I looked at my watch. It was only eight thirty and we were both in bed. There's no need to set the alarm, I decided. I'll be up in good time to get back to Phoenix before the ride gets bumpy. I was out like a light.
There was no need to wake me. The sobbing did it. I reached up, turned on the light and went to her bedroom door. I coughed to let her know that I was there so that I didn't add fright to her other misery.
I sat on the edge of the bed and stroked her hair. It seemed to take an age but finally, her sobs began to subside.
"Thank you, Max."
"Can I get you anything?"
"What time is it?"
"Three forty five."
"I think I'll make some coffee."
"No you stay there. I'll make."
"Okay. The coffee can is in the fridge. Use two scoops. Fill the maker to the six cup level."
"I got it," I said. "It's so simple that even a guy can do it."
By the time that the coffee maker was beginning to purr, Clarissa had joined me in the kitchen. She had combed her hair and her face was cold from having cold water splashed on it, I presumed. Her face was puffy and her eyes were red. In spite of that she looked beautiful.
"Are you up for the day now or are you going back to bed?"
"I'll think, I'll stay up for a bit. What are you going to do?"
"What do you want me to do?"
"I want you to join me."
"I've got to complete this file for the FBI first before I'm free to become a narco-terrorist," I said.
"How long is that going to take?"
"Two or three hours in Phoenix and then I'll be ready to make a career change."
"Are you really willing to go ahead with this?"
"Can we leave tonight?"
"Yep, I've already to take a leave of absence to do research in Guyana."
"Where's that in Africa?"
"Next door to Venezuela."
"I knew that."
"How much equipment are you going to have?"
"How much can I take?"
"Three hundred pounds."
"That's easy. I'll have a few of my little soldiers and four or five lumps of ova. Plus clothes and stuff."
"Are you going to be okay, if I leave shortly?"
"I'll be fine. The adrenaline is starting to kick in now."
The Aztec was a joy to fly now that I was not quite so up tight about being able to handle it. The trip back to Phoenix was uneventful. I landed at Deer Valley just as the sun was poking its head up. I had a stiff neck. It wasn't from the couch, I was sure. Probably just tension, I thought.