"Hey kid, just hang in there. We'll get Jack, wherever he is," he assured her, misunderstanding what she had been about to say. "Come on." He firmly grasped her hand as they crossed the street.
The warmth of his touch seemed to fill her with renewed strength as they faced the auburn-haired Juanita and her men.
"I see you both have made it," the woman said as though she had some doubts that they would.
"I didn't think we were given a choice," Liane responded acidly, then felt Todd squeeze her hand as if in silent warning.
"We'd like to see Spence before we go," Todd said.
Juanita shook her head with a sardonic grin. "You have no bargaining power, Mr. Marshal. No, if you hope to see your friend, you will do exactly as I say."
"Okay, we've come here for instructions. What are they?" Todd's eyes narrowed as he waited for the answer.
"Sister Mary Catherine will do just as her brother would have done. We have a shipment of goods to be taken to the United States. As usual, she will say they are to be sold by her church to raise funds for books and other supplies for the mission school near Pucallpa."
"My men will escort you to the airport where you will load the goods onto your plane," the woman continued. "From there you will fly them to Los Angeles and deliver them to the same small shop where you did on your previous trips. Do you understand?"
Liane was puzzled. She knew Todd's plane had crashed, yet Juanita had distinctly said his plane. And if they were going to L.A., what of her brother?
"But when will you release my brother?" She voiced that question aloud, unable to hide her confusion.
The woman looked at her impatiently. "He will be released as soon as you have made your return trip and our people have made certain our order is complete."
Liane remembered the weapons Todd had mentioned. Now she understood the importance of completing their trip. She wondered why there was suddenly no mention of the gold and silver statues her brother had hidden. Earlier, everyone seemed interested in knowing where they were.
"You will do your Kitty Katt act," the woman was issuing the their orders. "This time it will be in the nightclub in Los Angeles. Just as your brother would have done. There, a message will be passed to you by the same means as I passed my message to you here. It will tell you where you must go to pick up the weapons."
"Where will I drop them when we return?" Todd asked.
The auburn-haired woman smiled. "You will have one extra passenger with you." She looked to the men with her. "Eduardo will be going along. He will give you the directions when you return."
Liane wasn't pleased with the turn of events, and from the look on Todd's face, neither was he. The situation was becoming more confusing by the minute.
"When do we leave?" Todd asked.
"Dawn tomorrow. That will give you the entire evening to load the plane and get some rest. You have a long flight ahead of you and we wouldn't want anything to go wrong this time."
"Okay, then we'll go to the plane tonight," Todd agreed.
"Eduardo will meet our men and bring in the crates. That will give you time to make certain there will be no questions asked by the guard.
"On the way to the airport, you will have time to fill Sister Mary Catherine in on the usual procedure." The woman turned to her men. "Eduardo, go now and do as ordered." Then she looked back to Todd and Liane. "Adios."
"I won't say its been a pleasure doing business with you." Liane spat.
The woman only laughed. "That is all right. Our paths will not cross again. After this, our business will be concluded."
"I hope you don't mind if I don't wish you the best," Liane countered again, but Todd took her arm and pulled her away.
"That's about enough," he scolded. "Do you want to make things worse?"
"I can't stand her!" Liane turned to glare back at the lovely Juanita, but the woman had already gone.
"Just be glad we have a few minutes alone. We have something to do."
"We also have to talk. I have a lot of questions. Like where did you get a plane? Your plane crashed."
"One of them. I have others. That's where I went when I left the ranch at Tingo Maria."
"When you were brought a message by the little boy? Did you know he left another one for me, too? In my bag? That's how I knew to come here."
"I see." Todd frowned, rubbing his beard. "He wouldn't tell me anything. Just gave me the note and your bag, then took off again."
"I hope he'll be okay. He's so young and helpless."
"Helpless!" Todd laughed as he opened the door to the waiting taxi. "His father is the rebel leader. He uses the boy as a spy. He comes to the city for information."
"That must be when he visits the orphanage," she said as she slid across the back seat. "I can't imagine what information he gathers from there."
"Is that how you knew him?"
She nodded. "Yes, he thought I looked like Father John. That's when I became fairly certain that Jack was impersonating a priest. I still had no idea why."
"Now you know. And you'll be taking his place on perhaps the most dangerous trip of all."
"Returning with the guns."
"Yes." Todd nodded, running his fingers roughly through his brown hair, his expression weary. He was silent for a long time before going on. "M.C., I think you should stay in the States when we go back . . .Wait!" He held up his hand when he saw she was about to protest. "Hear me out! Something isn't right about all this. Yet, I can't put my finger on what it is."
"I'm in this now, and I'm staying in. But maybe if we put our heads together we can come up with an answer. There were some things I didn't quite understand. Like, why they need me? They could dress any one of their men, even Eduardo, up like a priest to make the trip back."
"Yeah, except they need an American."
"I'm sure they could have gotten someone."
"But not someone they'd be sure wouldn't cross them. Or someone they wouldn't have to pay again."
"That's right, you said the money Jack sent me was your pay." She watched as he nodded. "I can see them not wanting to pay again, but you could still just as easily cross them, keep the money, and fence their stuff. You'd probably make out pretty well."
"I suspect that was why they sent me back for the other plane alone. Testing me, to see if I'd return."
"You could have skipped out, played it safe. Why didn't you?"
He turned thunderous brown eyes on her. "Why the hell do you think? Jack is my partner and friend. I went into this with him and I'll do my damnedest to get out of it with him, too! That was our job," he said more softly, reaching out and cupping her face with one calloused hand.
Liane looked away as conflicting emotions threatened to overwhelm her. Most of all she was sorry she had said what she had. "And will you . . .find him? I mean," she said through trembling lips.
"Like I said, I'm going to try."
"Todd." She turned to face him again. "We don't even know if he's still alive."
"I know," he replied grimly as he exhaled a long deep breath, leaning his head back against the seat. "But until we know otherwise, I'll play it like he is."
"We will," she corrected. "Now, I think you better explain the rest of my part in this."
"Basically, you're simply a cover in case any custom's officials catch up to us."
"Have they ever?"
Todd laughed. "Not really, except there's one man at the airport where we're going. You may remember my speaking to him the other night. He's a friendly guy; always comes over and talks. He's only checked things once. Father John had a way of putting his mind as ease."
"Jack always did have a good rapport with people."
"You'll have to do just as well if he comes over and asks any questions tonight," Todd warned her. "Just remember it's his people we're trying to help. As long as he thinks that, he'll be most obliging."
"I suppose that's the real shame of all this." She frowned. "We're supposed to be helping these peo
ple with books and other supplies. Instead, we're giving them war and death."
Todd turned to her. "It's been going on here far too long, M.C. But maybe we are doing something else about it."
She had no time to ask what he meant as their taxi drew to a halt in front of the small air strip. She saw a door open to the office and a man in a blue uniform step outside.
"Ah, buenos nochas," the man waved when he saw Todd. "Who is this you have with you?"
"Sister Mary Catherine," Todd introduced her. "She's from the mission school near Pucallpa."
"Where is Father John?" The elderly man said as they walked closer. "He promised me a book the last time I spoke to him."
"I'm sure he'll see that you get it the next time he's along," Liane replied. "Would you believe he's been asked to fly to Rome? I believe it was in honor of everything he's done for your people here."
"Maybe he will be made a Bishop," the man said with a wide toothless grin. "He is a very good man. He understands that we are proud people. By taking our wares to your country and selling them, he is allowing us to earn what he brings back with him."
"Yes, and I'm honored that I've been chosen to act as his substitute during his absence." Liane smiled to the man. "We have another shipment coming in tonight, and we'll fly it out in the morning."
"I see," the man said as he wrote something onto a small note pad. "You just let me know when they are here and I will open the gates for them."
"Thank you, Sir," she replied, then looked up and saw Todd nod. Relieved she followed him to the plane, anxious for a few moments to rest before they continued on their way.
"I didn't expect anything this big," she said when she saw the DC-3 waiting to be loaded. "Exactly how many planes do you have?" Todd shrugged. "Enough to go legit, if I decide to." He walked around the plane to the doorway. "We may as well wait inside. They'll probably be a little while yet."
"Is this the way you usually do things?" she asked. "I mean, load things in the middle of the night and take off at dawn."
"No . . .everything is different about this trip."
"Because it's the last, or because it's without Jack?"
"Both." He sat down and propped himself against the side of the plane. "We usually do everything in here by the light of day. Jack brings in the crates and things. I wait here with the plane.
"It's worked out fairly well. Like I said, the guy in there is only too glad to see his people getting help. He checked the crates once, then never again. It's the other end that gets sticky."
"You mean when you get back to the States? I suppose that can be a problem."
"We usually leave here in the early afternoon. That puts us back in the States safely after dark. We land at my airstrip just outside L.A., and from there take the shipment the rest of the way into the city by truck."
"Wait a minute." She held up a hand. "Your airstrip? You mean to tell me you also have your own landing strip?"
"Just someplace to put down my planes," he said with a smile. "I told you I do all right."
"Then why this?" She was bewildered.
He sobered. "I can't explain anything to you now, M.C. Besides, it should be Jack who tells you."
"Well, I hope we find him soon, so he can." She sighed, her eyes closing briefly, thinking. Then suddenly she opened them wide. "If you usually do it the way you've just explained, how did the crates get to where Jack hid them? Or should I ask; Why they ended up there?"
"Don't ask." Todd got up and came to stand in front of her.
"But I already did." She stared deep into his brown eyes. "If it has anything to do with the reason my brother is missing in the first place, I have a right to know."
"Don't push, M.C. I mean it! Things are bad enough without you getting more involved."
"More involved!" She laughed. "In case you haven't noticed, I'm in this just about as far as you."
"Not if you do as I ask," he said quickly, grabbing her firmly by the shoulders. "When we land at my strip you get out of this plane and keep going. Just walk away and don't look back."
"Not until I know about Jack."
"Look, M.C., I'll see this through and try to find him on my own."
She shook her head. "No . . .I don't trust you."
"What!" His frown deepened. "I can't believe after everything that's happened, you'd still say you don't trust me."
"After everything . . .I don't think there's been anything yet that's proved I can trust you."
"I see." He slowly raised his hands to cup her face. "Nothing at all. Well, I thought differently. Even if it was only for a little while."
He lowered his face closer to her's. "I think you proved you trusted me in the jungle." He touched his lips to hers, as if to remind her with a kiss. "If you didn't trust me, tell me why you . . ."
"Because I'm a woman," she interrupted before he could remind her with more of the details. She didn't know if she could handle that, already she felt a stirring deep inside her. I have to explain.
"I have normal feelings. You see, I'm not . . ."
The screech of brakes prevented her from finishing her confession. Todd stared at her only a moment before releasing her. "I guess it'll have to wait, M.C. I doubt our friend Eduardo will sit quietly by while you and I work this out."
Liane's emotions had time to cool as the men deftly loaded the crates into the plane. By the time they were ready to take off, she wanted nothing more than to sit quietly by herself in the back of the plane.
"You're sitting up front with me," Todd ordered when he saw her find a spot and sit. "Sorry Eduardo, but I much prefer a pretty face next to me during these long flights."
"She is very lovely," their barrel-chested companion said, looking closely at her as though for the first time. "Too bad she is married to the church. But maybe she can be persuaded."
"Oh! You're disgusting!" Liane spat contemptuously. "Both of you!" She turned emerald eyes on Todd in anger. "I think I prefer being alone in the back."
"Up front." Pulling her by the arm, he left her no debate. "Unless you want to take your chances with him," he added so only she could hear.
She looked at the other man, noting the way he seemed drool as his beady black eyes looked her over. Like a dog waiting for a crumb to drop from the table. With a frown, she pulled out of Todd's grasp and marched stiffly to the front of the plane.
"And they say, Latins have a way with women," Eduardo laughed as he took the place Liane had vacated.
Liane remained silent for the first part of the flight. In part from her usual phobia of flying, part because she was still intent on figuring out everything that was going on. Things had been confusing enough at first. Now, the more she knew, the less sense anything made.
The sun was already high in the sky when they landed in a small airport in Mexico to refuel. Liane was glad for the chance to stretch her legs.
In the small restroom she rinsed her face with cool water, hoping to wash away her fatigue. If she didn't take time to rest sometime during the flight, she knew she'd be exhausted later that evening when she was expected to do the show in the L.A. nightclub.
She wondered about the two nightclubs, one in Lima and one in L.A., and how they tied into everything. Were they just used as a place to relay messages, or did the owners of the clubs have a hand in everything that was going on? She knew it was possible that they did, and if so, she'd have to be careful. They'd be watching her every move.
Again she remembered the reason for her masquerade. If the murder of Ralph Devereaux was still unsolved, she'd be wanted in Los Angeles. She'd be taking a big risk doing a show there.
"Todd, I have to ask you something," she began when she joined him inside the plane. "It has to do with . . .with my sister, Liane. You know she's wanted for the murder of Jack's agent. I was wondering if you heard anything about it when you went back to get this plane." She nervously bit her lip waiting for his reply.
"No one solved it yet," he replied. "But don't worry a
bout it. Things will work out for her. I promise . . ." Then he looked at her sadly. "I may as well have saved my breath . . .you don't believe me anyway."
"Todd, I honestly don't know what to believe anymore."
"Yeah," he said grimly. "Maybe by the end of this you'll figure out who's on whose side. But for right now, why don't you just try to get some rest."
"That sounds like a good idea." She leaned her head back. "It's going to be a long night, too." As she was about to close her eyes, she spotted something. It looked like a set of initials painted just above the windshield. 'M.T.' with several lines below it, as though to count something.
The initials reminded her of something, but she was too tried to care. Sleep saved her the necessity of trying.
When she awoke, they were approaching the runway. She noticed the strained look on Todd's face as he kept his attention full on the landing of the plane. They were nearing the end of one leg of their journey, and she knew it had taken its toll.
"Now, I suggest you get some rest," she said after they landed and were out of the plane. "You have an even longer night ahead of you. That is, if they want you to fly the guns out yet tonight."
"It's hard to say what they'll want me to do." He sighed, glancing over his shoulder to their companion. "And it's a cinch our friend here was given orders not to tell us anything."
"Todd, how does the nightclub tie into all this?"
Again he looked to see how close Eduardo was behind them as they walked toward the small group of buildings. "It's been known to have connections with some less than desirable businessmen."
"You mean the Mafia?"
He turned to her and laughed. "Yes, now do you see what you're getting yourself into, M.C.? A nun working for the L.A. underworld!"
She smiled at his irritation. "Under the circumstances, I'm sure I'll be forgiven for it. Everything I've done has been for a good cause." Suddenly her smile faded, as she remembered one thing she had done totally for herself. "What happens next?" she asked, changing the subject."
I
Liane was nervous as the taxi cab pulled in front of the nightclub. She was wearing a full-length, green evening dress Todd had picked out for her earlier that day, insisting that in it, she would fit the part of an entertainer.
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