Chapter 111

"If someone of Miss Mesner's stature is coming upriver, word of her arrival is here before she is. If she is flying in on a commercial aircraft, the pilot lets us know she is on board. If she is on her private jet, we know it is number. If she has rented a jet, we know who is on board because it is required by law. No one can sneak into a town in the middle of the Amazon River Basin, without being seen by one of the townspeople or one of our indigenous tribes."

"Would you mind if I look around for myself?"

"Anyone spending money in our city is welcome. Enjoy your stay."

Gomes did not think he was being lied to, however he wanted to earn his money. He checked in to the most expensive hotel in the city, which by any measure would have been that most a three-star hotel. He asked at the desk if they knew Celeste, and of course they did. He asked several more questions and the answers he got coincided with the answers he received custo