COLLUDE WITH MY BOSS

hension. The verdant canopy below created an expansive, emerald-green umbrella, hiding the mysteries of the forest floor. Normally, she would have marveled at this wild beauty, but today her

lass domes and smooth, weathered wood that seemed to blend seamlessly with the forest. ‘Oh.’ She admired the suspended walkways above the forest floor. ‘It’s stunning. Amazing.’ The pilot lairled to himself. ‘John —angel.’ Still chortling, he wiped a hand over his forehead, ridding himself of beads of sweat. ‘Out you get and keep your head down until you’re clear of the blades. I’m flying back to Rio to pick up a package and then back to São Paulo.’ Susan hesitated, reluctant to sever her last link to civilization. ‘You’re not waiting? He said I could only have ten minutes ...’ The absurdity of traveling all this way for merely ten minutes gnawed at her, yet she couldn't entertain the notion of giving up. Perhaps John would grant her more time, recognizing that ten minutes wouldn't suffice to escape the hole she'd found herself in. ‘If there’s anything left of you when he’s finished, I’ll come back and pick up the pieces. Take the walkway over there to the left and, whatever you do, don’t stray off the path. This is the jungle, not a theme park. Watch out for the wildlife.’ ‘Wildlife?’ The whirlwind of the meeting had eclipsed thoughts of the jungle's inhabitants. She glanced dubiously into the dense forest surrounding them, parts in shade and others lit by the penetrating sun. It seemed as if the forest floor was in motion. ‘You mean insects?’ He grinned wickedly. ‘Over two thousand different species at the last estimation. And they’re just the ones we know about.’ Trying not to envision a horde of legs approaching her, Susan smoothed her skirt and wished she’d opted for trousers. ‘And snakes?’ ‘Oh, yes, there are snakes—’ his grin widened as he glanced towards her shoes ‘—and then there are the giant anteaters, jaguars, and the—’ ‘OK, I think I’ve heard enough,’ she said breathlessly, interrupting him with a shaky smile. Any moment now she’d be clinging to his arm and begging him to fly her home. ‘I’m sure Mr wouldn’t live here if it were that dangerous.’ The pilot threw back his head and laughed