River of Secrets (7 page)

The chief raised a brow, but didn’t argue. Instead, he shrugged and said, “It’s your money.” He pulled out a satellite phone, punched in a number and walked off to make the arrangements.

Juan looked at Lucas. “Thanks.”

“No problem.”

Amy pulled away from him and said, “I’m going to change clothes and go tell Anna what’s going on. Will you please let me know when you find something out about the jeep?”

Juan nodded. “Sure.”

Amy left and Lucas asked, “I guess you didn’t need me to set you up, huh?”

Amy still shook, her nerves snapping as she walked back toward the main building that housed Anna’s office. She needed to talk to someone, or she’d burst. Hopefully, Anna had a few free moments and Amy could unload on her. Plus, she’d left her satellite phone plugged in and she needed to check it to see if anyone had called. She hadn’t taken it down to the dock because she hadn’t wanted to have any interruptions during her quiet time.

She sure hadn’t counted on a runaway jeep for an interruption.

Upon reaching her room, she quickly showered and changed, then headed toward Anna’s office to update the woman on the recent events.

The door to the temporary playroom swung open, and Amy stopped to see Carlita standing there still in her pajamas, her little stuffed bunny clutched in her left arm. When she saw Amy, her mouth form a perfect O and her eyes went wide.

Amy crouched down on the child’s level, smiled and used her Portuguese to say, “Hello, Carlita. How are you this morning?”

Carlita gave a half smile, and Amy’s heart leaped in her chest. More progress. “Are you looking for something? Someone?”

Carlita looked back over her shoulder, then back at Amy.

“Is Salvador with you?”

At her brother’s name, Carlita’s brown eyes lightened, but she remained silent. Amy said, “Okay, will you take my hand and let’s see if we can find him?”

The little girl hesitated, so Amy reassured her, “Come on, I’ll help you find him.”

Finally, hesitantly, Carlita held out a small brown hand, and Amy took it gently. The feel of the tiny fingers curling around her own made her feel like weeping. The little girl’s trust was such a precious thing.

She decided to take care of Carlita, then track down Anna. They were almost there when Salvador emerged from the room on the right, dressed haphazardly and toweling his short hair.

He spotted them coming toward him and stopped, staring at their clasped hands. In English he said, “There you are. I took a shower, and when I came out, she was gone. Thank you for bringing her back.”

“You’re welcome. I ran into her on my way to see Anna. I think this one was looking for you. She’s such a sweet girl.” Amy squeezed the small hand still in hers. “I hope she’s beginning to like me a little.”

Salvador shot her a tight smile and said, “Yes, she needs a woman, a
mamãe.
” Almost to himself, he added, “It was
wrong
what happened. So wrong. My family should not be dead. She misses…” He looked away. Amy hurt for him and reached out to pat his bony shoulder. Amy couldn’t help notice the anger, the boiling rage that simmered just beneath the surface at the injustice his family had suffered. Hopefully, the love and care he received at the orphanage would make a difference in his future. She certainly admired his dedication to Carlita.

“You’re right. It was wrong. I don’t know why God allows things like that to happen, but try to lean on Him, Salvador.”

He shook his head, taking his sister’s hand in his. “I pray every day, believe me. I pray for the men who…”

“Who what?”

“Nothing…forget it.”

“Salvador, I…” What could she say? Maybe Micah could talk to him. Man to man. They’d each suffered tragedy in their lives. Perhaps Micah could help. Making a mental note to ask Micah to talk to him, she changed the subject. “Well, here is little Carlita, safe and sound. I’m looking for Anna. Have you seen her?”

Salvador nodded toward the hall. “She is in her office, I believe.”

“Thanks.”

Amy waved and little Carlita waved back. She walked on past Salvador and Carlita’s room to the office at the end of the hall. Anna had taken over running the orphanage after Cassidy’s kidnapping.

She knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

Amy stepped in. “Hey there. I just stopped by to let you know someone tried to kill Micah again, and I happened to be there this time.”

Anna stilled, “Micah?”

Amy’s hand flew to her mouth. “Did I say Micah? I meant Juan.”

Eyes narrowed, Anna said, “You wouldn’t mean Micah McKnight, would you? Because I know all about
that
Micah. Cassidy told me about her brother when she was here getting to know Alexis. Why did you call Juan Micah?”

Amy blew out a sigh. She’d been coming to spill her guts anyway, so she might as well start with the subject of Micah. “Juan
is
Micah McKnight.”

Anna sat in her chair with a thump. “What makes you say that?”

“The birthmark on his stomach and back. I saw it the other day when we were hurrying through the jungle. A branch ripped his shirt almost completely off and…there it was. It looks like half of a belt wrapped around his waist. I used to tease him about it all the time.”

“Have you told him?”

Amy shook her head. “No. I mean, what do I say? How do I tell him? He doesn’t remember anything. Would it hurt him for me to try to jar his memory? And if I tell him who
he
is, I have to tell him who
I
am and who my
mother
is and what she did to him…” Amy sucked in a much needed breath.

“I see your dilemma, but, Amy, you’ve got to tell him. Because if you don’t and he remembers…”

Amy groaned and dropped her face into her hands, “I know,” she said through her fingers, “but I don’t know how to approach it. I mean, medically…”

“I’m pretty sure it won’t hurt him,” Lucas spoke from the doorway. The two women looked at him. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, I was just coming to check on you, Amy, and see how you were feeling after your dunking in the river. I heard you talking.” He shrugged. “I probably listened longer than I had to, but you were discussing my patient…and friend.” He didn’t seem terribly embarrassed about listening in, just honest and concerned. “You can tell him who he is, just ease into it. As far as I know, there’s no medical reason he’s blocking his memories. Knowing his identity may actually help him recover faster.”

Anna bit her lip. Amy averted her eyes and said, “You don’t know the whole story, Lucas. I’m afraid of what he’ll do if I tell him everything.”

“So tell me.”

Amy shook her head. “No, I…I can’t. I’m sorry.”

Lucas shrugged. “Well, even if you don’t want to confide in me, you need to tell Juan…er, Micah who he is.”

“I’ve called his family, hoping to tell them and see what they want to do, but they’re on an extended cruise. They’ll be gone for another week or so. I’ve left messages for them to call me on every number I could remember. So far, nothing. I haven’t checked my phone today, but I’m not holding out hope. They’re not expecting to hear anything from or about Micah, so…” She gave a sad laugh. “They’ve finally accepted that he’s not coming home and now…” She hiccupped a soft sob. “Now I’ve run across him and don’t have a clue what to do about it.”

“Tell him. Just be gentle in how you do it,” Lucas insisted.

Amy nodded and glanced at Anna. “Okay, you’re right. He needs to know. And I suppose I should be the one to tell him.” She closed her eyes against the thought. She really didn’t want to do it.

Lucas said, “He’s having flashes of memory anyway. He may remember on his own before you get a chance to tell him.”

“I’ll tell him…after the picnic.”

She slipped back to her room, stopping just inside the door. Spying a note on her pillow, she picked it up and read the broken English.

“Come to bar in town, named Tefe Nights. Meet at back entrance tomorrow night, eight o’clock. I know how to find Maria Morales. Will tell you for five thousand American dollars.”

SIX

J
uan slammed a fist into the wall and winced. Rubbing the bruised flesh, he decided that was a dumb thing to do. All he needed was a broken hand. But frustration had him in its grip and wasn’t letting go.
Who’s trying to kill me? And why? What have I done to make someone so angry with me?

Another thought struck him. Did someone know who he was? Before his amnesia days, did he have an enemy that he couldn’t remember—but one who obviously remembered him?

He racked his brain trying to think. Okay, he’d been with Lucas in the gym the first time someone had tried to kill him, then on the dock the second time. Both times Amy had shown up after the fact. And Jonathas had been there both times—after the incident.

Most likely, Jonathas would know how to make poison darts, but what possible reason could the boy have to want to kill him?

Amy had probably watched enough movies and television to know how to jam a gas pedal and steering wheel, but how would she have been able to set everything up so fast? She’d been with him only moments before the incident. Unless she’d had help. But why would she have rushed into the river to look for him if she’d just tried to kill him? And why would she have tried to smother him with a pillow only to do CPR and bring him back from the dead?

Then he pictured her sitting on the end of the dock with her Bible. While she’d been troubled, there had also been a quiet peace surrounding her. No, it wasn’t Amy, of that he had no doubt. And he really didn’t think it could be Jonathas. But if not one of them, then who? And again…why?

Argh. He was going to go nuts. After a quick shower and change of clothes, he felt much better. A little tired, but that was nothing unusual, especially on days when he overdid it. Almost getting killed could probably be considered overdoing it.

He decided to go check out the picnic first, then see if Amy wanted to help him work on the wing later. He’d even offer to share his tool belt. He grinned to himself…then frowned. Why was he seeking her out? He’d be better off leaving her alone, yet he felt pulled to her. She fascinated him with her deep faith, bright smile and sometimes sad eyes. Her unwavering care for him when he’d been sick had touched him. Sure, she’d lost her patience with him a couple of times, but she’d never yelled at him or forced an issue; she just let him figure out on his own that she was right.

And Lucas was right about her eyes. They held pain from something. Something she was either running from or trying to ignore. Juan sighed. He had enough problems without borrowing anyone else’s. And yet…

Mentally smacking himself upside the head, he ordered,
Leave her alone, man. She’s not for you. At least not until you figure out who you are.

His stomach finally claimed his attention, and the picnic was waiting—hopefully, so was Amy. He opened the door to leave and stopped. The memories were back. The images all ran together in his mind as he struggled to sort them out.

A large house, a mansion, with a swimming pool. Cooking out on a grill, laughing with friends, people—family? Doing a cannonball into the deep end of the pool. A redhead ran up and threw her arms around him to give him a hug. His mother—he didn’t know how he knew the woman was his mother, he just did—shook her finger at him and ordered him, “You need to find another job. It’s just too dangerous. It’s going to get you killed one day.”

His job? He ignored the thought, not wanting to disrupt the memories.

A tall distinguished man laughed and crooked an elbow around his neck. “Son, you do what you’ve got to do. Right now, we’re just glad you’re here. Welcome home.”

He blinked.

God? I don’t know if I have the same kind of relationship with You that Amy has, but I know I need some help here. If You’re listening, let me figure out who’s trying to kill me.

He continued on out the door, down the hall and turned right. As he approached Anna’s office, he heard voices.

“I wouldn’t ask you if it wasn’t important,” Amy was saying.

Not wanting to eavesdrop, Juan knocked on the door. Two heads swiveled as one. Amy’s eyes lightened and relief spread across her face. She asked, “Hey there, how are you?”

Juan answered, “Hungry. Aren’t you going to the picnic?” He asked the question of both ladies, but his eyes were on Amy. The women glanced at each other and Amy nodded affirmatively.

Anna said, “Yes, just as soon as I finish up some paperwork. Why don’t you and Amy head down to the ball field? She and I can finish this discussion later.”

Juan wondered at the pointed look Anna sent Amy, but didn’t figure it was any of his business…although he had to admit to his curiosity. Well, she’d tell him if she wanted to.

Amy smiled, but Juan thought it looked strained. She said, “All right, I’m a little hungry. Why not?”

Juan felt his heart start thudding and told it to stop. It was a picnic lunch. That was all.

The fun was in full swing when they arrived at the field. Picnic tables groaned under the weight of goodies that would tempt even the strongest dieter. And Juan wasn’t on a diet. His stomach growled again, earning a glance and a laugh from Amy. “Hungry?”

“Starved.”

“Come on, it looks as if almost everyone has already gone through the line.”

Juan followed her over to the spread and grabbed a paper plate. He started filling it up, then subtly glanced around, wondering if whoever was after him was here. Was it one of the staff? The grounds crew? And why? What was it about him that made someone want to kill him?

Amy caught his attention as she moved to find a place to sit. She moved with a supple, natural grace that most women would envy or practice endlessly to achieve. Yet the lines between her brows spoke of something on her mind.

They found a seat on a checkered blanket that provided a front-row view of all the activities going on in and around the ball field. As Juan sat down opposite her, he asked, “What’s wrong?”