Amelia Lopes was present with Alicia and Natalie at the start of their trip to Rio. Her presence suggests she was involved from the beginning, possibly observing or gathering information about them. Her familiarity with their identities implies she had enough time to learn about their backgrounds before the events unfolded.

"So much of it made sense, and yet so much didn't," reflects the confusing and layered nature of the situation. Amelia's role in the kidnapping points to her being a key player, having planned or facilitated the crime during their time in Rio." This quote highlights the ambiguity and complexity of the plot in James Patterson's book, Private Rio.