Tortugas Rising by Benjamin Wallace

growled his frustration. The remains of the radio embedded in the sand as he threw the broken device to the ground. Shards of black landed in the depression of a footprint.
    His own footprints tore at the beach’s serenity as he raced to catch his men. There was no doubt they had radioed the situation to Master Key. But Baxter would want to talk.
    Despite the urgency, he smiled; the thought of Nelson with his head in a lion’s mouth made him happy.
     
    # # #
     
    “Okay, it smells funny,” Steve whispered as he forced the brush out of his way.
    “I told you.” Paul kept a watchful eye over his shoulder. He was certain that they were being followed, and was the one who insisted on the whispering; but he had not given up on complaining about the island.
    Designed as one of the premier tourist attractions in ImagiNation, the wildlife refuge was one of the first completed islands. Its vast topography and exceptional species list was the center spread of the first several brochures, PR releases, and online campaigns for the resort. It was here on Kingdom Key that residents and tourists alike could safari with all the adventure and little of the danger of a trip to the African savannah.
    Kingdom Key’s ecosystem was modeled after that of the Ngorongoro Crater: rhinos, elephants, lions, hyenas, and leopards roamed the grounds.
    From the perspective of the guest, the ecosystem was seamless. The species intertwined in the precious circle of life and nature was free to run its course.
    In reality, the predator species were separated from their prey by large ravines. These waterways were designed to maintain the illusion of the crater’s functioning ecosystem, without having to replace countless zebra every few months.
    “Down here.” Paul scurried over the edge of a ravine and landed knee deep in the saltwater moat. “I am so sick of being wet. Next time, you’re going to buy a condo in the damn desert.”
    Steve dropped in behind him; he felt no resistance from the current in the water, but the mud beneath him did its best to hold his feet in place. “What’s with the moat?”
    “Maybe this is where that guy built his castle.” Paul lifted his feet high with each step to escape the suction of the muddy soil.
    “Good. Let’s raise the drawbridge and call for help.”
    “That’s stupid, Steve. Castles don’t have phones.”

 
     
    SEVENTEEN
     
    She had seen its conceptual art and had witnessed its construction, but every time Katherine entered the Amber Room, she was stricken speechless by its beauty. The semi-transparent sheets of amber were layered over mirrors and gilded scrollwork. The craftsman had created a masterpiece of luxury that made the entire room warm and inviting.
    Usually the air was filled with the fragrant scent of the polish that was used to enhance the sheen of the amber. Now that was lost to the lavish aroma of the fine food and wine that filled the trays of the waitstaff.
    White formal attire distinguished ImagiNation’s employees from the guests who had chosen the standard black tie uniform for the evening.
    The majority of the guests were accustomed to having the finest of luxuries served to them on silver platters, yet they still mused over the quality of the food as they plucked the hors d’oeuvres from their elaborate presentations.
    Baxter had searched the world for the finest chefs, personally sampling their fare, and hired them away at great expense. He stole the head chef from the ranks of the French Laundry in Napa. Baxter had risen from his table, invaded the kitchen and hired the man on the spot.
    Fresh ingredients were flown in daily by floatplane and prepared for the evening meal. And this attention to freshness was lost on no one in the room. Investors did their best to maintain their dignity as they shoveled food into their mouths. The representatives made no such attempt, as they stalked the bearers of the silver trays.
    Katherine found a dainty and delicious bacon-wrapped