“We’re here,” Jack said. “That was the goal. Laurie and the others got the visas, and I got the tickets.” He patted his stomach. “I also got a bunch of French francs and a money belt. I was told that the French franc was the hard currency of choice for that part of Africa.”

“What’s going to happen when you arrive?” Lou asked.

Jack pointed over to Esteban. “Our expatriate traveling companion has taken care of the arrangements. His cousin’s meeting us at the airport, and his wife’s brother has a hotel.”

“You should be fine,” Lou said. “What’s your plan?”

“Esteban’s cousin has arranged for us to rent a van,” Jack said. “So we’ll drive to Cogo.”

“And just drop in?” Lou asked.

“That’s the idea,” Jack said.

“Good luck,” Lou said.

“Thanks,” Jack said. “We’ll probably need it.”

A half hour later the group—minus Lou—merrily boarded the 747. They found their seats and stowed their carry-on baggage. No sooner had they gotten themselves situated than the huge plane lurched and was pulled from the gate.

Later when the engines began to scream and the plane began its dash down the runway to takeoff, Laurie felt Jack take her hand. He gripped it fiercely.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

Jack nodded. “I’ve just learned not to like air travel,” he said.

Laurie understood.

“We’re on our way,” Warren exclaimed gleefully. “Africa, here we come!”

CHAPTER 19

March 8, 1997

2:00 A.M.

Cogo, Equatorial Guinea

“Are you asleep?” Candace whispered.

“Are you kidding?” Melanie whispered back. “How am I supposed to sleep on rock with just a few branches strewn over it?”

“I can’t sleep either,” Candace admitted. “Especially with all this snoring going on. What about Kevin?”

“I’m awake,” Kevin said.

They were in a small side cave jutting off the main chamber just behind the main entrance. The darkness was almost absolute. The only light came from meager moonlight reflected from outside.

Kevin, Melanie, and Candace had been shuttled into this small cave immediately on their arrival. It measured about ten feet wide with a downward sloping ceiling that started at a maximum height roughly equivalent to Kevin’s five feet ten inches. There was no back wall to this cave; the chamber simply narrowed to a tunnel. Earlier in the evening, Kevin had explored the tunnel with the help of the flashlight in hopes of finding another way out, but the tunnel abruptly ended after about thirty feet.

The bonobos had treated them well, even after the initially cold reception by the females. Apparently, the animals were mystified by the humans and intended to keep them alive and well. They’d provided them with muddy water in gourds and a variety of food. Unfortunately, the food was in the form of grubs, maggots, and other insects along with some kind of sedge from Lago Hippo.

Later in the afternoon, the animals had started a fire at the cave’s entrance. Kevin was particularly interested in how they started it, but he’d been too far back to observe their method. A group of the bonobos had formed a tight circle, and then a half an hour later a fire was going.