Blue Gold (NUMA Files 2)

Gamay stood and extended her hand in greeting. The woman looked at her in surprise, and, after a moment’s hesitation, she took the proffered hand.

“Nice to meet you, Tessa. My name is Gamay, and this is my husband, Paul.”

The fleeting ghost of a smile crossed Tessa’s dusky face. Sensing that Dieter would make Tessa pay for it later if she pushed too far, Gamay nodded and sat down. Tessa stepped back to where she had been standing.

Dieter covered his annoyance with a meaty smile. “Now that I have answered your questions . . . the purpose of your arduous trip?”

Paul leaned forward onto the table and looked up over the top of his nonexistent glasses. “The body of an Indian came ashore upriver in a dugout canoe.”

Dieter spread his hands. “The rain forest can be dangerous, and its inhabi

tants are only one generation removed from savagery. A dead Indian is not unusual, I am sorry to say.”

“This one was,” Paul replied. “He was shot.”

“Shot?”

“There’s more. He was a Chulo.”

“That is serious,” Dieter said with a shake of his jowls. “Anything to do with the ghost-spirits means trouble.”

“Dr. Ramirez mentioned that the tribe is led by a woman,” Gamay said.

“Ah, you’ve heard the legends. Very colorful, yes? Of course I have heard of this mythical goddess-chief, but I have never had the pleasure of meeting her.”

Gamay asked, “Have you ever run into members of the tribe?”

“I have no firsthand knowledge of them, but there are the stories . . . ”

“What kind of stories, Mr. von Hoffman?”

“The Chulo are said to live beyond the Hand of God. That’s what the natives call the Great Falls some distance from here. They say the five cascading waterfalls resemble giant fingers. Natives who have gone too close to the falls have disappeared.”

“You said the forest was dangerous.”

“Yes, they could have been mauled by some animal or bitten by a poisonous snake. Or simply become lost.”

“How about nonnatives?”

“From time to time men come this way to seek their fortune. I have given them what poor hospitality I could, shared my knowledge of my surroundings, and, most important, warned them to stay away from Chulo territory.” He made a washing motion with his hands. “Three expeditions ignored my cautions, and three have vanished without a trace. I notified the authorities, of course, but they know the impossibility of finding someone once the trees have swallowed them up.”

“Were any of those groups looking for plants that could be useful as pharmaceuticals?” Paul said.

“They came looking for medicine, for rubber, timber, treasure, and lost cities, for all I know. Few who pass this way share their secrets. I don’t ask questions.”

While Dieter rambled on, Tessa had silently raised her hand and pointed toward the sky. He finally noticed the strange gesture and the Trouts’ quizzical expressions. His face went rock hard, then the unctuous smile reappeared.

“As you can see, Tessa was most impressed by a group that passed this way not long ago in search of specimens. They employed a miniature zeppelin to move above the tree canopy. The natives were very much in awe of the machine, and so was I, I must admit.”

“Who were these people?” Gamay asked.

“I know only that they represented a French firm. You know how close-mouthed the French can be.”

“What happened to them?”

“I haven’t the slightest idea. I heard they moved on. Maybe they were captured and eaten by the Chulo.” He laughed heartily at the prospect. “Which brings me back to the purpose of your visit. I thank you very much for warning me, but now that you know the dangers that lurk here, I trust you will go back to Dr. Ramirez with my appreciation.”

Gamay looked at the lowering afternoon sun. She and Paul knew that in the tropics the sun drops with the swiftness of a guillotine blade.