“Let’s go,” she said, smiling wide.
“You’re awfully chipper this morning,” Finn said.
“That’s because I’ve never been to Brazil before.”
“And you’ve got everything you’ll need, including your passport?” Finn asked.
“Yep. I’m a low maintenance kinda gal. I don’t require much.”
He smiled and gave her a thumbs up.
“Still not sure we’ll be able to accomplish much though,” she said. “Chasing Stephenson, and whomever else is tagging along with him, halfway around the world without a clue as to what they’re up to doesn’t make much sense to me. But hey, I’m going to Brazil, so what’s not to like?”
“I agree,” Finn said. “It could be like searching for a needle in a haystack, but I’m hoping with everything at his disposal, Andrew, will be able to come up with a good educated guess or two to help us out by the time we land. In the meantime, though, it doesn’t hurt for us to stay as close behind Stephenson as possible.”
“Well then,” Andria said, “let’s get this show on the road.”
Mr. Stephenson and Owen’s flight landed in Manaus a few minutes ahead of schedule. They were met outside beside the steamy airport tarmac with a courtesy wheelchair by an apathetic limo driver dressed in traditional chauffer’s clothing. It was a reassuring sign for Stephenson that everything was going according to plan.
The three of them exchanged niceties then Stephenson took a seat in the wheelchair. Owen shouldered their bags and followed behind as the driver pushed the wheelchair to a shiny black limousine waiting in the curb service lane. After helping Stephenson from the wheelchair into the spacious backseat, Owen handed off the bags to the driver and went around the other side of the vehicle to join his grandpa. The driver loaded their bags into the trunk and sped off toward their destination; a rendezvous point with a liaison from one of only a few of South America’s restricted tour groups. The group’s main service comprises of private boat tours down the Amazon for privileged clientele. Because of the nature of their business, they also have knowledge, albeit limited, of the existence of the Curar tribe.
Unbeknownst to Owen, after his grandpa had talked with him and booked their red-eye flight to Manaus, he’d spent several hours on the phone putting a plan into motion to work out the many logistical issues involved with taking a trip to the Amazon. But even more important, he had puzzled to work around the inherent issues of dealing with the delicate secrecy of both the village and the pool.
First, he had sent word through his liaison to the Chief of the Curar tribe communicating his request to re-visit the pool. Even though he now knew the exact location of the pool and could find his way using a topo map and GPS unit, it was still a guarded site. To keep down a plethora of problems on that front he needed an arrangement, blessed by the Chief, to be led and accepted into the village as a peaceful visitor. He also needed a translator. With such a tight time constraint between his last phone call and boarding their late-night flight, answers to some of these requests had not yet been confirmed. He was instead relying heavily on trust. Even so, he did have an ace in the hole; one that had always served him well — his wealth. True to the saying — with wealth comes power — his money had always opened doors when there was no hope. It had also opened avenues to people in both high and low places who knew things; people who could get things done. In just a few short hours, his money had bought people halfway around the world who had “fixed” things for him.
When all else fails, money trumps everything; even the impossible.
The drive to the rendezvous point on the outer edge of the developed part of the city was like any other rush hour ride. Heavy traffic, tall buildings stacked shoulder-to-shoulder, car horns — controlled chaos. Once there, they would board a helicopter and be taken to a landing zone deep inside the Amazon forest supposedly within a few miles of the Curar village. From there he and Owen would join an experienced local fisherman looking to make an extra buck and float by canoe down the Amazon to reach the outskirts of the village.
Luckily, the same Chief Medicine Man that Stephenson and Colonel Brewer had entertained more than half century ago was still in the same role and eagerly awaiting the arrival of his friend from so many years ago. The only difference between the two men now was the ravaging effects of those years. While Stephenson had aged naturally, the Chief, with the luxury of access to the healing waters of the Elisha Pool, was as young today as the day they’d originally met.
Chapter 5
After a long, cramped flight in economy seating, Finn and Andria landed in Brazil jet lagged and at least half a day behind Stephenson and his companion. After gathering their bags, they flagged down a cab and gave him the name of their hotel. The driver gave a curt nod and started the meter.
Crowded streets added spice to an otherwise dull cab ride. When they finally arrived at the hotel a half hour later, Finn paid the cabby while Andria went inside to start the ball rolling with their reservations. After checking into adjoining rooms, they made a bee line upstairs to freshen up.
Before sliding the key into the door lock to his room Finn turned to Andria. “Let’s convene in my room in twenty minutes. We’ll contact Andrew to see if he has anything for us. That sound okay to you?”
“Yes, sir, Mr. Classified,” Andria joked, giving him a salute. “I’ll see you in twenty. After that you’re taking me out for some famous Brazilian beef.”
Finn smirked and rolled his eyes. “All that attitude and a sense of humor too,” he said.
Precisely twenty minutes later Andria knocked on the adjourning door between their rooms.
Finn opened the door and bowed. “Come in my lady,” he said. “We’ve got a mystery to solve.”
Andria grinned. “Now who’s being funny?” she asked.
“You started it,” he joked. “Got any last-minute issues or thoughts we should discuss before I make the call to Andrew?”
“Nope. I just hope he’s got something for us.”
“Same here,” Finn said. He fidgeted with his phone to initiate the speaker function then tapped Andrew’s number on speed dial.
There was a short delay while the signal connected. They waited patiently for an answer. Andrew picked up on the second ring. “Hello?” he said.
“Hi Andrew, it’s Finn and Andria. I have you on speakerphone.”
“Hi guys. Hope everything is going well so far.”
“Yes, sir. No problems. Everything has been smooth sailing. All we need now is a good lead to follow.”
“That’s great because I believe I do have something. It turns out there’s record of a small isolated tribe known as the Curar people living in the Amazon not far from Manaus. Local myth claims that certain tribes have a track record of having an unusually long lifespan. As I’m sure you know, most scientist, regardless of region, have traditionally attributed long life to an active lifestyle and lean diet that is free from steroids and chemicals, but with Mr. Stephenson heading to Manaus, I’d be willing to bet my bottom dollar that this Curar tribe’s secret has nothing to do with diet and everything to do with the use of an Elisha Pool.”
Finn gave Andria a questioning glance. She pushed her lips out and raised her eyebrows. Finn knew the gesture well. It was her sign of approval.
“Thanks, Andrew,” he said. “I’d have to agree; it sounds like were sniffing along the right trail. Any ideas about where along the Amazon we should begin looking for this Curar tribe?”