Moth(67)

It takes us four days to make it across the country, and another after we’ve reached the border into Mexico. We stop only for gas and pay in cash for the rest of the of drive. We’re using our alias passports in order to prevent our names coming up as flagged by government officials.

According to Nina, the meeting between Alizar and his associates is to take place in El Estor Guatemala off the grid at a home he supposedly owns under a fake identity. It sits on one side of a private lake, and can be seen from some local hotels. Since I’ve been living there for a while I’m familiar with the area and know exactly where we’re going to stay.

It’s important we blend in, so I locate the perfect place and come up with a story to keep us under the radar. We take our bags in with us and approach the front desk. We need to look like tourists and not lead on that either of us knows fluent Spanish. “Hi. My new wife and I would like a room for two nights. It’s our honeymoon.”

The female smiles and nods. She pushes a book in our direction and speaks with a strong accent, giving us some papers to fill out and a total in which I pay in cash. We’re then led to a second floor room with a view of the jungle. In the distance I can hear monkeys in the trees. It’s a nice place, and I can tell from the look on Nina’s face that she likes this idea. “Married, huh?”

“Hey, it’s just for a couple days. You can divorce me when we check out.”

We both stand on the balcony and look out at the surrounding area. The lake is to the left of us. We can see it, but it would be impossible for us to be spotted watching who is coming and going by boat. I’m betting we’re going to see activity, and now I’ll know exactly what I’m going to be dealing with.

We spend the day scoping out the area. We blend in on the beach, pretending to take photographs of each other while actually surveying the boat traffic coming and going from the remote location across the water. We use binoculars and Nina identifies two people she recognizes from the lab. And then it happens. I hear her breath in and make a familiar sound. She hands me the binoculars. “The one in the green shirt. Do you see him?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s Nico. He’s been here all along. Oh my god, Moth. I thought he was dead.”

While she speaks I watch him. It’s evident he’s not working with Alizar. After further inspection he’s being led inside of a small shack and the person behind him is holding a gun. “Fuck. Nina they’re holding him. They took him inside a building with a gun pointed at his back.”

She stands like she’s about to swim across the water to rescues him. I grab her by the arm and motion for her to calm down. “Shh. Don’t make a scene, babe.”

“I can’t help it.” She jerks out of my hold but manages to sit back down. “That’s my brother. We have to get to him.”

“We will. First we need to contact the guys and make sure they get here. Once we know Alizar is on that property we’re going in. I’ll do everything I can to help you save your brother. I promise.”

Nina is a nervous wreck for the remainder of the evening. She refuses to eat and seems to be in a trance. I know this is hard for her. I can’t imagine being this close to someone I care about and not being able to reach them. She’s given up everything for this guy, and now there’s finally redemption waiting for her. It will have all been worth it if she can get him out of there in one piece.

After we’re both back in the room and I’ve made my impertinent calls to ensure backup is on the way, I climb into bed next to Nina hoping I can get her to talk to me. “Hey. I know you’re worried about Nico, but this could be our last night together.”

She offers an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry. I can’t stop thinking about him. All this time I thought he was dead.”

I begin considering why they’d keep him alive and then it hits me. “What if this is insurance? They know you’re out there somewhere with the location of where they’re meeting. Alizar is always one step ahead. He could have been keeping Nico somewhere and had them bring him over to insure you wouldn’t be able to get to him. It’s a long shot, but worth thinking about.”

“I have. I know. What am I supposed to do? We’ve come all this way. I won’t back down now.” She’s tearing up and it takes everything in me not to put her in her SUV and send her away. She’s too involved, and I’m concerned it’s going to get her killed.

“I want you to stay back tomorrow.”

“Hell no! Not happening. No way in hell am I staying here while you go over there and rage a war on Alizar. What if something happens to you?”

That’s the point. I’m holding her hands as I speak. “Don’t you see, that’s why I need you to stand down? I couldn’t handle it if something happened to you. I won’t let them hurt you. Don’t worry about me. I’ll die a happy man if I know you’re safe and out of harm’s way.”

“You’re being an *.” She jerks out of my hold and folds her hands over her chest. I don’t care if she’s pissed. I’d rather her hate me, then be in danger.

“You’re mad because I’m right. You’re too invested in this case. You’ll go in with blinders on. I’ve dealt with these people. I’m trained in these types of situations. You’re not. I’m not saying you’re not tough enough, but I know what to expect. I can’t protect you and worry about taking him down. I won’t be able to focus.”