Jack Cage awoke early, as usual, however this morning his eyes opened to a room spinning and a head aching from the sudden realization of the decision made last night in the back room of the Lazy Peacock. Sitting up in bed he rested his head in his hands and groaned. He had allowed himself to become intoxicated with that woman and in his inebriated state he had made grandiose promises that now, in the clear light of a new day, he instantly regretted.
Jack dressed and made his way to the veranda where Jolly was having breakfast. Pouring himself a cup of coffee he threw himself down on a chair.
“What have I gotten us into Jolly?” Jack asked his friend.
Jolly snorted uncontrollably, spraying coffee from the cup he had just raised to his lips.
“Jack, you should have seen yourself!” Jolly was now laughing hysterically. “Once that little girl flashed her eyes at you all was lost. I had not seen that look on your face since the Western Front in 1917 when you were fumbling with your gas mask.” Jolly attempted to set his full coffee cup on its saucer however, he was laughing so raucously that it overturned spilling out on the white table cloth.
Jack found none of this amusing. He shot Jolly an annoyed glance, grabbed his hat and walked out the door in a snit, laughter fading after him as he stomped down the hotel corridor. Jack crossed the lobby, out the grand entrance and into the heat, sunlight and humidity of another South American day. He placed his hat upon his head and let out a heavy sigh as he contemplated the huge and arduous journey that he had agreed to undertake.
Jack and Jolly had been guiding expeditions and providing security for groups venturing into the jungle for almost fifteen years. They had been employed by scientist, educators, industrialist and adventurers. They had been hired by the military and guerilla groups and even some men that had turned out to be American gangsters.
They had spent months in the jungle and had even been lost a time or two. But what Jack had promised Sophie DeWulf was beyond anything they had undertaken before. The journey before them could take up to a year to complete, involved facing the world’s most ruthless military organization and involved traveling to a part of the Amazon jungle that had claimed the lives of every explorer that had ventured there.
In addition they would be making the journey, not with an expeditionary force of trained soldiers or even a group of strong and stoic men driven by a noble cause.
No, they were traveling with a woman.
Two men and a woman against the Nazi Army. This rescue mission was doomed to failure before it began.
As Jack walked down the busy street he began to reason upon the sheer madness of the decision he had made. He came to the conclusion that, promise or no, he would tell Ms. De Wulf that, in regard for her safety, another course of action would need to be explored to secure the safe return of her father.
“Monsieur Cage!” A low sweet voice called to him from behind.
Jack froze in his tracks. He felt his face flush and his heart flutter in his chest. Expecting to see the same beautiful, well-dressed woman from the night before Jack turned to greet Sophie.
The woman approaching was not what he had expected. Sophie was wearing a pair of well-worn leather boots, tan wool slacks, a white cotton blouse and a waist length leather jacket.
A gun belt hung upon her curvaceous hips with the holster situated on the left front side slightly angled to the right. Sophie’s dark hair was pulled back revealing two ears that stood out unusually far from the sides of her head. Jack decided instantly that he was very fond of those ears.
“Good morning Ms. DeWulf.” Jack said with a slight quaver in his voice.
“Good morning.” She replied. “Please Monsieur, I do hope that we will be friends so please, call me Sophie.””
“Friends, yes, so do I.” Jack said clearing his throat. “Ms. DeWulf, Sophie, I was just thinking about our conversation last night and I don’t think you understand how difficult and dangerous this journey will be. Perhaps we should discuss it further.”
“Yes Jack I agree completely.” Sophie began unexpectedly. “It is unfair of me to ask you and Jolly to risk your lives for a man you have no connection to. Therefore I will agree to any fee that you feel is appropriate and I will pay in advance.”
Jack was stymied by her statement. He suspected that she knew exactly what he was about to say and had just made a primitive strike.
“No, Sophie this is not about money.” Jack said. “I am concerned for your safety. The Amazon jungle is no place for a woman and I cannot guarantee your safety or…”
“This ‘Woman’ asked for no guarantees of safety!” Sophie fired back. “My father has been kidnapped by the most evil, murderous and vile men in the world and I have pursued them for twelve hundred miles before ever meeting you. I am more than capable of taking care of myself and I am familiar with the dangers of a jungle environment. I have arranged a flight to take us as far as Planaltina. If you and Monsieur Joley will condescend to contract with a ‘female’ client, we will leave in two hours. If not then know this Jack Cage, with you or without you, I am going to rescue my father.”
With that she turned and walked away with her head high and her shoulders square. Jack stood on the street watching her go. He had a strong desire to run after her and beg forgiveness for his impertinent words, but then his pride grabbed his heart by the collar and punched it in the nose.
Jack again felt his face flush with heat however this time, it was red with anger. Jack had been genuinely concerned for Sophie’s wellbeing and was about to suggest they contact the Brazilian authorities about the kidnapping.
With Jack and Jolly’s connections he was confident something could be done. However if she was going to foolishly insist on pursuing Nazi’s into the world’s most inhospitable wilderness alone, in pursuit of a man that was probably already dead and, wind up most certainly killed herself, all because she was a stubborn female, then so be it. He was done with Sophie DeWulf.
Jack walked a half block back to the hotel, through the grand entrance, across the lobby, up the stairs and down the hall to his room. Entering, he found Jolly still sitting at the table reading the morning paper. He once again threw himself down in a chair.
“Well you were not gone long. What is the plan?” Jolly inquired.
“Our flight leaves in two hours.” Jack said dejectedly.