Everyone turned to Parrot. “Yes, but before your people had it, we had it. Where’s your proof that your people didn’t steal it from us?”
On and on the talks went, with no hope of resolution in sight.
And after a while, I found myself studying Parrot. To any person who really didn’t know him, they would think he was fine by looking at him. Calm, controlled, patient. But I’d known Parrot nearly a year, and although he hid it well, I detected the exhaustion and stress in him. Little things like reaching up to rub his temple, blinking slow from dry eyes, the fatigue in his voice, and the way he kept forcing himself to sit up straight.
I couldn’t imagine so many voices circling around in my head, bumping into each other, pushing and shoving for space. I’d probably go insane with the overload.
I wished I had the power to call an end to things and give him a break.
Suddenly, a deep grunt vibrated through the hut, and I snapped to attention.
A chief with very long hair shot angrily to his feet. He yelled across the U shape at the chief with the black-dot tattoos, and that chief got to his feet, too.
Back and forth they yelled, and it sounded as if they were using some of the same words. Parrot got to his feet and tried to keep up, but with their fast exchange and loud voices, Parrot’s voice was overpowered.
Then the two chiefs charged at each other, and I sucked in a breath.
Other chiefs and assistants rushed the two who were about to fight and pulled them apart. They were all shouting over one another. The chief with the long hair shoved others out of his way and stormed from the hut. The chief with the tattoo plopped back down on his stool. And then slowly everyone trickled back to their seats.
I looked at each of my team members, and they seemed as caught off guard as me.
Things quieted and, just as I thought the talks would begin again, Talon stood. Up to this point he’d been quiet. For the first time since I’d come in, Parrot gazed straight across the U and into Talon’s eyes.
And then Talon lifted a finger and pointed it right at Parrot.
[11]
To parrot’s credit, he kept his gaze passively fastened on Talon as if he were any other chief standing there pointing his finger. Parrot showed no signs of recognition, no signs of fear, only a hint of question floated in his eyes.
All the chiefs stared at Talon waiting for him to speak.
“Baet pawkot yaeng doe yote ratag,”
he finally said, before turning and walking straight out of the ceremonial hut.
The chiefs silently looked at one another, clearly wondering what was going on. I switched my attention to Parrot and found him looking straight at me.
The same chief who had chanted at this morning’s breakfast stood and said something in his language.
Everyone looked at Parrot. “Today’s events are over,” he translated.
The chiefs’ assistants whispered the translation into their ears, and then everyone started getting up and filing out of the hut. With my laptop in tow, I made a beeline for Parrot.
“Let’s talk,” I said, grabbing his arm, not giving him a chance to say no.
We wove our way through the departing crowd, across the village, and stopped at the corral. Our horses Diablo and Abrienda came right over.
“Tell me what’s going on,” I demanded, not giving him the time to decide if he wanted to talk to me or not. I’d been more than patient with Parrot’s silence, but it was evident I’d have to pull information from him.
And I thought
I
was hard to talk to.
I planted my hand on my hip. “I want to know the story of you and Talon.” I wasn’t being nosy, or a bully. I knew if Parrot didn’t talk to someone, he was going to explode from the stress. “What did he just say to you?”
He turned and stalked off.
What the . . . ?
I stalked after him. “Stop.”
Blatantly ignoring me, Parrot marched right into the jungle.
“Parrot! Stop!”
He threw his hand up, telling me to bug off.
It only fueled my fire. I ran to catch up, dug my fingers in his arm, and spun him around. I jabbed my finger in his face. “Now listen. I’m sick of you keeping everything secret. This is starting to affect the mission. If I have to be concerned about Talon, that maybe he is the hit man, then I need to know. I want you to talk.
Now.
”
Parrot jabbed his finger right back in my face. “And I’m sick of you bugging me. This has nothing to do with the mission. Just leave me alone!”
“No.”
His face hardened. “Get. Out. Of. My. Face,” he gritted.
“No,” I ground out through clenched teeth, fully aware I was pushing
both
of us beyond the limit.
Parrot growled, a very out-of-character reaction. He turned away from me and, with fisted hands, let out a loud yell. It echoed through the jungle, and my stomach clenched with the primal sound of it. Like all the frustration and anger over his entire life had just erupted from his body.
With another yell, he spun and kicked a tree. And kicked it again.
I reached for him. “Parrot, stop. You’re going to break your toes.”
He turned away from me and put his hands over his face. “Please. Just leave me alone.”
Putting my laptop down, I stepped up behind him and wrapped my arms tight around him. He tried to pull away, and I squeezed him harder.
Parrot inhaled a choppy breath. “Oh, God.” Another choppy breath and then a quiet sob. The painful sound broke my heart.
Laying my cheek on his shoulder, I held on tight, while his body shook with sadness. I wondered if this was the first time he’d ever had a good cry.
Minutes passed, and I continued holding him.
He took some deep breaths, trying to get control of his emotions.
Finally, he sniffed. “Do you remember the day we all first met?” he mumbled into his hands.
I nodded against his shoulder, not wanting to let him go yet.
Parrot pulled away, and I reluctantly released him. With his back to me, he used his T-shirt to wipe his face. A few seconds passed as he gained more control. “I said I was taken in by the police for flying in a restricted airspace.” He turned around and looked me right in the eyes. “I lied.”
My heart paused a beat. “What do you mean you lied?”
He studied my face, as if trying to figure out exactly how much he could or would say to me.
I reached out and gripped his hand and looked him deep in the eyes. “Listen to me. Nothing you tell me will change who you are. Be truthful. Don’t worry. None of us have had a past worth bragging about.”
Parrot dropped his gaze to our clasped hands and quietly contemplated them. “I used to work for Talon,” he said a few seconds later. “I interpreted deals for him. Slave trade. Mostly young girls.” His voice broke.
I put my hand over my mouth.
He brought his pain-filled eyes up to meet mine. “It’s not something I’m proud of. I was so ashamed. I never wanted any of you guys to know.”
I rubbed my thumb over his knuckles. “It’s okay.”
Parrot sniffed and used his free hand to wipe his eyes. “Talon told me he knew where my mother was. And if I worked for him for six months, he’d reunite me with her.”
“Oh, Parrot.” I would do anything, too, to bring back my parents, if only for a few special moments with them.
“I didn’t know it was slave trade. I never knew what the ‘cargo’ was.”
I saw regret in his face, along with a hint of disgust at what he’d been involved in.
He looked up into my eyes. “I need you to believe that.”
“I do.” Closing the small space between us, I gave him a hug. “You know I do.” I stepped away. “Do you have any news about your mom?” I asked, hopeful.
Parrot shook his head, his eyes welling up again. “No.”
“Why isn’t Talon in jail?”
“Because I refused to testify. Talon’s the only one who knows where my mom is. When she’s found, I’ll testify and put him away.”
“Why not just go ahead and testify?”
Adamantly, he shook his head. “No. I won’t do anything until she’s found. I’m not going to take any chances. TL knows that.” Parrot grasped my upper arm. “Promise me you’ll be careful and stay away from Talon.” He gave my arm a little shake. “Promise.”
The conviction in his voice gave me a chill. “I promise.”
Nodding, he stepped away.
“What did he say to you back there at the hut?”
“That my mom would be so proud.”
“Oh, no.”
Parrot sighed. “I know. He knows who I am. Why else would he say that?”
I nodded my agreement. “We have to tell Jonathan.”
Together we turned, and at the exact same second caught sight of Talon standing behind a tree watching us. Parrot and I froze as we stared back.
Talon made no expression, made no attempt to hide. He headed off diagonal to us, disappearing farther into the jungle.
We watched him go until we couldn’t see him anymore.
“Do you think he heard us?”
Parrot closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead. “He may have.”
“Where do you think he’s going?” I asked.
“I have no idea.”
Cautiously, we made our way back toward the village as darkness settled in around us. It was no wonder Parrot didn’t want to come on this mission. His specialty, his gift, had been abused and used against him. And now here he had to face the same man who’d maltreated his talents. The man who knew where his mother was.
“Thanks for being honest and talking with me,” I said.
Parrot smiled a little in response.
As we exited the jungle, Jonathan came right toward us. “Where have you been? I don’t want you two going off alone. With the new intel, I’m not taking any chances.”
“Yes, sir,” we answered.
“Parrot needed some time to think, and I followed him,” I explained. “But as we were heading back, we saw Talon. He must have followed us into the jungle.”
“What happened?” Jonathan asked.