Page 65 of The Voice of Wild Places
Cornelius hadn’t ever met Francesca, but her resemblance to Andrea was striking.They shared dusky brown skin and jet black hair that shone in the sunlight, although hers was cut into a blunt bob which complimented the strong curve of her jaw.The geologist wore high-waisted trousers which complimented her thick curves, and they were tucked into knee high leather boots.Cornelius got the sense the shirtsleeves she wore were her brother's, he was a big man but it fit her near perfect.When she shook Cornelius’ hand with a tight grip and stared deep into his eyes, he knew that she knew everything.He couldn’t say how, but certainty settled into his gut like curdled steel.
“Dr.Sawyer,” Francesca said, her Italian accent smokier than the cigarette pinched between her painted lips.Her makeup was minimal, thin black eyeliner that flicked at the corners and brick red lipstick, but it was more than enough to knock anyone dead.“I’ve heard so much about you.”
“And I’d love to learn half as much about you,” Cornelius replied.“I have a feeling you’re the more interestingCarmine of the two.”
Francesca raised a thin brow, and her lips curved around the cigarette.Her brother cut in, thrusting his hand in Cornelius’ direction.Begrudgingly, Cornelius shook the all encompassing hand he used to know oh so intimately.As the younger of the two, Andrea’s accent was far more American than his sister’s, but the Italian side still slipped out every now and again.Like now, when he was attempting to be coy.“Ah, Cornelius.How good it is to see you again.”
Their eyes clashed, and Cornelius’ fingers tightened around Andrea’s.Cornelius had sworn that the next time he saw this man he'd knock him out cold, not shake his hand.He'd thought he was ready for this, but evidently not.The only thing that held at him at bay was his mission, and his respect for his companions.Cornelius smiled, baring his teeth.“Dr.Carmine.”
Andrea’s maple brown eyes creased at the edges, and the smile that overtook him was wolfish in nature.Andrea was a big man, with a thick chest and thighs for days.His face was all angles though, hard and beautiful in the way marble was.He was clean shaven, and the well defined muscles in his throat were taut with tension.Cornelius had once thought him one of the most beautiful men alive, second only to Watt.But now the sight of him only made him nauseous.
Like a pretty snake.
Watt made a noise, almost like a cough.It was enough to break the moment, and when Andrea saw Watt he practically beamed.He tossed Cornelius’ hand aside, brushing past him to reach Watt.“Ah, Walter, I’m so glad to see you!”He shook Watt’s hand, then pulled him in for a hug and slapped him on the back in the way old friends did.Andrea was fluid in the motion, while Watt was rigid in returning the embrace.
“Andrea.It’s good to see you,” Watt said, each word more stilted than the last.
“It’s been far too long, we must catch up.I want to hear everything,” Andrea said, and the damn bastard seemed like he meant it.
But he’d seemed pretty genuine when he promised not to tell anyone Cornelius’ secret, either.They’d have a talk before the night was out, that was for damn sure.
Something New
June12th,1930
The tents were the grandest thing Watt had seen in weeks.
A small commune of field tents were set up on the rear of the site, where the ground was relatively flat and free from any potential ruins.They were all built in a similar manner, enormous cotton canvas stretched over tall poles driven into the ground, with pallets for a floor.Two of them were much larger than the rest, and centrally located between the smaller ones.The equivalent of a societal hall for eating and gathering, and the main tent for working.He hadn't been inside either yet, but Severino had pointed them out before dumping Cornelius and Watt off at their tent.
Watt could smell grilled meat wafting from one of them, and he tried to imagine all the equipment and artifacts that could be in the other.Water sloshed in the deep basin he’d been given by Joaquim for washing, and he tried to steady his pace.The closest water source was half a day's trip, and all stored water was used sparingly.Work and food was all well and good, but the moment Watt had laid eyes on an empty cot his heart shuddered with relief.There were two, and since each one was pushed up against a wall of canvas, Watt hadn't felt bad picking one first.He'd chosen the cot closest to the flap, and Cornelius had wordlessly slung his pack onto the other one.A solid crate with a removable lid was situated beside each cot, offering a storage space and table all in one.
Watt set down the basin of water he’d been given onto the crate, then dug out the bar of soap he’d tucked into his pocket and put it beside the basin.An unlit lamp hung between the crates from a metal stake, which was driven into the ground via a crack between two pallets.Watt frowned at the crack, imagining Cornelius’ cane sinking into it and snapping at the tip.It was well made, but all things had a breaking point.
“What’s wrong?”Cornelius asked, sitting down beside his pack on the cot.His fingers trembled in his lap, and when Watt nodded towards them he gripped the edges of his cot.“I'm beat.That's all.”
Watt sat down, moving his pack to the floor at his feet.He nodded at the crack.“I don’t like the looks of that.Your cane could get caught.”
Cornelius huffed, running a hand through his sweaty hair.“If that’s the least of our problems here, I think we’ll be okay.”
“Is it?”
“What?”
“The least of our problems.You and Andrea seemed …” Watt trailed off, threatened by the storm building in Cornelius’ eyes.
“What?”
Watt inhaled, long and deep.Quietly, he said, “I’m on your side, you know.No matter the reason.Just say the word, and I’ll lay ‘em out.”
Cornelius blinked, startled.Then he grinned.“Lay ‘em out?What are you, my personal bodyguard?”
Watt flushed.“All I’m saying is, we’re a team, right?And teams work best when everyone is on the same page.”
Cornelius’ smile disappeared.He turned away, fidgeting with his bag.“I hear you, and thank you.But I—I’ve got it handled.Andrea won’t be a problem.”He glanced back up at Watt.“Besides, I wouldn't want to turn you against such a good friend.”
Watt immediately shook his head.“We’re acquaintances at most.I haven’t seen him since Egypt.”
“A travesty, to be sure,” Cornelius said.Watt opened his mouth, but Cornelius added, “We should get ready for dinner.I, for one, am starving.”
