26. The Bundles

The Kodiak quickly left town. The last man-made structure it passed was a water park that seemed out of place for where they were. After that there was only high sierra again.

“What the devil is going on that they’re everywhere you look now!” said Ervey, excitedly, “it’s suffocating.”

Lilo didn’t say anything. 

A few minutes later they passed a sign indicating the entrance to an underground caverns park. 

“Stop over there next to the entrance to that,” said Ervey, “I want to drive and, while we’re at it, check out those bundles in the back.”

Lilo did as he was told.

Ervey jumped out of the cab and ran to the back of the truck. He then scrambled onto the bed of the box and grabbed one of the bundles. As they were all tied with a copious loops of bailing wire, it took him quite a few seconds to finally open it up. 

Lilo opened his door and took his time to step down and walk to the back. By the time he got there, he found Ervey peering motionlessly into a sack he held open with both hands.

“What is it?” asked Lilo.

“Some sort of door jamb kit with a bar and heavy hinges,” said Ervey, “and all the screws and washers and fasteners. That’s all.”

“No dope?” said Lilo sarcastically, “not even a brick or two of something?”

Ervey shook his head and let go of the bag. Then he turned to Lilo and stood in silence a few seconds, as if getting a hold of his actions.

“You’re right,” said Ervey, “why would they entrust a valuable of anything to two open-mouthed fools like us.”

Lile raised his eyebrows but did not say anything.

“Vamonos,” said Ervey.

“Sí, but you may want to re-tie that bundle before we take off,” said Lilo.

“OK,” said Ervey. 

When he got back into the cab, Lilo saw that Ervey had calmed down. 

“Don’t think too much about it, muchacho,” said Lilo, “life’s never all one thing or another.” 

Ervey let a few seconds pass before he responded.

“How much longer to Ojinaga?” he asked.

“About an hour and a half, if there aren’t any checkpoints,” Lilo responded, “which of course there won’t be because all of the police are having lunch in Coyame.”

Ervey quickly turned to look at him as if he was going to say something, but hesitated. After a long pause, he said, "of course."


He turned slowly back to the road and sat back into his seat, mouthing the words 'of course.'