s o$ a deep %ormen%ing memor* %ha% .o"ld ne1er (e erased !es' Toni .o"ld imagine' and e1er* s*mpa%he%i. .hord in her hear% s"$$ered $or %he men%al ang"ish L"is L"en%al m"s% ha1e "ndergone And %hen %he do.%or said' IHo %o (ed' He%"lio There is &or) %o dp %omorro& # He has ne1er spo)en o$ %his ma%%er sin.e 5"% %he ne,% da* he (egan again %o &al) %o all %he Mara 1illages' ea.h in %"rn I% &as %hen %ha% he %old %hem %he* m"s% .ome %o sleep in %he hospi%al no more And he %al)ed %o %hem o$ ga%hering in%o one 1illage' so %ha% %here &o"ld (e men and &omen eno"gh %o ma)e more .hildren' $or man* had los% %heir h"s(ands or %heir &i1es And he %old %hem %o s%op "sing %he (ar) o$ %rees' and roo%s' and o%her %hings %ha% s%op %he ma)ing o$ (a(ies And he %old %hem %ha% %he .hildren %he* (ore &o"ld (e s%ronger (e.a"se o$ %he %hings %heir paren%s had s"$$ered And he %al)ed %o %hem o$ plan%ing .rops %ha% &o"ld help )eep %hem s%rong' $or he said %ha% in %he *ears %o .ome i% &as %he s%rong &ho &o"ld s"r1i1e And he %al)ed %o %hem o$ learning' $or he said %ha% %he* m"s% learn i$ %he* &ere %o "nders%and &ha% &as happening in %he Ama2on I% e,plained so m".h@ &h* L"en%al ga1e E)e%i le.%"res on %he s"(4e.% o$ remarr*ingK &h* he admonished %he Mara .hie$ on %he 1ir%"es o$ s%ar%ing a $amil*K perhaps e1en &h* he had .on1in.ed Maria %o re%"rn %o her de.ima%ed people I% also ga1e a ne&' (i%%er edge %o %he dis%"r(ing s%or* o$ &ha% .o"ld happen %o %&ins (orn in%o %he Mara %ri(e On.e %here &ere %hree %ho"sand Mara and no& %here are onl* %hree h"ndred I% is so &i%h mos% %ri(es in %he Ama2on I% is a 1er* sad %hing M* o&n grandmo%her &as a Mara' %a)en a&a* $rom her people (* (ad men in %he (ig da*s o$ r"((er' &hen s".h %hings &ere .ommon Then men "sed g"ns %o %a)e %he &omen %he* &an%ed' and %he Mara .o"ld no% s%op %hem I remem(er her &hen she &as an old' old &oman and I &as a lh%le (o* She %old me %ha% &hen she &as *o"ng %here &ere %en %ho"sand Mara So %he de.ima%ion o$ %he Mara had (een going on $or some *ears D"ring %hose *ears' ho& man* %&ins had died (e.a"se o$ Mara ."s%om and ignoran.e and $ear3 I% &as an iron* in i%s 1er* (i%%eres% sense' and one %ha% m"s% %ear a% %he moral $a(ri. o$ L"is L"en%al#s 1er* (eing And *es' he did ha1e moral $i(erK Toni &as no& s"re o$ i% I$ %he happenings earlier %ha% morning had s%ar%ed a re1ersal o$ opinion' He%"lio#s re1ela%ions had .omple%ed %he 4o( L"is L"en%al migh% (e a ha%er o$ &omen' ("% he &as no% a ha%er o$ man)ind

And i$ he &as a hard man / &ell' %ha% %oo .o"ld (e $orgi1en Onl* a hard man .o"ld ha1e done &ha% had %o (e done d"ring %he %ime o$ %he 5ig Si.)ness And' %ho"gh% Toni &i%h a ."rio"s &ren.h o$ %he hear%' perhaps "nder %ha% impene%ra(le shell he &as no% so 1er* hard a$%er allN Mo%her o$ Hod' &ha% ha1e I done3 He%"lio m"%%ered' sha)ing a&a* %he pas% %o re%"rn %o %he presen% I p"% *o"r .o$$ee (a.) on %he %ra*' and no& i% is .old as a s%one Wai%' I &ill emp%* %his' and %hen I &ill po"r *o" ano%her A$%er He%"lio had d"mped %he .on%en%s o$ %he m"g o"%side %he s.reen door' he ("s%led (a.) %o %he (ed' %he old .heer$"lness $"ll* res%ored The ri1er has risen' he o(ser1ed (righ%l* as he re$illed %he m"g and on.e again la.ed i% &i%h s"gar in %he 5ra2ilian $ashion I% rained again in %he nigh% The season o$ $lood has s%ar%ed' and in a $e& da*s %here &ill (e some%hing $or *o"r .amera %o %a)e pi.%"res o$J Ah' %he 4"ngle &ill (loom soon / perhaps e1en (e$ore 5ra2 and Ana arri1e I %ell *o"' i% &ill (e good %o ha1e m* son li1ing here again Li1ing here again3 While her e*es .as% %he -"es%ion in He%"lio#s dire.%ion' Toni %es%ed %he .o$$ee +resh $rom %he s%eaming po%' i% &as s%ill %oo ho% %o drin) She lo&ered %he m"g and loo)ed a% He%"lio &i%h da&ning .omprehension No &onder he had $o"nd Senhor Har.ia#s ne&s pleasingJ Ah' did Senhor Har.ia no% %ell *o"3 5"% i% is no se.re%' and Senhor Har.ia arranged i% all himsel$ 5ra2 &ill (e re%"rning %o li1e here and (e a do.%or in %his pla.e The 5ra2ilian go1ernmen% &ill (e pa*ing him $or %he 4o( Tha%#s &onder$"l ne&s' He%"lioJ Then ano%her %ho"gh% o.."rred %o Toni' .a"sing p"22lemen% %o repla.e %he &arm pleas"re on her $a.e 5"% does %his .lini. need %&o do.%ors3 I% seems %o me %here#s onl* eno"gh &or) $or one I% is %r"e' nodded He%"lio Sin.e so man* Mara died' %here are no% %oo man* pa%ien%s no& E1en old Manoel is no% reall* needed I$ he &ere no% so old' &i%h no&here %o go' he &o"ld ha1e (een sen% a&a* $or la.) o$ &or) Toni made a helpless ges%"re Then &h* / Did *o" no% )no&3 Dr L"en%al is %o go &hen 5ra2 arri1es Ne,% T"esda*' &hen %he plane .omes %o %he ri1er' %he do.%or &ill (e lea1ing %his pla.e / $ore1er CHAPTER SEVEN

MIDWA! THRO6HH THE MORNINH' a$%er a ."rsor* e,amina%ion no more

in%ima%e %han *es%erda*#s had (een' L"is L"en%al prono"n.ed Toni 1ir%"all* re.o1ered 5* %omorro& *o" sho"ld (e en%irel* (a.) %o normal' he de.lared as he p"% his s%e%hos.ope a&a* This a$%ernoon *o" .an ge% o"% o$ (ed' as long as *o" don#% o1erdo i% And *o"#ll need an earl* nigh%' o$ .o"rse Toni (rea%hed a sigh o$ relie$K she disli)ed %he en$or.ed idleness I $eel en%irel* (a.) %o normal' she said She p"lled hersel$ %o a si%%ing posi%ion agains% a propped pillo& I s"ppose I#ll (e sleeping in m* o&n shel%er %onigh%' a$%er all3 No% %onigh%K i% &on#% (e read* 5"% I he ard hammering o"%side I %ho"gh% He%"lio m"s% ha1e s%ar%ed &or)ing on i% He#s s%ar%ed some%hing else' L"en%al %old her' gi1ing her ano%her o$ %hose dire.% sear.hing loo)s %o &hi.h she had no% *e% gro&n a.."s%omed I %old him %o .ons%r".% a &ooden %"(' so %ha% *o"#ll (e a(le %o (a%he in pri1a.* &hene1er *o" &ish I% seemed a more "rgen% re-"iremen% S&i$%l* Toni loo)ed a&a* $rom his ga2e as %he memor* o$ his aro"sal d"ring her ri1erside (a%h in%r"ded in%o her "nr"l* %ho"gh%s A% %he momen%' &i%h old disli)es "ndergoing re1ision' she regre%%ed e1er ha1ing %ried %o ."% him do&n %o si2e Tr"e' L"en%al had (een arrogan% and "nmannerl*K he had heaped her &i%h s.ornK he had mis4"dged her in man* &a*sK and perhaps in %he $"%"re she .o"ld e,pe.% li%%le (e%%er a% his hands 5"% Toni &as no% in.lined %o 1engean.e' and she .o"ld $orgi1e a person#s $a"l%s / par%i."larl* i$ %ha% person also had redeeming -"ali%ies The (a%h%"( &as a %ho"gh%$"l ges%"re@ ano%her small proo$ %ha% L"is L"en%al &as no% -"i%e %he mons%er she had originall* %ho"gh% him %o (e Again Toni &as in"nda%ed (* a &arm glo& o$ gra%i%"de The ges%"re &as one she &o"ld ne1er ha1e e,pe.%ed' and i% .er%ainl* relie1ed her mind %o %hin) she .o"ld p"% (o%h sponge (a%hs and ri1er (a%hs (ehind her $ore1er Tha%#s 1er* .onsidera%e o$ *o"' she said' lashes dropping in a &a* %ha% &as $as% (e.oming ha(i% 6n$or%"na%el* %he .arpen%r* in1ol1ed in ("ilding a %"( is some&ha% demanding' (e.a"se %he .hin)s .an#% (e $illed &i%h .la* or m"d The %as) &ill %a)e He%"lio se1eral ho"rs The shel%er &ill ha1e %o &ai% When Toni .on%in"ed %o s%are $i,edl* a% %he ("mps in %he shee% made (* her o&n )nees' he added sardoni.all*' S"rel* (* no& *o" ha1e no $ear a(o"% spending ano%her nigh% "nder %his roo$

Oh' no Toni#s ans&er .ame a li%%le %oo -"i.)l* +or some odd reason' al%ho"gh his a(rasi1e mo.)er* no longer %ro"(led her %oo m".h' she &as $inding i% harder and harder %o main%ain a .ool s"r$a.e in his presen.e Despi%e %he dire.%ion o$ her e*es' she sa& $ar %oo m".h o$ %he m"s."lar legs sea%ed on %he .hair (eside %he (ed His hands espe.iall* &ere in 1ie& / %he s%rong .apa(le $ingers %ha% loo)ed so hard and *e% .o"ld (e so gen%leK %he &ris%s &i%h %heir ligh% d"s%ing o$ .rispl* %e,%"red hairK %he %hin gold &a%.h %ha% nes%led %here I ha1e no $ears a% all I %a)e i% *o"#1e de.ided *o"#re -"i%e sa$e in m* hands' he .on.l"ded &i%h a dis%in.% %ra.e o$ iron* She %"rned her $a.e sligh%l* %o %he &all' p"%%ing %hose lean (ron2ed $ingers o"% o$ 1ie& The 1er* men%ion o$ (eing in L"en%al#s hands' &ha%e1er %he reason' aro"sed a %rain o$ -"i1ering spe."la%ion %ha% &as (es% le$% alone Perhaps she sho"ld no% ha1e ind"lged her ero%i. $an%asies earlier %ha% morning I )no& I#m sa$e' she said I#m sorr* I e1er %ho"gh% o%her&ise I%#s onl* (e.a"se I didn#%0 )no& *o" 1er* &ell I %r"s% *o" .omple%el* no& Ho& %o".hing His 1oi.e &as deepl* sar.as%i. 5"% in .ase *o" ha1e lingering do"(%s' le% me reass"re *o" $"r%her As I &on#% need %o )eep an e*e on *o"r .ondi%ion %onigh%' I in%end %o sleep in %he hospi%al And %ha% (ro"gh% a ne& &ash o$ sensa%ions %ha%' $or la.) o$ a (e%%er des.rip%ion' Toni de.ided m"s% (e relie$ +rom %he so"nds no&' she .o"ld %ell he had risen %o his $ee%K se.onds la%er he mo1ed in%o her line o$ 1ision again as he headed $or %he door S"ddenl* she &an%ed 1er* m".h %o ha1e him s%a* L"i.)l*' and &i%ho"% anal*2ing her need %o )eep him %al)ing' she said' He%"lio %old me some %hings a(o"% *o" %his morning' Dr L"en%al Reall* The response &as dis.o"raging' ("% a% leas% Toni#s &ords had (ro"gh% him %o a hal% &i%h his hand on %he door)no( +or some reason she $el% as ner1o"s as a s.hoolgirl (enea%h %ha% pro(ing (la.) ga2e Her $ingers ."rled in%o %he shee% $or s%reng%h I heard %ha% *o" s"ppor%ed his son %hro"gh medi.al s.hool' and / He%"lio %al)s %oo m".h' .ame %he ."%%ing repl*' e$$e.%i1el* red".ing %ha% a1en"e o$ .on1ersa%ion %o a dead end Toni -"i.)l* .as% a(o"% $or a ne& dire.%ion %o %a)e Ins%in.%i1el* she )ne& she sho"ld no% (ring "p some o$ %he more (i%%er re1ela%ions He%"lio had made I didn#% )no& *o" &ere planning %o lea1e %his pla.e' Dr L"en%al I &as so

s"rprised &hen He%" / L"en%al .lipped a.ross her &ords I$ *o"#re so s%ar1ed $or male .ompanionship' I s"gges% *o" a1oid %opi.s %ha% &ill onl* ser1e %o dri1e me a&a*' he ."% in A slo& &arm%h rose %o Toni#s $a.e I#m no% s%ar1ed $or male .ompanionship' she pro%es%ed Oh3 His e*es narro&ed &i%h insolen.e as %he* slid o1er her $a.e' %a)ing in e1er* de%ail o$ her appearan.e' lingering on %he ."r1e o$ her mo"%h &i%h open s.orn In %ha% .ase' &h* did *o" appl* *o"r ma)e"p so .are$"ll* %his morning3 In order %o ma)e a .on-"es% o$ *o"rsel$3 Oh' Lord' %ho"gh% Toni Had she (een %ha% %ransparen%3 Her $ingers rose %o her .hee)s' pressing %he hea%ed $lesh I %ho"gh% *o" migh% allo& 1isi%ors' she impro1ised I#d li)e %o see T* and 5arne* He hesi%a%ed per.ep%i(l*' %hen agreed &i%h his "s"al ."r%ness I#ll send %hem in righ% a&a* Wha% had e1er made her %hin) she .o"ld %r* %o (e $riends &i%h %his man3 And o$ .o"rse %ha% &as all sh[ &an%ed@ %o (e $riends As she &a%.hed him %"rn his (a.) and go o"% %he door &i%ho"% so m".h as a par%ing &ord' Toni re$le.%ed %ha% %he (arriers he had ere.%ed agains% &omen &ere $ar %oo $ormida(le %o (e (ro)en do&n (* an* o1er%"res on her par% / espe.iall* sin.e he &o"ld (e lea1ing in a ma%%er o$ $o"r da*s' &hile she hersel$ &o"ld (e s%a*ing on $or a mon%h I$ she so m".h as as)ed &here he planned %o rese%%le' he &o"ld "ndo"(%edl* (e as dampening as e1er I% &as 1er* li)el* %ha% in $o"r da*s she &o"ld (e sa*ing good(*e %o him $or all %ime No% %ha% she reall* .ared' ("%0 Was %ha% a deep sigh I heard $rom o1er %here3 as)ed T* as he .ame %hro"gh %he s.reen door' .losel* $ollo&ed (* 5arne* The sigh% o$ %heir $amilar $riendl* $a.es (ro"gh% a &arm smile %o Toni#s lips I#m a$raid i% &as' she ans&ered ligh%l* I &as 4"s% e,pressing m* &oe a% (eing .on$ined %o %his (ed' e1en $or %he morning I#d m".h ra%her (e "p and a(o"% I $eel -"i%e li)e m*sel$ againJ And *o" loo) li)e *o"rsel$' %han) goodness T* (eamed &i%h sa%is$a.%ion a% her impro1ed appearan.e Ama2ing &ha% a good nigh%#s sleep &ill do :er* de.en% o$ L"en%al %o le% *o" share his -"ar%ers' 5arne* o(ser1ed' loo)ing aro"nd %he large' sparsel* $"rnished room We had no idea ho& (ad *o"r o%her h"% &as "n%il &e sa& He%"lio %a)ing i% do&n Where does L"en%al sleep3 as)ed T* ."rio"sl*' e*es %ra1eling %o&ard %he area

o$ %he dressing room Along %ha% .orridor3 No' in %his room' Toni said -"i%e e1enl*' al%ho"gh on.e again her e*es &ere a li%%le less %han dire.% Oho' said T* Don#% ge% %he &rong idea' $ol)s' Toni .ame (a.) s&i$%l* Dr L"en%al slep% in a hammo.) A li)el* s%or*' s.o$$ed 5arne* amia(l* Tha% da*(ed loo)s plen%* &ide eno"gh $or %&o T* .himed in' And no& %ha% *o" ha1e no o%her pla.e %o sleepN Toni rea.%ed (* s%i$$ening' and her %one %"rned "n"s"all* rigid Reall*' I &ish *o" &o"ldn#% 4o)e a(o"% i% Dr L"en%al &o"ldn#% dream o$ %a)ing ad1an%age o$ %he si%"a%ionJ Wh*' he#s e1en mo1ing in%o %he hospi%al %onigh% He .o"ldn#% ha1e (een more .onsidera%e 5arne* and T* e,.hanged glan.es o$ e,aggera%ed (em"semen%' %hen loo)ed (a.) a% Toni An a(o"%/$a.e i$ I e1er heard one' said T* +irs% good &ord she#s e1er said a(o"% %he man' 5arne* %hre& in I &onder0 m"sed T* 0&ha% reall* happened las% nigh%3 $inished 5arne* T* loo)ed a% Toni 4"di.io"sl*' as i$ meas"ring her She does loo) a li%%le di$$eren% a(o"% %he e*es' he o(ser1ed The*#re merel* gla2ed $rom lis%ening %o %he %&o o$ *o"' Toni said &i%h "n"s"al asperi%* I#m (eginning %o (e sorr* I as)ed $or 1isi%ors M*' m* Toni %he Tigress Are *o" s"re *o" reall* are $eeling -"i%e *o"rsel$3 Toni $or.ed hersel$ %o rela, and la"gh O$ .o"rse I am No& %ell me' ha1e *o" de.ided on a shor% holida* &hile I re.o1er' or are *o" planning %o pro.eed &i%h %he shoo%ing s.hed"le I dre& "p3 We#re &or)ing' said T* We do some%imes ge% along &i%ho"% *o"' s&ee%hear% We#1e re1ised %he s.hed"le' %ho"gh' a% L"en%al#s s"gges%ion Oh3

!es We#ll lea1e %he 4"ngle sho%s $or a &ee) or soK L"en%al sa*s i% reall* (lossoms d"ring %he rain* season So &e#1e de.ided %o shoo% some%hing else %oda* Some%hing else3 Rapids T* smir)ed' loo)ing pleased &i%h himsel$ L"en%al sa*s %here &on#% (e a (e%%er %ime %o do %ha% %han righ% no& When %he ri1er#s lo&' %here are %oo man* ro.)s 4"%%ing "p 5"% i%#s no% so high *e% %ha% i%#s a raging %orren% L"en%al sa*s &e#ll (e sa$e &i%h He%"lio' &ho )no&s %he ri1er li)e %he (a.) o$ his hand Sho"ld ma)e a ni.e se-"en.e' i$ I .an )eep m* lenses dr* Toni#s e*es spar)ledK she &as ne1er a1erse %o a li%%le ad1en%"re I$ *o" &ai% "n%il %omorro& I .o"ld .ome &i%h *o"' she s"gges%ed eagerl* No' *o" posi%i1el* .o"ldn#%' .on%radi.%ed 5arne* No% a$%er &ha% *o"#1e 4"s% (een %hro"gh Dr L"en%al sa*s %ha% &i%h proper medi.a%ion %he pi"ms &on#% %ro"(le me so (adl* again' a% leas% no more %han %he* %ro"(le (o%h o$ *o" All %he same' &e#re no% %a)ing *o" s%raigh% $rom a si.)(ed %o a ro.)* ri1er .r"ise On S"nda*' %hen' she s"gges%ed Tha%#s onl* %he da* a$%er %omorro& 6h/"h' T* o(4e.%ed O"r goal is %he mission 4"s% a shor% dis%an.e along %he ri1er' and L"en%al sa*s S"nda* is a (ad da* %o land in on %hem And on Monda* he#ll (e needing He%"lio %o help pa.) "p his (elongings Did *o" hear L"en%al &as lea1ing $or good3 Toni#s hear% repea%ed %he small pl"mme% i% had per$ormed on $irs% hearing %he ne&s earlier !es' I heard Well' ma*(e *o" .an p"% o$$ $ilming %he rapids "n%il a$%er he goes No% a .han.e' 5arne* ."% in He%"lio &on#% &an% %o (e (o%hered on.e his son' 5ra2' arri1es 5"% %ha%#s no% %he onl* %hing There &o"ldn#% (e room $or *o" and o"r e-"ipmen% in %he (oa%' no ma%%er &hen &e go L"en%al poin%ed %ha% o"% as soon as &e s"gges%ed &ai%ing a da* or %&o So *o" see' lo1e' *o"#re 4"s% o"% o$ l".) %his %ime I ha%e %o miss o"% on %he e,.i%emen% E,.i%emen%3 T* snor%ed !o" sa& %hose li%%le rapids &hen &e $irs% landed0 %he*#re pra.%i.all* no%hingJ Hell' Toni' *o"#ll pro(a(l* ha1e 4"s% as m".h e,.i%emen% s%a*ing here

Whi.h' as a $ore.as% o$ %hings %o .ome' &as %r"er %han T* )ne&

WHEN TONI WOKE on Sa%"rda* morning' she &as s%ar%led %o $ind hersel$ loo)ing dire.%l* in%o a pair o$ dar) sardoni. e*es L"is L"en%al &as si%%ing (* her (edside' $"ll* dressed' and she had %he odd impression %ha% he had (een %here $or some %ime' &ai%ing $or her %o &a)e Did *o" sleep &ell3 His 1oi.e &as mildl* mo.)ing' and i% .on%ained a ne& %im(re she had ne1er heard (e$ore !es' a.)no&ledged Toni' %elling hersel$ %ha% %he leaping o$ her p"lses &as d"e onl* %o %he s"dden a&a)ening She p"lled hersel$ "p in (ed' $irs% .on$irming %ha% no nigh%shir% ("%%ons had .ome loose d"ring %he nigh% L"en%al &a%.hed her $ingers a% her (reas%' seemingl* am"sed (* %he -"i.) .he.)o1er There &as some%hing di$$eren% a(o"% him %his morning The dire.%ness o$ %he ga2e &as no% ne&' so &ha% &as i%3 Wi%h a li%%le shi1er Toni reali2ed %ha% %he hal$ %&is% o$ his mo"%h emphasi2ed %he sens"al -"ali%* %ha% had onl* (een hin%ed a% (e$ore And %ha% %im(re in his 1oi.e / %ha% had (een sens"al' %oo Moreo1er' his .lo%hing &as di$$eren% He no longer &ore %he dra( 4"ngle )ha)i he had &orn so "n$ailingl* %ha% onl* %he .rispness o$ a $resh shir% or %he )ni$e .rease o$ %ro"sers ad1er%ised a .hange o$ .lo%hes Toda* he had .hosen .lose/$i%%ing linen %ro"sers and an I%alian spor%s shir%' dar) in .olor and loosel* la.ed a% %he ne.)' re1ealing hin%s o$ $irm oli1e/(ron2e $lesh Parado,i.all*' al%ho"gh %hese .lo%hes &ere more "r(ane %han his "s"al apparel' L"is himsel$ loo)ed more "n.i1ili2ed Or perhaps 4"s% more dangero"sN/ L"is@ oh' damn' &h* had she s%ar%ed %o .all him %ha% in her mind3 Toni#s e*es s)a%ed "neasil* %o&ard %he door I s"ppose I .an ge% "p $or (rea)$as% %his morning' she s"gges%ed !es' *o" .an ge% "p' on.e I#1e ass"red m*sel$ %ha% *o"#re reall*0 read* !o" said I &as all (e%%er *es%erda*' she reminded him I pre$er %o (e do"(l* s"re' he .ame (a.) in .ool pro$essional $ashion Open *o"r mo"%h' please The ine1i%a(le %hermome%er &as promp%l* %".)ed in%o pla.e' and her &ris% &as

sei2ed in a no/nonsense grip &hile his s"re $ingers $el% $or her p"lse So he had onl* (een &ai%ing (* her (edside $or %he (rie$ morning e,amina%ion' and no do"(% impa%ien% (e.a"se he had (e%%er %hings %o do &i%h his %ime Relie1ed and disappoin%ed all a% on.e' Toni s"(mi%%ed hal$hear%edl* %o %he s&i$% silen% e,amina%ion %ha% &as as impar%ial and as .are$"ll* "nin%r"si1e as e1er* o%her e,amina%ion he had gi1en her !o" loo) pleased' Dr L"en%al' she remar)ed as he leaned o1er %o repla.e %he %ools o$ His %rade in his (ag Does %ha% mean good ne&s3 He rose %o his $ee% (eside her and ga1e her one o$ %hose long "nse%%ling loo)s I .an#% %hin) &hen I#1e e1er (een so happ* %o lose a pa%ien%' he o(ser1ed &i%h %he .loses% appro,ima%ion o$ sa%is$a.%ion she had e1er seen on %ha% lean $a.e Then I .an ge% "p $or %he &hole da*3 !es No& aren#% *o" glad *o" $ollo&ed m* ins%r".%ions and &en% %o (ed earl* *es%erda*3 Er' *es' said Toni' al%ho"gh he had insis%ed on s".h an earl* (ed%ime %ha% she had (een res%less la%e in%o %he nigh%' a .ir."ms%an.e %ha% a..o"n%ed $or her %ard* a&a)ening %oda* Those dar) enigma%i. e*es &ere s%ill mo.)ing her in some s%range &a* There &as a m"%e .hallenge in %he air' and Toni &as no% .er%ain &ha% i% mean% L"en%al &en% on' !o"#ll (e glad %o hear %ha% He%"lio $inished .ons%r".%ing %he %"(' and al%ho"gh i%#s no% elegan% i% holds &a%er !o" .an ha1e a (a%h (e$ore (rea)$as% i$ *o" &ish The %"(#s o"% on %he por.h' and i%#s alread* $illed The &a%er#s good and ho%' (e.a"se a $e& )e%%les $"ll o$ (oiling &a%er ha1e 4"s% (een added On %he por.h3 I% didn#% so"nd li)e %he mos% pri1a%e o$ pla.es He%"lio sho"ldn#% ha1e (o%hered' she said I reall* pre$er a %epid (a%h 5"% i% &as no% %he &a%er %empera%"re she &as %hin)ing a(o"% As i$ in ans&er %o her %ho"gh%s' L"is added in a dr* 1oi.e' I also as)ed He%"lio %o s%ring "p a .an1as ."r%ain' in .ase *o"#re &orried a(o"% *o"r pri1a.* 6n$or%"na%el*' shor% o$ ("ilding a (a%hho"se i%#s %he (es% %ha% .an (e arranged Tha% &as 1er* %ho"gh%$"l o$ *o" +ain% mo.)er* .rossed his lips Well' &hi.h &ill *o" ha1e $irs% / (a%h or (rea)$as%3 I %hin) I#ll ea% $irs%' Toni de.ided In %ha% .ase *o" migh% as &ell (rea)$as% in here There#s no poin% in ge%%ing

dressed %&i.e Toni glan.ed %o&ard %he small %a(le $lan)ed (* a single .hair' &here she had ea%en a soli%ar* s"pper %he pre1io"s e1ening When L"is L"en%al had appeared &i%h her %ra* %he nigh% (e$ore' he had %old her he &as $illing in $or his assis%an% Shoo%ing %he rapids is e,ha"s%ing &or)' he had said in %ha% %&o/edged 1oi.e o$ his He%"lio / and *o"r $riends / &ill (e headingU $or an earl* (ed %onigh% Toni had as)ed a $e& -"es%ions a(o"% %he s"..ess o$ %he %rip' ("% %he replies she had re.ei1ed had (een so da"n%ing %ha% she had (een dis.o"raged $rom as)ing $"r%her -"es%ions No% %ha% i% ma%%eredK she )ne& T* and 5arne* &o"ld (e ("rs%ing %o re.o"n% %heir e,perien.es %oda* I don#% &an% He%"lio %o ha1e %o (o%her &i%h a %ra*' she pro%es%ed no& He &en% %o -"i%e eno"gh %ro"(le %o prepare one las% nigh%' &hen he m"s% ha1e (een %ired $rom his %rip He%"lio didn#% prepare las% nigh%#s s"pperK I did A (* no& $amiliar p"lse s%ar%ed %o %i.) in Toni#s %hroa% So' ano%her e,ample %ha% pro1ed L"is L"en%al %o (e a $ar .r* $rom %he arrogan%' sel$/.en%ered .rea%"re she had on.e .onsidered him Ho& %ho"gh%$"l o$ him %o %a)e o1er )i%.hen d"%* &hen He%"lio &as in a s%a%e o$ e,ha"s%ionJ Then I o&e *o" a do"(le %han)s' she said I% &as a deli.io"s meal 5"% %his %ime ro"nd %here#s no need $or a %ra* I %hin) I#d ra%her ea% &here I .an ha1e .ompan* $or %he meal As *o" &ish' .ame %he .ool repl*' a..ompanied (* a smile %ha% .a"sed a deepening o$ %he sardoni. lines on his $a.e 5"% i% &as a smile' 1er* de$ini%el* a smile' and as he angled %o&ard %he door Toni $o"nd hersel$ &arming %o him on.e again' despi%e %he .*ni.al manner he &ore li)e a s"i% o$ armor As soon as he had depar%ed' she slipped o"% o$ (ed She &as a li%%le s"rprised' &hen she en%ered %he %in* dressing room' %o $ind %ha% her s"i%.ase had (een emp%ied a% some poin% / possi(l* earl* in %he morning' sin.e He%"lio .o"ld en%er %his par% o$ %he ("ngalo& $rom a door %ha% led dire.%l* on%o %he 1eranda Perhaps he had de.ided her .lo%hes &o"ld .rease less i$ h"ng "p3 A -"i.) glan.e (ehind doors and in dra&ers as.er%ained %ha% all her %hings &ere %here She dressed $or (rea)$as% -"i.)l*' .hoosing an an.ien% pair o$ &or) %ro"sers and her oldes% shir%' (e.a"se she )ne& she &o"ld onl* ha1e %o .hange again a$%er her (a%h She had 4"s% $inished s%ro)ing her hair %o sil)* .aramel smoo%hness &hen she heard so"nds o$ someone en%ering %he main room o$ %he ("ngalo& The (anging o$ %he s.reen door &as $ollo&ed (* %he %in* dis.erni(le noises o$ ."%ler* .lin)ing on a %ra* She

made a $a.e in %he mirror' p"% do&n her hair(r"sh and headed $or %he so"nds !o" didn#% ha1e %o do %ha%' He%"lio I / She &as dri1en in%o a s"rprised silen.e as she rea.hed %he large room and sa& no% red hair' ("% (la.) I %ho"gh% *o" &ere He%"lio' she said some&ha% red"ndan%l*' s%opping in her %ra.)s Her hear% per$ormed a (rie$ erra%i. %a%%oo The %all mas."line (od* s%raigh%ened $rom se%%ing do&n %he %ra* L"is#s e*es s&ep% Toni $rom head %o %oe in an open appraisal %ha% did %hings %o her p"lse ra%e His lean sa%"rnine $a.e %"rned de.idedl* derisi1e As *o" see I#m no%' he said O$$ (alan.e' Toni $ingered a shir% ("%%on near her &ais% and &ished she had ("%%oned one more a% %he "pper end o$ %he s.ale I %ho"gh% *o" agreed %ha% I &o"ldn#% ha1e %o ea% alone' she said He %"rned his a%%en%ion (a.) %o %he %ra* and (egan "nloading i%s .on%en%s !o" don#% ha1e %o' he said I#1e de.ided %o a..ep% *o"r in1i%a%ion I $inished m* morning ro"nds earl* %oda*' and I imagine I ha1e a hal$ ho"r or so (e$ore %he $irs% o$ %he da*#s pa%ien%s s%ar% %o drop (* I#m ea%ing &i%h *o" Toni e,amined %he %a(le and sa& %&o o$ e1er*%hing@ %&o ."ps' %&o (o&ls' %&o pla%es' %&o )ni1es' %&o $or)s' e1en %&o ra$$ia pla.e ma%s Perhaps %he o%her men had alread* ea%en3 She &as no% displeased %o ha1e .ompan*@ las% nigh% she had spen% some "na..o"n%a(l* *earning momen%s o1er her "nshared dinner I s"ppose I o1erslep% %he (rea)$as% ho"r' she .on.l"ded o"% lo"d !o" sho"ld ha1e ea%en &i%h %he o%hers Wo"ld *o" ra%her I had3 No' she admi%%edK and in $a.% %o hersel$ .on$essed %ha% she &as inordina%el* pleased She slid in%o %he pro$$ered .hair' m"rm"ring %han)s +ingers (r"shed agains% her sho"lder / an inad1er%en% .on%a.%' perhaps' *e% her $lesh leaped in ins%an% response 5* %he %ime L"is L"en%al lo&ered himsel$ in%o his o&n pla.e a% %he %a(le' her $ingers and her e*es &ere 1er* de%erminedl* o.."pied in disse.%ing a mango I% &as a %in* %a(le' &hi.h perhaps made %he ne,% .on%a.% ine1i%a(le Rea.%ing %oo s%rongl*' Toni sna%.hed her an)les (a.) (enea%h her o&n .hair and glan.ed "p&ard in ill/ disg"ised alarm' her ."s%omar* air o$ .ool .ompe%en.e %o%all* disr"p%ed A pair o$ dar) (ro&s %il%ed in%o a sardoni. -"es%ion Wh* %he 1iolen% rea.%ion3 Do *o" %hin) I did %ha% on p"rpose3

O$ .o"rse no% Toni le% her an)les ma)e a %en%a%i1e re%"rn %o %heir $ormer posi%ion' s%opping onl* &hen her o1erl* a."%e senses %old her %ha% her %ro"ser ."$$s &ere ma)ing %he sligh%es% o$ .on%a.% &i%h ano%her pair S.ram(led eggs3 While he ladled some on%o her pla%e' he added .ooll*' I ha1en#% no%i.ed *o" 4"mping $rom an*one else#s %o".h Sho"ld I (e $la%%ered0or o$$ended3 Please don#% (e o$$endedK i% &as 4"s% a re$le, on m* par% / -"i%e in1ol"n%ar* E1en %ho"gh Toni#s e*es &ere %"rned %o her pla%e %hro"gh mos% o$ %he meal %ha% $ollo&ed' she &as $ar %oo .ons.io"s o$ %he man a.ross %he %a(le / o$ %he meas"red mo1emen%s o$ lean long $ingers manip"la%ing )ni$e and $or)K o$ %he shir%$ron% &here %he dis%"r(ing %e,%"re o$ .rispness .o"ld (e glimpsed %hro"gh %he loosel* $as%ened la.esK o$ %he m"s."lar $orearms &here a li)e d"s%ing o$ hair dar)ened %he $irm %ea)/%anned s)in 5"% a(o1e all she &as agoni2ingl* and e,-"isi%el* a&are o$ e1er* s%irring o$ %hose long legs (enea%h %he %a(le' and on.e or %&i.e she .o"ld no% .on.eal her re$le,i1e rea.%ion Perhaps *o"#re no% "sed %o (rea)$as%ing &i%h s".h a long/legged man' he remar)ed &hen %he las% o$ se1eral inad1er%en% (od* (r"shings had .a"sed Toni#s )nees %o 4er) %oo mar)edl* I s"ppose %ha%#s i%' she agreed' da((ing her mo"%h &i%h a nap)in' as m".h $or p"rposes o$ .on.ealmen% as an*%hing Damn %his "na..o"n%a(le la.) o$ poiseJ He po"red %&o ."ps o$ .o$$ee $rom a hea1* me%al po% 5"% *o" are "sed %o (rea)$as%ing &i%h a man / or perhaps I sho"ld sa* men Toni glan.ed "pK his o(ser1a%ions seemed %o ha1e %a)en a some&ha% deroga%or* %"rn +rom personal e,perien.e she )ne& she .o"ld no% disa("se him o$ his mis.on.ep%ions' ("% some deep need impelled her %o%r* Loo)' Dr L"en%al' I / L"is' he .orre.%ed empha%i.all* Ha1e *o" $orgo%%en *o" .alled me L"is %he o%her da*3 Toni $el% her %hroa% %"rn dr* a% %he "nreada(le e,pression %ha% me% her $rom a.ross %he %a(le And *o" %old me %o .all *o" Dr L"en%al' she reminded him !o" &ere m* pa%ien% %hen The ."r%ain o$ pale hair s&"ng $or&ard as she lo&ered her head %o sip her .o$$ee I%#s hard %o .hange I s%ill %hin) o$ *o" as a do.%or Whi.h' she admi%%ed %o hersel$' &as 1er* $ar $rom %he %r"%h In %ha% .ase' I#ll gi1e *o" one more order / as a do.%or +rom no& on *o"#re %o

.all me L"is I insis% Toni &as $ar $rom displeased' despi%e her earlier pro%es% 5"%0oh' damn' &h* did she ha1e %o )eep hiding her e*es li)e a %eenager on a $irs% da%e3 L"is L"en%al had no% made a single ad1an.e' e,.ep% in her imagina%ion She loo)ed "p again and p"% a ligh% %one in her 1oi.e In %ha% .ase I ha1e no .hoi.e ("% %o o(e*' Dr L"en%al To o(e*0L"Ts' he .orre.%ed Al%ho"gh his e*es &ere dar) pools %oo deep %o $a%hom' %here &as a small smile pla*ing a(o"% his lips A de.idedl* sens"al smile And %here &en% Toni#s mis(eha1ing p"lses all o1er again L"is' she repea%ed I no%i.e *o" didn#% manage %he &hole sen%en.e I#1e $orgo%%en &ha% i% &as' Toni lied In %ha% .ase I shall ha1e %o remind *o"0la%er' he m"rm"red 5e$ore she .o"ld %hin) o$ a $i%%ing repl* %o %ha% some&ha% %&o/edged remar)' he had leaned $or&ard and rea.hed one hand a.ross %he %a(le S%ar%led' she p"lled (a.) in %he momen% (e$ore his $ingers .onne.%ed &i%h %he opening o$ her shir% I &as going %o loo) a% *o"r s%one S"rel* *o" don#% o(4e.%3 I0no' o$ .o"rse no% Damn' damn' damn Wh* did she ha1e %o )eep o1errea.%ing3 All %he improprie%ies &ere in her o&n mind' s%im"la%ed no do"(% (* %he sear.hingl* dire.% &a* L"is had (een loo)ing a% her e1er sin.e *es%erda* She p"lled %he %hong $ree &i%ho"% remo1ing i% $rom her %hroa% and held Maria#s s%one $or&ard $or his inspe.%ion As she &a%.hed his pra.%i.ed $inger%ips s%ro)ing %he .r"de mar)ings' her imagina%ion did a li%%le more o1er%ime I sa& i% aro"nd *o"r ne.) &hen I e,amined *o"' ("% I didn#% %a)e %ime %o loo) a% i% &ell I#d ha1e %o sa* i%#s gen"ine Where did *o" ge% i%3 Maria ga1e i% %o me One dar) (ro& no%.hed "p&ard Reall*3 A gi$% o$ gra%i%"de $or preser1ing her modes%*' I s"ppose3 He in.lined $or&ard a $e& in.hes' $ar eno"gh %o drop %he hea1* s%one (a.) in%o %he 1alle* (e%&een her (reas%s His &i%hdra&ing $ingers made a momen%ar* .on%a.% &i%h ."r1ed $lesh' a %o".h so $lee%ing i% .o"ld onl* ha1e (een a..iden%al Or had i%3 Toni#s "p&ard dar%ing glan.e $o"nd onl* %hose illegi(le (la.) e*es and a mo"%h &i%h a sardoni. %&is% L"is#s lids drooped (rie$l* as he said &i%h per$e.% .oolness' !o" do )no& &ha% %he s%one is' don#% *o"3

I / no S"rel* *o" ha1e some idea ho& %he Ama2on go% i%s name3 !o" m"s% ha1e done home&or) on %he region (e$ore .oming %o $ilm here !o" seem %o ha1e .ome &ell eno"gh prepared in o%her &a*s I do remem(er reading some%hing a(o"% %ha%' she a.)no&ledged' s%"d*ing %he edge o$ %he %a(le &here L"is res%ed one el(o& loosel* +rom %he legend o$ %he Ama2on &omen' &asn#% i%3 As I remem(er' %he $irs% e,plorers sa& some &arrior &omen &ho0 She pa"sed' %oo dis%ra.%ed (* his $le,ing $ingers and %he negligen% (end o$ his arm %o re.all %he e,a.% de%ails Where &as her 1a"n%ed .ompe%en.e no&3 Women &ho0 Her 1oi.e %railed o$$ +o"gh% (eside %he men' he $illed in dr*l* Those $irs% e,plorers / Spaniards' no% Por%"g"ese / .ame %o %he .on.l"sion %ha% %he* had done (a%%le &i%h a %ri(e o$ Ama2ons as in Hree) legend' espe.iall* (e.a"se some o$ %he less hos%ile %ri(es along %he ri1er had alread* %old %ales o$ a ra.e o$ %all' $air/.omple,ioned &arrior &omen A..ording %o s%ories %he Spanish leader Orellana had (een %old' %hese &omen li1ed alone' deep in %he 4"ngle' ("% appeared a% %imes %o $igh% (eside %heir .hosen lo1ers The %ri(es along %he ri1er .alled %hem %he 7"nhas/%e.o/imas / %he Women Who Li1e &i%ho"% La& Perhaps i% &o"ld ha1e (een more $i%%ing %o .all %hem %he Women Who Li1e &i%ho"% Men Toni s%opped hersel$ in %he a.% o$ &orr*ing %he %a(le.lo%h &i%h a $ingernail' %he )ind o$ ner1o"s mannerism she ne1er ind"lged in normall* +or her' a$%er %hese pas% lonel* *ears' %he des.rip%i1e name seemed %o hold a spe.ial signi$i.an.e And *e% i% had (een her o&n .hoi.e' hadn#% i%3 She $or.ed a ligh% la"gh %ha% so"nded %oo sel$/.ons.io"s $or her li)ing I$ %he* had ma%es' she poin%ed o"%' %he* didn#% li1e &i%ho"% men en%irel* The* did mos% o$ %he *ear In an* .ase %he %erm I "sed &as lo1ers' no% ma%es And %ha% (rings "s (a.) %o *o"r s%one There#s ano%her na%i1e &ord "sed %o des.ri(e %he Ama2ons@ I.amia(as' or Hi1ers o$ S%ones o$ %he +ores% Legend sa*s %ha% %he Ama2ons $ormed %hose s%ones o$ green .la* and ga1e %hem %o %he men %he* &an%ed $or %heir lo1ers / lo1ers on a %emporar* (asis' o$ .o"rse The* (e.ame in1ol1ed in no permanen% "nions The men &o"ld (e %a)en (a.) %o %he .i%* o$ %he Ama2ons long eno"gh $or %he ladies %o sa%is$* %heir ma%ing "rges' and %hen se% $ree I% &as .onsidered -"i%e an honor $or %he man' or so %he legend goes Legend3 Toni %o".hed %he 1er* real s%one 4"s% 1isi(le in %he 1ee o$ her ne.) This seems -"i%e %hree/dimensional %o me !o"r s%one' and o%her .ar1ings $o"nd in m"se"ms in 5ra2il / no% al&a*s %"r%les / are %he .loses% %hing %o proo$ %ha% %here#s an* s"(s%an.e %o %he s%or* a% all +or genera%ions

(e*ond .o"n%ing' green s%ones li)e %ha% ha1e (een handed do&n as pri2ed possessions in .er%ain Indian $amilies' al&a*s &i%h a re%elling o$ %he legend' al&a*s &i%h pride %ha% some an.es%or &as %he .hosen lo1er o$ an Ama2on Perhaps %here#s some grain o$ %r"%h in i%' a$%er all Tri(es a %ho"sand miles apar%' spea)ing di$$eren% lang"ages al%oge%her' %ell remar)a(l* similar %ales and %reas"re remar)a(l* similar s%ones D"ring %he re.i%a%ion Toni#s $a.e had $allen' and her e*es had $orgo%%en %o (e e1asi1e I &o"ldn#% ha1e %a)en %his $rom Maria i$ I#d reali2ed I did g"ess she migh% 1al"e i%' ("% I had no idea i% &as s".h a rare $amil* %reas"re Perhaps she &an%ed *o" %o ha1e i% L"is had spen% mos% o$ %hese pas% min"%es in .on%empla%ion o$ %he s%one#s res%ing pla.e' ("% no& his ga2e rose %o Toni#s $a.e 5"% I do &ish she had gi1en i% %o E)e%i ins%ead He .o"ld "se a li%%le en.o"ragemen% E)e%i .o"ld "se en.o"ragemen%3 Toni p"n.%"a%ed her as%onishmen% &i%h a s"rprised li%%le la"gh Hood grie$' i$ he#s in%eres%ed in Maria &h* doesn#% he 4"s% sa* so3 She#s head o1er heels in lo1e &i%h himJ Wha%3 L"is leaned $or&ard' .learl* ri1e%ed (* Toni#s dis.los"re Then he s"(sided' s%ill s%aring a% Toni as i$ he did no% (elie1e his ears On %he .on%rar*' he disagreed slo&l* I%#s E)e%i &ho#s .ra2* a(o"% Maria Wh* do *o" %hin) he &as so "pse% &hen i% seemed she#d %a)en a lo1er3 E)e%i has $ar more sense %han %he pre1io"s .hie$ I$ Maria#s name hadn#% (een men%ioned %he o%her da*' %he &hole a$$air migh% ha1e (een se%%led &i%ho"% in.iden% Toni s%ared (a.) I .an#% (elie1e he lo1es herJ Wh*' he %rea%s her li)e %he dir% "nder his $ee% Dir%3 A harsh li%%le la"gh p"n.%"a%ed %he ama2ed &ord !o"#re 1er* mis%a)en E)e%i is %erri$ied o$ Maria (e.a"se o$ her ed".a%ion +or mon%hs I#1e (een %r*ing %o %al) him in%o &or)ing "p .o"rage %o approa.h her' ("% he#s 1er* s%"((orn a(o"% i% He sa*s he has reason %o )no& she#s no% in%eres%ed in him And I#m in.lined %o agree &i%h E)e%i Maria &on#% e1en loo) in his dire.%ion Toni shoo) her head 1igoro"sl* I%#s 4"s% %he o%her &a* aro"ndJ Maria %hin)s %he s"n rises and se%s on him' ("% she#s a$raid %o li$% her e*es in his dire.%ion And she#s almos% gi1en "p hope %ha% he#ll e1er loo) a% her Did she a.%"all* sa* so3 She didn#% ha1e %o sa* $or me %o )no&J Toni hesi%a%ed $or a momen%' %r*ing %o remem(er ho& m".h Maria had re1ealed and ho& m".h had (een g"ess&or) on her o&n par% She &as 1er* e1asi1e' ("% I#m a(sol"%el* s"re %ha%#s &h* she &or)ed "p eno"gh .o"rage %o %a)e o$$ her .lo%hes She#s pain$"ll* sh*' *o" )no&' so %ha% $irs% %ime m"s% ha1e

(een %o%al ang"ish $or her 5"% someho& she managed i%' (e.a"se she &an%ed %o (e li)e %he o%her &omen / so E)e%i &o"ld no%i.e her No%i.e her3 Me" De"s' he no%i.es no%hing elseJ S"ddenl* %he* (o%h s%ar%ed %o la"gh in a shared momen% o$ deligh% as %he %r"%h (e.ame .lear I% &as %he $irs% %ime Toni had e1er seen L"is L"en%al#s $a.e (rea) .omple%el* o"% o$ i%s .*ni.al mold' and she $o"nd hersel$ li)ing &ha% she sa& Ho& &arm' ho& handsome he migh% ha1e (een i$ la"gh%er lines had s.ored %ha% mo"%h ins%ead o$ %he mar)s o$ a li$e%ime in (i%%ernessJ On.e again she $o"nd hersel$ %"rning &ea) inside in &a*s she had no% e,pe.%ed The la"gh%er' (e.a"se o$ i%s 1er* in%ima.*' ended in an a&)&ard momen% o$ silen.e When L"is#s so(ering e*es dar)ened &i%ho"% lea1ing her $a.e' Toni#s dropped %o .on%empla%e %he remains o$ %he (rea)$as% Well' I#ll ha1e %o spea) %o E)e%i again' L"is said a$%er a momen% I#ll pa* ano%her 1isi% (e$ore I lea1e on T"esda* Perhaps I .an .on1in.e him eno"gh %o o1er.ome his reser1a%ions He#s more %han read* %o marr*' I )no&' and he#s onl* (een p"%%ing i% o$$ (e.a"se o$ rel".%an.e %o propose %o an* o$ %he o%her girls &hen Maria is %he one he &an%s He#s in %o%al a&e o$ an*%hing he .onsiders .i1ili2ed' and he .onsiders Maria .i1ili2ed He#s s"re she#ll re4e.% him (e.a"se she %hin)s him an ignoran% sa1age Is %ha% &h* he#s (een learning Por%"g"ese3 To impress Maria3 Tha%#s added in.en%i1e' I imagine 5"% E)e%i is reall* learning (e.a"se he &an%s %o (e a good .hie$ S"rel* i$ *o" %ell him ho& Maria $eels0 I#ll %r*' $ro&ned L"is 5"% I .an#% promise I#ll s"..eed E)e%i#s pride is a 1er* %ender %hingK he &o"ldn#% &an% %o (e %"rned da&n I% migh% help i$ Maria so m".h as (a%%ed her e*es in his dire.%ion And she#ll ne1er do %ha%' sighed Toni Isn#% lo1e sill*3 !es' isn#% i%' m"rm"red L"is' and he sho% her a dar) glan.e %ha% se% %he air %o %&anging &i%h in1isi(le 1i(ra%ions And so o$%en .on$"sed &i%h se, Toni rose %o her $ee% -"i.)l* and s%ar%ed %o s%a.) %he (rea)$as% dishes I#ll %a)e %hese %o %he .oo)ing sha.) Isn#% %ha% &here He%"llo &ashes %hem3 !es' ("% Oe%"lio isn#% aro"nd a% %he momen% I ga1e him a0a small 4o( %o do L"is also .ame %o his $ee% and mo1ed aro"nd %he %a(le "n%il he &as s%anding (ehind her An arm rea.hed aro"nd $rom (ehind' and a res%raining hand %o".hed Toni#s arm ligh%l*

B"s% lea1e %heseK I#ll loo) a$%er %hem !o" go and ha1e %ha% (a%h On.e again she rea.%ed as i$ s%"ng' sna%.hing her $ingers a&a* a% %he momen% o$ impa.% His (od* &as no% %o".hing hers' ("% %he lean heigh% o$ him .ro&ded her agains% %he %a(le .losel* eno"gh %ha% she .o"ld no% mo1e &i%ho"% .onne.%ing Her )nees seemed %o %"rn %o 4ell* Re$le, again3 he mo.)ed' raising his hands %o her sho"lders and $or.ing her %o %"rn and $a.e him His mo"%h' a% Toni#s e*e le1el' &ore a )no&ing sens"o"s do&n&ard %&is% Or is i% a .ase o$ ner1es3 Perhaps I sho"ld ha1e e,amined *o" more %horo"ghl* She .losed her e*es (rie$l* as she "%%ered a silen% pra*er $or s%reng%h 7a"gh% in a &e( o$ se,"al %ension' she .o"ld no% ha1e mo1ed a&a* $rom him i$ she had %ried Wha%' a$raid %o loo) a% me' %oo3 S"rel* Maria#s modes%* isn#% .a%.hing The %a"n% &as one %ha% .o"ld no% (e ignored Her lashes $o"gh% %heir &a* open 4"s% a% %he 1er* momen% &hen %hose .r"ell* .ar1ed lips m"rm"red' I$ *o" &an% %o (e )issed' sa* so I .are 1er* li%%le $or .o*ness He had mo1ed no .loser' ("% %he o1erpo&ering hea% o$ his (od* .omm"ni.a%ed i%sel$ a.ross %he single in.h (e%&een %hem Toni alread* $el% her lim(s mel%ing %o&ard %ha% hea%' no more resis%an% %han .andle&a, .lose %o a s%rong $lame Mesmeri2ed (* %he s%rong %endons o$ his mo1ing %hroa%' she s&a*ed (rie$l*' helplessl* $or&ard and %hen p"lled (a.) again A hard )n".)le s)immed "p&ard %o %il% her .hin higher' so %ha% she .o"ld no longer e1ade %hose smo)ing d"s)/dar) e*es The* &ere reada(le no&@ and %he message &as a derisi1e one Are *o" %r*ing %o ro"se me %o a $ren2* / perhaps (e.a"se *o" pre$er %o pre%end *o"#1e (een %o".hed agains% *o"r &ill3 !o" re$"se %o as) $or a simple )iss' *e% (* *o"r a.%ions *o" as) $or m".h more No' I0I#m no% as)ing $or an*%hing 5"% her e*es &ere gla2ed and $e1erish' and her mo"%h &as so$% and mois% $or %he )iss she &as alread* %as%ing in her imagina%ion Tr* as she migh%' she .o"ld no% in.rease %he in.h (e%&een %hem The s%reng%h o$ &ill %ha% had )ep% men a% arm#s leng%h $or *ears seemed %o%all* sha%%ered no&' ("% some 1es%ige o$ ha(i% )ep% her $rom .losing %he gap She &an%ed %he )iss / ("% she &an%ed him %o )iss her When she nei%her mo1ed a&a* nor mo1ed .loser' %he mo.)er* $aded %o (e repla.ed (* open .on%emp% A &oman &ho deli(era%el* does %his %o a man deser1es no%hing ("% s.orn' he m"%%ered !o"#re %r*ing %o ma)e me &an% *o"K &h* don#% *o" admi% i%3 There &as an arrogan.e in %he &a* he &ai%ed' as %ho"gh he )ne& 1er* &ell he

.o"ld $or.e her in%o ma)ing %he $irs% mo1e Despi%e his 1er* palpa(le rea.%ion %o her nearness' %he &hole "n*ielding leng%h o$ him &as a re4e.%ion o$ her so$% s"rrendering plian.* She migh% ha1e $o"gh% him' ("% a% %he momen% she .o"ld no% $igh% hersel$K and so Toni %hre& %he %a%%ers o$ her pride %o %he &inds Please )iss me' she &hispered A% her re-"es%' a slo& smoldering passion %oo) possession o$ his $a.e !o"#re $lir%ing &i%h $ire' he m"rm"red 5"% I %hin) *o" alread* )no& %ha%0 He %oo) his %ime' h"rr*ing no%hing One hand rose' and his $ingers san) in%o her hair' holding her head in s%illness and readiness $or %he s"rrender %o .ome Then %he o%her hand@ i%s &arm imprin% mo1ed "p&ard %o her mo"%h' %ra.ing %he mois% %rem(ling o"%lines as i$ %o memori2e %hem The $ingers %ra1eled lo&er / del1ing in%o %he inden%a%ion o$ her .hin' des.ri(ing %he ."r1e o$ her 4a&' %a)ing de%o"rs in%o %he li%%le hollo&s o$ her %hroa%' $inall* sliding do&n %o %he %opmos% ("%%on o$ her shir% +or dis%"r(ing se.onds his $inger%ips insin"a%ed %hemsel1es (enea%h %he hea1* s%one %ha% la* %here and %es%ed %he sil)en 1alle* o$ her s)in Had he mo1ed %o %he $as%enings %hen' she .o"ld no% ha1e s%opped himK ("% ins%ead' &i%h a .aressing e,per%ise gained in no Ama2onian rain $ores%' his %h"m( mo1ed o1er %o s%ro)e her sensi%i2ed (reas%' %easing i% ligh%l* &i%ho"% %hr"s%ing %he $a(ri. aside Long (e$ore his $ingers (r"shed her nipples' a &ild$ire readiness had %"rned %hem %o %rai%oro"s %rem(ling pea)s o$ desire' and no%hing .o"ld s%op his s%ro)ing $inger%ips $rom dis.erning %ha% re1ealing $a.%' e1en %hro"gh %he hea1* .lo%h o$ her shir% E1en passion#s hea% did no% (lind Toni %o %he (rie$ gleam o$ .on%emp%"o"s %ri"mph in his pagan hea1*/lidded e*es And *e% she .o"ld do no%hing %o s%op him@ %here had (een %oo man* *ears o$ sel$/denial She .a"gh% her (rea%h on an "ns%ead* no%e as her sensi%i1e $lesh s".."m(ed %o a so$% s)ill$"l $ea%heringK %hen (i% her lip as his en%ire palm ."r1ed o1er %he $"ll s&ee% s&ell o$ her (reas% And %hen' "nh"rriedl*' his lips des.ended' and %he smo)e/dar) e*es .losed in +or e,-"isi%e momen%s his mo"%h mo1ed ligh%l*' (r"shing (a.) and $or%h agains% hers' %ea.hing her %he %as%es and %e,%"res o$ ro"ghness and smoo%hness' hardness and so$%ness' mois%ness and manliness I% &as a %a"n%ing' %emp%ing' deli(era%el* aro"sing %e.hni-"e %ha% pro(ed no .ommand / as ligh%' as en%i.ing' as maddeningl* ero%i. as %he slo& e,per% .aressing o$ her (reas% She .losed her e*es as a grea% &a1e o$ &an%ing $looded "p&ard $rom her lo&er lim(s Her hands .rep% "n(idden aro"nd his ne.) and .l"ng' $inding more s%im"la%ion in %he 1i%ali%* %ha% me% her $inger%ips Her &hole (eing (egged $or a deepening o$ %he )iss Desire &ashed i%s &a* %hro"gh her ra.ing (lood' "n%il a% las% / head*' hal$/dr"n) on %he mas."line $la1ors %ha% had seeped %hro"gh her sligh%l* opened lips' and eager %o o$$er a

more .omple%e s"(mission / she par%ed her lips more $"ll* and so"gh% his mo"%h &i%h an ardor and eagerness %ha% (e%ra*ed her ina(ili%* %o hold (a.) an*%hing He s%opped a% on.e' p"lling apar% &i%h a s"ddenness %ha% le$% her da2ed' limp' .on$"sed and h"r% I% %oo) a momen% %o ad4"s% %o %he s"dden in%err"p%ion o$ passion A ."rio"s .r"el hal$ smile pla*ed a(o"% L"Ts#s lips His sardoni. ga2e %ri.)led o1er her lips' s%ill par%ed as i$ %o in1i%e %he deeper pl"nder o$ his %ong"e Odd08 ha1e a $eeling *o" didn#% &an% %o s%op' he m"rm"red derisi1el* Toni s%r"ggled %o regain los% digni%* T"rning -"i.)l*' she spen% some momen%s regirding her de$enses The disr"p%ion o$ her senses &as re$le.%ed in %he disorder o$ her e,pression' and %ha% &as &ha% she did no% &an% him %o see Am I righ%3 persis%ed %he mo.)ing 1oi.e $rom (ehind her Are *o" dis%"r(ed %ha% I s%opped3 Wo"ld *o" ha1e pre$erred0 more3 O$ .o"rse no% Her ligh%ness &as no% (adl* $eigned' .onsidering her s*s%em &as s%ill reeling $rom %he "ne,pe.%ed sel$/(e%ra*al and L"Ts#s s"(se-"en% re4e.%ion I don#% den* I &as en4o*ing %he e,perimen% 5"% %ha%#s all i% &as / an e,perimen% A lo& smo)* .h".)le so"nded some&here near her ear And &ha% &as %he 1erdi.%3 Toni %oo) a deep' deep (rea%h There &as no poin% pre%ending she had no% (een a$$e.%ed (* &ha% had happened d"ring %he )iss !o" passed on %he sel$/.on%rol %es%' she said ligh%l* 5"% I#m a$raid I didn#% Hood He so"nded %oo am"sed $or Toni#s li)ing She &as s%ill %r*ing %o dredge "p %he &i% %o deal &i%h %he si%"a%ion &hen she heard him go on' 5e.a"se I#m loo)ing $or&ard %o %he momen% &hen I do )iss *o" properl* / as I promise I &ill' as soon as I .an (e s"re o$ no in%err"p%ion And %ha%#s one promise I loo) $or&ard %o )eeping I% so"nded more li)e a %hrea% %han a promiseK ne1er%heless %he &ords se% a %ho"sand ("%%er$lies as (ig as (l"e Ama2on morphos %o $l"%%ering in Toni#s lo&er s%oma.h Tha% L"is#s )iss &o"ld pro(a(l* (e a p"nishmen% as m".h as an*%hing / perhaps %o demons%ra%e his in1"lnera(ili%* %o her .harms / did no%hing %o .alm her -"i1ering sensi(ili%ies In %ha% .ase' she said some&ha% sha)il*' i%#s 4"s% as &ell *o"#re sleeping in %he hospi%al no& Oh3

And &i%h %ha% he ga%hered %he s%a.)ed dishes on %he %ra* and &al)ed o"% %he door And %ha% one li%%le &ord hanging in %he air .o"ld ha1e mean% an*%hing a% all Toni s%ared a% %he s.reen %ha% s%ill %rem(led $rom his passage' e,perien.ing a .ra2* %"m(le o$ sensa%ions O$ .o"rse %his %hing &o"ld ne1er go $"r%her %han a )isUs L"is#s pride and his ha%red o$ &omen pre.l"ded %ha% All %he same' an%i.ipa%ion $illed her &i%h an in%ense se,"al e,.i%emen%' despi%e %he lingering h"milia%ion (e.a"se he had no% .omple%ed %he )iss Ho& had he $o"nd %he &illpo&er %o (rea) a&a*3 She .o"ld s%ill almos% $eel %he in%ima%e press o$ %hose %highs' %he po&er o$ %hem' %he &arm%h o$ %hem' %he &an%ing o$ %hem0 and *e% he' no% she' had (ro"gh% %he )iss %o a hal% And %his in spi%e o$ %he deep $r"s%ra%ions %ha% m"s% %ormen% a man &ho had $ors&orn &omen *ears ago And her o&n 1o& %o remain $ai%h$"l %o Ma%%he& / &ha% had happened %o %ha%3 I% seemed 1er* hard %o %hin) o$ Ma%%he& no& And *e% &as a )iss so 1er* dislo*al3 5* %he %ime she $inall* %"rned %o&ard %he dressing room in order %o .hoose $resh .lo%hes %o don a$%er %he (a%h' she had managed %o -"ell all small g"il%s (* reminding hersel$ %ha% no%hing m".h .o"ld happen in %he $e& da*s %ha% remained (e$ore L"is le$% %his pla.e $ore1er 7er%ainl* no% &i%h T* and 5arne* near a% hand' and &i%h her d"%ies as prod".er %o .laim m".h o$ her a%%en%ion 5"% oddl*' %hose %ho"gh%s (ro"gh% li%%le .om$or%K ins%ead %he* $illed her &i%h a $e1er o$ res%lessnessN Si$%ing %hro"gh her .lo%hes in %he small ."p(oard' she s%ar%ed %o p"ll o"% a nondes.rip% .o%%on shir%' man/%ailored' as &ere all %he shir%s she had (ro"gh% $or %he mon%h And %hen' almos% o$ i%s o&n a..ord' her hand rea.hed $or a some&ha% more $eminine pie.e o$ apparel The $lims* &hi%e sil) shir% &as no% e,a.%l* $ri1olo"s' e1en %eamed &i%h .lose/$i%%ing s.arle% sla.)s %ha% &o"ld h"g her hips in &a*s %he (agg* 4"ngle %ro"sers had ne1er done Well' &h* no%' she %ho"gh% de$ian%l* The* &ere %he onl* hal$&a* de.en% .lo%hes she had (ro"gh% %o %his pla.e' and she migh% ne1er ha1e ano%her oppor%"ni%* %o &ear %hem T* and 5arne* &ere s"re %o %ease her "nmer.i$"ll*' ("% i% &as reall* none o$ %heir ("siness B"s% (e.a"se she %oo) a no%ion %o loo) li)e a &oman didn#% mean she &as doing i% $or a manJ She slipped o"% o$ %he morning#s "nshapel* .lo%hes and in%o a %err*/.lo%h ro(e o$ s".h "nero%i. design she hoped no one &o"ld see i% As she had no%ed earlier' a door $rom %his &ing o$ %he ("ngalo& opened dire.%l* on%o %he se.l"ded 1ine/en.losed 1eranda &here %he %"( s%ood A large lo& o(long .ons%r".%ion &i%h plan) sides li)e (arrel s%a1es' i% &as se% in%o %he L o$ %he ("ilding' en.losed (* %&o &alls so %ha% %he .an1as ."r%ain He%"lio had h"ng &o"ld $orm a si2a(le pri1a%e %riangle Soap' %o&els and her o&n shampoo (o%%le had alread* (een laid (eside %he %"( / (* He%"lio' no do"(% She laid her $resh .lo%hes on a small %a(le %ha% had (een pla.ed a% hand $or %ha% p"rpose There &as a small s%ool' %oo' and %his she p"lled .lose %o %he %"( %o ser1e as a

s%and $or her %o&els and her soap She %es%ed %he %"( &i%h her $ingers and $o"nd i% l")e&arm' (* no& a reasona(l* .om$or%a(le %empera%"re $or %his .lima%e And %hen' &i%h a sigh o$ pleas"re %ha% sponge (a%hs and .hill* ri1er immersions .o"ld (e a(andoned $ore1er' she p"lled %he .an1as ."r%ain %ha% .omple%ed %he en.los"re' s%ripped o$$ %he %err* ro(e and s%epped in%o %he &a%er +or a min"%e or so she simpl* soa)ed' a&are o$ her o&n (od* in a &a* she had no% (een $or *ears :ani%* &as no% a par% o$ her na%"reK all %he same she &as pleased %o see %ha% all signs o$ %he pi"m ordeal had 1anished' lea1ing her long slender lim(s and her $irm $"ll (reas%s as sil)* smoo%h as %he &a%er %ha% no& .aressed %hem And %hen' s.olding hersel$ $or %he "na.."s%omed preo.."pa%ion &i%h sel$' she %"rned %o %he ("siness o$ .leansing hersel$ Wan%ing %o shampoo (e$ore %he &a%er gre& %oo soap*' she s%ar%ed &i%h her hair She &or)ed i% %o a 1igoro"s $ro%h and rinsed i% (* pl"nging (enea%h %he &a%er' holding her (rea%h $or %hir%* se.onds &hile her $ingers &or)ed %he la%her o"% o$ her s.alp She .ame "p gasping' e*es %igh%l* .losed' hair s%reaming o1er her $a.e 5lindl* she rea.hed $or a %o&el in %he dire.%ion o$ %he s%ool she .o"ld no% see Her $ingers .onne.%ed &i%h no%hing ("% air Had she gro&n disorien%ed "nder&a%er and mis4"dged %he pla.emen% o$ %he s%ool3 Oh' damn' she m"%%ered' %r*ing %o &ipe %he las% %ra.es o$ shampoo $rom her e*es I#ll (e glad %o hand *o" a %o&el' said a deep mo.)ing 1oi.e' as soon as *o" sa* Iplease # CHAPTER EIGHT

SHO7K WA:ES re1er(era%ed $rom %ip %o %oe' sending splashes o1er %he side o$ %he %"( Toni %ried %o do e1er*%hing sim"l%aneo"sl* / open her e*es' p"sh her hair aside' &rap her arms aro"nd her e,posed (reas%s and sin) righ% %hro"gh %he (o%%om o$ %he %"(' all a% one and %he same %ime L"isJ she gasped' ha1ing managed a% leas% %he $ea% o$ re.o1ering her 1ision A% leas% *o" go% %he name righ% The derisi1e %a"n% &as $ollo&ed (* a %emp%ing sha)e o$ %he %o&el %ha% dangled 4"s% o"% o$ rea.h He had mo1ed %he s%ool a li%%le $ar%her $rom %he %"(' $ar eno"gh %ha% %o rea.h %he %o&el she &o"ld ha1e %o a(andon %he "ndigni$ied h"ddling o$ arms She opened her mo"%h and %oo) a deep (rea%h' read* %o ho&l $or help

S.ream i$ *o" li)e' he said "n.on.ernedl* !o"#ll ge% no ans&er' e,.ep% perhaps $rom %he ho&ler mon)e*s Old Manoel is hal$/dea$' and all %he pa%ien%s in %he .lini. are $ar %oo si.) %o .ome r"nning %o *o"r aid In %his par% o$ %he &orld' people don#% .he.) in &i%h minor .omplain%s E1er* p"lse and e1er* pore in her (od* 4angled &i%h an o1er$lo& o$ .on$li.%ing alarms 5"% grad"all*' as she s%ared &ild/e*ed' and as %hose openl* insolen% e*es s%ared (a.)' %he s.ream she had in%ended %o 1oi.e seemed %o die in her %hroa% Tha%#s (e%%er' he said .ooll* As *o" ha1e 1er* li%%le .hoi.e in %he ma%%er' *o" ma* as &ell a..ep% %he si%"a%ion The si%"a%ion3 He .o"ld onl* (e impl*ing %ha% %he o%her men had le$% %he .ompo"nd %his morning' perhaps %o do some $ilming on %he ri1er' possi(l* e1en sen% on a &ild/goose .hase (* L"is himsel$ Was %ha% &h* he had p"% a deli(era%e end %o %he )iss / (e.a"se he )ne& she &o"ld (e more 1"lnera(le on.e she &as in %he (a%h3 So m".h $or her shor%/li1ed admira%ion o$ L"is L"en%alJ Anger res%ored some e-"ili(ri"m' despi%e %he .on%in"ed p"mping o$ adrenaline %hro"gh her s*s%em Please ma* I ha1e %he %o&el' she re-"es%ed $rigidl*' h"n.hing her )nees %o her (reas%s I don#% li)e %he &a* *o" sa* Iplease # I$ *o" &an% i%' .ome and ge% i% Wi%h a shor% harsh la"gh he laid %he %o&el a.ross his lap' &here she .o"ld no% possi(l* rea.h i% "nless she go% o"% o$ %he %"( al%oge%her Aren#% *o" going %o as) me &h* &e#re alone3 Well' rela%i1el* alone Pa%ien%s e,.ep%ed Toni .ompressed her lips' p"shed her s%reaming hair o"% o$ her e*es and replied %a"%l*' A% leas% I )no& &e#re no% alone $or long T* and 5arne* &o"ld ne1er go o"% on a &hole da*#s shoo% &i%ho"% .ons"l%ing me There#s one $la& in *o"r logi.' .ame %he so$% dangero"s dra&l Doesn#% i% o.."r %o *e" %ha% %he* migh% no% ha1e re%"rned $rom *es%erda*#s shoo%3 She s%ared' dis(elie1ing' &hile L"is allo&ed %ha% dis%ressing pie.e o$ in$orma%ion %o pene%ra%e The pre1io"s a$%ernoon' d"ring %he period &hen she had (een allo&ed o"% o$ (ed' she had gone do&n %o %he do.) %o see T* and 5arne* %a)e o$$ &i%h a (oa%load o$ e-"ipmen%' and He%"lio as g"ide T&o or %hree ho"rs la%er L"is had ordered her (a.) %o (edK a% %he s"pper ho"r she had a..ep%ed his &ord %ha% %he o%hers had re%"rned Or had he a.%"all* said so3 She remem(ered no& %ha% he had dis.o"raged her -"es%ions 5"% i$ T* and 5arne* &eren#% (a.)' &here &ere %he*3 A &hole ne& )ind o$ .on.ern &ashed %hro"gh Toni' displa.ing some o$ %he disma* a% her o&n predi.amen%

The*#re -"i%e sa$e An arrogan% %&is% hardened L"is#s mo"%h I %hin) I %old *o" a(o"% %he mission do&nri1er I%#s no% so $ar / onl* a hal$/ho"r %rip 5"% shoo%ing %he rapids is hard e,ha"s%ing &or)' so &hene1er He%"lio does i% he al&a*s s%a*s o1ernigh% !o"r par%ners &o"ld (e &el.omed %here' %oo He glan.ed a% his &a%.h' a %hin gold &a$er nes%ling on %he s%rong &ris% I imagine %he*#ll (e s%ar%ing on %he re%"rn 1o*age an*%ime no& A hal$/ho"r %rip3 Then s"rel*' a% %he ris) o$ a li%%le &a%erlogging' she .o"ld s%allK i$ T* and 5arne* had made a reasona(l* earl* s%ar%' %he* .o"ld arri1e a% an* momen% The %"( &as no% m".h pro%e.%ion' ("% i% &as (e%%er %han no%hing / and no%hing &as &ha% she &o"ld ha1e i$ she s%epped o"% %o ge% %he %o&el Logi. helped %o disperse %he &ors% o$ her $ears' and she re.o1ered se1eral e,%ra meas"res o$ spiri% !o" migh% ha1e %old me all %his las% nigh%' she said' glaring I &an%ed *o" %o sleep in pea.e / he pa"sed $or drama%i. e$$e.% / &hile *o" .o"ld +or %he momen% %he impli.a%ion o$ his &ords es.aped herK her mind &as $"rio"sl* o.."pied in %hin)ing o$ o%her %hings Wh* &o"ld T* and 5arne* deser% her li)e %his3 Wh* &o"ld %he* no% o(4e.% &hen %he* reali2ed He%"lio in%ended %o s%a* o1ernigh%3 As *o"r $riends .o"ld hardl* %a)e %o %he ri1er &i%ho"% a g"ide' I imagine %he* had 1er* li%%le .hoi.e in %he ma%%er And He%"lio had dire.% orders $rom me no% %o s%ar% %he re%"rn %rip "n%il %oda* No& .ome' o"% o$ %he %"( I#ll dr* *o" o$$ i$ *o" li)e Toni pressed $ingers %o her %hroa% %o s"(d"e a momen% o$ h*s%eria !o" m"s% (e o"% o$ *o"r mindJ He shr"gged' "n.on.erned (* her rea.%ion' and 1ie&ed her &i%h $ain% s.orn Then dr* *o"rsel$ i$ *o" pre$er I merel* %ho"gh% i% migh% (e an in%eres%ing preliminar* I$ *o" %hin) I#ll permi% *o" %o )iss me no&' *o"#re -"i%e mis%a)enJ Kiss *o"3 His insolen% ga2e shi$%ed %o %he )nees s-"ee2ed agains% her (reas%s' men%all* dispensing &i%h %he pro%e.%i1e la*er o$ &a%er Tha%#s an in%eres%ing e"phemism The las% o$ Toni#s sha)en sel$/possession sha%%ered as an e,pression o$ %o%al o"%rage %oo) o1er her $a.e To her $"r%her anger' %he loss o$ poise seemed onl* %o am"se L"is Wh* pre%end %o (e ins"l%ed no&3 All %hro"gh (rea)$as% *o" &ere &ondering &ha% i% &o"ld (e li)e %o ha1e me ma)e lo1e %o *o"

I &as doing no%hing o$ %he )indJ she denied' all %he more ho%l* (e.a"se she had (een doing 4"s% %ha% Oh3 A (ro& no%.hed "p&ard' a(o1e e*es %ha% glin%ed s)ep%i.ism !o" &ere sending o"% signals li)e a (i%.h in hea% Need I remind *o" &ho as)ed $or a )iss3 !o" %ri.)ed me in%o i%J So inno.en%' An%onia3 he s.o$$ed' his "se o$ her $"ll name adding a dis%"r(ing no%e o$ s"gges%i1eness !o"#re as read* $or an a$$air as I am !o"#re madJ !o"#1e had a$$airs &i%h o%her men' he poin%ed o"% .on%emp%"o"sl* Wh* no% &i%h me3 There &as no poin% iss"ing hea%ed denials on %ha% par%i."lar s.oreK L"is had long ago made i% .lear %ha% he dis(elie1ed e1er*one#s e,plana%ions Ne1er%heless she snapped' 5arne* is 4"s% a $riend His e*es gli%%ered &i%h dis(elie$ Perhaps i%#s %ime *o" made a ne&0 $riend Wi%h %hose so$%l* spo)en &ords he le$% %he s%ool and .ame %o %he $oo% o$ %he %"( &i%h %he %o&el in one hand He spen% a momen% en4o*ing Toni#s .ons%erna%ion as he loo)ed dire.%l* do&n in%o %he limpid &a%er &here she sa% .ro".hed $or&ard %o .on.eal her (reas%s Then' )neeling' he rea.hed in%o %he %"( and sei2ed an an)le &i%h a $irm po&er$"l grasp Toni .o"ld s%op no%hing &i%ho"% ris)ing $ar &orse She %ried %o )i.) / a $"%ile e$$or%' $or %he an)le &as held in a grip o$ so$% s%eel In her pre.ario"s posi%ion she .o"ld no% e1en "se %he las% resor% o$ ph*si.al resis%an.e' as she had on.e done &i%h 5arne* She .on%in"ed %o s%r"ggle as (es% she .o"ld' ("% her $lailing seemed onl* %o am"se L"is 7on%rar* %o all logi.' &ild and "n&an%ed sensa%ions (egan %o shi1er "p&ard along %he .ap%i1e lim( Ignoring her in$"ria%ed pro%es%s' he insin"a%ed %he %o&el (e%&een ea.h %oe as %ho"gh i% &ere an o(4e.% o$ lo1e S".h a &ild li%%le $oo%' he m"rm"red I% &an%s %o )i.)0 or does i% &an% %o (e )issed3 Wi%h %ha% his %ong"e dre& a leis"rel* li-"id %rail o1er %he ins%ep There &as a deli(era%e e,perien.ed ero%i.ism %o %he ges%"re %ha% sen% li%%le ri1ers o$ mol%en $ire ra.ing along her 1eins' .hasing all o%her sensa%ions o"% o$ mind Toni gasped and sh"ddered 1isi(l* Wa%.hing her rea.%ion &i%h smoldering e*es' L"is mo1ed his open mo"%h o1er an an)le' and %he mois% imprin% seemed %o ("m all %he &a* %o her (reas%s She .losed her e*es' s%i$led a moan and .l"%.hed %he sides o$ %he %"(

A so$% s.orn$"l la"gh res%ored her &i%s 7an *o" s%ill den* %ha% *o"#re &illing3 he mo.)ed .r"ell* as he released %he $oo%' le%%ing i% sin) (a.) in%o %he &a%er !o"#re a &ea) -"i1ering .rea%"re' no more .apa(le o$ resis%ing *o"r passions %han an* o%her &oman Toni made a -"i.) re.o1er*' sloshing &a%er o1er %he sides o$ %he %"( as she regained some degree o$ modes%* &i%h her hands I .an resis% *o"' she (la2ed I in%end %o ha1e *o"' &he%her *o" resis% or no%' L"is &arned arrogan%l* as he rose %o his $ee% and hoo)ed his %h"m(s in%o his (el%' dra&ing a%%en%ion %o %he mas."line .on%o"rs o$ his %highs In an* .ase' I don#% (elie1e *o"r resis%an.e &ill las% pas% %he $irs% )iss He loo)ed a% her pier.ingl* and added in %he so$%es% o$ 1oi.es' Need I remind *o" %ha%#s some%hing *o" ha1e *e% %o e,perien.e / $rom me3 Ne1erJ His smile &as sardoni. !o"#ll (e &illing eno"gh &hen nigh%$all .omes I .o"ld soon ma)e *o" &illing no&' ("% $ran)l* I pre$er no% %o ha1e %he a.% o$ lo1e in%err"p%ed (* some .a(o.lo in %he %hroes o$ a malarial a%%a.) We#ll pro.eed a% %he end o$ %he da*' &hen I .an (e s"re no more pa%ien%s &ill arri1e Nigh%$all3 L"is#s %hrea%s &ere idleK (* nigh%$all %he o%hers &o"ld mos% .er%ainl* (e aro"nd %o pro%e.% her And a$%er %his morning no po&er on ear%h .o"ld $or.e her %o go &illingl* in%o %hose arms &here she had longed %o (e no% so man* min"%es (e$ore No% a$%er his d"pli.i%*K no% &hen he %rea%ed her in s".h .a1alier $ashionJ O"% o$ %he %"(' he .ommanded (r"s-"el*' a% las% holding a %o&el &i%hin her rea.h I re%ra.% %he o$$er %o dr* *o"' ("% I ha1e no o(4e.%ion %o le%%ing m* imagina%ion r"n rio% Toda* I#1e made no promises %o %"rn m* (a.) I#ll &a%.h Toni sna%.hed %he %o&el &i%ho"% %han)s L"is se%%led himsel$ on.e more on %he lo& s%ool' his ga2e dire.% and disdain$"l in a &a* %ha% ."rled her %oes and sen% indigna%ion %ingling "p and do&n her spine +or%"na%el* i% &as a h"ge $l"$$* o"%si2e %o&el' and she managed %o hold i% in s".h a &a* %ha% i% .on.ealed mos% o$ her as she s%epped o"% o$ %he %"( &i%h a grea% deal more has%e %han gra.e The %o&el remained &o"nd aro"nd all 1i%al par%s as she h"rriedl* p"lled her s.arle% sla.)s o1er s%ill dripping legs' s.orning %he simple (rie$s %ha% &o"ld mean onl* one more dela* in res%oring de.en.* The dampened sla.)s .l"ng %oo .losel* %o her s)in' ("% %here &as no help $or %ha% 6nder .o1er o$ %he %o&el she %ried %o propel %he 2ipper $as%ening "p&ard' &i%h li%%le ini%ial s"..ess More has%e' less speedK and "sing onl* one hand did no% help This %ime i% seems *o"r di$$i."l%ies are no% pre%ended' he %a"n%ed 7an I help3

7er%ainl* no%J !o"r manner o$ dressing lea1es a grea% deal %o (e desired' he no%ed sar.as%i.all*' leaning o1er %o sei2e %he sil) shir% and (rassiere %ha% remained on %he small %a(le 5"% I e,pe.% %he .lo%hes &ill .ome o$$ &i%h ra%her more pana.he I$ no%' I shall en4o* %ea.hing *o"0 A% las% Toni managed %o .lose %he 2ip %o %he &ais%' ma)ing %he %o&el a ne.essi%* onl* $or her "pper hal$ !o"#ll %ea.h me no%hingJ she 1o&ed %hro"gh .len.hed %ee%h I hadn#% imagined I#d ha1e %o' .ame %he .*ni.al re%or% 5"% I see *o" .o"ld "se some lessons in %he ar% o$ donning garmen%s pro1o.a%i1el*' in %he &a* %ha% pleases a man Ho&e1er' I $ind no $a"l% &i%h %he .hoi.e o$ .lo%hes *o"#1e made %his morning / e,.ep% $or %his He s%re%.hed one long lim( %o ma)e a hip po.)e% a1aila(le %o his hand' and &i%h si.) horror Toni sa& her "npro1o.a%i1e (rassiere go in%o i% Tha% done' he held o"% %he sil) shir% &i%h a deli(era%el* mo.)ing smile Ah' An%onia' *o" are a %ransparen% &oman / as %ransparen% as %his sil) !o" .hose %he .lo%hes %o please me' and i% pleases me %o see *o" in $e&er o$ %hem' %ha%#s all I happen %o $ind (rassieres "nero%i. Al%ho"gh %he shir% &as no% .omple%el* sheer' i% &as eno"gh o$ a see/%hro"gh %ha% &i%ho"% an "ndergarmen% i% &o"ld lea1e %oo li%%le %o %he imagina%ion I .an#% (e seen in p"(li. li)e %ha%J she pro%es%ed E,a.%l*' .ame %he .ool repl* 5"% %hen' I#m no% as)ing *o" %o go in p"(li. &i%h i% on In $a.% I s"gges% *o" s%a* a&a* $rom %he .a(o.los &ho .ome %o %he hospi%al %oda* I$ a ro"gh ri1er d&eller sa& *o" in %his $lims* sil)' he &o"ld (e s"re %o %hin) %he &ors% o$ *o"r01ir%"e And (elie1e me' m* .ool Ameri.an (ea"%*' mos% o$ %he ri1er d&ellers are 1er* ro"gh men So please' %oda*' sa1e *o"rsel$ $or m* e*es alone Spee.hless &i%h o"%rage' Toni sna%.hed %he sil) shir% and %"rned her (a.) %o $inish dressing Was i% possi(le L"is &as onl* %r*ing %o h"milia%e her' %o pa* her (a.) in )ind $or &ha%e1er ang"ish she had p"% him %hro"gh %ha% da* a% %he ri1er3 !es' i% .o"ld (e' she de.ided &ildl* Ha%ing &omen' he m"s% ha1e ha%ed her $or &i%nessing his &ea)ness %ha% da* No& he &an%ed %o &i%ness hers A man &ho had li1ed %he em(i%%ered li$e o$ a hermi% $or so long migh% 1er* &ell (rood a(o"% s".h an in.iden%' migh% 1er* &ell de.ide %o %a)e a %&is%ed re1enge 7er%ainl*' &i%h T* and 5arne* re%"rning soon $rom %heir o1ernigh% %rip' L"is .o"ld no% reall* e,pe.% %o $ollo& %hro"gh on his %hrea%s Perhaps he 4"s% &ished %o en4o* her mor%i$i.a%ion@ and %ha% he &o"ld mos% .er%ainl* (e doing' she reali2ed &i%h disma* as she

loo)ed do&n a% %he ero%i. delinea%ion o$ her (reas%s The nipples o1er &hi.h she had no .on%rol &ere %a"%' ere.% and 1isi(le as dar) shado&s %hro"gh %he sil) Dampened (* ri1"le%s o$ &a%er r"nning $rom her dripping hair' %he shir% .l"ng li)e a limpe% e,a.%l* &here i% sho"ld no% .ling' re1ealing %oo m".h o$ %he $"ll pale ."r1es and ma)ing no se.re% o$ her "n&illing aro"sal She hois%ed %he %o&el o1er her sho"lders' in%ending %o "se i% as a sha&l' onl* %o $ind i% &his)ed a&a* (* one 1er* de%ermined hand Wi%h his o%her hand L"is sei2ed her sho"lder' $or.ing her %o %"rn His $ingers $reed her a% on.e' and he re%rea%ed (* a $e& pa.es Well' i$ he &an%ed %o see her h"milia%ion' he &as .er%ainl* seeing i% no&J She did no% &ish %o gi1e him %he sa%is$a.%ion o$ )no&ing ho& %horo"ghl* shamed she $el%' and so pride pre1en%ed her $rom ma)ing "ndigni$ied a%%emp%s %o .o1er &ha% she )ne& he m"s% ha1e alread* no%i.ed :er* re1ealing' he .on.l"ded' le%%ing his e*es %ri.)le &i%h maddening insolen.e o1er %he $inished e$$e.% Ho& long does %he p"nishmen% go on3 she as)ed .oldl*' %hr"s%ing de$ian% hands in%o %he (el%line a% ea.h hip P"nishmen%3 His dar) (ro&s li$%ed -"i22i.all* in pre%ended s"rprise Wha% I ha1e in mind is no% p"nishmen% ("% pleas"re Damn his lean' so"r' .*ni.al $a.eJ Loo)' L"is' *o"r li%%le 4o)e has gone $ar eno"gh !o"#1e %"rned %he %a(les and *o"#1e made *o"r poin% I apologi2e $or se%%ing o"% %o0%o shame *o" %ha% da* (* %he ri1er 5elie1e me' I#m sorr* No& ma* I ge% in%o some%hing de.en% (e$ore %he o%hers re%"rn3 7er%ainl* 5"% &hen she s&i1eled' %hin)ing %o en%er %he ("ngalo& and hea1ing a sigh o$ relie$ %ha% %he ordeal &as no& o1er' she $o"nd hersel$ s%opped (* a $or.e$"l arm I said (e$ore %he o%hers re%"rn Tha% doesn#% mean %oda* A %&is% o$ .r"el am"semen% ."rled his lip Don#% *o" "nders%and' An%onia3 She s%ared a% him in rene&ed alarm' a p"lse %i.)ing erra%i.all* in her %hroa% 5"% a hal$/ho"r %rip / A hal$ ho"r going' he .orre.%ed so$%l* T&o da*s .oming (a.) CHAPTER NINE

WHAT WAS SHE TO DO / r"n3 No% in%o %he Ama2on rain $ores%' &here people

.o"ld 1anish &i%ho"% a %ra.e' hopelessl* los% &i%hin $i1e min"%es o$ pene%ra%ing %hose gloom* .a%hedral dep%hs %ha% had (een .alled Hreen Hell $or good reason No% (* %a)ing %o %he piranha/in$es%ed ri1er &i%ho"% a managea(le .ra$% o$ some )ind The %&o large d"go"%s %ha% remained do&n (* %he (an) had no mo%ors o$ an* )ind' onl* %hose odd .ir."lar paddlesK and Toni )ne& she had nei%her %he s)ill nor %he s%reng%h %o mane"1er %he hea1* (oa%s %hro"gh %he s&i$%l* r"nning ri1er And she .o"ld hardl* impose her %ro"(les "pon %he $e& dea%hl* ill pa%ien%s in %he .lini.' or "pon %he an.ien% hal$/(reed Manoel' &ho &as %oo old %o help and &ho in an* .ase spo)e nei%her English nor Por%"g"ese Se1eral ragged ri1erside .a(o.los s%opped (* $or medi.al aid d"ring %he da* Toni .onsidered and dis.arded %he prospe.% o$ approa.hing one o$ %hem $or help@ as L"is had said' %he* &ere a ro"gh/and/read* lo% Wo"ld she (e an* sa$er in %heir hands %han she &as in his3 Possi(l* no% And she .o"ld no% approa.h %he s%rangers .losel* eno"gh %o de%ermine &he%her an* o$ %hem loo)ed %r"s%&or%h* Thro"gh %he da* L"is made a poin% o$ mee%ing ea.h in.oming ri1er.ra$% a% %he do.)' lea1ing Toni no oppor%"ni%* %o approa.h %he o"%siders in pri1a%e Moreo1er' %his morning L"is had lo.)ed her o"% o$ his ("ngalo& &i%h a mo.)ing $lo"rish' so %here &as no possi(le &a* $or her %o a.-"ire a .hange o$ garmen% And &i%ho"% a .hange o$ garmen%' she .o"ld hardl* approa.h a %o%al s%ranger Damn %he man $or his o"%rageo"s (eha1iorJ He m"s% ha1e (een planning %his 1er* s.enario e1er sin.e *es%erda*K and possi(l* &i%h He%"lio#s $"ll .onni1an.e Or had he e1en needed %o %a)e He%"lio in%o his .on$iden.e3 He%"lio spo)e no English' and he migh% 1er* &ell ha1e se% o$$ e,pe.%ing %ha% T* and 5arne* )ne& e,a.%l* &ha% %he* &ere le%%ing %hemsel1es in $or I% &as L"is himsel$ &ho had engineered %he $ilm %eam in%o ma)ing %he %rip *es%erda*K she remem(ered %ha% per$e.%l* &ell The s"(%er$"ge &as "n$orgi1a(le And he e,pe.%ed her %o $all in%o his arms3 Well' damn him' she &o"ld no%J Ho& ignominio"s i% &o"ld (e %o %"rn helpless and spineless in %he arms o$ a man &ho pro$essed $or her and $or all &oman)ind no%hing ("% deep disdain Ho& mor%i$*ing %o le% his "nlo1ing hands ha1e %heir &a*' &hile she los% &i% and &ill and reason and pride and e1er* shred o$ resis%an.e Ho& h"milia%ing i% &o"ld (e %o le% him (rand her &i%h )isses &hile m"rm"ring &ords o$ ha%red in her ear0 And *e% %he memor* o$ %he e,-"isi%e &ea)ness %ha% had earlier shi1ered "p&ard $rom her %oes' agains% her &ishes and agains% all reason' $illed her &i%h disma* and apprehension $or %he .oming nigh% She )ne& %ha% despi%e %he (es% o$ in%en%ions i% &as possi(le she migh% (e &ea) / i$ she on.e le% L"is %o".h her She spen% %he da* in a $e1er o$ apprehension %ha% in.reased apa.e &hene1er he dre& near Those mo.)ing' dar)l* s.orn$"l e*es gleamed &i%h a mas."line %ri"mph %ha% promised no reprie1e and se% %he

(lood %o po"nding ner1o"sl* in her 1eins Wi%ho"% He%"lio %he meals relied hea1il* on %he .anned goods %ha% seemed %o (e a1aila(le in .onsidera(le -"an%i%* and arra*' %han)s %o %he &ee)l* s"ppl* $ligh% No% e,a.%l* %he $are o$ a $ine Rio res%a"ran%' L"is no%ed dr*l* o1er %he noon meal' $or &hi.h %he* sa% on %he 1eranda o$ his ("ngalo& a% a sa$e dis%an.e $rom pr*ing e*es 5"% *o" seem %o ha1e a hear%* appe%i%e %oda* Perhaps *o"#re less apprehensi1e a(o"% %his e1ening %han *o" pre%end3 Toni .ompressed her lips and (en% her head o1er %he $ood 5oiled s&ee% po%a%oes' .anned peas and .anned .orned (ee$ &ere no% her idea o$ go"rme% $are' ("% a% leas% %he* &ere a .hange $rom %he ine1i%a(le (la.) (eans and $ish %ha% &ere He%"lio#s s%o.)/in/%rade $or %his %ime o$ da* And %here &as a good s"ppl* o$ n"%s and $r"i% %o $ill "p %he .hin)s as soon as %he .anned goods palled As L"is had remar)ed' her "n%ena(le si%"a%ion had done no%hing %o in%er$ere &i%h her appe%i%e I#m merel* ("ilding m* s%reng%h $or la%er on' she said .oldl* A lo& s"gges%i1e la"gh &as %he ans&er she re.ei1ed' along &i%h a m"rm"red' Hood A% %he end o$ %he da*' shor%l* (e$ore s"ndo&n' he insis%ed %ha% she a..ompan* him %o %he ri1er &hile he (a%hed' a ri%"al he reser1ed "n%il a$%er %he pa%ien%s had (een $ed and se%%led $or %he nigh%' &i%h %he old hal$/(reed Manoel le$% %o &a%.h o1er %hem Despi%e L"is#s derisi1e %a"n%s' Toni s%onil* a1oided &a%.hing him s%rip %o %he s)in She .as% a $lee%ing glan.e a% %he &a%er onl* a$%er she had heard %he dis%in.%i1e splash o$ a di1e' long eno"gh %o as.er%ain %ha% he &as s%ro)ing s%rongl* o"% in%o %he s&i$% ."rren%' as he had &arned her no% %o do He dressed s&i$%l* &hen he emerged $rom %he &a%er' .ommen%ing on Toni#s de%erminedl* a1er%ed ga2e &i%h no more %han a deep %hroa%* .h".)le o$ s".h arrogan.e %ha% she $el% her ha.)les rise She had no% %"rned her (a.) .omple%el*@ %ha% &o"ld ha1e (een %oo reminis.en% o$ ano%her o..asion 5"% she s%ood s%i$$l*' s%raigh% as %he $lagpole i%sel$' s%aring s%onil* %o&ard %he $ar ri1er(end and hoping agains% hope %ha% (* some mira.le He%"lio#s .ra$% &o"ld p"% in an "ne,pe.%ed appearan.e (e$ore %he las% ligh% o$ da* 7ome $or a s%roll' L"is said' mo1ing in%o 1ie& His hair &as s%ill damp $rom %he s&im A dar) "nr"l* $orelo.) $ell o1er his $orehead' emphasi2ing %he "n.i1ili2ed -"ali%ies in his $a.e No' %han) *o" I insis% O(d"ra%e $ingers rea.hed $or her &ris% %o en$or.e %he .ommand

She sna%.hed her arm a&a* (e$ore .on%a.% .o"ld (e made' an a.%ion %ha% merel* (ro"gh% a s"perior sa%iri.al li$% %o his dar) (ro& He dropped his hand' ("% his manner said more .learl* %han &ords %ha% her e$$or%s a% resis%an.e &ere no more %han an e,er.ise in $"%ili%* I al&a*s go $or a s%roll along %he ri1er(an) a% %his %ime o$ da* / a% leas% "n%il %he ri1er ge%s so high %ha% %here is no ri1er(an) Seeing an Ama2on s"nse% in %he proper se%%ing is good $or %he so"l Then (* all means go' Toni re%or%ed %a"%l* !o"r so"l .o"ld "se a li%%le impro1emen% I#ll .all a %r".e $or %he d"ra%ion o$ %he &al) The o$$er .ame in a .ool "n$riendl* 1oi.e Hands o$$K e*es o$$' %oo Toni ni((led imper.ep%i(l* on her lip as she .onsidered %ha% The s"n &as 1er* near %he hori2on T&en%* min"%es or so o$ rela%i1e sa$e%*3 A% leas% i% p"% o$$ %he momen% &hen she had %o s%ar% $igh%ing o$$ his ad1an.es' a momen% %ha% &as approa.hing m".h %oo s&i$%l* $or her li)ing Na%"rall* m* promise doesn#% hold i$ *o" %hro& *o"rsel$ in%o m* arms' he added &i%h "n$la%%ering sar.asm There are some limi%s %o m* sel$/.on%rol Well' are *o" .oming3 I$ *o" don#% I .an onl* ass"me i%#s (e.a"se *o"#re impa%ien% %o ge% in%o (ed &i%h me a% on.e We .an do %ha% i$ *o" li)eK I#1e alread* %"rned do&n %he (ed and s&i%.hed on some lo& roman%i. lamps The "nmi%iga%ed arrogan.e o$ %he manJ Toni .as% a .ool &i%hering glan.e a% %he lean s"per.ilio"s $a.e' s&"ng her long s.arle%/.lad legs in a ne& dire.%ion and s%ar%ed %o &al) a&a* $rom %he do.)' along %he ri1er(an)' &i%ho"% loo)ing %o see i$ he $ollo&ed Momen%s la%er he mo1ed &ordlessl* in%o %he lead The ri1er &as no% *e% so s&ollen as %o %o".h %he (ases o$ %he %rees %ha% $ringed i% Ne1er%heless i% &as a narro& pre.ario"s passage (e%&een %he green &a%er and %he green %rees S%rips o$ damp grass al%erna%ed &i%h %he sogg* moss* m"d(an) %ha% s-"ished (enea%h %he ligh% slipper* mo..asins she had &orn in pre$eren.e %o %he %emporaril* dis.arded (oo%s The* mo1ed slo&l*' &i%h L"is pa.ing his longer s%ride %o her slo& "n.er%ain progress This %ree is a .apirona He poin%ed "p&ard as %he* mo1ed (enea%h an "m(rella/ shaped spe.imen High a(o1e' Toni heard %he si(ilan% ("22 o$ &ild (ees' ("% she &as %oo engrossed in $inding sa$e $oo%age %o $ollo& %he s&eeping dire.%ion o$ his arm And %ha%#s a .ala(ash / %he one h"ng &i%h $r"i% li)e green $oo%(alls 5ra2ilian .hes%n"%0(a(ass"N No&here else in %he &orld &ill *o" $ind so man* di$$eren% spe.ies o$ %rees gro&ing so .losel* %oge%her In $a.%' *o" seldom $ind more %han a hand$"l o$ an* one )ind

o$ %ree gro&ing in one pla.e He .ame %o a hal%' and (e.a"se his %all (od* (lo.)ed %he &a*' Toni also s%opped per$or.e Perhaps i%#s na%"re#s &a* o$ pro%e.%ing %hem $rom %he spread o$ disease' &hi.h .an (e a pro(lem &hen %oo man* %rees o$ one spe.ies gro& %oge%her / in %he Ama2on' a% leas% The he1ea' %he (es% r"((er %ree o$ all' is a na%i1e o$ %hese par%sK "n%il less %han a h"ndred *ears ago i% gre& no&here else in %he &orld Then one man managed %o %ransplan% a shipmen% o$ seedlings else&here' and soon i% &as gro&ing in ni.e' nea%' managea(le ro&s / e,.ep% in %he Ama2on When Henr* +ord %ried %o s%ar% a plan%a%ion in %his par% o$ %he &orld' i% $ailed (e.a"se o$ disease And *e% %he soli%ar* r"((er %ree %hri1es deep in %he 4"ngle There are a $e& plan%a%ions no&' ("% in %he Ama2on mos% o$ %he r"((er s%ill has %o (e .olle.%ed %he same old &a* / deep in %he 4"ngle Whi.h sho"ld' he $inished dr*l*' e,plain %o *o" &h* %he grea% &ild/r"((er (oom .ollapsed In i%s o&n home %erri%or*' r"((er .o"ldn#% (e prod".ed .heapl* eno"gh %o .ompe%e &i%h %hose ni.e nea% ro&s in Mala*a and o%her %ropi.al .o"n%ries Toni pro$essed in%eres% in no &a* Wh* gi1e him %he sa%is$a.%ion3 The lean/ $ea%"red $a.e %"rned %o her -"i22i.all* $or a momen%' and %hen he s%ar%ed %o &al) again' no% .ommen%ing on her silen.e There#s a .arna"(a %ree / i%#s $amed $or i%s &a, And %his is a .o& %ree Slash i% and i% *ields a mil) %ha% some%imes ser1es as a s"(s%i%"%e $or %he real %hing The* p"shed pas% %rees &hose "n$amiliar names &ere as e,o%i. as %he air/$eeding $lo&ers and de.ora%i1e 1ines %ha% draped %hem' o$%en in e,"(eran% s%reamers %ha% drooped %o %he &a%er#s edge L"is mo1ed &i%h %he s"re$oo%edness o$ a man &ho )ne& e,a.%l* &here he &as going' a1oiding %he pi%$alls and roo%s %ha% seemed %o %"rn Toni#s e1er* s%ep %o a ha2ardo"s slipper* gam(le There$ore she &as no% "nhapp* &hen %he shor% &al) .ame %o a hal%' &hen %he* had progressed no more %han $i$%* *ards $rom %he do.)ing area We#ll s%op no&' L"is de.reed as %he* rea.hed a pla.e &here a grea% $allen %ree' "proo%ed (* las% *ear#s $lood' la* parallel %o %he (an)' i%s massi1e roo% s*s%em alread* a home %o .lim(ing 1ege%a%ion o$ all )inds Dire.%l* ahead a sharp arro&/lea$ed palm o1erh"ng %he ri1er I%#s %oo hard %o p"sh pas% %ha% *a.i%ara palm Those spin* lea1es are .apa(le o$ impaling passers(* on %he ri1er and li$%ing %hem righ% o"% o$ %heir (oa% / so *o" .an imagine &ha% %he* &o"ld do %o %ha% $lims* %op o$ *o"rs We#ll &a%.h %he s"nse% $rom here Iss"ing no in1i%a%ion %o Toni %o 4oin him' he dropped on%o %he %ree %r"n)' o"%s%re%.hed his lim(er lim(s and .rossed his $ee% %o &ai%# $or %he momen% &hen %he sin)ing s"n rea.hed %he hori2on She' %oo' sa% do&n / a% a sa$e si,/$oo% dis%an.e

Tha%#s a $loa%ing island / one o$ %he $irs% o$ %he season' L"is no%ed as a grea% (ed o$ greener* and h*a.in%hs s&ep% s&i$%l* pas% Or perhaps in %his .ase I sho"ld sa* a $loa%ing $lo&er garden I do"(% %ha% par%i."lar island .o"ld hold a person#s &eigh%' ("% in %he heigh% o$ %he $lood people some%imes do "se $loa%ing islands $or $ree %ranspor% do&n %he ri1er Some are a.res in si2e / %&en%* $ee% %hi.) and .o1ered &i%h %rees A% Toni#s de%ermined la.) o$ ."riosi%*' a glin% o$ am"semen% appeared on his $a.e People "s"all* as) &h* %he islands don#% sin) The reason is %ha% %here#s 1er* li%%le %opsoil in %he Ama2on / onl* a %hi.) ma%%ing o$ 4"ngle gro&%h He glan.ed a% her mo.)ingl* 5"% I s"gges% *o" don#% %r* %o es.ape %ha% &a*' i$ a large .h"n) happens %o $loa% (* The %ranspor%a%ion is $ree' ("% %he des%ina%ion is some&ha% "n.er%ain The Indians sa* %ha% all rapids are %he home o$ L"a-"ilmaneh' %he spiri% &ho ea%s (oa%s0 and some%imes islands' %oo And i$ *o" happen %o ma)e i% %o %he Ama2on i%sel$0&ell' in $lood *o" migh% &ash righ% o"% %o sea &i%ho"% seeing ei%her shore A% i%s mo"%h %he Ama2on is %en %imes as &ide as %he English .hannel Toni had resol1ed no% %o as) -"es%ions' ("% his &ords %o".hed on &orries %ha% s%ill nagged a% %he (a.) o$ her mind Are *o" s"re 5arne* and T* are sa$e3 !es' I#m s"re The rapids on %his par%i."lar %ri("%ar* are no% par%i."larl* di$$i."l%' and no one )no&s %hem as &ell as He%"lio does Wi%h a .o"ple o$ old ri1er hands %o help him ha"l %he (oa% (a.) "ps%ream' he .o"ld easil* manage %he re%"rn %rip in a da* 6s"all* he arranges $or %&o .a(o.lo $riends %o a..ompan* him $or %ha% e,a.% p"rpose 5"% %his %ime / !o" de.ided T* and 5arne* .o"ld do %he ha"lingJ Toni glared as %he $"ll e,%en% o$ L"is#s %rea.her* (e.ame apparen% Ho& %ho"gh%$"lJ The*#ll (e a li%%le sore' he admi%%ed in a disingen"o"s dra&l To&ing (* p"lling on a piassa1a rope is hard &or) $or someone &hose hands are no% .all"sed' and as He%"lio &ill (e %oo ("s* on shore %o s%a* in %he (oa% and help &i%h %he ha"ling0 someho&' I %hin) *o"r par%ners &ill remem(er %his %rip Toni m"%%ered some%hing "nprin%a(le "nder her (rea%h as L"is &en% on sardoni.all*' Don#% $eel %oo sorr* $or *o"r $riends Someone has %o mo1e %he rope $rom %ree %o %ree' and He%"lio ris)s as man* dis.om$or%s or more on %he shore Horne%s &i%h s%ings li)e s.orpions' %rees &i%h spines li)e s&ords' h"ngr* alliga%ors l*ing li)e logs a% %he &a%er#s edge And %hen %here are %he ana.ondas / %he* al&a*s s%a* .lose %o %he ri1er(an)s and nes% in %he shallo& &a%ers &here He%"lio &ill some%imes ha1e %o &al) I imagine *o"r $riends &o"ld pre$er %o do %heir &or) in %he (oa% Toni#s gra* e*es spar)led &i%h "n.on.ealed anger Someho& I .an#% &or) "p s*mpa%h* $or He%"lio' she $lashed' espe.iall* as he#s aiding and a(e%%ing *o"r

s.hemes Oh3 L"is m"%%ered &i%h $eigned non.halan.e' 4"s% as %he ri1er %"rned %o an in.redi(le red (la2e "nder %he lo&ering s"n Perhaps *o"#d ha1e more s*mpa%h* $or He%"lio i$ *o" %"rned *o"r e*es (a.) and loo)ed "p&ard There#s a %ree (ehind *o" I %hin) *o" sho"ld loo) a% Toni did / and &as ins%an%l* red".ed %o a -"i1ering mass o$ gela%in She s%opped %he s.ream %ha% rose %o her %hroa% onl* (* %hro&ing hersel$ dire.%l* and $or.e$"ll* in%o %he 1er* arms she had s&orn' &i%h all %he (es% in%en%ions in %he &orld' %o a1oid Wha%' s"rel* no% a$raid3 The am"sed sar.asm did no% reass"re her a% all The %&o m"s."lar arms %ha% had re.ei1ed her sha)ing (od*' almos% as i$ e,pe.%ing i%' no& .losed aro"nd her in an ine,ora(le grip I%#s onl* a small ana.onda' L"is mo.)ed' no more %han %&en%* $ee% And he .o"ldn#% possi(l* h"r% *o" He#s s%ill %oo ("s* diges%ing his las% meal %o pa* *o" an* a%%en%ion &ha%soe1er No& loo) on.e more and *o"#ll see %here#s no%hing %o (e a$raid o$ He &on#% ea% again $or a mon%h or so Wi%h her head impelled (* $irm $ingers' she $o"nd her "n&illing e*es $or.i(l* %"rned %o a %ree%op some %&en%* $ee% (ehind %he &a%er#s edge The ana.onda &as sleeping The serried .oils o$ i%s %hi.) gra*ish (ro&n (od*' .amo"$laged (* i%s o&n mar)ings and (* %he la%e shado&s .as% (* %he $oliage' &ere draped sl"ggishl* o1er a s%o"% (ran.h 4"s% 1isi(le %hro"gh %he %rees An* $ool .an see he#s alread* (loa%ed &i%h a meal' L"is s.o$$ed Perhaps i%#s %he horns pro4e.%ing $rom %he head %ha% alarm *o"3 I admi% %he* do loo) a li%%le s%range Tha%#s a par% o$ his meal %he ana.onda .an#% diges% He#s (een "p %here $or %he pas% .o"ple o$ da*s' &ai%ing $or %hem %o drop o$$ / &hi.h %he* &ill' as soon as his diges%i1e pro.esses $inish %heir &or) Sh"ddering si.)l* and &i%h no %ho"gh% no& o$ e1asi1e %a.%i.s' Toni %"rned her head %o&ard L"is#s .hes% Her 1oi.e &as m"$$led (* %he &arm .lose press o$ his shir% Please le%#s ge% a&a* $rom here' she said I#m no% read* %o go' .ame %he .ool re%or% I %old *o" %here#s no%hing %o (e a$raid o$ Me" De"s' do *o" %hin) I &o"ld ha1e allo&ed *o" %o se% o$$ in %his dire.%ion i$ %here &ere3 I ha1e no lo1e o$ $emale h*s%eri.s Despi%e %he %o".h o$ s.orn in his 1oi.e' his &ords &ere reass"ring Onl* %he s"ddenness o$ %he appari%ion in %he %rees had .a"sed Toni#s momen%ar* pani.K "nreasoning $ear &as no% one o$ her $ailings I% e1apora%ed no& in %he reali2a%ion %ha% she had (een &ell and %r"l* %ri.)ed in%o doing e,a.%l* &ha% L"is had &an%ed all along I &arned *o" no% %o %hro& *o"rsel$ in%o m* arms' he mo.)ed !o" $ool' *o"

li%%le $ool This is all I#1e (een &ai%ing $or0 He $or.ed her $a.e %o %"rn %o his' and his dar) desiro"s e*es .losed in In %he ins%an% (e$ore his mo"%h %oo) hers (* s%orm' she .losed her lips %igh%l* and s%ar%ed %o s%r"ggle agains% his en.ompassing 1iseli)e arms His head 4er)ed $ree as her $ingernails ra)ed his sho"lders' s.oring e1en %hro"gh %he $a(ri. o$ his shir% His grip %igh%ened' %"rning h"r%$"l In %he (la.) e*es li%%le pinpoin%s o$ %he s"nse% re$le.%ing $rom %he ri1er#s s"r$a.e &ere li)e %in* red em(ers / $laring danger signals %ha% &arned o$ anger aro"sed His mo"%h %hinned %o a .r"el (o& He made no more mo1e %o $or.e his )iss' ("% &ai%ed &hile she &ore hersel$ o"% &i%h $"%ile e$$or%s %o $igh% $ree o$ %hose m"s."lar arms And %hen' as his s"perior s%reng%h $inall* (ro"gh% her resis%an.e %o a hal%' his e*es so$%ened and (egan %o smolder' and a ne& e,pression %oo) possession o$ his mo"%h M"s% *o" $igh%3 His 1oi.e &as lo&' in%ima%e' h"s)* &i%h desire !o" %hre& *o"rsel$ in%o m* arms' remem(er Onl* (e.a"se *o" %ri.)ed me in%o i%J She remained s%i$$' s%i$led (* his o1er&helming em(ra.e !o" )ne& %he ana.onda &as hereJ Tr"e' he (rea%hed' %he e,pelled air so .lose i% $anned her mo"%h 5"% gi1en m* .hoi.e' I &o"ld ha1e se% o$$ in %he opposi%e dire.%ion Need I remind *o" %ha% *o" led %he &a*3 !o" .o"ld ha1e s%opped me' she asser%ed &ildl*' as his lips deposi%ed a li%%le line o$ )isses along her rigid 4a& and in%o %he p"lsing hollo& o$ her %hroa% Wh* &o"ld I3 This is a roman%i. pla.e' a (ea"%i$"l pla.e0 %he )ind o$ pla.e %o s%ar% an a$$air I$ *o" $igh%' *o"#re onl* $igh%ing *o"rsel$ !o" as)ed $or a )iss earlier' ("% &ha% *o" reall* as)ed $or &as some%hing else al%oge%her0some%hing *o" &an%' some%hing I &an%' some%hing &e#1e (o%h (een %hin)ing a(o"% e1er sin.e &e $irs% sa& ea.h o%her S"ddenl* e1er* o"n.e o$ s%ar.h deser%ed her Perhaps i% &as %he "ns"ppressed passion in his smo)ing e*es' %he so$% &ooing &arm%h o$ his 1oi.e' %he hea1* sens"ali%* o$ his mo"%h %ha% o1er.ame her resis%an.e Wha%e1er %he reason' %he $igh% e((ed $rom her (od* and a grea% helplessness &elled "p inside' %"rning her so$%' plian%' .omplian% His s%reng%h and his p"rpose$"lness and his nearness %"rned her &ea) and di22* The male a"ra o$ him $illed her nos%rils and %he male &arm%h o$ him o1erpo&ered her reason Perhaps she had spen% %oo man* *ears %r*ing %o (e s%rong' %r*ing %o $orge% she had a &oman#s needs' a &oman#s hear%' a &oman#s &ea)nesses /

And i$ %his &as a &ea)ness i% &as a s&ee% one' li)e %he mol%en s&ee%ness %ha% had s%olen %hro"gh her lim(s d"ring %ha% one "n.omple%ed )iss Wha% she sa& no& in his e*es &as &ha% she had %hen &an%ed %o seeK &ha% she $el% in %he hea% o$ his arms &as &ha% she had %hen &an%ed %o $eelK &ha% she heard in his 1oi.e &as &ha% she had %hen &an%ed %o hear Po&erless %o resis%' she mel%ed' so$% as &arm ("%%er in his hands Le% me lo1e *o"' An%onia' he m"rm"red Le% me do %he %hings I &an% %o do' %he %hings I m"s% do' %he %hings *o" &an% me %o doN Hen%l* a %h"m( %ra.ed %he o"%line o$ her lips and %hen pro(ed' so$%l* .ommanding He s%ro)ed %he $"ll lo&er 6p a&a* $rom her %ee%h / and %hen' e1en as her lips par%ed in helpless o(edien.e' his $ingers mo1ed a&a*' lea1ing onl* %he man %as%e o$ his hand %o %ell her he had 1iola%ed her mo"%h in an* &a* Le% me )iss *o"' he m"%%ered I% &as a .ommand' no% a re-"es%' $or he &ai%ed $or no ans&erK and in an* .ase %he ans&er &as alread* in %he %rem"lo"s e,pe.%an.* o$ her par%ed lips She groaned a $ee(le denial' ("% his lips des.ended' %a)ing &ha% she .o"ld no% re$"se %o gi1e His (rea%h mingled &i%h her o&n as she s"(mi%%ed %o %he insis%en% e,plora%or* in1asion o$ his %ong"e' his eas* mas%er* ma)ing a mo.)er* o$ her in%en%ions She .l"ng %o him' %rem(ling' shamed (* her &ea)ness ("% imprisoned (* i% all %he same Her o&n a.hing h"nger pre1en%ed her $rom $igh%ing %he mo"%h %ha% possessed hers so e,per%l*' so %horo"ghl*' so passiona%el*' so deepl* +or %his &ild "n.aring momen% she s"rrendered %o %he %as%es and %e,%"res o$ %emp%a%ion' .ap%i1e o$ her o&n "nreasoning responses A% las% he li$%ed his head Le% me do &i%h *o" as I &an% %o do' he (rea%hed hoarsel* in%o her hair And &i%h %ha% he s&ep% her sh"ddering "nresis%ing (od* in%o his arms S"re$oo%ed' s%rong armed' he .arried her along %he ri1er(an)' .lose agains% %he &all o$ his .hes% The las% red (la2e o$ s"nse% paled (eside %he (la.) (la2e o$ &an%ing in his e*es The lean (ron2ed $a.e &as .ons"med &i%h a pagan need %o possess' a %erri(le smo)ing in%ensi%* %ha% made all remem(ered emo%ions seem small There &as no mo.)er* no&' onl* a na)ed desire' a ("rning p"rpose$"lness %ha% &as ma%.hed (* %he impa%ien.e o$ his long s%rides No% on.e %a)ing his e*es $rom her $l"shed $a.e' L"is nego%ia%ed %he narro& %rea.hero"s margin (e%&een ri1er and %rees' as.ended %he rise' .o1ered %he gro"nd %o his ("ngalo& e1en as rose red s"nse% ga1e &a* %o p"rple d"s) A $ain% glimmering o$ &illpo&er $li.)ered (a.) in%o (eing as Toni heard %he ("ngalo& door (eing )i.)ed .losed (ehind his heel Ho& .o"ld she respond &i%h s".h .omplaisan.e in %he hands o$ a man &ho held her in .on%emp%3 To s"rrender so a(4e.%l* %o someone &ho despised her &as a (e%ra*al o$ e1er*%hing she (elie1ed a(o"% lo1e' and she )ne& she m"s% no% do so &i%ho"% ma)ing some e$$or% %o s%op him

No $igh% remained in her lim(s' onl* a $l"%%ering helplessness' ("% she managed %o "%%er some s%rangled .ries o$ pro%es% as he laid her &here she had slep% $or %he pas% %&o nigh%s No' L"is' please' I (eg o$ *o"N He s%ro)ed se1eral erran% s%rands o$ smoo%h hair a&a* $rom her mois% (ro& Le% me %emp% *o"' he (rea%hed' and his %h"m(s laid %heir male imprin% "pon %he se.re% sensi%i1e pla.es o$ her ears / %he shells' %he lo(es' %he li%%le hollo&s hiding %here' ea.h pla.e a har(orer o$ s&ee% sin$"l imp"lses %ha% .a"sed her %o gasp &i%h a pleas"re she did no% &an% %o $eel No' she moaned' %"rning her head a&a* 5"% her .linging hands' her par%ed lips' her mel%ing hips sen% di$$eren% messages %o %he 1irile (od* %ha% had .ome do&n on %he (ed (eside her He %&is%ed do&n&ard %o %o".h a nipple &i%h his %ong"e' mois%ening %he sil) o$ her shir% There &as no need %o %ease a response $rom her (od* The poin%ed %rem(ling %a"%/ness o$ dar) $lesh 1isi(le %hro"gh %he semi%ransparen% sil) ga1e %he lie %o all her lo& moans o$ denial No' L"is' noN Le% me "ndress *o"' he m"rm"red' and %he ("%%ons o$ her (lo"se s".."m(ed one (* one %o his $ingers' $reeing %he deep s&ell o$ her (reas% (e$ore he .ap%"red i% &i%h %he palm o$ his hand Le% me %o".h *o" The %hi.)ened "rgen% &ords &ere no re-"es%' ("% an a..ompanimen% %o &ha% his hard impera%i1e hands had alread* done Le% me %as%e *o"N She moaned as his mas%er$"l mo"%h possessed her (reas% &i%h no (arriers o$ $a(ri. no& 5enea%h %he $ea%hering %o".h o$ his lips %he &ea)ness %"rned %o &ildness There &as a madness in her no&' a &an%ing %ha% .o"rsed %hro"gh her li)e a $ores% $ire o"% o$ .on%rol' ("rning "p&ard and do&n&ard $rom %he 1er* pla.e &here his %ong"e and his lips and his %ee%h &ere %a)ing .ommand o$ a nipple / %o*ing &i%h i% in e,per% arden% &a*s %ha% %old he )ne& 1er* &ell ho& %o aro"se a &oman Then her hips' %oo' &ere $reed' and his hands (la2ed a searing %rail o1er her $lesh e1en as he s%ro)ed %he .lo%hes a&a* L"is' s%op' she &hispered as he s%ood "p %o shed his o&n .lo%hes 5"% %his las% $e1ered plea migh% as &ell ha1e remained "n"%%ered' $or i% ga1e him no pa"se' and she hersel$ had long sin.e passed %he poin% o$ no re%"rn His %anned hands &ere impa%ien% on his shir% ("%%ons' as %he* had no% (een on hers The s-"are po&er$"l sho"lders .ame $ree' and %hen %he $i% $la% s%oma.h' dar)l* %anned agains% %he lean/hipped linen %ro"sers The hard %oned (i.eps o$ his "pper arms .on%ra.%ed &i%h has%e as he "n$as%ened his (el% (".)le' propelled %he 2ip do&n&ard' (en% %o $ree his legs $rom %he las% o$ his .lo%hes And

%hen %he na)ed 1irile leng%h o$ him .ame .r"shing do&n on %he (ed (eside her' remo1ing m".h $rom her 1ie& 5"% s%ill %he impressions &ere indeli(l* imprin%ed on her mind@ %he hard smoo%h $leshK %he dar) dis%"r(ing d"s%ing here and %hereK %he paling o$ s"n%an on $irm $lan)sK %he mas."lini%* o$ %ha% &ell/m"s.led (od* Le% me %a)e *o"' he m"rm"red as his arms ga%hered her .lose agains% %he &arm%h o$ lim(s &hose po%en.* ro((ed her o$ %he &ill %o resis% ph*si.all*' e1en i$ she s%ill %ried %o den* her o&n needs She $o"gh% %o remind hersel$ %ha% i% &as se,"al dri1e' no% lo1e' %ha% mo%i1a%ed L"isK %ha% he &an%ed her onl* %o ass"age %he "rgen.ies o$ long sel$/denialK %ha% he s.orned her' ha%ed her' held her in .on%emp% She &o"ld no%' .o"ld no%' m"s% no% respond No0oh0 And %hen %here &ere no more pro%es%s Hard $ingers la.ed %hemsel1es in%o her hair' holding her $a.e in readiness $or his onsla"gh% His lips re1er%ed %o %he mos% primi%i1e o$ lang"ages' par%ing hers &i%h a $or.e$"lness %ha% le$% her no .hoi.e ("% %o s"(mi% As his mo"%h %oo) possession o$ %he innermos% so$%ness' her senses sp"n .ra2il* Onl* %he mos% despera%e o$ reminders %o hersel$ )ep% her arms $rom s%ealing aro"nd his sho"lders' her hands $rom e,ploring %he $eel o$ him as she longed %o do' her mo"%h $rom responding %o his deepening )iss Ma%%he&' Ma%%he&' Ma%%he&' she %old her mind %o sa*' %r*ing %o .on4"re "p 1isions o$ her h"s(and %o pro%e.% hersel$ agains% &ha% &as mos% .er%ainl* a %ra1es%* o$ e1er*%hing she (elie1ed a(o"% lo1e 5"% her mind (e%ra*ed her' and %he name %ha% rang in her (od* and her (loods%ream and her (rain &as L"is' L"is' L"isN Hea1* agains% her (ared (reas%s la* %he ma%%ed %e,%"re o$ his male .hes%K hea1* agains% her &ais% &as %he %ense .orded s%oma.hK hea1* agains% her hip la* %he demanding .on%o"rs o$ his male (od*' &hi.h &o"ld $ind i%s pea.e onl* a% %he e,pense o$ hers His )iss &as a(rasi1e' "rgen%' in%r"si1e no& / no% as)ing ("% demanding' no% gi1ing ("% %a)ing I% &as her "l%ima%e s"(mission he &an%ed' and he %old her so &i%h hands %ha% ("rned %heir &a* o1er her (reas%s and her &ais% and (elo& Her legs resis%ed par%ing onl* $ee(l*' and %he mo1emen% o$ dissen% &as (r"shed aside (* $ingers %oo s%rong %o resis% Tha% insis%en% mas%er$"l hand no& see)ing and $inding did so onl* as a pre."rsor o$ a s&i$% lo1eless possession $or &hi.h she a.hed and agains% &hi.h she s%rained S"rel* %he &ri%hing o$ her hips &as %he las% pro%es% o$ a los% .a"se0 s"rel* %he &ild %remors deep in her .ore &ere $ear' as his %o".h gre& %oo in%ima%e0s"rel* %he li%%le animal so"nds lo& in her %hroa% &o"ld ha1e (een denials i$ %he* had no% (een silen.ed (* %he domina%ion o$ his mo"%h She &as "nprepared $or %he s"ddenness &i%h &hi.h he 4a.))ni$ed a&a* All a%

on.e she &as $reed and s%aring &i%h gla2ed "n.omprehending e*es as he 4er)ed %o a si%%ing posi%ion (eside her' (la.) e*es smoldering a% her &i%h an emo%ion %ha% no& seemed 1er* li)e anger Wo"ld *o" please %ell me' he said in a 1oi.e hoarse &i%h "nsla)ed passion' &h* in %he name o$ Hod *o"#re s%ill a 1irgin3 CHAPTER TEN

ARE !O6 TR!INH %o ro( me o$ m* sani%*3 !o" migh% ha1e %old me (e$ore I &en% so $ar She s%ared a% him' 1oi.e .logged in her %hroa%' s%ill no% a(le %o (elie1e %ha% he had a.%"all* s%opped / %ha% he had (een a(le %o s%op As reason slo&l* reasser%ed i%sel$' and she remem(ered %ha% she had no% &an%ed %o s"rrender hersel$ %o a man &ho %rea%ed her &i%h s".h .on%emp%' she rea.hed $or a shee% %o .o1er her (reas%s and her "n.on%rolla(l* sh"ddering lim(s !o" &ere married $or %&o *earsK *o" %old me so Or &ere *o" l*ing a(o"% %ha%3 The response Toni managed %o ma)e &as "ne1en and hal$/s&allo&ed' ("% a"di(le No' I &asn#%0 l*ing I &as0 married L"is loo)ed a% her as i$ he .o"ld no% (elie1e his e*es 5enea%h %he 4"% o$ %hose s%rongl* delinea%ed .hee)(ones' %he m"s.les in his $a.e &or)ed as he a%%emp%ed %o .on%rol some s%rong emo%ion A$%er a $e& s%ar)l* silen% momen%s he rose $rom %he (ed and &al)ed %o %he dressing room' his m"s."lar $rame "nna%"rall* rigid He emerged a $e& min"%es la%er &earing a (la.) .o%%on dressing go&n o$ )imono design' loosel* %ied aro"nd %he &ais% S%ill %oo sha)en (* &ha% had happened %o raise her e*es %o his $a.e' Toni &a%.hed %he s%ill "n.o1ered .al1es o$ his legs ad1an.e %o&ard her De.en%l* .o1ered no&' as &as she' he sa% on.e more on %he edge o$ %he (ed I#1e e,amined eno"gh 1irgins in m* li$e%ime %o ma)e no mis%a)es' he s%a%ed in %he mos% peremp%or* o$ %ones I %hin) *o"#d (e%%er e,plain M* marriage &as ne1er .ons"mma%ed' Toni said in a lo& 1oi.e Tha% m".h is sel$/e1iden%' .ame %he $ain%l* sar.as%i. re4oinder No& (e good eno"gh %o %ell me %he reason I don#% o&e *o" an* e,plana%ions' she said &i%ho"% raising her e*es Well' %hen' I m"s% s%ar% ma)ing ass"mp%ions As *o"r responses seem -"i%e

normal' despi%e *o"r0 reser1a%ions' shall &e sa*' I ha1e %o ass"me %ha% *o"r h"s(and#s &ere no% Was he impo%en%' or &as i% (e.a"se he simpl* &asn#% in%eres%ed in0 &omen3 Some de$ense o$ Ma%%he& &as .alled $or' and perhaps %ha% &as &ha% impelled Toni %o gi1e %he e,plana%ion she had .laimed no% %o o&e There &as an a..iden%' she said &i%h a la.) o$ in$le.%ion %ha% %old no%hing o$ %he .h"rning' *earning hear%a.hes o$ %hose *ears Ma%%he& &as a -"adriplegi. The memories &ere pain$"l e1en %oda*' nearl* $i1e *ears a$%er Ma%%he&#s dea%h' and perhaps %ha% sho&ed in %he (lea)ness o$ %he e*es she no& raised %o %he man &ho had almos% %a)en &ha% her h"s(and had ne1er (een a(le %o %a)e L"Ts remained silen% As his "nders%anding gre&' so did his .ompassion' and %hen some o%her' e1en deeper emo%ion / remorse' perhaps' $or his mis4"dgmen% o$ her .hara.%er And (e.a"se $or on.e %here &as no .on%emp%' no .ondemna%ion' in his silen.e' Toni &en% on' re1ealing more %han she had in%ended %o re1eal I% happened %he da* o$ o"r &edding' she &hispered Tha%#s &h* I0 Her %igh%ening %hroa% ."% o$$ %he res% o$ %he sen%en.e' ("% %here &as no need %o spell o"% again %ha% her marriage had no% (een a normal one A$%er a %ho"gh%$"l momen% L"is spo)e Tell me a(o"% *o"r h"s(and' he said so$%l*' in %he )ind o$ 1oi.e she had ne1er heard him "se (e$ore She &as no% s"re &h* she o(e*ed' and *e% she did / hesi%an%l* a% $irs%' %al)ing o$ %ha% pain$"l par% o$ her li$e %ha% had .olored her &hole e,is%en.e Ho& she had gone $rom Spain %o Ne& !or)' planning %o &or) her &a* %hro"gh .ollege Ho& she had $o"nd a %emporar* 4o( sear.hing land %i%les Ho& she had me% %he *o"ng' eager' 1i%al la& s%"den% and $allen in lo1e Ho& %he .ollege plans had (een p"% aside &hen Ma%%he& proposed We &ere (o%h 1er* *o"ng' and &e didn#% ha1e m".h mone*' so &e had de.ided %o hone*moon 4"s% o"%side o$ Ne& !or) A$%er %he .eremon* &e .he.)ed in%o a small old ho%el There &ere some *ello& roses in %he lo((*' and I0 I happened %o sa* ho& lo1el* %he* &ere (e$ore &e go% in %he ele1a%or O"r room &as on %he se1en%h $loor Room se1en/se1en/se1en I as)ed $or i% (e.a"se i%#s m* l".)* n"m(er' Ma%%he& had said' la"ghing as he s&"ng her in%o his arms and .arried her o1er %he %hreshold in%o %he room I% had (een %he se1en%h da* o$ %he mon%h' and B"l*' %he se1en%h mon%h o$ %he *ear She had (een nine%een and he had (een %&en%*/$o"r and %he* had (een 1er* m".h in lo1e He le$% me in %he room and &en% (a.) do&ns%airs / %o ("* some roses' al%ho"gh he didn#% %ell me %ha% "n%il la%er

Se1en *ello& roses Hod' Toni' I onl* &an%ed %o %ell *o" I lo1ed *o"' and loo) &ha% a mess I#1e made o$ m* li$e O$ o"r li1es O$ me Damn %hose *ello& rosesJ There &as a $a"l%* ele1a%or Toni %oo) a deep (rea%h' ("% her le1el 1oi.e $al%ered in no o%her &a* Some%hing ga1e o"% righ% a$%er i% s%opped a% o"r $loor %o pi.) him "p T&o o%hers &ere )illed Ma%%he& &as0l".)ier Or had he (een l".)ier3 Le% me die' he had pleaded so man* %imes Le% me die Kill me' Toni I$ *o" lo1e me' gi1e me some%hing and le% me die +or m* sa)e' $or *o"r sa)e0 oh' Hod' I#ll gro& %o ha%e *o"' Toni' i$ *o" don#% le% me die A$%er %ha% he had no "se o$ his lim(s' e,.ep% $or a $e& m"s.les in one arm' she $inished d"ll* L"is (ro)e %he silen.e in a -"ie% gra1e 1oi.e Toni &as gra%e$"l %ha% he )ep% his pi%*' i$ an*' %o himsel$ And *o" Tell me a(o"% *o" There#s reall* no%hing %o %ell !es' %here is' he insis%ed e1enl* +or one %hing' ho& did *o" s"r1i1e $or %hose *ears3 The medi.al (ills m"s% ha1e (een enormo"s I% &asn#% so hard 5"% i% had (een hard' and perhaps L"is g"essed a% some o$ %he $inan.ial s%r"ggles o$ %ha% %ime' $or he added -"ie%l*' Did *o"r paren%s help3 M* paren%s are (o%h re%ired' li1ing in Spain The* s"r1i1e on a small pension 5"% Ma%%he&#s mo%her is a &ido&' and a% %he %ime she had a small ho"se a(o"% $or%* miles o"% o$ Ne& !or) When Ma%%he& go% o"% o$ %he hospi%al &e &ere a(le %o mo1e in &i%h her I managed %o ge% a good 4o( I .o"ld .omm"%e %o in %he .i%*' as a girl +rida* &i%h %he prod".%ion ho"se %ha% s%ill emplo*s me Ma%%he&#s mo%her .ared $or him d"ring %he da* &hile I &or)ed There &as no pre%%* $lesh %o de.) %he (are (ones o$ %ha% s%or* 5"% perhaps Toni#s silen.e said more a(o"% %he dr"dger* and dreariness and hopelessness o$ %hose %&o *ears %han an* &ords .o"ld ha1e done And *o" $o"nd in *o"r .areer &ha% *o"r h"s(and .o"ldn#% gi1e *o"' L"is s%a%ed a$%er some momen%s o$ a(sor(ing &ha% she had %old him Some )ind o$ $"l$illmen% Tha%#s no% so' she denied' ("% $or %he $irs% %ime she seemed "n.er%ain' her e*es %"rning a %ro"(led smo)* gra*' li)e &ind/r"$$led &a%er Wi%h one $inger she %ra.ed a res%less pa%%ern on %he shee% and %hen smoo%hed i% -"i.)l*' as %ho"gh she )ne& %he a.%ion (e%ra*ed %oo m".h I% &asn#% al&a*s eas*' ("% i% &or)ed o"% all righ% I &as0 .on%en%

I% &as no% a %o%al lie A$%er %he &ors% o$ %he sho.) had passed %here had (een (i%%ers&ee% momen%s / %imes &hen she had )no&n hersel$ %o (e neededK %imes &hen she had $o"nd a poignan% sa%is$a.%ion in her gro&ing a(ili%* %o s"ppor% hersel$ and a .rippled h"s(andK %imes &hen Ma%%he& had (een %o".hingl* gra%e$"l %ha% she had no% ann"lled %he marriage In %he (eginning I% had (een li)e %ha% in %he (eginning And %hen %here had (een %he $irs% seeds o$ s"spi.ion I IWh* &ere *o" la%e %oda*' Toni3 Wha% did *o" do3 And *o"r h"s(and' L"is as)ed' %o".hing %he $inger %ha% s%ill &ore Ma%%he&#s &edding ring Did *o" lo1e him3 Ho& .an *o" sa* *o" lo1e me' Toni / a man &ho#s no man a% all3 The e*es %ha% had (een so (righ% had gro&n (i%%er' %he e*es o$ a s%ranger imprisoned in a $amiliar $a.e Loo) a% me &hen *o" sa* *o" lo1e me' so I .an see %he lie in *o"r e*esJ Loo) a% m* armsJ Loo) a% m* legsJ Ho& .an *o" lo1e me &hen I#m no more %han a parod* o$ a man3 !o"#d (e happier i$ I &ere dead Oh' Hod' ."rse %hose rosesN !es' I lo1ed him' she said simpl* Who is he' Toni3 I don#% (elie1e %ha%J Wha%#s his name3 Does he &or) in *o"r o$$i.e' Toni / does he3 I )no& *o" %a)e a l"n.h ho"r Is %ha% &hen *o"#1e (een seeing him3 In some seed* li%%le ho%el3 Oh' Hod' do *o" reall* e,pe.% me %o (elie1e *o"3 Wha% does he gi1e *o" %ha% I .an#%' Toni3 Does he gi1e his li$e $or *o" as I did / as I s%ill &o"ld i$ I .o"ld3 Or does he 4"s% gi1e *o" roses3 M* Hod' *ello& rosesN Ho& did he die3 .ame %he ne,% slo& -"es%ion I% %oo) Toni a min"%e %o $orm"la%e her repl* This' %oo' &as a pain$"l memor*' perhaps %he mos% pain$"l o$ all' and she &an%ed her ans&er %o (e%ra* no more %han ne.essar* I sa1ed eno"gh mone* %o ("* Ma%%he& a spe.ial &heel.hair' she said I% &as one o$ %hose %hings &i%h all sor%s o$ gadge%s I% .o"ld (e a.%i1a%ed &i%h %he $e& m"s.les he .o"ld "se I% &as a li%%le hard $or him %o ge% "sed %o i% A% $irs% he &as al&a*s se%%ing o$$ in %he &rong dire.%ion She s&allo&ed and $inished in a s%rained 1oi.e' I sho"ld ne1er ha1e (o"gh% i% There &as ano%her a..iden% / a $a%al one %his %ime Des.ri(e %he a..iden% I don#% %hin) / Tell me' L"is said in a 1oi.e so a"%hori%a%i1e' so meas"red' %ha% she (egan %o %ell despi%e hersel$ I &as a% &or) His mo%her &en% o"% one da* on a shor% errand When she .ame (a.)' he &as dead a% %he (o%%om o$ %he (asemen% s%airs The &heel.hair had $allen / I

s"ppose (e.a"se Ma%%he& a.%i1a%ed %he &rong .ommand S"i.ide3 O$ .o"rse no%J A hand li)e a (and o$ s%eel .losed o1er her &ris% 7all a spade a spade' An%onia I$ he .ommi%%ed s"i.ide' sa* so She .as% a &ild %rapped loo) a% %he som(er/$a.ed man &ho seemed %o see %oo man* %hings &i%h %hose dar) in.isi1e e*es I$ i% &as s"i.ide' ho& .o"ld I possi(l* )no&3 Ma%%he& .o"ldn#% &ri%e He le$% no no%e E1en his mo%her &as s"re i% &as an a..iden% And I0 I ha1e no reason %o (elie1e i% &as an*%hing else Are *o" s"re3 Her ga2e %"rned de$ian% I%#s (e%%er %ha% &a*' isn#% i%3 Le% %he dead res% in pea.e And %heir mo%hers' %oo3 he m"rm"red' a li%%le %oo in%"i%i1el* Then &i%h a $ro&n he $reed her &ris%' as i$ he had 4"s% reali2ed %ha% his grip &as %oo %igh% I#m no% a $ool' An%onia I#m $amiliar &i%h %hose me.hani.al .on%rap%ions' and also &i%h %he narro&ness o$ s%airs in small ho"ses E1en %o mane"1er %o %he head o$ %he s%airs / &hi.h pres"ma(l* had a door' as mos% (asemen% s%airs do / &o"ld (e a .omple, %as) $or *o"r h"s(and Wh* don#% *o" admi% &ha% *o" m"s% )no& in *o"r hear%3 Tears sprang %o Toni#s e*es' (e.a"se in her hear% she did )no&' had al&a*s )no&n And %here i% &as in %he open / %he deep (o%%led )no&ledge' %he a.he o$ g"il% %ha% had %ied her %o Ma%%he& in a &a* mere lo1e .o"ld ne1er ha1e done Her hands .o1ered her $a.e' %r*ing %o press (a.) %he %ears and &i%h %hem %he admission %ha% &as so hard %o ma)e' e1en %o hersel$ The %r"%h %his %ime' L"is said gra1el* He &as %he .omple%e pro$essional no& / no% aggressor ("% .on$essor' no% lo1er ("% lis%ener He rea.hed $or&ard and p"lled %he $ingers a&a* $rom her e*esK and %he "n&an%ed %ears (egan %o spill in earnes% Shamed (* %his e,pos"re' Toni le% o"% a deep so( and %ried %o %"rn her $a.e a&a* Le% i% go' he orderedK and she did And %hro"gh %he s%rangled so(s' %he %r"%h she had %old %o no o%her person a% las% emerged He0 had sen% his mo%her o"% on %he errand He said no%hing %o her %o s"gges% &ha% he in%ended0 ("% I )ne&' I )ne& $rom %he $irs% When I sa& &ha% she had (o"gh%' I )ne&0

Hoon I% &as roses' se1en roses0*ello& roses

S6I7IDE IS A SPE7IAL KIND O+ T!RANN!' L"is said la%er' m".h la%er' a$%er %he %ears had $inall* .ho)ed %o a hal% T&o ho"rs had passed sin.e s"nse%' and s%ill ligh%s ("rned in %he lo& ("ngalo& los% in %he Ama2on nigh% +or m".h o$ %he %ime %he %ears had $lo&ed agains% L"Ts#s (la.) dressing go&n' ("% %here had (een no passion in %he arms %ha% held her' onl* .ompassion +or Toni %he &ren.hing so(s o$ remorse had a% las% gi1en &a* %o a )ind o$ .old despairing e,ha"s%ion Some min"%es ago L"is had le$% %he (ed al%oge%her' dressed himsel$ properl* in da*%ime .lo%hes ins%ead o$ %he &ell/dampened ro(e' and &i%ho"% .ommen% handed Toni a .lean shir%' &hi.h no& .o1ered her na)edness more e$$e.%i1el* %han %he shee% He had mo1ed hal$&a* a.ross %he room and %"rned his (a.) &hile she donned %he shir%' and %here he s%ill s%ood / his hands 4ammed in%o his po.)e%s' his head sligh%l* (en% as i$ in (rooding .on%empla%ion o$ %he pa%%erns in %he grass ma%%ing %ha% ser1ed as a r"g S"i.ide is a )ind o$ %*rann* $rom %he gra1e' he &en% on' (e.a"se o$ %he ("rden o$ g"il% i% p"%s on %hose &ho are le$% (ehind Among o%her %hings' *o" $eel g"il%* (e.a"se *o" (o"gh% him %he .hair' %he s"i.ide &eapon 5"% *o" sho"ldn#% The de.ision &as his ISho"ld# and Isho"ldn#%# don#% help m".h' .ame %he lo& desponden% ans&er His mo%her $el% g"il%*' %oo' and she %ho"gh% i% &as an a..iden% 5"% I imagine she manages %o li1e &i%h her g"il%' and possi(l* e1en %rans$er some o$ i% %o *o" (e.a"se she didn#% ("* %he .hair Whereas *o"0 I#1e managed' %oo Ha1e *o"3 L"is %"rned %o $a.e her' his s%rong mo"%h s%raigh% ("% no longer .*ni.al' no longer s.orn$"l' no longer a.."sa%or*' as i% had (een %hro"gh so m".h o$ %heir a.-"ain%an.e I don#% %hin) so !o"#re a (ea"%i$"l &oman' An%onia / *o"ng' 1i(ran%' desira(le' in %he prime o$ *o"r li$e !o"r h"s(and died &hen *o" &ere onl* %&en%*/one' $i1e *ears ago !e% in %hose $i1e *ears %here#s (een no man Don#% *o" see &ha% *o"r h"s(and deli(era%el* did %o *o"3 No% deli(era%el*' she pro%es%ed Ma%%he& &an%ed me %o (e happ* He &as (i%%er a(o"% himsel$' I don#% den* i%' and some%imes s"spi.io"s d"ring %he las% *ear Who &o"ldn#% (e in his si%"a%ion3 He li1ed a li1ing dea%h' a(le %o do no%hing $or himsel$ He

ha%ed %ha% He gre& %o ha%e himsel$ His (od* &as "seless' his lim(s &ere &as%ing' his mind &as %&is%ing Oh' I .an "nders%and %he agonies he m"s% ha1e (een going %hro"gh I $ind i% harder %o $orgi1e him $or %r*ing %o r"in *o"r li$e' %oo !o"#re mis%a)en' she said !o" migh% also %r* admi%%ing %ha% he gre& %o ha%e *o" Tha%#s no% %r"e Then &h*' .ame %he so$% -"es%ion' do *o" %hin) he .ommi%%ed s"i.ide3 Toni %ensed her $ingers' s%eepied %hem %oge%her and s%"died %he ar.h %he* $ormed 5e.a"se he .o"ldn#% (ear li1ing li)e a 1ege%a(le And also $or m* sa)e He &an%ed me %o (e happ* Are *o" s"re he didn#% do i% so *o" .o"ldn#% (e happ*3 I %hin) he &an%ed %o ens"re *o"r lo*al%* / and $or all %ime Tha%#s nonsenseJ Then &h*' .ame %he s&i$% re%or%' arro&ing %o %he hear% o$ %he ma%%er' did he send *o" s".h a .lear message3 I% &asn#% *o"r anni1ersar*K %here &as no reason %o ("* $lo&ers !ello& roses mean% no%hing %o his mo%her' ("% %he* did mean some%hing %o *o" He .o"ldn#% &ri%e a no%e' ("% he &an%ed *o" %o (e in a(sol"%el* no do"(% %ha% he had )illed himsel$ / and %ha% he had done i% $or *o"r sa)e I$ he s%ill lo1ed *o"' reall* lo1ed *o"' he didn#% ha1e %o lea1e %ha%0 s"i.ide message Don#% *o" see he &an%ed *o" %o $eel g"il%*3 +or some more momen%s Toni .on%in"ed %o a1oid %hose e*es %ha% &ere li)e dar) mirrors' re$le.%ing %r"%hs she had long e1aded A% las% she said (i%%erl*' I s"ppose *o"#re righ% I %hin) he did gro& %o ha%e me Wh*3 Then' a$%er a pa"se' Tal) a(o"% i%' An%onia He% i% o"% o$ *o"r s*s%em Wha% reasons did he ha1e %o ha%e *o"3 +or going o"% e1er* da*' all in one pie.e +or seeing him e1er* nigh% as his lim(s &as%ed0&ashing him' dressing him' .aring $or his needs He ha%ed %ha% I had %o see him %ha% &a* She hesi%a%ed' and %hen i% .ame o"% in a r"sh And ma*(e he ha%ed me mos% o$ all $or ne1er ha1ing allo&ed him &ha% he &as s"re I m"s% allo& some o%her man sooner or la%er Then he )ne& *o" had %he needs o$ a normal &oman

!es' he )ne&' she said %iredl* We had shared a n"m(er o$ 1er* passiona%e momen%s 5"% I had some odd old/$ashioned no%ions' and Ma%%he& had respe.%ed %hem Ho& man* %imes she had p"nished hersel$ $or &i%hholding $rom Ma%%he& %ha% small meas"re o$ .on%en% Ho& man* %imes' in %he dar)ness o$ nigh%' she had regre%%ed no% ha1ing gi1en hersel$ $reel* and $"ll*' in %he $irs% $l"sh o$ *o"ng lo1e In re%rospe.% i% had seemed a 1er* small %hing %o gi1e / ("% a 1er* grea% %hing %o &i%hhold I %hin) *o" reall* did lo1e him' L"is said in %he -"ie%es% o$ 1oi.es T&o %ard* %ears sprang $rom a so"r.e %ha% had seemed -"i%e spen% !es' I did' she &hispered' and %hen &en% on "ns%eadil*' He &as so &arm and "nders%anding (e$ore his a..iden% When I0 resis%ed' he managed %o main%ain a sense o$ h"mor a(o"% i% / &ro%e me sill* li%%le no%es' ga1e me $"nn* des) signs M* Mind Is Made 6pK Don#% 7on$"se Me &i%h +a.%s Her 1oi.e lo&ered %o an ang"ished &hisper as she &en% on' !o" see' a% %ha% %ime Ma%%he&0 lo1ed me' reall* lo1ed me Old/$ashioned no%ions and all And *o"r old/$ashioned no%ions also in.l"ded some o%her rare .ommodi%ies / s.r"ples a(o"% $ideli%* and lo*al%* %o *o"r h"s(and' e1en a h"s(and &ho .o"ld ne1er sa%is$* *o"r need %o (e a &oman !es' I s"ppose %ha%#s so' she agreed dispiri%edl*' a% %he momen% $inding li%%le .om$or% in %he s%ri.% moral .ode %ha% had (een ins%illed %hro"gh %he *ears o$ gro&ing "p in s%rai%la.ed Spain I &o"ld ne1er ha1e (een "n$ai%h$"l %o Ma%%he&' al%ho"gh he didn#%0 see i% %ha% &a* There#s no reason %o (e $ai%h$"l %o him no& !o" .an#% remain %ied %o a dead man $ore1er He pa"sed' %hen .on%in"ed' Or are *o" (* no& so dedi.a%ed %o *o"r .areer %ha% *o" don#% .are a(o"% %hings li)e a home and a h"s(and and .hildren o$ *o"r o&n3 !es' I0 .are Then isn#% i% %ime *o" le% go o$ %ha% par% o$ *o"r li$e3 Toni sighed' no% &i%h sorro& ("% &i%h a 1ag"e $ormless sense o$ release Al%ho"gh all (arriers had no% *e% (een (ro)en do&n' L"Ts#s persis%en% -"es%ioning had (een li)e a (a%%ering ram a% %he s%rong door o$ old g"il%s Her %ho"gh%s &ere s%ill %oo disorderl* %o prod".e a.%"al relie$' ("% she re.ogni2ed %ha% i% had helped' someho&' %o p"% so m".h in%o &ords The )no&ledge %ha% Ma%%he& m"s% ha1e gro&n %o ha%e her@ %ha% had (een %he inadmissi(le' %he "nspea)a(le' %he "n1oi.ed and "n1oi..a(le %ho"gh% And no& %ha% i% had (een 1oi.ed' %he ga%e (e%&een pas% and presen% had (een par%iall* (rea.hed The silen.e (e%&een %hem gre&' a..en%"a%ed (* %he nigh% so"nds o$ %he 4"ngle /

%he .ri.)e% .hirpings' %he (ird .ooings and .allings %ha% &ere so seldom heard in %he hea% o$ %he da* A% las% L"is s&i1eled on his heel and &en% %o a small .orner .a(ine% Wi%ho"% as)ing Toni#s &ishes he po"red a meas"re o$ nea% (rand* and .ame (a.) a.ross %he room 5ending o1er %he (ed' he eased i% in%o %he grasp o$ %he slender $ingers %ha% &ere no& (eginning %o rela,' as %he* had no% done d"ring %he pre1io"s %&o ho"rs Medi.inal in p"rpose He smiled %he )ind o$ smile he had ne1er (es%o&ed on her (e$ore There &as a &arm%h in %he dar) e*es' a .aressing reass"ring -"ali%* %ha% had no%hing %o do &i%h desire I%#s no% in%ended as an aphrodisia.' I ass"re *o" Perhaps i% &ill help *o" sleep Than) *o" The (rie$ "n$lir%a%io"s glan.e Toni dire.%ed "p&ard held a s%rong meas"re o$ gra%i%"deK and %hen %he e,pression &as s&i$%l* hidden as she lo&ered her e*es %o %he glass She sipped a% %he (rand*' &el.oming i%s s%ing in her %hroa%' &a%.hing &ordlessl* as L"is $o"nd a $lashligh% and %hr"s% i% in%o his hip po.)e% &i%ho"% s&i%.hing i% on Then he pro&led silen%l* aro"nd %he room' e,%ing"ishing ligh%s He le$% %he las% lamp ("rning "n%il %he (rand* had (een do&ned' and %hen %ha%' %oo' &as %"rned o$$ In %he dar)ened room she .o"ld hear a door openingK .o"ld $eel a sligh% dra$% o$ nigh% air on her sho"lders She shi1ered I#m sorr*' 1er* sorr*' he said in%o %he (la.)ness There &as a -"ali%* o$ r"e and h"mili%* in his lo& h"s)* %one' in sharp .on%ras% %o his "s"al sel$/ass"red .*ni.ism +or %r*ing %o $or.e her in%o ha1ing an a$$air agains% her &ill3 To Toni i% seemed %he apolog* .o"ld mean onl* %ha% Anger a% his d"pli.i%* had long sin.e (een repla.ed (* %han)$"lness $or his ele1en%h/ho"r .on%inen.eK (* gra%i%"de $or his ins%in.%i1e per.ep%i1eness a(o"% her marriageK and (* a &arm%h engendered d"ring %he %&o ho"rs &hen he had held her in a .lose' .om$or%ing' "ndemanding em(ra.e %ha% m"s% ha1e p"% .onsidera(le s%rain on his sel$/.on%rol I% doesn#% ma%%er' Toni said' s"ddenl* e,ha"s%ed (* %he e,.ess o$ emo%ion she had e,pended sin.e %he morning !o" didn#% do an*%hing' in %he $inal anal*sis I#m no% apologi2ing $or %r*ing %o ha1e an a$$air' he replied gr"$$l* I#m apologi2ing (e.a"se o$ some%hing I $orgo% Some%hing I ha1e0$or.ed m*sel$ %o $orge% $or ele1en *ears Perhaps (e.a"se I didn#% &an% %o remem(er There &as a hoarseness %o his 1oi.e' a %ra.e o$ harshness' as i$ he $o"nd %he &ords 1er* di$$i."l% %o sa* His admission seemed %o .all $or some -"es%ion' and so Toni 1oi.ed a lo&' Oh3 She .o"ld hear %he "ns%ead* .a%.h in his (rea%h I#m sorr* I ass"med all )inds o$ %hings a(o"% *o" !o" see' An%onia' I had $orgo%%en %here &ere s%ill a $e& &omen in %he

&orld li)e0 li)e *o" CHAPTER ELEVEN

:ER! LITTLE HAPPENED (e$ore Monda* morning' &hen %he mis(ego%%en ri1er %rip dre& %o an end' (ringing %&o sorer ("% &iser mem(ers o$ %he $ilm .re& s%"m(ling (a.) in%o %he 4"ngle .ompo"nd Or perhaps i% &o"ld (e more e,a.% %o sa* %ha% &ha% did happen / %he impor%an% %hing' %he (ea"%i$"l %hing' %he &ild %hing' %he &onder$"l %hing / happened so imper.ep%i(l* %ha% Toni &as no% a&are "n%il la%er %ha% i% had happened a% all 5e$ore %he re%"rn o$ %he o%hers she did' ho&e1er' learn a s%ar%ling $a.% $rom L"is' one %ha% pro1ided a ra%ionale $or m".h o$ his ini%ial rea.%ion %o her and his .*ni.ism %herea$%er And &hile i% did no% e,a.%l* lessen %he improprie%* o$ his (eha1ior sin.e' perhaps i% e,plained %ha%' %oo' in par% a% leas% He re1ealed %he $a.% on S"nda* morning' &hile he &as (a.) in his o&n ("ngalo&' pi.)ing "p some personal possessions Toni &as %o .on%in"e %o sleep alone "nder %his roo$' an arrangemen% %ha% reass"red her' &i%h no more spe.i$i. &ords said' %ha% L"is had a(andoned all designs "pon her person Tha% nigh% I sa& *o" a% dinner' he said s"ddenl*' %"rning %o $a.e her' i% &asn#% %he $irs% %ime I#d seen *o" earlier %ha% da* / a% m* (ro%her/in/la&#s ho"se A% Har.ia#s ho"se3 Toni s%ared n"m(l*' assimila%ing %his ne& and s"rprising $a.% L"is &en% on' I )no& &here Diogo )eeps his spare )e*' and I had reasons $or going %here %ha% da* I le% m*sel$ in' &en% "ps%airs and &al)ed o"% on a (al.on* I sa& *o" !o" &ere s"n(a%hing In %he n"de@ she remem(ered She had %ho"gh% hersel$ alone $or %he a$%ernoon' as 5arne* and T* had gone o$$ on a prearranged do"(le da%e &i%h %&o 7ario.a girls 5"% 5arne*#s da%e had $ailed %o ma%eriali2e' and he had re%"rned "ne,pe.%edl*' .oming "pon Toni as she do2ed in a s%a%e o$ "ndress a% %he poolside And %ha% had (een &hen 5arne* had made his mo1e Dr"gged &i%h sleep' Toni had almos% responded' no% $igh%ing 5arne* o$$ "n%il i% &as nearl* %oo la%e A $e& da*s earlier %ell%ale .olor migh% ha1e risen %o Toni#s $a.e "pon dis.o1ering %ha% she had (een &a%.hed' ("% %oda*' in %he a$%erma%h o$ a long nigh%#s re.)oning' her $a.e remained ashen (enea%h %he ligh% golden %an Then *o" sa& 5arne* )issing me' she s%a%ed !es 5"% %ha%#s all I sa&' (e.a"se I le$% I .o"ldn#%0 didn#% &an% %o see an*

more 5"% *o" %ho"gh% *o" )ne& &ha% &o"ld happen No &onder L"is had %ho"gh% her &ell 1ersed in %he &a*s o$ ha1ing a$$airsJ He a.)no&ledged %ha% &i%h a (i%%er sel$/depre.a%ing nod !es' I %ho"gh% I )ne& And &hen I sa& *o" &i%h ano%her man %ha% same nigh% / !o" don#% ha1e %o e,plain' Toni ."% in' %oo ener1a%ed %o p"rs"e %he %opi. I% doesn#% ma%%er I% reall* doesn#% ma%%er In %he a$%ernoon' a rela%i1el* $ree one $or L"is' i% rained ri1ers The* sa% .ompaniona(l* on %he shel%ered 1eranda' %al) dro&ned (* grea% %h"nder.laps' "n%il %he roar .hanged %o a slo& s%ead* do&npo"r The rain' Toni m"sed' &o"ld slo& %he re%"rn o$ her %eamma%es Toda* she did no% .are A$%er %ha% %he* %al)ed o$ inno."o"s %hings Toni heard a li%%le a(o"% %he pi%$alls o$ gro&ing "p &i%h si, older sis%ers / %he dr*' o$%en h"moro"s ane.do%es some%imes .a"sing her %o la"gh' &hi.h &as perhaps &h* L"is %old %hem And she $o"nd hersel$ %elling o$ %he small 1illage in E,%remad"ra &here her paren%s had se%%led in her pre%een *ears' in order %o en4o* %he lo& .os% o$ li1ing in Spain Tha% e1ening' "nder s)ies rinsed .lean' %he* &en% %oge%her %o &a%.h %he s"nse%' %his %ime $rom %he rela%i1e ne"%rali%* o$ %he ri1erside do.) Then she learned a li%%le more a(o"% &ha% L"is planned on doing "pon his re%"rn %o .i1ili2a%ion In no &a* did he gi1e her an* .l"e as %o &ha% had o..asioned %he .hange o$ hear% There#s a resear.h pos% I .o"ld %a)e in .onne.%ion &i%h %he s.hool $or %ropi.al medi.ine' he %old her I%#s a spe.ial "ni%' loo)ing $or sol"%ions %o %he medi.al pro(lems $a.ed (* S%one Age Ama2on %ri(es &hen %he* .ome in%o .on%a.% &i%h .i1ili2a%ion I .onsidered going %here a $e& *ears ago ("% de.ided agains% i% No&0 S"rel* %he pos% &on#% s%ill (e open3 I% sho"ld (e' he said dr*l*' as I#1e (een $"nding %he resear.h "ni% m*sel$ As %he las% ra*s o$ %he s"n %"rned %he ri1er %o a red radian% (a%h' %here &as a silen.e so .ompaniona(le %ha% Toni $el% em(oldened %o as) so$%l*' Wha% made *o" de.ide %o re%"rn %o .i1ili2a%ion3 Some%hing in L"Ts#s $a.e .losed as s&i$%l* as a &indo& (lind (eing *an)ed do&n His mo"%h %"rned %a"% as he ans&ered e1enl* ("% aridl*' I$ I s%a* here %here#s 1er* li%%le more I .an do $or %he Mara Perhaps %he ans&er %o %heir pro(lems &ill .ome $rom resear.h Medi.ines' 1a..ines' more )no&ledge a(o"% %he (od*#s imm"nologi.al s*s%ems / %hese are %he onl* %hings %ha% .an reall* help %hem no&

Toni &ai%ed' %hin)ing he migh% &an% %o %al) a(o"% %he %hings He%"lio had %old herK ("% e1iden%l* he did no% A% las% she said simpl*' I%#s s".h a .hange $or *o" No' i%#s no%' he .on%radi.%ed When I $irs% s%ar%ed s%"d*ing medi.ine' m* original in%en%ion &as %o ge% in%o resear.h Perhaps *o"#re no% a&are %ha% %here#s a serio"s pro(lem in %he Ama2on The p"re(red primi%i1e %ri(es are 1anishing / in $a.%' some ha1e alread* 1anished The .a(o.los' %he hal$/(reeds' are ridden (* malaria' ("% &i%h %he help o$ modern medi.ine %he*#re a hard* eno"gh lo% The same .an#% (e said $or %he "ndil"%ed s%rains Wi%h more se%%lers .oming %o %he Ama2on e1er* da*' %ri(es li)e %he Mara are (eing )illed o$$ (e.a"se %he* ha1e no imm"ni%* %o 1er* ordinar* ailmen%s / .olds' in$l"en2a' measles' %ha% sor% o$ %hing The*#re (eing )illed o$$ (* %he diseases o$ .i1ili2a%ion' as s"rel* as %heir an.es%ors &ere on.e )illed o$$ (* mine Toni dar%ed a -"i.) loo) a% %he grim se% $a.e (a%hed in %he s"n#s d*ing ligh% 5* *o"rs3 !es M* $ore(ears &ere r"((er (arons / didn#% *o" )no&3 The* (e.ame ri.h on %he li$e(lood o$ Ama2on Indians and .a(o.los' %oo I% &as a )illing %hing %o &or) %he r"((er %rees' $or as I %old *o" %he* don#% gro& in ro&s The r"((er &or)ers / sering"eiros' %he*#re .alled / had %o rise %&o ho"rs (e$ore da&n The* &al)ed miles %hro"gh %he 4"ngle e1er* da*' $irs% slashing %he %rees' %hen .olle.%ing %he sap Long in%o %he nigh% %he* &o"ld s%ill (e .ro".hed o1er .ho)ing sm"dge po%s' smo)ing %he r"((er in%o h"ge h"ndred/ po"nd (alls $i% $or %ranspor%a%ion A man &ho e)ed o"% an e,is%en.e in %ha% &a* died a misera(l* earl* dea%h Some men s%ill do i%' ("% a% leas% %hose &ho do i% no&ada*s do i% o$ %heir o&n $ree .hoi.e In %he old da*s %he* didn#% 5"% ho& / 5r"%e $or.e L"is#s 1oi.e &as de1oid o$ emo%ion' ("% Toni sensed %ha% %he sins o$ his an.es%ors sa% s%rong "pon his .ons.ien.e There &ere la&s agains% %he %a.%i.s m* an.es%ors "sed' ("% in %hose da*s %here &as 1er* li%%le pro%e.%ion $or a remo%e %ri(e on a remo%e %ri("%ar* The Indians didn#% &an% %o &or) %he r"((er / &h* sho"ld %he*3 I% didn#% ma)e %hem ri.h' and in an* .ase %he* had no need o$ mone* Wor)ing %he r"((er long in%o %he nigh% mean% %he* .o"ldn#% e1en $eed %hemsel1es properl* Do *o" &onder %ha% %he Mara ha1e so li%%le %r"s% in o"%siders3 No' Toni said -"ie%l* S".h %hings .o"ld ne1er happen no&ada*sK %he primi%i1e %ri(es are 1er* &ell pro%e.%ed (* %he 5ra2ilian go1ernmen% Ironi.' isn#% i%' %ha% diseases li)e %he .ommon .old are $inishing &ha% m* an.es%ors s%ar%ed Was i% a grim morali%*' %hen' %ha% had (ro"gh% L"is %o ("r* himel$ in %his remo%e

pla.e / a desire %o e,pia%e %he &rongs perpe%ra%ed (* his $ore(ears3 I% seemed li)el* 6n&illing %o re1eal %ha% He%"lio had alread* %old her so m".h o$ %he s%or*' she as)ed no more -"es%ions a(o"% %he Mara#s pop"la%ion pro(lems Where &ill *o" (e li1ing &hen *o" lea1e here3 she as)ed as %he* %r"dged "p %he hill %o re%"rn %o %heir separa%e sleeping -"ar%ers In Mana"s / %ha%#s &here %he resear.h "ni% is lo.a%ed M* an.es%ral home' he $inished on a no%e so (i%%er %ha% Toni $el% .ons%rained agains% as)ing %oo m".h She made one more remar) I s"ppose &e#ll see *o" ne,% mon%h' %hen' &hen &e#re $ilming in Mana"s No Ne,% mon%h I#ll (e $ar %oo ("s*' he said in a harsh dis.o"raging 1oi.e A momen% la%er %he* rea.hed %he par%ing o$ %he &a*s / L"is %all' dar)' (rooding' no& silen%' mo1ing s.r"p"lo"sl* a&a* $rom Toni#s slender $rame Ine,pli.a(l* hesi%an%' she pa"sed and %"rned %o him (e$ore se%%ing o$$ in %he dire.%ion o$ %he ("ngalo& She had %he $eeling %here &as some%hing she &an%ed %o sa*' or &an%ed him %o sa*' ("% she .o"ld no% %hin) &ha% i% &as No%hing in L"is#s lean e,pressionless $a.e s"gges%ed %ha% he shared her hesi%a%ion Hood nigh%' he said in a remo%e 1oi.e Hood nigh%' she e.hoed a$%er an a&)&ard pa"se' and %"rned %o&ard her soli%ar* (ed I% &as no% "n%il %he $ollo&ing morning' a$%er %he o%hers had re%"rned in a righ%eo"s displa* o$ (lis%ered hands' in4"red egos and $ra*ed %empers' %ha% she )ne& &ha% i% &as she had &an%ed %o sa*K &ha% she had &an%ed him %o sa* I% .ame %o her in a grea% $lash o$ "nders%anding &hen she sa& L"is )neeling do&n %o help se."re %he lan.ha' a dar) $orelo.) $alling o1er his (ro&' %he $a(ri. o$ his )ha)i %ro"sers %a"% o1er his (en% )nees And in %ha% momen% she "nders%ood %he %hing / %he impor%an%' (ea"%i$"l' &ild' &onder$"l %hing / %ha% had happened o1er %hese pas% $e& da*s She had $allen in lo1e &i%h L"is@ despera%el*' deepl*' head o1er heels in lo1e She had $allen in lo1e &i%h %he (ones o$ his $a.e and %he shape o$ his ears and %he se% o$ his mo"%h and %he dar) dis%"r(ing e*es She had $allen in lo1e &i%h %he long' lean' 1irile (od* and %he s)illed s"re hands She had $allen in lo1e &i%h %he &a* he &al)ed and %he &a* he %al)ed and %he &a* his .risp (la.) hair ."r1ed o1er %he nape o$ his ne.) She had $allen in lo1e &i%h %he &arm%h o$ his s)in and %he inde$ina(le %ang o$ him / %ha% .lean' mas."line' mar1elo"s some%hing %ha% $illed her nos%rils &hen he &as near 5"% mos% o$ all' she had $allen in lo1e &i%h %he man

To TONI#S RELIE+' T* and 5arne* 4oshed her no% a% all a(o"% %he e1en%s o$ %he pas% $e& da*s / a% leas% no% a% $irs% In ans&er %o an o"%raged -"es%ion $rom her %&o .ohor%s' she in$ormed %hem %ha% L"is had slep% in %he hospi%al and (een a per$e.% gen%leman The* %oo) her &ord as %o %he sleeping arrangemen%' ("% no% as regarded %heir hos% I#d li)e %o ge% m* hands aro"nd his ne.)' 5arne* said m"rdero"sl* !o"r hands don#% loo) "p %o i%' Toni no%ed dr*l*' &i%h a glan.e a% %he li(eral (andages L"is had applied %o his (lis%ered palms T* (randished a similarl* s&a%hed $is% in %he air I s&ear he &rapped "s "p li)e a pair o$ m"mmies 4"s% %o pro%e.% himsel$' he grima.ed I e,pe.% he didn#% reali2e %he re%"rn %rip &o"ld %a)e so long' Toni s"gges%ed' men%all* .rossing her $ingers He %old me i%#s "s"all* done in a da* Did *o" ge% some good $oo%age3 D*nami%e' T* .on.eded All %he same' i$ I#d )no&n &ha% &e &ere le%%ing o"rsel1es in $orN/ Perhaps %ha%#s &h* Dr L"en%al didn#% %ell *o"' Toni smiled' oiling %ro"(led &a%ers as (es% she' .o"ld I#m s"re &hen *o" see %he r"shes *o"#ll de.ide i% &as all &or%h&hile !o" .an hardl* .all %hem r"shes &hen &e &on#% see %hem $or a mon%h' gr"m(led T* The m"%%ering e1en%"all* .ame %o a hal% as T* and 5arne* &en% o$$ %o %hro& %heir e,ha"s%ed (odies in%o hammo.)s $or %he res% o$ %he morning Toni (rea%hed an in&ard sigh o$ relie$@ a% %he momen%' h"gging %he ne&ness o$ her dis.o1ered $eelings %o hersel$' she $el% "na(le %o .ope &i%h her %&o long%ime ("ddies He%"lio did no% share %he ill e$$e.%s s"$$ered (* his $ello& %ra1elers' and so L"is dire.%ed him %o ga%her %oge%her some $ello& .a(o.los %o see %o %he re("ilding o$ %he small shel%er As 5ra2 and Ana &ill (e %a)ing o1er m* ("ngalo&' Toni heard him sa*' i% &ill ha1e %o (e done (e$ore %omorro& Tonigh%' o$ .o"rse' %he Ameri.an senhora .an .on%in"e %o sleep in m* pla.e The Ameri.an senhora@ i% so"nded so .old' so poli%e' so impersonal A$%er &ha% had happened (e%&een %hem' ho& .o"ld L"is possi(l* (e so de%a.hed3 Was %his %he same

man &hose lips had seared her' &hose hands had s.or.hed her' &hose e*es had (la2ed o1er her na)edness &i%h s".h an in%ensi%* o$ passion %ha% her $lesh s%ill ("rned a% %he memor* o$ his %o".h3 I% seemed %ha% no& %he emo%ion &as all on her side Throa% %igh%' and no% &an%ing %o lis%en %o more o$ %he o1erheard .on1ersa%ion' she s&i1eled on her hed and &al)ed a&a* $rom %he pla.e &here L"is and He%"lio &ere .on$erring Some ins%in.% %old her %o %"rn &hen she had .o1ered no more %han %hir%* $ee% Her hear% leaped' s)ipping se1eral (ea%s' %o $ind dar) %or%"red e*es %rained on her re%rea% The* &ere -"i.)l* &ren.hed (a.) in He%"lio#s dire.%ion' ("% in %ha% momen% she )ne& %ha% %he $lames ("rning in L"is &ere (an)ed' no% e,%ing"ished He s%ill &an%ed herK and he &an%ed her &i%h a $ire so $ier.e %ha% i% &as .ons"ming him' (od* and so"l She spen% %he res% o$ %he morning' %he las% (e$ore L"is &as %o lea1e $or Mana"s' in a $ermen% o$ sor%ing o"% her o&n emo%ions And &hen %he morning &as %hro"gh she )ne& %ha% she .o"ld no% &a%.h lo1e &al) o"% o$ her li$e / e1en i$ i% mean% p"%%ing aside %he las% o$ her o"%moded lo*al%ies %o Ma%%he&K e1en i$ i% mean% shedding %he s.r"ples o$ a li$e%imeK e1en i$ i% mean% ris)ing h"r% and hear%a.he 5"% i$ she had hopes o$ an* roman%i. en.o"n%ers in %he (rie$ %ime remaining (e$ore L"Ts#s depar%"re' %he* &ere dashed a% noon %ha% da* O1er %he .omm"nal meal he anno"n.ed %ha% he in%ended %o "nder%a)e ano%her o1ernigh% %rip %o %he Mara 1illage / %o spea) %o E)e%i' Toni s"rmised He &o"ld no% re%"rn $rom %his %rip "n%il T"esda* morning' prior %o %he 7a%alinaUs arri1al He dis.o"raged Toni#s s"gges%ion %ha% %he $ilm .re& migh% a..ompan* him $or %he %re)' poin%ing o"% %ha% T* and 5arne* migh% (e (e%%er ser1ed (* a da*#s res% He%"lio &ill (e here %o loo) a$%er all o$ *o"' he said I% &ill (e %ime eno"gh $or *o" %o go (a.) %o %he Mara 1illage &hen 5ra2 arri1es He#s -"i%e .apa(le o$ %a)ing .are o$ *o" %here@ 5ra2 gre& "p on %his ri1er He spea)s %he lang"age o$ %he Mara' and he spea)s English' %oo' so %here#ll (e no pro(lems o$ .omm"ni.a%ion Moreo1er' %he Mara %r"s% him Remem(er' li)e He%"lio' 5ra2 has a s%rong s%rain o$ Mara (lood Toni#s s"gges%ion seemed des%ined %o die a na%"ral dea%h &hen %he %&o o%her mem(ers o$ %he $ilm .re& .on$essed %he* &ere s%ill n"m( $rom %he gr"eling ph*si.al ordeal o$ ha"ling a hea1* (oa% %hro"gh %he rapids L"is nodded' seemingl* o(li1io"s %o %he poin%ed in4"red glan.es %ha% a..ompanied T*#s and 5arne*#s des.rip%ions o$ %heir presen% ph*si.al dis.om$or%s I#ll (e lea1ing la%e %his a$%ernoon' L"is said' rising $rom %he %a(le 7ome %o %he

dispensar* in an ho"r' (o%h o$ *o"' and I#ll ha1e ano%her loo) a% %hose (lis%ers There#s no reason I .an#% ma)e %he %rip &i%h L"is' Toni said as soon as he had depar%ed There &as no need %o anal*2e her mo%i1es@ she )ne& &ha% %he* &ere Oh' i%#s L"is no&' is i%' .ame %he &ise .ommen%' as T* and 5arne* e,.hanged one o$ %heir )no&ing loo)s Wha% on ear%h &o"ld *o" do a% %he Mara 1illage' Toni3 There &as a &ide/e*ed inno.en.e in 5arne*#s $a.e T"rn *o"rsel$ in%o a one/&oman $ilm %eam3 There#s no poin% in *o"r going %here &i%ho"% "s Or is %here3 One %en% or %&o3 as)ed T* la.oni.all* Damn %ha% pair $or (eing so per.ep%i1eJ I% &o"ld 4"s% (e in %he in%eres%s o$ es%a(lishing a (e%%er rela%ionship &i%h %he Mara' she $i((ed -"i.)l* I#ll dis%ri("%e a $e& small gi$%s' %al) %o some o$ %he &omen %hro"gh %ha% girl Maria' ga%her some more (a.)gro"nd ma%erial I% .o"ld (e "se$"l' T* 5* %he ne,% %ime &e all go %oge%her' &e#ll (e dependen% on %his o%her do.%or' He%"lio#s son Perhaps he does ha1e a good rela%ionship &i%h %he Mara' ("% a$%er all' he#s (een li1ing in Rio de Baneiro $or some *ears I do"(% i$ he#s held in s".h high regard as L" / er' Dr L"en%al T* p"% on a (enign e,pression High regard' he repea%ed %ho"gh%$"ll* Ta)en %he %"m(le' Toni3 as)ed 5arne*' (land $a.ed No' I ha1en#% Toni#s 1oi.e &as %ar%' "nli)e her "s"all* soo%hing %ones She )ne& she &as pro%es%ing %oo m".h' and %he s%ain o$ .olor %ha% rose "n(idden %o her $a.e &as no% helping ma%%ers a% all She de.ided on a $ron%al a%%a.) / %he onl* &a* %o deal &i%h %his impossi(le pair on.e %he* s%ar%ed %heir "nmer.i$"l ho"nding She glared a% %hem i.il* And &ha% i$ I did3 !o"#re no% m* )eepers' ei%her o$ *o" I#ll %"m(le i$ I &an%' &hen I &an% and &i%h &hom I &an% I don#% gi1e a damn &he%her *o" li)e i% or no% Oho' said T*' idl* r"((ing %he %ip o$ his nose This is a .hange o$ hear% Perhaps &e sho"ld ha1e as)ed more -"es%ions a(o"% %he sleeping arrangemen%s %hese pas% .o"ple o$ da*s Wi%h Manoel %o s%and &a%.h in %he .lini.' m"sed 5arne*' %here#d (e no need $or Dr L"e / er' L"is %o ("n) %here' %oo Toni .ompressed her lips Thin) &ha% *o" &an% a(o"% me' ("% don#% in1ol1e L"is in *o"r nas%* li%%le s"spi.ionsJ He hasn#% made a single passJ T&o enragingl* e,pressionless $a.es s%ared (a.) a% her $l"shed and $l"s%ered

.o"n%enan.e &i%ho"% "%%ering a single .ommen% Whi.h is more %han I .an sa* $or %he %&o o$ *o"' Toni added &i%h 1i.io"s in%en% 5o%h o$ *o" migh% .as% *o"r e1il li%%le minds (a.) %o a .er%ain da* in Rio Ma*(e %here are some %hings *o" don#% )no& a(o"% ea.h o%herJ I$ *o" &an% %o a.."se an*one o$ ma)ing passes' a.."se *o"rsel1esJ 5o%h o$ *o" &ere -"i%e read* %o as) me $or a0 a %"m(le' as *o" so inelegan%l* p"% i%J And i% %oo) a (la.) e*e %o s%op one o$ *o"J Again %he %&o men loo)ed a% ea.h o%her' no% a single $li.)er (e%ra*ing %heir rea.%ion Odd she ne1er ga1e me a&a* (e$ore' said 5arne* a% las% I ne1er did (elie1e %ha% %ale a(o"% &al)ing in%o a s.reen door' said T* 5"% ne1er mind She p"% me %hro"gh %he &ringer' %oo I &onder0 Do *o" %hin)03 !es' I do' said %he o%her There are %"m(les and %here are %"m(les' T* said enigma%i.all*' as he and 5arne* %"rned %o loo) a% Toni again Oh0oh0damn *o"' (o%h o$ *o"J +r"s%ra%ion %"rned Toni#s e*es %oo (righ% I %old *o"' L"is hasn#% %ried an*%hingJ And e1en i$ he did &an% %o' no& / ho& .o"ld an*%hing possi(l* happen a% %he Mara 1illage3 5* %he %ime I#1e %ramped si, miles in (oo%s hal$ a si2e %oo small' I &on#% (e $i% %o $all in%o (ed &i%h an*oneJ !o" m"s% (e mad i$ *o" %hin) an*%hing .o"ld happen %hereJ The $a.es o$ her %&o %eamma%es remained per$e.%l* s%raigh%K %he* e,.hanged ano%her .onspira%orial loo) She#s righ%' said 5arne* Sore $ee% and se, don#% mi, I %hin) i%#s %ime &e %oo) a hand in %his' 4"dged T* 7an *o" %hin) o$ a sol"%ion3 as)ed 5arne* T* .on%empla%ed $or a momen% Onl* %&o' he said One $or ea.h $oo% Too (ad she .an#% ("* an* aro"nd here' 5arne* sighed In .on.er% %he* %"rned %o Toni' %heir $a.es gra1e and pompo"s in a &a* %ha% migh% on.e ha1e made her la"gh We#1e de.ided' T* prono"n.ed' %ha% *o"#d (e%%er $l* %o Mana"s %omorro& !o" need a ne& pair o$ (oo%s !o"#1e go% %o (e 4o)ingJ I .an#% lea1e in %he middle o$ %he 4o(

T* li$%ed his (ro&s Do *o" %hin) *o"#re indispensa(le3 5esides' I need some more o$ %ha% $ilm s%o.) &e p"% in%o re$rigera%ion in Mana"s Mos% o$ &ha% I ha1e go% &e% Impossi(le' Toni said' glaring !o" didn#% %a)e mos% o$ &ha% *o" had on %he %rip %hro"gh %he rapids / and &ha% *o" %oo) &as all in r"((er (ags Rain' .ame %he gli( re%or%' dripping %hro"gh %he roo$ o$ %he s"ppl* shed And lea)* .ans The damage is irrepara(le I .o"ld "se some more o$ %he %apes I le$% a% %he ho%el' 5arne* m"sed as i$ deep in %ho"gh% 7an#% %hin) ho& I managed %o go %hro"gh %hem so $as% Pa%en%l* %he* &ere l*ing@ Toni .on%in"ed %o gi1e %hem her 1er* (es% e1il e*e $or se1eral (elligeren% momen%s And %hen i% &elled in%o %he $ore$ron% o$ her .ons.io"sness %ha% she reall* did &an% %o go %o Mana"sK %ha% she .o"ld no% (ear %o ha1e L"is &al) o"% o$ her li$eK and %ha% she reall* did no% gi1e a damn &ha% T* and 5arne* %ho"gh% Her e*es $ell a&a* $rom %he d"eling ma%.h %ha% had (een going on I .o"ldn#% (e (a.) in less %han a &ee)' she said' (e.a"se %he plane onl* $lies here on T"esda*s T* smiled ind"lgen%l* E,a.%l*0 0 &ha% &e had in mind' $inished his par%ner in .rime

5ITTER DISAPPOINTMENT al%ered &i%h (o"%s o$ .r"shing sel$/do"(% d"ring %he $ligh% %o Mana"s Had she (een &rong a(o"% L"is a$%er all' Toni &ondered He had seemed displeased' almos% %h"ndero"sl* so' "pon learning o$ her in%en%ions 5"% as he had no% (een in$ormed o$ her plan %o 1isi% Mana"s "n%il T"esda* morning' shor%l* a$%er he had emerged $rom a 4"ngle %ha% s%ill dripped $rom %he nigh%#s %orren%ial rains' %here &as 1er* li%%le he .o"ld sa* or do 5* %hen so"nds o$ %he nearing 7a%alina had &arned o$ i%s imminen% arri1al' and He%"lio had le$% in %he lan.ha %o $err* his son and da"gh%er/in/la& (a.) %o %he .ompo"nd To sa1e o1erloading %he (oa% la%er' he had also %a)en mos% o$ L"is#s possessions on %his $irs% %rip / and also' as i% happened' Toni#s s.an% l"ggage $or %he &ee) Sin.e she had le$% a s"i%.ase $"ll o$ .i%* .lo%hes in Mana"s in %he .are o$ %he ho%el' she re-"ired 1er* li%%le $or %he %rip I% had (een arranged %ha% %he pilo% &o"ld re%"rn in se1eral ho"rs' a$%er he had made his o%her &ee)l* .alls' in order %o pi.) "p L"is and Toni I% &as a shor% dela* ("% a ne.essar* oneK L"is needed %ime %o .on$er &i%h %he man &ho &o"ld (e %a)ing o1er his

&or) a% %he 4"ngle .lini. He%"lio#s son' 5ra2' %"rned o"% %o (e a s"rprisingl* handsome man O"% o$ his amalgam o$ Por%"g"ese and Ama2on Indian (lood / &i%h some Irish %hro&n in' i$ his name and his .oloring ga1e an* .l"es / 5ra2 O#Hara seemed %o ha1e inheri%ed %he (es% $ea%"res $rom ea.h ra.e He had his $a%her#s s%ar%lingl* ("rnished hairK %he golden (ron2e s)in o$ %he MaraK a .ompa.% m"s."lar $rameK a $ine pro$ile and -"i.) in%elligen% $a.eK and dar) li-"id e*es I% &as also li)el*' Toni de.ided some&ha% s)ep%i.all*' %ha% he had a 1er* polished (edside mannerK he had %ha% loo) o$ a Lo%hario a(o"% him 5"% %here &as an eas* .harm %o 5ra2 O#Hara %ha% inspired li)ing i$ no% %r"s%' and Toni $o"nd hersel$ &ondering &h* %here seemed %o (e a .er%ain amo"n% o$ reser1e in %he air &hen he and L"is L"en%al e,.hanged gree%ings +rom &ha% He%"lio had %old her a(o"% L"Ts#s ed".a%ing 5ra2 as i$ he &ere his o&n son' she &o"ld ha1e e,pe.%ed more &arm%h (e%&een %he men Or perhaps' %o (e more e,a.%' more &arm%h on L"is#s par% 5ra2#s *o"ng &i$e' Ana' %he s.hool%ea.her' ga1e e1er* appearan.e o$ &orshiping %he gro"nd her handsome h"s(and &al)ed "pon In %he spa.e o$ a $e& ho"rs# a.-"ain%an.e Toni $o"nd hersel$ &ondering idl* &he%her Ana / a ni.e' d"mp*' homesp"n &oman &ho &o"ld ne1er o"%shine her h"s(and / migh% no% ha1e en.o"raged %his mo1e %o %he Ama2on in order %o es.ape $eminine .ompe%i%ion in Rio de Baneiro 5"% i$ Toni had spe."la%ions along %hose lines' i% had (een impossi(le %o p"rs"e %hem' $or she had seen 1er* li%%le o$ 5ra2 and Ana in %he %ime (e$ore %he plane re%"rned On %his o..asion %he pilo% had $e& o%her .alls' and so i% had (een -"i%e earl* in %he a$%ernoon &hen %he drone o$ %he plane ad1ised o$ i%s re%"rn No% long agoK &i%h las% good(*es said' He%"lio had $erried her and L"is along a %"rgid ri1er &hose &a%ers no& lapped a% %he 1er* (ase o$ %he %rees The ri1er in $lood@ i% seemed s*m(oli. o$ her o&n emo%ional le1el' &hi.h $or good or $or (ad seemed %o (e rising %o&ard some )ind o$ high/&a%er mar) Her $irs% oppor%"ni%* %o spea) pri1a%el* %o L"is .ame a$%er %he plane &as alo$% Perhaps %o dis.o"rage .on1ersa%ion' he had .losed his e*es' &hi.h %oda* loo)ed 1er* deep and %ired' %he %in* %ell%ale lines %ha% $anned o"% $rom %he edges %elling her %ha% he m"s% ha1e (een "p mos% o$ %he nigh% Did *o" spea) %o E)e%i3 she as)ed -"ie%l*' de.iding she m"s% %a)e %his oppor%"ni%* %o es%a(lish .omm"ni.a%ion !es' I did His 1oi.e &as e,pressionless and his e*es remained .losed Mos% o$ %he nigh%' in $a.% I .o"ldn#% .on1in.e him Oh' said Toni' disappoin%ed / and no% onl* $or Maria#s sa)e The .o"rse o$ lo1e

seemed %o (e a ro.)* road indeed She s%"died her $ingers $or a momen% and no%ed %ha% %he* &ere de.idedl* "ns%ead* This %ime i% .o"ld no% (e p"% do&n %o pi"m a%%a.)s d"ring %he ri1er %rip In addi%ion %o %a)ing an%ihis%amines in ad1an.e' she had (een &ell sla%hered in inse.% repellen% and .o1ered all o1er (* a hea1* ne% o$ s"$$o.a%ing &ea1e Perhaps i% &as %he s.en% o$ inse.% repellen% %ha% .a"sed %he %igh% %a"% se% o$ L"is#s nos%rils E)e%i doesn#% .hoose %o (elie1e %ha% Maria remo1ed her .lo%hes in order %o a%%ra.% him' L"is &en% on &earil* He sa*s %here#s no%hing pro1o.a%i1e a(o"% a &oman &i%ho"% .lo%hes In $a.%' as %he e1ening &ore on' he e1en admi%%ed %o some .ra2* no%ion %ha% Maria has (een $lir%ing &i%h o"%siders / m*sel$ in.l"ded Toni s%ared' nonpl"ssed' as L"is#s dar) e*es $ea%hered slo&l* open' &earing dis.o"ragemen% li)e a s%amp Wh* on ear%h &o"ld he %hin) %ha%3 she as)ed L"is sighed hea1il* 5e.a"se Maria p"%s her .lo%hes on &hene1er an o"%sider arri1es To E)e%i' .lo%hes are ero%i. and n"di%* is no% He (elie1es she#s almos% ad1er%ising her &ares / p"%%ing hersel$ on displa*' so %o spea) I$ he &eren#% in s".h a&e o$ her ed".a%ion' I s"spe.% he &o"ld (e 1er* s%ern a(o"% her la,i%* Hood grie$' said Toni &i%h a li%%le hal$ la"gh o$ disma* I% &as hard %o (elie1e %ha% Maria#s agoni2ing (ash$"lness .o"ld (e in%erpre%ed as a sign o$ $or&ardness' ("% &i%h %he Mara an*%hing &as possi(le I simpl* .o"ldn#% sha)e E)e%i#s logi. To him i%#s 1er* simple I$ Maria &an%ed %o .a%.h his e*e' he sa*s' she &o"ld ne1er ha1e remo1ed her .lo%hes in %he $irs% pla.e Toni %"rned her e*es %o %he &indo& and sa% in silen.e $or a momen%' &a%.hing %he .olors o$ %he rain $ores% "n$old li)e a %apes%r* $ar (elo& As E)e%i .o"ld no% (e .on1in.ed' perhaps she .o"ld spea) %o Maria %he ne,% %ime %he $ilm .re& &en% %o %he Mara 1illage +or Maria' possi(l* a simple %hing li)e lea1ing her dress on in E)e%i#s presen.e &o"ld do %he %ri.) As i$ L"is "nders%ood &ha% she &as %hin)ing' he said in a dr* 1oi.e' Don#% (o%her s"gges%ing %ha% Maria remain .lo%hed all %he %ime' ei%her She#s (een going na)ed $or %oo long' and %he res% o$ %he Mara &o"ld .onsider s".h a s"dden .o1er/"p -"i%e immoral The* alread* loo) as)an.e a% Maria $or her o..asional "se o$ .lo%hes I%#s pro(a(l* &h* %he* &ere all read* %o (elie1e %he &ors% o$ her %he o%her da* Oh' Lord' m"%%ered Toni In o%her &ords' she#s damned i$ she does and damned i$ she doesn#% Then she added on a s"dden %ho"gh%' And *e% E)e%i himsel$ p"%s on .lo%hing &hen o"%siders arri1e No(od* seems %o .onsider %ha% immoral Where#s %he logi. %here3 In his .ase %he .lo%hes are "sed %o deno%e ran)

Then i$ Maria &ere E)e%i#s &i$e' Toni re$le.%ed' I s"ppose she#d (e allo&ed %o .o1er "p &i%h imp"ni%*3 Perhaps / ("% she#ll ne1er (e E)e%i#s &i$e' L"is re%"rned His hand r"((ed %he (a.) o$ his ne.) in a ges%"re deno%ing &eariness 6nless Maria ma)es some dire.% approa.h' and soon' %here#s a(sol"%el* no .han.e $or her Soon3 E)e%i#s .ome %o %he .on.l"sion %ha% he#s (een &i%ho"% a &oman $or %oo long I#m a$raid m* o&n pers"asions had some%hing %o do &i%h %he de.ision Onl* a $e& da*s ago he made a 1o& %o his %ri(al gods %ha% he &o"ld %a)e a &i$e (* %he %ime o$ %he ne,% $"ll moon He#s loo)ing o1er %he marriagea(le girls / no% &i%h en%h"siasm' ("% (e.a"se he )no&s he o&es i% %o his people %o s%ar% prod".ing .hildren Oh' Lord' groaned Toni' $eeling si.) $or Maria#s sa)e I$ I#d )no&n all %his I &o"ld ha1e p"% o$$ m* %rip %o Mana"s I migh% ha1e (een a(le %o / I$ *o"r errands in Mana"s aren#% "rgen%' L"is sli.ed %hro"gh her &ords' his 1oi.e peremp%or*' *o" mos% .er%ainl* sho"ldn#% ha1e .ome And %hen he %"rned a&a* and .losed his e*es' signaling an a(r"p% end %o %he .on1ersa%ion Toni#s hear% ."rled in%o a small h"r% (all' and she made no e$$or% %o .on%in"e an in%er.hange %ha% &as no% &an%ed Wh* did L"is seem so de.idedl* hos%ile %o %he idea o$ her .oming %o Mana"s3 Did he %hin) she &as .hasing him3 +rom his dis.o"raging manner' i% seemed h"milia%ingl* li)el* %ha% he did And' Toni admi%%ed &r*l* %o hersel$' %ha% &as e,a.%l* &ha% she &as doing' &i%h a )indl* p"sh $rom T* and 5arne* Wha% arrogan% e,%raordinar* .rea%"res men .o"ld (e@ so read* %o p"rs"e' *e% so "n&illing %o (e p"rs"ed And %he* %al)ed a(o"% &omen (eing hard %o "nders%andJ Dar%ing a .o1er% glan.e a% his se% a1er%ed $a.e' she &ondered i$ he had men%all* s%o&ed her (a.) in %he .a%egor* o$ &omen $or &hom he had no%hing ("% s.orn A misog*nis% o$ long s%anding .o"ld hardl* (e e,pe.%ed %o "ndergo a .omple%e .hange o$ hear% o1ernigh% Do"(%less L"is &as some%hing o$ a male .ha"1inis%' %oo' and as s".h .onsidered %he h"n% p"rel* a man#s preroga%i1e And he &as also %he %*pe %o &hom marriage &o"ld (e p"re ana%hema Perhaps' )no&ing o$ her resis%an.e %o Ma%%he&#s o1er%"res' he %ho"gh% she migh% ma)e demands along %hose lines3 +eeling de.idedl* "ns"re o$ hersel$' Toni se%%led (a.) $or %he $ligh% and .losed her e*es Oh' damn I$ she had %o $all in lo1e a$%er all %hese *ears' &h* had she pi.)ed a di$$i."l% man li)e L"is3

I% &as mida$%ernoon &hen %he* rea.hed Mana"s In %he &ee) o$ a(sen.e %he Rio Negro had (roadened %o a (rea%h%a)ing degree' and %he grea% $loa%ing do.)s had risen more %han Toni &o"ld ha1e (elie1ed possi(le' despi%e e1er*%hing she had (een %old L"is sa& her se%%led in a %a,i and said a dis%an% good(*e' no% e1en in-"iring as %o &hi.h ho%el she &o"ld (e pa%roni2ing A$%er he had alread* .losed %he %a,i door' Toni s&allo&ed her pride eno"gh %o lean o"% and as) &here he himsel$ &o"ld (e s%a*ing Diogo / m* (ro%her/in/la& / has arranged $or a ho%el s"i%e A"%oma%i.all* Toni )ne& i% &o"ld no% (e %he modes%l* pri.ed ho%el "sed (* %he $ilm .re& Oh3 Perhaps *o" .o"ld %ell me &hi.h ho%el' in .ase / I%#s onl* a %emporar* arrangemen%' "n%il reno1a%ions are done on %he old L"en%al pla.e I see Toni paid min"%e a%%en%ion %o %he side&al)' ("% &ha% she reall* sa& &as %he long legs s%anding %here' as i$ impa%ien% %o (e o$$ Well' %hen' I s"ppose &e &on#% mee% again I s"ppose &e &on#%' he .on."rred' and s&i1eled %o go L"isJ I% &as a .r* so in1ol"n%ar*' so despera%e' %ha% i% &as "%%ered &i%h no %ho"gh% $or &ha% she &as going %o sa* ne,% While %hose dar) enigma%i. e*es &ere %"rning on.e more in her dire.%ion' Toni .as% a(o"% &ildl* $or some e,."se' an* e,."se' %o )eep him $rom &al)ing o"% o$ her li$e al%oge%her Las% %ime I &as in Mana"s' I &as0 1er* ("s*' and I didn#% ha1e a .han.e %o see %he .i%* I$ *o" .o"ld spare a li%%le %ime d"ring %his ne,% &ee)N/ And %hen' (e.a"se %he nega%i1e e,pression on his $a.e s"gges%ed %ha% he &as a(o"% %o sa* no' she added -"i.)l*' I#m no% s"gges%ing a &hole da* o$ sigh%seeing' $or I )no& *o"#ll (e o.."pied in o%her &a*s 5"% perhaps *o" .o"ld spare an ho"r A$%er a momen% o$ hesi%a%ion he nodded ."r%l* I#ll see *o" in e,a.%l* %&o ho"rs' %hen A$%er %oda* I#ll (e %oo ("s* $or s".h %hings I#ll mee% *o" in %he s-"are in $ron% o$ %he Opera Ho"se Don#% (e la%e' $or I ha1e %o mee% an in.oming $ligh% A small pa"se prod".ed a sen%en.e %ha% &as more o$ an a$%er%ho"gh% %han an*%hing@ I .an#% o$$er %o %a)e *o" %o dinnerK I#ll (e dining &i%h Diogo and 7ons%an.ia / pro1ided %heir $ligh% .omes in on %ime I% &as no% m".h o$ a promise' ("% i% &as (e%%er %han no%hingK and as %he %a,i $inall* p"lled a&a* $rom %he &a%er$ron% Toni de%erminedl* %ried %o mold her %ho"gh%s in%o more op%imis%i. pa%%erns She &as dis.o"raged %o $ind %ha% L"is &as mee%ing Diogo Har.ia' ("% remem(ering Har.ia#s par%ing &ords a &ee) ago she reali2ed %ha% s".h a possi(ili%*

sho"ld ha1e o.."rred %o her (e$ore no& A &hole &ee) la* ahead' and s"rel* L"is &o"ld no% ha1e %o spend all his spare %ime &i%h his sis%er and (ro%her/in/la&3 There m"s% (e &a*s %o re)indle his desire eno"gh %ha% he &o"ld arrange $or $"r%her en.o"n%ers More $eminine .lo%hes $or one %hing' she de.ided as she .as% a r"e$"l glan.e a% %he plain sla.)s and %ailored .o%%on shir% she had &orn $or %he $ligh% And per$"meN I% %oo) Toni all o$ %he %&o ho"rs %ha% $ollo&ed %o prepare $or %he la%e/a$%ernoon rende21o"s' and m".h o$ %he %ime &as spen% in a la%her o$ &ondering &ha% %o &ear The 1ale% ser1i.e a% %he ho%el' en.o"raged (* a heal%h* %ip' managed %o press and $reshen a hal$ do2en dresses %ha% emerged $rom %he long/.he.)ed s"i%.ase in a se1erel* .reased s%a%e 5* %he %ime %hese &ere re%"rned %o her ho%el room' her s)in had (een soa)ed in a deli.io"s .ologne/s.en%ed (a%hK her hair had (een shampooed and (lo&/dried in%o a gleaming .aramel ."r%ainK her ma)e"p had (een applied &i%h more ar%$"lness %han she had "sed in *ears +rom %he s)in o"% she .hose e1er* garmen% &i%h e,aggera%ed .are / %r*ing on' %"rning in $ron% o$ %he mirror' dis.arding onl* %o %r* on on.e again Wis%$"ll* she remem(ered %he la.* $eminine "nder%hings %ha% had gone &as%ing on her hone*moonK she had no% (o"gh% s".h impra.%i.al garmen%s in *ears On an imp"lse she $l"ng on some .lo%hes' sna%.hed her p"rse and dashed o"%' .a%.hing a %a,i and ha1ing i% &ai% &hile she ra.ed in%o %he 7redilar Tea%ro' %he main depar%men% s%ore o$ Mana"s' %o re.%i$* %he omission Wha% %o &ear o1er %he almos% %ransparen% and "%%erl* $eminine "nder%hings .rea%ed ano%her a%*pi.al $l"%%er o$ inde.ision a$%er she re%"rned %o %he ho%el She $inall* se%%led on a sil)* slee1eless .o%%on prin%' par%l* (e.a"se i%s %o$$ee/and/.ream %ones enhan.ed %he slee) shine o$ her hairK par%l* (e.a"se %he s&inging plea%ed s)ir% did ni.e %hings $or her long shapel*' n*lon/shea%hed legsK par%l* (e.a"se %he high ("%%oned $ron% did no% ha1e %o (e ("%%oned all %he &a* %o %he %op I% loo)ed simple eno"gh $or la%e/a$%ernoon sigh%seeing' *e% no% so simple a$%er all Sa%is$ied' she da((ed a re$resher o$ per$"me (ehind her ears and on her &ris%sK %oo) one las% %"rn in $ron% o$ %he mirror / and %hen' in ano%her s"dden sp"r% o$ de.ision' "n("%%oned %he %op o$ her dress long eno"gh %o &his) o$$ %he (rassiere %ha% had .os% a small $or%"ne' .onsidering %he &isps o$ no%hing %ha% had gone in%o i%s ma)ing No% %ha% %his la.) o$ proper "nderpinning &as a% all apparen% on.e %he dress %op &as (a.) in pla.e 5"% L"is had said he $o"nd (rassieres "nero%i.' and i$ he happened %o (r"sh agains% a &oman#s (od*0 and i$' and i$N/ I#m sorr*' I#m $i1e min"%es la%e' she apologi2ed as L"is gree%ed %he %a,i %ha% had %a)en her &i%hin hailing dis%an.e o$ %he Opera Ho"se He %hr"s% a (an) no%e o$ large

denomina%ion %hro"gh %he &in/ do&' $ores%alling Toni#s a%%emp% %o pa* %he dri1er Then he opened %he rear door and held i% $or her A long sil)en leg emerged see)ing %he side&al)' and %hen ano%her' (r"shing (rie$l* agains% %he %ro"sers o$ a .ream linen s"i% Toni#s s%oma.h m"s.les %igh%ened &i%h an an%i.ipa%ion %ha% %ra1eled all %he &a* "p&ard $rom %he s)in s"r$a.e &here %he (rie$ .on%a.% had (een made As she leaned $or&ard %o a..ep% his helping hand' %he ne.)line o$ her dress / one e,%ra ("%%on "ndone d"ring %he %a,i ride / dis.losed no% onl* Maria#s s%one ("% also a no% 1er* s"(%le 1ie& o$ ."r1ed %emp%ing $lesh' 1isi(le onl* %o %he e*es o$ a man in posi%ion %o see 5rea%hless ("% "na(le %o (lame %his on an*%hing ("% %he )no&ledge o$ &here his e*es &ere %rained' Toni added as she .ame %o her $ee%' Will *o" $orgi1e me3 I &ill' ("% onl* (e.a"se I don#% ha1e %o mee% %ha% $ligh% a$%er all I .alled %o .he.) on %he arri1al %ime and $o"nd i% had (een .an.eled "n%il %omorro& His 1oi.e' %oo' so"nded h"s)ier %han "s"al' ("% his $ingers &ere $irm as %he* gripped her el(o&' s%ead*ing her %o her $ee% Oh3 Then I s"ppose *o"r dinner plans ha1e / 5"% %ha% &as a li%%le %oo (la%an%' and Toni hal%ed a(r"p%l*' sorr* %ha% she had e1er s%ar%ed %he sen%en.e Is %ha% an in1i%a%ion3 L"is as)ed dr*l* No' reall*' I / i% &as 4"s% a .as"al %ho"gh% A (rie$ $lame leaped in his e*es 5e%&een some people' he m"rm"red' %here are no .as"al %ho"gh%s 5"% %he inn"endo &as $ollo&ed (* no in1i%a%ion' and %he dis%"r(ing in.rease o$ press"re on her arm .hanged (a.) %o %he ligh%es% o$ %o".hes as he g"ided her "p %he (road 1is%a o$ (al"s%raded s%eps %ha% led %o %he %r"l* e,%raordinar* Opera Ho"se o$ Mana"s As al&a*s' Toni e,perien.ed a sense o% a&e as she pa"sed (e$ore %he ("ilding The magni$i.en% s%r".%"re' re.en%l* res%ored %o %he (l"e/and/gil% op"len.e o$ i%s he*da*' &o"ld no% ha1e loo)ed o"% o$ pla.e in Paris or :ersailles Here' o1erloo)ing %he (la.) $lood o$ %he Rio Negro' %he e,"(eran% 4"ngle and %he red/roo$ed pa%.h&or) o$ %he .i%*' i% &as an as%onishmen% Wha% in.redi(le li1es %he r"((er (arons o$ ano%her era m"s% ha1e led here in %he middle o$ %he 4"ngleJ This is %he mos% e,pensi1e opera ho"se e1er ("il%' L"is remar)ed' shading his e*es %o s.an %he .as%ella%ed &alls The %iles $or %he dome .ame $rom Alsa.e/Lorraine' %he mar(le $rom 7arrara 5"% reall* %he &hole ("ilding .ame $rom England I% &as .ons%r".%ed %here' %a)en apar% and %hen (ro"gh% a.ross %he A%lan%i. pie.e (* pie.e In %he s"mp%"o"s re.ep%ion $o*er' %all 1ases o$ Se1res por.elain and ri.h golden

draperies enhan.ed %he e$$e.% o$ soaring .ream and .oral mar(le pillars Benn* Lind sang here on.e' L"is %old her' all impersonal g"ide as %he* en%ered The presen.e o$ a %o"r gro"p' as &ell as a n"m(er o$ soli%ar* sigh%seers' mili%a%ed agains% an* in%ima.* a% %his momen% The 5alle% R"sse per$ormed' %oo' and Pa1lo1a Some%imes *o" hear i% .laimed %ha% Sarah 5ernhard% also appeared' ("% in %r"%h she re$"sed %he in1i%a%ion' e1en %ho"gh she &as o$$ered a )ing#s ransom I% &as no% al&a*s eas* $or %he r"((er (arons %o $ind %a)ers $or %heir o$$ers In %hose da*s i% %oo) si, mon%hs o"% o$ a per$ormer#s li$e %o .ome here' mos% o$ i% spen% in %ra1eling %ime The .hor"s girls al&a*s .ame &illingl*' %ho"gh / and o%her &omen' %oo I#1e heard Mana"s &asn#% "nli)e %he Klondi)e in %ha% regard' smiled Toni' &ho )ne& %ha% a% one %ime %&o o"% o$ %hree Mana"s homes had (een ho"ses o$ ill rep"%e Women .ame $rom all o1er %he &orld hoping %o ma)e %heir $or%"ne The r"((er (arons / m* grea%grand$a%her among %hem / "sed %o %hro& 4e&els a% %he s%age I% m"s% ha1e (een an e,%raordinar* s.ene@ r"s%ling (ro.ades' ro"ged ladies o$ %he nigh%' la"gh%er and lo1eN S"rro"nded (* s"mp%"o"s +ren.h iron&or) and 1is%as o$ mar(le' (* hea1il* .ar1ed .hairs o$ Ba.aranda &ood and .handeliers o$ a&esome dimensions' Toni did no% $ind i% hard %o imagine %he gli%%ering (*gone era L"is &as e1o)ing &i%h his &ords 5"% as she had seen i% all (e$ore' she spen% more %ime in &a%.hing L"Ts#s lean $a.e %han in loo)ing o1er %he splendors o$ %he Opera Ho"se The r"((er (arons &an%ed %his %o (e %he grandes% opera ho"se in %he &orld / grander e1en %han %hose in Paris' London' Rome' :ienna And i% &as Loo) a% %ha% .eiling m"ral / pin) angels .omm"ning &i%h some 1er* angeli./loo)ing h"mans' pro(a(l* in%ended %o depi.% %he r"((er (arons I imagine %ha%#s a(o"% as .lose %o hea1en as an* o$ %hem go%' he $inished on a sardoni. no%e as his e*es slid do&n&ard' lea1ing hea1en (ehind The* a.-"ired %he %rappings o$ .i1ili2a%ion' %hose an.es%ors o$ mine' m".h as %he* a.-"ired %he .hor"s girls / $or a pri.e E1er*%hing $or a pri.e The* sen% %heir la"ndr* %o E"rope %o (e done as readil* as %he* sen% %heir sons and da"gh%ers %o (e ed".a%ed a(road 7an *o" imagine ho& man* shir%s a man &o"ld need in order %o send his dir%* linens on a si,/mon%h ro"nd %rip3 L"Ts#s a%%en%ion &as dire.%ed a% %he %iers o$ orna%e opera (o,es adorned &i%h angels and .her"(s' ("% Toni sensed he &as seeing some%hing else@ %he 1ision o$ %he s"$$ering sering"eiros' %he poor r"((er ga%herers' Indians and .a(o.los (o%h' &hose li1es had (een (led in order %o ma)e s".h e,%ra1agan.es possi(le 5"% i$ he &as reminded o$ s".h %hings he did no% spea) o$ %hem no&

And in %he end' he &en% on' %he* a.-"ired no%hing ("% grie$ 5* %he %ime %his ("ilding &as .omple%ed %he end &as alread* in sigh% Wi%hin a .o"ple o$ *ears Mana"s &as 1ir%"all* a ghos% %o&n0%he (ro%hels .losed' %he r"((er (arons r"ined' %he .hor"s girls gone' and onl* %he ghos%s o$ los% glor* inha(i%ing %he (o,es and %he s%age His ga2e le$% %he opera (o, on &hi.h i% had (een %rained and $ell on Toni Are *o" s"re *o"#re in%eres%ed3 I don#% (elie1e *o"#1e loo)ed a% a single %hing A$%er some men%al $"m(ling' Toni de.ided on %he %r"%h I#1e seen i% (e$ore' she admi%%ed L"is &as silen% $or a momen% I$ *o"#d %old me I &o"ld ha1e pi.)ed some%hing di$$eren% Wha% ha1en#% *o" seen3 Wha% else is %here %o see3 she .o"n%ered The Mar)e% 5"ilding' $or one Tha%#s 1er* .olor$"l / parro%s' .aged animals' $r"i% and 1ege%a(le s%alls0 I#1e seen %ha%' %oo' she sighed And %he Sale/sian Mission M"se"m And Tar"ma +alls And %he e,."rsion %o Mon)e* Island I don#% %hin) %here#s a %hing I didn#% do' $or &e#ll (e $ilming in Mana"s &hen &e $inish &i%h %he Mara I had %o loo) e1er*%hing o1er Ho& a(o"% The 7h"r.h o$ %he Poor De1il3 Tha%#s so %in* *o" migh% ha1e missed i%' e1en &i%h %he (es% o$ in%en%ions !es / in $a.%' I &en% %here %hree %imes I% &as m* $a1ori%e pla.e Po(re Dia(lo' %he 7h"r.h o$ %he Poor De1il' &as a min"s."le edi$i.e in a s"("r( o$ Mana"s I% had (een ("il% (* one poor man alone' la(oring &i%h his hands and his hear% %o .rea%e a .r"de .h"r.h no larger %han a small room Toni had $o"nd i% more %o".hing %han all %he magni$i.en.e o$ %he r"((er (arons# %ransien% dreams L"is nodded' no% mo.)ing her pre$eren.e Ha1e *o" ea%en sin.e (rea)$as%3 he as)ed a(r"p%l* I sa& *o" didn#% %a)e an*%hing a% l"n.h No' admi%%ed Toni' $eeling a s"dden pang o$ h"nger in .on.er% &i%h %he -"i.) 4o* his &ords a&a)ened I%#s $ar %oo la%e in %he da* $or l"n.h' ("% s%ill some&ha% earl* $or dinner Ne1er%heless' .ome along We#ll $ind some%hing Lea1ing %he Opera Ho"se' %he* &al)ed a ro"%e Toni s.ar.el* no%ed $or %he %h"nder o$ spe."la%ion in her head I% had no% so"nded e,a.%l* li)e an in1i%a%ion %o a slo& in%ima%e

dinnerK all %he same i% &as a s%ar% And as L"is &as no% mee%ing his sis%er and (ro%her/in/ la& "n%il %omorro&0 On a .ro&ded s%ree% lined &i%h do2ens o$ %he shops %ha% mar)ed Mana"s as a $ree por%' he .ame %o a hal% (eside a dar)/s)inned &oman .lad in a .olor$"l dirndl s)ir%' a s%ree% 1endor o$ some sor% Toni &a%.hed' disappoin%men% ga%hering in%o a hard (all in her %hroa%' &hile L"is nego%ia%ed %he p"r.hase o$ %&o go"rds $"ll o$ s%eaming so"p I%#s .alled %a.a.Q / 1er* no"rishing' 1er* $illing and "s"all* 1er* pala%a(le Toni (en% her head %o %he gail* de.ora%ed go"rd in &hi.h %he %a.a.Q had (een ser1ed' .o1ering her a(*smal disappoin%men% as (es% she .o"ld H"nger o1er.ame h"r% as she $o"nd %ha% %he spi.* sa1or* so"p &as a pala%a(le repla.emen% $or %he l"n.h she had s)ipped in her s%a%e o$ high %ension a% noon / Well' &ha%#s %he 1erdi.%3 L"is as)ed a$%er she had do&ned %he go"rd#s .on%en%s I li)ed i% S%ill h"ngr*3 A li%%le Then *o" shall ha1e ano%her' he de.reed' and %"rned on.e more %o %he s%ree% 1endor' de.lining a se.ond helping $or himsel$ I% &as no% "n%il he had $inished %his ne& ro"nd o$ nego%ia%ion %ha% Toni#s spiri%s (egan %o li$% This %ime I#1e (o"gh% %he go"rd' %oo' no% 4"s% %he .on%en%s 7ome' *o" .an drin) i% in m* .ar 7ar3 Wi%h a leap o$ %he hear% Toni o(e*ed %he hand %ha% &as alread* "rging her along %he s%ree%' mane"1ering s)ill$"ll* %o a1oid o%her pedes%rians I ren%ed one %his a$%ernoon No% m".h %o loo) a%' ("% i% r"ns I#m going %o %a)e *o" on one sigh%seeing %o"r I )no& *o" .an#% ha1e done No& don#% as) -"es%ions' $or I#ll %ell *o" no%hing "n%il &e ge% %here There &as no% so 1er* $ar Ten min"%es la%er' 4"s% as Toni &as $inishing her se.ond Ta.a.Q' L"Ts (ra)ed %he .ar on a -"ie% ."l/de/sa. in $ron% o$ a high orna%e &ro"gh%/ iron $en.e %ha% en.losed an es%a%e o$ impressi1e dimensions Mar(le pillars $ron%ed a $a.ade s.ar.el* less orna%e %han %ha% o$ %he Opera Ho"se' and no% so 1er* m".h smaller The s%a%el* s"mp%"o"s ar.hi%e.%"re s"gges%ed a +ren.h .ha%ea"' and in %he leng%hening o$ la%e/a$%ernoon shado&s' ghos%s o$ %he pas% seemed %o inha(i% %he pla.e Despi%e i%s grandness' i% had a .lamm* .losed loo)' as %ho"gh i% had no% (een inha(i%ed $or some *ears

Wha% is i%3 as)ed Toni' ."rio"s S"rel* *o" .an g"ess !o"r grea%grand$a%her#s home3 One o$ %hem Well' &ha% do *o" %hin)3 I%#s0imposing A hal$hear%ed .ommen% i$ I e1er heard one On %he .on%rar*' %he pla.e %a)es m* (rea%h a&a* I .an#% imagine an*one li1ing in s".h grande"r' %ha%#s all 7ome along and I#ll sho& *o" aro"nd L"is rea.hed a.ross %o "nlo.) %he door on Toni#s side (ringing %he ine1i%a(le .on%a.% as his arm (r"shed (rie$l* a.ross her (reas% and &as as -"i.)l* &i%hdra&n 6n$or%"na%el*' mos% o$ %he $"rni%"re#s "nder &raps No(od* has li1ed here sin.e m* mo%her died' a(o"% $o"r *ears ago 5"% %here are some $ine $res.oes and a s"per( mar(le s%air.ase' and o%her %hings %o see Perhaps *o"r imagina%ion .an dispense &i%h %hed"s%.o1ers0 An enormo"s en%ran.e hall &i%h a $loor o$ mar(le inlaid in %&o shades o$ green opened on%o rooms %ha% &ere pala%ial (* an* s%andards E1en %he spe.%ral d"s%.o1ers %ha% shro"ded e1er*%hing seemed los% in %hese 1a"l%ed spa.es Sin.e %he r"gs &ere rolled and &rapped in &hi%e li)e %he m"mmi$ied $"rni%"re' %heir $oo%s%eps rang on (are $loors' adding %o %he sense o$ ghos%l* "nreali%* And %his is &here *o"#re planning %o li1e3 Toni as)ed &i%h more %han a li%%le a&e !es I%#s s".h a0 drama%i. .hange Is i%3 !es' I s"ppose i% seems %ha% &a* 5"% perhaps I#m a more .i1ili2ed man %han *o" gi1e me .redi% $or I gre& "p in %his ho"se' a$%er all To me i% holds memories o$ m* paren%s' m* sis%ers' m* .o"sins' m* .hildhood $riends Where are all *o"r sis%ers no&3 she as)ed' reali2ing she had no% p"% %ha% -"es%ion %he o%her da* d"ring L"is#s re.i%al o$ $amil* ane.do%es All married and all s.a%%ered I ha1e no rela%i1es le$% in Mana"s He .ame %o a hal% in a 1a"l%ed spa.e &here a grand piano s"gges%ed one%ime "se as a m"si. roomK %hen

slo&l* s%ar%ed %o re%ra.e his s%eps %o&ard %he en%ran.e $o*er' g"iding Toni &i%ho"% %o".hing her There are some rooms less o1er&helming %han %hese / %he n"rser*' %he (edroom &here I slep% &hen I &as a (o*' %he games room' %he .onser1a%or* I &as happ* here on.e I .an (e happ* here again I% so"nded more li)e a resol"%ion %han a .on1i.%ion 5e*ond %ha%' L"is seemed disin.lined %o allo& a .loser e,amina%ion o$ his mo%i1es $or .hoosing %o li1e in %his enormo"s mansion I% &as a de.ision %ha% seemed as%onishing %o Toni' and no% one in )eeping &i%h &ha% she )ne& a(o"% %he man Aren#% *o" going %o sho& me %he "ps%airs3 she as)ed &hen i% seemed %ha% he &as leading her %o %he $ron% door again L"is %il%ed a -"i22i.al (ro&' ("% he .hanged dire.%ion and s%ar%ed "p %he orna%e mar(le s%air.ase &i%ho"% .ommen% As %he* as.ended' Toni 1en%"red' !o" said %his &as onl* one o$ *o"r grea%grand$a%her#s residen.es Where &ere %he o%hers3 Paris' Ne&por% / and one o%her here in Mana"s I%#s smaller' less0&ha% &as %he &ord *o" "sed3 Less imposing I$ *o" had some hear% $or %he 7h"r.h o$ %he Poor De1il' I#m s"re *o"#d pre$er %ha% ho"se I%#s more in%ima%e' more li1a(le I .an#% sho& i% %o *o" (e.a"se i%#s ren%ed a% %he momen% As *o" .an imagine' i%#s easier %o $ind %enan%s $or a small ho"se %han $or a &hi%e elephan% li)e %his T&o ho"ses3 p"22led Toni as %he* a%%ained %he %op o$ %he grea% .ir."lar s%air.ase I% seems odd %ha% *o"r grea%grand$a%her &o"ld )eep %&o in one .i%*' espe.iall* &hen one is as enormo"s as %his L"is .ame %o a hal% hal$&a* along a .orridor &here d"s% mo%es re$le.%ed %he slan%ing lang"ishing ligh% o$ da* Wi%h his hand on a door)no(' he %"rned %o $a.e Toni' holding her &i%h "nsmiling e*es S"rel* *o" .an g"ess &h*3 I% &o"ld %a)e a 1er* nai1e person no% %o )no& %ha% %&o ho"ses .o"ld mean onl* one %hing / %&o &omen Onl* one o$ %hem &as his &i$e The momen% dis%"r(ed Toni "nd"l* (e.a"se o$ %he s%rong %ide o$ magne%ism %ha% sen% ."rren%s %hro"gh %he air' as i$ .arried (* %he ho1ering shimmering d"s% mo%es A pier.ing se,"al a&areness %ra1eled o1er her s)in and arro&ed in%o %he pi% o$ her s%oma.h' ("% she had no &a* o$ )no&ing &he%her L"is' &hose $a.e remained impassi1e' shared her $eelings He &en% on as he %"rned %o open %he door' !es' m* grea%grand$a%her )ep% a mis%ress' and no% 1er* dis.ree%l* She &as a grea% (ea"%*' a (alle% dan.er' a rising s%ar in a modes%l* $amo"s %ro"pe +or a %ime she &as %o"%ed as ano%her Pa1lo1a And she ga1e i% all "p0$or lo1e3 Perhaps' &i%h her inner *earnings longing %o

(e e,pressed' Toni &as %hin)ing more o$ hersel$ %han o$ a long/ago .o"r%esan Tha%#s ra%her roman%i. L"is smiled .*ni.all* She didn#% gi1e "p 1er* m".h M* grea%grand$a%her#s &i$e li1ed in %he li%%le ho"se His mis%ress li1ed here Toni did no% need %o (e %old %ha% %he room in%o &hi.h L"is &as no& "shering her had (een %he personal (edroom o$ %ha% long/ago demimondaine I% &hispered illi.i% passion The Lo"is L"in2e $"rni%"re' %he 1el1e%/.o1ered RR.amier .o".h $rom &hi.h %he d"s%.o1er had par%iall* $allen a&a*' %he gil%/$ramed oils o$ l"sh na)ed &omen on %he sil)/ lined &alls / and %he (ed The enormo"s .anopied (ed Orna%e en%&ined ."pids de.ora%ed i%s hea1il* .ar1ed pos%s D"s%.o1ers &ere draped o1er %he spread and %he "pper par% o$ %he .anop*' ("% %hese did no% .on.eal %he grea% s&a%hs o$ ."%/1el1e% (ed hangings Toni hardl* dared %o (rea%he The (ed held her e*esK and s"ddenl*' on a .er%ain%*' she )ne& i% held L"is#s e*es' %oo He &as loo)ing and she &as loo)ing and %he* &ere (o%h %hin)ing %he same %hingK and al%ho"gh %he* &ere no% loo)ing a% ea.h o%her' (o%h )ne& &ha% &as in %he o%her#s mindN She e,pe.%ed L"is %o ma)e some mo1e no&@ %he %ension (e%&een %hem had gro&n "n(eara(le 5"% he did no% He merel* &ai%ed "n%il Toni %"rned her e*es in his dire.%ion' and %hen he smiled sardoni.all* I %hin) *o"#1e seen eno"gh o$ %his $loor He held %he door $or Toni and %hen .losed i% $irml* (ehind %hem E1er*%hing else is an an%i.lima, 7ome' I#ll sho& *o" %he gardens The* &ere -"i%e grand in %heir %ime / e,o%i. (irds' %ropi.al $ish' $lo&ering %rees' e1en a ma2e The*#re o1ergro&n no&' ("%N Toni hardl* heard his &ords as he $ollo&ed %&o pa.es (ehind her do&n %he grea% .ir."lar s%air.ase She &as .ons.io"s o$ onl* %&o %hings@ %he (ed she had seen' and %he pro,imi%* o$ %ha% lean 1irile (od*' so near %ha% she .o"ld almos% %as%e %he a"ra o$ him in %he m"s%* air' so .lose %ha% she .o"ld $eel his &arm%h &i%h e1er* pri.)ing .ell on %he s"r$a.e o$ her s)in L"is She hal%ed and %"rned' p"%%ing a hand on his arm as %he* rea.hed %he hal$&a* mar) o$ %heir des.en% PleaseN He %ensed and .ame %o an immedia%e hal%' s%ill %&o s%eps a(o1e &here Toni had s%opped His $a.e &as .are$"ll* &iped o$ emo%ionK hers &as no% Her e*es as)ed %he -"es%ion and her mo"%h ga1e %he ans&er / i%s mois% %rem"lo"s so$%ness %elling him he need onl* %a)e %o (e gi1en L"is' please' she repea%ed' %rem(ling (e.a"se no%hing in his $a.e en.o"raged her no& And %hen' (e.a"se &ords &ere hard and (e.a"se &ha% she &an%ed %o sa* .o"ld (e

said &i%ho"% %hem' she rea.hed $or %he %hong %ha% h"ng aro"nd her ne.) Wordlessl* she pressed %he green s%one in%o his hand L"Ts spen% a silen% momen% loo)ing a% i%s .r"del* .ar1ed s"r$a.e' %"rning i% (e%&een %hose long $ingers &hose %o".h she a.hed %o $eel No& s%rong emo%ions .hased ea.h o%her a.ross %he harsh planes o$ his $a.e' dra&ing deep inden%a%ions aro"nd %he mo"%h and nose' se%%ing an erra%i. p"lse %o %i.)ing in his $orehead' .a"sing %he hollo&s (enea%h his high .hee)(ones %o &or) as i$ &i%h some %erri(le %ension !o"#re no% %he %*pe o$ &oman $or a liaison %ha% has no $"%"re' he said a% las% &i%h di$$i."l%*' no% %a)ing his e*es o$$ %he s%one His 1oi.e &as hoarse' sha)en No% *o" Ne1er *o" No& %ha% I )no& %ha%' I .an#% / Her %hroa% h"r% She loo)ed no% a% %he s%one ("% a% L"is#s &ell/lo1ed $a.e' so high a(o1e (e.a"se o$ his ele1a%ed posi%ion on %he s%airs Wha% he had said &as onl* %he .on$irma%ion o$ &ha% she had g"essed@ %ha% $or a man li)e L"is' marriage &as o"% o$ %he -"es%ion I#m going in &i%h m* e*es open' L"is I don#% e,pe.% an*%hing *o" .an#%0 o$$er An%onia' he (rea%hed in a ragged 1oi.e' don#%0 She managed a (ra1e smile as his %or%"red e*es rose $rom %he s%one' $inding hers In his $a.e &as a dar) p"rga%or*' a (a%%le raging $or possession o$ his $a."l%ies Didn#% *o" %ell me %hese s%ones &ere gi1en %o pro."re a0a %emporar* lo1er3 Her ligh%ness &as pre%ended a% .onsidera(le .os% I#m nearl* %&en%*/se1en *ears old I &an% a lo1er' L"is' and I &an% i% %o (e *o" Wha% &as i% *o" said %he Ama2ons sho"ld ha1e (een .alled / %he Women Who Li1e &i%ho"% Men3 L"is nodded' seeming no% %o %r"s% spee.h Oh' L"is' Toni &hispered' a(andoning e1er* las% shred o$ pride as she s%epped "p&ard %o end %he small separa%ion (e%&een %hem Don#% *o" see' I#1e done %ha% $or %oo long3 CHAPTER TWELVE

Ho& THE! 7LIM5ED THE STAIRS Toni ne1er )ne& Whe%her he led her' &he%her she led him / i% seemed a small %hing (eside %he possessi1e ligh% %ha% leaped in%o %hose nigh%/(la.)@ e*es No &ords &ere needed no& As %he* .lim(ed %he* .l"ng' a(andoned in %heir h"nger She &as a&are onl* o$ %he arden% lips' o$ %he )isses on her hands' in her hair' on her %hroa%K o$ %he "rgen% hands %ha% .o"rsed o1er her (reas%s and her

hips as shamelessl* as her o&n hands &ere dis.o1ering him Wai%' L"is said %hi.)l* as %he* rea.hed %he (edroom Despi%e his %o&ering needs' he p"% her momen%aril* aside Wal)ing %o %he (ed' he &ren.hed %he d"s%.o1ers aside' re1ealing a .o"n%erpane o1er sil)en shee%s Then he s%rode (a.) a.ross %he room and s%opped $or.e$"ll* a $oo% $rom &here Toni s%ood He li$%ed his hands' sin)ing %hem in her hair' &hile he possessed her &i%h his e*es A %hin line o$ .olor dar)ened %he high ar. o$ his .hee)(ones Hea1en help me' he (rea%hed "ns%eadil* I .an#% do %his as I sho"ld I#1e &ai%ed %oo long and I#1e &an%ed %oo long and I .an#% (e pa%ien% no&N Oh' L"is' she said' %rem(ling' *o" don#% ha1e %o (e pa%ien% &i%h me As she spo)e she rea.hed $or %he ("%%ons o$ his shir% / "ndoing %hem' p"shing %he shir% $rom his sho"lders' %o".hing %he hard .orded %e,%"res o$ him' ma)ing lo1e &i%h e1er* e,plora%or* mo1emen% o$ her hands His hear%(ea% dr"mmed agains% her $inger%ips' %elling her %ha% desire &as a %h"nder in his (lood' %oo Eager %o &ai% no more' she rea.hed $or his (el% Oh' Hod' he gra%ed harshl*' and his )iss e,ploded agains% her mo"%h' a dam ("rs% o$ need so 1iolen% %ha% no po&er o$ &ill .o"ld ha1e .on%ained i% no& She .ared no% %ha% his lips &ere (r"ising in %heir deep possession' %ha% his hands &ere less %han gen%le as %he* %ore %he .lo%hes $rom her lim(s' %ha% his arms &ere almos% p"nishing in %heir impa%ien.e as %he* s&ep% her %o&ard %he (ed Pa"sing onl* %o di1es% himsel$ o$ %he las% o$ his .lo%hes' he .ame .r"shing do&n (eside her And %hen his mo"%h &as mo1ing h"ngril* o1er her (od*' sparing no par% o$ her as he a&o)e %he sensa%ions she had longed %o $eel 5"% his so"l/deep groan as he (a%hed her (reas%s &i%h his lips &arned %ha% his .on%inen.e had (een s%rained %oo $ar Ma)e lo1e %o me' L"is' Toni &hispered' la.ing her $ingers in%o his hair He p"lled her in%o his arms' his en%ire (eing sha)ing $rom %he 1iolen.e o$ a passion %oo long .on%ained +orgi1e me' he rasped as his mo"%h and his (la.) ("rning e*es des.ended on.e again Oh' m* darling' %his &on#% (e as i% sho"ld (e $or *o" 5"% i% &as as i% sho"ld (e $or her The ro"ghness o$ his .hes% agains% her (ared (reas%s' %he poised po&er o$ him' %he na)ed h"nger in his $a.e / %hese &ere &ha% she &an%ed in her hear% Oh' *es' i% &ill' she &hispered' &rapping her arms a(o"% his ne.) in %he momen% (e$ore his mo"%h sealed o$$ $"r%her &ords And %hen' in a single (i%%ers&ee% se.ond' %he hard $or.e$"lness o$ his passion a% las% %oo) $"ll possession o$ her (od* Al%ho"gh %he momen% &as s&i$%' her rigidi%* &as an in1ol"n%ar* rea.%ion %o %he %erri(le "rgen.* &i%h &hi.h he had .laimed her +igh%ing her o&n %enseness' she .l"ng %o

him' despera%el* &an%ing %o gi1e her hear% and hersel$ &i%h no reser1e' no res%rain% She &an%ed %o rise &i%h him %o heigh%s &here she had soared onl* in her imagina%ionK &an%ed him %o &ai%' %o (e pa%ien% &i%h her "n%il she .o"ld .ap%"re %he rap%"re she had ne1er )no&n 5"% perhaps $or L"is %here had alread* (een %oo m".h &ai%ing A$%er a las% $ier.e deepening o$ his )iss' %he dri1ing ga1e &a* %o a sh"ddering' and %he sh"ddering %o a s%illness %ha% %old o$ spen% desire As his mo"%h released hers and mo1ed %o her %hroa%' he groaned deepl*' as i$ he )ne& %ha% %he $inal s"rge o$ his lo1e/ma)ing had (ro"gh% no ans&ering s"rge $rom her A$%er a %ime he rolled a&a* al%oge%her' $reeing her $rom his &eigh% He p"lled her in%o his arms and s%ro)ed her hair so %enderl* %ha% she )ne& i% &as a &ordless apolog* $or %he impor%"na%e &a* in &hi.h he had %a)en her And a% las%' as a (rooding dar)ness ga%hered (e*ond %he &indo&pane' he spo)e' his 1oi.e h"s)* &i%h emo%ion I#m sorr* I &as %oo impa%ien% Tha%#s no% so She %"rned %o smile %rem"lo"sl* in%o his e*es and rea.hed o"% her $ingers %o s%ro)e %he lean lo1ed .on%o"rs o$ his $a.e She e,plored %he hin% o$ s%"((le 4"s% (enea%h %he s)in' %he ang"lar (ones' %he p"lse (eside his ear %ha% &as in1isi(le %o e1er*%hing ("% her see)ing %o".h And %hen her hand %ra1eled do&n %o his .hes%' &here %he green s%one o$ %he Ama2ons la* agains% a %angle o$ dar) .risp hair Ha1e *o" $orgo%%en' L"is3 I as)ed She %o".hed %he s%one and %hen s%ro)ed %he s)in aro"nd i%' dis.o1ering %he 1i%al sensa%ions %ha% &ere li)e aphrodisia.s %o her $inger%ips@ %he &arm $irm (lend o$ m"s.le and (one and man 5"% %he $irs% %ime0O' De"s His e*es dar)ened &i%h a regre% so deep i% %o".hed her %o %he .ore I% sho"ld ha1e (een righ% $or *o"' so 1er* righ% Ne,% %ime I#ll sho& more sel$/.on%rol He le$% %he (ed and mo1ed %o %he &indo&' his li%he m"s."lar $rame a magne% %o Toni#s e*es A man#s na)edness &as no% ne& %o herK %here had (een %oo man* mon%hs o$ .aring $or Ma%%he&#s mos% in%ima%e needs 5"% %his &as di$$eren%' so di$$eren% Seeing L"is mo1ing na)ed in %he d"s)/dim room' her %hroa% gre& %igh% &i%h longing $or &ha% she had s%ill no% )no&n He &as a s"per( male .rea%"re' a man o$ po&er$"l ph*si-"e in %he prime o$ his s%reng%h' and (e.a"se she sa& him &i%h %he e*es o$ lo1e she "nders%ood %he dri1ing "rgen.* %ha% had pre1en%ed him $rom $"l$illing her long/denied needs Wi%h so$% ligh%s s&i%.hed on' he re%"rned %o %he (ed and sa% on i%s edge El(o&s on )nees' he s%ared $i,edl* a% %he $loor I%#s no real e,."se $or m* la.) o$ .on%inen.e' ("% perhaps *o"#ll "nders%and &hen I %ell *o" I#1e &an%ed *o" e1er sin.e %ha% da* I sa& *o"

in Rio de Baneiro A$%er I re%"rned %o %he Ama2on I .o"ldn#% p"% *o" o"% o$ m* mind The sigh% o$ *o"r so$%ness' %he smell o$ *o"r per$"me0 I "sed %o &a)e in %he nigh% remem(ering %hose %hings I% &as a )ind o$ %ormen% &an%ing *o" I (egan %o %hin) o$ &a*s and means $rom %he $irs% momen% &e me% He made a sel$/depre.a%ing ges%"re I &an%ed *o" (adl* / ("% e1en a% m* lo&es% e(( I ne1er in%ended %o (e %he animal I &as %onigh% L"is' *o" &eren#% %ha%J !o"#1e li1ed %he li$e o$ a hermi% $or %oo long Don#% *o" %hin) I )no& &ha% $r"s%ra%ion does %o a man3 Ele1en *ears / I ha1en#% e1en %ha% e,."se' he said in a hollo& 1oi.e' and ("ried his $a.e in his hands A% leas%' no% .omple%el* Oh' L"is0 And &i%h lo1e and need and $orgi1eness .lamoring %o (e e,pressed' she p"lled him do&n %o %he (ed (eside her and (egan %o %ell him &i%h her hands o$ %he lo1e %ha% she held in her hear% And soon' &i%h a slo&ness and s"reness he had no% sho&n (e$ore' he (egan %o ma)e lo1e / %enderl*' e,per%l*' arden%l* Wi%h )isses (a%hing her (reas%sK &i%h hands .o"rsing slo&l*' )no&ingl*' o1er %he se.re% &ell/springs o$ her &omanhoodK &i%h sens"o"s .aresses and so$% &ords o$ lo1e' he (ro"gh% ea.h par% o$ her %o a singing readiness This is ho& I &an%ed i% %o (e0 $or *o"' $or me I lo1e *o"' An%onia I lo1e *o" more %han I .an %ell The h"s)* &ords a&a)ened a s&i$% 4o*' $or %he* ga1e her more o$ L"is %han she had e,pe.%ed %o re.ei1e And no& she .o"ld ma)e her o&n admission' a .on$ession o$ %he deep emo%ions %ha% had led her %o gi1e hersel$ &i%h s".h a(andon And I lo1e *o"' L"is' she &hispered as she raised her lips %o re%"rn %he gen%le imprin% o$ his I lo1e *o" soN This %ime as his po&er$"l (od* le1ered in%o pla.e' her readied $lesh sprang %o re.ei1e him No%hing .o"ld s%op %he $lood %ide no& +rom deep &i%hin i% rose / s"re' deep' s&i$%' a %orren% o$ desire %ha% sen% her hipe s%raining "p&ard %o mee% %he mos% mar1elo"s momen% o$ allN A$%er' a long %ime a$%er' &hen %he* la* %&ined %oge%her in a dar)ened room' she m"rm"red' Oh' L"is I#m glad i% &as *o" So glad The* %al)ed long' long in%o %he nigh% / %he li%%le e,plora%or* no%hings o$ lo1ers' impor%an% and "nimpor%an% all a% on.e' %o do &i%h %he shape o$ a nose or %he ."r1e o$ a mo"%h or %he %as%e o$ &arm s)in %o %he lips The* made lo1e again' linger i ngl* The* %al)ed o$ man* %hings' ("% L"is did no% spea) o$ %a)ing her (a.) %o her ho%el' nor did she spea) o$ going He did no% %al) o$ %he $"%"re' nor did she And a% las%' &arm &i%h lo1e and sleep* &i%h s"r$ei%' %he* slid in%o a nigh% &orld &here Toni dreamed impossi(le dreams o$ sleeping al&a*s in %hose s%rong en$olding arms

Some%imes %hro"gh %he nigh% / %ha% long memora(le nigh% spen% so in%ima%el* &rapped in his em(ra.e / she &o)e On.e' %o $ind him %o".hing her lips as i$ %o remind himsel$ %he* &ere %here On.e' &hen L"Ts p"lled a ligh% .o1ering o1er %heir na)ed lim(s %o .lose o"% %he .hill o$ %he preda&n ho"rs On.e' &hen glimmerings o$ da&n .rep% %hro"gh %he ."r%ain .ra.)s %o lend a pale l"s%er %o %he s.ene 5"% (e.a"se i% &as %oo earl* %o rise' and (e.a"se she did no% &an% %o &a)e $rom a dream so (ea"%i$"l' she in.hed .loser in%o %he ."r1e o$ his (od* and dri$%ed on.e more And (e.a"se %he lo1ers# dis.o1eries o$ %he pre1io"s nigh% had )ep% %hem a&a)e so la%e' and (e.a"se nei%her had res%ed m".h %he nigh% (e$ore %ha%' (o%h slep% long (e*ond %heir "s"al &a)ing %ime The .li.) o$ %he .handelier s&i%.h and %he $"ll (la2e o$ ligh% (ro"gh% her ins%an%l* a&a)e When she $el% L"is#s arm %igh%en in1ol"n%aril* aro"nd her' she )ne& he had a&a)ened' %oo So' p"rred a s%range $eminine 1oi.e in %he lang"age o$ %his .o"n%r*' m* p"re' p"re L"is is no% so p"re a$%er all Ho& am"sing Rigid &i%h sho.)' Toni sna%.hed %he shee% %o her (reas% and s%ared a% %he in%r"der L"is "%%ered a lo& g"%%"ral ."rse' spea)ing Por%"g"ese as %he &oman had done P"%%ing Toni $irml* aside' he le1ered himsel$ %o a si%%ing posi%ion in %he (ed' no% %r*ing %o .on.eal %he na)edness o$ his lean m"s."lar %orso +or a momen%' %he s%one o$ %he Ama2ons s&"ng s%rongl* on i%s %hong' %hen se%%led in%o slo& mo%ion agains% i%s (ed o$ .risp .hes% hair Perhaps i%#s am"sing %o *o"' 7ons%an.ia' he said &earil*' ("% no% %o me Where did *o" .ome $rom3 I %ho"gh% *o"r $ligh% had (een .an.eled *es%erda* I% &as .an.eled' ("% Diogo (egged a ride $rom a $riend &i%h a pri1a%e plane We arri1ed la%e *es%erda* and .he.)ed in%o %he ho%el When *o" didn#% appear' Diogo %ho"gh% perhaps *o"#d (ro)en *o"r promise !o" )no& I &o"ldn#% do %ha%' gro&led L"is 7ons%an.ia la"ghed ligh%l*' poise in%a.% as her .ool e*es %ra1eled %o Toni I )no& *o" &o"ldn#% Tha%#s &h* I .ame o1er &i%h a de.ora%or' %o s%ar% %al)ing a(o"% reno1a%ions To her "%%er disma*' Toni no& reali2ed %ha% a s%range man s%ood in %he door&a*' some $e& $ee% (ehind %he &oman &ho m"s% (e L"is#s sis%er The de.ora%or' no do"(% E1en as Toni no%ed him' he ga1e a so$% apologe%i. smile and (a.)ed a&a*' 1anishing al%oge%her $rom a s.ene %ha% seemed %o dis.on.er% him a grea% deal more %han i% did %he &oman 7ons%an.ia Wi%h an ar.h smile %ha% s"gges%ed no em(arrassmen% &ha%soe1er' L"Ts# s sis%er &al)ed $ar%her in%o %he room Despi%e %he high/&ais%ed Empire dress %ha% re1ealed a s%a%e

o$ ad1an.ed pregnan.*' her &al) &as sin"o"s and sel$/a&are in %he &a* o$ a &oman &ho )no&s hersel$ %o (e "%%erl*' e,%ra1agan%l* lo1el* Her $a.e &as an angeli. o1al' her slee) .ap o$ hair e,-"isi%el* .oi$ $ed Li)e Toni#s' i% &as a pale .aramel .olor / %in%ed' perhaps / ("% %here %he resem(lan.e ended Her e*es' her dar) &inged (ro&s' her gra.e$"l hands0 all pro.laimed a p"rel* La%in des.en% 7ons%an.ia s%opped hal$ a do2en $ee% $rom %he (ed and smiled a% Toni &i%h a s&ee%ness %ha% s"gges%ed no .hagrin or .ens"re a% $inding her in s".h a .ompromising posi%ion A pre%%* li%%le %hing' she m"rm"red &i%h onl* %he $ain%es% hin% o$ .ondes.ension Ho& did she snare *o"' L"is3 L"is .li.)ed his %ee%h &i%h an a"di(le snap and spo)e %hro"gh %hem Me" De"s' 7ons%an.ia' is %his0 ad"l% (eha1ior ne.essar*3 Oh' L"is' don#% (e .hildish 7ons%an.ia made an air* dismissi1e ges%"re in his dire.%ion' &i%ho"% %a)ing her e*es o$$ Toni I#m ."rio"s' %ha%#s all' %o see &ho $inall* engineered *o"r $all $rom gra.e I appro1eK she reall* seems -"i%e s&ee% and "nspoiled He% o"%' 7ons%an.ia' L"Ts hissed in a %igh% s%eel* 1oi.e I#ll see *o" do&ns%airs T&o pl".)ed (ro&s ar.hed "p&ard' and a shapel* mo"%h pre%ended a pre%%* po"% So eager %o ge% rid o$ me3 In %ha% .ase I#ll lea1e as soon as *o" in%rod".e me M"s% *o" ha1e *o"r po"nd o$ $lesh3 gri%%ed L"is All righ%' %hen07ons%an.ia' %his is Senhora 7arr"%hers Ho& do *o" do' Toni managed %hro"gh $ro2en lips' %he long ha(i%s o$ sel$/ .on%rol .oming %o her res."e despi%e %he s%a%e o$ her ner1es and %he s%rong desire %o sin) righ% %hro"gh %he shee%s Ameri.an3 7ons%an.ia g"essed $rom %he a..en% Ho& -"ain% L"is ."% a.ross %he sophis%i.a%ed li%%le o(ser1a%ion &i%h e1iden% impa%ien.e Ho (a.) %o *o"r de.ora%or' 7ons%an.ia Ha1en#% *o" seen eno"gh3 !o" ha1en#% in%rod".ed me properl*' L"is Or does %he pre%%* nor%e/ameri.ana alread* )no& I#m *o"r &i$e3 Wi$e@ %he &ord &as li)e a (od* (lo&' and Toni &en% &hi%e $rom %he impa.% CHAPTER THIRTEEN

THE 7H6R7H O+ THE POOR DE:IL@ perhaps here %here &o"ld (e pea.e $or

her %ro"(led so"l I% &as in a s"("r( o$ Mana"s' %his h"m(le pla.e o$ &orship' and Toni had %o as) %he %a,i dri1er %o &ai% &hile she &en% inside' dashing %hro"gh a s"dden seasonal rains%orm in %he ligh% plas%i. rain.oa% she )ep% in her .apa.io"s p"rse $or 4"s% s".h .on%ingen.ies 6nder %oda*#s ("rs%ing .lo"ds %he alread* s&ollen ri1er &o"ld (e rising' ("% no& i% seemed s*m(oli. onl* o$ %ears In %he h"mid %in* en.los"re o$ %he .h"r.h' she remo1ed %he rain.oa% and )nel%' &ishing she .o"ld &eep %hose %ears L"is#s &i$e His &i$e His &i$e The dis.o1er* had (een sha%%ering Wh* had i% ne1er o.."rred %o her %ha% he migh% (e married3 B"s% (e.a"se a man immola%ed himsel$ $or ele1en *ears did no% mean %ha% he had le$% no &orldl* %ies (ehind Did no% mean %ha% he had a(andoned %he %hings o$ %he $lesh al%oge%her Did no% mean %ha% he had (e.ome a %r"e hermi% in e1er* sense o$ %he &ord Did no% pre.l"de se, Did no% mean %ha% he migh% no% desire a &oman' so& a seed' sire a .hild She had no% %al)ed o$ %hese %hings &i%h L"is Immedia%el* a$%er 7ons%an.ia had le$% %he room' he had dressed' in grim silen.e and &i%ho"% apolog*' &hile Toni &a%.hed him &i%h h"ge sho.)/dila%ed e*es A% %ha% poin% she had &an%ed onl* %o es.ape' %o (e alone' %o %hin) / and o$ all %he si.) %ho"gh%s %ha% &arred $or possession o$ her mind' %he need %o es.ape had (een s%ronges% As soon as L"is le$% %he room' she had %hro&n on her .lo%hes' hardl* a(le %o do so $or %he sha)ing o$ her $ingers As she des.ended %he s%airs she had heard m"$$led so"nds $rom one o$ %he larger salons@ an am"sed $eminine 1oi.eK %he deep' .on%rolled' resonan% 1oi.e %ha% .o"ld onl* (elong %o L"is Wi%hin 1ie& o$ %he .a1erno"s en%ran.e hall' %he de.ora%or had (een peering "nder d"s%.o1ers' %a)ing no%es He had s%"dio"sl* a1oided loo)ing a% Toni She had le$% %he mansion on $oo%' almos% r"nning and no% loo)ing %o see i$ an*one $ollo&ed' %oo .ho)ed and &ild/e*ed a% $irs% %o )no& &here she &as going A% leng%h sheer e,ha"s%ion had slo&ed herK and %hen %he %aller ("ildings o$ do&n%o&n Mana"s' sigh%ed in %he dis%an.e' had gi1en her her (earings In %ime she had regained her ho%el' s%ill in a s%a%e o$ deep sho.) La%er in %he morning %here had (een se1eral phone .alls $rom L"is' &hi.h she had re$"sed %o a..ep% In %ime' (e.a"se she $eared %ha% he migh% appear in person a% %he ho%el' she had hailed a %a,i %o (ring her %o %his pla.e The %in* room/si2ed .hapel' so %o".hing in i%s simpli.i%*' migh% gi1e her s%reng%h %o $a.e %he )no&ledge o$ &ha% she had done Tha% 7ons%an.ia &as pregnan% &i%h L"is#s .hild / %ha% &as %he &ors% 7o"ld she e1er $orgi1e hersel$ $or &ha% had happened3 S&ep% on a %ide o$ desire' she had a(andoned so man* o$ %he 1al"es (* &hi.h she had li1ed her li$e Some o$ %hem she had a(andoned &illingl*' in %he $"ll )no&ledge %ha% L"is had no% o$$ered marriage 5"% o%her prin.iples she had a(andoned "n&i%%ingl*@ and %ha% &as &ha% seared her so"l' a%e a% her insides'

$illed her &i%h horror and sel$/ha%red and a sense o$ deepes% despair Perhaps she .o"ld ha1e s"spe.%ed' sho"ld ha1e g"essed' sho"ld ha1e as)ed There &as more %han one &a* %o ma)e a (ro%her/in/la&@ 7ons%an.ia &as mos% s"rel* Diogo Har.ia#s sis%er Her name had (een (andied a(o"% o$%en eno"gh in .on1ersa%ions (e%&een L"is and Senhor Har.iaK ("% %he .on.l"sion %ha% 7ons%an.ia &as Har.ia#s &i$e had seemed s".h a na%"ral one %ha% Toni had ne1er -"es%ioned i% Was i% %o see 7ons%an.ia %ha% L"is had (een in Rio so man* mon%hs ago3 Toni had s"rmised %ha% his 1isi% &as in some &a* .onne.%ed &i%h He%"lio#s handsome son' 5ra2' &ho had (een li1ing in Rio' %oo 5"% %ha% had (een p"re spe."la%ion on her par% No& a di$$eren% .on.l"sion seemed ines.apa(le Eigh% mon%hs ago0 *es' he m"s% ha1e seen his &i$e on %ha% 1isi% %o Rio 7ons%Qn.ia#s .ondi%ion &as e1iden.e eno"gh' and i$ Toni &an%ed more proo$ i% .o"ld (e $o"nd in some%hing L"is had admi%%ed las% nigh% !o"#1e li1ed %he li$e o$ a hermi% $or %oo long' she had said %o him I ha1en#% e1en %ha% e,."se' had (een his .ho)ed ans&er A% leas%' no% .omple%el*0 Tha% 7ons%an.ia seemed %o $ind am"semen% in her h"s(and#s in$ideli%* did no% permi% Toni %o $orgi1e hersel$ Ad"l%er*' ad"l%er*' ad"l%er* I% &as no% a ni.e &ord Was %here an* ni.e &ord $or &ha% she had done' &ha% L"is had done3 The s%rong g"il% %ha% had s%ained her e,is%en.e a$%er Ma%%he&#s s"i.ide seemed diminished and (lan.hed (* .omparison &i%h %his ne& g"il% / a g"il% she m"s% li1e &i%h $or %he res% o$ her li$e' 4"s% as she m"s% li1e &i%h %he )no&ledge %ha% $or her %here &o"ld (e no more s%olen momen%s' no more nigh%s spen% $olded in s%rong arms' no more lo1e' no more L"is Ho& .o"ld she (ear a li$e so emp%*3 And *e% she )ne& she sho"ld' and .o"ld' and &o"ld The re.ogni%ion %ha% she &as a% leas% s%rong eno"gh %o $ors&ear $"%"re assigna%ions res%ored some small meas"re o$ .almness Onl* %en min"%es had passed sin.e her arri1al a% %he 7h"r.h o$ %he Poor De1il' ("% she )ne& she .o"ld no% )eep %he %a,i &ai%ing $or m".h longerK she m"s% lea1e There m"s% (e somepla.e %o es.ape L"Ts#s persis%en.e She emerged $rom %he %in* .h"r.h The do&npo"r had passed' and alread* %he s)* had .leared %o a (rillian% .lo"dless (l"e' as is so o$%en %he &a* &i%h e-"a%orial s%orms E1er*%hing loo)ed &e%' spar)ling' di$$eren%@ mos% o$ all %he emp%* spa.e (* %he roadside &here she had %old %he %a,i dri1er %o &ai% Wh* &o"ld he lea1e &i%ho"% .olle.%ing his $are3 She had had no %ime %o ad4"s% her %ho"gh%s &hen a hand gripped her arm and a deep "rgen% 1oi.e said' I hoped I migh% $ind *o" here &hen I &as %old *o" had .a"gh% a %a,i in $ron% o$ *o"r ho%el Wh* did *o" lea1e %his morning &i%ho"% sa*ing an*%hing3

She died a %ho"sand small dea%hs in %he momen% (e$ore her reeling mind ad4"s%ed %o his presen.e Her s)in %ingled' ("% her spine s%i$$ened S"rel* *o" .an imagine' she ans&ered in a %or%"red 1oi.e Le% me go' L"is An%onia' &e m"s% %al) There#s no%hing %o %al) a(o"% Please I don#% &an% %o %al) Then a% leas% lis%enJ His insis%en% grip "rged her %o&ard %he ren%al .ar par)ed a shor% dis%an.e a&a* There are %hings I ha1e %o sa* Impor%an% %hings Tha%#s &h* I .ameXhere' &h* I sen% *o"r %a,i a&a* / a$%er re.ei1ing *o"r des.rip%ion $rom %he dri1er I de.ided i% &as %ime &e %al)ed o$ %he %hings &e didn#% spea) a(o"% las% nigh% She .ame %o a $or.i(le hal%' resis%ing %hose s%eel* $ingers Her e*es' %oo (righ% &i%h "nshed %ears' spar)led a% him angril* S".h as %he $a.% %ha% *o" ha1e a &i$e / and a .hild on %he &a*3 Spare me %he re1ela%ions' L"is I dis.o1ered %hose %hings $or m*sel$ %his morning In %he s.hool o$ hard )no.)sJ His hand $ell a&a* $rom her el(o&' ("% his som(er sear.hing e*es held her as s"rel* as his $ingers had done 5"% I %ho"gh% *o" alread* )ne&' he said slo&l*' his 1oi.e -"ie% ("% sha)en in %ha% momen% o$ reali2a%ion Diogo and I %al)ed o$ 7ons%an.ia in $ron% o$ *o"K I remem(er %ha% &ell He in%rod".ed me as his (ro%her/in/la& And *o" said *o" &ere en%ering %he rela%ionship &i%h &ide/open e*es I% ne1er o.."rred %o me %ha% *o" migh% no% )no& She )ne& i% m"s% (e %he %r"%h' ("% i% dispelled none o$ her inner ang"ish She loo)ed a&a* a% %he rain/&ashed s%ree%s' es.aping %hose dar) pro(es %ha% sear.hed her $a.e And %ha% .ondones e1er*%hing in *o"r mind3 Her 1oi.e &as em(i%%ered' %rans$erring a par% o$ her o&n grea% g"il% %o him I#ll admi% I en%i.ed *o" las% nigh%' perhaps made i% impossi(le $or *o" %o re$"se 5"% *o" &ere read* %o (e "n$ai%h$"l %o *o"r &i$e da*s ago' a% a %ime &hen I had gi1en *o" no en.o"ragemen% &ha%soe1er I don#% den* %ha% Moreo1er' %he onl* %hing %ha% has s%opped me sin.e is s.r"ples a(o"% *o" / no% a(o"% m* marriage When *o" hear %he &hole s%or* *o"#ll "nders%and !o"#re "pse% no&' An%onia' ("% perhaps *o"#ll (e less so &hen *o" hear a(o"% m* &i$e No& .ome %o m* .ar We#ll dri1e somepla.e -"ie% and %al) So *o" .an as) me %o .on%in"e %his illi.i% a$$air3 The -"es%ion &as lo& ("% $ier.e' a .r* $rom %he so"l So *o" .an %a)e me in *o"r arms and %ell me %here#s no sin as long as %here#s lo1e3 So *o" .an hold me0 )iss me0.om$or% me0ma)e lo1e %o me0 oh' Hod0 She ("ried her shamed $a.e in her hands (e.a"se deep in her hear% %hose &ere %he

1er* %hings $or &hi.h she a.hed L"is p"% an arm $irml* aro"nd her sho"lders and &i%h his $ree hand $or.ed her $a.e %o %il% "p&ard %o&ard his o&n I#d (e l*ing i$ I %old *o" I don#% &an% %o do %hose %hings I &an%ed *o" (e$ore' I &an% *o" no&' and no po&er on ear%h .an .hange %ha% I don#% den* I#ll as) / ("% I#ll $or.e no%hing on *o" Ha1e *o" $orgo%%en so easil* %ha% I s%opped %r*ing %o ha1e an a$$air on.e (e$ore / &hen I .ame %o %he .on.l"sion %ha% *o"r .ode o$ (eha1ior didn#% in.l"de %ha% sor% o$ %hing3 He %oo) a pained harsh (rea%h and %hen rea.hed %o %he .ollar o$ %he open/ne.)ed spor%s shir% he &ore Momen%s la%er' Maria#s green s%one &as lo&ered o1er Toni#s %hroa% Perhaps &hen *o" hear &ha% I ha1e %o sa* *o"#ll gi1e me %his again Wi%ho"% i% I#d ha1e %ried no%hing las% nigh% And &i%ho"% i% I#ll0 Here his 1oi.e %"rned "ns%ead* I#ll %r* no%hing %oda* Toni#s (rea%h in her l"ngs seemed (o%%led %o ("rs%ing poin%K %he &ish %o &eep (i%%er %ears agains% L"Ts#s (road sho"lders had (e.ome "n(eara(le Is i% so hard %o %r"s% me3 D"ring %he shor% .on1ersa%ion' his e*es seemed %o ha1e aged' %he .*ni.al lines e%.hing %hemsel1es in%o a deeper mold !es' I s"ppose i% is' he ans&ered himsel$ (lea)l* I )no& ho& i% m"s% loo) %o *o"' $or I )no& ho& i% loo)s %o m*sel$ An ad"l%erer' a man o$ no honor0 All righ%' I &on#% dri1e *o" o"% o$ %he .i%* He% in %he .ar and I#ll %a)e *o" (a.) %o *o"r ho%el !o" .an %r"s% me $or %ha% long' as I#ll ha1e m* hands on %he &heel This %ime &hen he pressed she s"(mi%%ed' )no&ing e1en as she did %ha% she &o"ld ha1e %o lis%en %o his pers"asions on %he dri1e I$ she had an* $ears %ha% he migh% go (a.) on his &ord and aim a&a* $rom %he .i%* .ore' %he* &ere soon se% %o res% Slo&l* nego%ia%ing %he rain/rinsed s"("r(an s%ree%s' he headed on a ro"%e %ha% Toni )ne& &o"ld lead in %ime %o her ho%el He %al)ed as he dro1e' &i%ho"% %a)ing his e*es o$$ %he road And i$ %hese &ere pers"asions %he* &ere s%range ones' $or a% %he momen% he spo)e in a $la% "nemo%ional mono%one I%#s hard $or me %o %al) a(o"% m* marriage' perhaps (e.a"se li)e *o"rs i% s%ar%ed &i%h high hopes Al%ho"gh i% &as 1ir%"all* an arranged ma%.h' i% &as an arrangemen% I ne1er %ried %o ge% o"% o$' (e.a"se %he $irs% %ime I me% 7ons%an.ia I $ell head o1er heels in lo1e M* &i$e &as 1er* *o"ng' 1er* nai1e' &hen I married her She &as 4"s% o"% o$ .on1en% s.hool and had onl* %"rned eigh%een As her $amil* &as e,.eedingl* s%ri.% and old/$ashioned' she had had no e,perien.e o$ men In %hose da*s she &as %o".hing and eager andN He s%opped and s%ar%ed again I &as *o"ng' %oo' onl* %&en%*/si, a% %he %ime' and a(o"% %o se% "p pra.%i.e We had an id*lli. hone*moon' a mon%h in E"rope I agreed %o

4oin a .lini. in Rio (e.a"se 7ons%an.ia had s.hool $riends %here A% her re-"es% I p"% aside %he resear.h I &an%ed %o do0a% %ha% poin% I &o"ld ha1e gi1en her %he moon on a pla%%er We (o"gh% an es%a%e 4"s% o"% o$ %he .i%*' and $or ano%her mon%h &e li1ed as %ho"gh %he hone*moon &o"ld ne1er end Onl* %he &hi%ening o$ his )n".)les on %he s%eering &heel (e%ra*ed %he dep%h o$ pain in %hose memories 5"% %here &as some%hing in %he 1er* (lea)ness o$ his 1oi.e %ha% $leshed o"%' in Toni#s imagina%ion a% leas%' %he s%or* he &as %elling in s".h s&i$% s)ele%al s%ro)es We &ere .alled (a.) %o Mana"s (e.a"se m* $a%her died 7ons%an.ia re%"rned %o Rio dire.%l* a$%er %he $"neral I m*sel$ .o"ldn#% There &ere $amil* ma%%ers %o (e arranged' %he &ill and legal %angles and proper%* se%%lemen%s' %he .omple, ("siness o$ %he $amil* $o"nda%ion / i% &as a large es%a%e' and (* %hen m* mo%her &as in poor heal%h' %oo I% seemed I migh% ha1e %o s%a* in Mana"s $or se1eral &ee)s The separa%ion &asn#% %o m* li)ing' ("% %here &as 1er* li%%le help $or i% A$%er %he $irs% %&o &ee)s I de.ided %o %a)e a -"i.) $ligh% %o Rio and s"rprise 7ons%an.ia one nigh% I did / ("% i% &as no% a pleasan% s"rprise $or ei%her o$ "s Perhaps *o" .an imagine &h* There &as no par%i."lar need $or L"is %o des.ri(e %he s.ene %ha% m"s% ha1e %ranspired Toni .o"ld imagine i% 1er* &ell / %he arden% *o"ng h"s(and' s%ill in %he $l"sh o$ $irs% lo1e' arri1ing %o $ind his on.e inno.en% &i$e in %he arms o$ ano%her man There#s a &ord $or &omen li)e m* &i$e' &omen &ho .anno% li1e &i%ho"% men' e1en $or a nigh% I "sed %o $la* m*sel$ &i%h &ondering &ha% &en% &rong Perhaps i$ I had %a"gh% her less &ell0perhaps i$ %here had (een no separa%ion0perhaps' perhaps' perhaps So man* si.) %ho"gh%s &en% %hro"gh m* mind &hen %he &ors% o$ %he sho.) &as o1er I didn#% reali2e %hen %ha% i% &as an illness &i%h 7ons%an.ia' no% so 1er* di$$eren% $rom al.oholism or dr"g addi.%ion I .o"ldn#% $orge% / no man .o"ld $orge% s".h a %hing / ("% I %ried %o0 $orgi1e Tha% &as %he $irs% %ime I% &o"ld (e poin%less %o %ell *o" o$ %he o%hers E1en a$%er %he es%a%e %angles &ere se%%led and I had re%"rned %o Rio $or good' I soon $o"nd %ha% %here &ere0o%hers A% $irs% &hen s".h %hings happened' 7ons%an.ia &o"ld &eep pre%%il*' ma)e promises and in %ime en%i.e me (a.) in%o her (ed And again I &o"ld %r* %o $orgi1e A &ea)ness on m* par%3 Perhaps / ("% %hen' I ha1e %he needs oT a man' %he passions o$ a man' %he &ea)nesses o$ a man And hope dies hard / i% %oo) a %ime (e$ore I reali2ed %ha% no one man .o"ld possi(l* sa%is$* her appe%i%es When I $inall* re.ogni2ed %ha% i% &as a )ind o$ si.)ness' I managed %o $ind some pi%* $or m* &i$e She de1o"rs men as 1ora.io"sl* and indis.rimina%el* as a piranha de1o"rs $lesh And li)e a piranha' she does so &i%h no sense o$ sin Despi%e %he .on1en% "p(ringing' 7ons%an.ia has 1er* $e& moral s.r"ples / and 1er* li%%le "se $or religionK she

a(andoned %he .h"r.h *ears ago M* pi%* ended &hen she p"% aside e1en %he pre%ense o$ remorse Pride (egan %o )eep me $rom her (ed' and a$%er %ha% she %oo) her lo1ers &i%h no hin% o$ dis.re%ion' some%imes s%a*ing openl* a% ho%els' some%imes in1i%ing men %o her (edroom in %he hearing o$ %he ser1an%s She $o"nd some e,."se $or %his in sa*ing I had $ailed %o sa%is$* her (* s%a*ing a&a* $rom her (ed Di1or.e3 !es' I .onsidered i% / i% is permissi(le in 5ra2il 5"% I#m mo1ing ahead o$ m*sel$K I#ll .ome %o %ha% in a min"%e O$ .o"rse he .o"ld no longer .onsider di1or.ing %he &oman &ho &as e,pe.%ing his .hild@ %here &as no need $or Toni %o p"% s".h a -"es%ion in%o &ords Le% me $inish %elling *o" a(o"% %hose earl* mon%hs' L"is &en% on' his $a.e no& a mas) One da* m* &i$e s"gges%ed %ha% I migh% (e happier' less (i%%er' i$ I %oo) ad1an%age o$ %he $reedom she &as prepared %o allo& She s"gges%ed an open marriage / poin%ed o"% o%her people &e )ne& &ho had similar modern arrangemen%s The deep (i%%erness %ha% had di.%a%ed so man* *ears o$ L"Ts#s "$e no& %"rned his 1oi.e %o gall I% &as %he $inal ins"l%' %he %hing %ha% dro1e me %o %he Ama2on I re$"sed %o li1e %ha% )ind o$ li$e I le$% 7ons%an.ia &hen &e had (een married $or no more %han si, mon%hs The .*ni.ism' %he (rooding' %he disill"sionmen%' %he a%%i%"de %o&ard &omen / i% e,plained so m".h a(o"% L"is Toni#s hear% .on%ra.%ed as she .onsidered %he dep%h o$ s"$$ering %ha% had dri1en L"is %o ("r* himsel$ in %he 4"ngle ele1en *ears (e$ore Perhaps' a$%er all' i% &as moral prin.iples %ha% had sen% him %here@ no% %he same ones Toni had on.e imagined' ("% moral prin.iples all %he same I %ho"gh% I .o"ld learn %o do &i%ho"% &omen al%oge%her 6n$or%"na%el*' I $o"nd i% &asn#% so There &ere %rips %o Rio o1er %he *ears' more %rips %han I .are %o remem(er I#m no% pro"d o$ %his 5"% hope has a &a* o$ .linging' o$ reasser%ing i%sel$ d"ring %he long emp%* nigh%s0 And $or all %hose *ears %here &as onl* one &oman I &an%ed@ m* &i$e !o" see' An%onia' in spi%e o$ e1er*%hing' I s%ill0 lo1ed her And did he' %o %his da*3 I% seemed possi(le' despi%e %he &ords o$ lo1e L"is had m"rm"red in%o her o&n ears las% nigh% D*ing a li%%le inside / $or hersel$' $or him / Toni lis%ened &i%h a $"ll hear% as more o$ %he %or%"red s%or* po"red o"% She hardl* no%ed %ha% L"is had (ro"gh% %he .ar %o a hal% on a -"ie% ."l/de/sa. onl* %&o (lo.)s $rom her ho%el Al%ho"gh he &as no% dri1ing no&' he )ep% his $a.e %"rned %o pro$ile' as i$ %he &indshield held all o$ his a%%en%ion The arrangemen% s"i%ed 7ons%an.ia 1er* &ell@ I in %he Ama2on' she in Rio She &an%ed no di1or.e The L"en%al name' %he L"en%al $or%"ne / %hese %hings ass"red her

en%ree in%o %he so.ial s%ra%a she li)ed and &as a.."s%omed %o And a% %hose %imes &hen I &as in Rio' she pro$essed lo1e / some%hing she s%ill .laims %o ha1e gi1en %o no o%her man L"is &ai%ed $or a %ime (e$ore he &en% on' as i$ in silen% remem(ran.e o$ %he pas% %ha% had so so"red his e,is%en.e There .omes a %ime &hen a man#s pride &ill no longer allo& him %o ma)e a $ool o$ himsel$' and $or me %ha% %ime .ame a li%%le less %han $o"r *ears ago A%%a.hed %o m* es%a%e in Rio %here is a small ho"se / a ga%e)eeper#s ho"se' no% 1er* grand I#d allo&ed 5ra2 %o mo1e in%o i% &hen he married Ana' and I had &arned 7ons%an.ia %ha% 5ra2 &as one man she m"s% lea1e alone I% &on#% %a)e a grea% leap o$ *o"r imagina%ion %o g"ess &ha% happened No' .ame %he lo& response $rom Toni So her g"esses a(o"% 5ra2 O#Hara had no% (een &i%ho"% $o"nda%ion Moreo1er' L"is#s s%or* e,plained %he inde$ina(le %ension she had sensed in %he air d"ring %he shor% %ime he and 5ra2 had (een %al)ing %oge%her Wha% a doorma% Ana m"s% (e' %o ha1e p"% "p &i%h s".h .hea%ing $or so man* *earsJ Had lo1e so (linded her %ha% she didn#% see3 Or did she deli(era%el* .lose her e*es3 In 5ra2il i%#s no% ne.essar* %o pro1e in$ideli%* %o se."re a di1or.e A separa%ion o$ %hree *ears is s"$$i.ien% And so I0 s%a*ed a&a* $rom 7ons%an.ia $or %hree *ears I% &as hard ("%0 ne.essar* Eigh% mon%hs ago' &hen %he %ime &as "p' I re%"rned %o Rio and0 There &as a pa"se d"ring &hi.h %he pained inhala%ion o$ L"is#s (rea%h %old o$ pas% %ormen%s I %old 7ons%an.ia I &an%ed a di1or.e / despi%e her %ears and pleas' despi%e her em(ra.es' despi%e e1er*%hing +or on.e I &as a(le %o sa* no I &al)ed o"% / no% %he easies% %hing $or a man &ho has (een %hree *ears &i%ho"% a &oman And no% %he easies% %hing &hen %he &oman s%ar%s %oN 5"% here his 1oi.e .ho)ed %o a hal% A momen% passed (e$ore he s%ar%ed again' his $a.e no& s"$$"sed &i%h .olor' ("% his 1oi.e on.e more "nder .on%rol I )ne& I &o"ld need %o s%a* in Rio %o .ons"l% a la&*er' ("% I didn#% &an% %o s%a* in a ho%el (e.a"se I &as a$raid 7ons%an.ia &o"ld $ind me and %a)e ad1an%age o$ m*0&ea)ness I )ne& Diogo#s ho"se &as emp%* / or ra%her' I (elie1ed i% &as / and I )ne& &here he hid %he spare )e* I &en% %here And %hen' &hen I &al)ed o"% on %he (al.on* and sa& *o"0 $or one %erri(le momen% I %ho"gh% *o" &ere m* &i$e To lie %here na)ed' deli(era%el* %emp%ing / i%#s %he sor% o$ %hing she &o"ld do I% &as %he hair .olor' 7ons%Qn/.ia#s .olor Oh' no% her real .olor' ("% %he one she#s (een "sing %hese pas% $e& *ears I s%ared' $la((ergas%ed Then *o" %"rned *o"r head / and I reali2ed *o" &eren#% m* &i$e 5"% (* %hen0 me" De"s' do I ha1e %o spell i% o"%3 +or %he $irs% %ime in man* *ears I $o"nd m*sel$ loo)ing a% a &oman &ho &as no% m* &i$e Loo)ing0 and desiring I sho"ld ha1e %"rned a&a*' ("%0 I .o"ldn#% A% leas% no% a% $irs% No& L"is hal$ %"rned "n%il he had Toni in 1ie& One arm s%ill res%ed on %he s%eering &heel' ("% %he o%her

he laid along %he (a.) o$ %he sea%' no% %o".hing ("% so .lose %ha% she .o"ld $eel %he .len.hing and "n.len.hing o$ his $is% s%irring %he (a.) o$ her hair Tha% nigh% in %he res%a"ran% &asn#% p"re .oin.iden.e I had a .omp"lsion %o see *o" again All da* 1isions o$ *o" ma)ing lo1e (* %he pool )ep% r"nning %hro"gh m* mind li)e a re$rain / no% so e,%raordinar* i$ *o" .onsider %he s%a%e o$ $r"s%ra%ion I &as in +or on.e i% &asn#% %ho"gh%s o$ m* &i$e %ha% %ormen%ed me@ i% &as %ho"gh%s o$ *o" In %he earl* e1ening I re%"rned %o Diogo#s ho"se and &ai%ed in m* .ar "n%il *o" .ame o"%' %his %ime &i%h a di$$eren% man I $ollo&ed *o" %o %he res%a"ran% I $o"gh% a %erri(le (a%%le &i%h m* $r"s%ra%ions %ha% nigh%' and m* $r"s%ra%ions &on Toni#s head &as (en% lo&' allo&ing her hair %o s&ing $or&ard Had he al&a*s &an%ed her onl* as a s"(s%i%"%e $or 7ons%an.ia' %he &oman &ho had (een a $e1er in his (lood $or *ears3 So *o" &en% %o *o"r &i$e' she said alo"d' %"rning %he )ni$e in her o&n &o"nds !es' I &en% %o 7ons%an.ia I ma)e no e,."ses $or m*sel$ I &an%ed a &oman and I %oo) m* &i$e0 ("% (* %hen %he &oman I &an%ed &as *o" Onl* *o" !o" Toni s.ar.el* dared %o (rea%he $or %he %amped/do&n 1ehemen.e %ha% had en%ered his 1oi.e 5"% soon he s"(sided again and read4"s%ed his long legs %o a more .om$or%a(le posi%ion in %he dri1er#s spa.e I s%a*ed &i%h her %ha% nigh%' he %old her as "nemo%ionall* as i$ he &ere reading a &ea%her repor%' and $or ano%her %hree da*s a$%er %ha% I (ro"gh% "p %he ma%%er o$ di1or.e again' and %his %ime she pre%ended she &as agreea(le eno"gh I% didn#% o.."r %o me %ha% she migh% (e $igh%ing i% in a ne& &a* / (* .easing %o "se %he (ir%h/.on%rol me%hods she had al&a*s "sed Despi%e o"r shor% in%erl"de %oge%her I sa& a la&*er (e$ore I le$% Rio and ins%i%"%ed pro.eedings As &e had li1ed apar% $or man* *ears' and as I had more %han eno"gh e1iden.e agains% her' I didn#% an%i.ipa%e %ro"(le A% %he %ime *o" arri1ed a% m* .lini. I &as e,pe.%ing ne&s $rom Rio0("% no% %he )ind o$ ne&s Diogo (ro"gh% Al%ho"gh Toni &as s%aring (lindl* o"% %he &indo&' she .o"ld $eel his $a.e %"rning %o&ard her no&' .o"ld $eel %he %ormen%ed e*es .oming %o res% on her mo"%h Tha%#s &hen I learned a(o"% %he pregnan.* / %he da* Diogo $le& in %o %he .ompo"nd &i%h *o"r $ilm .re& He (ro"gh% a le%%er $rom 7ons%an.ia She had &ri%%en me se1eral %imes in %he in%er1ening mon%hs' pleading &i%h me %o .ome %o Rio' %hin)ing i% (e%%er %o .on$ron% me &i%h her .ondi%ion $a.e %o $a.e As she had said no%hing a(o"% pregnan.*' I s"spe.%ed o%her0mo%i1es +inall* she (e.ame despera%e and enlis%ed Diogo#s aid All %he li%%le m*s%eries o$ a &ee) ago e,plained Toni .losed her e*es and in one momen% sa& a pro.ession o$ memories $lash s"(liminall* (*' memories %ha% had no% (een pain$"l a% %he %ime ("% no& &ere "n(eara(l* so Had she onl* )no&n L"is $or a &ee) /

eigh% da*s3 I% seemed a li$e%ime An e%erni%* 7ons%an.ia &an%ed Diogo %o e,%ra.% a promise $rom me' *o" see / %ha%#s &h* she as)ed him %o deli1er %ha% $inal le%%er in person +or her par%' she o$$ered %o mo1e %o Mana"s' %o p"% her Rio $riends (ehind her' %o s%ar% a$resh +or %he sa)e o$ %he .hild I agreed Then' a$%er a pa"se' L"is added -"ie%l*' Loo) a% me' An%onia O(e*ing %he .ommand o"% o$ .omp"lsion as m".h as .ompassion' she did Mee%ing hers &ere dar) e*es in &hi.h a deep mi,%"re o$ emo%ion .o"ld (e read@ pain' remorse' desire and more' m".h more I% %oo) *o" %o ma)e me reali2e %ha% m* $eelings $or m* &i$e $aded *ears ago' %ha% onl* sheer $r"s%ra%ion &as )eeping %hem ali1e I% &asn#% lo1e %ha% %oo) me %o Rio $rom %ime %o %ime' i% &as se, I "sed %o a.."se 7ons%an.ia o$ "sing me' ("% %he %r"%h is %ha% I &as "sing her +or man* *ears she#s (een an e,pensi1e &hore / no more Toni#s $a.e &as s%i$$ &i%h %he e$$or% o$ sho&ing no%hing !o" m"s%n#% sa* a %hing li)e %ha% She s"..eeded in $or.ing %he &ords %hro"gh a %hroa% %ha% $el% as %igh% as ne&l* s.arred $lesh She#s *o"r &i$e' L"is She#s (earing *o"r .hild Is she3 Tha% old .*ni.ism .rossed his $a.e' shado&ing his e*es 5"% i$ he had more do"(%s on %he s"(4e.%' he )ep% %hem %o himsel$ !es' I s"ppose %he .hild is mine M* &i$e ne1er &an%ed .hildren' and she#d ne1er ha1e allo&ed hersel$ %oN His 1oi.e %railed o$$' and he added griml*' I#ll do &ha% I m"s% $or 7ons%an.ia' and $or %he .hild' %oo 5"% I o&e her no lo1e' no mari%al $ideli%* I$ I &an% %o %a)e a mis%ress I &ill Toni rea.hed $or %he .ar door I don#% &an% %o hear %his par% Hood(*e' L"is NoJ The single &ord %h"ndered &i%h dis(elie$ He rea.hed $or her' almos% p"lling her arm $rom %he so.)e% as he &ren.hed i% a&a* $rom %he door handle S%r"ggling' Toni pla.ed her hands de$ensi1el* (e%&een %hem as he ga%hered her in%o his arms His s%reng%h o1erpo&ered her' ("% she managed %o %"rn her mo"%h a&a* in %ime %o pre1en% %he )iss His lips ins%ead seared her %hroa%' .a"sing a re%"rn o$ &ea)ness %ha% ro((ed her $lee%ingl* o$ resol1e 5e m* mis%ress' darling I lo1e *o"' An%onia0 oh' Hod' I lo1e *o" I% seems I#1e &ai%ed all m* li$e $or *o"' *o"' onl* *o"0 I#ll ma)e *o" happ*K I s&ear I &ill His s.or.hing (rea%h ("rned her &i%h %he messages she did no% &an% %o hear 5enea%h her palms (ra.ed agains% his .hes%' his hear% ra.ed o"% o$ .on%rol' in "nison &i%h hers The o%her ho"se I o&n in Mana"s0 as soon as %he %enan%s go i% .an (e *o"rs I% &on#% (e &rongK %here#s no%hing &rong &hen %here are 1o&s &ri%%en in %he hear%' in %he (lood / L"is' no' she gasped' $igh%ing agains% hersel$ as m".h as she $o"gh% agains% him !o" promised *o"#d $or.e no%hing And &ha% *o"#re s"gges%ing is &rong' &rong'

&rong !o" .an#% den* me no&' he said %hi.)l* I#1e alread* had m* share o$ denial in %his li$e I &on#% le% *o" sa* no S%op' L"isJ She sho1ed a% his .hes% &i%h all her migh% !o"#re h"r%ing meJ !o"#re (eha1ing li)e a (r"%e0amadmanJ +or a %ime his grip onl* %igh%ened h"r%$"ll*' %he $ingers digging in%o her sho"lders so deepl* %ha% she .ried o"% in pain Then he released her as ro"ghl* as he had sei2ed her' %hr"s%ing her aside &i%h a deep ang"ished groan and re%"rning %o his o&n posi%ion in %he .ar Toni (ela%edl* gre& .ons.io"s o$ %he se1eral ."rio"s 5ra2ilians &ho &ere s%aring openl* %hro"gh %he .ar &indo&s The glass &as par%iall* lo&ered' and al%ho"gh i% &as "nli)el* %ha% %he passers(* spo)e eno"gh English %o "nders%and &ha% she and L"is &ere sa*ing' %he emo%ion in %heir 1oi.es m"s% ha1e %old i%s o&n s%or* L"is seemed no% %o .are &ho lis%ened He slammed a $is% agains% %he dash(oard &i%h s".h $or.e %ha% %he .ar shoo) Perhaps I am a madman / ("% &ho &o"ld no% (e hal$/ mad a$%er %he %hings I#1e end"red3 I#1e %old *o" li%%le o$ &ha% happened (e.a"se I %ho"gh% *o" migh% (e $eeling eno"gh %o $ill in %he res% In %he name o$ mer.*' An%onia' ho& .an *o" .ondemn me3 Toni %ried %o %a)e hold o$ her sha%%ered &illpo&er (* sei2ing %he door handle on.e again Her hand shoo)' ("% her 1oi.e &as s%ead* I do .ondemn *o"' L"is' 4"s% as I .ondemn m*sel$ I .an#% $orgi1e0 ei%her o$ "s Don#% %r* %o s%op me' and don#% %r* %o see me again This %ime he made no mo1e %o hal% her es.ape $or.i(l*' ("% she &as nearl* s%opped all %he same / no% (* his hand' ("% (* his 1oi.e As she le$% %he .ar' %he one ang"ished &ord he s%rangled o"% &as %he .r* o$ a so"l in damna%ion@ An%onia0J Hood(*e' L"is' she said' and ran do&n %he s%ree% as i$ .hased (* %he 1er* ho"nds o$ hell LATER' s"r1e*ing %he &re.)age o$ her li$e' Toni &ondered ho& she $o"nd %he inner s%reng%h needed $or %he ne,% $e& da*s S%"ng (* her .ondemna%ion' L"is had allo&ed a %emporar* es.ape' ("% his impassioned pleas had no% .ome %o an end I% &as hard %o re$"se his phone .alls' hard %o &al) "nseeingl* pas% him &hen he &ai%ed in %he ho%el lo((*' hard %o pre%end indi$$eren.e &hen his pers"asions $ollo&ed her along a s%ree% And i% &as hardes% o$ all %o ma)e %he de.ision %ha% %here &as no sa$e%* $or hersel$ in s%a*ing an*&here L"is .o"ld $ind her She s"pposed %ha% Diogo Har.ia had le$% Mana"s' and %ha% L"is had again ass"med $"ll responsi(ili%* $or his &i$e' ("% e1en %ha% .ir."ms%an.e seemed no% %o hal% his p"rs"i%' &hi.h da* (* da* (e.ame harder %o e1ade

E1en on %he da* she le$% Mana"s' a$%er %he a&$"l &ee) .ame %o an end' he &as %here / &a%.hing &i%h ang"ished smo)e/dar) e*es as she (oarded %he 7a%alina She )ne& he e,pe.%ed her %o re%"rn %o Mana"s in %hree &ee)sK and i% &as %hen she made %he de.ision %ha% she m"s% lea1e %he Ama2on al%oge%her As soon as she re%"rned %o %he 4"ngle .ompo"nd' she %old T* and 5arne* o$ her in%en% / and %ha% &as hard' %oo !o" .an#% .all i% -"i%s' T* groaned' aghas% Hood Lord' Toni' &e#re a %eam Thin) &ha% &e#1e (een %hro"gh %oge%herJ e.hoed 5arne*' his hones% $re.)led $a.e disin%egra%ing &i%h disma* Wh*' Toni3 Wh*3 L"en%al' s&ore T*' slamming one $is%ed hand in%o %he palm o$ %he o%her +or on.e %here &as no p".)ishness in his e,pression as he e,amined Toni#s $a.e' drained (* %he %oll %he pas% &ee) had %a)en M* Hod' Toni' &ha% has he done %o *o"3 No%hing Inad1er%en%l* Toni#s $ingers %ra1eled %o %he 1alle* o$ her shir%' rea$$irming %ha% %he s%one o$ %he Ama2ons s%ill res%ed %here' hea1* as her .ons.ien.e No%hing 5arne*#s e*es narro&ed Tha%#s no% %r"e !o" loo) as %ho"gh *o"#1e (een .r".i$ied I %old *o"' i%#s no%hing %o do &i%h L"isJ I#ll )ill him' said T* Line "p' said 5arne*' $le,ing his $ingers The* &ere no% going %o (elie1e her' so a% las% Toni %old %hem a par% o$ %he %r"%h %o gi1e .reden.e %o her 1er* large lie No%hing happened (e%&een L"is and me / no% reall* !es' he &an%s me %o ha1e an a$$air' and no' I don#% &an% %o gi1e in0no% no& Tha%#s &h* I m"s% lea1e Wha% reall* happened' lo1e3 as)ed T*' (e.oming s"ddenl* gen%le I $o"nd o"% %ha% he#s married' %ha%#s all And his &i$e#s pregnan% / 1er* pregnan% In %he s%"nned silen.e %ha% gree%ed %his ne&s' Toni#s &hisper &as a.hing I0 I#m a$raid I $ell a li%%le %oo hard I$ I s%a* I migh%0 oh' please %r* %o "nders%and A% las% her sorr* s%a%e o$ mind .omm"ni.a%ed i%sel$ eno"gh %ha% %heir o(4e.%ions .ame %o a hal% No more &as said' al%ho"gh some%imes d"ring %ha% las% &ee) in %he Ama2on she $o"nd T* and 5arne* loo)ing a% her sadl*' as i$ %he* sa& %he slo& dea%h she &as d*ing inside I% &as a di$$i."l% &ee)' &i%h memories o$ L"is $lo"rishing li)e 4"ngle

.reepers on %he de.a* %ha% &as her li$e Kno&ing o$ 5ra2 O#Hara#s liaison &i%h 7ons%an.ia' i% &as impossi(le $or Toni %o es%a(lish a .om$or%a(le rela%ionship &i%h him d"ring %ha% one las% &ee) +or his &i$e' Ana' ho&e1er' she $el% more &arm%h' and perhaps "nder di$$eren% .ir."ms%an.es a $riendship migh% ha1e de1eloped (e%&een %hem 7l"es in se1eral (rie$ .on1ersa%ions s"gges%ed %o Toni %ha% Ana &as &ell a&are o$ her h"s(and#s in$ideli%ies and .hose %o ignore %hem I% appeared %ha% in Ana#s &orship$"l e*es 5ra2 .o"ld do no &rong Perhaps I .o"ld s%ar% a li%%le s.hool $or %he Mara .hildren' Ana s"gges%ed some&ha% &is%$"ll* on %he $irs% da* o$ Toni#s re%"rn I% &as d"ring %he e1ening meal' &hen e1er*one &as ga%hered aro"nd %he ro"gh pi.ni. %a(le An English .on1ersa%ion &as %a)ing pla.e a% one end o$ %he %a(le' and a Por%"g"ese .on1ersa%ion a% %he o%herK and (e.a"se Toni &as par%i.ipa%ing in nei%her she o1erheard sna%.hes o$ (o%h The remar) had .a"gh% her hal$hear%ed a%%en%ion' and so she s%opped lis%ening %o %he morose e$$or%s .oming $rom T* and 5arne* and s%ar%ed %o &a%.h Ana .o1er%l* ins%ead There is li%%le $or me %o do here' 5ra2' on %he da*s &hen *o" go %o %he Mara 1illage Tomorro& I .o"ld .ome &i%h *o" ins%ead o$ s%a*ing here Oh' m* li%%le Ana' are *o" so a$raid o$ le%%ing me o"% o$ *o"r sigh%3 5ra2 %eased' .on$iden% in his 1irili%* and in Ana#s de1o%ion 5elie1e me' *o" .an sleep &i%h no &orries %omorro& nigh% +or me %here is no %emp%a%ion a% %he Mara 1illage Remem(er' I am par% Mara m*sel$ I )no& %oo &ell &ha% .an happen %o a man &ho .as%s his e*es in %he &rong dire.%ion I &asn#% %hin)ing o$ %ha%' Ana denied -"i.)l*' her lids dropping as a $l"sh rose %o her plain $a.e !o" )no& I %r"s% *o"' 5ra2 I al&a*s ha1e Oh' m* lo*al li%%le &i$e 5ra2 la"ghed a$$e.%iona%el* and s-"ee2ed her arm I% is good $or a man %o ha1e a &oman li)e *o"' so gen%le' so "n.omplaining There is no%hing %ha% ma)es a man $eel so m".h li)e a manJ I %ho"gh% *o" &ere pleased %o .ome and li1e in %his pla.e Are *o" alread* so lonel* $or *o"r li%%le p"pils in Rio %ha% *o" %al) o$ s%ar%ing a s.hool3 He%"lio (ro)e in &i%h a none %oo s"(%le .ri%i.ism I$ *o" s%ar%ed a $amil* o$ *o"r o&n' he .ens"red his son' she &o"ld no% (e lonel* a% all And i$ *o" &an% %o $eel li)e a man' prod".e a .hildJ Then perhaps *o" .an s%op %r*ing %o pro1e i% in o%her &a*s L"i.) %o her h"s(and#s de$ense as al&a*s' a $l"s%ered Ana leaped in%o %he $ra* li)e a lioness de$ending her ."( I$ %here is no .hild' *o" .anno% (lame 5ra2J I% is m* $a"l%' mine alone There ha1e (een %es%s 5ra2 has done e1er*%hing a man .an do' e1er*%hing a do.%or .an do And he has e1en $orgi1en me $or .a"sing him %his grea% sorro& 5ra2 is

man eno"gh $or an* &oman' and as %o pro1ing i% / S%op' Ana' 5ra2 ordered \%ernl*' (ringing Ana#s drama%i. o"%po"ring %o an immedia%e hal% M* $a%her &an%s %o hear no more No&' a(o"% %his ma%%er o$ a s.hool $or %he Mara .hildren Ho& .o"ld *o" r"n s".h a %hing3 !o" don#% spea) %he diale.% 5"% *o" %old me o$ %he *o"ng Mara &oman &ho spea)s Por%"g"ese Ana had (een 4ol%ed (a.) %o her "s"al so$% a..ommoda%ing manner (* her h"s(and#s .ens"re Maria' is %ha% her name3 Perhaps she .o"ld help me' on.e a &ee)' $or one da* O$ .o"rse' 5ra2' i$ *o" don#% %hin) i%#s a &ise ideaN 5ra2 smiled ind"lgen%l* I &ill %hin) a(o"% i% and perhaps spea) %o E)e%i %omorro& Then &e &ill see A s.hool $or %he *o"ng Mara .hildren did seem an e,.ellen% idea' Toni re$le.%ed %he $ollo&ing da* as %he di$$i."l% 4"ngle %re) neared i%s end This %ime' &i%h ne& (oo%s' and &i%h an%ihis%amines %o $or%i$* hersel$ agains% .han.e pi"m en.o"n%ers' %he mar.h had (een e,ha"s%ing ("% no% impossi(le In 1ie& o$ her pre1io"s di$$i."l%ies' and (e.a"se she &o"ld in an* .ase soon (e lea1ing %he %eam' T* and 5arne* had "rged her %o $orgo %he %rip al%oge%her and s%a* a% %he .ompo"nd &i%h Ana 5"% Toni had personal reasons $or &an%ing %o 1isi% %he Mara 1illage I% &as Maria &ho had (ro"gh% her here againK and she hoped %o spea) %o %he girl pri1a%el* as soon as %he leng%h* &el.oming .eremonies had (een dispensed &i%h Toda* %he .eremonies seemed inordina%el* long 5* no& $amiliari%* had .on-"ered m".h o$ %he original s"spi.io"sness' and E)e%i allo&ed all o$ %he pro.eedings %o (e $ilmed / a .on.ession %ha% seemed %o do"(le %he %ime re-"ired $or spee.hma)ing and pos%"ring 5"% a% las% %he .eremonies .ame %o an end 5ra2 O#Hara 1anished %o s%ar% %rea%ing %he da*#s line"p o$ pa%ien%s T* and 5arne* &en% o$$ %o $ilm a se-"en.e in1ol1ing ."rare / no% %he a.%"al prepara%ion o$ %he poison' &hose re.ipe remained a .losel* g"arded se.re%' ("% some%hing %o do &i%h %he dipping o$ spears and arro& %ips in%o %he no,io"s pi%.hli)e mi,%"re Toni &as no% &an%ed a% %his man/onl* .eremon*' and so she &as a% las% $ree %o see) o"% Maria I% &as no% hard %o spo% Maria#s .o%%on smo.)' donned as "s"al $or %he ad1en% o$ o"%siders In a .l"s%er o$ na)ed' giggling' ge&Z3aZ]/de.ora%ed &omen' i% &as Maria &ho loo)ed %o (e %he o"%sider' despi%e her shin* s.arle% $a.e and %he in%ri.a%e (la.) pa%%erns on her arms 7an &e %al)' Maria3 Perhaps in *o"r pri1a%e pla.e3 5ash$"lness )ep% Maria#s lashes lo&ered o1er %he "r".Y s%ain on her .hee)s' ("%

she m"rm"red agreemen%' and Toni sensed she &as glad o$ %he oppor%"ni%* %o %al) again Soon' &i%h silen% $oo%s%eps' Maria &as leading Toni %o %he hidden ("%%ress o$ %he .ei(a %ree 6pon Maria#s -"i.) inspe.%ion' a h"ge "gl* m*/gale spider leaped o"% and s."%%led o$$ %o a sa$e ha1en Hal$ a $oo% a.ross and 1enomo"s' %oo' i% s%ar%led Toni onl* (rie$l* Al%ho"gh she had (een %old %ha% %he m*gale some%imes a%e small (irds' her shor% e,perien.e in %he Ama2on had %a"gh% her %ha% no% man* .rea%"res / inse.%s and piranha e,.ep%ed / a%%a.)ed "nless h"ngr*' pro1o)ed' %rodden "pon or s"rro"nded (* o%hers o$ %heir spe.ies As soon as %he* &ere se%%led $or .on1ersa%ion' Toni remo1ed %he green s%one $rom aro"nd her ne.) I &an%ed %o re%"rn %his' Maria I %ho"gh% i% &as (es% no% %o do i% in sigh% o$ %he %ri(e' in .ase %here &ere -"es%ions 5"% I &an%ed *o" %o ha1e i%' pro%es%ed Maria' a% las% ris)ing a %en%a%i1e "p&ard glan.e I% is a 1er* po&er$"l s%one The %hing *o" did $or me0 I had no o%her &a* %o %ell *o" I &as gra%e$"l I#m glad i$ I helped *o" in some &a*' Maria' ("% I reall* .an#% %a)e %his Maria e*ed %he dangling s%one and shoo) her head Perhaps $or *o" i% &ill (ring l".)' she said &is%$"ll* Toni#s sense o$ desola%ion gre& (rie$l* a."%e And %hen she $o"gh% remem(ran.e a&a* and %ried %o .on.en%ra%e on Maria#s pro(lem No% $or me' Maria' ("% perhaps $or *o" I#1e learned %ha% %his is one o$ %he lo1e s%ones o$ %he Ama2on &omen / %he s%ones %he* ga1e %o %he men %he* &an%ed $or %hemsel1es Wh* don#% *o" gi1e i% %o E)e%i3 Maria#s e*es re$le.%ed a .on$"sion o$ alarm 5"% I .o"ld no% do %ha%J Wh*' i% &o"ld (e 4"s% li)e %elling him %ha%N She (i% her lip and hal%ed Tha% *o" lo1e him3 Toni $inished gen%l*' holding %he s%one on her lap "n%il s".h %ime as she had $inished pers"ading Maria Oh' *es' Maria' I )no& %ha% *o" do Maria#s $a.e $ell and she &hispered' ang"ished' Is i% so eas* %o see3 In $ron% o$ E)e%i *o" hide i% 1er* &ell' Toni ass"red her gen%l* Perhaps %oo &ell $or *o"r o&n good !o" see' Maria' I ha1e reason %o (elie1e %ha% E)e%i lo1es *o" Maria loo)ed da2ed Lo1es me3 she repea%ed s%"pidl*' and $or reasons %ha% Toni "nders%ood 1er* &ell' %ears sprang %o %hose dar) e*es' no% $alling ("% shimmering in .ompe%i%ion &i%h %he gleaming "r".Y 4"i.e Dr L"en%al %old me so He also said %ha% E)e%i is a$raid o$ *o" (e.a"se o$ *o"r ed".a%ion

A$raid o$ me3 Maria loo)ed do&n -"i.)l* and shoo) her head E)e%i is a$raid o$ no%hing And he is a &ise man himsel$' $ar &iser %han I E1en &ise people are no% al&a*s &ise in lo1e Toni e,perien.ed a re%"rn o$ %he sin)ing sensa%ions %ha% had (e.ome a par% o$ dail* li$e # ITa)e %he s%one' Maria Hi1e i% %o him I0 I .o"ldn#% E)e%i &o"ld %hin) I &as %oo (old And / her 1oi.e lo&ered %o a &hisper / i% &o"ld ne1er &or) +or *o"' Maria' I %hin) i% migh% Toni smiled a &r* regre%$"l smile and %ried on.e more %o press %he green s%one in%o Maria#s hands Maria s%ill held (a.) No%hing else has &or)ed' she said in an agon* o$ despair The remo1ing o$ %he .lo%hes' o$ .o"rse Toni )ne& i% &o"ld (e "n&ise %o %ell Maria %ha% %ha% par%i."lar sa.ri$i.e had (een in 1ain' and so she main%ained silen.e a(o"% some o$ %he %hings L"is had %old her 5"% %here &ere some hard $a.%s she .o"ld no% hide Dr L"en%al sa*s %ha% E)e%i has 1o&ed he &ill %a)e a &i$e (* %he ne,% $"ll moon' Maria Did *o" )no& %ha%3 No' .ame %he m"%ed ans&er' a$%er a shor% agoni2ed pa"se !o" m"s% gi1e him %his s%one' Maria I% ma* (e *o"r las% .han.e I .an#% g"aran%ee i% &ill &or)' ("% I do )no& %ha% i$ *o" ma)e no mo1e he#s s"re %o .hoose one o$ %he o%her marriagea(le girls !o" see' Maria' he#s .on1in.ed *o" &o"ld re$"se him Wi%ho"% ano%her &ord' Toni pla.ed %he s%one in %he lap $ormed (* %he "n(lea.hed .o%%on smo.) This %ime Maria did no% pro%es% She (en% her .ropped hair lo& o1er %he .ar1ed green %"r%le so %ha% Toni .o"ld no% see her e*es' and s%ar%ed %o %&is% %he %hong in her $ingers in a $e1er o$ inde.ision Wi%h a grea% hea1iness o$ hear% Toni sa& %ha% %he %&o -"i1ering %ears had le$% %heir home and &ere s%rea)ing a slo& pa%h o1er %he s.arle% "r".Y 7an *o" go (a.) %o %he 1illage alone' senhora: Maria as)ed' %rem(ling I &o"ld li)e %o s%a* (* m*sel$ $or a %ime' %o %hin) As Toni %r"dged %he shor% dis%an.e %o %he Mara 1illage' she had no par%i."lar $ai%h %ha% Maria &o"ld o1er.ome her pain$"l %imidi%* eno"gh %o approa.h E)e%i' espe.iall* in %he milie" o$ %he 1illage &here %he .ons%an% e(( and $lo& o$ h"mani%* le$% li%%le oppor%"ni%* $or pri1a.* +or %his reason' as soon as %he ."rare $ilming &as $inished' she so"gh% o"% E)e%i himsel$ Toda*' a% %he (ehes% o$ %he $ilmma)ers' he had no% donned %he shor%s and ha% %ha% he pa%en%l* (elie1ed %o (e s*m(ols o$ .i1ili2a%ion In .olor$"l $ea%hers and (rie$ (ree.h.lo"%' he loo)ed e1er* in.h %he 4nagni$i/.en% %ri(al .hie$' &i%h his rippling m"s.les

and heal%h* (ron2e s)in Toni addressed him &i%ho"% pream(le' dra&ing some disappro1ing loo)s $rom %he o%her Mara males near(* Maria &an%s %o see *o"' she said' (lessing %he $a.% %ha% she and E)e%i had a .ommon lang"age in Por%"g"ese and %ha% %he o%her Mara men .o"ld no% "nders%and i% A ligh% glimmered in E)e%i#s e*es' ("% in %he presen.e o$ his $ello& %ri(esmen he p"% on an indi$$eren% lordl* e,pression I$ she &an%s %o see me' I am here She0 .an#% .ome here righ% no& 5"% i% is impor%an% I .an %a)e *o" %o &here she is Oh3 E)e%i#s non.halan.e' Toni &as no& s"re' &as pre%ended $or %he sa)e o$ his peers She gre& e1en more .er%ain &hen he added' And &here is she3 There#s a (ig .ei(a %ree' and / Wi%h seeming (oredom' E)e%i in%err"p%ed There is no need $or *o" %o e,plain I )no& i% &ell' %ha% se.re% pla.e &here she goes &hen she &ishes %o (e alone And &i%h no more &ords' he %"rned and s%ar%ed an anima%ed .on1ersa%ion &i%h his $ello& &arriors Toni#s spiri%s san) %o %hin) her e$$or%s had (een in 1ain Perhaps L"is &as righ%K perhaps i% &as %oo la%e E)e%i m"s% ha1e made his de.ision $or ano%her &i$e 5"% %en min"%es la%er %he emp%* a.he o$ $"%ili%* &as repla.ed (* a &r* sa%is$a.%ion' &hen she sa& E)e%i#s %all soli%ar* $ig"re lea1ing %he 1illage and heading %o&ard %he 4"ngle And someho& she )ne& %ha% %his %ime %he lo1e s%one o$ %he Ama2ons &o"ld &or) i%s &onders &ell CHAPTER FOURTEEN

NEW !ORK IN NO:EM5ER A .hill*' rain*' (l"s%er* morning %ha% &arned o$ &in%er#s ad1en% Har(age men on s%ri)e Old g"m &rappers and dog/eared .igare%%e pa.)s' .a"gh% (* %he g"s%ing &ind' s&irled aro"nd Toni#s $ee% li)e a"%"mn lea1es as she h"rried along %he s%ree%' dodging endless s%reams o$ pedes%rians and grea% piles o$ (ro)en green gar(age (ags %ha% spilled %heir .on%en%s on %he side&al) She &as (rea%hless (* %he %ime she %"rned in %o a "%ili%arian o$$i.e ("ilding %ha% had seen (e%%er da*s and spo%%ed %he .lo.) o1er %he (an) o$ ele1a%ors Oh' damn +i1e min"%es la%e $or %he +rida*/morning ("dge% mee%ing La%eness &as (e.oming a (ad ha(i%' and one %ha% &as hard %o (rea) &hen sleep so o$%en el"ded her long in%o %he emp%* nigh%s And she#d (e ano%her $e& min"%es la%e (* %he %ime %he ele1a%or rea.hed %he

se1en%h $loor The ride &o"ld (e in%ermina(le' s%opping a% e1er* single $loor as i% al&a*s did a% %his %ime o$ da*' %o dis.harge passengers I% &as %he &ors% par% o$ &or)ing in %all ("ildings@ s%anding in slo& ele1a%ors ga1e a person %oo m".h %ime %o %hin) In %he old da*s she &o"ld ha1e (een reminded o$ Ma%%he&K a% leas% %hose memories had no& (een p"% %o res% Mo1ing %o an in.onspi."o"s .orner in order %o allo& %he ele1a%or %o $ill' Toni 4ammed her hands in%o %he po.)e%s o$ her (el%ed %an rain.oa% and s%ared a% %he ligh%ed $loor displa* a(o1e %he ele1a%or door' &illing i% %o speed -"i.)l* %hro"gh %he n"merals %ha% &o"ld indi.a%e she had rea.hed her goal As %he grea% me%al doors $inall* slid .losed and %he "p&ard 4o"rne* $rom %he main $loor (egan' %he M ligh% $li.)ed o$$ %o (e repla.ed (* %he ill"mina%ed n"meral %&o Se.ond $loor T&o T&o &as a pair' a .o"pleK %&o &as &ha% she and L"is &o"ld ne1er (eN/5"% no' she m"s%n#% %hin) o$ %ha% She m"s%n#% %hin) a(o"% %he %&o le%%ers %ha% had arri1ed $rom L"is shor%l* a$%er her re%"rn %o Ne& !or)' (o%h mar)ed Please +or&ard (e.a"se L"is (elie1ed she &as no longer &or)ing $or %he prod".%ion .ompan* Toni had opened nei%her o$ %hem' and she had re%"rned (o%h o$ %hem mar)ed simpl* Address 6n)no&n And a$%er %ha% %here had (een no more There &ere o%her &a*s %o %hin) o$ %&o0 Maria and E)e%i' $or ins%an.e And %he %&o ho"rs %he* had (o%h (een missing $rom %he Mara 1illage' a$%er E)e%i had gone %o $ind Maria in her se.re% pla.e A$%er&ard Maria#s lo&ered e*es and s.arle%/pain%ed .hee)s had gi1en a&a* no se.re%s' nor had E)e%i#s $eigned "n.on.ernK ("% Toni had seen him $ingering %he green lo1e s%one %ha% h"ng aro"nd his ne.) 5* no& Maria and E)e%i &ere s"rel* %&o' an indi1isi(le pairN Third $loor Three The %hreesome o$ &hi.h she had on.e (een a %hird T* and 5arne* had long ago $inished &i%h %he Mara se-"en.e' and also &i%h %he Mana"s segmen% A% %his poin% her $ormer ("ddies &o"ld (e $ilming in Tierra del +"ego' do&n aro"nd inhospi%a(le 7ape Horn Dear T*' dear 5arne* I% &o"ld (e ni.e %o (e &i%h %hem no& 5"% ha1ing le$% %hem in %he l"r.h on %he Ama2on episode' i% &as impossi(le %o as) $or a re%"rn o$ %he assignmen%' &hi.h in an* .ase had (een handed %o ano%her prod".er / ano%her $emale prod".er And a 1er* a%%ra.%i1e one' %oo +o"r%h $loor +o"r +o"r programs in %he miniseries she &as &or)ing on no& The &or) she had (een assigned %o' $illing in $or %ha% pre%%* prod".er &ho had (een sen% %o So"%h Ameri.a in her pla.e' &as %o do &i%h deser% &ildli$eK Toni had onl* re.en%l* re%"rned $rom a mon%h in Ne& Me,i.o 7onsidering %he &a* she had le% her emplo*ers do&n' she &as l".)* %he* had no% $ired her o"%righ% E,."ses a(o"% no% (eing hard* eno"gh $or %he 4"ngle didn#% hold m".h &a%er &hen she had s"r1i1ed .ondi%ions as (ad or &orse on o%her assignmen%s Hra%e$"l no% %o ha1e 4oined %he ran)s o$ %he "nemplo*ed'

Torn had no .omplain%s a(o"% her ."rren% assignmen%' e,.ep% %ha% a% %he momen%' &i%h a (rea) in %he shoo%ing s.hed"le' i% &as no% demanding eno"gh@ i% ga1e her %oo m".h $ree %ime Thin)ing %ime +i$%h $loor +i1e +i1e' $i1e0$or a momen% Toni#s mind s%".) a% %ha%' "n%il she remem(ered %ha% $i$%* $ee% or more &as %he ann"al rise o$ %he Ama2on in $lood 5"% i% &o"ld (e %he dr* season %here no& / %he ri1er no longer s&ollenK %he 4"ngle no longer in $"ll (loomK %he passion and %he promise passed Si,%h $loor Si, L"Ts#s .hild &o"ld (e si, mon%hs old no&N Toni )ne& %ha% (e.a"se %he one and onl* le%%er T* and 5arne* had sen% $rom Mana"s' a 4oin% e$$or%' had (een &ri%%en si, mon%hs ago We#ll (e doing some $ilming in %he L"en%al mansion' T* had &ri%%en As soon as I sa& i% I )ne& i% &as 4"s% %he %hing L"en%al in1i%ed "s %here %he o%her da*' I %hin) in an e$$or% %o so$%en "s "p' $or he#s (een %r*ing %o &orm *o"r address o"% o$ "s e1er sin.e &e re%"rned %o Mana"s FNe1er $earK 5arne* and I ha1e mo"%hs li)e .lams' and *o"r &ord is o"r .ommand I %hin) &e#1e .on1in.ed L"en%al *o"#re no longer &or)ing $or %he .ompan* He (elie1es *o"#re in Spain' &i%h *o"r $ol)s0 G 5arne* had added his o&n inimi%a(le %o".h %o %he le%%er HaJ he &ro%e I% &as "s %ha% so$%ened L"en%al "p' in ge%%ing him %o agree %o %he $ilming o$ his $amil* mansion 6n$or%"na%el* &e .an#% shoo% "n%il %he lad* o$ %he ho"se is a1aila(le %o pla* hos%ess on o"r $oo%ageK L"en%al himsel$ s%ill re$"ses %o appear on $ilm Tha% means a shor% dela*' (e.a"se &e hear she 4"s% ga1e (ir%h las% nigh% Ho&e1er' &e sho"ld (e a(le %o &rap "p Mana"s in ano%her .o"ple o$ &ee)s' %hree a% %he mos%N Se1en%h $loor Se1en I% &as se1en mon%hs sin.e she had seen L"is Se1en0 She %"rned her e*es a&a* $rom %ha% n"meral and $o"gh% her &a* o"% o$ %he s%ill .ro&ded ele1a%or Si,%* se.onds la%er' rain.oa% shed and apologies said' she had 4oined o%hers aro"nd an inelegan% (oardroom %a(le &here n"m(ers a good deal more .omple, %han simple in%egers &ere (eing dis."ssed 5"dge%s &eren#% Toni#s $a1ori%e s"(4e.%' ("% %he* &ere a 1i%al par% o$ T: prod".%ion' and a% leas% %he* .hased %he mean (l"es $rom %he mind And Toni#s (oss / Ralph Anderson' %he head o$ %he prod".%ion ho"se / "s"all* managed %o .hair %he mee%ings &i%h a minim"m o$ $"ss 7oming %o %he s.reening' Toni3 Anderson as)ed as %he mee%ing (egan %o $ile o"% nearl* an ho"r la%er S.reening3 !es' &e#re ha1ing an in%erlo.) The so"nd %ra.) s%ill needs some &or)' ("% i%#ll gi1e *o" an idea Toni m"s% ha1e loo)ed par%i."larl* nonpl"ssed' (e.a"se Anderson added &i%h a $ro&n' Didn#% *o" ge% m* memo3 I as)ed m* se.re%ar* %o (e s"re *o" go% i%

*es%erda*' so *o"#d %r* %o )eep %his a$%ernoon $ree Damn %ha% girlK i$ she ma)es one more mis%a)e I# 88 / I U O$ .o"rse I )ep% i% $ree' Tom said -"i.)l* Ralph Anderson#s se.re%ar* &as no% %he mos% relia(le emplo*ee in %he .ompan*' ("% she &as sole s"ppor% o$ %&o .hildren sin.e her h"s(and had deser%ed her And possi(l* %he memo &as si%%ing on Toni#s des)' along &i%h o%her papers she had no% had %ime %o ri$le %hro"gh on a..o"n% o$ la%e arri1al I#m a li%%le dense %his morning' %ha%#s all I m"s% ha1e (een %hin)ing o$ some%hing else !o" do loo) a (i% "nder %he &ea%her' Anderson .on.eded 5"% %hen' I .an#% sa* *o"#1e (een loo)ing *o"rsel$ $or some %ime I#1e (een meaning %o as)' Toni@ ha1e *o" had a .he.)"p sin.e *o" re%"rned $rom So"%h Ameri.a3 !o" migh% ha1e pi.)ed "p one o$ %hose nas%* %ropi.al ("gs !es' I ha1eK and no' I ha1en#% / pi.)ed "p a ("g' %ha% is Anderson nodded' al%ho"gh he s%ill loo)ed d"(io"s See *o" in %he s.reening room a% %hree/%hir%*' %hen I#ll (e in%eres%ed in *o"r opinion o$ %he %hing I$ %he memo &as ("ried in %he a1alan.he o$ o%her in%ernal do."men%s %ha% had arri1ed re.en%l*' i% managed %o el"de Tom#s a%%en%ion And as i% %"rned o"%' Ralph Anderson#s se.re%ar* &as a(sen% / again / (e.a"se o$ a .hild#s illness So i% &as la%er %ha% da* %ha% Toni en%ered %he s.reening room no &iser %han she had (een in %he morning She se%%led hersel$ in a sea% and e,.hanged pleasan%ries &i%h a $ilm edi%or' &i%h her (oss and &i%h se1eral o%her men &ho &ere presen% $or %he 1ie&ing The .ha%%er .eased as %he ligh%s &ere e,%ing"ished O)a*' roll i%' 7harlie Almos% a% on.e %he s.reen &en% (righ%' and (old n"merals $lashed pas% in s&i$% s"..ession' %his %ime in re1erse' as %he leader on %he $ilm &en% %hro"gh i%s .o"n%do&n No %i%les or .redi%s had *e% (een added' ("% Toni )ne& a% on.e &ha% i% &as She s%i$$ened in her .hair' hands digging deep inden%a%ions in%o %he armres%s I% s%ar%ed &i%h a long aerial sho% o$ %he ri1er' lo& in le1el and sil%ed in pla.es' agains% green 1is%as o$ 4"ngle Dissol1e %o %he in)* Rio Negro po"ring i%s (la.) %ri("%e in%o %he m"d/*ello& Ama2on Then %he .amera panned o1er %he grea% $loa%ing do.)s o$ Ma/na"sN/ The anno"n.er %ra.) had (een added %o 5arne*#s so"nd e$$e.%s and %he 1oi.e %ra.)s on T*#s $ilm I% &as all %here on %he s.reen@ %he ("gsK %he (ea"%i$"l $lamingos and parro%sK %he grea% gli%%ering morpho ("%%er$lies o$ %he (l"es% (l"e e1er de1isedK %he 4"ngle .ompo"ndK %he %"m(ling &hi%e/sp"med rapidsK %he ho&ler mon)e*sK He%"lio grinning in his lan.haK %he e,"(eran% %angles o$ 1ines and o%her 1ege%a%ionK %he e,o%i. $lo&ersK %he

%apirs and %he m*galesK E)e%i (randishing a spear and loo)ing s"i%a(l* $ero.io"sK h"ddles o$ s.arle%/$a.ed &omen sho% $rom modes% anglesK e1en a &ell/$ed ana.onda sleeping in a %ree I% &as li)e (eing )i.)ed in %he s%oma.h a$%er a ma4or opera%ion This is *o"r li$e' An%onia 7arr"%hers E1en %he $oo%age sho% a$%er her depar%"re' (e.a"se m".h o$ i% reminded her o$ %hings L"is had des.ri(ed' seemed %o open "p %he hal$/healed in.isions There &ere s.enes o$ misera(l* ragged sering"eiros slashing r"((er %rees' ga%hering %he sap' smo)ing i% in%o h"ge h"ndred/po"nd (alls (* la(orio"s and "nheal%h* me%hods %ha% had no% .hanged in a .en%"r* There &ere s.enes o$ %he ri1er a% %he high/&a%er mar)' lapping hal$&a* "p %he %r"n)s o$ %o&ering %rees There &ere s.enes o$ $loa%ing islands li)e grea% green $lo&ering ra$%s' dri$%ing do&n %he s&ollen ri1er There &ere s.enes o$ s%ill &a%ers s"ddenl* (oiling as %he .ar.ass o$ a dead %apir &as %hro&n in%o a sl"ggish piranha/ in$es%ed igarapR There &ere s.enes o$ %he re%"rn %o Mana"sN The anno"n.er#s melli$l"o"s 1oi.e' %elling o$ %he da*s o$ %he r"((er (arons as %he .amera %o"red %he Opera Ho"se' &as an "nner1ing e.ho o$ memories (es% le$% alone 5"% i$ %he Opera Ho"se &as an e,pensi1e &hi%e elephan% o$ ."l%"re ("il% %o impress %he &orld' i% &as (* no means %he onl* 1ani%* o$ %he era The grea% mansions o$ %he Ama2on .o"ld s%and .omparison &i%h %hose o$ +i$%h A1en"e in i%s he*da* Al%ho"gh man* o$ %hese pre%en%io"s mar(le pala.es (e.ame .r"m(ling mon"men%s %o $oll*' s%ripped o$ %heir %reas"res in %he a$%erma%h o$ %he (an)r"p%.ies %ha% $ollo&ed %he r"((er (oom' a hand$"l s"r1i1ed %o %es%i$* %o %ha% era o$ &eal%h (e*ond a1ari.e O$ %hese &e &ere $or%"na%e %o $ilm one o$ %he $ines%N Toni %"rned .omple%el* n"m( as %he L"en%al mansion .ame on %he s.reen' and momen%s la%er 7ons%an.ia Smiling' serene' (ea"%i$"ll* .oi$$ed' she &as lo1elier %han e1er no& %ha% res%ored slenderness' along &i%h a sed".%i1e emerald green hos%ess go&n' sho&ed o$$ her gra.e$"l $ig"re A$%er %ha% all (e.ame a (l"r o$ solid gold dinner ser1i.es' gil%/$ramed Mone%s and Mane%s' Se1res .hina' A"("sson .arpe%s' Lo"is L"in2e period pie.es And %hen %he (ed Toni .losed her e*es She .o"ld no% (ear %o see %ha% (ed o$ (ea"%i$"l dreams and (i%%er a&a)enings' o$ raised passions and dashed hopes' o$ lo1e $o"nd and lo1e los% The (ed %ha% &as no& "ndo"(%edl* shared (* L"is and his &i$e I% helped %ha% she .o"ld no% see@ ("% she .o"ld no% sh"% o"% %he anno"n.er#s 1oi.e I% droned on' %elling o$ %he mis%ress &ho had on.e slep% here and o$ %he r"((er (aron &ho had )ep% herN And %hen' a% las%' %he anno"n.er s%ar%ed %o spea) o$ gold %aps and Roman (a%h%"(s and gardens reminis.en% o$ :ersailles The .amera m"s% ha1e le$% %he (ed' ("% s%ill Toni#s e*es remained .losed' her $a.e drained o$ (lood

5"% in %he Ama2on' man#s 1ani%ies seem des%ined $or an e1il end Se1eral &ee)s a$%er o"r $ilm .re& $inished shoo%ing' a $ire des%ro*ed %his' one o$ %he las% grea% %es%amen%s %o %he &eal%h and po&er o$ %he r"((er (arons And so %he .harred Mone%s' %he (la.)ened .ra.)ed .hina' %he mel%ed gold are ("ried $ore1er' or s.a%%ered &i%h %he ashes o$ i%s one%ime o.."pan%s Si. %ransi% gloria m"ndi So passes %he glor* o$ %he &orld Deep sho.) had sen% Toni#s e*es $l*ing open' ("% %he s.reen sho&ed no $ire' no smo)ing r"ins@ onl* %he h"m(le %in* s%r".%"re o$ %he 7h"r.h o$ %he Poor De1il I$ %here &ere s.enes a$%er %ha% she sa& none o$ %hem I$ %here &ere &ords she heard none o$ %hem Ashes o$ i%s o.."pan%s3 Whose ashes3 Those o$ %he long/ago r"((er (aron and his mis%ress' or03 Was L"is dead3 Had he (een dead $or mon%hs3 Wo"ld some inner 1oi.e no% ha1e %old her / some snapping o$ %he in1isi(le .ord %ha% %ied her %o %he Ama2on3 L"isN Well' gen%lemen / and Toni / &ha% do *o" %hin)3 The ligh%s &ere on and se1eral people had risen %o %heir $ee% Personall* I $ind %he anno"n.er a (i% pompo"s' .ommen%ed someone And as $or ("r*ing mel%ed gold / hell' no one in his righ% mind &o"ld do %ha% The $oo%age is $an%as%i.' %ho"gh And %hose ho&ler mon)e*sJ M* eardr"ms s%ill h"r% Toni' I don#% hear *o"r 1oi.e in all %his Toni03 Hood Lord' *o"#re &hi%e as a shee%J !o"#d (e%%er si% do&n again A hand rea.hed o"% %o s"ppor% her' %hen se1eral hands 5"% Toni' "nseeing and "nhealing' had alread* rea.hed %he door Wi%ho"% a &ord she opened i% and &al)ed o"% Wha% do *o" s"ppose go% in%o her3 as)ed one o$ %he men She said she .o"ldn#% s%oma.h %he Ama2on &hen she &as %here' Anderson said' loo)ing p"22led A% %he %ime I didn#% (elie1e i%' ("%0 hell' ma*(e i% &as seeing %he piranhas a% &or) again CHAPTER FIFTEEN

I#M A+RAID DR L6ENTAL is no% in a% %he momen% The 1oi.e on %he o%her end o$ %he %elephone &as pleasan% and impersonal' ("% %he &ords s%ar%ed an a1alan.he o$ relie$ %ha% released %he pen%/"p emo%ions o$ %hree da*s No% in a% %he momen% L"is &as ali1e' ali1e' ali1e

I% had (een +rida* e1ening' a$%er ("siness ho"rs in Mana"s' &hen she had s%ar%ed %r*ing %o $ind o"% a(o"% %he $ire A do2en $r"s%ra%ing .alls %ha% e1ening had prod".ed no res"l%s &ha%soe1er Toni#s Por%"g"ese &as a li%%le r"s%* $rom la.) o$ "se' and perhaps %ha% a..o"n%ed in par% $or %he $a.% %ha% she had (een a(le %o ge% no .oheren% ans&ers (* long/ dis%an.e %elephone The $ormer L"en%al phone n"m(er &as no longer in "seK %here &as no ne& lis%ing "nder %ha% nameK Senhor Har.ia .o"ld no% (e lo.a%ed ei%her in 5rasilia or in RioK 1ario"s o%her n"m(ers in Mana"s &ere on ans&ering ser1i.e $or %he &ee)endK *es' %he ne&spaper had $iled s%ories on %he $ire' and perhaps i$ %he senhora .o"ld .all (a.) a% %he (eginning o$ ne,% &ee)N To do no%hing &as %o die in.h (* in.h' and so Toni had .a"gh% a $ligh% $irs% %o Miami and %hen %o Mana"s' arri1ing on %he S"nda* I% &as no& Monda* morning' and $or %he $irs% %ime sin.e %he s.reening she had %he ne&s she had &an%ed %o hear 5"% he does0 &or) %here3 she as)ed %he s&i%.h(oard opera%or Ass"redl*' Dr L"en%al &or)s here' in %he spe.ial/resear.h "ni% 5"% as I %old *o"' he is no% in Wo"ld *o" li)e %o spea) %o one o$ his assis%an%s3 No' IN7an *o" %ell me &here he is li1ing no&3 I am no% a% li(er%* %o gi1e %ha% in$orma%ion' said %he opera%or Wo"ld *o" .are %o lea1e *o"r name3 No' %han) *o" And %here %he .all ended' &i%h li%%le ne&s (e*ond %he all/ impor%an% ne&s Toni had longed %o hear A 1isi% %o %he ne&spaper o$$i.e prod".ed more res"l%s@ no one had died in %he $ire' and onl* one person' an elderl* ser1an%' had (een hospi%ali2ed $or smo)e inhala%ion Senhora L"en%al' %he s%or* said' had (een in Rio de Baneiro a% %he %imeK L"is had (een a(sen% $or %he &ee)' 1isi%ing %he .lini. he had $o"nded in %he Ama2onian 4"ngle There &as no men%ion o$ an in$an% A% %he %ime o$ %he $ire' L"is#s .hild &o"ld ha1e (een a(o"% %&o mon%hs old' so Toni s"rmised %ha% 7ons%an.ia migh% ha1e %a)en %he .hild %o Rio in order %o 1isi% old $riends The ne&spaper s%or* e,panded a% some leng%h on %he his%ori. in%eres% o$ %he home' on %he 1al"e o$ i%s .on%en%s' on %he L"en%al $amil* and %he $or%"ne %he* had ("il% in %he da*s o$ %he r"((er (oom And i% also pro1ided a .l"e as %o &here L"is and 7ons%an.ia migh% (e li1ing no& S".h e$$e.%s as &ere sa1ed $rom %he $ire &ill (e mo1ed &i%hin a $e& mon%hs %o a se.ond home ("il% (* %he $o"nder o$ %he L"en%al $or%"nes (a.) a% %he %"rn o$ %he .en%"r* This home' al%ho"gh .onsidera(l* more modes% in dimensions' is also a si%e o$ his%ori. in%eres% %o s%"den%s o$ %ha% grea% era in %he annals o$ Mana"s The s%or* ga1e an address Toni did no% need %o read on %o )no& %ha% %he ho"se

&as %he one in &hi.h %he r"((er (aron#s &i$e had li1ed so man* *ears (e$ore L"is had men%ioned %enan%s' ("% %here had also (een some impli.a%ion %ha% %he %enan%s &o"ld (e mo1ing o"%K %his s%or* seemed %o .on$irm i% 5* no& i% &as -"i%e li)el* %ha% %he ho"se &as on.e more inha(i%ed (* a L"en%al &i$e Toni no& )ne& e1er*%hing she had .ome %o Mana"s %o $ind o"%K i% &as %ime %o go home She le$% %he ne&spaper o$$i.e and hailed a %a,i %o %a)e her %o %he %i.)e% o$$i.e &here she .o"ld (oo) a re%"rn $ligh% In an odd &a* she )ne& %ha% %he s.are o$ %hin)ing L"is dead $or %hese pas% da*s &o"ld help her ad4"s%' in %he long r"n' %o %he emp%iness o$ her li$e in Ne& !or) Li1ing &i%ho"% L"is seemed a small %hing no&' in .omparison %o li1ing in a &orld &here he did no% e1en e,is% +or %he $irs% %ime in mon%hs' pea.e &ashed %hro"gh her so"l' .leansing i% o$ some o$ %he g"il%s She .o"ld e1en hope &holehear%edl* %ha% L"is migh% $ind happiness &i%h 7ons%an.ia / and i$ no% happiness' %hen some sor% o$ pea.e &i%h himsel$ A% %he airline o$$i.e' no immedia%e (oo)ings &ere a1aila(le Toni reser1ed spa.e on %he ne,% possi(le $ligh%' &hi.h &o"ld %a)e her o"% o$ Mana"s on Wednesda* T&o da*s &ere $ar %oo long %o spend in a .i%* &here she ris)ed seeing L"is a% e1er* %"rn' ("% %here &as no o%her re.o"rse And i$ she %oo) .are' %heir pa%hs &o"ld no% .ross The (alan.e o$ %he da* &as spen% in %he sa$e%* o$ a dar) mo1ie %hea%er and in %he ho%el room' e,.ep% $or one long %a,i %rip %a)en "nder .o1er o$ nigh% The ro"%e she ins%r".%ed %he dri1er %o $ollo& %oo) her pas% %he orna%e ga%es &here %he .harred s)ele%on o$ %he L"en%al mansion s%ill s%oodK pas% %he h"m(le 7h"r.h o$ %he Poor De1ilK and $inall* %o %he ho"se &here L"is m"s% (e li1ing no& I% &as a handsome' "npre%en%io"s old :i.%orian ho"se o$ na%i1e red s%one' si%"a%ed on a -"ie% %ree/lined s%ree% Toni as)ed %he dri1er %o s%op $or a min"%e A$%er a shor% hal% d"ring &hi.h she &ondered &hi.h o$ %he ligh%ed &indo&s migh% (e %he (edroom shared (* L"is and 7ons%an.ia' she %old %he %a,i dri1er %o %a)e her (a.) %o %he ho%el A pilgrimage %o e,pia%e pas% g"il%s' perhaps3 A need %o so"nd %he dea%h )nell %o %he las% o$ her hopes3 Or simpl* sel$/%or%"re3 Or i% .o"ld (e %ha% %his .omp"lsion %o 1isi% %he s.enes o$ hear%a.he ser1ed some &or%h&hile p"rpose / li)e p"lling $olders o"% o$ a $iling .a(ine% in order %o des%ro* %hem Wha%e1er %he mo%i1e' i% m"s% ha1e (een a s%rong one' $or i% also de.ided her .o"rse o$ a.%ion $or %he $ollo&ing da* T"esda* &as %he da* %he $loa%plane &en% on i%s &ee)l* %rip %o %he pla.e &here L"is had spen% so man* em(i%%ered *ears +rom pre1io"s e,perien.e Toni )ne& per$e.%l* &ell ho& %o ma)e arrangemen%s %o (e on %he $ligh%K she also )ne& she .o"ld $l* (a.) %he same a$%ernoon' as Senhor Har.ia had done +rom He%"lio' &ho lo1ed %o gossip' she &o"ld do"(%less hear ne&s o$ L"is more personal in na%"re %han an*%hing she .o"ld learn $rom s%rangers in %his .i%* His heal%h' his $rame o$ mind' his .hild@ %hese &ere %he %hings she &an%ed %o )no& a(o"%' and .o"ld as)

no one in Mana"s She &as a&are %ha% L"is &o"ld $ind o"% a% some poin% in %he $"%"re %ha% she had made %he %rip / ("% (* %hen she &o"ld (e long gone The ho"r/long $ligh% passed -"i.)l*' in a mood %ha% &as poignan% and pain$"l ("% no longer as "n(eara(le as i% had (een d"ring her las% da*s here O"% %he &indo& o$ %he plane Toni s"r1e*ed %he endless panorama o$ %he Ama2on (asin' l"sh green %hreaded &i%h %he dis%in.%i1e o.her o$ %he ri1er' "n%il %he plane (egan i%s des.en% o1er &a%ers o$ -"i%e a di$$eren% h"e 5* %he %ime %he 7a%alina had landed on %he green &a%er and %a,ied %o %he ra$% in mid/ri1er' He%"lio &as alread* approa.hing in %he lan.ha in order %o pi.) "p %he &ee)l* s"pplies A% on.e Toni spo%%ed %he dis%in.%i1e (ri.) shade %ha% se% his hair apar% $rom %he "ni$orml* dar) %ha%.hes o$ %he ri1erside .a(o.los He%"lio#s as%onishmen% a% seeing Toni emerge $rom %he ha%.h e1apora%ed -"i.)l*' %o (e repla.ed (* a &arm gen"ine pleas"re Ah' i% is good %o see %he senhora againJ he smiled 5"% &e did no% e,pe.% *o" I#ll onl* (e s%a*ing $or a $e& ho"rs' He%"lio I#1e made arrangemen%s $or %he pilo% %o pi.) me "p on his re%"rn $ligh% Ah' &ell E1en a shor% 1isi% is (e%%er %han none Wai%' I m"s% load %he s"pplies (e$ore I help *o" in%o %he (oa% As He%"lio loaded .ra%es and .ar%ons in%o %he lan.ha' he e,.hanged ne&s and 1ie&s &i%h %he $ligh% .re& and %he 1illage inha(i%an%s' as &as %he &ee)l* ."s%om Torn lis%ened )eenl* as she s%ood &ai%ing on %he grea% ra$% &here all %his %oo) pla.e' ("% heard no men%ion o$ L"is L"en%al And %hen %he lan.ha &as loaded' and i% &as %ime %o .lim( in Oh' no' she agoni2ed momen%s la%er as %he (oa% approa.hed a (end in %he ri1er and she remem(ered He%"lio loo)ed a% her in p"22lemen% There is some%hing %he ma%%er3 TheZ&iZms' Toni said' %r*ing %o (r"sh %he pre."rsors o$ %he .oming (la.) .lo"d a&a* $rom her arms' her $a.e' her an)les' her sandaled %oes I $orgo% a(o"% %he pi"ms Wi%h so man* ma%%ers o$ momen% on her mind' %he need $or an%ihis%amines had (een $orgo%%en / no% %ha% she had an* o$ %he pres.ri(ed medi.a%ion on her person Nor had she %ho"gh% %o dress $or inse.%s %oda* The 4"ngle &ardro(e had long sin.e (een %".)ed in%o mo%h(allsK in her has%e %o lea1e Ne& !or) she had no% e1en pa.)ed i% Toda* she had %hro&n on %o%all* "ns"i%a(le .lo%hes@ a $"ll .o%%on s)ir% &i%h a shor%/slee1ed (lo"se The* &ere pre%%* and %he* &ere pra.%i.al' ("% no% &i%h pi"ms aro"nd

I didn#% e1en (ring inse.% repellen%J Oh' Lord' I#m going %o (e a mess Ah' &ell' i$ *o" are %o ha1e %ro"(le' a hospi%al is %he pla.e %o ha1e i%' said He%"lio philosophi.all* I% &as %oo la%e %o do an*%hing ("%/roll in%o a (all and pra* Poli%eness di.%a%ed %ha% she sho"ld (e as)ing $or ne&s o$ He%"lio#s son' 5ra2' and o$ Ana' ("% a% %he momen% Toni &as $ar %oo o.."pied in remo1ing as man* %arge% areas as possi(le $rom %he .oming pi"ms Ta)ing pi%* on her 1"lnera(ili%*' He%"lio %hre& her an old %arpa"lin' and gra%e$"ll* she ("ried hersel$ "nder i% head and all' sh"%%ing o"% %he &ors% o$ %he (arrage (e$ore i% arri1ed She did no% "n.o1er again "n%il %he ."%%ing o$ %he mo%or and %he ("mping o$ %he (oa% agains% %he do.) %old her %ha% %he landing had (een rea.hed As she s%r"ggled o"% $rom "nder %he %arpa"lin' %he $irs% %hing she sa& &as %he lo&er hal$ o$ a man#s (od* on %he do.) / %he (end o$ )nees as he h"n)ered do&n %o s%ead* %he g"n&aleK %he .apa(le %anned hands &i%h $ingers %ha% &ere long' s%rong' sensi%i1e' $amiliarN/ L"is' she &hispered as %he %arpa"lin &as p"shed a&a* $ar eno"gh %o .on$irm her g"ess' and her e*es .onne.%ed &i%h %he e*es &hose dar) %ormen%s had %ro"(led so man* o$ her dreams I$ s"rprise had %"rned Toni %o a -"i1ering mass o$ ner1es' i% seemed %o ha1e $ro2en L"is in%o posi%ion a% %he edge o$ %he (oa% 5enea%h %he %an' his $a.e &as drained o$ .olor' %he so.)e%s dar) and deep/se% o1er %he high .hee)(ones' %he lo1ed $a.e $ar %oo %hin A% las% he re.o1ered eno"gh %o %a)e %he pain%er %ha% a pa%ien% ("% some&ha% p"22led He%"lio &as holding o"% S.ar.el* %a)ing his e*es o$$ Toni' he a%%ended %o se."ring %he piassa1a rope %o i%s mooring His none %oo s%ead* $ingers $"m(led %he simple %as)K i% &as eas* %o see he had (een s%rongl* a$$e.%ed (* Toni#s arri1al A% las% he .ame %o his $ee% and s%"died her &i%h almos% h"r%$"l in%ensi%*' dra&ing a deep and "ne1en (rea%h The senhora sa*s she has .ome %o 1isi% $or onl* a $e& ho"rs' He%"lio in%er4e.%ed has%il* His apologe%i. %one s"gges%ed %ha% he had misin%erpre%ed %he loaded silen.e and %he loo) on L"is#s $a.e I %ho"gh% %his %ime *o" &o"ld no% mind' do.%or' as she is no% s%a*ing Please do no% (e angr* She has alread* (een a%%a.)ed (*pi"ms on %he ri1er 7learl* He%"lio (elie1ed %ha% L"is#s old ha%red o$ &omen had reasser%ed i%sel$ And L"is' &ho e1iden%l* .o"ld no% *e% %r"s% himsel$ %o spea)' &as no% read* %o disa("se He%"lio o$ %he mis.on.ep%ion The senhora &ill need some%hing $or %he pi"m (i%es a% on.e' do.%or' He%"lio no%ed' s%ill so"nding &orried (* his emplo*er#s rea.%ion Wo"ld *o" li)e me %o a%%end %o %ha%3 Or /

No L"is#s 1oi.e so"nded "nreal' s%rained' laden &i%h emo%ion He s&allo&ed' $or.ing himsel$ %o .on%in"e No' He%"lio I#ll do i% He rea.hed %o help Toni $rom %he (oa%' and she a..ep%ed his hand a$%er a 1isi(le -"i1er o$ hesi%a%ion A sligh% shor%ness o$ (rea%h assailed her' and &i%h L"is#s s%rong $ingers holding hers i% did no% e1en o.."r %o her %ha% %his migh% (e d"e %o pi"ms As she .ame %o her $ee% on %he do.) (eside him' her %hroa% .a"gh% a% %he .loseness' %he "n.hanged heigh% o$ him / %he remem(ered a"ra %ha% %"rned her senses di22* And %hen she &on one small (a%%le &i%h hersel$ and remo1ed her $ingers $rom his grasp Slo&l* he le% %hem go' s%ill holding her &i%h his e*es !o"#1e .ome (e.a"se *o" heard' he s%a%ed in English' in %he %im(re o$ 1oi.e so o$%en heard in %he se.re% pla.es o$ her hear% She %oo) se1eral shallo& (rea%hs' "sing o,*gen %o $igh% %he sensa%ions %ha% o1er&helmed her I &o"ldn#% ha1e .ome i$ I#d )no&n *o" &ere here' she managed %o sa* Oh' L"is This ma)es %hings 1er* di$$i."l% I#m sorr* Sorr*3 His "ns%ead* la"gh held e.hoes o$ deep emo%ion She made her $a.e (eha1e' m"s.le (* di$$i."l% m"s.le' and s.hooled hersel$ %o remem(er %he "gl* %r"%hs o$ her rela%ionship &i%h L"is !o"r &i$e and *o"r .hild / are %he* here or in Mana"s3 Someho& she s"..eeded in ma)ing %he -"es%ion so"nd li)e mere poli%eness' ("% in %r"%h her s%oma.h m"s.les .on%ra.%ed in%o )no%s as she &ai%ed %o hear %he ans&er Then *o" don#% )no&' L"is m"%%ered' his 1oi.e almos% .ra.)ing He %oo) a ragged (rea%h and added' No' %he*#re no% here 5"% %he* are0 &ell3 L"is nodded' !es Toni .o"ld no% (ear %o as) more I% &as eno"gh %o )no& %ha% she &o"ld no% ha1e %o $a.e 7ons%an.ia in personK %ha% she &o"ld no% ha1e %o see %he li1ing e1iden.e o$ %he passiona%e em(ra.es L"is had shared &i%h his &i$e S%ill ashen and .as%ing a(o"% $or some%hing %o (rea) %he %erri(le and &onder$"l in%ima.* o$ L"Ts#s ga2e' she %"rned her e*es %o %he %op o$ %he ri1er(an) &here no o%hers s%ood Wh* are *o"0 here3 she as)ed' spea)ing &i%h di$$i."l%* (e.a"se o$ %he e$$or% re-"ired %o res%ore %he .on1ersa%ion %o normal.* I e,pe.%ed05ra2 and Ana L"is m"s% ha1e heard %he -"es%ion' ("% he did no% ans&er i%K his dar) e*es &ere o.."pied in de1o"ring Toni li)e a man %oo long s%ar1ed $or %he sigh% And so i% &as He%"lio' &ho had no% needed English %o "nders%and %he names' &ho $inall* inser%ed %he

in$orma%ion in%o %he ele.%ri. silen.e %ha% seemed %o em(arrass him / possi(l* (e.a"se he &as s%ill misin%erpre%ing %he meaning o$ %his s.ene 5ra2 and Ana &ill re%"rn in one &ee)' senhora Dr L"en%al has agreed %o (e here $or a shor% %ime onl*' in order %ha% %he* ma* 1isi% Ana#s paren%s in Rio and sho& o$$ %heir $ine li%%le ones Ah' s".h handsome (a(iesJ In ligh% o$ %he .on1ersa%ion she had o1erheard some mon%hs (e$ore' He%"lio#s s%a%emen% sho"ld ha1e %riggered -"es%ion mar)s in Toni#s mind 5"% a% %he momen% i% &as L"is she &an%ed %o )no& a(o"%@ L"is and no%hing else Wi%h an almos% sh"ddering e$$or%' L"is dragged his e*es a&a* $rom Toni#s lips and said "ne1enl*' I#ll e,plain' ("% no% here 7ome &i%h me Hripping Toni#s el(o& as i$ he had no plans %o le% her go' he %"rned %o his aide and spo)e in Por%"g"ese Toda* *o"#ll ha1e %o "nload &i%ho"% m* help' He%"lio Sim' do"%or +irs% %o %he dispensar* L"is s%eered her "p %he ri1er (an)' his hand %rem(ling onl* sligh%l* as i% made .on%a.% &i%h Toni#s $orearm Her o1erl* sensi%i2ed s)in rea.%ed li)e a geiger .o"n%er in %he presen.e o$ a "rani"m s%ri)e The dispensar*3 she .roa)ed' ma)ing an "ns"..ess$"l s%a( a% &i%hdra&ing her arm 5e.a"se o$ %he pi"ms' L"is reminded her' rea$$irming his .ommand o$ her el(o&' and also o$ himsel$ And %here#s a pa%ien% I sho"ld .he.) on' (e.a"se I don#% &an% in%err"p%ions &hen &e %al) On.e I ge% *o" alone in %he ("ngalo&' I#m li)el* %o $orge% al%oge%her %ha% I#m a do.%or He led her %hro"gh in%o %he main en%ran.e and spo)e a $e& &ords in %he lo.al diale.% %o %he an.ien% hal$/(reed Manoel s%a%ioned %here Thro"gh %he open door in%o %he &ard' Toni .o"ld see se1eral pa%ien%s l*ing leadenl* in %he "(i-"i%o"s hammo.)s o$ %he Ama2on One &as moaning and $e1ered' in %he %hroes o$ a malarial a%%a.) I#ll ha1e %o a%%end %o %ha% man' L"is said' g"iding Toni %o&ard %he ."r%ained area &here he %rea%ed o"%pa%ien%s The ."r%ain s&"ng .losed (ehind %hem' sh"%%ing o"% Manoel#s e*es i$ no% his ears L"is se%%led her on a .hair and de1o%ed a momen% %o $inding %he re-"ired an%ihis%amines Here / some sal1e $or %hose (i%es And %a)e %hese pills Toni a..ep%ed %he $"s.hia pills and a glass o$ &a%er &i%h hands %ha% shoo) more %han she migh% ha1e &ished Her 1oi.e &as no% %oo m".h o$ a &hee2e as she as)ed' Will I0 need a sho% %his %ime3 We#ll see' L"is said / all medi.al man a% %his momen%' (ris) and e$$i.ien% and

non.ommi%%al I#ll loo) *o" o1er and de.ide B"s% si% %hereK I#ll onl* (e a $e& min"%es The spa.e &here Toni &ai%ed &as no% "nli)e do.%or#s e,amina%ion rooms e1er*&here@ less grand' perhaps' ("% orderl* and e$$i.ien%' &i%h an e,amina%ion %a(le and lo.)ed me%al .a(ine%s .on%aining s"pplies and medi.a%ions The "s"al .omplemen% o$ medi.al implemen%s &as l*ing aro"nd / r"((er %"(ing and pro(es and %ong"e depressors and .o%%on s&a(s and 1ario"s pie.es o$ gleaming s%ainless s%eel There &as also a des) $lan)ed (* %&o .hairs' and i% &as on one o$ %hese %ha% Toni sa%' o.."p*ing her s%ill sha)* $ingers in appl*ing %he spe.ial sal1e I% soo%hed &i%h s".h speed %ha%' had her %ho"gh%s no% (een "nra1eled no&' she migh% ha1e spared a smile %o %hin) %ha% pride had on.e pre1en%ed her $rom as)ing $or i% Wi%h pi"m (i%es a%%ended %o' %here &as onl* L"is %o o.."p* her mind L"Ts' L"Ts' L"Ts To see him' %o hear his 1oi.e' %o )no& he &as onl* a ma%%er o$ *ards a&a*@ %hese %hings &ere li)e dr"gs %o an addi.% And li)e an a(s%aining addi.%' she m"s% no% allo& hersel$ %o ind"lge E1en a small lapse / a )iss' a .aress / migh% lead %o more %han she .o"ld handle There &as onl* one ."re $or her hopeless .ase@ %o%al a(s%inen.e The $e& min"%es alone ga1e her %ime %o marshal her de$enses and don her s"i% o$ emo%ional armor She .o"ld do no%hing a(o"% %he -"i1ering ner1es in %he pi% o$ her s%oma.h' ("% she did manage %o p"% on a pale mas) o$ .ompos"re' her de%ermina%ion $irmed (* $i,ing her mind resol"%el* on %he &i$e and .hild &ho &ai%ed $or L"is in Mana"s And so &hen he .ame (a.) %hro"gh %he ."r%ain' rea.hing Toni#s side in %&o p"rpose$"l s%rides' she raised %he palms o$ her hands in a ges%"re o$ re("%%al No' L"is He had (een rea.hing $or her' and Toni )ne& $rom %he smo)ing o$ his e*es %ha% he &an%ed %o )iss her' in%ended %o )iss her An%onia' he (rea%hed raggedl* &hen she s%opped him' ("% he did no% .omple%e %he mo1e %o ga%her her in his arms His $a.e $o"gh% a (rie$ %"g/o$/&ar' and %he pro$essional hal$ o$ him &on He re%rie1ed %he .hair $rom %he o%her side o$ his des) and se% i% do&n (eside Toni#s I#ll ha1e %o loo) a% *o"r arms and lis%en %o *o"r (rea%hing 5ear &i%h me' darling I &on#% do a %hing "n%il &e#re alone in %he ("ngalo& And %ha% &as a s%a%emen% o$ in%en% %ha% Toni .o"ld no% e1en $ind s%reng%h %o disp"%e' &i%h L"is rea.hing o"% %o sei2e her arm Then an an)le@ and his %o".h e1o)ed e,-"isi%el* pain$"l memories o$ ano%her o..asion &hen he had laid his lips on %he 1er* same $lesh She s"(mi%%ed %o %he s%e%hos.ope &i%h %repida%ion' )no&ing %ha% she m"s% ("% $earing %ha% %his par% o$ %he e,amina%ion &o"ld %ell L"is %oo m".h a(o"% her in%ernal s%a%e L"is#s $ingers shoo) sligh%l* &hen %he de1i.e neared %he s&ell o$ her (reas% a(o1e %he

(rassiere' ("% he made no "n%o&ard mo1e' and Toni ("%%oned s&i$%l* as soon as %he s%e%hos.ope &as &i%hdra&n And %hen he %"rned his a%%en%ion %o %he glands hidden (ehind her ears' ea.h area so sensi%i1e %o his ligh% pro(ing %o".h %ha% Toni $el% $ain% $rom %he .on%a.% This %ime %he pills sho"ld (e eno"gh' he smiled' .oming %o his $ee% and re%"rning his .hair %o i%s "s"al res%ing pla.e He &al)ed (a.) %o Toni#s side and rea.hed $or her el(o& No& .ome along %o %he ("ngalo& We need %o (e alone No She 4er)ed her arm a&a* as i$ she had (een ("rned This &as %he momen% she dreaded@ %he momen% &hen her inner $or%i%"de m"s% (e p"% %o %he %es% Don#% %o".h me' L"is !o"#1e $inished *o"r e,amina%ion no& He s%ood %all a(o1e her / lean' reass"ring' .aressing her &i%h his e*es A deep smo)ing need had repla.ed his smile o$ momen%s ago 5elie1e me' *o"r .ons.ien.e doesn#% need %o gi1e *o" a momen%#s %&inge' he said h"s)il* No& .ome along On.e I#1e e,plained' *o"#ll "nders%and !o"#1e said %ha% (e$ore' she reminded him' digging in on her .hair I$ *o" ha1e an*%hing %o e,plain' e,plain i% here E1er*%hing#s .hangedK %r"s% me 7hanged3 Hope po)ed i%s head "p li)e a $irs% spring $lo&er' onl* %o (e %rodden on (* a s)ep%i.ism (orn o$ %oo man* mon%hs o$ despair She de$ied him &i%h her e*es Tell me &ha%#s .hanged' %hen 6n%il *o" do' I#m s%a*ing righ% here Anno*an.e gre& on his %anned' lean/$ea%"red $a.e Are *o" reall* going %o $or.e me %o go %hro"gh %his in a semip"(li. pla.e3 We .o"ld (e in%err"p%ed a% an* min"%e When I %ell *o"' I &an% %o (e &here I .an %a)e *o" in m* arms I%#s %or%"re $or *o" %o )eep me here' An%onia !o" .an#% (e so .r"el No& le%#s go No' L"isJ Tell me here and no&' and %ell me e1er*%hing Anger ("il% (rie$l* in his $a.e and %hen .hanged %o a dis%"r(ing e,aspera%ed e,pression' as %ho"gh he &ere .onsidering s&eeping her $or.i(l* in%o his arms and .arr*ing her o$$ %o %he ("ngalo& &i%h no $"r%her ado A% leng%h he said disparagingl*' Women' and &al)ed (a.) %o his .hair He sa% do&n and loo)ed a% her in a de.idedl* .hallenging &a* I$ *o" insis% on )eeping me &ai%ing' e,pe.% some &ai%ing in re%"rn His 1oi.e &as .ool and mo.)ing' all %he arden.* o$ momen%s ago s%amped o"% o$ e,is%en.e as %ho"gh i% had ne1er (een The as.e%i. L"is &as on.e more in .on%rol He sa% &i%h el(o&s

res%ing on %he des)' $ingers spla*ed and s%eepled (enea%h his .hin@ an "%%erl* pro$essional pos%"re Perhaps *o"#1e $orgo%%en %ha% I .an (e pa%ien% &hen I m"s% No& %ell me &ha% *o"#1e (een doing $or %hese pas% mon%hs' and &ha% (ro"gh% *o" %o %he Ama2on !o"#1e alread* made i% .lear *o" didn#% .ome &i%h in%en%ions o$ seeing me Se."re in ha1ing %he des) (e%&een %hem' Toni leaned $or&ard %ensel* and dropped one la*er o$ pre%ense Her 1oi.e &as "rgen% &i%h %he need %o )no& +irs% %ell me &ha%#s .hanged' L"is His e*elids drooped' and $or a (rie$ momen% his lips %"rned as .r"el and arrogan% as %he* had (een in %he earl* da*s o$ %heir a.-"ain%an.e A$%er *o"' he dra&led in a dr* sardoni. %one L"is' %ha%#s %or%"reJ E,a.%l*' he said No& s%ar% %al)ing Their e*es d"eled "n%il Toni s"(sided in%o her .hair' %hin)ing E1er*%hing#s .hanged Wha% .o"ld L"is mean3 Tha% he had a(andoned his responsi(ili%ies3 +orgo%%en his promises3 Di1or.ed 7ons%an.ia3 She did no% &an% %o (e %he .a"se o$ a marriage (rea)"p' espe.iall* &hen %here &as a .hild in1ol1ed Perhaps she &o"ld no% li)e L"is#s ne&s And "n%il she heard i% she had a(sol"%el* no in%en%ion o$ p"%%ing hersel$ &i%hin %he rea.h o$ %emp%a%ion To go &i%h him alone %o %he ("ngalo& &as some%hing she &as no% &illing %o do / a% leas% no% *e% I$ L"is in%ended %o prolong %he agon* o$ %he &ai%' %here &as 1er* li%%le she .o"ld do a(o"% i% shor% o$ a..eding %o his &ishes And so' &i%h &ha% gra.e she .o"ld m"s%er' she s%ar%ed %o %ell o$ &here she had (een and &ha% she had (een doing L"is %h&ar%ed her e$$or%s %o shor%en %he %ale (* in%err"p%ing &i%h maddening $re-"en.*' -"es%ioning e1er* small de%ail "n%il she %ho"gh% she &o"ld s.ream Didn#% i% o.."r %o *o" %o a% leas% s%eam m* le%%ers open (e$ore *o" re%"rned %hem3 he %a"n%ed a% one poin% !es' i% o.."rred %o me' she ans&ered has%il* I#1e %old *o" e1er*%hing no&' L"is Please / I#ll de.ide a(o"% %ha%' he ."% in Perhaps *o" .o"ld ha1e sa1ed *o"rsel$ some moral ang"ish i$ *o"#d read %he se.ond le%%er In i% I %old *o" o$ %he de.ision I had rea.hed no% long a$%er *o" le$% / a% some .os%' I admi% I% &as %he de.ision %o do e1er*%hing in m* po&er %o ma)e m* marriage &or) No& %ell me more a(o"% %he apar%men% &here *o"#1e (een li1ing L"is0J she pro%es%ed' her %one ang"ished

Ho on' he dire.%ed in %he mos% pi%iless o$ 1oi.es And %here &as more a$%er %ha%U Had she heard $rom T* and 5arne*3 Wha% &as %his miniseries she &as &or)ing on3 Did she en4o* %he assignmen%3 I% doesn#% m".h ma%%er i$ I do' she said' (eginning %o gro& despera%e When I ge% (a.) %o Ne& !or) I#ll pro(a(l* $ind I#1e (een $ired I %oo) o$$ &i%ho"% as)ing permission' and %he* ha1e no idea &here I am No& please &on#% *o" %ell me *o"r ne&s3 There are some o%her -"es%ions %ha% ha1e (een ea%ing a% me $or man* mon%hs' he s%ar%ed in againK and so (egan %he ne,% ro"nd o$ -"es%ioning Wha% had she done &i%h her e1enings3 Had %here (een o%her men3 Da%es3 When' &here' &i%h &homK and mos% impor%an% / &ha% had happened on %hose da%es3 Had %he men (een in1i%ed (a.) %o her apar%men%3 Had she $allen in lo1e &i%h an*one3 And *e% his mo.)ing e,pression %old Toni %ha% L"is &as as)ing %he -"es%ions onl* in order %o re%alia%e $or her s%"((ornness' no% (e.a"se o$ an* real need %o )no& Perhaps he had pi.)ed "p some (ad ha(i%s $rom T* and 5arne* I don#% %hin) *o" ha1e an* righ% %o as)' she re%or%ed de$ian%l*' "n%il *o" %ell me &ha% *o" ha1e %o sa* Wha% I do &i%h o%her men is m* o&n ("siness I#m no% *o"r &i$e' L"isK I#m no% ans&era(le %o *o" His e*es $li.)ered &i%h a ligh% %ha% .o"ld onl* (e am"semen% and %hen gre& opa-"e again Well' %hen' I#ll sa1e %ha% -"es%ion $or no& Tell me one more %hing' and %his %ime I &an% %he &hole %r"%h Ha1e *o" (een happ*3 Toni loo)ed a&a* -"i.)l* No% 1er*' she admi%%ed' her hear% %igh%ening li)e a $is% as she remem(ered %he pain o$ %hese pas% mon%hs I% &as a lie onl* (* omission o$ %he $"ll a&$"l %r"%h Tha%#s &h* I made %he %rip here %oda* A pilgrimage o$ penan.e' I s"ppose I %ho"gh% I .o"ld %a)e one las% loo) and %hen s%ar% $orge%%ing I see *o"#1e managed %o $orge% some%hing else' %oo' L"is said so$%l*' .as%ing a glan.e a% %he slender' %igh%l* $is%ed hands %ha% res%ed in Toni#s lap No gold (and en.ir.led %he ring $inger on her le$% hand' nor &as %here an* .hange o$ s)in .olor %o indi.a%e %ha% i% had (een &orn re.en%l* in %ha% par%i."lar pla.e I% had (een mo1ed %o ano%her $inger' no% &i%h a.rimon*' ("% &i%h a lingering &is%$"lness (e.a"se she had ne1er (een a(le %o gi1e her $irs% h"s(and %he happiness or %he "nion %ha% sho"ld ha1e (een deno%ed (* %he ring Worn on a di$$eren% $inger' i% had no% (een $orgo%%en@ onl* p"% in%o a di$$eren% pla.e in her hear% To &ear i% on %he ring $inger had seemed a %ra1es%* &hen she had p"% her lo1e in%o ano%her man#s )eeping' and her (od* in%o ano%her man#s hands !es' I /

A r"s%le o$ ."r%ain and %he HemJ o$ a 1oi.e &arned %ha% He%"lio &as as)ing $or admi%%an.e Wo"ld *o" li)e %o %a)e a .o$$ee &i%h %he senhora: he as)ed o$ L"is' peering aro"nd %he ."r%ain I ha1e prepared a %ra* Wi%h %he %ra* sa$el* deposi%ed (e%&een %hem' He%"lio po"red %&o m"gs and pla.ed %hem on opposi%e sides o$ %he des) The shor% in%err"p%ion and %he (rie$ .hange a&a* $rom English &as li)e a p"n.%"a%ion mar) separa%ing Toni#s dis.los"res $rom %hose L"is &as a(o"% %o ma)e Do *o" )no& &ha% 5ra2ilians sa* a(o"% .o$$ee3 he as)ed a$%er %he momen% o$ silen.e %ha% $ollo&ed He%"lio#s depar%"re No Toni s%ared in%o her m"g' si.) &i%h apprehension .a"sed (* %he &ai% A% leas% L"is#s pro.ras%ina%ion had %old her one %hing@ %he .oming re1ela%ions &ere s"re %o (e impor%an% ones She hoped' and *e% ha%ed hersel$ $or hoping I#ll .hange %he order o$ %he sa*ing in %ransla%ion' as (eing more appropria%e $or %he o..asion His 1oi.e &as an in$"ria%ingl* slo& dra&l %ha% )ep% %he s"spense "n(eara(le 7o$$ee' sa* m* .o"n%r*men' sho"ld (e $o"r %hings@ ho% as hell' (la.) as nigh%' s&ee% as a )iss' and0 s%rong as lo1e L"is' don#%' she &hispered' pleading Please 4"s% %ell me &ha% *o" ha1e %o sa* Where shall I s%ar%3 he as)ed dr*l*' perhaps in re1enge $or %he %or%"res she had on.e p"% him %hro"gh +rom %he da* I $o"nd *o" had le$% %he Ama2on al%oge%her' .a"sing m* &hole &orld %o .ome .rashing a(o"% m* ears3 +rom %he s%r"ggles o$ .ons.ien.e %ha% )ep% me $rom $ollo&ing *o" a% on.e3 +rom %he da* I de.ided %o %r* %o ma)e m* marriage &or)' despi%e e1er*%hing3 Or $rom %he da* o$ m*0 $a%herhood3 Toni ris)ed a glan.e a% %he dar)l* sh"%%ered $a.e' &ondering &ha% had .a"sed %ha% .*ni.al no%e %o re%"rn I ne1er heard &he%her i% &as a (o* or a girl' she said 5o%h' said L"is T&ins3 Toni p"22led' onl* %o re.ei1e a nod o$ .on$irma%ion She prod".ed a hollo& e,."se $or a la"gh and dropped her e*es %o s%are a% %he $loor A do"(le reason no% %o des%ro* a marriage Wi%h a p"rpose$"ll* ligh% 1oi.e she remar)ed' I% m"s% (e .a%.hing in %he Ama2on I %a)e i%' %hen' %ha% *o" do remem(er a(o"% %he $re-"en.* o$ %&in (ir%hs among %he Mara Did *o" )no& %he* no& a..ep% %he phenomenon3 And i%#s 4"s% as &ell %he* do One se% &as (orn las% &ee)' and %here#s ano%her se% on %he &a* a $e& mon%hs $rom no& / $or Maria and E)e%i Oh' L"is' %ha%#s &onder$"lJ Toni (rie$l* p"% aside her o&n impa%ien.e in order

%o respond %o ne&s o$ s".h a 4o*$"l na%"re Then E)e%i and Maria are no& man and &i$e3 !es' and 1er* happ*' %oo A small smile pla*ed o1er his s%rong mo"%h' &iping a&a* all %ra.es o$ .*ni.ism And I hear i% all s%ar%ed &i%h a s%one Odd' &ha% a li%%le s%one .an doN/ The &ords &ere %oo e1o.a%i1e' .a"sing Toni %o $all silen% L"is &en% on' re1ealing more +rom %ha% *o" ma* ha1e ga%hered %ha% %he Mara &omen no& permi% %hemsel1es %o (e e,amined &hen %he*#re pregnan% 5"% %he reall* impor%an% %hing is %ha% %he Mara men no& a..ep% %he phenomenon o$ %&ins I% sho"ld do &onders $or %heir pop"la%ion Wha% .hanged %heir minds3 On.e "pon a %ime I %old *o" %ha% %he Mara (elie1e onl* &ha% %he* .an see I &as ne1er a(le %o .on1in.e %hem %ha% %&ins &ere in %he genes' ("% seeing %&ins / ano%her man#s %&ins / did .on1in.e %hem I% %oo) 1er* li%%le p"22ling %o prod".e %he ans&er %o %ha% !o"r %&ins' Toni g"essed Ho (a.) a momen% and %hin) %ha% %hro"gh again L"is#s 1oi.e &as sardoni. ("% no% dis.o"ragingl* so S"rel* a$%er all I#1e %old *o" in %he pas% i% .an#% (e %oo hard $or *o" %o rea.h %he righ% .on.l"sion And &hen she remained silen% %oo long' g"essing ("% no% s%a%ing her g"esses alo"d' L"is added' Red hair is a 1er* dis%in.%i1e %rai% %ha%#s onl* in .er%ain genes An*one .o"ld see a% a glan.e %ha% %he $a%her &as 5ra2 And 5ra2 has some Mara (lood in him' soN/ He allo&ed some %ime $or %ha% %o sin) in (e$ore pro.eeding so$%l*' 7ons%an.ia admi%%ed as m".h / no% %ha% she .o"ld 1er* &ell den* i% She )ne& she &as e,pe.%ing %&ins' ("% she &as as sho.)ed as an*one &hen %he* %"rned o"% %o ha1e red hair I% seems %ha% she had no idea 5ra2 &as %he $a%her E1iden%l* %here had (een se1eral o%her .on%a.%s a$%er I le$% Rio / deli(era%e ones' (e.a"se she )ne& %ha% m* shor% in%erl"de &i%h her .o"ld no% possi(l* ha1e res"l%ed in pregnan.*K %he %iming &as &rong 5ra2 4"s%0happened0 a% some poin% d"ring her e$$or%s %o ge% pregnan% !o" see' An%onia' 7ons%an.ia &as al%oge%her prepared %o $ois% ano%her man#s .hild "pon me She &an%ed %o sa1e %he marriage (* $air means or $o"l L"is' %ell me / Don#% (e so impa%ien%' he said' $i,ing her &i%h a s%ern e*eK and Toni $or.ed hersel$ %o s"(side again in her .hair L"is &as %elling %his in his o&n %ime' in his o&n &a*'

and she )ne& %ha% %o pes%er him &i%h -"es%ions migh% onl* .a"se him %o (e.ome e1en more .ir."i%o"s in his re1ela%ions The red hair' %ha% &as %he %hing The Mara ha1e seen onl* %&o red/haired men in %heir li1es@ He%"lio and 5ra2 The* )no& hair .olor is inheri%ed Wh*' e1en %he smalles% Mara .hild loo)ing a% %hose %&ins .an %ell %he*#re 5ra2#s .hildren' (o%h o$ %hem +rom %here %o a..ep%ing %he %&in phenomenon &as a 1er* small s%ep O$ .o"rse' %he en%ire Mara %ri(e %rooped o1er %o %he edge o$ %his .ompo"nd %o see %he e1iden.e' as soon as %he* heard %he ne&s a(o"% Ana#s (a(ies Ana#s (a(ies3 Toni repea%ed $ain%l* Her head &hirled $rom $ollo&ing all %he dis.los"res %ha% &ere %"m(ling o"% so $as% The* are no& 5ra2 and Ana are adop%ing %hem There are a $e& $ormali%ies %o go %hro"gh s%ill' ("% (asi.all* i%#s a $ai% a..ompli Ana#s 1er* happ* a(o"% i%' all %hings .onsidered She )ne& a(o"% 5ra2#s in$ideli%*' so %ha% par% &as no sho.) %o her In $a.%' she .an almos% $orgi1e 7ons%an.ia no& %ha% she %hin)s o$ her as a s"rroga%e mo%her' no% as a ri1al As i$ she )ne& %ha% L"is &as rea.hing %he deno"emen% o$ his pie.e' Toni remained silen%' holding her (rea%h $or his ne,% pie.e o$ ne&s When 7ons%an.ia a(andoned %he (a(ies %he* &ere onl* a(o"% %&o mon%hs old I had a $airl* good no%ion %ha% Ana &o"ld a..ep% %he (a(ies and lo1e %hem as e,%ensions o$ 5ra2 I de.ided %o ris) presen%ing %he e1iden.e in person And so I $le& here / %he (a(ies' %oo' and %he n"rsemaid &ho had (een minding %hem I% &as d"ring %ha% &ee) %ha% %he L"en%al mansion ("rned do&n L"is no& s%ood "p and &al)ed aro"nd %he des) %o loo) gra1el* do&n in%o Toni#s e*es I#m di1or.ed no&' darling Perhaps' despi%e e1er*%hing' I &o"ld ha1e li1ed "p %o m* promise i$ 7ons%an.ia had li1ed "p %o hers 5"% I &as s%ill s%r"ggling &i%h %he "nhapp* prospe.% o$ a.)no&ledging ano%her man#s .hildren &hen she le$% As I &as re$"sing %o share a (ed &i%h her0need I %ell *o" %ha% mo%herhood didn#% .hange .er%ain %hings a(o"% 7ons%an.ia3 I$ I &asn#% &illing %o sa%is$* her' o%her men &ere Di1or.ed' &hispered Toni I% &as &ha% she had s"spe.%edK and *e% her &hole &orld &as s%ill ro.)e%ing and reeling &i%h %he reali2a%ion %ha%' in %he e1en%' her o&n par% in %he pas% had no% (een %he de.iding $a.%or The di1or.e pro.eedings had ne1er (een $"ll* dropped I% &as eas* eno"gh $or %he la&*er %o pro.eed 7ons%an.ia .o"ld ha1e $o"gh% i%' o$ .o"rse' (e.a"se o$ m* one0 lapse 5"% "nder %he .ir."ms%an.esN/He pa"sed and &en% on so$%l*' I%#s all done' darling' $inished 7ons%an.ia is o"% o$ m* li$e no& / $ore1er

Oh' L"isN/ Tears s%ar%ed %o Toni#s e*es and shimmered on her lashes / %he %ears she had (een "na(le %o shed $or %hese pas% $e& mon%hs' e,.ep% in her hear% I hope *o"#re no% a(o"% %o %ell me *o" don#% appro1e o$ di1or.e' he said &i%h a re%"rn o$ %he old sardoni. dr*ness She did no%' in man* .ases 5"% $or L"is / L"is' &ho had s"$$ered a p"rga%or* o$ man* *earsK L"is' &ho had li1ed %hro"gh in$ideli%ies $a.ed (* $e& h"s(andsK L"is' &hose marriage .o"ld ne1er ha1e s"..eeded / $or L"is %here sho"ld (e a se.ond .han.e I#m a $ree man no&' An%onia' and I ha1e (een $or se1eral &ee)s A smile &armed his e*es' %"rning %hem as deep and ri.h as so$% (la.) 1el1e% I$ I hadn#% &as%ed so m".h %ime loo)ing $or *o" in SpainN !o" &en% %o Spain3 she as)ed' her %hroa% s"ddenl* dr* again He nodded' possessing her &i%h his ga2e ("% no% *e% &i%h his hands And me% *o"r paren%s' he said Oh' L"is / Do *o" ha1e an* idea ho& hard i% is %o $ind people &hen *o" don#% )no& %heir las% name3 I$ *o" re.all' *o" had %old me %he general area &here %he* li1e' ("% 1er* li%%le more / and *o" had .er%ainl* ne1er men%ioned *o"r maiden name I )no.)ed on a lo% o$ doors !o"#d (e s"rprised ho& man* e,pa%ria%e Ameri.ans li1e in %ha% par% o$ %he &orld Toni &as s%ill s%aring "p a% him' %ears o$ happiness shimmering on her lashes' &hen he &en% on so$%l*' I appro1e o$ %hem' al%ho"gh I#m no% s"re %he* re%"rn %he sen%imen% &holehear%edl* 5"% %he* do ha1e *o"r happiness a% hear% The* )no& *o"#1e earned some 4o* a$%er %he di$$i."l% *ears *o"#1e had' and so %he* ga1e me %heir (lessing / along &i%h *o"r address in Ne& !or) I#d (e %here righ% no&' loo)ing $or *o"' i$ I hadn#% promised 5ra2 and Ana %o $ill in here $or a &hile Me" De"s' &hen I dis.o1ered *o"r old $ilm .re& had (een l*ing a(o"% *o"r &herea(o"%s I .o"ld ha1e %hro%%led %hem I$ *o"r paren%s hadn#% relen%ed0 &ell' I &o"ld ha1e $o"nd *o"r %&o $ormer $riends and .ho)ed %he %r"%h o"% o$ %hem someho& La"gh%er ("((led %hro"gh Toni#s %ears o$ happiness T* and 5arne* &o"ld ne1er ha1e %old *o" The* %ho"gh% *o" &ere a .ad o$ %he &ors% sor% And do *o" %hin) %ha%' %oo3 he as)ed h"s)il*' p"lling her %o her $ee% !o" did on.e !o" .alled me a madman And perhaps a% %he %ime I &as Her so"l and her lo1e %rem(led in her e*es I didn#% %hin) %ha% in m* hear%' L"is Ne1er in m* hear%

The $ires %ha% had (een so &ell (an)ed no& re)indled in L"is#s e*es An emo%ion %ha% &as desire ("% $ar more %han desire &or)ed a.ross %he planes and angles o$ his $a.e' so$%ening %he mo"%h %o a sens"al lo1ing line Then perhaps I .an hope $or %he righ% ans&er' he m"rm"red smo)il* No& don#% *o" &ish &e &ere in a less p"(li. pla.e3 When I propose' I &an% %o do i% &here &e .an#% (e in%err"p%ed

!ES' L6IS0*es' *es' *es' she &hispered no% so man* min"%es la%er' in %he pri1a.* o$ %he ("ngalo& L"is' impor%"na%e %o )no& her ans&er' had "rged %he -"es%ion "pon her as soon as %he* .losed %he door (ehind %hem' sh"%%ing o"% %he res% o$ %he &orld He had %a)en her in his arms (e$ore he as)ed No& %he lips %ha% had o.."pied so man* o$ Toni#s (i%%ers&ee% dreams des.ended %o seal %he pa.% There &as a $ier.eness and a %enderness in %ha% )iss' a mee%ing no% onl* o$ mo"%hs ("% o$ hear%s Their lips so"gh% ea.h o%her &i%h a h"nger (orn o$ %he mon%hs apar%' %as%ing %he deep head* %as%es o$ lo1e e1en as %heir hands %ra1eled in an "rgen% redis.o1er* o$ i%s %e,%"res The* dro&ned in %ha% )iss / deepl*' &holl*' e,-"isi%el* Desire s&i$%l* (e.ame a $lood %ide o$ need' in1ading %he ha"n%s o$ passion in his (od* and in hers I$ L"is had no% (ro)en apar% (e$ore %he* rea.hed %he da*(ed' Toni &o"ld .er%ainl* no% ha1e done so P"lling a(r"p%l* a&a*' he p"% se1eral $ee% (e%&een %hem Da2ed and disappoin%ed' Toni loo)ed a% him &i%ho"% "nders%anding Wha% had (een happening seemed so na%"ral' so righ%' so $ree o$ g"il% / %&o par%s o$ a &hole 4oining onl* %o remain 4oined (* s%ronger (onds $or all e%erni%* L"is had s%opped And *e% his hands s%ill shoo) &i%h s%rong passion held in .he.)K his e*es s%ill h"ngeredK and %here &as no 1isi(le lessening o$ %he po&er$"l need %ha% had $lamed in%o li$e in %hose momen%s &hen %he* had s%ood so .losel* .lasped %o ea.h o%her I ha1e %o pro1e %o *o" %ha% I .an (e less %han a madman &hen 8 )no& %here#s a li$e%ime o$ sani%* ahead I &an% %o p"% no more s%rains on *o"r s.r"ples' An%onia I$ *o"#d pre$er %o &ai%' I .an (e0 pa%ien% A% %hose &ord^' spo)en in a 1oi.e .ho)ed &i%h e$$or%' Toni#s (rie$ disappoin%men% e1apora%ed Emo%ion she had %ho"gh% .o"ld rise no higher &elled higher s%ill Tha% L"is' despi%e his impera%i1e needs' lo1ed her eno"gh %o p"% aside %he $r"s%ra%ions o$ %hese pas% mon%hs@ i% sen% her hear% spilling shamelessl* in%o her e*es There &as no lo1e s%one no& %o sa* &ha% she &an%ed %o sa* And so she .losed %he

spa.e (e%&een %hem and s%ar%ed %o "n("%%on his shir% L"is' darling' she m"rm"red as she slid her $ingers %hro"gh %he opening %o .aress %he &arm $irm $lesh &here %he s%one had on.e res%ed' *o" don#% ha1e %o (e pa%ien% &i%h me