Missing ! (standard:mystery, 1744 words)
Author: Michael Lance Kersting	Added: Feb 26 2013	Views/Reads: 4906/2291	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
A husband in search for his wife in hostile headhunting country

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story

“Isn't there anyone who would help me find her? I will pay them well.”
“It will be difficult, senor, for the Jivaros are head hunters and 
cannibals hates outsiders so not many would venture there..I am sorry.” 
I got up and was attempted to pay but the barkeep protested “ No, no 
Senor, the drinks are on the house.” I thanked him and left the bar 
,more depressed than ever. As the days passed, I started drinking to 
drown my sorrow. I loved her and I missed her terribly. 

Then one day, when I was about to give up and return to the States when 
I received a call from the desk, saying that a gentleman was asking for 
me. A gentleman asking for me? I couldn't figure who it could be. 

I went downstairs to meet him. He was a short, Hispanic, middle aged,
man in his fifties with a thick mustache and small black eyes. He 
introduced himself as Pedro Amerez, of the Ministry of the Interior. We 
shook hands, and sat down at one of the booths in the lobby. 

I offered him a drink, but he refused, saying that he was still on duty
that maybe, some other time. 

“I think that I may be able to locate your wife, senor.” he said
pleasantly, with a heavy Spanish accent. 

My hopes began rising “Yes?” I said excitedly. 

"Two weeks ago, a trader reported having seen a red haired woman among
the tribe.” 

My hopes sprang, maybe she was still alive. My heart leapt with joy. 

“Can you take me there?”I asked hopefully. 

He began shifting in his seat. 

“No! no!, Senor, you must not venture there. It will be very unwise, and
very dangerous going into that area, these people, they are still 
primitive, and it's very risky, they trust but a few outsiders and hate 
the whites.” 

“So I understand, “I said, “I will pay anything to get her back” 

He raised his hands in protest, “No! no! Senor, no payment is necessary.
I heard of your plight, and thought that maybe I can be of help. I know 
the headman and I will see what I can do.” “Can, I come with you?”I 
asked hopefully. “No, Senor, that would be unwise. They trust but a few 
and hate whites particularly.” 

He looked at his watch, got up, and said “Well, Senor, I must be going,
I shall inform you of any new development." I thanked him. 

We shook hands, and I told him I would appreciate his help very much,
that I was extremely worried about her safety, of course. He nodded and 
said” “Si, I understand, Senor, I love my wife, too.” I gave him my 
phone number to call anytime. He turned, and left the lobby. 

*** 

A week later, I got a call from Amerez. “I have some news for you, Senor
, could you please come to my office tomorrow around ten o'clock??” I 
told him I would, and he gave me the address and hang up. Somehow I 
didn't like the tone of his voice. It sounded grave, ominous. 

*** 

Bright and early the next morning, I arrived at the office and spoke to
the receptionist. She was a brunette in her forties, with an expression 
that would have frozen an Eskimo. Her green eyes were hard as glass and 
just as expressionless. 

I told her who I was. 

She told me in a surprisingly pleasant voice that Mr. Amerez was
expecting me. I felt uneasy. 

She got up and led me down a long corridor lined on both sides by
polished mahogany doors with brass plaques on them. She stopped at a 
door marked “P.AMEREZ, DISTRICT COMMISSIONER” in bold, gold letters. 
She knocks, ‘A voice said to enter. She opened the door and waved me 
in. 

Amerez got up from his desk looking grave and solemn. He shook my hand
and beckoned me to sit in a straight back chair opposite him across the 
desk. The receptionist left. 

"Mr. Matthews, I am afraid I have some bad news for you,” He said
solemnly, avoiding my eyes. Mt heart sank ! He pulled out a desk 
drawer, and placed a pink pearl necklace on the desk. Do you recognise 
it?" He asked 

“Yes, it's my wife's necklace  that I gave her on our twentieth
anniversary, where did you find it?”I asked shocked and feeling a 
little numb. “We found it among others at a trading post in the Amazon 
River,” he explained. “I am sorry, but I am afraid, she's dead, Mr 
Matthews,” He said solemnly ,avoiding my eyes. "But- but.. “I stammered 
with unbelief. "No, No ,it can't be !” “We have positive proof, but I 
think you should let that suffice, Senor. Matthews.” “Please,” I 
begged," I must know," I felt tears welling up in my eyes. “If there is 
anything else, Senor, tell me ,show me, I must know, please!” I 
pleaded. He hesitated for a moment, and said,” I rather not, Senor.” I 
insisted, becoming a bit angry at his reluctance. He sighed and said, 
“Well ,Senor, if you insist.” He slowly took out another object from 
the drawer. It was wrapped in black cloth. "It was found along with the 
necklace”. He said quietly. He set the bundle down on the desk, got up, 
and left the room."I will be in the hallway, be brave," He said, 
closing the door behind him. I wondered what he meant by that? However, 
with trembling hands, I reached out and began unwrapping the bundle, a 
series of confused thoughts racing through my mind. I finally unwrapped 
it and recoiled in horror, shock and disbelief, for there before me, 
was a shrunken head, the size of a man's fist, with sewn-up lips and 
flaming red hair ! 


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