! Paperback edition will be available by release date, August 29, 2017. Audiobook edition to follow release.
Richards winked at Antonio and gave him the thumbs up sign. So far so good. At least it didn’t seem like they were about to be personally ordered to leave the country by the president himself. The technician stood at the entrance to the tent, as if standing watch, expecting a national guard platoon to coming rolling up at any moment.
Antonio continued with the radio. “Very well, Mr. President, thank you for asking, and thank you for your condolences. To what do I owe the pleasure of your radio call to our humble jungle camp?”
Richards nodded. Get right to the point. The Brazilian president answered.
“A situation has developed that you may be able to assist us with. I understand it would take up your valuable research time, but in return I am of course prepared to extend your visa for as long as necessary, as well as providing reasonable, though not extravagant, financial compensation.”
“My team and I are happy to assist your government, Señor. Please let me know what you need.”
“Thank you, Dr. Medina. There has been an unfortunate event that is soon to hit the news wires. Even from your humble jungle camp, as you call it, I am certain that you will hear of it over the radio. So let me give you the news first.” The president paused.
“Listening, Mr. President.”
Brazil’s leader continued to transmit. “Less than an hour ago, hundreds of people were killed in several of my country’s jungle cities, as well as at least one in Peru: Iquitos, Santarem, Belem, Manaus, and Macapá. At latest count, the death toll stood at 484 people all told; men, women and children.”
Shocked silence reigned for a moment until the president asked if the connection was still good.
“Yes, we are here,” Antonio transmitted. “Just stunned, trying to process the terrible news. What happened to these people? Has there been a terrorist attack?” At the door, the technician glanced up to the sky, as if expecting an air raid of some sort at any second.
The president’s voice came back over the speaker. “We are not yet certain, but if it is, it is the strangest terror attack the world has ever seen.” He paused without elaborating, so Antonio voiced the question on his and Richards’ minds.
“How did these people die?”
The president cleared his throat before answering. “We’re still not exactly sure—autopsies are being conducted as we speak—but it appears as though they all literally dropped dead of natural causes. Their hearts simply stopped beating, their brain activity ceased, and they died. One observer in Manaus said it was as if the people simply ‘expired’ without warning.”
Antonio and Richards traded looks, during which Richards mouthed the word, poison?
“Do you suspect a terror attack by poison, Mr. President?” Antonio was beginning to wonder why the president wanted to speak with him about this matter that seemed more suited for the military.
“We have no reason to think as such at this time.”
“Perhaps the water supply has been poisoned in the Amazon basin?” Antonio threw out.
“We considered that possibility, but it doesn’t explain why only some people died. Many more thousands of persons living in those cities drank the water than the 500 or so who died, and no one else is even sick.”
Puzzled silence once again filled the tent and the airwaves. “It must be some sort of targeted attack, sir,“ Antonio began. “What else could—“ But the president cut him off.
“Targeted, perhaps, yes. But it still doesn’t seem like terrorism. Let me explain. There is something I have not yet told you. Something I would like to remain confidential for as long as possible, though it is doubtful that will last long.”
“The information will not leave our camp unless directed by your office, sir.”
“Thank you. First of all, every one of the victims was a tribal descendant of indigenous rain forest peoples found in either the Brazilian or Peruvian Amazon.”
“Sounds like maybe a hate crime, then?”
“Perhaps. But there is one more thing. Something quite odd. All of the victims share the same birthday.”
“Exactly the same?”
“Not the same year—the deceased are of many ages, young and old—but every single one of them, so far as we can tell through identification and reports from next of kin, was born on the same day: February 29.”
(End excerpt)
