Chapter 4: Down Stream

Michael stepped from the plane and put out his hand for Fi. Though she would never say it, she frequently still liked a man being a man and a woman being a woman. She smiled and patted his bottom as she exited. The airport was remote but remarkably well maintained with thick dense vegetation surrounding it.

"I have never been to Bolivia before." She said stepping out into the sun,

"Actually Fi, Puerto Maldonado is in Peru. We are close to the Bolivian border. It is just down river. We will be in Riberalta by sun down."

"As long as the Hotel has a shower." Wiping the sweat from her neck as she lifted her long hair from her shoulders. "I will be happy."

Michael felt the drip of sweat down his own back and swatted a mosquito from his arm.

"For once I agree with Fi, Mike. I hope we can wrap this up quickly." Sam added as he climbed from the rear of the plane while grabbing his duffle bag. "South America is not my favorite place."

"Me too." Mike added

"ASAP, that is my moto when dealing with South America. Now how are we getting to Riberalta?" Sam asked.

"Jesse said a car would pick us up and take us to the river. That is the easiest way to travel here."

Before he was done speaking, a car arrived.

"I should book more trips with your travel agent Michael. They seem to have their times right."

Michael smiled at Fi as he watched her walk to the car.

The car took them to the Madre de Dios River. A wide river of brown water from the Amazon Basin. When they arrived, they met Juan, a young man with light brown skin, dark eyes and thin features. He ran the boat they would take down the river to their destination.

The boat was old and was in need of a paint job, but it seemed sturdy enough as the group boarded with their equipment. Juan was their affable boat captain that seemed to watch every move they made. It could have been pure curiosity, but they would not take any chances. Since a sun baked canvas cover gave them their only relief from the scorching sun in the tropical heat there would not be anywhere to hide.

Michael checked the bags before they were under way. He wanted to make sure all was loaded before they pushed off from the land. When he found it to be in good order he divided the things he and Fi would keep and the things Sam would take with him. When they arrived, they would be separate entities. Sam's cover would be a biologist on the hunt for a new tropical species supposedly reported in the area they were traveling to. Fi and Mike would just be a couple, hiking on a trip. Looking for a little adventure. Satellite phones would keep them dialed into Jesse and to each other. Splitting up would allow them to cover more of an area and allow for fewer prying eyes and less questions

It took several hours for the rickety boat to cover the distance and pass into the Beni River. Same Sam had them stop several times to take water and soil samples as part of his cover while Mike rolled his eyes. Fi took full advantage and pulled Mike from the boat each time. They would hike a hundred yards into the thickness of the forest. They had to make it look good.

Michael had discussed the cover before the operation. They were all in agreement. The plane would drop them far from their destination. They would make their way there strengthening whatever cover they could before arriving. After all river boat captains in this part of the world were known for their information. If there was trouble, they would return to where they came from to meet up, or get out if they could.

Riberalta was bigger than Puerto Maldonado, though it was a similar setting of simple homes, some business and a row of boats that looked oddly the same as Juan's. Here there was a church, an official looking building and several cafes that served local food as well as a few simple inns and a hotel.

"You see me if you want to go back." Juan said in broken English to his passengers as they unloaded.

Fi smiled at the handsome young face. "Si, no problema."

Juan smiled back.

Sam took a taxi to his hotel, the Mayan Hotel. A local spot with friendly people and a relaxed atmosphere. The bar down stairs rounded it out for Sam.

Fi and Michael took a taxi t their hotel. The Colonial was an upscale resort hotel which included a luxury pool with comfortable lounges and AC and private baths in each room. For the middle of the Amazon, this was luxury

Fi immediately changed into a bikini, kissed Michael on the lips and was headed out the door while he was still trying to unpack.

"Where are you going?" He asked.

"Michael, we are supposed to blend in and look like tourists. How am I supposed to do that up here?"

"Fi " Michael said, almost condemning her.

"Michael, how is a girl to have fun in the Amazon stuck in this room. I will meet many more people down at the pool. You do know you could get changed and join me instead of being an old fuddy duddy."

"Did you call me a fuddy duddy?" he said with a smirk, already knowing he would lose the battle.

"I did, and you are." She said opening the door and leaving.

Mike stood with his hands on his hips and took a large sigh. He knew her well. Today would be no exception. Quickly he removed the two Barettas from his pack and the pieces for the rifle that had been divided between two packs. He found some floor boards that were loose and with a little pressure they released allowing enough space below them to store the weapons. A throw rug over the top hid the boards. Looking around he staged the room. Hiking equipment everywhere. Passports of a young couple in the front pocket. Now they looked like tourists.

Michael grabbing his swim suit and heading for the door. If someone was interested they would find the basics.