Raymond shook his head. “No, not at all,” he stammered.

“And how are things going with the bonobo project?” Taylor asked.

“Very well,” Raymond managed. “We’re expecting a number of new clients. In fact, we’re having trouble keeping up with demand.”

“And what about that regrettable episode with Carlo Franconi?” Taylor enquired. “I trust that has been successfully dealt with.”

“Yes, of course,” Raymond sputtered. He tried to smile.

“Part of the reason I’m making this trip is to be reassured that project is worth supporting,” Taylor said. “My chief financial officer assures me that it is now turning a small profit. But my operations officer has reservations about jeopardizing our primate research business. So, I have to make a decision. I hope you will be willing to help me.”

“Certainly,” Raymond squeaked, as he heard the characteristic whine of the jet engines starting.

It was like a party at the bar in the international departure lounge at JFK airport. Even Lou was there having a beer and popping peanuts into his mouth. He was in a great mood and acted as if he were going on the trip.

Jack, Laurie, Warren, Natalie, and Esteban were sitting with Lou at a round table in the corner of the bar. Over their heads was a television tuned to a hockey game. The frantic voice of the announcer and the roar of the fans added to the general din.

“It’s been a great day,” Lou yelled to Jack and Laurie. “We picked up Vido Delbario, and he’s singing to save his ass. I think we’ll be making a major dent in the Vaccarro organization.”

“What about Angelo Facciolo and Franco Ponti?” Laurie asked.

“That’s another story,” Lou said with a laugh. “For once the judge sided with us and set bail at two million each. What did the trick was the police impersonation charge.”

“How about Spoletto Funeral Home?” Laurie asked.

“That’s going to be a gold mine,” Lou said. “The owner is the brother of the wife of Vinnie Dominick. You remember him, don’t you, Laurie?”

Laurie nodded. “How can I forget?”

“Who’s Vinnie Dominick?” Jack asked.

“He played a surprising role in the Cerino affair,” Laurie explained.

“He’s with the competing Lucia organization,” Lou said. “They’ve been having a field day after Cerino’s fall. But my gut feeling tells me we’re going to puncture their balloon.”

“What about the mole in the medical examiner’s office?” Laurie asked.

“Hey, first things first,” Lou said. “We’ll get to that. Don’t worry.”

“When you do, check out one of the techs by the name of Vinnie Amendola,” Laurie said.

“Any particular reason?” Lou asked, as he wrote down the name in the small notebook he carried in the side pocket of his jacket.

“Just a suspicion,” Laurie said.

“Consider it done,” Lou said. “You know, this episode shows how fast things can change. Yesterday I was in the dog house, whereas today I’m the golden boy. I even got a call from the captain about a possible commendation. Can you believe it?”

“You deserve it,” Laurie said.

“Hey, if I get one, you guys should get one, too,” Lou said.

Jack felt someone tap on his arm. It was the waitress. She asked if they wanted another round.

“Hey, everybody?” Jack called out above the babble of voices. “More beer?”

Jack looked first at Natalie who put her hand over her glass to indicate she was fine. She looked radiant in a dark purple jumpsuit. She was a third-grade teacher at a public school in Harlem, but didn’t look like any teacher Jack could remember. From Jack’s perspective her features were reminiscent of the Egyptian sculptures in the Metropolitan Museum that Laurie had dragged him in to see. Her eyes were almond-shaped and her lips were full and generous. Her hair was done up in the most elaborate corn-row style that Jack had ever seen. Natalie had said that it was her sister’s forte.

When Jack looked at Warren to see whether he wanted more beer, he shook his head. Warren was sitting next to Natalie. He was wearing a sport jacket over a black T-shirt that somehow managed to hide his powerful physique. He looked happier than Jack had ever seen him. His mouth harbored a half smile instead of his normal expression of hard-lipped determination.

“I’m fine,” Esteban called out. He, too, was smiling, even more broadly than Warren.

Jack looked at Laurie. “No more for me. I want to save some room for wine with dinner on the plane.” Laurie had her auburn hair braided and was wearing a loose-fitting velour top with leggings. With her relaxed, ebullient demeanor and casual clothes Jack thought she looked like she was in college.

“Yeah, sure, I’ll have another beer,” Lou said.

“One beer,” Jack told the waitress. “Then the check.”

“How’d you guys make out today?” Lou asked Jack and Laurie.

“We’re here,” Jack said. “That was the goal. Laurie and the others got the visas, and I got the tickets.” He patted his stomach. “I also got a bunch of French francs and a money belt. I was told that the French franc was the hard currency of choice for that part of Africa.”

“What’s going to happen when you arrive?” Lou asked.

Jack pointed over to Esteban. “Our expatriate traveling companion has taken care of the arrangements. His cousin’s meeting us at the airport, and his wife’s brother has a hotel.”

“You should be fine,” Lou said. “What’s your plan?”

“Esteban’s cousin has arranged for us to rent a van,” Jack said. “So we’ll drive to Cogo.”

“And just drop in?” Lou asked.

“That’s the idea,” Jack said.

“Good luck,” Lou said.

“Thanks,” Jack said. “We’ll probably need it.”

A half hour later the group-minus Lou-merrily boarded the 747. They found their seats and stowed their carry-on baggage. No sooner had they gotten themselves situated than the huge plane lurched and was pulled from the gate.

Later when the engines began to scream and the plane began its dash down the runway to takeoff, Laurie felt Jack take her hand. He gripped it fiercely.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

Jack nodded. “I’ve just learned not to like air travel,” he said.

Laurie understood.

“We’re on our way,” Warren exclaimed gleefully. “Africa, here we come!”

CHAPTER 19

MARCH 8, 1997

2:00 A.M.

COGO, EQUATORIAL GUINEA

“ARE you asleep?” Candace whispered.

“Are you kidding?” Melanie whispered back. “How am I supposed to sleep on rock with just a few branches strewn over it?”

“I can’t sleep either,” Candace admitted. “Especially with all this snoring going on. What about Kevin?”

“I’m awake,” Kevin said.

They were in a small side cave jutting off the main chamber just behind the main entrance. The darkness was almost absolute. The only light came from meager moonlight reflected from outside.

Kevin, Melanie, and Candace had been shuttled into this small cave immediately on their arrival. It measured about ten feet wide with a downward sloping ceiling that started at a maximum height roughly equivalent to Kevin’s five feet ten inches. There was no back wall to this cave; the chamber simply narrowed to a tunnel. Earlier in the evening, Kevin had explored the tunnel with the help of the flashlight in hopes of finding another way out, but the tunnel abruptly ended after about thirty feet.

The bonobos had treated them well, even after the initially cold reception by the females. Apparently, the animals were mystified by the humans and intended to keep them alive and well. They’d provided them with muddy water in gourds and a variety of food. Unfortunately, the food was in the form of grubs, maggots, and other insects along with some kind of sedge from Lago Hippo.

Later in the afternoon, the animals had started a fire at the cave’s entrance. Kevin was particularly interested in how they started it, but he’d been too far back to observe their method. A group of the bonobos had formed a tight circle, and then a half an hour later a fire was going.