ENCOUNTER by Hep Aldridge (bill gates books recommendations .txt) 📕

“Did you call Reggie, Doc?” I asked.

“Yep, and Uncle Harold too. Reggie will meet us tomorrow; we just need to let her know where. Uncle Harold said when we get settled, he would like to meet. No major problems—just a few things we needed to be aware of. He said to give him a call when you’re ready.”

“Great, then let’s get down to business and figure out what’s next.”

O’Reilly said, “I think we need to decide what we’re going to do about Mendez, now that we know he’s one of the bad guys.”

“Remember, we still have a standing dinner engagement we accepted with him,” Dimitri added.

“Yeah, but that was before we found out about his ties to the Brotherhood,” Joe added.

“True,” I said, “but the last thing we want is for him to get any hint that we know his secret. So, we need to go along as if we know nothing and keep our ears and eyes open.”

“Then we need to let him know we’re back and set the dinner date. O’Reilly, can you get in touch with Tex and let him know we’re back in town and would like to take Mendez up on his offer?” Doc said.

O’Reilly looked at me, and I nodded, and she said she would take care of it tomorrow. The large platter of appetizers we had ordered appeared, and fresh drink orders were placed. After they arrived, Joe said, “Okay, Colt, we’ve got the wheels rolling here in town; what about our lost city?”

Chapter Five

We had spent the better part of the afternoon and early evening hashing out plans for our next moves in the search for the lost city. I awoke with a head full of details that needed attending to before we left for the mountains. We had made lists yesterday of required provisions, and today, the team split up to acquire the items. By the time I got downstairs for breakfast, they had already left. The message left for me at the front desk was both funny and thoughtful. It read, “Colt, we’re out picking up the necessities, so why don’t you just kick back and relax a bit before we head to Diego’s later? You looked stressed last night—like you needed a break. Signed, your caring, compassionate, and highly skilled team. HUGS AND KISSES.” I chuckled as I read it and thought maybe they were right. The legal wrangling in Florida and worrying about this trip did have me wound a little tight. I decided that a leisurely breakfast on the veranda would be a good thing and headed that way. Taking a walk after breakfast and taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of my surroundings did have a calming effect, and as I entered the hotel lobby around noon, I thought it’s good to be back in Ecuador.

I awakened to the phone ringing. “Colt,” Doc’s voice said. “We’re downstairs, ready to head to Diego’s when you are.”

I shook the cobwebs from my head and looked at my watch. 4:30. Damn, I must have been tired. “I’ll be down in ten,” I said as I hung up and headed for the bathroom and some cold water on my face to revive me. It was closer to 15 minutes when I met everyone in the lobby, and we headed to the parking lot.

Diego’s Place was hopping; it was after 5:00, and it was Friday. Our regular table was taken, so we had to find one closer to the bar. We sat down and looked toward the packed bar. Doug was back there along with Paco and another person we didn’t recognize. I was staring at Paco when he looked up, and I threw my hand in the air. He immediately lit up like a Christmas tree with his gleaming white smile. He punched Doug on the arm, and when he turned, Paco pointed to us. Doug also flashed a huge grin and threw a wave with a “just a minute” hand gesture. He must have corralled Theresa. As he approached with two pitchers of beer, she followed with five mugs, setting them on the table, and proceeded to hug us all with delight.

“So great to see you all again,” she said, “When did you get back?”

“We just got in yesterday and have been taking care of some business.”

She laughed, “I’m sure famous treasure hunters have much business to take care of.”

“Oh, you heard,” I said.

Doug said, “Hell, yeah, we heard; it’s been on the news and in the newspapers. They’ve even come by here to interview us since we are your official watering hole, according to the media, and were wanting to know when you would return. Like I said, after that bus rescue in the mountains—what was that, well over a year ago, you guys have been great for business ever since.”

Now, we all laughed, and Dimitri said, “Well, at least we’re good for something.” More laughing and welcome backs were spread around. We had just finished our first mugs of beer when I saw Reggie come in the front door. It only took her a second to spot us and head over. She looked tanned and fit as ever in her cut-off BDU shorts, safari shirt, hiking boots, and a red bandana tied around her neck. She almost ran to the table, and as I stood to greet her, she grabbed me in a bear hug and said, “Welcome back, Colt; I’ve missed you guys.” Everyone got a hug, including O’Reilly, as greetings were shared.

Doc pulled up another chair between him and O’Reilly for her. Within minutes, another mug appeared, and two more pitchers of beer as Doug hugged Reggie and said, “Welcome back, haven’t seen you in a while.”

“Yeah, I know; I’ve been kinda busy and out of town quite a bit. But I’m back now,” she said with a grin and hoisted mug.

Doug stood back and surveyed the table with smiling faces, spread his arms, and said in a somewhat