The Heart of the Jungle, стр. 16

She'd have to keep an eye on this situation.

"COME on in," Jason said, stepping aside.

Chris was surprised at the orderliness of the workspace. The desk was clear of clutter, and the bookshelves were carefully arranged. A rack containing potted plants stood in front of the window, and a comfortable-looking sofa sat against the wall. The tidiness of the office was a sharp contradiction to the image of Jason Kingsley that had formed in his mind based on their meeting the day before.

"Why the change of heart?" Jason asked without preamble. "After your tantrum last night, I never expected to see you again." He motioned toward a chair.

"I've been to see George MacQuery," Chris said as they seated themselves on opposite sides of Jason's desk.

"Ahh," Jason murmured softly. "He backed up the things I told you, then." It wasn't a question. Jason was obviously well aware of MacQuery's knowledge of Michael's indiscretion.

"And then some. He told me things I never would have believed a year ago." Chris slumped into the chair and stared into his lap. He felt like an empty husk. "I trusted him," he said softly.

He looked up at Jason imploringly. Jason said, "Don't be too hard on him. MacQuery is a good man. I'm sure he meant well."

"I don't need to be sheltered. I'm not a child, Mr. Kingsley." Chris was still trying to come to grips with the betrayal. He wasn't quite ready to forgive---not yet.

"Let's cut it out with the Mr. Kingsley stuff. Gives me the creeps. Call me Jason, please."

Chris smiled contritely. "Sorry."

Jason sat forward in his chair and placed his elbows on the desk. "I probably blurted out a little too much yesterday. I've never been mistaken for someone with tact."

"You'd make a lousy psychiatrist," Chris agreed. "But forget about it. I know now, and I'm dealing with it."

"Actually, you do seem better today. More together or something."

"I want the truth. Seems like everyone's given up except me. Except you." Chris leveled his eyes on Jason. "So if you have information, I'm ready to hear it."

"How much do you already know about Michael's involvement with Johan Brunner?"

Chris related what he'd learned from his visit with George.

Surprisingly, the words came more easily now that he'd had some time to think about it. The shame and guilt he'd initially felt were gone. He was much more at ease with Jason too. There was no judgment, no malice, no recrimination on the other man's face, just quiet interest. Even the egotism didn't seem as pronounced, and Chris wondered if he'd imagined it.

When he'd finished, Jason leaned back and regarded him thoughtfully. "You weren't ever in love with Blake, were you?"

Chris was surprised. He'd only just realized it himself earlier in the day on his way to visit George. How was he so transparent to this man?

Although his initial instinct was to deny it, he didn't. Instead, he shook his head. "I loved him in my own way, I suppose, but you're right. I was never in love with him." Chris shook his head. "Michael wasn't the kind of person who would have appreciated the difference."

"You're taking the news about Michael's affair with Brunner a lot better than I expected you would."

Chris frowned. "Well, it's not an easy pill to choke down, but then, I guess it really doesn't surprise me. I don't think Michael loved me either. We were comfortable, and that was good enough." He flashed his wrists at Jason as proof of his damaged view of the universe. "I'm not terribly idealistic. I don't believe in fairy tales like true love or happily ever after, so it's not like there was a dream to be shattered."

Jason looked thoughtful and then said, "Sorry, all of this must seem immaterial. I'm just trying to get a better idea of the nature of your relationship. It could be pertinent."

Chris nodded in understanding. "So, the information...."

Jason stood up and rummaged through a filing cabinet drawer.

"There's something you should listen to. I think you'll find it interesting." He produced a handheld tape recorder, which he placed on the desktop. He inserted a cassette and pressed a button.

A tinny recording of a woman's voice issued from the speaker. She spoke in heavily accented English, but her words were clear enough. "I started cleaning up the living room. It was a mess. Mr. Johan, he must have a party the night before. Dios mio. Bottles everywhere and needles.

Then I hear Mr. Johan yelling. He is very angry. I hear him say, 'You are going to do this, you owe me.' I don't want to hear any more, but I can't help it.

"Mr. Michael asks what are they going to do with her, and Mr. Johan says, 'Don't worry about the brat, I'll take care of it.' Mr. Michael is worried, I can tell. He says, 'You're not going to hurt her, Johan.' Mr. Johan laughs and says, 'Of course not. She has to be kept safe. I told you, we need her to get to the Heart of the Jungle.'

"I can't listen anymore. I don't want to know what they are talking about. If Mr. Johan knows I am listening, I don't know what he will do to me. I leave and I tell my daughter Carmenita, 'I don't want to go back to that place. Mr. Johan... he pays good money... but he scares me.'"

"They were talking about Brianna," Chris whispered, his entire body tensed and trembling. "They had to be talking about her." He stared at Jason with wide eyes. "What's this Heart of the Jungle they were talking about? Why would they need Brianna to get there?"

"I was hoping you could tell me."

Chris shook his head. "I have no idea. It doesn't make any sense."

Jason frowned and pressed a button on the tape player. "Up until I learned about what happened to Michael at the police station, I never knew what they were talking about. I had no idea Michael had a child