Cut and Run 3 - Fish and Chips

and said he wouldn’t mind trying it again. The kayaking was enjoyable for no other reason than Ty could begin humming “Dueling Banjos” at Zane whenever he wanted, and Zane couldn’t manage to smack him with his paddle without tipping the kayak over.
    Zane played poker with Armen, Bianchi, and some other high rollers every evening for an hour or two. He was able to pry a few vague details out of Bianchi about his part of the business, but Armen remained close-lipped. So Zane contented himself with winning modestly, and Ty had been honestly surprised when Zane had handed him a $10,000 poker chip one night. Apparently 10K was modest for the Porters. It wasn’t likely they’d get to keep it — the FBI had a way of collecting everything it could get after an assignment — but the money wasn’t the point. Ty knew that Zane just liked the rare moments when he succeeded in surprising him. And he had.
    On yesterday’s excursion, they had hiked for five hours through a rainforest in Puerto Rico to the “Exciting Jungle and Zip-line Adventure,” which really wasn’t all that exciting or adventurous, since it turned out to be a thirty-minute harness ride through the treetops. The hike itself had been more fun. Ty would have preferred to have kept on into the dense tropical forest, but he’d been assured the jungles weren’t safe for going out on his own. Ty had barely restrained a snort when the serious young guide had said those words. Ty was pretty sure he could have shown the kid what an unsafe jungle really looked like.
    On today’s agenda was the “thrilling cliff diving experience for swimmers young and old,” a chance to plunge fifty-five feet from a natural rocky cliff into the protected cove below. Now this Ty could get behind. He seemed to be among the few, though, because there were a lot of people going to the top of the cliff and almost as many walking back down.
    Looking up at the height from which the few brave souls were leaping, Ty had doubts that Zane would be able to handle it.
    “It’s a long hike up there,” Ty tried casually, glancing sidelong at his partner. “Been a long day too. We can skip it and head back to the ship if you want.”
    “I don’t mind hiking up there,” Zane answered with a shrug. “I know you’ve been looking forward to this all week.”
    Ty snorted. He’d known Zane would pass on the easy out if he offered it. “It’s a long climb, darling,” he said in a low voice, still mindful of those around them who could overhear. “No need for you to make it if you just plan to walk back down.”
    Zane studied him for a moment before glancing up the cliff. “I’d rather have the company for at least part of the time, doll.”
    Ty looked him over carefully for a long moment before nodding. “If you insist,” he said with a smile, then began making his way toward the narrow trail.
    The climb wasn’t terribly steep, since the path was cut into switchbacks up the mountainside to preserve the natural flora, so it took a little time to get up there. They walked quietly for a few minutes before Zane spoke up. “It’s not the height, you know.”
    “It’s the falling,” Ty finished for him with a nod.
    “Yeah,” Zane murmured. “You know me; always want to be in control.” He snorted like he’d made a joke.
    Ty watched his footing diligently, smiling to himself while Zane couldn’t see his expression. He knew all too well how anything Zane couldn’t control, or at least figure out, drove the man to unbearable reaches of crazy. “Yeah,” he finally said softly. “But sometimes you miss the best things because you can’t control them.”
    “Like what?” Zane’s voice was relaxed and reflected some curiosity.
    Ty smiled wider, glancing behind him to get a look at Zane. “If you have to ask….”
    “There are things I do even though I can’t control them,” Zane said pointedly as he swatted at Ty’s ass. “But choosing free fall? No. I’d rather face… snakes in the mountains,” he said with a little chuckle at the end.
    Ty snorted derogatorily, unappreciative of the attempt at humor. He still found very little about that episode of mountain hiking gone wrong funny.
    “Right. It’s the difference between something just edgy enough to get a high and something truly scary,” Zane said as they slowed near the top of the cliff.
    Ty shook his head and sighed. The view up here was beautiful, but it was often depressing for Ty to catch a