Page 88 of Fear No Evil

David cocked his head. “Do you believe in God, Jacques?”

The question caught Jake off guard. He nodded earnestly. “Yes, very much.”

“Yet, you will kill the guards to free your wife?”

David didn’t want anyone dying, apparently.

“Well, not if I don’t have to. There are other ways.”

David glanced around before stepping closer. “I know another way, but I am afraid.” He sucked in a breath and blew it out. “I am a coward.”

“Be brave. Tell me what you’re thinking.”

Lifting a frightened look at him, David said quickly, “Gallo has a master key for all the padlocks used on El Castillo. I have heard him boast that he could free any hostage if he wished. He carries it on his key chain.”

Intrigued, Jake considered the options opening up to him.

David patted the pouch he carried. “This afternoon, I will put these berries in Gallo’sagua panelato make him sleepy. Once he’s asleep, I will take his key ring and run forArribato tend your wife. I will unlock her chains, as well as those of the three JUNGLA captives. I thought if I freed them all at once, she could slip away while the others distract the guards. I planned to take her to the radio station. Padre Josué, if he is still there, will know how to help me.”

David’s clever plan, which closely resembled their escape-and-evasion plan, stunned Jake. “You’re not a coward for wanting to avoid violence, David. You are the bravest man here, like young David in the Bible who slew Goliath with his slingshot.”

“No, señor.” The youth’s brow furrowed. “I am the reason Gallo suspected you in the first place. All of this is my fault. I thought I got you killed!”

Jake squeezed David’s bony shoulder. “None of that matters now. We can help each other. Make theagua panelafor Gallo. When he falls asleep, take his key ring, and we’ll go toArribatogether. We’ll discuss our plan as we walk and finalize it once I see for myself what the area looks like. But tell me about Lena. How much did they hurt her?”

David grimaced, dropping his gaze. “She has a wound‍—here.” He touched his right hip. “She needs a healer.”

“Yes, I know. I’ll get her the help she needs. Can she walk?”

David hesitated. “She could walk yesterday, but she was limping.”

Jake would carry her to the top of the mountain if he had to. “Thank you for looking out for her, David. God will reward you for doing the right thing.”

As the youth nodded, his gaze traveled over Jake’s tactical vest to the M4 loosely held in the crook of his arm. “What are you? You don’t look like a peacekeeper.”

Jake sent him a small smile. “It’s better for you not to know. I’m not a threat to you; I promise. When will you give him theagua panela?”

“Just before the evening meal. The sun will set soon after.”

“How far is it toArriba?”

“About an hour’s walk,señor. Meet me at thecascadas. We will need to run to beat the dark.”

Jake gave an inward groan as he spared a thought for his tender feet. But nothing would keep him from running his fastest.

Without medical help, she would grow septic and die.

Catching herself thinking gloomy thoughts‍—and it was only the second day!‍—Maggie applied herself to knowing the JUNGLA soldiers better. They were courteous and respectful to her, having speculated after discussing strategies for taking down Igor and wrestling the keys from him that Maggie must work for the CIA or MI6. But it was Frankenstein who checked on them in the morning, planting a heavy boot in Maggie’s side to rouse her from feverish slumber.

Two hours later, as hunger gnawed at her like a tapeworm, Frankenstein brought them each a bowl of rice‍—and an extra bowl of roasted potatoes seasoned with wild herbs for Maggie. The guards had taken Rojas’s supposed wishes to heart.

But Maggie, glimpsing the rabid hunger on the faces of the JUNGLA, who noted her preferential treatment with envy, weighed her health against the need to win them over and tossed each man a portion of her meal. Their attitude had shifted from speculative to accepting. She was one of them now.

Around midday, their chains were removed from the wall by Igor while Frankenstein stood watch, his AK-47 at the ready.What’s happening?Following the lead of her fellow captives, she picked up the chain trailing from her collar and followed her companions out the door.

Sunlight bouncing off the snow blinded her as she limped into the frigid wind. As he shuffled along behind her, theJUNGLA named Diego inclined his mouth to her ear. “Once a day, they let us out to use the latrine and to take exercise.”

Frankenstein prodded the man with his rifle. “No talking!”