“It’s my pleasure,” Alan replied, and meant it.
“I’ll call you as soon as I can,” Cindy replied and hung up feeling hopeful. She would find someone to take her and go right away.
Cindy wondered who she could go with. Mattheus was out for now, and she hadn’t yet heard back from Alfred. Cindy liked Alan’s suggestion of going with a local and suddenly Holly flashed through her mind. Holly would know someone who could take Cindy there safely. And, as Alan suggested, Cindy would certainly make it worth his while.
*
Cindy immediately took a cab to the casino. After she arrived and milled around it was only a few moments before Holly came over to her.
“Santos isn’t here today, honey,” Holly told her immediately.
“I actually came to see you this time,” Cindy whispered in return.
“To see me? Why?” A look of fear flashed across Holly’s face. “Is something wrong?”
“No, no, something’s right,” said Cindy. She trusted Holly and knew she could speak to her freely. “I have to go down to the rain forest basin and need someone to go with me.”
“The rain forest basin?” Holly looked at Cindy closely.
“For a few hours,” Cindy continued. “I’ll make it worth the person’s time. I need someone who knows the area.”
Holly paused a moment and thought. “Felix knows every inch of the island like the back of his hand,” she whispered. “In fact, I think he was a guide down there once. And he could sure use some money right now.”
“Perfect,” said Cindy. “Where is he?”
“Hanging around in the back,” Holly continued. “When are you going?”
“Right now,” said Cindy.
Holly’s eyes grew wide. “Just like that?”
“Why not? asked Cindy.
“People usually prepare,” Holly said quietly.
“I don’t have time,” Cindy responded.
“This is okay with Santos?” Holly wanted to check every angle.
“Yes, of course,” Cindy replied.
“You’re positive?” Holly had to be certain.
Cindy couldn’t see how Santos could object. After all, it was he who had arranged for her to have the photo. Santos had wanted her to know where Kara was. Of course Cindy couldn’t say that to Holly.
“I’m positive it’s fine with Santos,” Cindy continued, as if she knew it for a fact.
“Okay then,” Holly agreed, “I’ll go get Felix right now. You wait here.”
*
Holly was right, Felix was thrilled to go and in no time at all they were on their way.
Felix seemed to know every inch of the forest. In fact, the more deeply they entered the winding paths, the more at home he became. Cindy was amazed to see the change in him as he slithered through the dense, tropical trees, humming to himself. As the early evening light faded Felix almost seemed part of the flora and fauna himself.
“The Jacquot Trail is in that direction,” he said in a silvery voice, holding out his long, bony hand and pointing in the opposite direction from the one they were headed in. “The trail’s named for our national bird, the Jacquot Parrot. It’s beautiful, beautiful.”
It was strange listening to Felix speak, and oddly comforting. It made Cindy feel as though she too were a part of the forest and knew exactly where she was going, every step of the way. With just enough light left to see, they crossed a ravine and passed giant ferns and plant life Cindy had never dreamed possible.
“Those are elephant ears trunked chestnut trees,” Felix announced as they walked along. “See the lianas climbing on them.”
Cindy looked at the thick climbing vines. They crept to the top of the tree, looping up and down, looking as though, they, too, were trying to catch the last glimpses of the day’s light.
“Those vines are used to make baskets,” Felix added proudly. “Everything here in the forest is important, has a use. Everything helps each other live.”
“Beautiful,” Cindy murmured, in awe of the incredible interconnection of all life down here.
Felix, encouraged by her response, continued. “If we’re lucky we’ll see the Green Iguana. It lives in these trees and grows to six feet long. Keep your eyes open, maybe we’ll see the Zadoli, our lizards. It’s possible. The Zadoli’s eyes are covered by membranes instead of eyelids so they can see at night,” he added.