PRECIPICE
Page 31
Chip finished his morning jog and headed into the hostel for a quick shower. He’d been running every day and had never been in better shape in his life. After quickly finishing his packing, he headed across the brick-paved street from the hostel, carrying his duffel bag to his truck. He had sprung for a Toyota Hilux four-door 4x4 pickup truck when he arrived in South America. He had also stayed in climate-controlled hotels every night of the trip, a far cry from the dirtbag camping that he and Daniel had done on past South American voyages. Having a couple of million dollars in an offshore account had brought him a major lifestyle change—Eric West had a much higher standard of living than Chip Wilson had ever achieved. He could get used to this life.
He checked to make sure that his kayak was securely tied down in the bed of the truck and then climbed in just as a wall of raindrops marched across the valley and down the street toward him. The purring sound as his Hilux started up was drowned out by a wave of fat raindrops that hammered against the hood, roof, and windshield. It was definitely time to go. He pulled down the street and rolled onto the narrow highway that would take him over the crest of the Andes and down to the airport in Quito. He carefully navigated the steep, winding road in the deluge, dodging ungainly trucks and wobbling buses piled high with supplies, livestock, and soaking-wet passengers. Through the torrential downpour he could make out white bands of waterfalls cascading hundreds or even thousands of feet down the green, jungle-shrouded flanks of volcanoes whose cones were hidden high above in the turbid sky.
As he drove, he wondered what would come next. His usual routine would take him back to the US to start working the rivers so that he could save up enough money to do it all again. With the windfall of money from his mission last fall, there was little need for him to work. He considered the possibility of touring around all summer, kayaking rivers across his home continent and enjoying a season away from the rafting outposts. Although the idea had some appeal, there was something missing from it.
After the trauma of the events of last fall had worn off, Chip had slowly come to miss his brief life as an assassin. Although it had been a violent and terrifying experience, he had been to some amazing places and lived through things that few people could ever dream of. He was proud of what he had accomplished and of the difference that he had made. He wondered for a moment what his friend Harris was up to. He would try to look him up when he got back to the States—maybe see if he wanted to go to The Woods and do some shooting.
Although the last few months of vacation had been relaxing, Chip’s travels had lately taken on an almost pointless and monotonous feel. Where would they lead? Could he just live out his life wandering from river to river, or would the thrill and challenge eventually dull and leave him wanting more? He reluctantly admitted to himself that the process had already begun.
As he dropped out of the mountains and into an area of lighter rain, the vibrating of the phone in his hip pocket interrupted his thoughts. He pulled it out and looked at the display, startled to see the number that the call was coming from.
“Hello?” he answered cautiously.
“Eric?” asked a distantly familiar voice on the other end of the line.
“Yes,” Chip said in response to the name printed on his current passport.
“Eric, I was wondering if you would mind stopping by to see me?” the old spy Sutherland went on. “We could use your help.”
“I can be there on Wednesday,” Chip replied.
“Thanks, Eric. I look forward to seeing you.”
They disconnected the call, and Chip pressed a little harder on the gas pedal of his Toyota.
About the Author
Leland Davis is a professional writer, editor, publisher, extreme kayaker, and river guide. He is the author of two whitewater guidebooks, The River Gypsies’ Guide to North America and North Carolina Rivers & Creeks, and his writing has appeared in numerous international, national, and regional whitewater and outdoors publications. He has been a whitewater instructor and guide for over twenty years, leading tours and expeditions across the US as well as in Canada, Mexico, and South America.