CHAPTER 103
By late afternoon Mr. Ludlow's pilot was descending onto the helipad after having delivered Dr. Wu to Isla Nublar. The chopper had barely touched down before it was lifting off again.
It was no surprise to Dr. Conners that Mr. Ludlow had made such a hasty exit. As he watched the aircraft depart for Costa Rica he said to Ms. Murdock, "What are the odds we'll see that chopper I requested?"
"Remote," she answered as she opened the door to the armory.
As they entered Hector and Humberto followed behind. Ms. Murdock wanted to have more ammunition and weapons prepared for the approaching evening as a precaution. Though she had reported to Mr. Ludlow that the operations compound was secure she didn't trust its integrity any more than Dr. Conners.
Dr. Conners nodded and sighed, "that was my impression."
Joan stopped near a gun rack. "Doctor, you and I have been on this project longer than most. I'm no fool to some of the more subtle politics that go on within the corporation."
Dr. Conners wasn't sure what she was getting at as he raised an eyebrow.
Ms. Murdock continued. "I may be able to help expedite a departure for anyone whose ready to get off this island."
"How?"
"Hector knows a guy."
Dr. Conners turned to Hector who was loading rounds into a shotgun.
Hector nodded. "Si. Mi primo."
Beside him, Humberto was tipping his head earnestly in agreement. He was still hiding behind his baseball cap and sunglasses which left his mouth as the only viable form of facial expression to be read. As he perpetually kept his lips in a thin straight line that was far from a smile and not quite a frown Dr. Conners had only the head tilt to go off of.
"What kind of a guy?" Dr. Conners felt a compelling force to inquire more.
Joan said, "this isn't one of those situations where you want to ask too many questions. Do you want Hector to make a call or not?"
"I don't know. Do I?"
"Yes or no, Dr. Conners. It's very simple. Do you want to get your daughter off this island or not?"
"Sure." Dr. Conners didn't know if he should be thankful or not. The whole thing sounded very under the table to him.
"That's a yes?"
"Yes, Joan. I want to get my daughter off of this island."
Humberto was now dipping his chin as though a very good decision had just been made.
Hector nodded. "Trust me, Amigo."