Published: The Jungle

The content below is an excerpt from Rao’s Solution, which is a novel written by David D. Lentz.  It was published

in 2016.

  

                           CHAPTER 1: THE JUNGLE

 

It was a hot sweltering night in the Guyanese jungle. A Jeep with

flashing blue lights quickly approached a small bungalow and slammed

on the brakes. The driver and passenger quickly alighted and drew their

pistols. The passenger, who wore a suit, directed the other, the uniformed

driver, to the rear of the structure while he hurried to the front door.

 

“Sanchez, this is the Guyanese Security Service!” barked the officer

in charge as he pounded on the door. “Come out, now, with your hands up!

It will be much easier if you surrender!”

 

Inside, a dog, obviously large and aggravated, menacingly barked at

the front door. The sole occupant was sweaty, unshaven and unkempt. He

had heard the vehicle approach and, surmising the identity of its occupants,

quickly placed his just finished letter into a red envelope and stuffed it into

his pocket. He then peered cautiously between the cracks of the window

shade at the side of the front door. Seeing the Jeep, he clutched his ready

pistol. Though his heart was racing, he had been in similar situations before

for the agency. It was his training, in fact, that kept him focused and under

control. He grabbed his German shepherd by the collar. “Max, ssshhhh.

Heel boy! Heel!” he whispered. He then quickly pulled the well-trained

canine to the window at the other side of the room and away from the front

door.

 

The knocking on the door became louder and more urgent.

 

“Come out, Sanchez! I will not ask again!”

 

Sanchez quietly slid the window open.“Sic‘em, Max!”

 

The guard dog leaped for the open window. He briefly stumbled as

he hit the ground and raced around the corner for the front of the house.

Sanchez quickly followed by rolling out of the window. Max could be heard

snarling and barking as he attacked one of the officers. Suddenly, the loud

crack of a gunshot pierced the night along with barking and then screaming.

 

Sanchez knew if he was going to get away that he would have to leave

Max to his fate. The officers would surely have backup in a moment. He

stopped to look both ways to see if either officer was approaching his side

of the building. Seeing no one, he bolted into the black jungle. Between the

sounds of the swishing undergrowth and the whip of branches, two additional

shots rang out, a yelp and then silence.