THE BAIT

A huge blue butterfly is floating from one flower to another. My eyes are mindlessly following while my brain is trying to make sense from words on the other side of the line:

“... The best case scenario, he is going to have his people rob you and take your passports. He will come in as a “savior” and will “miraculously recover your passports” for a good-sized fee. It’s safe to assume you won’t see your equipment again though. That’s the best case scenario”, - a pause on the phone prompts my question: “And the other option?”

The answer is making my blood run cold.

“I wish I had better news, I’m sorry..”- the voice on the phone is sympathetic, but serious. “This is what is most likely to happen, based on what we were able to find about him, and this is what you need to do. Agree to all, don’t contradict anything. At any time, don’t raise any suspicion from him. Make him believe he has you. Play dumb. Your situation is actually working in your favor. Build on it. You need to...”

All consuming terror that hovered over since the start of the conversation turned into acute attention. Mike is a danger. A serious danger. We need to get out of this situation, and we need to get out of it safely.

Bobby’s silhouette is barely visible. It’s twilight. The room is getting dark. “I have some news to tell you”,- my fingers are trembling. The adrenaline rush is a real thing. This situation is not what I want to be dealing with ever, but especially now. He is still far from being well...

..:Bobby’s hand, holding a glass of water and antibiotics froze midair. His eyes are focused on something I cannot see.

… “So, the Monkey Park is his last chance and that’s why he is so persistent.” - Bobby’s initial shock is replaced by concentration and rational. “Ok, let’s follow the advice.”

My fingers swipe WhatsApp open and start typing the message. “Morning, Mike. We had to change plane tickets. Bobby’s not doing well, the Dr. suggested we wait two more days or so. We are leaving on Friday now, so we will be driving probably sometime Thursday afternoon to San Jose and meet you on the way at the Monkey Park. If this works, then we could do that.”

It takes less than 4 minutes to get a reply. WhatsApp is overflowing with messages from Mike.

“He swallowed the bait.” - my eyes follow the chain of messages that Mike is continuing to send. “And his tone changed. Completely. He made a full 180. Nicest guy ever again. If profiling is correct, he should also give some sort of an explanation why he can’t meet us in person that could serve as his alibi…” It takes less than 3 seconds for a new message to appear: “I am supposed to be going out of town for a camping tour with some clients on Thursday. We are scheduled to leave Tamarindo at 3pm. I have scuba in the morning…” - my eyes leave the phone screen and focus on Bobby’s face in the dark. A chill runs through my entire body. “Bobby, he is acting exactly as he was profiled. This is a big deal”.

A warm hand finds my ice-cold fingers. “We are very lucky to have the information we need. We are taking a different road. It will be ok”. Bobby’s calm and composed demeanor is exactly the reassurance I need right now. Focus. We just need to focus and to not make any mistakes. A fear is attempting to spread through my body, but the conscious mind shuts it down. There is no room for emotions right now. I need to stay focused.