Jean-Marie Blas De Robles - Where Tigers Are at Home

“Crocodiles!” Mauro exclaimed, suddenly angry. “The bastards! And no one comes to check up on this illegal trade?”

“Not really, no. They’re real professionals. They were parachuted in two or three years ago and cleared a portion of the jungle, enough to make a landing strip for their Piper, then they set about their dirty work. It you must know, they hunt with Kalashnikovs. Since several boats, including one from the customs, came under fire from heavy machine guns, no one comes up here. No honest people, anyway. And as they grease the palms of certain local officials, it’s not going to change in the near future …”

“It’s unbelievable! Unbelievable … I can’t get over it,” said Milton, stunned. “And you brought us here! How did you find out about all this?”

Dietlev hesitated for a fraction of a second before replying, just long enough for Mauro to realize he wasn’t telling the whole truth.

“From Petersen, of course. He knew we were going to a zone they control; the landscape changes very quickly around here and it’s practically impossible to find a precise spot from one week to the next. As I’m the one who hired him, he warned me he might have to pick up some parcels around here …”

“At least you could have warned us.”

“I didn’t realize they would give us such a noisy welcome. There was no reason to be afraid, and there still isn’t. As soon as Petersen gets back, we’ll be on our way as if nothing had happened. It’s not our job to uphold the law out here, is it? So we’ll just calm down and wait, without pointless recriminations.” Then, with a pleasant smile, he added, “Fix us a drink, I’m going to go and see how Yurupig’s getting on.”

“Just a moment,” said Elaine in a strange voice. “What’s that thing supposed to mean?”

All eyes turned in the direction she was pointing: a hundred yards behind the boat, where the banks made a bottleneck, a tree trunk had been thrown across the river. Pregnant with silent threat, its inexplicable presence meant there was no way back down the river.

YURUPIG HAVING NO need of anyone with him at the helm, they went down to the saloon to establish their position. First of all Dietlev showed them where they were on the satellite maps he had brought: “I’ve been checking our position as we’ve proceeded. That’s where the river narrows and that white patch there, a little to the northeast, is probably their landing strip. We can’t be more than three days away from our destination. OK, let’s summarize the situation: Petersen’s been gone more than an hour and there’s no way of turning back — which is somewhat disturbing, I agree, even if it’s probably no more than a simple protective measure—”

“A simple protective measure?!” Milton broke in, close to hysteria. “Are you joking? We’re trapped and all you can say is: ‘a simple protective measure!’ ”

Dietlev made an effort to remain calm. “Just think about it, Milton. They know it’s Petersen’s boat, but they don’t know who’s on board. They must know what type of person they’re dealing with; just imagine if Herman double-crossed them, if the authorities made it worth his while to bring the police up here, or even the army. What would you do in their place? These guys are well organized, their survival depends on it.”

“And if Herman doesn’t come back?” Elaine asked calmly.

“He will come back. Or, at the worst, they’ll come. Whatever, there’s nothing we can do, so there’s no point in making ourselves scared stiff while we wait. Tomorrow we’ll all be laughing at the whole business.”

“We’re at their mercy,” Milton said, “and you couldn’t give a damn. Well I do. It’s all your fault and I can assure you, Dietlev, as soon as we get back you’re really in for it. I’ll have you thrown out of the university.”

“Good! Now you’re thinking about what to do when we get back, which proves you’re not entirely stupid. As for changing university, I didn’t wait for you to consider that: I’ve been offered a chair at Tübingen and another at Harvard. I’m spoiled for choice … And I’m ready to do anything not to have to see your ugly mug anymore.”

“Dietlev, please!” said Elaine, worried by the turn the discussion was taking.

“I know, I know,” he said, grinding his teeth, “but he’s really starting to get on my nerves.”

“I can tell you, all this will be reported. The rector is one of my closest friends and I’m sure that—”

At this Dietlev exploded. “That what?” he asked, grabbing Milton by the collar. “You’re sure that what? One more word, just one, and I’ll smash your face in.”

Milton’s glasses misted over with fright and he restricted himself to several “Oh my goodness”es like a shocked old maid. With a contemptuous push, Dietlev sent him tumbling onto a bench.

“I’m going out for some fresh air,” he said to Elaine with a reassuring wink. “Don’t worry about me, I’ve wanted to tell that stupid ass what I think about him for ages.”

“I’m coming with you. You’re right, it is rather stuffy in here.”

“Did you see that?” Milton said, turning to Mauro. “You’re a witness. That foul fellow laid hands on me, he insulted me.”

Mauro slowly adjusted the headphones of his Walkman over his ears. “I saw him calm you down, showing great tact, I have to say, after you had a hysterical fit unworthy of a university professor, but I didn’t hear much, apart from your threats. My Walkman, you know …”

“You as well! You’re on their side. Let me tell you, my young friend, you will never—”

Elaine put her head into the gangway. “I don’t know if you’re interested,” she said to Milton, “but Petersen’s just getting into the Zodiac. So leave the lad in peace and come and make up with Dietlev. It seems you need to apologize to him.”

When Milton came up on deck, Herman was still on the bank together with a group of three men. Dietlev was observing them through his binoculars.

“It looks as if there’s some problem,” he said, not taking his eyes off them, “they all look pretty excited …”

Elaine knew him, he would never have feigned such unconcern if he hadn’t been genuinely worried. For the first time since they’d left Corumba, she suddenly felt afraid.

“A problem, what problem?” Milton asked, whining already. “I knew, I just knew things would go wrong.”

“Oh shut up, for God’s sake,” Dietlev barked, still glued to his binoculars. “Ah, that’s it, he’s getting in the boat. Or rather, they’re getting in the boat. Petersen’s not alone, there’s one of the guys with him.”

He turned to face Milton. “Armed,” he said tonelessly, looking him straight in the eye. “Right, everyone stay calm, it’s not the moment to screw things up.”

“JUST GIVE ME a couple of minutes,” Herman begged as soon as he was on board, “then I’ll explain everything. Don’t worry, it’s OK. Just a little hitch …” He was sweating and seemed concerned despite the alcohol he’d obviously been drinking.

The man with him was a real brute, the kind you sometimes see on American motorcycles: mustache, stubble, greasy hair, a bandanna around his forehead, he seemed perfectly at ease in his ragged fatigues. Dietlev observed the belt with compartments he wore slung over his shoulder. Automatic rifle over his stomach, he sized them up one by one with a satisfied look, as if he’d ascertained Herman hadn’t lied to him. Subjecting Elaine to a longer scrutiny, he gave a knowing smile revealing an impeccable set of carnivore’s teeth. “ Puta madre! ” he said in a hoarse voice, automatically touching his testicles.

Humiliated, Elaine looked away toward the river.