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Regan Harris
Driving down CA-5
Honduras
Ben drove the car with Liam riding shotgun. Gracie, Jax and I were crammed in the back seat together. Our bags were piled on top of each other in the hatchback. A GPS unit built into the dashboard of the car gave Ben directions to G and G Brewery and Hostel. Carl had texted Jax a confirmation only minutes after Jax asked to compare the two faces. I resigned myself to believing Guy and Garcia were one person. I was mad at myself for not recognizing him when I saw him blow up the pool.
“Tell us what you can about the hostel,” Ben said to me. “You’ve been there?”
“Yes. Gray and I stayed there for a week once. The place is great. It’s in the middle of the jungle. Small cabins are spread out with walkways connecting them. It’s quite charming,” I said.
“And you remember Guy/Garcia?” Liam asked.
“I do. We didn’t interact with him much but a tourist went missing on our first day. He organized the search. Gray and I helped look for her.”
Ben nodded his head, taking in the information. “What else? Other than the cabins, what other places are there at the lodge?”
“The center of the property hosts a small restaurant with outdoor seating. There’s also a pool there. That’s where all the guests hang out because it’s the only place with WIFI access.”
“It sounds more like a resort than a hostel,” Jax said.
“To Americans, hostels are scary places where serial killers find their next victim. To travelers on a budget, they’re great. I prefer them over hotels,” I said.
“Why?” Jax asked, disgust in her voice. I think she’d seen one too many scary movies.
“What do you do in hotels?” I asked.
“You sleep and watch TV and shower.”
“Alone in your room. If you have a few hours to kill, you stay in your room. Alone. In hostels, there’s always a common area. People gather there to talk, drink a beer, share a cigarette. You get to meet people from all over the world. You make friends. You share stories and make recommendations on other places in the area to see. It’s great,” I said.
“So, that’s where most of the people will be? By the restaurant?” Ben asked. He met my eyes in the review mirror.
“Mostly. During the day, most of the people staying there will be out on excursions. Hiking volcanos, caving behind Pulhapanzak, trekking. Gray and I did all of those things. In the early afternoon and evening, people will gather at the restaurant. Or sit around the fire pit and talk.” My voice was wistful with fond memories of staying at G and G. Gray and I had made many friends there on our visit.
“Is that how you knew Guy? I mean, Garcia?” Gracie asked. I glanced her way. She had sat quietly until now.
“Yes. Gray and I met him a few times. We’d see him around the property. Catch glimpses of him, but we only spoke to him a few times throughout the week.”
“About what?” Gracie asked.
“Well, he asked where we were from and what we were doing. Looking back, I see he was especially interested in Gray’s life. We didn’t think anything of it. Travelers naturally share a lot of personal information.” A thought occurred to me. “Do you think Guy seeing Gray brought all this on? Everyone says Gray is the spitting image of his father at that age.”
“Maybe. Most likely we’ll never know,” Liam said.
“You didn’t recognize him in Las Vegas?” Jax asked.
“No. He looked different. Head shaved. Different clothes. The thought never crossed my mind that I knew him,” I answered.
“It’s like seeing your maid at a fancy restaurant. It’s so out of context that her face doesn’t register,” Ben said.
“Uh, sure,” Jax said. She rolled her eyes at me, and I stifled a giggle. With the possible exception of Gracie, the rest of us didn’t have firsthand knowledge of maids.
“Does Guy live on the property?” Ben asked.
“Yes. Guy has a small cottage behind the restaurant. There’s also a larger building near it where the staff live. I never saw either, though. I only heard the staff talk about them. I think it’s more dorm-style living.”
“We’ll start there. You said it’s away from the others?” Ben asked.
“Yes. More private. But we won’t be able to get to it without booking a room.”
Liam turned around in his seat. “Why? What haven’t you told us?”
“The main entrance is gated. Only guests and staff are allowed in.”
“No one else?” Liam asked.
“Some local teachers used to come in for a beer at night. But they were well-known by the staff,” I said. “It’s private. Not the kind of place where people pop in for food or drink.”
“Why is the property gated? Is that necessary?” Jax asked. I gave her a look.
“Yes. I don’t know if the fence goes completely around the property or tapers out. The jungle would be a natural barrier for most of the place. To answer your question, Jax, Central America can be very dangerous. Drugs come from South America and the clear route to the US is straight north. Most homes are gated with barbed wire and broken bottles adding more protection from people trying to go over the walls,” I said.
I forgot sometimes that a lot of people from the US didn’t experience impoverished countries the way I did. Ben had travelled extensively but first-class hotels offered a different experience. Gracie has been locked in Las Vegas by Michael. Liam, I didn’t know about. And Jax preferred all-inclusive resorts over any other type of accommodation.
“Back to the drug kingpins,” Jax said.
“Don’t worry. The general rule of thumb is to leave them alone and they will leave you alone. I was just explaining the need for security. That’s all.”
“Let’s focus on our plan,” Liam said. “When we get there, I’ll rent us cabins so we have access. Let’s leave most of our stuff in the car so we can make a hasty exit after finding Gray. We’ll start with Guy’s house and expand the search from there.” Liam had switched to his cop mode, planning and executing the search and rescue as best he could.
“I’m not going back,” Gracie said in a whisper but everyone in the vehicle heard her.
“What?” All heads turned toward her.
Gracie turned away from looking out the window to address us. “I’m not going back. I’ve lost my husband for thirty years. I’m staying.”
“He kidnapped Gray!” I said. “And stabbed him,” I tacked on as an afterthought.
“And I’m sure he is very sorry for that. He was forced into a situation that he didn’t want. Guy wanted me. Our baby. A new life. Instead, he was assaulted and left for dead before Gray’s father sent him away. I’m staying,” she reiterated.
“But you can’t.” I turned in my seat, smushing Jax farther into the door.
“She can,” Liam said. “She’s an adult. She can make her own decisions.”
“But I thought you loved Gray. And Guy hurt Gray,” I pointed out.
Gracie took my hands in hers and looked me in the eye before she spoke. “If you saw Gray stab someone, or shoot someone, would you turn away from him? Or would you want to know his side of the story?”
I hesitated. Gracie had me and she knew it. I wouldn’t trust what my eyes had seen if Gray hurt someone in front of me. I would defend him. I would believe there was an explanation, or desperation involved.
“I’m sorry Guy hurt Gray. I’m sorry we were all hurt in this. But Michael and Frank brought it on themselves. You and I were nothing more than collateral damage. I still love him, Regan. I’m staying. For now, at least. Once we find him, he may not be the person I remember. I understand that. But I’m willing to take that chance.”
Gracie’s voice pleaded with me to understand. I wanted to say I didn’t but I did. I would want Gray. Even if it had been thirty years. I would still want him and trust him.
Ben watched us in the rearview mirror, only glancing at the road ahead sporadically. The GPS indicated a turn was coming up. He looked back to the road and slowed the vehicle. I kept holding Gracie’s hands. I’d only known her for a short time, but I worried for her safety. Not physically but emotionally. She was in for a long journey ahead.
“Table the discussion. We’re here.” Ben turned again and stopped at the gate leading to G and G.