Into the Wild by Beth Ciotta Page A

relying on her own device. “What direction are we headed in?”
    â€œNorth.”
    â€œBack toward Quito?”
    â€œSouth of Quito. The Llanganatis National Park is in the Cotopaxi region.”
    River jerked her gaze from the Garmin to Mel. “National Park?” Henry had discovered something men would kill for in a park? “But Spenser said the area is dangerous.”
    â€œParts are. Especially the part your dad disappeared in.”
    River’s pulse spiked. Maybe Mel knew more about Henry’s situation than Spenser. After all, Ecuador was his stomping ground. She hadn’t questioned him or Gerry last night. She hadn’t wanted to bring any more attention to Professor Kane and his potential whereabouts than necessary. Not that anyone had been willing to talk about him or Llanganatis. “What do you know about my father exactly?”
    â€œWhat everyone else knows. That he was obsessed with locating Atahualpa’s buried ransom.”
    Atahualpa. She’d seen that name scribbled in her dad’s journal. She didn’t know who that was, but she didn’t want to ask and show her ignorance. Maybe he’d elaborate.
    â€œThe treasure doesn’t exist,” he said.
    â€œYou sound awfully sure.”
    â€œPeople have been searching for centuries. If it existed…”
    â€œSomeone would’ve found it by now.” River focused back on the GPS unit. “You’re going the wrong way.”
    â€œAlternate route. Less obvious. I assume you’d prefer Spenser didn’t follow.”
    She didn’t answer.
    â€œSince McGraw’s annoyingly honest,” Mel went on,“I’m guessing you didn’t escape over the balcony to beat a room charge, but him. Otherwise, why call me?”
    River fussed with her seat belt to avoid eye contact. “We’re going our separate ways.”
    â€œFor good?”
    â€œFor now.” If Mel thought she was still attached to Spenser maybe he wouldn’t make a pass. It’s not that she believed her guide was immoral (as suggested by Spenser), but she wasn’t an idiot. She did sense sexual interest. “Just so you know,” she blurted, “I have a gun.” Her biggest lie yet today. Lightning was going to strike her down any minute now—a real possibility, given the ominous skies.
    His lip quirked. “Told Gerry you’re gutsier than you look.”
    A backhanded compliment, but at least it meant he didn’t consider her wholly naive and inept—unlike Spenser. She started to ask more about Henry, but her phone rang. She was surprised and relieved to know she got a signal in this remote area. Unless it was Spenser calling. She hadn’t given him her number, but the man was resourceful. She glanced at the caller ID. Mrs. Robbins.
    â€œI hope I’m not catching you at a bad time, dear,” Professor Bovedine’s housekeeper said.
    River wasn’t crazy about having this discussion in front of Mel, but she didn’t want to slow their trip by asking him to pull over. Nor did she want to put off Mrs. Robbins. Keep it vague. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be there for the professor’s funeral,” she said softly.
    â€œYou were here in spirit and the flowers you sent were lovely, River. As was the funeral.” The older woman sniffled. “Professor Bovedine would have been touched by the overwhelming turnout.”
    â€œHe was beloved and respected by many.” Unlike Henry, the eccentric, selfish hot dog.
    â€œI must be brief, but you were anxious, so I wanted to let you know. I haven’t been able to locate that package, River. I fear that murdering burglar took it as part of his loot. Whatever it was, he must have thought it valuable.”
    If that package included the missing part of the map, and, if her dad really had located a lost treasure then, oh, yes, it was valuable. Except River had the second half. She