by a renewed lashing of leaves and stalks; Charles complained bitterly of his own beatings behind her.
Carolyne’s sudden, “Felix, what’s happened!” was preview of upcoming events that warned Melanie of the worst even before she, too, followed into the campsite.
Felix Tenner, though conscious, was seated on the ground, hands-to-head, rocking to and fro.
“Overdosed on his own cooking, most likely,” diagnosed Charles who was last out and the last to decide if it was something more serious.
Carolyne, down on one knee, quickly found, “A bump the size of a goose egg.”
“Whacked from behind.” Felix’s voice, weak under the best of circumstances, was hardly audible. Luckily, everyone was close enough to hear.
Charles jumped to conclusions: “Considering the lead-in, our hormones run amuck guide is the most likely culprit, yes? Although, Teddy seems a more logical target, in his having rescued Melanie from Gordon last night.”
“I’m not sure of that motive, but that’s certainly a good place to begin,” Carolyne agreed.
“Got me from behind,” Felix complained.
“You already said as much,” Charles reminded.
If looks could kill, Felix’s expression would have sent Charles to The Big Arboretum in the Sky. Taking what Charles said as unadulterated criticism, Felix said. “I’ve yet to see someone with eyes in the back of his head; I’m no exception.”
“Well, pardon me.” The apology from Charles wasn’t really an apology at all. “I suppose this means we must all fend for our own meals?”
That got him a Charles, this could be serious look from both Carolyne and his niece.
“I’m someone who thinks levity more conducive to rational thinking, especially in a crisis, than proceeding like chickens with their heads cut off,” Charles excused.
“Charles, be useful and soak a rag for Felix’s head,” Carolyne suggested.
“What kind of rag?”
“Melanie, can you help your helpless uncle improvise?”
Headed for a towel in her knapsack, Melanie noticed how the main canvas flap on their radio encasement hung by only one ill-tied strap. That didn’t interrupt her Florence Nightingale mission as much as did the radio part revealed by the breach. “Someone has battered our radio in!”
For the moment, Felix was forgotten, along with his aching head; Carolyne and Charles performed a mass exodus to Melanie.
“That young man’s lusting after my niece has really gone too far,” was how Charles judged the situation.
No way could Melanie think that. Gordon trying to steal a kiss was one thing, but taking his frustration to this extreme was out of the question; he simply wouldn’t have.
Actually, the radio wasn’t their only means of communication, even though the area had no reception whatsoever for cell phones. “Where’s that ‘satellite gizmo’?”
The piece of gear in question was a small contraption that Carolyne didn’t really understand, except that it somehow, in an emergency, could be counted upon to bounce not only an SOS off some U.S. satellite but transmit longitude and latitude to would-be rescuers.
“Gone!” announced Charles after he’d joined the women in a futile search. “Gordon to blame!”
Melanie remained unsure, admitting only, “Yes, Gordon tried to kiss me. Yes, Teddy knocked the wind out of him. Yes, Gordon’s forced apology sounded less than sincere at the time. On the other hand, his second apology, given me this morning, seemed sincerely genuine.”
“Felix bonked himself on the back of the head, did he?” Charles offered in alternative. His niece obviously didn’t recognize just how attractive she was, even in her slightly funky, two-week old jungle chic. Teddy, whom Charles still thought not the right fiancé for his niece, might have hit Gordon, but Gordon run amok was more a real example of a man driven to distraction by boiling passion. “Or, maybe Carolyne, or I, sneaked back and did this dastardly deed?”
“Charles, don’t be ridiculous!” Carolyne insisted.
“Ms. Super Sleuth sees motives around here, other than physical attraction, does she?”
“Scientists—and may I remind that you and I are scientists—are supposed to look at things more objectively than the average man on the street,” Carolyne decided.
“What average man on the street finds himself stranded in the Amazon with all lines of communication severed?”
“Don’t jump to any conclusions, Charles, before we’ve heard Gordon’s side.”
“You think Gordon went through all of this bother so he could sit down and explain it to us?”
“It’s not just Gordon unaccounted for.” Carolyne meant it as an objective let’s wait until all of the alibis are in; Melanie took it differently.
“My God, where is Teddy?” Melanie managed to deliver with the same emotional emphasis of a scream.
Her answer was a distinct gunshot.
“From somewhere near the river,” Charles isolated. He may have some diminished capacities, but his hearing was still good enough.
Two more shots confirmed.
“Could be a hunter,” Melanie ventured. Immediately, she argued against it, “Hunting what, though? Hunting where? Far away?”
“Not far.” Charles had a more experienced ear. “You don’t need much jungle to muffle a sound.” He drew his revolver and checked its load. He’d fought his share of enemies in hostile environments like this one, and he knew the procedure.
“This isn’t happening,” Melanie decided.
“Oh, but it is, my dear,” Carolyne disagreed. She, like Charles, had been in predicaments where the only thing between her and safety had been a firearm and her ability to use it with precision. “The worst thing we can do is pretend it’s otherwise.”
Three to one, they voted to stay put; Melanie was odd-man (woman) out; even Felix, still doubled over with pain, cast his vote with the majority. Concerned for Teddy’s welfare, Melanie was distraught by the decision. When Charles proceeded to make something to eat, his main concern apparently his belly, rather than Teddy’s well-being, Melanie was made more upset.
Carolyne took it upon herself to explain how the combined voice of experience was preferable to the lone, illogical, but natural, contrary response of Melanie. Firstly, Charles was less callous than he seemed by his concern over whether to serve beef or lamb stew. “The last thing we want is to lower our energy levels,” said Carolyne. “After a morning of expending calories, we have to restock or risk performing at less than optimum when the very best is exactly what’s most demanded of us. We’ve food available, and it behooves us to take advantage of that good fortune. The absence of facts, regarding the real state of our situation, can’t assure us indefinite
