Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

Almost three hours later, near sunset.

“Unbelievable.” Fists on his hips, Davila studied the jumble of rocks scattered over the road. “This is like déjà vu all over again.”

“Well, better than déjà dead.” When Davila turned him a look, John said, “Great book. I mean, if you’re into autopsies and catching bad guys.”

“Remind me to remind Hank that I need a better straight man.” Shaking his head, Davila turned back to the rockslide. “Look at this mess. How can the slides be even worse here?”

“Because we’re at a lower altitude.” John inspected the pile of rubble. This road was so narrow even Parviz had stopped a few miles back and told them to shift as many items as possible to the side of the van opposite the drop-off. If Parviz could’ve managed, John might have suggested he and Davila climb into the driver’s lap. “More mountain above to fall on the road than below. But the rocks don’t look quite as large. We should be able to clear this pretty fast.”

“ Why ?” Davila said. “That’s what I’m asking. Something’s not right here. I can buy a couple slides, but this makes what? Five? Six? I’m getting really sick of starting and stopping and starting and stopping—and meanwhile, the clock’s kind of, you know, ticking .”

Parviz wrung his hands. “Sorry, sorry, sorry! I no can help the mountain or the weather. I no can tell if other way better or worse. It just...it just other way.”

“Take it easy,” John said to Davila as much as Parviz who sounded so plaintive John thought the guy might cry. Although he was just as worried. Nothing was quite going to plan. It wasn’t just nerves or the theft of their phones or even all the rockslides. For John, seeing that boy was enough to give him the willies. It was like a line from Casablanca with a twist: Of all the Burger Kings and all the McDonalds in the world, that kid has to walk... “Parviz, are you sure there isn’t some way we could just go back the way we came and find another route?”

“No other to take.” Parviz reached for his glove box again. “We look, you want, but I know roads. No other road good like this to hot water.”

“Good like this?” Davila echoed. “Not like this one wins any awards, but is there another way to this hot springs? You said there were only paths for the locals.”

“Yes, very little road better for walk than to drive but far back.” Parviz’s head bobbed in curt, perfunctory nods, the mark of a tolerant vendor trying to get the customer to hear what he’s saying. “Far, far way back.”

John had half a mind to ask for the maps again, but the day wasn’t getting any longer. “The longer we stand here arguing, the more daylight we lose.” He tossed a quick glance at the leaden sky. “And I don’t like the look of those clouds. Air smells like snow.”

Parviz’s head bobbed up and down. “Yes, yes. Sun go down, road get worse. Get black ice. Only way go this way. Back up harder and more dangers if go back.”

“Dangers?” He and Davila tossed a look, and then John said, “From?”

“Bandits,” Parviz said.

“Bandits.” Davila blinked. “You’re serious.”

“Cross heart.” Parviz put a hand to his heart. “Stick pin in eye.”

“But why now?” Davila persisted. “Why here ?”

“Makes sense,” John said. “Remember, Ustinov warned us at the very beginning that we weren’t headed for the most prosperous regions. We’re at a lower altitude. We just passed what counts as a city in these parts. That means more people living here and more people on their way through. Except...”

“Except what?” Davila asked when he didn’t continue.

“This van has more holes in its muffler than Swiss cheese. People must’ve heard. Sounds carry up here. But other than a couple herdsmen and yaks in the hills, we haven’t seen a soul.”

Parviz wagged his head in a vigorous negative. “That no mean they not see us. They also most hungry now. Bandits come gun and…” Cocking a thumb, he fired an index finger at John. “Shoot. Leave you for bones.””

“Then let’s not be the next opportunity.” Davila’s jaw firmed. “Let’s just clear this thing and get the heck out of Dodge.”

“We could work two at time,” Parviz said. “Third stand guard.”

“Decent idea,” Davila said.

“Clear this faster with three, though,” John said.

“But safer with two. Not like we don’t have weapons.” Davila was already moving for the back of the van. “I got that AK. We can rotate with that.”

“I like my AK,” Parviz said. “Already good for my eye.”

John felt a ping of alarm, but before he could speak, Davila said, “Hard to haul rocks with a rifle slung around your back. But if you want, sure, we can use your rifle and then just rotate with that.”

Parviz was already shaking his head. “Better we all get guns.”

“What is this, gunfight at the OK Corral?” John asked.

“If it’s bandit country, best to be strapped.” Hauling open the slider, Davila gestured for them to gather round. “Parviz, you got dibs on your AK.” As the driver hooked his weapon’s carry strap over a shoulder, Davila grabbed the handgun cases and held them out. “I’m good with my M4. You guys got the Glocks, too, if you want. Or, John, we can take turns with the M4.”

“No, I’ll stick with the Glock,” John said. “Be better if anyone gets close.”

“Let’s hope that doesn’t happen,” Davila said.

“This good, this very good.” Jacking out his Glock’s magazine, Parviz opened a box of ammunition. “End of day, you wait, you see,” he said, thumbing in bullets. “You be glad.”

“If it’s all the same to you,” John said, “at the end of day, I think we’d better hope this will all be for nothing.”