Page 12 of Risk It All
Max grimaces. “I'm glad we sprung for first class.”
“Tonight, will probably be the best night's sleep you'll have until we leave Nigeria.” I let that sink in for a moment, then add, “We'll stay the night there, then we'll have a guide take us through the bush to see one of SiliCo Mining's mines. It sounds straightforward, but it's actually difficult and dangerous.” I look him straight in his baby blues to make sure he understands. “The men who will be helping us will be risking their lives. In fact, we will be risking ours, as well.”
Max
I readeverything I could on Nigeria and understand on an intellectual level the danger involved, but I'm still not sure what to expect. “What kind of risk?”
“Nigeria isn't a very safe place, to start.”
“I thought with all the petroleum it was prosperous now.”
“It is, but the Nigerian people still haven't figured out how to govern themselves when they emancipated from the British. There are many warring tribes. And of course, the violence is worse now because oil is involved.”
I nod in understanding. I know first-hand that money doesn't solve everything, and in fact, it can make things worse.
“Then there are the poachers. It's not that different from the drug problems in the United States. Because it's illegal, yet makes a great deal of money, people will do whatever they have to do to keep others from stopping them. They're the ones we'll need to be most worried about. We'll be moving around quietly, in the shadows.”
I listen intently to Madeleine, realizing just how smart and gutsy she is. Initially, I'd viewed her as a rich heiress trying to bring meaning to her life by supporting a cause. Through the planning of this trip, I discovered she is sincere in her quest to help, not a bored celebutante. She's the real deal social and environmental activist.
I realize she's stopped talking, but I'm not done listening. “So, tell me about the bush meat problem.”
She looks at me as if she's trying to decide if I'm really interested in the topic or just humoring her. I lift my brows to show her I'm waiting for an answer because I'm genuinely interested.
“The bush meat problem exists in many African countries. It's probably most noted in West Africa, but it's everywhere. Dian Fossey, in Rwanda, was one of the first people to bring the problem to light. She studied gorillas by interacting with them.”
The more she talks, the more mesmerized I become. It's not just her knowledge, but the passion and enthusiasm she shows as she speaks. Her eyes light up, flashing that gorgeous green.
I'm enthralled. “Isn't it bad to interfere with wild animals?”
“It depends how you do it. Fossey sat in the wild and behaved like them. Through her observations, she learned their social habits, another thing that hadn't been known about gorillas. I guess you could say she assimilated into the gorilla society.”
An adorable pink blush spreads on her cheeks. “I'm sorry, I'm rambling on.”
“No. Don't be sorry. It's fascinating.” Of course, she could be talking about algorithms and I'd still be captivated. I realize that her enthusiasm and passion came through in her writing, which had been the catalyst for my interest in meeting her. “So, this woman lived with the gorillas and they accepted her as one of them?”
“Sort of, yes. She developed a relationship with a particular gorilla she named Digit. Poachers killed him and she ran a fearless campaign to protect them until she was murdered.”
Murdered? “People kill people over poaching?”
Madeleine's eyes narrow, growing serious, as if she wants to be sure I fully understand what we're walking into. “Whenever money and survival are involved, people will do anything.”
The magnitude of what we're doing finally hits me, and I realize that she's putting her life in danger to help me. “So why are you doing this?”
“What?” She looks taken aback by my question.
“Why are you helping me and putting yourself in danger?”
“Because you asked me to.” She says it matter-of-factly.
Was it really that easy?
“Because I believe you when you say you will do something to make it better. You are respected and have influence, Max. If you do something then maybe the others will too.”
“So, you do it for the animals?”
Madeleine nods. “Yes, and I guess, although this will sound corny, for the future. Humans are detached from their natural surroundings and have forgotten that their survival depends on a well-balanced ecosystem. The mass extinction of Earth's creatures will lead to our own demise.”
“Whew . . .”
Madeleine breaks eye contact, making me think she's embarrassed by her impassioned speech.
“Hey.” I take her hand, ignoring the zap of electricity as I give it a squeeze. “Never be sorry for sharing your passion.”
At first her eyes widen in surprise, then they shine with relief, maybe even gratitude. It makes me wonder if others in her life have tried to rein in her passion. It wouldn't surprise me. Many of the old money families I've met rarely show emotion.
“I'm sorry. I'm sure my aunt warned you that I can get overly passionate about some things.”
I didn't need Eleanor to tell me about Madeleine's passion. I've seen it, experienced it, and now I'm wholly captivated by it.
