Curse of the Condor Read Online Free PDF Page B

head.
    "That's better," he told her with a half smile. "Now you'll fit right in around here."
    She felt ridiculous not to mention hot and itchy wearing the poncho, but she knew he was right about protecting herself from the sun. Her suntan lotion was in her stolen luggage, and she was now a victim of the elements, even without her umbrella should it begin to rain. Her proper upbringing told her she should thank the man, but for some reason, she couldn’t do it. Not yet. Maybe later when they met up with Ryder she’d express her gratitude then.
    He said she'd fit in now, but she knew that was a lie. She'd never fit in when it came to the jungle, and neither did she want to. She was a city girl from Chicago, not some sort of Jane looking for her Tarzan. She rather liked her life of comfort, and couldn’t wait to get back to her apartment, sink into a hot bubble bath and listen to Chopin while she sipped champagne and ate Godiva chocolates. Alone, sadly, as she’d never found the right man to share it with. But still, it was better than what she was experiencing now.
    She didn’t like this land or the people. And she didn’t quite feel comfortable around Conrado, even if her brother raved how well he could be trusted. All she wanted was to find Ryder and get as far away from Peru and Conrado Nievez as possible.
     
    * * *
     
    Prospero Rodolfo hid his withered hand in the folds of his missionary robe, and nodded for his man to pay the boys.
    “Are you sure that was Conrado Nievez?” he asked quietly.
    “ Sí, señor ,” said one of the two boys. “But are you sure you are not the authorities?”
    “We’re missionaries, can’t you see that, estúpido ?” barked out one of his men, Arlo. Fermin, the heavier of the two laughed, his round belly shaking.
    Prospero silenced them with a shake of his head. Then he smiled and looked back to the two young boys. “We don’t want to hurt him, amigo . We just need him to help guide us into the jungle. So we can help the natives, of course. Now tell me, where can I find someone to load our supplies? And of course, we’ll need a boat to follow Conrado.”
     
    * * *
    Jetta thought they'd never get to his home in the jungle. They must have rowed for hours, the man sitting before her never even stopping to rest. He'd turned around many times watching the banks, searching the water, but never even caused the canoe to wobble. When she'd repositioned herself trying to get the cramp out of her leg, she'd nearly dumped them and his supplies right into the Amazon.
    She was beginning to have her doubts about this whole situation. Maybe this man wasn't really Conrado Nievez after all. Maybe he wasn't taking her to her brother, but instead to kill her and throw her dead body to the jaguars to eat for dinner.
    The sky grew darker, and the canopy above them virtually closed off any of the sun’s rays trying to get through. She was no longer sure if it was day or night, and had to glance at her wrist watch to assure herself it was only late afternoon.
    "Don't bother," Conrado mumbled, looking away from her over his shoulder.
    She jerked at the sound of his voice. He hadn't spoken much to her since they left Iquitos, and she’d gotten used to listening to the lull of the jungle.
    "Pardon me?" she asked.
    "Don't bother," he repeated a bit louder almost as if she were irritating him. He never looked at her, just kept watching ahead down the river as he rowed.
    "Don't bother with what?"
    "The watch," he said.
    Then it was clear to her he must have seen her glancing at the timepiece. He hadn’t even been looking in her direction, yet he’d been aware of her action. Just like an animal, true to his senses.
    "Why not?" she asked.
    "Time means nothing in the jungle. You may as well just take it off now and throw it to the piranhas."
    She clutched her watch with her spare hand, letting go of the side of the canoe in the process. "Never," she answered. "And what piranhas?" She found herself