Read Online Savior by Anthony Caplan - Free Book Online

bottle. He offered Al some water. Just then, an abrupt burst of engine noise startled them. Around the corner, on the main street, came six or seven motorcycles. From where they were, Ricky and Al saw them pass by in a blur, an instant vision of the motorcycle gangs they'd seen on the coast, scarves wrapped around heads, a reckless, simmering violence despite the tight choreography of their riding.
    Wow, those guys get around, said Al.
    It's amazing they don't get into more accidents they go so fast.
    They're good. Well-trained.
    That put an edge into the afternoon. The tourists crowding the town seemed robotic, unaware, in a world without reference, with their maps and their shortsighted, blank faces, their mosquito-proof Abercrombie and Fitch outfits. At a taxi stand there were four men gathered against a wall in the sun waiting for fares.
    Come on, Ricky.
    They crossed the street.
    Do we want a taxi?
    No. Not exactly. Well, maybe.
    Al walked up to the men. They blinked in the light and stood straighter.
    I'm looking for Evelio Duarte. He used to be a horse guide in San Juan Grande, said Al.
    The faces on the men hardly flickered. One of them straightened, cleared his throat.
    Si lo conozco .
    ¿ Puede llevarnos a Evelio?
    The men mumbled one to the other.
    He ees crazy man, said the man.
    Crazy. That's all right.
    But I take you. More close. Not complete.
    All right.
    There was more rumbling among them in unintelligeble words, and then the man walked them to his minivan parked by the tourist office. He slid the side door open and Al and Ricky climbed in. The door slid shut and the man walked around the van, avoiding the traffic whizzing by on the busy street.
    How is he crazy? asked Al, after the driver had started the car and was preparing to enter traffic.
    No. It is impossible to say about it. But he is eh, how you say. He no listens.
    The taxi driver gesticulated with his hand to indicate how far out Evelio's indiscretions extended. He seemed to want to say more.
    That's not crazy. That's just stubborn. Two very different things. Where is he? Where are you taking us? Is it far?
    Where he live. But not complete. You must walk for more of the way.
    He drove down the main street and out onto the mountain highway, not making any effort to avoid or slow down for potholes. It looked like it might rain, and before long it did, spattering large drops on the windshield and the road.
    We're going to have to walk in this, said Al.
    That's okay, said Ricky.
    You are from United States?
    Yes.
    From where?
    Florida.
    My sister live in Brahdenton.
    Oh, nice.
    She like United States. But she want to come back to San Juan Grande. Her husband, he bit her. I tell her to stay in United States. San Juan Grande very bad.
    How so?
    Oh, it is impossible to say about. But the people are more scared. He gestured with his hand again for the extent of the fear.
    Is it because of the Santos Muertos ?
    The man turned around and examined Al with a quick glance.
    How you know about?
    I hear.
    They will kill you. Very bad today. You must to be careful.
    All right . He turned to Ricky and whispered. I hope Evelio is all right.
    Freaky .
    The minivan pulled over onto a ledge on the side of the road. There was a fork ahead, one way going steeply up past an unused hut and the other way winding down into the valley far below. There was a cross with some freshly laid flowers by the side of the downhill road. The trees were stunted from the trade winds blowing down the back of the mountain range. Al paid the driver. He wouldn't look Al in the face, just took the money through the window of the minivan.
    Thank you .
    The cabby drove away, doing a quick U turn on the curve and coming back past them in the opposite direction.
    Drives like a bat out of hell, doesn't he?
    Do we know how to get to Evelio from here? He didn’t even tell us.
    You're right. He didn't .
    What now, Dad?
    Well, let's just think . We'll figure it out. Use our senses and our intuitions.