Hello all. Sorry to delay the story, but have been under the weather and also traveling a bit. I will be updating more regularly and hope there are still some of you following along! Hope to hear from you.
-Carly
-12-
Manaus, Brazil
9:48AM Novotel Hotel.
"Bom Dia, jovem senhora." The voice boomed as Maddie walked into the main living area of the connecting suite.
Maddie looked up upon the imposing figure of Marcos, who was smiling down at her kindly as he noticed her surprised look. She grinned sheepishly, remembering that Marcos was supposed to be there and was serving as their protector. "Oh, hello. I am not sure what you said, but…."
Marcos nodded, remembering once again that his new clients were not fluent in Portuguese. He cleared his throat. "Forgive me. I was saying good morning young lady. Is your friend still asleep?" he asked looking over her shoulder towards the door.
Maddie smiled and nodded to him. "Yeah, she is still sleeping."
Marcos stepped forward and somewhat to Maddie's surprise cracked the bedroom door open just far enough to peek inside. Marcos quickly confirmed that Jaime was in bed asleep and quickly closed the door. He smiled down at Maddie "Forgive the intrusion, but senor Chet was quite explicit that I make sure you both stay within my sight."
Maddie gave an audible grunt as the pair walked back into the main living area. She walked over to a kitchenette and discovered a pitcher of juice and proceeded to pour herself a glass. She glanced around the room and noted that no one else was present. She offered a concerned glance at Marcos "And did my dad go out…somewhere?"
Marcos nodded affirmatively. "Yes, senor Chet and both his associates have gone out with Antonio to make arrangements for your plane to be repaired. They are also starting to make inquires if anyone has seen your mother."
Maddie walked over to the large window and looked out upon a view of a rather large city. It was a good deal larger than she had anticipated. "Wow, this is a big place, isn't it."
Marcos smiled and nodded as he walked over beside her. "Yes, senhora. Manaus has over two million people living in the city. It is the largest city in all of the Amazonia region."
The youth nodded soberly as she realized that finding her mother in such a large city may be quite difficult. "Yes, it looks quite big. I would think it may be hard for them to find a clue about where mom is."
Marcos rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "This is true, senhora. But your mother, much like yourself, is quite noticeable."
Maddie looked up at him somewhat confused. "I am not sure what you mean."
Marcos smiled and offered a hearty laugh, pointing to her. "Look in the mirror, senhora. What I mean is that a woman as your mother, and you, are not like most mulheres who live here."
"Mulheres?" Maddie asked with a confused look.
Marcos held out a hand. "Sorry, senhora, I meant to say women."
"Oh, right." Maddie said with an embarassed look, taking another drink then looked up to him. "So, are you the elected babysitter?"
Marcos offered a humble smile and nodded. "It is my honor, senhora. But what I meant to say is that your looks and hair color are not very common in Brazil."
"Yeah, guess there aren't many blondes around here." Maddie grunted and turned back to face her host. "So, what do we do while dad is taking care of those things?"
"You can do most anything which is safe, senhora. As long as I am to be with you."
Maddie nodded, somewhat allayed by the limitations that her father no doubt implemented. While her host seemed pleasant enough, Maddie was more saddened that she was not part of her father's and the Hardy's investigation. "So, what is there to do in this place?"
Marcos gave a grin and gestured to the room service menu. "Well, senhora, there is always breakfast. And later there is a very large pool downstairs."
Maddie could tell that 'Most anything which is safe.' had its limits. Marcos had not offered to take them to any place other than the hotel property, which she assumed was possibly at the urging of her father. She realized that the situation could have been much different. Had they had their passports, or if the plane didn't need servicing, she and Jaime would likely be on their way home already. She shrugged and offered Marcos a half smile. "Well, Marcos, I guess I will wake Jaime and we can eat and swim. Beats going home."
The four men sat in a small coffee shop. The Hardy's and Chet had noticed how small businesses were for such a large city. There were many hole-in-the-wall shops and eateries that could barely accommodate a handful of tables and a small preparation area.
Frank sipped on his espresso as he watched across the table with amusement at Chet who had a phone drawn close to his ear. His chum was undoubtedly failing at overcoming the language barrier.
Chet rolled his eyes with aggravation. "This is senor Mortono…" he said and stressed the last syllable.
Joe slapped his forehead and suppressed a laugh. "Chet, its Portuguese, not Italian!" He snorted and gestured to their guide, Antonio. "You want to talk to the mechanic and translate? Chet isn't breaking through the language barrier I'm afraid."
Antonio smiled broadly and nodded, gesturing to Chet. "Senhor Chet, please allow me to speak to them for you."
Chet was at the point where he was holding the phone a few inches away from his ear and looked bewildered at the language coming through the earpiece. He readily nodded and offered the phone to Antonio. "Please."
Antonio took the phone and started speaking in Portuguese.
Chet shook his head briefly and took a drink of his coffee. "I'm for sure lost with this language, guys. Couldn't understand a word he said."
"Antonio will get it sorted out for you, pal." Frank assured his friend. Chet unfolded one of the photocopies of Callie's picture that he had been showing around Manaus that morning. His empty expression as he looked at the photo told his friend that he was quite distressed. Frank looked down at the image and found himself swallowing hard as the emotion swelled. He touched his friend's arm and offered him a reassuring expression. "We are going to find her." Frank was as determined as Chet. He couldn't allow for this to be the end for the woman he once loved so much.
"Yeah." Chet managed to rasp.
The two chums transfixed gaze upon the photo was only broken when Antonio set the phone down in front of Chet. "Senhor Chet?" he repeated.
Chet blinked a few times and finally looked up at their guide. "Uh, yeah. Sorry about that. What did they tell you?"
Antonio gave a sobering expression. "I'm afraid the news is not good, Senhor Chet. The mecanico say they do not have the parts needed to repair the plane. They do not usually service this model of plane and must order parts."
"Did they give an estimation of time it would take?" Frank asked.
Antonio nodded. "Yes, senhor Hardy. They say it may take maybe 10 days or more. Then two more to put the parts into the plane."
"Damn, at least two weeks." Chet cursed. "That is a long time! What do we do with the girls?"
"I don't think there is much choice, pal." Joe reasoned. "Since they are in the country illegally it's not as if we can use any traditional means of conveying them from here."
"Yeah." Chet grunted, irritated with himself that he had gotten his daughter and her friend into such a situation to begin with. He glanced back over at Antonio. "Antonio, did you get any feedback yet from your associates that you have been sending Callie's picture to?"
Their guide took his phone out and looked down at the screen thoughtfully for several moments. "I have supplied your wife's photo to many people, senhor Chet. Many people who work throughout Manaus. With some luck, we may have some information later today. I think we should go back to the airport and work on showing not only a photo of your wife, but the plane she was brought here in." He glanced over to Frank. "Senhor Hardy, you say you have a photo of the place from your own airport's security cameras?"
Frank nodded and took out his phone. "Yes, Antonio. This is a good idea."
"Assuming they landed in Manaus, of course." Joe countered.
"Well, yes." His brother admitted. "But it seems a logical place to start."
"Agreed." Joe admitted then looked to Antonio. "Let's go back to the airport as you suggested, Antonio."
Their guided nodded. "Right away!"
The late morning sun shone through the barred single window on the opposite side of the room. The divided beams swept over Callie's face. She had been kept up late the night before.
Not by her own choice.
While her captor had not sought sexual favors of her, he had exacted some pent-up revenge he had for her. She was taunted and beaten for several hours. Callie knew it was coming as she sat there near the pool facing him. His feigned courtesy had thinned as the evening wore on.
Callie's senses slowly rose to semi consciousness. But it hadn't been the sunlight that had awaken her. There were speakers positioned not only in her small chamber, but in the long stone hallway which led to her prison. While the door was made of steel, it had a barred window and sound from the hallway was easily heard.
Music had recently started playing. With an eerie echo reverberating against the stone walls. Her eyes flickered open as she recognized the music.
Sarah McLachlan's song, Answer.
Cast me gently into morning
For the night has been unkind…
Callie swallowed hard as tears welled. She wondered if it had been mere coincidence that the music playing should be one of her favorite artists. It was doubtful. Reese had obviously done his homework and knew quite a lot about her and her family. The music was doing exactly what it was meant to. She couldn't keep herself from choking up further and weeping as she listened. She knew she had to remain strong and make it through this. Chet and the Hardy's were going to find her and get her out. She hoped….
If it takes my whole life, I won't break, I won't bend
It'll all be worth it, worth it in the end
'Cause I can only tell you what I know
That I need you in my life
When the stars have all gone out
You'll still be burning so bright