-15-

Jaime sat upon the bed with her knee drawn up as she applied nail polish to her toes. She looked across their king-sized bed to her companion who was sitting peevishly looked at the closed door of their room. The pair had been told to go to their room when Maddie's dad and the Hardy's returned. Jaime blew down on her wet nails then smirked. "You must think they are talking about something juicy in there if they didn't want us in the room."

Maddie shot her a glance and raised her brows. "Don't you think so? They booted us out pretty quick. I wonder what they discovered today?"

"Hard to say. Maybe nothing. It is a pretty big city, girl."

Maddie shook her head. "It's big, but I think they found something. Even Marcos said that someone like mom and me would stick out in this country."

Jaime gave a passive shrug then looked up. "Well, considering your uncle Frank told me that he sent word for the police to let my parents know what I did, I am pretty much good with being in this room. I am sure my mom is going off the deep end about now."

Maddie gave it some thought and sighed as she adjusted her pillow and slouched back. "Maybe you're right. If I had been sent back to Aunt Iola, she would probably have me chained up by now. And that would only be after she gave me a 7 hour lecture about how careless of me it was to hitch a ride in the closet of a plane to South America."

"She would probably have a point." Jaime sighed. "Same as my mom ripping on me for doing it."

"Guess we are just a couple of irresponsible teens." Maddie smirked. "I still wish I knew what they were saying in there."

"I'm sure they will tell us when the time comes. It's not like they can send us back for at least a couple weeks. So anywhere they go, we will go."

Jaime's reasoning seemed to make sense to Maddie and made her feel a little better knowing that whatever plan her dad was cooking up, she would be involved. "That's true. But I still wish I knew what they were saying. I am so worried about mom." She grunted. "I need a distraction."

"Oh?" Jaime's eyebrows perked.

Maddie closed her eyes a moment and shook her head. "Sorry, girl. Didn't mean that kind of distraction. I doubt I could focus on that."

Jaime scooted over closer to her friend and gently stroked Maddie's exposed leg and looked up at her friend "Oh, I see. You wear that bikini in front of me all afternoon and I can't get distracted. Hardly seems fair."

Maddie giggled as Jaime continued to rub her leg. "Hmm, and you didn't distract me when you were rubbing coconut oil all over your chest every half an hour."

"Well, that was kind of the intention." She sighed, then smiled kindly up at her friend. "But I will be a good girl." She pulled out the nail polish and began to pull Maddie's foot towards her. "At least I can play with your cute feet while you worry."

Maddie smiled briefly, flashing her big deep blue eyes down at her. Worried, perhaps, that there would come a time when she and Jaime would revisit the intimacy they had shared when they were captives. Despite her maturity, both physical and intellectual, she had been placed in a position of vulnerability. Maddie herself, all too aware of it.

She would have choices to make…sooner than later.

Chet and the Hardy's sat on the sofa in the main room of their suite pensively. They listened to Marcos and Antonio in the adjoining room conversing on their phones. None of the three understood the Portuguese language. Other than the occasional mention of the town of Anama, they were unable to follow the conversations.

Joe had been looking down at his phone intently. He had been doing research on the small area known as Anama. After some lengthy reading he finally looked up.

"Find out anything interesting?" Frank asked hoping to find out something about this city that the kidnappers set as a possible destination.

Joe tilted his head then sighed. "Not really. Looks like a fairly poor area that is settled along the Amazon River. Maybe fifteen thousand inhabitants…."

Before he could expound further, Marcos and Antonio walked back in. All attention upon then as they joined the group. "So, what have you found out?" Frank asked with urgency.

Antonio took a drink from his water bottle and sat back. "Well, Senhor Frank, we did not determine with any certainty that anyone from the plane went on the ferry. This is not to say they didn't."

"It is quite impossible to know." Marcos injected. "We do not have very good camera systems here. So, the ferry at Manaus has no monitoring by way of video."

"So, we cannot prove they definitely took this ferry." Chet said with a shrug. "It doesn't mean they didn't get on it. I think it is still worth pursuing."

Antonio nodded as he well understood Chet's state of duress and the need to recover his wife. "We understand, Senhor Chet. And I must say that I agree with you. If someone was going to take a kidnapped person down the river, I would say Anama would be a good choice."

"What makes you think so?" Joe asked, curious as to their guide's reasoning.

"Well, Senhor Joe, Anama is one of the last places down river that offers good supplies and other things. It also has a reputation as a kind of lawless place."

"Senhora Callie may not be in Anama, but it is a very good place to get supplies if you live further into the jungle." Marcos clarified. "It is quite possible that this Reese person likely has a place to live further south. And Anama has many merchants who cater to those who pay well. No questions asked."

Chet sat back and gave a grunt. "So, Resse gets his groceries from places that do not ask questions."

Marcos returned a cautious chuckle. "Not just groceries, Senhor Chet. Perhaps things such as weapons, ammunitions, drugs."

"What do you know about the police in the area?" Frank asked, hoping to determine the level of law enforcement.

Antonio shook his head. "Sem policia, Senhor Frank. Any policia would not be the kind to do much of anything about a kidnapper."

Marcos quickly nodded. "Acordado. A polícia seria bem subornada." He slapped his forehead briefly and smiled apologetically. "So sorry, amigos. I mean that police would very well be bribed and only good to serve the criminal elements in place like Anama."

Joe gave a wry grin and nodded. "I understand. Don't bother dropping in at the local precinct and expecting professional courtesy."

Antonio shook his head. "It would be unwise to do that, Senhor. I know you want to go there. We will, of course take you. But you do need to remember what I said before. Maybe this Reese is hoping you will come there."

Frank took a deep breath and then patted his Brazilian companion on the shoulder. "Antonio, my friend, it would not be the first time that the person we sought had sent us an invitation."

Antonio nodded and smiled. "We know your reputation, Senhor. It is well known, and we are very much honored to be assisting the famous Hardy detectives. We will do anything we can to help get Senhora Callie back safely."

The Hardys and Chet nodded gratefully. Marcos looked at his companion with a worried expression. "o que podemos fazer com as meninas?"

Chet blinked as he couldn't understand. "What did he say, Antonio?"

Antonio took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, then looked at the three Americans. "Marcos was asking about the garotas. Eh, girls that is." Gesturing towards the closed bedroom door.

Chet himself sighed and nodded tensely. "The thought has crossed my mind, Antonio. Honestly, I am not sure what to do. We cannot send them back. And leaving them here poses some definite risk."

Marcos nodded his agreement. "For certain, Senhor Chet. Earlier today when we were down by the pool it was quite obvious that many homens jovens…. excuse me, young men in the area have not before seen such lovely young American garotas."

Chet nodded and gave a wry smile. "I am sure they haven't."

Joe leaned back with a grunt. "Local horn dogs aside, I would be worried about a far more sinister element compromising the girls' safety."

Frank nodded his acknowledgment. "I agree, bro. We can't leave them here. If Reese is in fact laying for us, then he knows we are here. He may be hoping that we do leave the girls here so he can abduct them again. At least if they are with us, we can protect them."

A low tone grumble emanated from their stout chum who sat back uncomfortably, nervously contemplating the idea of the group bringing his teenage daughter on such a mission. Silently his mind searched for some alternative. Frank sat up and placed his hand on his friend's knee, offering him an understanding smile. "Pal, I have been thinking about the many alternatives myself. And honestly, I cannot think of one that leaves them any safer. The fact that they are essentially illegal aliens limits what more conventional governmental safety guards can offer."

"Senhor Frank is correct." Marcos affirmed. "As they are in Brazil illegally, the government would not be very kind to them as they pose a drain on our resources and of course are a security concern."

At these words Chet had to give an amused grunt. "Funny how it works from country to country. If they were illegal aliens in the USA, our government would have already set them up in a hotel and given then some of our tax dollars to boot to go buy pizza and an iPhone." He shook his head in bewilderment. "We apparently could learn a thing or two from the Brazilian government."

Marcos and Antonio exchanged amused looks and nodded. "We do agree with you." Antonio said with a chuckle.

Marcos offered Chet a consoling look of assurance. "Please rest easy, Senhor Chet. We will do everything necessary to take care of the garotas. Just today I stopped at least six men from offering Senhora Maddie their attentions. Many more were looking but did not approach."

Chet nodded uneasily. "Yes, I am sure these men were at full attention as you put it…" He paused as he heard Joe stifle a laugh and cover his face."

"Sorry, man. Just the way you put it." Joe said, attempting not to giggle further.

Chet rolled his eyes and looked back at their two guides. "This is the downside to my daughter looking very much like her mother. She has the ability…despite her age, of attracting men. She is rather endowed as you have likely noticed."

Marcos blinked a few times and shook his head. "I do not understand the word… endowed?"

Antonio gave his partner a sideways glance. "Peitos grandes." He said somewhat uncomfortably.

Marcos took on an embarrassed look and nodded. "Sim muito grande." He looked at Chet. "Yes, I understand. Many homens jovens… young men were looking at Senhora Maddie and Jaime's peitos grande."

Chet nodded uncomfortably and sighed. Joe patted his chum on the back and smiled. "Well, look at the bright side, Chet. You learned a new word today. Peitos. And you also learned that grande can also describe the size of something other than a burrito."

Chet gave his friend a slow nod. "Yes Joe. I may never eat another grande burrito again."

Frank stood up and clapped his pal on the arm. "Buck up, pal. The price of having daughters. Now that we have established that the young ladies in the other room have breasts, perhaps we can devise a plan of action."

Antonio and Marcos, both eager to change the subject readily nodded. "Excellent idea, Senhor Frank. Now I could secure a boat within maybe three hours."

"A boat?" Chet repeated. "Why not just take the same ferry?"

Marcos shook his head. "Not a good idea, Senhor Chet. The town of Anama is partially in water because of rising river. Many local people use boats to get about the area. If we use the ferry, we will just have to hire a boat in Anama."

"We also do not want to advertise our presence any more than we already are." Joe said, agreeing with Marco's suggestion. "If we take the ferry, there may be people who can relay that info to Reese. If he has come down to Brazil not so much in seeking refuge and has some kind of child trafficking operation here, he may well have a full network of informants."

Chet could not argue with this logic and nodded his agreement. "Alright but be sure to get us a safe and reliable craft. I do not relish the idea of being stuck out in the Amazon rain forest in a broken-down boat." He said with a shudder.

Joe placed an arm around his apprehensive chum and smiled. "What's wrong pal? Watch the movie Anaconda a few too many times?"

At this, Marcos let out a laugh and smiled. "Ah, Anaconda! Jennifer Lopez. Bunda Grande!" he said with enthusiasm.

Joe nodded and smiled to Marcos, then looked at Chet. "Two new words today, pal!"

Frank rolled his eyes and rubbed his forehead then looked at Antonio. "We will hopefully get out of the boy's locker room any time now." He urged with a sideways glance to his brother.

Joe quickly ended his bout of laughter and looked back at Frank. "Sorry, bro. Yes, let's work on a plan."

Frank gave a firm nod. "That's better. Now, I agree we must be ever vigilant. We know that Reese escaped West Virginia with a substantial amount of money from the sale of children. So he certainly does not need to be doing it down here to survive."

"True." Chet acknowledged. "But there is likely a chance he is doing it down here for his own amusement and pleasure. As Antonio said earlier, kidnapping here in Brazil is a crime that does not get much attention from law enforcement. So, it is unlikely he has any kind of record or profile as a child abductor here."

Antonio nodded to him soberly. "I am afraid this is true. In many cities the policia are often paid by such criminals to look the other direction. Others have far more pressing things to worry about such as the problems with drug trafficking. Kidnapping is not a big priority."

Frank shook his head. "Apparently the Brazilian government could learn a thing or two from our government about the importance of addressing a kidnapping." He muttered.

"Perhaps." Marcos admitted. "But the US drug problem is more one of trafficking and use. Here in Brazil, we must deal with the manufacturing of massive amounts which then get exported all over the world. When drugs from Brazil reach Mexico and then the USA, I assure you both governments are quick to condemn the Brazilian efforts as being too little. There is much political pressure upon us."

"I see your point." Frank admitted. "You have your own set of problems and must place priority on what makes the biggest impact. I just meant that it seems things such as kidnapping are often accepted by many down here."

"Sadly, this is true." Antonio spoke up. "But as your own country knows you must place your resources where people complain most. I assure you there are many places in Brazil which do not at all condone child taking. It is very much something that police do investigate. On the federal levels as well." He looked down with a sigh. "But, in places like the Amazon region, the importance goes towards the big drug problems."

"Do not forget the timber trade." Marcos spoke up. "There is much money in illegal timber harvesting and sales. Environmental groups are very powerful here and it is quite serious to be taking wood and selling it without proper permits."

"It is almost as lucrative as the drug trade." Antonio confirmed with a nod.

"Seems like all countries have their problems." Chet said soberly. "But we must focus on finding Callie. I want to get to Anama as soon as possible!"

Frank and Joe both knew how important this mission was. Their best friend was doing his best to keep it together. But that could only last so long before the panic set in. And who could really blame him? Callie was in the hands of a monster. And now he had to deal with taking his daughter and Jaime along on what was likely to be a very dangerous hunt to find them.

A moment later Frank's phone went off. He scooped it up off the coffee table and answered. "Hey, Juan. Good to hear from you. Did you take care of things with the Baylor family?" Frank remained silent as he listened for several moments. Joe and Chet could tell that the detective in Bayport was apparently imparting news of great important upon Frank. His expression was quite telling to them. "Are you quite certain the ID is a match?" He looked down with concern as he listened further. He finally took a deep breath and nodded. "Alright, Juan. I appreciate the heads up and please give me a call if you have anything else. Right. Thanks, man." He ended his call and placed the phone back down on the table. He looked over to his friends, and all eyes were upon him.

"Ok, give, bro!" Joe implored.

"Yeah, Frank." Chet prompted. "What gives?"

Frank Hardy took a seat and looked up. "Juan called me back and told me they had a confirmed make on a partial fingerprint found on the car they took Callie in."

"So, we now know who Lila Crane is?" Joe asked, seething at the slow release of information that Frank was using.

Frank nodded. "Yes. Well, the first name is real. But her real name is Lila St. Clair."

Joe and Chet both shook their heads. "Never heard of her." Chet muttered impatiently. "But I know that look of yours, Frank. You know something more."

"Yeah, pal." The elder Hardy brother admitted. "Apparently this Lila St. Clair is former military black ops. A known assassin who started freelancing after she apparently parted ways with our own government. Juan said she has at least fifty kills to her credit. Likely many others that are not on record."

Joe and Chet exchanged worried looks. "So, she is now working for Reese?" Joe speculated.

"Seems so." Frank said. "While we have no record of this, it seems to be pretty obvious. This woman has been known to work here in South America. Among several other countries. She is likely a troubleshooter for Reese."

"Then…" Chet pondered aloud. "This would mean that he is into something deeper than kidnapping down here. This woman sounds definitely like a serious type. She wouldn't be needed to just help this sicko tend to teenage girls."

Antonio nodded firmly in agreement. "I must agree, Senhor Chet. Kidnappers do not have assassins on their payroll. This Senhor Reese has much bigger interests."

"Such as?" Joe asked.

Marcos gave a knowing grunt and nodded to him. "Quite obvious, Senhor Joe. This man is very much likely supplying drugs to local dealers and exporting as well."

Antonio gave a worried nod. "I must agree. Trained killers work for very large drug producers. Not kidnappers or pedophiles."

Chet closed his eyes and shook his head. "Wonderful. So, kidnapping and abusing teenage girls is only his sideline. I suppose what he did up in Virginia was considered a vacation from the rigors of the South American drug trade."

Joe looked at the others uneasily. "I assume if Reese is in the drug trade and has the ability to retain a seasoned killer that he likely has many people on his payroll."

"It is very likely Senhor Joe." Marcos said with a nod. "He could very well know you all are here and may be inviting you to come find him."

Chet, feeling even more fear for his wife took a deep breath and looked back at the group. He wasn't the bravest of men by any stretch. But he was also sickened by everything that had already transpired. Finding himself backed into a corner a sense of bravery came over him. His jaw tightened with a look of determination. "Well then, I would hate to disappoint him."