ALSOBYCLIVE
CUSSLER
DIRKPITT®ADVENTURES
Poseidon’sArrow(withDirkCussler)
CrescentDawn(withDirkCussler)
ArcticDrift(withDirkCussler)
TreasureofKhan(withDirkCussler)
BlackWind(withDirkCussler)
TrojanOdyssey
ValhallaRising
AtlantisFound
FloodTide
ShockWave
IncaGold
Sahara
Dragon
Treasure
Cyclops
DeepSix
PacificVortex!
NightProbe!
Vixen03
RaisetheTitanic!
Iceberg
TheMediterraneanCaper
FARGOADVENTURES
TheMayanSecrets(withThomasPerry)
TheTombs(withThomasPerry)
TheKingdom(withGrantBlackwood)
LostEmpire(withGrantBlackwood)
SpartanGold(withGrantBlackwood)
ISAACBELLNOVELS
TheBootlegger(withJustinScott)
TheStriker(withJustinScott)
TheThief(withJustinScott)
TheRace(withJustinScott)
TheSpy(withJustinScott)
TheWrecker(withJustinScott)
TheChase
KURTAUSTINADVENTURES
ZeroHour(withGrahamBrown)
TheStorm(withGrahamBrown)
Devil’sGate(withGrahamBrown)
Medusa(withPaulKemprecos)
TheNavigator(withPaulKemprecos)
PolarShift(withPaulKemprecos)
LostCity(withPaulKemprecos)
WhiteDeath(withPaulKemprecos)
FireIce(withPaulKemprecos)
BlueGold(withPaulKemprecos)
Serpent(withPaulKemprecos)
OREGONFILESADVENTURES
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TheSilentSea(withJackDuBrul)
Corsair(withJackDuBrul)
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BuiltforAdventure:TheClassic
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LibraryofCongressCataloging-inPublicationData
Cussler,Clive.
Theeyeofheaven/CliveCusslerandRussell
Blake.
p.cm.—(AFargoAdventure;6)
ISBN978-0-698-14074-5
1.Archaeologists—Fiction.2.Treasuretroves
—Fiction.3.Arcticregions—Discoveryand
exploration—Fiction.4.Suspensefiction.5.
Adventurefiction.I.Blake,Russell.II.Title.
PS3553.U75E9420142014012146
813'.54—dc23
Thisisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,
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Version_1
CONTENTS
AlsobyCliveCussler
TitlePage
Copyright
Prologue
Chapter1
Chapter2
Chapter3
Chapter4
Chapter5
Chapter6
Chapter7
Chapter8
Chapter9
Chapter10
Chapter11
Chapter12
Chapter13
Chapter14
Chapter15
Chapter16
Chapter17
Chapter18
Chapter19
Chapter20
Chapter21
Chapter22
Chapter23
Chapter24
Chapter25
Chapter26
Chapter27
Chapter28
Chapter29
Chapter30
Chapter31
Chapter32
Chapter33
Chapter34
Chapter35
Chapter36
Chapter37
Chapter38
Chapter39
Chapter40
Chapter41
Chapter42
Chapter43
Chapter44
Chapter45
Chapter46
Chapter47
Chapter48
Chapter49
PROLOGUE
SOMEWHEREINTHE
LABRADORSEA,A.D.
1085
F
lashesoflightning
searedtheturbidnight
sky,illuminatingthedrawn
facesofthemenheavingon
thelongwoodenoarsofthe
Vikinglongshipasitfought
againsttheravagesofthe
unforgivingsea.Thecaptain
swayedintimewiththe
relentlessswellashewatched
thewalloftoweringwaves
poundingthestern.
Sheercliffsofblackwater
drivenbytheicywind
threatenedtocapsizethe
hardycraftwitheachpassing
minute.Sheetsofrainlashed
thegrimcrewmenasthey
strainedattheirtask,their
survivaldependingontheir
unflaggingeffort.Thecaptain
eyedthemwith
determination,hisbrow
furrowedasthedelugetoreat
hisskin,waterrunningalong
thefaintwhitebattlescar
stretchingfromthecornerof
hislefteyetohisblondbeard.
He’dgrownupontheocean,
oneofahardenedraceof
adventurersandplunderers,
andnature’suntamed
violencewasnothingnew.
Countlessnightshe’dhurled
oathsonthetreacherous
NorthSea,but,evenforhim,
thiswasaonce-in-a-lifetime
storm.
Thewoodenvesselwas
nowbadlyoffcourse,driven
northasitranwiththeseas.
Haditpressedonitsintended
route,oneofthemammoth
waveswouldhaveassuredly
brokenoverthebowand
capsizedtheship,bringing
certaindeath.Thebestthe
captaincoulddowastosteer
theboatwiththewindathis
sternandrideoutthefuryof
thegale.
Aflareofbrilliance
streakedthroughtheroiling
clouds,glowingmomentarily
beforefadingbackintothe
gloom.Saltwaterdripped
fromhisbearskincloakasthe
musclesonhispowerfularms
bulgedfromtheeffort.
Anotherbrightflashlitthe
night.Thegloweringprofile
ofacarvedwoodendragon
reflectedthelightjustaftof
thecaptain’shead,soaked
withthesprayblowingoffthe
angrysea.
Fromamongthe
exhaustedoarsmen,atallman
withskinthetextureof
leatherandanuntamedred
manelurchedhisway
forward,hisfootingsureon
thecoarseoakplanksbeneath
himeveninthesemiserable
conditions.
“Thorisventinghisfury
tonight,eh,Vidar?”the
captainshoutedtohismate
overthehowlingwind.
“Heisindeed,sir.ButI
thinktheworstispast.The
swellsseemsmallerthana
fewhoursago.”
“Ihopeyou’reright.My
armsachelikeI’vebeen
wrestlingabearallnight.”
“Iknowthefeeling.
You’veseenmywife.”
Thetwoveteranseamen
exchangedhumorlesssmiles,
andthenthemateedgednext
tothecaptainandtookthe
rudderstafffromhisgrip.
“Somuchfortryingto
sleepinthisnightmare.How
arethemenholdingup?”the
captainasked.
“Aswellascanbe
expected.Cold.Tired.”Vidar
didn’tsay“afraid.”Itwasn’t
inthesewarriorstoadmit
fear.
“They’vespentenough
timequaffingaleand
enjoyingthenative
hospitality.Thiswillgive
themsomethingtothink
aboutincasethey’ve
softenedlikeamaiden’s
robe.”
“Aye,Captain.It’s
definitelyputtingthemtothe
test—”
Adeafeningexplosion
shookthedeckbeneaththem.
Bothmengazedatthe
dazzlingpyrotechnicswith
eyesseasonedfromalifetime
ontheoceanandinbattle.
Thecaptainglimpseda
shaperisingbehindhimand
turnedinstinctively.They
staredasthesternsplita
massivewave,therushofthe
breakingseatheonlysound.
Afterabriefmoment
suspendedatthecrest,they
graduallyeaseddownthe
backside,theblackmonster
disappearingintothe
darkness.
“Couldyouimagineif
we’dhitthatonesquareon?”
Vidaraskedinahushed
voice.
“Oramidships.We’dall
beonthewaytoValhallaby
now.”
Theireyesdriftedtothe
mast,nowshatteredand
useless,thetophalftorn
awaylikeatwig,alongwitha
majorportionofthesail—
victimofthestealthwith
whichthestormhadhit.That
hadbeenacostly
miscalculation.Heshould
haveloweredthewovenwool
sheetbeforethewindcould
ripitloose.Buthe’dbeen
tryingforeverybitofspeed
possible.Hismen’sarms
werestrong,butafteralmost
twenty-fourhoursofrowing,
eveninshifts,theywere
reachingtheirlimit.
Amongthemost
impressivelongshipsever
launched,Sigrunwasbuiltto
exactingstandardsforacrew
ofninety,withrowing
positionsforuptoeighty
men,twotoeachoftheship’s
fortyoars,andadetachable
mastfiftyfeetinheight.She
boastedalengthofahundred
twelvefeetandabeamof
sixteen,akeelhewnfromone
massiveoak,andsquare
stonesforballast.Sigrun
couldtravelataspeed
approachingfourteenknots
undersailincalmconditions,
butduringawinterstormof
thisproportion,inthefarthest
reachesoftheNorthAtlantic,
speedwasn’tanissue—
stayingafloatwas.
TheSigrunhadatypical
Vikinglapstrake,doubleenderhull,butwithataller
gunwaleforopen-sea
expeditions,anditssternand
bowweresculptedwith
identicaldragonheads.Ships
likeSigrunhadasolidtrack
record,navigatingsomeof
themostdangerousoceanon
theplanet,andtheir
seaworthinessandspeedwere
legendary.Buteventhemost
durablecrafthaditslimits,
andthestormhadpushed
Sigrunandhercrewfar
beyondanythingthey’dbeen
throughinalltheiryears
together.
Longhourspassed,andas
dawn’sfirstglimmerfought
throughtheheavygray
cloudstheseasbeganto
flatten.Thecaptaincalledout
theorderfortheexhausted
oarsmentorestnowthatthe
mostdangerousparthad
passed—andthenhiseyes
spottedanewmenace:ice.
Fiftyyardsahead,aniceberg
loomedinthehaze,easilythe
sizeofasmallhill.He
twistedtothecrewman
manningtherudderand
yelledawarning.
“Ice!Ahead!”
Theshiphadashallow
draft,but,evenso,the
churningwavescouldpush
themtoonearthesubmerged
mass,whichwouldshatterthe
woodenhullandsinkthe
longship,theicywaterkilling
allhandswithinminutes.The
bowswungslowly,the
steeringsluggishasitresisted
thesurgeofthefollowing
seas.Anotherrollingswell
pushedthemnearer—too
closeforthecaptain’sliking.
“Putyourbacksintoit.
Pull,damnyou,pullorwe’re
donefor.”
Theshipglidedpastthe
broodingiceassilentlyasa
wraith.Thecaptain’seyes
rovedoverthefrozen
monolith,anislandof
desolationinthemiddleof
theocean.Heofferedyet
anothersilentprayertothe
gods.Iftheshipwasinthe
ice,thestormmusthave
blownthemfarthernorththan
he’dfeared,andtheovercast
wouldmakeitimpossibleto
plotacourseusingthe
primitivemeansathis
disposal.
“Bringoneoftheravens
fromthehold,”heordered.
Vidarrelayedthe
commandtothenearest
crewman,whoscuttledaway.
Thestormsurgewasnearly
spent,anditwastimetouse
oneoftheVikingseafarers’
secretweapons:birds.
Twomenheavedadeck
hatchopenanddescended
intotheforwardcargohold.
Momentslater,theyemerged
carryingaroughwooden
cagewithalarge,agitated
blackforminit.Thetallerof
thetwomencarriedthecage
tothecaptain’sstationatthe
sternandsetitdownonthe
deck.Withafinalglareatthe
sea,thecaptainsquattedon
hishaunchesandeyedthe
raven.
“Well,myfriend,it’s
time.Mayyouflystraight
andtrue.Don’tletmedown.
Oursurvivaldependsonyour
instincts.LetOdinguide
you.”
Hestraightenedandgave
thecrewmanacurtnod.
“Releaseit,andwishit
Godspeed.”
Thecrewmanliftedthe
cagetochestheightasVidar
approachedand,afterfiddling
withtheleatherbindingthat
heldtheaccessdoorclosed,
pulledthedooropenand
reachedin.Theraven
flinched,butthefightwasout
ofit,andVidareasily
cornereditwithcoldhands.
Hewithdrewthebird,and
then,withaprayerofhis
own,tosseditintotheair.
Theravencircledthe
ship,findingitswings,and
thenflewtoport.
“Bequickaboutit.Bring
thebowaround.Followthe
raven.”
Theirgazestrailedthe
blackspeckasitdisappeared
intothedistance,andthey
quicklyalignedtheprow’s
fearsomedragonheadtothe
bird’sflight.
“Howmanymoredowe
have,Vidar?”thecaptain
asked.
“Onlyone.Welostthe
othertwofromshock.”
“Iknowhowtheymust
havefelt.Thatstormwasone
we’llbetalkingaboutaround
thefirewhenwe’reoldand
gray.”
“That’sthetruth.Butwe
madeit.Andnowweknow
wherelandfalllies.”
“Theonlyquestionishow
faraway.”
“Yes.Andhow
hospitable.”
“Probablynotwarm
beachesandwillingmaidens,
I’dwager,judgingbytheice
andthedropping
temperature.”
“Isuspectyou’reright.”
Themenfellsilent,lostin
theirthoughts,theircourse
uncertainfornow.Oncethey
foundlandandthecloudshad
parted,theycouldusethesun
toplotthewayhome.
“Ordertherestofthemen
totheoars,Vidar.Weneedto
makespeedytimewhileit’s
light.Idon’twanttospend
anothernightontheopensea
withicebergswaitingtosink
us.”
Vidarturnedtotheresting
men,whowereslumbering
wherevertheycouldfind
spaceonthedeck.“Timeto
earnyourkeep.Totheoars,
Vikings,totheoars!”
Bylateafternoon,they
couldmakeoutsnow-covered
mountainsinthedistance,
perhapsahalfadayaheadat
theirpresentspeed.The
welcomesightgalvanizedthe
exhaustedmen,who
redoubledtheireffortsnow
thatadestinationwaswithin
reach.Vidarmannedthe
rudder,andthecaptain
lookedlandwardfromthe
helm,keepingasharpeyeon
thewater.Astheshipdrew
nearertoland,theseawas
filledwithsmallerchunksof
floatingice,aswellasthe
occasionalmassiveiceberg.
“Whatdoyouthink?”the
captainasked,hisfacepallid
fromtwodaysofrelentless
stress.
“It’sland,sureenough.I
saywefindsafeharborand
putupforthenightandthen
deviseaplanoncewe’re
rested.”
“Themenaresurelyatthe
endoftheirrope.Wecan
improvisesomerepairforthe
mast.Itwillbealongtrip
homeifwehavetorowall
theway.”
Vidarnodded.“Thatit
willbe.”
“Look—afjord.Ifwe
followitinland,weshouldbe
abletofindasuitablespotto
makecamp,”thecaptainsaid,
pointingagnarledfingerat
thegapalongthecoastline.
“Withanyluck,theremay
evenbeanopenriver.”
“Couldbe,”Vidaragreed,
squintingtobettermakeit
out.
“Ifthereis,thatwould
meanfreshwater.And
possiblyanimals.”
“Bothwelcomegueststo
ourdiminishingstores.”
“Weshouldfollowthe
fjordandseehowfaritgoes,”
thecaptainsaid.“Idon’tsee
anybetteroptions,anditwill
bedarkagainsoon.”
“Anythingthatgetsusout
ofthiswind.Atleastthe
cliffswillprovideusshelter
fromtheworstofit.”
“Makeforthefjord.”
Vidarfixedtheoarsmen
withadeterminedglare.
“Comeon,lads.Pull.We’re
almostthere.”
Theonlysoundwasthe
oarscreakingasthemen
strainedattheirtask.There
wasnoothersignoflife,no
evidencethattheyweren’tthe
onlylivingthingsonEarth.
Therewasnothingtoindicate
thattheyhadn’tbeenblown
toafreezingpurgatoryin
someremotenetherworld.
“Steady,men.Steady...”
Vidarcalledoutasthey
weavedaroundtheicefloes
towardtheblue-whitecliffs
oneithersideofthefjord.He
leanedtowardthecaptain.
“Canyoumakethatoutinthe
distance?Itlookslikea
narrowchannel.”
“Yes,Iseeit.It’slikely
there’sanotherbaybeyondit.
Whateverthecase,weneed
tokeepmovingforwarduntil
wefindaplacetoputinfor
thenight.It’slikelythere’s
noplacetolandalongthis
unforgivingcoast.”
Theshipeasedthrough
thegapintheshoreand
founditselfinanincreasingly
denseicefloe.Thecraggy
canyonwallsjuttedhighinto
theheavensandblockedout
thedimmingraysofthe
settingsun.Astheycontinued
forward,theareagrew
darker,butthankfullythe
worstoftheweatherhadbeen
leftatthechannel’smouth
andthewaterwasstill.
Thecaptainpointedtoa
spotahead.
“There.Bythebaseofthe
glacier.Itmightbetight,but
itlookslikewecangetthe
shipatleastpartiallybeached,
safeforthenight.Wecan
thentakeapartyandseewhat
awaitsusonlandatdawn
tomorrow.”
Vidarsquintedatthe
sliverofflaticeandnodded.
Heleanedhisweightagainst
therudderandturnedthe
craft’sbowtothesloping
indentation.Theslim
remaininglightwavered
acrossthesurfaceoftheicestrewninlet,andthemen
expendedtheirlastresources
drivingthelongshipthefinal
distance.Thecurvedbow
scrapedontothefrozencrust
withajolt,andthecrewleapt
outtoheavethevesselfarther
ashoresoitwouldn’tfloat
awaywitharisingtide,using
theirbattle-axestosecure
gripsintheice.Theywere
abletogethalfofthe
mammothcraftoutofthe
water—atestamenttothe
designandlightweight
constructionofViking
vessels.Thecaptaingavethe
signaltocease;they’ddone
theirbest,and,withthefinal
glowoftherapidlydwindling
dusk,woulddobetterto
conservetheirstrengthand
makecampondeckforthe
night.
Thecaptaingazed
skywardatthetapestryof
starsandofferedasilentplea
tothegodsthattheyaidhim
inguidinghismentosafety.
Tomorrowtheywouldmount
anexpeditionarmedwith
theirlongbowsand,withany
luck,bagvenisonforfood
whiletheyrepairedthe
shatteredmast.Whileitwas
notimpossibletousetheoars
tocarrythemeasttotheir
homeland,evenapartial
workingsailwouldincrease
theoddsofdeliveringtheir
pricelesscargo.
Hisfinalthoughtbefore
driftingoffwasthatnomatter
what,hehadtomakeitback.
He’dswornasacredoathto
theexpedition’sleader,who
haddiedinalandsofarfrom
home.
Thenewdawnrevealedan
ominousgraybackdropof
sky.Vidarshifted,hiscloak
cracklingasathinveneerof
iceshatteredalongitssurface.
Heforcedhiseyesopento
findtheentireshipdustedin
white—snowfallfroma
midnightflurrythathad
entirelyblanketedthecraft.
Thecaptainstirredseveral
feetawayfromhimandthen
rose.Hiseyesrovedoverthe
slumberingcrewbefore
settlingonwhathadbeen
waterandwasnowfrozen
solid.Anominoushorizonof
stormcloudsbroodedover
theocean.Hewatchedasthe
darklineapproached,and
movedtowhereVidarwas
strugglingtositup,hislimbs
stifffromthecold.
“Ifearanotherstormis
approaching.Havethemen
unfurlwhat’sleftofthesail,”
thecaptainordered,“and
we’lluseitforshelter.
Judgingbythelookofthose
clouds,we’renotoutofit
yet.”
Vidarnoddedashe
squintedattheheavens.“We
don’thavelongbeforethe
stormreturns.”
Thecaptainturnedtohis
crew.“Men!Upwithyou.
Getthesailfreeandspreadit
overthedeckforcover.And
bequickaboutit.Unlessyou
wanttobeuptoyournecksin
sleet!”
Thegroggycrewpushed
themselvesintoaction,and
bythetimethefreezing
delugefellthey’dcrafteda
makeshifttentandwere
huddledbeneathit.Thefirst
waveofhailhitwiththeforce
ofablowagainstthefabric,
andtoamantheywere
gratefulforthecaptain’s
quickthinkingastheweather
toreatthevesselwiththe
furyofademon.
Onandonthestorm
rageduntilmidday.
Eventuallythehammering
ceased,andtheonlysound
wastheheavybreathingof
themen,theirexhalations
warmingtheenclosureasthe
blizzardabated.
Whenthecaptainpushed
theedgeofthesailasideand
movedintothenow-stillair,
thelandscapewasblinding—
whiteasfarashecouldsee,
theshipnowburieduptothe
topofthegunwales.He
consideredtheiralternatives,
whichwerebleakerbythe
moment.Theyweretrapped,
theshipimmobilized,and
therewaslittletoencourage
himontheirchancesof
survival.
Vidar’sheadpokedout
besidehim,andthen,slowly,
thecrewmovedthesailaside,
themenpausingasagroupto
takeinthevastexpanseofthe
Arcticwasteland.Thecaptain
scannedthesurroundingsand
thensquaredhisshoulders.
“Allright.Theworstis
behindus.Forman
exploratoryparty,andlet’s
takethemeasureofthisplace
whilewehaveabreakinthe
weather.Reportbackbefore
dark.Iwanttoknowwhat
we’refacing.”
Vidarturnedtowardthe
men,hisfacestoic,hisjaw
setwithresolve.“Thirtyof
thebestarchersamongyou.
Gatheryourbowsand
swords,andtakesufficient
provisionsfortheday.We
departassoonasready.”
Thecrewmenscrambled,
energizedatthechanceto
finallygetofftheship,and
therewasmuchgood-natured
argumentoverwhowasthe
betterbowmanandthusmore
deservingoftheduty.Aftera
briefoutfitting,theVikings
trompedthroughthefresh
snow,aslowlineofshaggy
formsmovingtowardthe
glacier,searchingforaroute
toascendfromthewater’s
edge.FinallyVidarcriedout
andpointedtoanarrowgap
intheicewhereajagged
outcroppingofrockjutted
fromthesteepface.The
columndivertedtothe
promisingareabefore
disappearing,onebyone,
fromview.
Duskhaddarkenedthe
skywhenthecaptainsaw
Vidar’sfamiliarredbeard
approachingacrosstheice,
returningfromthegap,trailed
bytheploddingarchers.
WhenVidararrived,hegave
thecaptainacurtnod,andthe
twomenmovedtothestern
oftheship,wheretheycould
converseprivately.
“Wewentforhours.It’s
nothingbutice.Didn’tsee
evenabird.”
“Itcan’tbeendless.What
aboutthesurroundings?”
“Therearemountainsin
thedistanceoneitherside.I
thinkouronlychanceistotry
toreachthemtomorrow.
Wherethere’sland,therewill
belife,and,ifwe’relucky,
wecanhuntsomethingdown
andreturnwithit.”
Thecaptainconsidered
hismate’swords.
“Verywell.Atfirstlight,
formtwoparties.Fortymen
ineach.Youtakeone,Ithe
other.Splitupandwe’ll
makeourwayofftheicein
oppositedirections.Thatwill
improvetheoddsofatleast
oneofusfindingfood.We’ll
leavetherestofthemenwith
theship.”
Thefollowingmorning,
themensetoffatdawn,a
longfileofbravewarriors
withnoenemytovanquish
butcoldandhunger.Once
theywereontheglacier’s
surface,thecaptainclaspeda
stronghandonVidar’s
shoulderandembracedhim.
“Goodlucktoyou.May
yourgamebagbebrimming
byday’send,”hesaid.
“Andtoyouaswell.
Whenwe’vehuntedallwe
cancarry,we’llreturntothe
ship.”
Thecaptainnodded,
lookingdeepintoVidar’s
eyes.Bothmenknewthat
theirfuturewasuncertain,
withnoguaranteeofanything
aheadbutmiseryand
starvation.Buttheywere
Vikingsandtheywouldforge
aheaduntiltherewerenone
leftstanding.Thecaptain
tookabearingonafarpeak
andpointed,hisvoice
measuredandstrong.
“Onward,men!Thereare
streamsofclearwaterandfat
elkeagertomakeyour
acquaintance.Let’snotforce
themtowait.”Andwiththat,
hetookthefirstlongsteps
towardthedistantmountains,
movingwiththegraceofa
predatorycat,leadingashe
alwayshad,withthe
confidenceofoneborntothe
task.
CARTAGENA,SPAIN,
PRESENTDAY
T
heBermudezrocked
lazilyinthemildswells
oftheazuresea,tuggingat
heranchorchainlikean
overexciteddogonashort
leash.Theninety-six-foot
steel-hulledexpeditionboat
wasmorestablethanmost
vesselshersize,andshegave
theappearanceofa
commercialfishingtrawler
ratherthanamarine
archaeologyship.Asmall
red-and-whitediveflag
bobbedthirty-fiveyardsoff
herstern.
Bubblesfrothedtothe
surfaceneartheoversizeaft
diveplatformasRemiFargo
emergedfromthedeep.
Watercoursedfromherblack
wetsuitasshehauledherself
upthepartiallysubmerged
ladder.Shepushedherdive
maskupontopofherhead
andreveledinthewarmthof
thesummersunonherface.
Droppingbackintothewater,
sheslippedoutofher
buoyancycontrolsystem
vest.SamFargopadded
acrossthedeckanddownthe
stepstoherposition,pausing
foramomenttoappreciate
herbeautybeforeofferinga
grinandreachingouttohelp
withherfinsandgear.
“Andwhomightthis
visionoflovelinessfromthe
seabe?Amermaid,perhaps?
Asiren?”heaskedplayfully.
Sheeyedhimwith
skepticismandswattedhis
barechest.“Areyougetting
freshwithme?”
Heshrugged.“Ifigured
flatterywasneverabad
option.”
“You’llgofar,young
man.Youhaveabright
future.”
SamliftedtheBCharness
withastrong,slightly
sunburnedarm,therigidlines
ofmusclebarelystrainedby
theforty-poundrig.“You
findanythingmore?”
“Nope.Ithinkwe’ve
catalogedeverything.”More
bubblesdisturbedthesurface,
andthenanotherheadpopped
outofthewater.“Isee
Dominic’sarrived.”
Theseconddiverpulled
himselfontotheplatformand
shedhistankandgear.
Closelycroppedblackhair
slightlyfringedwithgray
toppedhislean,swarthyface.
Hesmiledatthemandgavea
thumbs-up.
“Ithinkwe’redone,no?”
heasked,moreastatement
thanaquestion.Ascaptainof
theshipandtheleaderofthe
Spanishteamofdivers
charteredbytheUniversityof
Sevilletoexplorethe
shipwreckahundredthirtyfivefeetbelow,itwas
Dominic’scall.Hedeferred
outofcourtesytohistwo
Americancolleagues,who
wererenownedtreasure
hunters.Theyhadoriginally
discoveredthewreckand
reportedittotheSpanish
DepartmentofMaritime
History.SamandRemi’s
researchhadconcludedthatit
wasprobablyaseventeenthcenturymerchantshipthat
hadsunkinawinterstorm.It
waslyingburiedinthesilton
aledge,beyondwhichthe
seafloordroppedoffsharply.
Theshipwreckhadturnedout
tobethetypeofvesselin
question,andagroupof
diversandmarine
archaeologistshadbeen
dispatched,withtheFargos
assistinginexploringtheship
todetermineitshistorical
significance.
“Surelookslikewe’re
finished,”Remiagreedasshe
ranherfingersthroughher
hair,faintbronzehighlights
shimmeringasitbeganto
dry.Sheunzippedthefrontof
thewetsuitandherhand
unconsciouslymovedtothe
tinygoldscarabsuspended
fromaleatherthongaround
herneck.ItwasanewgoodluckcharmDominichad
presentedtoherinan
elaboratedisplaywhenthey’d
arrived.Andgoodluckithad
indeedbrought—inspiteof
thedepth,thedivehadbeena
relativelyeasyone:aweekin
anidylliclocation,doing
whattheyloved.Thecaptain
wascharmingandthecrew
courteousandefficient.If
onlyalloftheiradventures
weresolow-key,shethought,
andturnedtoSam.“Where
canagirlfreshenuparound
here?”
“Yourcabinawaits.The
champagneisonice,the
chocolatesonthepillow,”
Samsaidwithasmallbow.
“Knowingyou,youdrank
thechampagneandwolfed
downthecandy,”sheteased.
“I’manopenbooktoyou,
aren’tI?Whatwasthe
giveaway?”
“Thebrownsmearon
yourchin.”
Thelowrumbleof
powerfuldieselengines
reachedthemfromacrossthe
water,andtheyturnedto
watchalargewhiteprivate
yachtcutitspowerasit
nearedtowithintwohundred
yards.Remipeeredatthe
transom,butthenameand
homeportwereblockedbya
longrowofdivetanksina
custom-maderack.
“Anycloserandwe’dbe
buyingeachotherjewelry,”
Samsaidastheycontinuedto
observethevessel.
“Big,isn’tit?”Remi
remarked.
“Probablyahundredfifty
feetatleast.”
“Lotoftanks.Lookslike
they’reseriousabouttheir
diving.”
Acrewmembermovedto
thebowoftheopulentcraft
and,momentslater,the
anchordropped,itslong
chainrattlingasitlowered
intothesea.Twoandahalf
milesaway,therugged
coastlinejuttedintothe
summersky;nearerwasthe
IsladeLasPalomas,withits
fleetofpleasureboatersand
smallyachtsoutfordaytrips
fromthenearbymarinas.A
polar-whitecruiseshipinched
intotheCartagenaharbor,a
popularportformany
Mediterraneancruises.
“Doesn’titstrikeyouas
strange,Dominic,thataboat
wouldanchorthisclosetothe
shipwreck?”Samasked.
“Notnecessarily,”
Dominicsaid.“Alotofboats
hereliketoovernightwithin
sightofothers,incasethey
needassistanceofsome
kind.”
“Still,we’realongway
fromthebeatenpath,don’t
youthink?”Remisaid.
“Maybethey’rejustas
curiousaboutwhatwe’re
doinghere,”Samreasoned.
“Afterall,we’vebeen
anchoredforaweek,andthe
diveflag’sveryvisible.”
“That’sprobablyit.
Humannature,”Dominic
said,apparentlyunconcerned.
Remiheldherhandup,
shieldinghereyesasshe
watchedtheshipplayout
moreanchorchain.“Ijust
hopetheydon’tdiscoverthe
shipwreckanddisturbany
artifactsbeforethe
governmentauthoritiesget
here.”
“Iwouldn’tbetoo
worriedaboutit,”Dominic
assuredher.“Mostdivers
knowbetterthantogoinside
ashipwreckthat’smostly
buriedlikethisone.Nobody
wantstogettrapped.Adeath
sentence—”
“You’reprobablyright.”
Remitiltedherfaceuptothe
late-morningsunandclosed
hereyes,thenopenedthem
andlookedatSam.“Weren’t
youintheprocessofwooing
mewithchocolatesand
champagne?”
“Itwasmoreofaveiled
threat.”
“YoushouldknowIdon’t
scareeasily,veilsor
otherwise.”
Theymadetheirwayto
theirstateroomafterputting
awaytheirgear.Their
quarterswerelargebymarine
standards,paneledindark
hardwood,themahogany
dulledbytheyearsbutstill
retainingawarmrichness.
Samtookaseatatthesmall
built-intablenearoneofthe
cabin’stwoportholesas
Remienteredthebathroom,
andsoontheshowerwas
steamingforthaluxuriant
stream.
“Youbuythattheboat’s
harmless?”Remicalledfrom
thestall.
“Noreasontobelieveit
isn’t.”
“There’salotofvery
valuablestatuaryinthat
shipwreck,”Remireminded
him.Themerchantvesselhad
gonedownwithallhands,
andhadbeenrumoredtobe
smugglingpriceless
antiquitiesfromGreeceto
Britain,wheretherehadbeen
alargemarketforthem
amongtheroyalsandthe
upperclass.Theircareful
inventoryofthewreckhad
confirmedthecenturies-old
suspicion,andtherewere
untoldmillionsofdollars’
worthofnever-before-seen
Greekrelicsinitshold—a
differentkindoftreasure,to
besure,thantheusualgold
andjewels,buttreasure
nonetheless.
Thehopehadbeento
keeptheremarkable
discoveryquietuntilthe
governmentcouldarrangeto
retrievethestatuaryfromthe
sea,anditwasalwaysa
concernthatmercenary
treasurehunterscould
intrude,damagingthesiteas
theyattemptedtopilferit,
althoughthelikelihoodwas
low.
“Thereisindeed,”Sam
conceded.“I’msurethe
peopleofSpainwouldn’t
wantanyonetotrytomake
offwiththeirproperty.”Sam
andRemihadagreedthat
anythingtheydiscovered
wouldbeturnedovertothe
government—apolicyof
theirsthathadmadethem
welcomeadditionstomany
ofthemostinteresting
expeditionsaroundtheworld.
Theywereinthegameforthe
thrillofdiscovery,notforthe
money,Sam’sfortunehaving
beenlongsolidifiedbythe
saleofhiscompanytoa
conglomerateyearsbefore.
“Dominicdidn’tseemtoo
concerned.Andheknows
thesewaterswell.”The
showershutoffandthedoor
swungopen.Remiemerged
andwrappedherselfinathick
towelanddriedherhairwith
anotherinfrontofthe
bathroomvanityasSam
tappedatthelaptopcomputer
infrontofhim.
“True.”
“Ithinkweshouldkeep
aneyeonthatboat.”
“Aye,aye,Skipper.”
Sam’sgazedriftedfromthe
computerscreentothe
bathroomdoorway,wherehe
couldmakeouthalfofRemi
asshebrushedthetangles
fromherauburnmane.“Have
Imentionedthatyoulook
fabulous?”
“Notnearlyenough.Now,
wherearethechampagneand
chocolates?”
“Imighthaveexaggerated
tolureyoubelowdecks.”
“Itworked.Ihopeyou
haveasuitablealternativein
mind.”
Sampowereddownthe
laptopandclosedthescreen.
“Ihaveafewideas...”
W
henSamandRemi
returnedtothemain
deck,theyglancedupatthe
secondlevel,wherethecrew
sataroundacardtabledotted
withbeerbottles,laughing
andtossingmoneyintothe
potastheystudiedtheir
hands,smokecurling
skywardfromhand-rolled
cigarettes.Theexpedition
wasoverandnowitwastime
torelax,apursuitatwhich
theSpanishexcelled.
Remiwatchedwith
amusementasoneofthemen
accusedtheheadofthedive
teamofcheating.Thetarget’s
predictableresponsetothe
gibewasoneofoutrageand
offendedpride,whichwas
suitablysoothedwitharound
oftoastscelebratinghis
integrity.SheturnedtoSam,
buthe’dmovedtothestern,
wherehewasstaringatthe
horizon.Alightbreezefrom
thesouthtousledhishairand
hiswhitelinenshirt.Remi
joinedhim,andtogetherthey
watchedasfourdiversfrom
thevisitingyachtdonned
theirwetsuitsandequipment
andthendroppedintothe
water.
“Areyouthinkingwhat
I’mthinking?”
“Thatmaybewe’vebeen
compromised?”Remiasked.
“Actually,Iwasmore
leaningtowarditbeinganice
afternoonforarelaxing
dive.”
“Ican’tgoverydeep.
Stillneedalotmoresurface
time.”
“Idon’tthinkyou’llneed
to.Ijustwanttohavealook
aroundandmakesurethat
oursuspicionsaren’tcorrect.”
“Justbecauseyou’re
paranoiddoesn’tmeanthey
aren’touttogetyou.”
“Exactly.Sowhatdoyou
think?”
“Thatit’stimetogoback
andputonourbathingsuits?
You’regoingtooweme
someseriousspasessionsfor
thisafterdoingthelastdive.”
“YouknowI’dhavegone
withyouifIcouldhave.The
decompressiontablesdon’t
lie.”
“Whichmeansyouhave
limiteddivetime,too,Mr.
Cousteau,”shewarned,
concernflitteringacrossher
face.
“Yes,ma’am.Whatever
yousay,ma’am.”
“Now,that’salittlemore
likeit.”
Fiveminuteslater,they
wereready,thecrewstill
absorbedinitsrevelry,
unawareofSamandRemi’s
approachtothediveplatform.
“Visibilitystillabout
sixtyfeet?”Samaskedashe
puthismaskinplace.
“Aboutthat.Maybea
littlebetter.”
“Thenweshouldn’tneed
alotofbottomtime.Justa
fun,recreationaldive.”
“Nearthewreck,of
course.”
“Seemslikethenatural
place,doesn’tit?”
“Whataboutbeing
spotted?”
“We’lldiveona
trajectorythat’llplacethe
Bermudez’shullaboveusas
muchaspossible,”Sam
explained.“Besides,ifI’m
right,theywon’tbelooking
up.Youknowhowitiswhen
you’rewreck-diving.Tunnel
vision.”
Reminoddedagreement.
“Goodplan.”
Theyeasedtheheavy
stainlesssteelladderfromthe
platformintothewaterand,
insteadofdroppingintothe
sea,carefullylowered
themselvesuntiltheywere
fullyimmersed.Samgave
Remitheokayandshe
reciprocated,signalingthat
shewasready.
Theygraduallydescended
tosixtyfeet,movingasthey
haddiscussedonarough
courseforthewreck.Atforty
yardsaway,Samsignaledto
Remitostayputandthen
swamaway,fartherintothe
darkeningdepths.Ten
minuteswentby,andjustas
shewasbeginningtoworry,
Samreappeared,checkinghis
divetimer.Hepointedtoward
thesurface.
Whentheymadeittothe
surface,hespathisregulator
out,thebigwhiteyachtonly
fiftyfeetaway.
“Busted.Twoofthe
diverswereinsidethehull,
andtheothertwowere
outside.Icouldseetheir
worklights,”hereported.
“Andthenfivemorecame
outofthewreck.Hauling
statuary.Sothefourwesaw
wereonlyasmallpartofthe
gang.Couldbetenormore
inside.”
“How?Howcouldthey
haveknown?”
“Obviously,theycame
prepared...”
“Whichraisesthe
questions,whoaretheyand
wholeakedtheinfo?”
“Anyonewhoknows
aboutthewreckcouldhave
giventhemthecoordinates.
That’saprettylonglistof
Spanishofficials.”
“Isupposeso.Andasto
whothesepiratesare...?”
Remiasked.
“There’sonlyonewayto
findout.”
Sheshookherhead.
“You’renotthinking—”
“Thebestdefenseisa
goodoffense.”
“Wouldn’titbebetterto
notifytheauthorities?”
“Youmeanthesameones
thatmighthavetippedthese
guysoff?Whatdoyouwant
tobetthatgoesnowhere?”
Remisighed.“Isuppose
thishasbeenwaytoocalm
foryourtastessofar.Ishould
haveknownbetter.”
“Comeon.Let’sgotakea
lookathowtheotherhalf
lives.”
“Wearetheotherhalf.”
“YouknowwhatImean.”
“Yes,Sam.I’malltoo
afraidIdo.”
Theyapproachedthe
interlopers’yachtatfifteen
feetofdepth,andSam
punchedinawaypointonhis
diveGPSwhentheywere
directlybelowit.With
anotherglancebackatthe
shipwreck’sposition,he
pointedupatthestern,and
Remisignaledthatshewas
ready.Together,they
ascendedtothediveladder
thathungbelowtheswim
stepandSamhauledhimself
up,followedcloselybyRemi.
“Let’sleaveourgear
here.We’lllookjustlikeany
oftheotherdivers.Ifwe’re
spotted,justwave.”
“Idon’tknow,Sam.I
mightbealittlecurvierthan
theaveragetechnicaldiver.”
“Whichisonlyoneofthe
manyreasonsIloveyou.”
“AtleastIcancrossoff
theworryaboutyourunning
awaywithanotherdiver.”
“Runningsounds
exhausting,especiallyin
flippers.”
Remiswattedhim.
Afterafurtivescanofthe
emptylower-deckareanear
thetransom,theymounted
thestairstoit.Theyachthad
fourstoriesabovethehull.A
softswirlingofjazzmusic
drifteddownfromthe
second-storydeck.
“Soundsliketheparty’s
upthere,”Remiwhispered.
Samnodded.“Questionis
whetherwewanttojoinin.”
“Prudencewoulddictate
caution.”
“Sowecrashit?”
Shegavehimaknowing
look.“IfIsaidno,wouldthat
stopyou?”
“Goodpoint.Let’ssneak
upandseewhowe’redealing
with.”
“Sneak?Wearingawet
suit?Onamega-yacht?”
“Ididn’tsaytheplan
couldn’tusesomefinetuning,”Samadmitted.
Shesmirked.“Leadon,O
greathunter.”
Hehoistedhimselfonto
thesecond-leveldeckand
foundhimselffacingthree
extremelytannedyoung
beautieswearinglittlemore
thansmiles,lyingonchaise
longuesaroundahottub.One
ofthemglancedupandfixed
Samwithafrankgaze,then
loweredhersunglasses
slowlytogetabetterlook.
Fourconsiderablyolder
mensatgatheredarounda
largeteaktablefilledwith
epicureanfareand
champagne,theircigarsmoke
pungentonthebalmybreeze.
Afifth,andyounger,man
stoodattheportsiderailing,
watchingtheBermudezwith
binoculars.Samregardedthe
seatedgroup,andoneofthe
menrose—animposing
figure,wearingabrightly
coloredRobertGrahamshirt,
ivoryArmanisilk-and-linen
pants,andPradaloafers.Sam
smiledandlockedeyeswith
him.Theman’sface
registeredshockforafew
seconds,butquicklysettled
intoapracticedgrin,as
genteelasthecreampanama
hatcockedrakishlyonhis
head.
“SamandRemiFargo.
Whatapleasantsurprise.
Howgoodofyoutodropin,”
hesaid,hisupper-crust
Britishaccentunmistakable.
SamsensedRemibehind
him.Withoutturningtoher,
heapproachedthetablewith
anequallyfriendlysmileon
hisfaceandreachedoutto
liftoneofthechampagne
bottlesfromthesweating
silverbuckets.Hestudiedthe
labelforasecondandthen
droppedthebottlebackinto
theice.
“Well,ifitisn’tJanus
Benedict.Stilldrinking
Billecart-Salmon1996,I
see,”Samsaid.
“Iseenoreasontochange
horses,havingalreadybacked
awinner.IfImightask,to
whatdoweowethepleasure
ofyourcompany?”
“Wewereoveronthat
othership,sawyours,and
werewonderingifyouhad
anyGreyPoupon.”
“Ah,theinfamousFargo
humorassertsitself.Well
met,”Janusreplied,histone
steepedinanelegantcivility
thatperfectlycomplemented
hisgrayingpencil-thin
mustache.
Theotherthreeseated
meneyedtheFargoswith
guardedamusement,enjoying
theinterlude—itwasobvious
toeveryoneatthetablethat
JanusandtheFargoswereold
adversaries.
Theyoungerman
approachedJanusand
murmuredinhisear,“Janus.
Whatareyoudoing?Throw
themoff...now.Orbetter
yet—”
Janussilencedhimwitha
curtgesture.Hemovedhim
awayandspokeintohisear.
“Reginald,stop,”hehissed.
“Stoprightnow.Oneshould
alwayskeepone’senemies
close,thebettertounderstand
theirmind.”
“It’sinsanity.”Reginald
reachedtowardtherearofhis
waist,whereapistolwas
concealedbyhislooseshirt.
“Reginald,youmaybe
mybrother,butyouescalate
thisonmyboatandthere’ll
behelltopay.Think.Justfor
asecond.Bringaweapon
intotheequationandwe’re
outofoptions.Sostopit,
now,andgobacktostudying
yournavelwhiletheadults
play.”Januspulledawayand
returnedhisattentiontothe
newarrivals.“Please.Iinsist.
Somechampagne.And,
Remi,mayIsaythatyoulook
asravishingasever...”
Remihadremovedher
divehoodandunzippedher
wetsuit.“Everthesilvertongueddevil,aren’tyou,
Janus?”
“I’dhavetobemadeof
stonetobeoblivioustoyour
beauty,dearlady,”Janus
said,thentookhisseatand
snappedhisfingers.A
stewardinwhiteslacksanda
matchingshort-sleevedshirt
withblackepaulets
materializedfrominsidethe
upstairssalon.
“Bringtwomorechairs
formyguests,aswellas
someproperglasses.Andbe
quickaboutit,”Janus
ordered.
“Yes,sir.”
Likerabbitsfromahat,
twomorestewardsappeared
bearingchairsand
champagneflutes.Remiand
Samtookseatsatthetable.
Theshorteroftheservants
pouredthembothglassesof
champagne,whichsparkled
likeeffervescentgoldinthe
brightsun.
Janusindicatedhis
entouragewithanopenpalm.
“Allowmetointroduce
everyone.Pasqual,Andrew,
Sergei,meetSamandRemi
Fargo—somewouldargue
themostsuccessfultreasure
huntersontheplanet.Oh,and
thegentlemanoverthere,
admiringyourfinevessel,is
myyoungerbrother,
Reginald.”
Themennoddedatthe
Fargos.
Samshookhishead.
“Hardlytreasurehunters,
Janus.We’remerely
possessedwithinsatiable
curiosityandfindourselves
intherightplaceat
auspicioustimes.”
“Yes,quite—you
certainlyhaveLadyLuck
perchedfirmlyonyour
shoulders.Butfortunefavors
thebold,it’ssaid.”Janus
raisedhisglassinatoast.“To
fairweatherandsmooth
sailing.”
Remiraisedherglassto
meethis,andSamjust
smiled.
“Whatbringsyoutothe
Spanishcoast,Janus?Not
reallyyourstompingground,
isit?”Samasked.
“Allworkandnoplay,
dearboy.”Janus’seyes
skimmedoverthethree
recliningnubilesbythetub.
“Doctor’sorders.Takeinthe
saltair,enjoythesun.None
ofuscanbesurehowmuch
moretimewehave.”He
paused.“Andyou?”
“Wemusthavethesame
doctor.Hegaveusalmost
identicalinstructions,”Remi
interjected.
“Yes,well.Greatminds
andall.”
Samleanedforward.“I
couldn’thelpbutnoticethat
youhavequiteadiveshopon
thisboat.”
Janusdidn’tblinkand
merelyofferedawansmile.
“Someofmyguestsarereal
enthusiasts.Oneoftheprices
ofentertaining.Ihadit
outfittedsothey’dhave
everythingtheycouldwish
for.”
“Judgingbytheempty
tankholders,Ipresumewe
missedthem.”
“Didyou?It’ssohardto
keeptrackofeveryoneona
yachtthissize.Butitdoesn’t
surprisemetohearthatthey
wentforadive.That’soneof
theirpassions,afterall.
Ratherkeenonit,actually.”
“Whatisshe?Forty
meters?”Remiasked.
“Ohmy,no.Rathermore
likefifty-something.Iforget
exactly.It’sonlyoneinmy
stable,don’tyouknow.Abit
ofasodtomaintainandnot
inexpensive,butwhydowe
striveifnottoenjoyourlittle
luxuries?”
Theyspentanother
twentyminutesbantering,
circlinggladiatorsinaverbal
arena,probingeachotherfor
anyhintofvulnerability,but
Januswastoosmoothtoslip
up.EventhoughSamand
Remiknewhisgame,and
Janusknewthattheyknew,
therewasn’tmuchtobedone
aboutitaboardhisyacht.
WhenSamgrewtiredofthe
exchange,theyexcused
themselves,thankedJanusfor
hishospitality,andreturned
tothediveplatform.
“Leavesatastelike
spoiledfood,doesn’the?”
Samcommentedasthey
donnedtheirgear.
“Likerottensharkmeat.”
Remipulledonherhood.
“He’sverysmooth,though,
isn’the?Butterwouldn’tmelt
inhismouth.”
“He’salwaysbeenthat
way.Rememberthelast
time?”
SamandRemihadrun
acrossBenedictoncebefore,
onanexpeditiontolocatea
lostSpanishgalleonoffthe
Normandycoast—asearch
thathadultimatelyproved
successful,butnotbefore
they’dhadtocontendwith
suspiciousequipmentfailures
they’dbelievedhadbeen
engineeredbyJanus’s
henchmen.Hisnamecameup
routinelyincertaincirclesin
connectionwithstolen
artifacts,aswellashis
primarybusiness:armsdealingtoawho’swhoof
Africandespotsandcartelaffiliatedshellcompanies.
Hisconnectionsandfinancial
cloutweresuchthathe’d
neverbeenprosecutedforso
muchasaparkingticket.His
networkofbanks,insurance
firms,andrealestate
developmentcompanies
securedhispositionasa
legitimatefixtureonthe
UnitedKingdom’ssocial
scene.He’dbeeninvitedto
morepalacesthanmost
careerdiplomatsandswamin
thetreacherouswatersof
powerwiththenaturaleaseof
abarracuda.
“Wehavetonotifythe
universityandthe
government,Sam.Wecan’t
lethimgetawaywiththis.
YouandIbothknowthe
wreckwillbepickedcleanby
thetimehe’sdonewithit,”
Remiwhispered.
“Yes,Iknow.Butmyfear
isthathe’sobviouslybeen
abletobuyoffatleastsome
ofthehigherfunctionaries,so
bythetimetheydoarriveto
securethecachetheSpanish
peoplewillbethepoorerfor
it.”
Remiadjustedherdive
vestandturnedtofaceSam.
“Iknowthattone.Whatare
youthinkingofdoing?”
“We’llstillgothroughthe
properchannels,butitmay
takealittleunconventional
thinkingtoguaranteehe
doesn’tmakeoffwith
anythingfirst.”
“Andyou’rejusttheguy
tothinkbig...andoutside
thebox,”shesaid,raisingone
eyebrow.
“I’dliketobelieveI’m
morethanjustaprettyfaceto
you.”
“Well,youdogiveagood
backrub.”
“Subtlehintthere?”Sam
asked,peeringovertheedge
oftheplatformatthewater
below.
“Andyoucatchonquick.
Ilikethat.”
Shesplashedintothesea,
andSamwaiteduntilher
headbobbedonthesurface
nearbybeforejoiningher,his
mindchurningoverpossible
waystothwartJanusonthe
openocean,vastly
outnumberedbyhiscrew.
D
ominicpacedinthe
pilothouseasSamand
Remiwaitedwithcrossed
armsforaresponsefromthe
SpanishDepartmentof
Antiquitiesonwhatcourseof
actiontheyintendedtotakein
ordertoprotecttheshipwreck
fromlooting.Infrustration,
SamglancedattheAnonimo
ProfessionaleCNSdive
watchRemihadgivenhim
forhisbirthday.They’d
insistedonradioinginthe
threatwhennobodyhad
answeredtheirphones—not
completelyunexpectedona
Fridaybeforeaholiday
weekend.
Dominiccutshorthis
walktonowhereandturned
tofacethem.“Myfriends,
we’vedoneeverythingwe
can.I’llnotifyyouwhenI
hearsomething.”
“Isn’tthereanyoneelse
wecangetintouchwith?The
police?TheCoastGuard?”
Remidemanded.
“I’llnotifyeveryoneand
anyone,butthere’salimitto
howmanyoftheseagencies
willreact.Rememberthat
whilethisisextremely
importanttous,totherestof
theworldit’slowonthe
prioritylist.Ourbestbetisto
waitforsomeonefromthe
universityorthegovernment
torespond.”
“Bywhichtime,they
couldhavemadeoffwith
most,orall,oftherelics,”
Samsaid.
Dominicshrugged.“I
understandyourfrustration.I
shareit.WhichiswhyI’ll
waittohearandkeepcalling
whoeverIcanthinkof.”
SamtouchedRemi’sarm
andtheyexchangedalook.
Samnoddedandletouta
sigh.“Isupposewehaveto
workwithinthesystem.If
nobodycarestorespond,we
can’tmakethem.Andwe
certainlycan’tsink
Benedict’sboat,muchasI’d
liketo.”
Remigavehimadark
glare.“Sam...”
“IsaidIwouldn’t.Don’t
worry.”Samlookedat
Dominic.“Youwillcomeget
usifthere’sanyword?”
“Ofcourse.ThemomentI
hearsomething.”
Samledthewaybackon
deck,wherethecrew’s
barbequecelebrationhad
graduallyincreasedinvolume
asthedayworeon.Raucous
laughtergreetedthem,along
withshoutsofmockoutrage
asthenever-endingcard
gamecontinued.Thesurface
ofthewateraroundthe
Bermudezrippledwithgolden
flashesasthesunslidbeneath
thehorizon.Twilightwould
soonovertakethem,andboth
SamandRemiknewthat
theirchancesofanyaction
beingtakenbytheauthorities
wererecedingwiththesun’s
waningglow.
Backintheirstateroom,
Remisatdownonthebed
andeyedSam,whohad
movedtothenearest
porthole,fromwhichhewas
watchingJanus’syacht.
“Youknownobody’s
goingtoresponduntil
Mondayattheearliest,”she
said.
“That’sunfortunately
true.Whetherit’sbecause
Benedictpaidthemofftobe
unavailableorbecauseit’s
FridayinSpain.”Sam
paused.“IthinkIknowhow
they’regoingtomakeoff
withthestatuarywithout
riskingbeingboardedand
arrested,eventhoughit’sa
longshot.They’renotgoing
toloadanythingonboard.”
“Thenhowaretheygoing
tostealit?”
“Ah.Withalittlesleight
ofhand,andusingMother
Naturetohidetheirtracks.”
“It’salittlelateintheday
forriddles,Sam.”
“IfIwerethem,I’dwait
untilitgotdark.Howlongdo
youthinkitwouldtaketo
emptythehold?”
“Justtoextractthe
statues,ifyoudidn’tcare
aboutdamagingthewreck?
Atleastallday.Butyou
mightloseafewpieces,”
Remisaid.
“Right.Theirbiggest
problemwillberaisingitall
fromthebottom.Theycan’t
dothatwithoutbeing
obvious.Somyhunchis
they’llwaituntildarkanduse
theship’scranes.”
Remifrowned.“Ithought
yousaidtheyweren’tgoing
toloadit.”
“Notintotheboat.”
Shestaredathim,
puzzlementwrittenacrossher
face,andthensmiled.
“You’reasneakyone,aren’t
you?”
“Ifyouwanttocatcha
thief,youhavetothinklike
one,”Samsaid.“Theycould
bedoneinsixtosevenhours
iftheymovefast,whichyou
havetobelievetheywill.The
worklightswillmorethan
compensateforthelackof
daylight.Isaythey’llpullan
all-nighterandbereadyto
steamoutofhereatdawn,if
notbefore.That’smy
prediction.”
“Butwe’regoingtothrow
awrenchinthat,”Remisaid.
“Youbet.Ispecializein
wrenchtossing.Itwasmy
minorincollege.”
“Ithoughtitwasbeer
drinking.”
“Youhavetohave
priorities.Andtheyaren’t
mutuallyexclusive.”
“Whattimedoyousee
thepartybeginningonour
end?”
“I’dsayaroundfourin
themorning.Bettertobe
earlythantoolate.”
“Wanttofillmeinon
howwe’regoingtostop
them?”
“Ithoughtyou’dnever
ask.”
Themoongrinnedcrookedly
frombetweenscattered
clouds,itscoolradiance
shimmeringacrossthe
wrinkledseaasSamand
Remidescendedtothedive
platform.Therestofthe
archaeologyteamhadlong
sinceretiredandwere
slumberingtheuntroubled
sleepoftheinebriated.Remi
openedoneofthewatertight
lockersandremovedtwo
bulkydivemaskswithnight
visionmonocularsattached—
courtesyofSam’scontactsin
theDefenseDepartment.
They’dusedthemtogreat
effectinsidethehullofthe
wreck,wherethescope
wouldamplifyeventhe
dimmesttracesoflightand
illuminatetheentirearea.
“Ihopethisworks,”Remi
whisperedastheychecked
eachother’sgear.
“It’sourbestshot.But,
hey,whatdoIknow?”
Shepattedthetopofhis
head.“You’regoodonthe
equipment.”
“You,too.”Hestepped
away.“Thenightvision
scopesarestate-of-the-art.
Worstcase,weuseoneofthe
flashlightsifweneedasmall
lightsource.Ifwe’recareful
andlimitthebeamtothehull,
nobodywillseeit.”
Sheeyedthegentle
swells.“DidIevertellyou
howromanticitistodiveinto
thecoldseainthedeadof
night?”
“Iwashopingyou’dbea
pushoverforthat.”
“Youknowmelikethe
beatingofyourownheart.”
Theybothfrozeasacreak
reachedthemfromtheupper
level.Samcockedhishead,
listeningforanyhintof
movement,andafterafew
minutesofcontinuedsilence
theyrelaxed—itwasprobably
justthewoodendeck
changingtemperature.
Samtookthemaskfrom
herandswitchedontheNV
scope,thenpulledthestrap
overhisdivehood.“Hey,
whaddayaknow?Icansee!
Youreadytogoswimming?”
hewhispered.
“Iwasbornready,big
boy.”Shedonnedhermask
andactivatedthescopeand,
afterafinalcheckofherdive
bag,loweredherselfintothe
water.Samjoinedher
momentslater,andsoonthey
wereswimmingtoward
Benedict’syachtusingSam’s
GPSwaypoint.
Visibilitywasn’tasbadas
he’dfeared,tenfeetbelow
thesurface,andenough
moonlightpenetratedtotheir
depthforthemtoeasilysee
eachother.Samestimated
thatwiththescopestheyhad
agoodthirtyfeetofusable
rangebeforeeverythingfaded
intodarkness,whichhe
hopedwouldbeenoughfor
theirpurposes.Remiglided
throughthewaterlikea
dolphinbehindhim,and
whenhelookedbackhefelta
surgeofprideinherfor
agreeingtotackleadifficult
taskwithhim,asshehadso
often,withoutflinching.
Theyacht’shullloomed
ahead,andastheydrew
closertheycouldmakeout
theexpectednetssuspended
belowitbynylonrope,
securedtoheavysteeleyelets
thathadbeenweldedtothe
vessel’sunderside
specificallyforthatpurpose.
Samgesturedatthenearest,
filledwithstatues,andthey
passedinfrontofittothe
bow.Astheydid,thewater
hummedwithadroning
vibration—theenginesfiring
up.
RemilookedatSam.He
indicatedtheclosestnet,
withdrewhisXSScuba
titaniumdiveknifefromits
legsheath,andswamto
whereoneoftwolines
connectedtothehull.Remi
didthesameandmovedto
theoppositeline,takinga
momenttopeeratthefull
netshanginglikependulous
fruitfromtheship—easilya
dozenormore—disappearing
intothedarknessalongthe
yacht’slength.Sambegan
sawingatthenylonline.
Remimatchedhisefforts
untilhersidefrayedandthen
snapped,followedalmost
instantlybySam’s.They
watchedasthenetfilledwith
artifactssankslowlybackto
thebottom.Whenitwasout
ofsight,theyswamtothe
nextinthequeue.
Tenminuteslater,asthey
wereapproachingthesecondto-lastnet,theyachtbegan
moving.Samlookedaround
andpointedattheanchor
chain,whichwasslackening
asthevesseleasedforward.
Remishottothesidetoavoid
becomingentangledinthe
nettingasitmovedtoward
her.Samdidthesame.The
chaintightenedasitpulled
freefromthebottom,and
thenthevesselpaused
directlyovertheanchorasit
rosefromthedeep.
Remimotionedatthetwo
remainingnets.Theyswamto
thetwolinesandbegan
cutting,awarethattheydidn’t
havemuchtimebeforethe
shipgotunderway.Ifthey
werelucky,they’dbeableto
freebothandgetclearbythe
timetheyachtpowered
forwardagain.
Samattackedhislinewith
renewedvigor.Theanchor
chainclatteredasitrolled
ontothewindlassatthebow,
thesound,evenunderwater,
likethefiringofamachine
gun.Thecuttingbecame
moredifficultasthestern
drifted,pushedbythewind
above,thegiantfive-bladed
propsturningslowlyasthe
transmissionsrestedatidle.
Sam’ssidefinallycame
free,andonesideofthe
nylonnetdroppedinslow
motion;andthen,justas
Remiwasthroughherside,
thehugepropsbegan
spinningandtheyacht
lurchedforward.Samcursed
silentlyashefeltthepullof
thepropsdragginghim
towardthem.Afterafinal
glanceattheremainingnet
containingasinglestatue,he
kickedwithallhismightto
escape.He’dseentoomany
photographsofaccidents
involvingpropellerstoriska
lastattemptandheturnedhis
head,searchingforRemi,as
hedivedstraightdown.
Healmostmadeit.The
lastnetsnaggedSam’stank
andforahorrifyingmoment
hewasdraggedalong,all
controllost.Facing
backward,hefoundhimself
staringatavisioncrafted
fromhisworstnightmares—
thechurningofthegleaming,
sharpbrasspropellersonlya
fewyardsfromwherehewas
trapped.
Thesurgeastheship
gatheredmomentumpulled
himcloserandhestruggled
uselesslytofreehimself,
awarethathehadonly
secondsbeforetheanchor
wasupandthecaptain
increasedspeedtowhere
evenifSamgotloose,he’d
besuckedintothedeadly
blades.Hereachedbehind
himwithhisdiveknifeand
slashedblindlyatthethick
nylonnet.
Tonoavail.
Inalastdesperatebidfor
survival,hegropedforhis
harnessreleasesandsnapped
themopenashetookadeep
breathofcompressedairand
thenpulledhisregulatorfree
ofhismouthandswaminto
thedeepwithallhismight.
Hisleftflipperjoltedasa
propbladetorethroughit,
andthenhewasbeingpushed
throughthewaterasthough
inajetstream,hurled
backwardbythepropwashas
theyachtaccelerated.
Afteraseemingeternity
ofbeingbattedaroundinthe
wake,Sambrokethesurface
andgaspedinfresh,sweetair,
thesternofBenedict’svessel
brightinhisnightvision
monocular.Heinhaled
anotherhugelungfulandthen
wentbackundertolookfor
Remi.
She’dgottenclearsooner
thanhe,andSamcouldmake
outherformglidingintothe
dark.
Safe.
Hediveddowntoherand
tookherhand.Remigaveita
squeeze.Sheturnedtohim
andhereyeswidenedbehind
hermaskasshesawhim
withouthistank,onlythe
snorkelinhismouth.Hegave
athumbs-up,andtheyboth
rosetothesurface.
“Whathappenedtoyour
rig?”sheaskedasthey
floatedinthedark.
“Theseagodsdemanded
asacrificeanditwaseither
thetankorme.”
“Areyouallright?”
“Neverbetter.Let’sget
backtotheboatbeforedawn
breaks,”hesaid,lookingover
towheretheBermudez
floatedpeacefullyonthe
ebonyswells.
Backonboard,Remi
removedhergear,andthey
bothstrippedofftheirdive
suits.Theirintentionwasto
saynothingabouttheir
nocturnaladventureuntilthe
shipwreckwasunderguard.
GivenBenedict’sobvious
reachintounknownlevelsof
theSpanishadministration,
thatseemedthemostprudent
course.Nopointintipping
himoffandeliminatingany
timingadvantagethey’d
boughtthemselves.
Samgotabetterlookat
hisbatteredfin,sliced
laterally.Thepropbladehad
missedhisfootbyinches—an
unnecessaryreminderofhow
closehe’dcome.Thankfully,
Remididn’tregisteritinthe
dark,andhedecidednotto
sharehisbrushwithdisaster.
“Thestatuehegotaway
withlookedlikethefullheightoneofAthena,”Remi
whispered.
“We’llnotifythe
authorities,ifandwhenthey
arrive.Idon’ttrustanyoneon
thisboat.”
Remi’seyeswidened.
“Youdon’tthinkoneofthe
team...?”
“Idon’tknowwhatto
think.Ijustknowthat
Benedict’sdirtymoneyseems
tohaveboughtalotof
indifferencetoobvious
robbery,andIdon’twantto
takeanychances.”
Shenodded.“Thinkwe
couldgetanotherfewhours
ofshut-eye?”
“That’smyhope.We’ll
heatupthephonesandthe
radiotomorrow.Fornow,I’d
saymissionaccomplished,
evenifhedidgetawaywith
onerelic.”
“Onceit’sreported,he’ll
behard-pressedtosmuggleit
anywhereorsellit.”
“Hopefully,that’strue,
but,asyouknow,some
collectorsarepretty
unscrupulous.”
“Butbythetimeanyone
respondstous,he’llbein
internationalwaters.I’dbe
steamingforthesanctuaryof
eitherMoroccoorAlgeria.
It’sonlyahundredand
somethingmiles.Pieceof
cakeforthatvessel.”
“Itdoesn’tsoundlike
today’sthedayhegetshis,
doesit?”
“Iwouldn’tbankonit.
Now,canItalkyouintosome
seriouspillowtime?”
JanusBenedictstoodonthe
transomdeck,hiscolorhigh,
obviouslyangry,asthehead
ofthediveteamreportedthat
theonlythingtheyhadto
showfortheirtroublewas
onestatue.Reginaldlooked
readytostriketheunfortunate
man,whowasnothingmore
thanthebearerofbadnews.
“Youidiot.Howcould
youletthishappen?”
Reginaldshouted,hissilk
Versaceshirtshimmeringin
thesunlight.
Janushelduphishandto
silencehisbrotherandspoke
inacalm,evenlymodulated
voice.“Hectorisn’ttoblame,
Reginald.Thisdoesno
good.”
“Whatdoyoumean,he’s
nottoblame?Wejustlost
millionsbecausehefailedto
securethecargoproperly!”
Hectorshookhishead.He
heldupapieceofthick
yellownylonropeand
pointedtodivinggearhe’d
placedatthedeckedge.“No,
sir.Allthelineswerestill
attachedtotheties.These
ropeswerecut.Lookatthe
ends.Andthatdiverigwas
caughtinthenetting.This
wasnoaccident.”
Janusnoddedashestared
atthenearbycoast,
glimmeringlikeamirageon
thehorizon.
“ItwastheFargos.Hadto
be.”
“IknewIshouldhave
shotthemwhenIhadthe
chance.”
Janusspuntofacehis
brother.“Really?That’syour
solution?Commitcoldbloodedmurderinfrontofa
hostofwitnesses?Haveyou
takenleaveofyoursenses?”
heaskedthroughclenched
teeth,thenshookhisheadand
addressedHector.“Verywell,
Hector.Bringthestatueup
ontothedeckandpackitas
agreed,andwe’llhanditoff
attherendezvous.”
AnAlgeriancommercial
fishingboatwouldbecoming
alongsidewithinthehourto
ferrythestatuetosafety,
leavingtheyachttocontinue
onitswaytoMajorca.Inthe
highlyunlikelyeventitwas
stoppedandsearched,there
wouldbenothingtofind.It
wouldbethewordofthe
Fargosagainsthis,andwith
whathe’dpaidinbribesto
lubricatetheSpanishsystem,
hewasconfidenttherewould
benolastingtrouble.
“Istillsayabullet
betweentheeyeswouldhave
solvedalotofproblems,”
ReginaldmutteredasHector
left,relievedtobeoffthe
hookforthefailed
expedition.
“HowmanytimesdoI
havetotellyouthattaking
rashactionisafool’sgame?
Thesearehighstakes,and
youdon’thavetheluxuryof
behavingimpulsively.We’re
playingchess,notrugby.It’s
allstrategy,notbruteforce
andsillyrisks.”
“Saysthemanwhojust
lostmillionsbybeing
restrained,”Reginaldsaid,
andthenimmediately
regretteditwhenhesawthe
coldinhiseldersibling’s
eyes.
“Well,oldboy,Imake
themillions,sothey’remine
tolose,aren’tthey?Ithink
youmightwanttoreconsider
anyfurtherinsolence.You’re
theonewhobeggedto
participateinmyoperations
—asIrecall,itwasyouwho
decidedthatthelifeofa
playboyhadgrowntiresome,
notI.Andyoudidn’t
complainaboutmyapproach
whenthatyoungwomanfiled
thepolicereportinCannes.
Youweremorethangrateful
thatI’mrespectedenoughto
arrangeforthatsortof
unpleasantnesstodisappear.”
Januspausedforamoment
andsighed.“Don’tpushthe
limitsofmypatience,
Reginald.Ifyouwanttobea
partofmybusiness,you’lldo
thingsmyway.Impetuous
mistakesonlybringgrief,
whetheryoubelievemeor
not.Thiswasnothingmore
thanoneroundinalonger
fight.I’mconfidentwe’llsee
theFargosagain,and,when
wedo,thingswillgovery
differently.”
Reginaldgavehima
curiouslook,chastisedbut
unrepentant.“Yousaythatas
thoughit’sfact.”
Janusputafatherlyhand
onReginald’sshoulderand
gesturedtothebreakfast
bountylaidoutonthecircular
tablenearthemainsalon.
“Patiencehasitsown
reward.Thisisn’tover.
You’llhavetotrustmeon
that.”Janusclearedhisthroat,
thesubjectclosed.“The
statueofAthenawillbring
severalmillionfromabuyer
inMoscow,soatleastwe’ll
coverthefuelandsundries
forourlittleouting,ifnot
muchmore.Soitwasn’ta
totalloss.Andrememberthis:
goodthingscometothose
whowait.”
Theywalkedtothetable
andtookseatsoppositeeach
other,andasteward
practicallyrantopourthem
piping-hotdarkroastcoffee.
Anotherarrivedwithglasses
offresh-squeezedorange
juice,andathirdstood
discreetlyinthebackground
untilbothhadbeenattended
tobeforeinquiringhowthey
preferredtheireggsprepared.
Reginaldorderedan
omeletandJanusaneggwhitescramble,andwhenhis
youngerbrotherreturnedhis
gazetohim,Januswas
staringoffintothedistance,
anexpressionoftranquillity
onhisrefinedfeatures,as
thoughtheplanhadgone
perfectlyandhehadnota
worryintheworld.Reginald
knewJanusandheknewthat
look.Ifhesaiditwasn’tover,
itwasn’t,andReginaldwas
confidentthatthemeddling
Americanswouldgettheir
justdesertsathisbrother’s
hands—forallhiscivilized
veneer,Januswasasdeadly
asacobra,andequallysilent.
Therewouldbeatallyof
alldebts,andwhenthattime
arrived,theFargoswould
pay.
Ofthathewascertain.
A
smorningdriftedlazily
by,Dominicfailedto
getanyresponsefromhis
contacts,andRemidecidedto
takemattersintoherown
hands.Sheactivatedoneof
thesatellitephonesandcalled
afamiliarnumber.Selma
Wondrashansweredonthe
fourthring.
“Selma?It’sRemi.Sorry
tocallsolate.”
“Thereyouare!Ihaven’t
heardfromyouforalmosta
week.Igetworriedwhenyou
twogodarkonme.”
“Wewerebusywiththe
dive.”
“Howdiditgo?”
“We’refinished,but
there’sawrinkle.”
“Isn’ttherealways?What
canIdotohelp?”
“Whatkindofcontactsdo
youhavewiththeSpanish
Navy?”
Selmathoughtaboutit,
processingfuriously.
“SpanishNavy...letmedig
aroundsome.IfIdon’thave
anin,Icanprobablyfind
someonewhoknowstheright
people.Whatdidyouhavein
mind?”
Remiexplainedher
thinkingandSelmagrunted
assent.“Iunderstand.Letme
getonthis.It’soneinthe
morninghere,butI’mstillup,
somightaswellmakeuseof
myself.”
“IwasafraidI’dwoken
you.”
Selmahesitated.“No,I’ve
beensomewhatofanightowl
lately.Insomnia.Comesand
goes.”
“Ihatethat.Youshould
takesomethingforit—you
sleeplittleenoughasitis...”
“Ifitlastsmuchlonger,I
will.Butfornow,it’sagood
thingIwasup.I’llcallyou
backonceIhavesomething
toreport.Isthereanything
else?”
“HavetheGulfstream
fueledandreadyfortakeoff
fortomorrowevening.That’ll
giveusthetwenty-fourhours
weneedfromourlastdive.
FileaflightplanforSan
Diego.We’recominghome.”
“That’swonderful.
Consideritdone.”
Samhadpurchaseda
GulfstreamG650businessjet
withaneffectiverangeof
overseventy-fivehundred
milesfromabankthathad
repossesseditfroman
investmentgroupthathad
fallenonleantimes.Since
acquiringit,theirabilityto
movearoundtheglobehad
increasedmarkedly.The
extravagancewasunlikehim,
butastheaccountantshad
pointedout,therewasnevera
U-Haulfollowingthehearse
atafuneral—youcouldn’t
takeitwithyou.Thesaleof
thecompanyandtheongoing
royaltiesfromSam’slatest
inventionsensuredthatthey
wouldalwayshavefargreater
financialresourcesthanthey
couldspendintenlifetimes.
Remihungupandleaned
intoSam,whowasstanding
ontheaftdeck,gazingatthe
blueexpanseofthe
Mediterraneandistrustfullyas
thoughBenedict’syacht
wouldreappearatanyinstant.
“Selma’sputtingonthe
full-courtpress.Knowingher,
she’llhavetheSeventhFleet
herebylunchtime.”
Samputanarmaround
herandkissedthetopofher
head.“HaveItoldyoulately
howluckyIamtohaveyou?”
Sheturnedtofacehim,
stoodonhertiptoes,and
rewardedhimwithalong
kiss.“I’mgladyou’refinally
realizingit.Doesthismean
myspatimeandhedonistic
pamperingstartsoon?”
“Themomentwearrive
home.”
Theytookinthecalmsea,
afewrecreationalcraft
putteringinthedistancenear
theisland,andRemitouched
herluckyscarabnecklace.
“Allthingsconsidered,this
couldhavebeenalotworse.
Atleastwedidn’thaveto
takeonasmallarmyof
guerrillasarmedonlywitha
spadeandaflintlock.”
“Ah,thegoodolddays.
You’reright,ofcourse,Ijust
wishI’dgottentothatlast
statueintime.Thirtymore
secondsandwe’dhavehadit
clear.”
“Iknow,butyoucan’t
winthemall,andI’dsaythat
wedidprettywellforalastminuteimprovisation.”
Dominicapproached
themfromthepilothouse,a
dejectedexpressiononhis
handsomeface,thedustingof
afiveo’clockshadowandthe
redbandannacoveringhis
hairlendinghimtheairofa
pirate.“Stillnothing.I’m
afraidwewon’tbehearing
anythinguntilMonday,butat
leasttheyachthasleftthe
area,no?”
“Butitmightcomeback
—andthewreckstillneeds
guarding.We’veputsome
thingsinmotiononourend.
It’salongshot,butyounever
know,”Samsaid.
Dominic’seyesnarrowed
ashesmiledhisinfectious
Castiliangrin.“Thatwould
bewonderful.Everything’s
closeddownattheuniversity,
soI’mgettingnowhere.”
Halfanhourlater,Remi’s
satellitephonetrilledandshe
hadamurmureddiscussion
withSelmabefore
disconnecting.“Thecavalry’s
comingoverthehill,”she
said.
Samnodded.“How
long?”
“Twohours.They’re
goingtosendaboatfrom
Cartagena,butit’lltakesome
timetogetitunderway.”
SamandRemihad
returnedtothemaindeck
whentheyheardthedistant
roaroflargeenginesfromthe
west.Remiscannedthewater
andpointedatagrayshape
bearingdownontheir
position.Atwo-hundred-foot
Serviola-classnavalpatrol
vesselapproachedfromthe
harboratCartagena,andasit
drewnearshecouldmakeout
itsname:Atalaya.
Theybothstoodand
watchedasitanchored
nearby.Theyweresoon
joinedbyDominic.
“I’dsaythatshouldkeep
anytreasurehuntersaway
untilaproperrecoveryofthe
wreck’scargocanbe
mounted,”Samsaid.He
filledDominicinonthe
predawnraidonBenedict’s
boatandhandedhimaslipof
paperwithcoordinates
scribbledonit.“Thenetsare
atthiswaypoint.Theyacht’s
diverswerekindenoughto
retrievethemfromthewreck,
soitshouldbechild’splayto
raisethemfromthebottom.”
Hetookanotherlookatthe
warshipandnodded.“With
ourearly-morningdive,we
won’tbeabletoflyuntil
tomorrow.Anychancewe
couldimposeonemore
night?”
“Apleasure—andI’lltake
youtothemainlandmyself.”
Thenextmorningthey
packedtheirbelongings,
includingthenightvision
divegeartoreturntoSam’s
source.Dominicshareda
farewellluncheonwithSam
andRemi.Thecrewhadhad
averysuccessfulfishing
expeditionthatmorning.
Enjoyingalastglassofthe
excellentlocalAlbarinowhite
wine,Samsaid,“We
appreciateallthehospitality,
Dominic.Butlookingatthe
time,weneedtogetashore.
Canwecatchthatrideyou
promisedus?”
“Ofcourse.Givemefive
minutes.”
Theyloadedintoa
fiberglassskiff,twenty-four
feetlongwithasingle
powerfuloutboard,andthen
theywereslicingthroughthe
gentlewaves,anoccasional
bumpandsplashasthey
encounteredabiggerswell
sendingacurtainofsaltspray
highintotheair.Samand
Remisatamidshipsonahard
benchseatasDominic
captainedthecraftfromthe
stern.Twentyminuteslater,
theyarrivedatthe
commercialportin
Cartagena,where,after
sayingtheirgood-byes,they
flaggeddownataxitotake
themtoMurcia–SanJavier
Airport,fifteenmilesaway.
Theirjetwaitedonthe
tarmac.Thetwopilots,Brad
SterlingandRexFender,
wererunningtheirpreflight
checklistswhileSandra,the
flightattendant,supervised
theprovisioningofthesleek
plane,watchingthecatering
personnelwithasharpeyeas
foodanddrinkwereloaded
aboard.WhentheFargos
arrived,shegreetedthem
warmly,herweeklong
vacationinSpainnowatan
end,andReminotedthat
she’dfoundtimetocatch
somesunintheseasidetown,
nodoubthavingamore
relaxingtimethanthey’dhad
ontheBermudezwitha
round-the-clockdiving
schedule.
“Wefiledaflightplan
andshouldbeintheair
withintwentyminutes,tops,”
Bradinformedthem.“Flight
timewillbeelevenhoursat
forty-eightthousandfeet,and
itshouldbesmoothsailing—
we’llbeaboveanyweather.”
SamandRemisettledinto
theoversize,hand-stitched
leatherseats.Aseparatecabin
intherearwasfurnishedwith
abedthatoccupiedmostof
thewidth.Sandrahad
thoughtfullyarrangedfora
chilledbottleof2004Veuve
ClicquotLaGrandeDame
champagneandtwocrystal
flutestoeasetheirwaitfor
takeoff.Sampoppedthecork
withaflourishandpoured
themeachaportion,which
theysippedwithrelish.
Thepowerfulturbines
whinedasSandraclosedand
securedthefuselagedoor,
andafterabrieftaxitothefar
endoftherunwaythesleek
jetwasstreakingintothesky
indefianceofgravity,
climbingatasteepangleover
theMediterraneanbefore
executingagentlebankwest.
Oncetheywereattheir
cruisingaltitude,theSpanish
mainlanddisappearingbehind
them,SamandRemilogged
ontotheirrespective
computerterminalstoprepare
fortheirnextouting:an
expeditioninthenorthern
reachesofCanadatoassistin
aU.S.CoastGuard–
sponsoredexplorationofthe
fjordsofBaffinIslandto
studythecataclysmicmelting
oftheglaciers.They’dbeen
invitedbytheirfriend
CommanderWesHall,and
wouldspendaweekthere
usingSam’sspecialized
equipmenttocollectdataon
thegeophysicalchanges.
Theytoucheddownat
SanDiegoInternational
Airportjustbeforeninep.m.,
wheretheyweregreetedat
thecharterterminalbySelma,
whowasdrivingtheCadillac
CTS-V.Remihuggedher
whileSamloadedthebags
intotheexpansivetrunkand
soontheywereontheirway
totheiroceanfronthomein
LaJolla.
“So,didyoumissus?”
Samasked.
“Ofcourse.Thehouse
isn’tthesamewhenyou’re
notthere,”Selmasaid.
“How’sZoltán?Ishe
beingagoodboy?”Remi
asked.ZoltánwastheirkingsizedGermanshepherd,
broughtbackfromHungary
afteroneoftheiradventures
involvingAttilatheHun’s
losttomb.
“Youknowhim.He
doesn’tknowhowtobe
anythingbutgood.Although
youcantellhemissesyou,of
course.Remi,you’rethelove
ofhislife.Ireallythinkifhe
couldtalk,yourhusband
therewouldhavearunforhis
money,”Selmajoked.
“Hey.He’sahandsome
beast,butI’vegotopposable
thumbs,”Samreminded,and
everyonelaughedgoodnaturedly.
Whentheypulledintothe
garage,SamandRemicould
hearZoltánbarkingevenwith
thecardoorsstillclosed.
Samsaid,“Yougoahead.
I’llbringuptherearwiththe
bags.Soundslikeyour
secondloveisgoingberserk.
Bettersayhibeforehetears
thewalldown.”
Thegaragedoorclosed
behindthem,andSelma
poppedthetrunkwhileRemi
madefortheentrance.When
sheopenedthedoorand
steppedintotheconnecting
hall,Zoltán’sbarkingceased,
replacedbyalowwhineas
hissensitivenosedetected
Remi’spresence.Sheentered
thekitchentofindZoltán
sittingobediently,quivering
withanticipationbuttoo
disciplinedtorushher.She
approached,gotdownonone
knee,andgavehimalong
hug,andhereciprocatedwith
akissandanuzzle,inakind
ofcanineheaventohavethe
mistressofthehousefinally
back,hislushtailsweeping
thefloorinafanofjoy.
Selmacamein,followed
bySamwiththeirluggage,
andZoltánwhinedagain,his
everydreamnowreality.Sam
droppedthebagsbythe
refrigeratordoorsandclapped
hishandstogether,inviting
Zoltántohim,andthedog
gladlyleaptforward.Sam
scratchedbehindhisears,and
Remijoinedhim,petting
Zoltán,asSelmawatchedthe
reunionwithasmile.
“Doyouwantmetotake
yourstuffuptoyourroom?”
Selmaasked.
Remishookherhead.
“Samwilldoit.Afteraweek
ofloafingaround,hecould
usetheexercise.”
“That’sright.Itwas
nothingbutginanddonuts
outonthewater.IletRemi
doallthehardwork.Didn’t
wanttopullsomethingor
hurtmyself,”Samsaid.
Selma’spokerfacedidn’t
twitch.“Well,then,ifyou
don’tmind,I’mgoingtocall
itanight.I’llseeyoubothin
themorning.”
“Thanksforpickingus
up,Selma,”Remisaid.
“Noproblem.Allina
day’swork,”Selmasaid,and
thenretiredtohersuite.
Upinthemaster
bedroom,Remithrewherself
downontheking-sizedbed
withasighofhappiness,
Zoltánalreadycurledupon
thefloorbythefootboard.
“It’sgoodtobeback,”
Samsaid.“Andasanadded
bonus,thefloor’snot
rocking.I’mgoingtotakea
shower.I’llbeoutina
minute.”
“Relax.We’vegot
nowheretobe.”
“Yeah,butthetime
differencehasgotmecoming
andgoing.Idon’tknow
whetherIshouldbehaving
breakfastoranightcap.”
Remisatup.“DidSelma
seemoddtoyou?”
“Odd?Inwhatway?”
Samaskedashepulledoff
hisshirt.
“Idon’tknow.Subdued.
Maybealittlepreoccupied.”
“Possibly.Butdidn’tyou
tellmeshe’sbeenhaving
problemssleepingrecently?I
knowIgetkindofgrumpy
whenI’mshortonrest.”
“Kindofgrumpy?More
likeabearwhosehibernation
wasdisturbed.”
“Bearsneed‘metime,’
too.”
“Maybeyoushouldtalk
tohertomorrow.Askher.As
forme,I’vegotseven
thousandmilesoftraveldust
tohoseoff.”
“Ididn’tseemuchdust
insidetheplaneyouwingus
awayonthesedays.”
“YouknowwhatImean.”
“Andsoon,squeakyclean
asanewborn.”
“I’llbethejudgeofthat.”
S
elmawasalreadyup,the
richaromaofcoffeein
theair,whenSamandRemi
madeitdowntotheresearch
levelofthehouse,where
morningsunstreamed
throughthefloor-to-ceiling
windows.ThePacific’scalm
bluespreadbeforethemlikea
lapistapestry,andSelmawas
gazingoutattheview.
“Goodmorning,Selma.
Howareyoutoday?Sleep
anybetter?”Remiaskedas
shepouredherselfacup.
Selmaturned,seemingly
startledbytheirarrival,a
troubledlookonherface.
“Oh,Mrs.Fargo!No,I
didn’t.I...I’mnotgoodat
somethings,andIguessthis
isoneofthem...”
“Selma.What’swrong?”
Remiasked.AndSamjoined
her,bothobviously
concerned.
“Iwantyoutopromise
youwon’toverreact,”Selma
said.
“Overreacttowhat?”Sam
demanded,andthensoftened
whenRemithrewhimasharp
look.
“That’swhatIwasafraid
of,”Selmamuttered.
“Don’tworryabouthim.
He’sjustgrouchyinthe
mornings.Youshouldknow
thatbynow.Justtellus
what’sgoingon,Selma,”
Remicoaxed.
“I’veneversaidanything
before,butmyhipshave
finallygottensobadthatI
havetohavethemboth
replaced.”
“Ohno,Selma.I’mso
sorrytohearit,”Remisaid.
Selmadrewalongbreath,
asifsteelingherselftodive
offacliff.“Iwenttothe
doctoraboutaweekanda
halfago,andtheysayIcan’t
putitoffanylonger.”
“Selma!Whydidn’tyou
tellus?Nowonderyou
haven’tbeensleeping,”Sam
said.
“IknowIshouldhave
saidsomething.Butthe
timingisterrible.We’vegot
somuchgoingon,andyou’re
leavinginacoupleofdays.I
justdon’twanttoletyou
down.You’rebothsobusy.”
“Nonsense,Selma.
You’reoneofthefamily.”
“Whendotheywanttodo
this?”Samasked.
“They’vescheduledme
forsurgeryinsixdays.At
Scripps.”
“That’soneofthebestin
thecountry,isn’tit?”
“Absolutely.”
“We’recancelingourtrip
toBaffinIsland,oratleast
postponingit,untilyou’re
backinthesaddleand
recovered,”Remisaid,her
tonefirm,movingtoSelma
andgivingheralonghug.
“Ohno.That’sexactly
whatIdon’twant.Please,just
dowhatyouplannedtodo.I
wouldfeelterribleifyou
canceledyourtrip.There’s
nothingyoucando,anyway.”
“Yesthereis,”Sam
replied.“I’llarrangeforthe
rehabequipmentyouneedto
besetuphere.Youcancome
homedirectlyfromthe
hospitalandwe’llfindthe
bestphysicaltherapist.You’ll
havetwenty-four/sevencare
ifIhaveanythingtosay
aboutthis.”
Theywereinterruptedby
thebathroomdoorclosing.A
youngwomanwithasevere
haircut,dyedblackwith
shocking-redhighlights,
wearingblackjeansandan
avocadoT-shirt,stood
lookingatthemall.Selma
pulledawayfromRemiand
clearedherthroat.
“Iwaswaitingto
introduceeveryone.Thisis
myniece,Kendra
Hollingsworth.Iaskedherto
comeoverandmeetyou.
She’sgoingtobehelpingout
whileI’m...inthehospital
andrecovering.Kendra?
ComemeetSamandRemi
Fargo.”
Kendrasteppedforward
andshookhandswithRemi
andthenwithSam.He
noticedthatshehadatattoo
onherneckandontheinside
ofherwrist,andasmall
twinklingdotonhernose—a
piercing.
“Nicetomeetyou,”
Kendrasaid,hervoice
demure.
“Likewise,”Samsaid
withaquickglanceatRemi,
whosefacewasimpassive.
“Kendrarecently
graduatedfromUSCand
she’sgotsometimeonher
hands,soshegraciously
agreedtohelpout,”Selma
said,awareoftheslight
tensionintheroom.“I’ve
knownhersinceshewasa
babyandshe’soneofthe
smartestpeopleI’veevermet.
Andanamazingtalent.”
“Whatdidyoumajorin,
Kendra?”Remiasked.
“Computerscienceand
history,adoublemajor.I
wantedtogoformathematics
aswell,butitwastooheavya
load.”
“That’simpressive,”Sam
said.
Kendrashrugged.“Notso
much,onceyoustartlooking
foradecentjob.Atleast,not
inthisenvironment.It’s
eitherprogrammingorgoing
forateachingcredential—
neitherofwhichreally
interestsmemuch.SoIwas
reallyexcitedwhenSelma
askedmetohelpout...”
“Haveyouintroduced
KendratoPeteandWendy
yet?”Samasked.
“Notyet.Iwasgoingto
doittomorrow.Iwantedto
giveKendraanorientation
today,beingasit’squiet,
Sundayandall.”
RemimovedtoSam’s
side.“Selma,Iwanttohear
moreaboutyourplans.Can
youmakesometimetohave
lunchwithmetoday?”
“Ofcourse.Iwantto
showKendrahowthe
systemsarenetworkedand
takeherthrougheverything
we’reworkingonrightnow.
ButIshouldbedoneby,let’s
say...one?”
“Thatwouldbeperfect.
Pickaplace.”
“Oh,youknowme,
wherever’sfine.”
“ThenI’llthinkof
someplacespecialandmakea
reservation.Comeon,Sam.
Let’sleavethemtoit,”Remi
said,andtheymadetheirway
backuptothelivingarea.
“Sheseemsawfully
young,doesn’tshe?”Remi
whisperedasthedoorclosed
behindthem.
“Wewereallyoungonce,
remember?AsIrecall,Iwas
prettygoodatwhatIwas
doingatthatage.”
“PoorSelma.Shelooks
sodown.Imean,she’s
puttingabravefaceonit,but
she’sgottobeinalotof
pain.Iknowhertoowell.
Youcanseeitinhereyes.”
“Iknow.Thankgoodness
she’sgettingtop-notchcare.”
“Still,it’s...Imean,we
justtakeforgrantedthat
she’llalwaysbeherehelping
us.Andthensomethinglike
thishappens...”
“Seewhatyoucanglean
atlunch.Andstaypositive.
Attitude’simportant.Oh,and
ofcoursetellherthat
whateversheneeds,nomatter
what,she’sgotit.Any
treatment,anyphysical
therapist,whereverinthe
world...whatever.Allshe
hastodoissaytheword.”
“Iwill.KnowingSelma,
thebiggesthurdlewillbe
keepingherfromcoming
backtoworktooearly.You
knowhowshelovesit.”
“Ido,butPeteand
Wendyarenoslouches.
Betweenthemall,thingswill
befine.Plus,it’snotlike
we’regoingtoneed
tremendoussupportcharting
glaciershrinkage.It’llbe
aboutasexcitingas...well,
watchingicemelt.”
Remiwalkedtotheopen
slidingglassdoorsand
pausedatthethreshold,a
lightoceanbreezecaressing
herhair.“What’swiththe
tattoos?”
Samshrugged.“It’sthe
thingthesedays.Seemslike
everyone’sgotthem.”
“Ijusthopeshe’s...
stable.”
Samjoinedherandput
hisarmsaroundher,hugging
herfrombehind.“Maybethat
washeractofrebellionin
college.Weallhadourshare.
Remember?”
“Speakforyourself.Iwas
agoodgirl.”
“Youstillare.Thebest.
Youjustdon’thave
particularlygoodtastein
men.”
“I’mwillingtooverlook
yourfaults.Besides,you
smellgood.”
“Yougotmethiscologne
formybirthday.”
Sheturnedandsniffedhis
chest,andthengavehima
longkiss,beforepullingback
andlookingdeeplyintohis
eyes.“Scoreoneforthe
lady.”
Thatnight,RemiandSam
enjoyeddinneratthe
ValenciaHotel,justdown
fromtheirhouse,the
appetizeroffreshcalamari
andanentréeofblackened
bluefintunaasgoodasany
they’dtasted.Samordereda
bottleof2010CobosReserve
Malbec,whichwasthe
perfectaccompanimentfor
thefish,complementingits
powerfulspice-and-pepper
seasoningwithrichcurrant
andchocolatenotes.
Conversationrevolved
aroundSelma,herupcoming
operation,andtheir
misgivingsabouthavingto
leaveonTuesdaymorning
afteronlytwofulldaysat
home.
“Remindmenottopack
ourschedulethisdenselynext
timearound,”Samsaidas
theywatchedthesurfbreak
onthebeachbeforepullingat
itssandinanever-ending
rinse-and-repeatcycle.
“It’snotallyourfault.I
agreed,remember?”
“Soit’syourfault!After
all,you’resupposedtobethe
brainsoftheoutfit.”
“Imusthavemissedthat
memo,Mr.CalTechInventor
Guy.”
“Hey,weallgetlucky
onceinawhile.”
AfterSampaidthecheck,
theymeanderedthroughthe
hotellobby’soversize
mission-styledoorwayandup
thestreettothepaththatcut
acrossthelawntotheir
house.Ontheroadinfront,a
figureinadarksedanfocused
atelephotolensandtooka
seriesofphotosofthecouple,
theirsilhouettesframed
againstthenightsky,
illuminatedbyafullmoon.
Samslowedforamoment
andleanedintoRemiashis
eyesroamedoverthestreetto
theirright.“Don’tbealarmed
butIthinkwe’rebeing
watched.”
“Fromwhere?”Remi
asked,hervoicelowasshe
continuedtomatchSam’s
pace.
“Ican’tbesure,butI
thoughtIsawmovementin
oneofthecarsontheroad.”
“Thatcouldbeanything.
Younglovers.Adog.
Someonegettingreadyto
starttheircarorlockit.”
“Alltrue.Butusuallyby
thishour,thearea’sshut
downforthenight.”
“Sowhat’syourgame
plan?”
“Youstop,throwyour
armsaroundme,andkissme,
withyoufacingtheocean.
Thatwillgivemeachanceto
scopeoutthestreet.”
“Isthissometricky
maneuvertogetyourway
withme?”
“Ithinkyou’veseenmost
ofmymovesbynow.”
“That’swhatyoualways
sayandthenyouproducea
newone.”
“Kissme,yougorgeous
creature.Now,beforeI’m
anotherminuteolder.”
Remistopped,turned,
and,stretchinguponher
tiptoes,shethrewherarms
aroundSam’sneck.
Samscannedthefewcars
parkedalongthesidewalk
andspottedthesedan.
Moonlightcaughtthecamera
lens,whichglintedasit
moved,confirminghis
suspicions.
Remibrokefromherkiss
whenSamsqueezedher
waist,andtheybegan
walkingagain,nowashort
wayfromtheirhouse.
“Isawsomething,
possiblyalens,reflecting
light,inoneofthecars.The
goodnewsisthatitisn’t
fixedtoarifle.”
“Howdoyouknow?”
Remiasked,suddenly
serious.
“Becausewe’rebothstill
alive.Thenot-so-goodnews
isthatsomeone’sdefinitely
watchingus.”
“That’salarming.I
wonderwhy?Coulditbe
autographhuntersor
something?”
“Veryfunny.Let’sget
insideandchecktomakesure
thesecuritysystemsareon.
ThenI’llgoforalittlewalk
andseeifIcanstraightenout
whoeveritis.”
“Whydon’twejustcall
thepolice?”
“Andsaywhat?ThatI
sawsomethingshinyinone
ofthecars?Howseriouslydo
youthinkthat’llbetaken?”
“Iguessyou’vegota
point,”Remiconceded.
“Evenabrokenclock’s
righttwiceaday.”
Selmahadalreadyretired
whentheyenteredthehouse,
andafterdouble-checkingall
thesensorsandthealarm
fromthecentralcontrolpanel
Samdeactivatedthedooron
thesideofthegarageand
slippedoutintothenight.The
streetwasquiet,theonly
soundthecrashingofwaves
ontherocksatthetipof
GoldfishPointandthedistant
humoftrafficfromTorrey
PinesRoad.Samcrepton
rubbersolesaroundthefirst
parkedvehicleandmadehis
waytowherethewatcherwas
parked,keepingbelowthe
levelofthewindowsjustin
case.
Whenhewasalmostto
thesedan,hisheartsank.
There,infrontofhim,wasan
emptyparkingspace,seven
cigarettebuttsontheasphalt
theonlyindicationanyone
hadbeenwaitingthere.
Samstoodupstraight,
handsonhiships,andstared
downthestreet.
Thecarwasgone.
T
uesdaymorningarrived
intheblinkofaneye,
andwhenSelmadropped
SamandRemioffatthe
airportfortheirtriptoBaffin
Island,theybothembraced
herforalongtime,Zoltánby
herside,standingattentively,
flinchingasjetstookoff
overhead.Remikneltand
gavetheGermanshepherda
kissandscratchedhischin.
“Ihatetoleaveyoualone
again,bigboy,”shecrooned
inhisear.Atailwagassured
herthatheunderstood,and
whenRemistood,hisgaze
followedherwithboundless
affection.
“Letusknowhowthe
surgeryturnsout,”Samasked
Selma,whonoddedin
response,clearlyembarrassed
tobethecenterofattention.
“I’mjustalittlenervous,
butthedoctorsaidthatthey
dodozensofthiskindof
procedureeveryday.It’s
reallynothing,”sheassured
them.
“I’msureit’llbeoverin
notime,”Remisaid.“But
please,Selma,humorus.Let
usknowhowitgoesandhow
you’redoingafterward.
We’rebothveryconcerned.”
“IpromiseIwill.”Selma
clearedherthroat.“Nowon
tomorepressingthings...
TheequipmentIarrangedfor
arrivedinBaffinIsland
yesterday.I’vegotacharter
flightwaitinginIqaluitto
takeyoutoClydeRiver
Airport,assumingthereare
nodelays.Therunwayat
ClydeRiver’swaytooshort
toaccommodatethejet,so
it’llbeaproprideforyouon
thatleg.”
“Soundslikeyou’vegot
everythingcovered,asusual,”
Samsaid.
Selmablushed.“Ifthere’s
anythingyouneedIhaven’t
anticipated,PeteandWendy
canhandleit.You’vegot
yoursatellitephone,so
you’renevermorethanacall
away.Besides,bythetime
you’refinisheddoingthe
glaciersurveyI’llbebackon
deck,readyforanything,as
always.”
Selmalookeddownat
Zoltánandmovedtothecar.
Whensheopenedtherear
door,Zoltánshotbyher,a
black-and-brownfurrystreak
oflightning.“Lookslike
somebody’sreadytoget
going.Hedoessolovetobe
ontheroad,thoughhe’s
probablywonderingwhere
breakfastis.”
Aflightcrewman
retrievedtheirbagsfromthe
trunkofthecarandcarried
themintothesmallcharter
building,whereSandrawas
awaitingthem,perkyasever.
Sheledthemontothetarmac
andupthestairsandstowed
theirthingsinthecabinwhile
SamandRemitooktheir
seats.Theywereairbornein
minutes,and,oncetheyhit
theircruisingaltitude,Sandra
servedalightbreakfastof
pastriesandfruit.
Sixhourswentbyquickly
whiletheybothworkedon
theircomputers,andwhen
theytoucheddownatIqaluit
InternationalAirportonthe
southernsideofBaffin
Island,theywererestedand
readyforthenextstageof
theirjourney.TheGulfstream
taxiedtotheterminalarea,
whereanumberofsmallprop
planessatofftooneside.A
single-propCessnaCaravan
wasparkedneartheedgeof
thetarmac,withtwomen
fuelingitandpreparingitfor
flight.
“Wanttobetthat’sour
ride?”Samasked.
Remireachedoverand
squeezedhishand.“It’llbe
slowgoingtherestofthe
way.”
TheG650rolledtoastop
andSandraopenedthedoor.
AblastofArcticwindblew
in,instantlychillingthem,
andRemithankedProvidence
forthewintercoatsthey’d
brought.GoingfromseventydegreeSanDiegoweatherto
belowfreezingwasgoingto
beashock,theyknew,but
therewasnogettingaround
it,anditwouldbeeven
colderofftheeasterncoastof
Baffin,thefifth-largestisland
intheworldandthebiggest
intheArcticArchipelago,
muchofitsshorescoveredin
iceyear-round.
“Don’tlookatmelike
that.Webothsignedoffon
this,remember?”Samsaidin
responsetotheglareRemi
threwhim.
“Ididn’treallytakeinto
accountthecold.Orallthe
snow.”
“Itwon’tbethatlong.
Onlyaweek.Andtheship
shouldhaveheat.Atleast,I
hopeitwill.”
“Ican’tfeelmyfeet.”
“Ohcomeon,we’restill
ontheplane.”
“We’regettingout?”
“That’sthespirit,”Sam
said,andthensteppedout
ontothestairs.Afrigidgust
cutacrosstherunwayandhit
himlikeacoldslapandhe
silentlywonderedifRemi
didn’thaveapoint.“See?It’s
likebeingonMaui,”he
declared.
Remigavehimoneofher
looksandreluctantlytrudged
afterhim.Thetallerofthe
twomenneartheCessna
wavedandapproached.“Mr.
andMrs.Fargo?”
“Thatdependsonwhether
there’sheatontheboat,”
Remisaid.
Themanlookedatthem,
puzzled,andSamtriedagrin,
hopinghisfacewouldn’t
crack.
“That’sus.Youmustbe
thewelcomecommittee.”
Thetallermannodded
andextendedahand.“I
supposeso.Let’sgetyour
thingsstowed.Wedon’twant
tolosethelight.Landingat
ClydeRivercanbe
challengingevenunderthe
bestofcircumstances.You
don’twanttodoitinthe
dark.Bytheway,I’mRick.”
“Rick,nicetomeetyou.
Yousoundlikeyouknowthe
areaprettywell,”Samsaid.
“Youcouldsaythat.Been
flyingthesepartsforover
twentyyears.”
Rickwasn’ttalkative
onceintheair,whichsuited
SamandRemijustfine.The
Caravandronedalongonthe
four-hundred-fifty-miletrek,
andtherewaslessthanahalf
houroflightremainingwhen
thegravellandingstripof
ClydeRiverAirportcame
intoviewthroughthe
scatteredclouds.Theplane
toucheddownwithoutincident,andinmomentsthey
stoppedinfrontofasmall
Quonsethutthatpassedfora
terminal.
Twomenexitedthe
structure,wearingheavy
jacketsandknitcaps.AsRick
openedthedoor,Sam
immediatelyrecognized
CommanderWesHall,the
headoftheresearchmission
andanoldfriend.
“Sam,Remi,goodtosee
youagain.Althoughitwould
benicerifthisdutywasin
Fiji,”HallsaidasRick
retrievedtheirbagsfromthe
hold.
“Beprettytoughtomap
glaciermeltingratesthere,
though,wouldn’tit?”Remi
askedwithasmile.
Samnodded.“Servesyou
rightfornothavingthe
foresighttoinvestigate
somethingmorefun.Like
maybecoraldensityonthe
GreatBarrierReef.”
“That’swhyI’masimple
CoastGuardofficerand
you’rethehotshot
adventurers.”
“Rightnow,Ithinkthe
word‘hot’inanycontext
mightbeastretch,”Remi
quipped.
“Indeed.Thisismyfirst
officer,LieutenantRalph
Willbanks.Lieutenant,mayI
presentSamandRemi
Fargo?”
Theyshookhands,their
breathsteaminginthefrosty
air.
“I’veheardalotabout
you,”Willbankssaid.
“Youcan’tbelieve
everythingthecommander
tellsyou,”Samwarned.
“Ileftoutthedragon
slayingandtheabilityto
levitate,”Hallsaid.
Thegroupchuckled.
Rickarrivedwiththeir
bags.Willbanksshouldered
both,andHallwavedata
waitingHummer.Inside,a
CanadianNavyensignhad
thedieselenginerunningand
theheatblowing.Remi
crawledinthebackseatwitha
sighofrelief,followedby
Sam.Halltookthefront
passengerseat,andWillbanks
slidinnexttoSamandpulled
thedoorclosed.
Asthebigvehicle
bounceddownarutteddirt
track,Hallsaid,“We’reonly
afewminutesaway.The
ship’sanchoredinPatricia
Bay.We’llovernightthere,
andbeunderwaybyfive
a.m.Theicewaitsforno
man...”
“Idon’tsupposeyou’ve
gotanyScotchtogowiththe
ice,doyou?”Samasked.
“Actually,oncewe’reup
inthefjords,youcanmake
cocktailswithglacierice.
Makeseverythingtastebetter,
Ihear.ButI’mafraidI’mdry
fortheduration.Dutycalls
andall.Don’twanttoseta
badexample,carousingwith
civilians.”
“Aslongasthereareno
prohibitionsagainstthehired
helphavingabracernowand
again,I’min.”
“Ifyouwerebeingpaid,
you’dbehired.Asitis,
helpingfundthisexpedition
makesyouhonoredguests,
andmymottoistotreat
guestswithallpossible
hospitality.”
“Ilikethewayyouthink.
Howcoldisitout,anyway?”
Remiasked.
“Atoastythreedegrees
Fahrenheit.Butdon’tworry
—itgetsupashighassix
duringthehottestpartofthe
day.”
“Idon’tsupposeyouhave
spaormassagefacilitieson
board?”
“Thatgetsinstalledafter
thismission.Sorry,Ithought
yougotthememo,”Hallsaid.
Theyroundedabendand
enteredthesmalltownof
ClydeRiver,itsgrim,
weather-beatenshacks
shabbyanduninviting.Afew
ofthehouseshadlightson,
theresidentshuddledinside
againsttheconstantcold,as
duskbanishedtheweakglow
ofthesuntoitsnightlyrefuge
behindthesurrounding
mountains.
“Where’sthecasino?”
Samasked.
“Floatinginthebay.
Everydayaboard’sa
crapshootonashakeout
cruiselikethis.”
“Oh,isshenew?”
“Rogerthat.The
Alhambra’sthelatest
technology,andshewasjust
launchedtwomonthsago.A
hundred-forty-footcutterwith
improvedlightice-breaking
ability.TheolderBay-class
cutterscanhandleupto
twentyinchesofice.This
beautyupsthattonearlythree
feet.”
“Andthat’sconsidered
light?”Samasked.
“Comparedtoherfourandfive-hundred-foot
siblings,itis.Butthose
wouldbeimpracticaltotake
intothefjords.The
Alhambra’stheperfectfit—
agileenoughtoexplorethe
coastwithoutfearof
groundingandhardyenough
tobreakthroughtheicecrust
thateveninthelatespring
andearlysummercoatsthe
surface.”
“Oh,theresheis,”Remi
said,pointingatthevesselin
thebay,thedistinctivered
racing-stripelogooftheU.S.
CoastGuardemblazonedon
herwhitehullnearthebow,
herlightsreflectingoffthe
placidsurfaceoftheblack
water.“Shelooksbiggerthan
ahundredfortyfeet.”
“She’sbeamy.Almost
thirty-eightfeet.Andbrawny.
Ilikethedesignalot.Not
greatinbeamseasbecauseof
herroundunderside,but
that’strueofalmostall
icebreakers,”Hallexplained.
Thetruckslowedtoa
stop,gravelcrunching
beneathitsoversizetires,and
everyonegotout.Thewind
slicedthroughSam’sand
Remi’swintercoatslikethey
weremadeoflinen.Remi
huggedherselfinaneffortto
keepherteethfrom
chattering.
Hallnoddedknowingly
andsaid,“I’vegottwoArctic
explorerjacketswithyour
namesonthem.”
“Thanks,Wes.You’rea
gentleman.Betweenyouand
myhusband,you’vemade
thisakindofdreamsecond
honeymoon.”
“Sam’salwayshadasoft
spot,Iknow.”
“Truerwordswerenever
spoken,”Samagreed.
Willbanksmadeacallon
hisradio,and,aftera
cracklingacknowledgment,a
skiffthatwastiedbehindthe
Alhambrastartedwitha
stutteringroarandmadeits
waytotheirpositiononthe
shore.SamandRemi
followedthetwoCoastGuard
officersdownthesloping
bank,andinnotimethey
werecuttingacrossthewater
tothewaitingship.
“Selmatellsmethatall
theequipmentmadeitinone
piece?”SamshoutedtoHall
astheyslowednearthe
researchvessel.
“Itdid.Ihadmytechs
wireitintooursystemsand
verifyeverything.”
Assoonastheyboarded,
Halltookthemonatourof
theshipandintroducedthem
tothefifteen-mancrew,then
showedthemtotheircabin—
asnugstateroomwithasmall
bathroomandshower,built
moreforefficiencythan
comfort.Remilookedthe
quartersoverwithout
commentashepointedout
thevariousleversandknobs
thatcontrolledeverything
fromanintercomtothe
temperature,andthenHall
tookhisleaveafterinviting
themtodinneroncethemen
hadchoweddown.
Whenthewatertightdoor
closedbehindthe
commander,Remimovedto
thebedandtesteditsfirmness
withatentativehand.
“It’sgoingtobealong
trip,”shesaid.
“Hey,atleastit’sgot
heat.Justpretendwe’re
campingout.”
“BecauseIsolove
camping.”
“You’vespentenough
timeinthefieldwithme,
roughingit.”
“Thekeywordinallthat
is‘enough.’”
“Sevendays.Sevenshort
daysatsea.It’slikeaprivate
cruise—”
“Intoafrozenhell.CanI
getarefund?”
“I’mafraidonceyou’re
ontheride,you’reonit.”
“Isupposeit’stoocoldto
swimtoshore.”
Dinnerwassurprisingly
good,andafteranhourof
swappingstoriesandcatching
uponlosttimewithHallSam
andRemireturnedtotheir
room,repletebuttiredaftera
fulldayoftraveling.They
driftedofftosleep,theheavy
shipswayinggentlyinthe
river’scurrent.
T
hethrummingofthe
twindieselengines
vibratedtheentireshipasthe
Alhambramovednorthinto
theArcticCircle,plowing
throughtheswellsjustoffthe
northerncoastofBaffin
Island.Thetriphadbeen
fruitfulsofar,andbythe
thirddaytheshiphad
traveledahundredsixtymiles
northofClydeRiver.The
teamhadsurveyedfour
fjords,mappingthebottom
andmeasuringtheamountof
shrinkageoftheglaciers.The
explorationhadsettledintoa
routine—upatdawn,under
waywithinanhour,taking
advantageofthedaylightthat
seemedtogoonforever.
Therpm’sdroppedasthe
vesselapproachedtheday’s
target,asliverofbluethat
fadedintoicywhitebefore
them.Arowofmountains
loomedonbothsideslike
guardiansoverabarren,
hiddenkingdomatthetopof
theworld.Thesurfaceofthe
seabegancracklingasthey
nearedthefjord,athinskinof
icelingeringevenasspring
grudginglypreparedto
transitionintosummer.
Hallstoodatthe
pilothousewindowswhilethe
helmsmanbesidehim
mannedthewheel,pointing
thecutter’sbowinlandto
followthefjordwhereverit
mightlead.
“Cutsthroughtheicelike
butter,doesn’tit?”Sam
commented.Hestoodinfront
ofabankofmonitors,where
thecomputersrecordedahost
ofmeasurementsfromthe
specializedinstrumentation
he’dprovided.
“Thesecret’salowpressureairhull-lubrication
systemthatdrivesair
betweenthehullandtheice.
Itreducesthepressureonthe
hullandincreasesthevertical
shear,sotheicecrackswith
farlesspressurethanonthe
old-styleships,”Hall
explainedasheraisedhis
binocularsandstudiedthe
areaahead.“Itlookslikethis
forksofftotheright.Let’s
checkthesatellitefootage
again.”
Hallmovedtoamonitor
andzoomedinontheir
location,thetechnician
obliginglyfocusingonthe
yellowpulsingiconthat
representedtheirposition.
“Seethat?Theglacierup
aheadusedtocomedown
anothermile.Youcansee
howit’srecededovertime.”
Hepeeredatthescreen.
“Whatdoyousay,Connelly?
Youthinkwecansqueeze
throughthatchannel?”he
asked,tappingthescreenwith
hisfinger.
Thetechdidaquick
measurementon-screenand
nodded.“Yes,sir.Butit’llbe
tight.Thisshowsthegapat
lessthanahundredfeet.One
wrongmoveandwe’llbeon
therocks.”
Remimountedthestairs
astheynearedthegap.The
icethickenedasthey
proceeded,andthebaseof
themountainsloomedon
eithersideofthem.
“It’smagnificent,isn’t
it?”shesaid,admiringthe
incrediblelandscapeandits
wildbeauty.
“Thatitis,thatitis,”Sam
said,keepinghiseyesfixed
onthescreens.
“Youaren’teven
looking.”
“Isawitbefore,on
approach.NowI’mearning
mykeep.”
Shemovedforward,afew
feetfromHall,andwatched
astheshipdrewnearthegap.
“Thatlooksawfully
tight,”shesaid.
“It’soneofthereasons
we’reusingthisdinghy
insteadofoneofthebigboys.
Maneuverability,”Hall
explained.
Theshipeasedintothe
narrowchannel,thedark
brownrocktowering
overheadonlyastone’sthrow
fromeithergunwale,andthe
helmsmanpulledbackonthe
throttlesevenfarther.And
thentheywerethrough,intoa
longfjordringedbysheer
cliffssotalltheyblockedall
buttheambientlightofthe
sun.
“Seethat?Lookslikeit
stretchesforanothermileand
ahalfandthenendswhere
theglaciermeetsthewater,”
Hallsaid,gesturingahead.
“Accordingtoastudyof
satellitefootage,athousand
yearsagotheglacierusedto
extendallthewaytowhere
wearenow.”
“Well...that’sstrange,”
Samsaid,leaningforward
andstudyingthedisplay.
“Themagnetometer.It’s
goingnuts.”
“‘Nuts’?Isthatthe
technicalterm?”Hallasked.
“It’sjustweird.The
readingsarealloverthe
place.Likethere’ssomething
intheice.”Hestaredatthe
readout.
“Anoredeposit?”Remi
asked.
“NotlikeanyI’veever
seen.I’mgettingasignalfifty
yardsaheadthatdoesn’t
indicatenaturalmineral
readings.No,thislooks
like...Itlookslikea
structure.”
“Outhere?”Hall
exclaimed.“Maybeanold
fishingboat?”
“That’sunlikely,”Sam
replied.
Hallasked,“Canyouget
abearingonit?”
“Maybeforty-fiveyards
now,fifteendegrees
starboard.”
“Overbythatriseinthe
snow?”
“Correct.”
“Helmsman.Goeasy.Get
usascloseasyoucan,but
don’tsinkus.”
“Aye,aye,sir.”
TheAlhambrainched
forward,thecracklingofthe
iceagainstthehullnow
becomingagroan,andthenit
groundtoastop.The
helmsmanbackedoffthe
throttlesandtookthe
transmissionsoutofgearand
thenlookedtoHall
expectantly.
“Whatdoesallthathighpricedjunkofyourssay?”
HallaskedSam.
“Thatwe’reaboutfifteen
yardsoutfromwhateverit’s
pickingup.”
“Maybeadowned
plane?”Remisuggested.“Or
somerefuseleftoverfrom
WorldWarTwo?”
“Anything’spossible,but
thislooksfairlydeepinthe
ice.Whatever’sdownthere
didn’tgetthererecently.”
Sampaused.“Butit’sreally
odd.UnlessI’mmisreading
this,it’snotsubmerged.It’s
onthesurface.”
“Idon’tseeanything,”
Remisaid.
“That’sbecausetheice
increasesindepthallalong
thecoast.It’sprobably
twentyfeetthickbythetime
there’sactualrockbeneath
it,”Samsaid,studyingthe
areainquestionthroughthe
pilothousewindows.
“Well,nowwhat?”Hall
asked.
Samtookafinallookat
thescreensandrose.“I’dsay
it’stimetogoforawalk.”
Hall,Sam,Remi,and
threecrewmenmadetheir
cautiouswayacrossthe
slippery,snow-dusted
surface.Samnotedthe
gradualinclineastheyneared
themysterioustargetand
calculatedthey’dclimbed
fifteenfeethigherthanthe
surfaceofthefjordbythe
timetheywereontopof
whateveritwas.Themetal
detectorbeganscreeching
likeaterrifiedgullwhenhe
sweptitovertheslightrise.
Hecarefullymovedalong,
dragginghisfoot,tracinga
roughoutlinewherethe
readingsstopped.Whenhe
wasdone,theoutlinewas
roughlythirtyyardslong.
“Canyougetsomemore
menhere?”Samasked.“With
toolstodig?Hopefully,you
havesomeonboard...”
“Afewpicksandshovels,
andacrowbarortwo,”Hall
said,gazingattheoutline.
Aftertwohoursofthe
team’schippingawayatthe
ice,oneofthecrewmengave
acry.SamandRemihurried
tohisposition.
Samkneltdownand
examinedthebrownmaterial,
thenstoodandconsideredthe
outlineagain.“It’swood.”
“Icanseethat.Question
iswhyitregisteredonyour
scope.”
“Becausethere’smore
thanwooddownthere.Hasto
beiron,andavarietyofother
metals.”
Remiheldhisgaze.“Are
youthinkingwhatI’m
thinking?”sheasked.
“Idon’twanttogettoo
excitedorjumptoany
conclusionsjustyet.”Sam
turnedtothemen,whohad
stoppedgougingattheice.
“Becareful.Digonthe
outsideofthewood.Youcan
seethelinewhereit
disappearsintotheice.Stay
onthefarsideofit.”
Moreseamenarrivedat
Willbanks’surging,andsoon
theywerehackingatthefrost
withwhatevertheycouldfind
—shovels,picks,prybars,
hammers.Bytheendofthe
afternoon,muchoftheburied
structurewasexposed,and
therewasnoquestionabout
whatitwas.
“AVikingship,”Remi
said,hervoicelacedwith
awe.
Samnodded.“Indeed.
Thefirsteverdiscoveredon
Baffin.There’vebeensome
findsinGreenland,butnever
here.Thisisexciting.It’sin
perfectcondition.Theice
preservedeverything.”
“What’sthis?Canyou
makeitout?”shecalledto
himfromthemiddleofthe
longcraft.
“Whatareyoutalking
about?”Samaskedashe
joinedher.Remiwas
squintingintotheiceatthe
interiorofthevessel.
“Iseesomething.”
Samcuppedahandover
hiseyesandpeeredintothe
gloom,thenshookhishead.
“Thelight’sfading.Ican’t
tell.”Hecalledoverhis
shoulder,“Anyonegota
flashlight?”
Twominuteslater,
Willbanksarrivedwithalong
black-aluminumlightand
snappeditonbeforehanding
ittoSam.
“Thanks,”Samsaid,and
directedthebeamintotheice,
whichwasopaqueinplaces.
Thelightseemedtodisappear
asitpenetratedthemilky
parts,andthenitshined
acrosstheobjectofRemi’s
attention.Remijumpedback.
Samcontinuedgazinginto
theice.
Aman’ssightlessblue
eyesstaredintoeternityfrom
withinhisfrozenprison,a
puzzled,peacefulexpression
onhisface,asheclutchedthe
remnantsofatornsail,his
scragglyblondbeardplainly
visibleevenwithaheavy
animal-skincloakdraped
overhiminafutile,
centuries-oldbidtostaveoff
theinevitable.
S
amandRemisatinthe
pilothousewithHalland
Willbanksafterdinner,
watchingthenightshift
continueitsworkonthe
Vikingcraft,strugglingto
reclaimthethousand-year-old
shipfromnature’scold
embrace.Powerfulportable
worklightsilluminatedthe
area,andtheAlhambra’s
mainspotlightwasdirectedat
thesternoftheancientvessel
asitemergedinfitsand
starts.
“Thisisanamazingfind.
Imean,really.Anauthentic
Vikinglongshipinflawless
condition,withitscrew
perfectlypreserved.I’ve
neverheardofanything
remotelylikeit,”Remisaid,
voicingwhatwason
everyone’sminds.
“Itisindeed.Theresearch
valuealoneisimmeasurable,”
Samadded.
Hallasked,“Whatdoyou
count?Tenintheboatsofar?
Ashiplikethatwouldcarry,
what,eighty,ninetymen?”
“Nowayofknowingfor
sure,butifIhadtoguess,I’d
saytheboattookshelterhere,
maybefromtheweather.
Perhapstherestofthemen
wenttofindanalternative
passagebacktotheseaor
wentforaging.Wemightget
someanswersasweuncover
moreoftheship.”
Remishuddered
involuntarily.“Imaginewhat
itmusthavebeenlikefor
theselastsurvivors.Starving
todeath,freezing,knowing
they’dneverseetheir
homelandorfamilyagain,
dyinginawasteland...”
“Theonlygoodthingis
thathypothermiaispainless,”
Hallsaid.“Youjustdriftoff
andatsomepointyourheart
stopspumpingbloodtoyour
brain.Soatleastit’sunlikely
theysufferedintheend.”
“Still,it’screepy,you
havetoadmit.Thatone...
thewayhe’sjuststaringinto
nothingness.”
Thetablewentsilentas
theyconsideredRemi’s
comment,andthenSam
stood.
“Withanyluck,we
shouldbeabletohavethe
entireboatexcavatedenough
todoamorethorough
inspectionbytheendofthe
daytomorrow.Idon’tknow
aboutyouguysbutI’mbeat.
It’sbeenawhilesinceIspent
thedayonachaingang.”
Remirosewithasmile.
“I’llsecondthat.Gentlemen,
thankssomuchfor
committingthecrewtodoing
this.Iknowit’snotpartof
theexpeditionobjective.”
“Areyoukidding?”Hall
said.“Thisispartofhistory.
Althoughyoubringupan
importantpoint—oneI’ve
beenthinkingabout.We’ll
needtomoveon,soonerthan
later,andcompletethe
mappingofthefjordsandthe
glacieranalysis.
Unfortunately,we’reona
schedule.Whilethere’ssome
flexibilityinit,the
Alhambra’searmarkedfor
otherdutyafterthistourand
I’vegottoatleasttrytostay
ontrack.”
Samnodded.“No
questiontheanalysisis
important.Letmeputmy
thinkingcaponandseeifI
cancomeupwithasolution.I
hatetojustleavethistothe
elementswhilewewaitfor
someonetogetuphereand
takeoverthefind.You
radioeditin,right?”
“Yes.I’mwaitingfora
moredetailedresponse,”
Willbanksreplied,“butthe
preliminaryfromthe
Canadiansisthatthey’llsend
ateamassoonaspossible.
Butthat’snotaseasyasit
sounds.They’llneedto
assemblestaffand
equipment,findasuitable
ship,outfitit—”
“Iknowthechallengesall
toowell.Butitiswhatitis.
We’llmakethebestofwhat
wehaveandfiguresomething
out,”Samassuredhim.
RemitookSam’shand
andpulledhimtowardthe
companionwaythatledto
theirstateroom.“Goodnight.
Pleasemakesurethatthey’re
carefulastheygetmoreof
theboatuncovered.Betterto
workslowerandwithgreater
care...”
“Messagereceived,”Hall
said.“Goodnighttoyouboth
aswell.”
Bythreep.m.thenext
day,thelongshipwasalmost
completelyexcavated.Sam
andRemiwereundertaking
themoredetailedworkonthe
interiorofthevessel,and
they’dagreedtoleavetheten
corpsesencapsulatedinathin
layeroficeforpreservation.
Remitappedatthefirstof
thewoodenchestslinedalong
bothsidesofthehull,where
theoarsmensatandwhich
containedtheonlyreal
storageontheshipotherthan
asmallcompartmentinthe
hull.They’ddiscoveredthe
shatteredmastlyinginthe
centeraisle,whereithad
beenstowed,andonlyafew
oftheoarswerestillthere—
theabsentonesprobablyused
forfirewoodbeforethe
remainingcrewhadstarved
andfrozentodeath.
“Sam?Comehere.Ithink
I’vegotthisoneclearofice,”
Remicalled.
Samnoddedfromhis
positionfifteenfeetaway,
wherehewaschipping
carefullywithahammerand
chisel.
“You’refasterthanIam,”
hesaidashemoved
cautiouslytowardherover
theslipperydeck.
Together,theypriedopen
thetopofthechest,andSam
setitcarefullyaside.Remi
reachedinandwithdrewa
smallstatueofafigureof
carvedobsidian.
“Thatdoesn’tlook
Nordic,”Samsaidfrom
behindher.
Shehandedittohim
wordlesslyandretrieveda
beautifullypaintedclaybowl.
“Thisis...incredible.Look
atthecondition.It’slikeit’s
onlyafewweeksold.I’ve
neverseenanythinglikethis
before.”
Hetookitfromherand
studiedit.“Unbelievable.”
WesHallapproached
fromwherehewas
supervisingtheworkclearing
thebow.Heeyedthebowl
thatSamheldbutdidn’t
comment.
Remiliftedapounded
coppermaskandregardedit
withpracticedscrutiny.
“Caretoventurean
opinion?”Samwhispered,
unabletobelievehiseyes.
“Notanopinion,”she
answeredinavoicethat
betrayedshock.“Noneofit’s
European.Allofthese
artifactsarepre-Columbian.”
“Areyousuggesting
Aztec?”Hallsaidskeptically.
Remishookherhead.
“I’mnoexpertonpreColumbianart,butI’llbeta
bottleoffinecognacthat’s
wheretheycamefroma
thousandyearsago.I’dhave
toguesstheOlmecs,Toltecs,
orMayans.Perhapsanother
culturefromMiddleAmerica.
ThispredatestheAztecs,I
think.”
“Whataretheydoingona
VikingshipintheArctic?”
Hallasked.
Samshrugged.“Ican’t
begintoguess.”
Remicontinued
inventoryingthecontentsof
thechest,notingthenumber
ofstatueswithin,most
coveredwithglyphs.This
wasatreasuretrovebeyond
theircomprehension—notof
goldorsilvercoins,butproof
thattheVikingshadtraveled
thecoastofAmericaand
beeninclosecontactwiththe
nativegroupsthere.When
shewasdone,shecarefully
photographedalloftheitems
forfuturestudyandreplaced
themintheiroriginalresting
placesinthechest.Sam
returnedtotheboxhe’dbeen
workingon,andwhenhe’d
clearedenoughicefromthe
plainwoodencontainer,he
priedthetopup.
“Moreofthesame,”he
said,holdingaloftadelicately
craftedorangeceramicurn
beforegivingittoRemi.
Theafternoonpassed
quicklyastheyopenedtwo
morechests,whichcontained
moreancientpre-Columbian
artifactsaswellassomeof
theoarsmen’spersonal
effects.Deepintheship’s
hold,Samdiscoveredaheavy
stoneslabwithcarvings
ringingtheedges—aViking
runestone.Fairlycommon
acrossScandinavia,thisone
wassmallerthanthoseused
asprimitivegrave
headstones,butneitherSam
norRemicouldreadthe
ancientNorsewriting,sothey
photographeditand
earmarkeditformore
detailedexaminationlater.By
dinnertime,theyhad
discoveredawealthof
artifactsthatmadeitobvious
thattheshipwasafindthat
wouldchangehistory.
SamandHallagreedto
temporarilyhaltthe
excavationonthelongship
nowthatthescopeofthe
discoverywasevident.They
spentahalfhourontheradio
withexcitedstafffromthe
CanadianArchaeological
AssociationandWaterloo
University,aswellasthe
CanadianHistorical
AssociationinMontreal.
Everyoneagreedthatan
expeditionwouldneedtobe
mountedimmediatelyand
thatthesitecouldn’tbeleft
unattended,giventhe
importanceoftheartifacts.
Bytheendofthediscussion,
Samhadmadeanagreement
thathedreadeddiscussing
withRemi,buttherewasno
wayaroundit.
“Youdidwhat?”she
demanded,armsfolded
acrossherchestasshesaton
thebedintheirquarters,an
expressionofincredulityon
herface.
“Ivolunteeredustospend
sometimecampedoutonthe
ice.”BeforeRemicould
object,headded,“Yousaw
what’sinthosechests.
There’snowaywecouldjust
continueonwiththe
Alhambraknowingthat’s
there.Comeon.Iknowyou.
Andyouknowme.Thisisthe
kindofthingdreamsare
madeof.”
Remiheldhersternfrown
forafewmoresecondsand
thenrelaxed,unabletostay
annoyedatherhusbandfor
verylong.“Youreallyowe
menow.It’sbadenoughto
bestuckonthissardinecan,
butnowIhavetocampona
glacier?Thereisn’tenough
spatimeintheworldtomake
upforthat.”
“Wessayshehasspecial
tentsthatareinsulated.And
propaneheaters.Itwon’tbe
asbadasyouthink,”Sam
said,andthenreconsidered
thattack.Thewordssounded
stupidtohimevenashe
utteredthem.Ofcourseit
wouldbethatbad.Itwasfive
belowandthey’dbeonthe
iceforatleastaweek,maybe
more.“ButnoquestionthatI
oweyou.Anythingyoucan
imagine,I’lldo.”
“Anything?”
“Absolutely.”
“I’mgoingtoremember
that.”
ThenextmorningSam
andRemiwatchedasthe
Alhambrabackedawayand
brokefreefromitspositionin
theicewithaseriesof
staccatocracks.Behindthem,
alargesilverinsulatedtent
withreflectivecoatingstood
likeaforlornorphan—their
newhome,stockedwithas
muchcomfortaswas
availablefromtheship’s
stores.
“Atleastrefrigeration
won’tbeaproblem,”Sam
said.
“Silverliningtoevery
cloud,huh?”
“Whenyouget
lemons...”
Theshipreversedfor
anotherdozenyardsandthen
executedathree-pointturnso
itcouldbreakthroughthe
newiceusingitsbow.They
watchedasitnearedthe
narrowchannelandthen
sailedoutofsight,thefading
rumbleofitsthroatydiesel
enginesthesoletraceofits
passageotherthanajostling
trailoffragmentedsurface
ice.
Asilencesettledoverthe
fjord.
“Finally.Ithoughtthey’d
neverleave.”
“Iknow.Thecrowds
drivemenutty,”Remi
agreed.
“Stupidkids,withtheir
musicandpartiesand
everything.”
“MaybenowIcanfinally
getsomeworkdone.”
Remiabsentlyfingered
thegoldscarabonherneckas
anicygustblewremnantsof
snowaroundtheirfeet.Sam
noddedandturnedfromthe
fjord’smouth.
“Youreallylikeyour
good-lucktalismanthere,I
see.”
“It’sserveduswellsofar.
Wejustdiscovereda
perfectlypreservedlongship
andweweren’tevenlooking
forit.”
“Can’targuewith
success.”
Remidugaroundinher
oversizeexplorerjacketand
foundthesatellitephone.She
pressedaspeeddialnumber
andwaitedforthecallto
connect.Kendraansweredon
thethirdring,andRemiwas
happytonotethatshe
soundedsharpandefficient.
“Kendra?It’sRemi
Fargo.”
“Mrs.Fargo,howare
you?Wegotthemessages
yousentaboutthelongship.
That’sgottobeexciting.”
“Yes,itis.It’samazing.
Oneofthemostexciting
findswe’veevermade.But
that’snotwhyI’mcalling.
How’sSelma?”
“Thesurgerywentas
plannedandshe’sstartingher
physicaltherapyinthe
hospital.Theyexpecttokeep
heranothertwoorthreedays
andthenshe’llbehome.All
theequipment’sarrivedso
thatSelmacancontinueher
PTatthehouse.”
“Besuretotellherthat
wecalledandarewishingher
well.”
“Ofcourse.”
“DidPeteandWendy
haveanyluckontheresearch
weaskedthemtodo?”
“I’mhelpingthemand
we’restillrunningchecks,
butwhileitlookslikethere
areanumberofreportsof
VikingsintheAmericas
beforeColumbus,there’sno
evidenceonanyoneofthem
asbeinggenuine.Thereare
thosewhoclaimtheywere
hereandotherswhohave
alternativeexplanations.”
“Welcometotheworldof
archaeology.Thegoodnews
isthatthisfindwillcloseany
furtherdebate.There’sno
otherexplanationforthe
artifactswe’refinding.Butall
ofyoukeeplooking.”
“Wewill.We’reall
gettingalonggreat,andPete
hasbeenespeciallyhelpful.”
“That’sgoodtohear.
Listen,Kendra,movingand
restoringthisshipisgoingto
beahugeproject.Yearsback,
wehadasimilarchallenge,
ontheconfederatesubmarine
CSSHunley.WhenSelma
makesitbackin,wouldyou
havehertouchbasewith
WarrenLasch,whoheaded
upthatproject,andseeabout
puttinghimtogetherwithDr.
Jennings?They’regoingto
needalltheexpertisetheycan
get.”
“Ofcourse.Considerit
done.”
Remisignedoff,wanting
toconservetheirbatterytime,
andmovedbacktotheViking
ship,whereSamhadresumed
hisseeminglyendlesschore
ofpickingawayatthevessel.
Theyspenttheremainderof
theirdaylighthourslikethat,
painstakinglyremovingice
fromchestafterchestand
makingcopiousnotesoftheir
findings.
Atnight,thespecially
designedheaterkeptthe
temperatureinthetent
bearable.Theyfellasleep
quicklyafterafullday
workingontheship,which
slowlybutsurelywas
yieldingmoretreasures.
Onenightdriftedintothe
next,anditwaswithsome
surprisethattheyrealized
overaweekhadgoneby.
Whenthesatellitephone
chirpedonthemorningof
theirninthdaycamping,itso
startledSamthathealmost
droppeditinhishasteto
answer.
“Yes?”
“SamFargo?Dr.Jennings
fromMontreal.I’monmy
waytherewithateam.We
shouldmakeittothefjordby
earlytomorrow.Howareyou
holdingup?”Jenningswas
oneofCanada’stop
archaeologistsandthehead
ofthegroupthatwould
eventuallybetransportingthe
shipanditscontentstoa
controlledlabinMontreal.
“Aswellascanbe
expected.AlthoughI’lladmit
thatsleepingontheiceis
gettingold.”
Remirolledhereyesas
shecontinuedworking
nearby.
“I’llbet.We’rebringing
anentirecampwithus.
You’vebeenfortunatethatno
stormshavemovedthrough.
Butitdoesn’tlooklikewe’ll
besolucky.There’safront
headedtowardBaffinandit’ll
hittomorrowinthelate
afternoonorevening.The
firstorderofbusinesswillbe
togetthecampsetupandthe
longshipundercover,andto
getyououtoftherebefore
theworstofitstarts.”
“Willyoubeallrighton
theiceinastorm?”Sam
asked.“Maybetheshipcould
waitforadayortwountilit
passes...”
“That’suptoyou.
Dependsonyourschedule
andyourlevelofurgencyto
getbacktocivilization.”
“I’lltalktomywife,butit
seemslikethemostprudent
coursewouldbetowaititout
withyouonboardafter
securingthesite,doesn’tit?”
“Iwon’targuethat,butI
can’taskyoutodoit.We’ll
seeyoutomorrow.”
Samterminatedthecall
andexplainedtheiroptionsto
Remi,whoconcurredthat
theyweren’tinsucharushto
leavethattheywouldrisk
theircolleaguestothebrutal
forceofastorm.Now
workingwitharenewed
senseofurgency,they
reviewedthecontentsofall
ofthechests,eachnumbered
andwiththeitemscataloged,
asthetendeadViking
warriorswatchedoverthem.
They’dhadtheluxuryof
takingtheirtime,
documentingeverythingin
meticulousdetailforlater
research—somethingalltoo
rare,giventhehigh-profile
natureofmanyoftheirmore
visiblediscoveries.
Whenthearchaeology
teamarrivedthenext
morningjustaftersunrise,
SamandRemiheardtheship
enterthefjordbeforethey
sawamassiveredhull
squeezethroughthegapwith
nomorethantwentyfeetof
clearanceperside.Almost
twicethesizeofthe
Alhambra,theCCGS
CameronwasaCanadian
CoastGuardA1Lloyd’siceclasstwo-hundred-twentysix-footoffshore
oceanographicsciencevessel
withaforty-eight-footbeam.
Entryintothefjordwould
posenogreatproblem,
accordingtothebottommappingdatasuppliedbythe
Alhambra—thedepthvaried
fromsixtytoahundredforty
feet,easilyaccommodating
theenormouscraft’sfifteenfootdraft.
TheCameron’shighbow
crushedthroughthesurface
icewitheaseandslowedtoa
stoptwenty-fiveyardsfrom
theVikinglongship’sstern.
SamandRemicouldmake
outthecaptainandhismate
inthetoweringpilothouse,
andthenatallmaninhis
fortiesemergedfromthe
superstructureandmovedto
thebow,almostthreestories
abovethem.Hewavedand
calledout.
“Ahoythere!Youmust
betheFargos.”
“Dr.Jennings,Ipresume.
Irecognizethevoice,”Sam
answered,returningthewave.
“Andthat’stheViking
ship.Goodness.Shelooks
likeshewasjustbuilt.”
“It’sremarkable.Weleft
muchofthehullwithiceonit
topreserveit.”
“Ican’ttellyouhow
excitedweareaboutthis.It’s
anhonortomeetyouboth.”
“Likewise,Dr.Jennings,”
Remisaid.
“Please,it’sMatthew.It’s
abitchillytostandon
pointlessformality,”hesaid,
hisbreathissuingfogwith
everyword.
Thearchaeologyteamon
theCameronwastednotime.
Aftertestingtheicetoensure
thatitwasstableenoughto
walkon,theybegancarting
toolsandsectionsof
temporarybuildingstothe
areabySamandRemi’stent.
Ittookthebetterpartofthe
morningandmuchofthe
afternoontoerectfive
structures:aportablefield
kitchen,abathroom-andshowerfacility,twobarracks,
andanequipmentroomwith
acommunicationscenter.The
eight-manbuildingcrew
workedwithquietefficiency
asSamandRemiluxuriated
inastateroom,enjoyingtheir
firsthotshowerinovera
week,followedbyamassive
mealofseafoodwashed
downwithbeerandwhite
wine,complimentsofthe
Canadiangovernment.
Sammetwiththe
archaeologistsafterlunchand
spoketoapackedhouse.
Afterareportoftheir
progresstodateon
excavationandnewsoftheir
incrediblediscoveryofpreColumbianartifacts,a
spiriteddiscussionensued.
Jenningsclearedhis
throatandsaid,“Weknow
thattherewascontact
betweentheViking
settlementsinGreenlandand
theonediscoveredon
southernBaffinIsland,inthe
TanfieldValley.Soit’s
obviousthattherewasatrade
routeofsomekind,evenif
irregular.Butwe’venever
seenanyhardevidenceof
Vikingsjourneyingfarther
south.There’sbeen
speculationabouttripstothe
Canadianmainlandfor
logging,butnothing
conclusiveeversurfaced.”
“We’llneedtogetthe
shipcarbon-dated,ofcourse,”
anotherscientistpointedout,
“butitlookslikeit’salater
type—adragonshipwitha
sail.”
Jenningsputhispencil
downonthedesk.“Which
wouldnarrowittoanywhere
fromA.D.900to1300.That’s
consistentwiththesagaof
LeifEriksson,whichhashim
journeyingwestwardaround
A.D.1000,afterhearingabout
theNewWorldfromBjarni
Herjólfsson,whenhesailed
theNewfoundlandcoastafter
beingblownoffcourseinA.D.
986.Thepointbeing,this
newevidenceclearlyproves
thattherewereotherswho
venturedsouthaswellas
west.”
Remiturnedovertheir
notesandtherecordoftheir
observations,havingalready
enteredthemintotheir
computer.SheandSamtook
turnsfieldingquestionsfrom
thegroup.Whenthe
gatheringbrokeup,everyone
descendedtotheice,andthe
scientistsgottheirfirstclose
lookattheVikingcraft.The
teamlookedlikechildrenina
candystore,andthesenseof
excitementwaspalpablefor
themenandwomenwho
wouldspendweeks,ifnot
longer,preparingtheboatfor
transporttoMontreal.
Theskydarkenedasthe
afternoonpassed,andan
ominouslineofangryclouds
movedinfromtheoceanas
theteamsecuredahugetarp
overtheVikingvesselto
protectitfromtheelements.
Eveninlatespring,amajor
stormintheArcticCirclewas
nothingtotakelightly,and
thecrewhurriedtobatten
downthelittlecampand
hardenitagainstwhatever
naturethrewatit.
Astheprocessionofgray
stormcloudsapproached,the
Cameronreversedintothe
centerofthefjord,whereit
droppedanchorinthedeepest
portionandwaited.Soon
after,thewindpickedup,and
withinahalfhouragalewas
drivingsheetsoffreezingrain
throughtheglacialcanyon.
Lightningcrackledoverhead,
thebaritoneboomofthunder
shakingthebigshipwith
eachexplosivevolley.
Thesurrounding
mountainsshieldedthem
fromtheworstofit.Samand
Remicouldonlyimagine
whatthecrewoftheViking
boathadendured,andgave
silentthanksintheweehours
ofthemorningthatthey’d
beensparedtheexperienceof
anArcticstormwhileintheir
tent.
Theyawoketoafresh
blanketofwhite.Fourhours
later,theexpeditionteamwas
wavingfarewelltoSamand
RemiastheCameron
steamedslowlytowardthe
gap.Remiinchedcloserto
Samasthesheerrockwalls
movedpastthemand,once
theshipwaswellintothe
narrowchannel,theyreturned
totheirstateroom,theirpart
inthediscoverynow
consignedtothehistory
books.
Thecaptainintercepted
themonthewayinsideand
shookboththeirhandswith
briskenthusiasm.“We’ll
haveyoubackinClydeRiver
bytomorrowmorning.
AnythingIcandotomake
yourstaymorecomfortable,
letmeknow.”
“I’mstilltryingtoget
usedtotheconceptofwarm
waterandhotfood,”Remi
quipped.
“Well,wehaveplentyof
both,andIbelieveJennings
leftafewbottlesofexcellent
wineincaseyouneed
somethingtoquenchyour
thirstduringlunchand
dinner.Again,don’thesitate
toaskifyouneedanything.”
“Whenwillyoureturnfor
theteam?”Samasked.
“Hardtosay.Itmaybea
largershipthatpicksthemup
—somethingthatcan
accommodatetheentire
longship.Ourreadingsshow
thatgapasbeingninetysevenfeetatthenarrowest
point,soweshouldbeableto
getoneofourbiggerboatsin
—withalittleluckandsome
lubricationoneithersideof
thehull.”
“Thanksforthe
hospitality.It’sgoodtobeoff
theice,”Remisaid.
Thecaptainnodded.“I
havenodoubt.Wheneveryou
like,comeuptothebridge
andI’llgiveyouatour.
Hopefully,theseaswillhave
calmeddownanditwillbea
smoothridebackto
civilization...ifyoucancall
ClydeRiverthat.”
Theyshookhandsagain,
andthentheywerealone.In
theirstateroom,Remi
checkedtheindicatoronthe
satellitephone,notingitwas
recharged,andhandeditto
Sambeforeploppingdown
onthebed.
“GiveKendraacalland
checkonSelma.Seeabout
havingRickmeetusatthe
airport.AsfarasI’m
concerned,I’vespentabout
asmuchtimeasIeverwant
toonBaffinIsland,evenifit
wasinsuchcharming
companyasyours.”
“Youknowyou’regoing
tobeboredoutofyourmind
afteranadventurelikethis.
Howareyougoingtooccupy
yourtimenowthatyoudon’t
havetochipiceallday
long?”Samteased.
“I’dsaywebothhave
plentytodonowthatwe
knowforafactthatVikings
hadcontactwithpre-
ColumbianAmerica.I’m
thinkingthatweshouldtakea
hardlookattheloreandsee
ifthere’sanythingthatpoints
usinapromisingdirection.
Theywerethere,andthe
artifactswefoundrepresenta
significanttreasureforthose
civilizations.Therehadtobe
areasontheVikingswere
loadeddownwithgoodsfrom
what’snowMexico.”
Samnodded.“Great
mindsthinkalike.Nowthat
weknow—”
“Wecangetajumpon
everyone.Andifthere’s
somewherethisthreadleads,
gettherefirst.”
“Now,that’sthegirlI
married.”
“Thenflythatgirloutof
hereonthefirstplaneyou
canfind.”
Samtookthehint.He
swungtheheavydoorclosed
behindhimandmadehisway
tothebridgesohe’dhavea
clearlineofsightforthe
phonetofunction.Remihad
beenunflaggingandtireless
inherefforts,anditwasn’t
lostonhimthathe’dneedto
makeituptoherinspades.
Afterall,adealwasa
deal.
ANTIBES,SOUTHOF
FRANCE
T
hesunsetdeepenedtoa
softgoldhueoverthe
Tuscan-inspiredwaterfront
villa.Aloftyshoalofcloud
streakshunglikecolored
smoke,allvividorangeand
red,adazzlingkaleidoscope
reflectedoffthe
Mediterraneanasthesun
sankslowlyuntilitwas
nothingmorethanaglowing
emberinthesea.Theview
fromthehousewasas
magnificentastheycame,
whichwasthereasonJanus
Benedicthadpurchasedit
almosttwentyyearsbefore,
addingtothegroundsatennis
courtandpoolthatwould
havebeentheenvyofmost
hotelsinthearea.
Outontheveranda,Janus
satwatchingthecelestial
lightshow,hisrawsilknavy
blazerunbuttonedasa
concessiontoinformalityas
hesippeda1923Fonseca
Port.He’dpurchaseditfrom
astoreinLisbonononeof
hiswine-huntingforaysinto
theregion.Therubyliquid
hadturnedamberfromage,
andthepassageofyearshad
imbueditwithsecondary
flavorsthatmorethan
justifiedtheexorbitantprice
thesellerhaddemanded.
Amicrocellphone
chirpedfromthecircular
glasstablenexttohim.Janus
sethisRomeoyJulietaShort
Churchillcigarinacrystal
ashtrayandreachedoverto
answerit.
“Benedict,”hesaid.
“Sir,wehavemorenews
ontheCanadianfind.”
“Yes,Percy.Dotell.”
“Everyone’sbeingtightlippedaboutit,butI
persuadedoneoftheassistant
professorsthathisfinancial
woesmightbetemporaryif
hecouldgiveussomething
usable,”Percysaid,hiswords
clipped,deliveredwiththe
precisionofalaser.Percy
wasJanus’sgo-tomanfor
skullduggeryandhad
performedadmirablyfor
decades.
“I’dliketothinkmy
generosityknowsfew
bounds.”
“Quite.Anyway,it
appearsyourFargoshave
doneitagain.Amost
remarkablediscoveryon
BaffinIsland.Apparently,it’s
aVikinglongship,thelikes
ofwhichhasneverbeen
seen.”
“Interesting,buthardly
earth-shattering.Andmore
important,oflittleusetome.
There’snotmuchmarketfor
Norseantiquities.”
“Norshouldtherebe,I’d
think.Beastlystuff.Axesand
peltsandthelike.”
Januscouldtellfrom
Percy’sinflectionthatthere
wasmore,buthedidn’trush
theman.He’dgetto
whateveritwaswhenhewas
ready.“Butitdoestendto
highlighttheincredible
successthiscavaliercouple
haveinturningupunusual
finds.”
“I’llgivethemthat,”
Percysaid.“Thisonein
particularisnoteworthy
becauseofwhatwasbeing
transportedbythelongship.”
“Isee.Whatwasbeing
transported...”Janus
echoed.
“Yes.Itappearsthatit
wasahoardofpreColumbianknickknacks.
Pots,statues,thatsortofrot.”
Janussatupstraighter,
andhisheartrateincreased
bytwentybeatsperminute.
“Youdidsaypre-Columbian,
didn’tyou,oldboy?”
“Theverything.”
“Ah,thenIunderstand
whatthefussisallabout.
That’scertainlyafeatherin
theircaps.I’dimagineitwill
causequiteastirinacademic
circles.”
“Quite.”
“Brilliantwork,asusual,
mygoodman.AndifIknow
theFargos,thiswillbeonly
thefirststep.Theyhavekeen
mindsandmovequickly.
They’resuretousetheir
newfoundknowledgetotheir
bestadvantage,and,ifthere’s
atreasuretobefound,they’ll
berelentless.Ithinkit’stime
tostepupsurveillanceof
them.Butmoresophisticated
thanthelastidiotyousent.I
wantnomoreincidentsthat
couldtipthemoff.”Percy
hadfilledJanusinonthe
botchedphotographyoutside
theFargos’LaJollahome
andwaslividoverthe
sloppiness.
“Ofcourse.I’vealready
takenstepsinthatregard.
Thistime,withmore,er,
subtleapproaches.”
“Iwanttobekeptabreast
ofeverymovetheymake,is
thatclear?”
“Crystal.Itshallbedone.
I’llreportonanythingthat
seemspertinent.”
“Wherearetheyatthis
moment?”
“Ontheirplane.
Accordingtotheflightplan
thepilotfiledthismorning,
headedbacktoSanDiego.”
“Verywell.Dowhatever
youneedtodo.Spareno
resources.Myinstinctisthat
watchingandwaitingshould
turnupsomeveryinteresting
results.Theydon’tstay
stationaryforlong,andwhen
theymove,Iwanttobetwo
stepsaheadofthem.”
Janushungupandstared
atthephone,thensetitback
onthetableandresumedhis
appreciationofhisfine
Cubansmoke.Thehorizon
hadfadedtopurpleand
crimson,thesun’sfinal
shimmeringonthesea
replacedbythelightsofother
estatesownedbythe
privilegedandpowerful,
stretchingallthewayto
Cannes.Hetookanothersip
oftheliquidgoldandsighed
contentedly.Whateverthe
Fargoshadplanned,he
intendedtofoil.Aftertheir
interferencewithhislast
project,itwaspersonal.For
allJanus’saplomb,thathad
beenaslaptohisface,an
insulteverybitaspainfulasa
blow.
Thatwouldnotstand.
OneoftheFrenchdoors
swungopenandReginald
steppedthroughbefore
closingitsoftlybehindhim.
“Thereyouare.You
missedthesunset,”Janussaid
ashisbrothertooktheseaton
theoppositesideofthetable.
“I’veseenplentyofthem.
What’sthatyou’reknocking
back?”
“Bitofvintageport.”
“Anygood?”
“Notbad.Youmightnot
likeit,though.”
“Probablynot.Don’tsee
howyouchokedownthat
sweetstuff.Likemolassesto
me.”Reginalddepressedthe
buttononadiscreetlylocated
intercomonthetableand
calledout,“Simon,beagood
ladandfetchmea
Glenfiddichontherocks,
wouldyou?”
Afterafewmomentsof
silence,astatelyvoice
emanatedfromthetinny
speaker.“Ofcourse,sir.Very
good.Yourusualmeasure?”
“Perhapsafingerorso
more.It’sbeenafrightful
day.”
“Itwillbethereshortly,
sir.”
Reginaldstaredoutatthe
darkeningwaterandthen
removedapackofcigarettes
fromhisbreastpocketandlit
one.Heblewagraycloudat
theoverhangandtappedhis
fingersimpatiently.A
houseboyemergedbearinga
silvertraywithasingle
tumblerofScotch,threequartersfull,withtwosmall
cubesoficefloatinginthe
carameldistillation.Reginald
downedathirdinone
swallowastheservant
disappearedbackinside.
“Ah.AtleasttheScottish
aregoodatsomething,”he
observed.
“Iseeyou’reinanotherof
yourgoodmoods,”Janus
said.
“Neverbetter.Sowhat’s
ontheagendafortonight?
Rapingandpillaging?”
“Hardly.Ihave
reservationsforfiveatthe
Carltonatseven.Withthe
vonSchiffs.”
Reginaldgroaned.“Not
them.Anythingbutthat.”
“Behave,Reginald.It’s
business.You’llputona
braveface.”
“Theson’sanass.Takes
afterhisoldman.Andthe
missusisapositive
gargoyle.”
“Perhaps.Butthey’re
veryprofitableacquaintances
toknow.”
Reginaldpolishedoffthe
restofhisdrinkandheldit
aloft.“Besttohaveafew
moreofthese,then.”
“Ithinknot,oldchap.
Don’twantyoutomakea
scene.”
Reginald’seyesnarrowed
dangerously.“I’mabigboy,
Janus.”
“Yes.Wellthen,do
behavelikeone,won’tyou?I
can’thaveyoushowingupto
dinnerinebriated,whichis
wherethisisgoing.Ifyou
wanttopursueyourdatewith
abottle,dosoafterdinner,
notbefore.”
“Bloodyhell.”
“That’sthespirit.Goand
findaproperjacket,andhave
Simonbringthecararound.
Dinnerbellringsinafew
minutes,”Janussaid,
dismissingReginald,already
ontosomethingelse.
Reginald’ssneerwaslost
onhim.Theyoungerman
rose,stubbedouthiscigarette
withacurtstab,andstalked
intothehouse.
Janussmoothedhisglossy
grayinghairandfinishedthe
lastofhisportandthenstood,
takingcaretoalsosmoothhis
slacksandadjusthiscravat.It
wouldn’tdotoappear
rumpledtothevonSchiffs.
TheGermanswerevery
judgmentalaboutthelittle
things,and,asheknew,the
differencebetweensuccess
andfailureoftencamedown
tocarefulpresentation.
Reginaldwasright,
though,abouttheGermans’
sonbeinganidiot.
Butenduringacoupleof
hourswiththeimbecile
wouldpayhandsome
dividends,sohe’ddosowith
asmile.
Thepredatorysmileofa
raptor.
T
heovernighttripbackto
SanDiegowas
mercifullysmooth,andwhen
theG650toucheddownwith
apuffofsmokefromitstires,
RemiturnedtoSamandgave
himatiredlook.
“Homeatlast,”shesaid.
“Hopefully,forawhile.
Unlessyou’vescheduled
somethinginthedizzy
whirlwindofoursocial
calendarandnottoldme
aboutit.”
“TheonlythingI’vegot
scheduledissomeseriousspa
timeandanappointmentwith
amasseusetotreatmy
frostbite.”
“Thatwasn’tfrostthatbit
you.”
“Don’tgetfreshwithme.
Istillhaven’tforgivenyou
forvolunteeringus.”
“Norshouldyou.I’m
hopingsomespoilingyou
rottenmightalleviatethe
worstofthesting.”
“Thatandmorenotoriety
whentheybreaknewsofthe
longship.”
“Maybeyou’llgetyour
ownrealityshow.”
“Whatcameracrew
wouldbestupidenoughto
takethatduty?”
“Goodpoint.”
Kendrawaswaitingwith
theCadillac,Zoltán
occupyingmostofthe
backseat.Hecaughtsightof
Remiandletloosea
delightedbarkashistailbeat
theseatbacklikeaspirited
metronome.Remi’sheart
soaredwhenshesawhis
chocolateeyestrailingher.
“Who’smybig,brave
boy?”shecalled,arms
outstretched.Hevaultedout
andrantoRemiandthen
waited,trembling,asshe
kneltandhuggedhim.
Samwavedhimaway.
“No,no,spendthetimewith
her,notme.Ijustbuyyour
food.Noneedtomakeafuss
onmyaccount.”
Remirolledhereyes.
“You’rejealous!”
“Iamnot.Okay,maybea
littlebit.He’sgotbetterhair
thanme.There.Isaidit.”
“He’saHungarian
charmer.I’vealwaysbeena
pushoverforthose.”
“Servesmerightfor
beingborninCalifornia.”
“Don’tworry.Surferboys
aremyothervice.”
Kendrafilledtheminon
theresearchastheywove
theirwaythroughtheearlymorningtraffictoLaJolla.
“We’vecompiledanentire
dossieronpossibleitemsof
interestthatinvolveanything
thathintsatcontactwith
Europeans,pre-Columbus,”
shebegan,“butit’safuzzy
target.Somuchoftheir
historyisoraltraditionsthat
weregarbled,orchangedby
theSpanish.Sothere’sno
tellingwhat’sinventionor
what’strue.I’mafraidit’s
goingtobegoodold-
fashionedmidnight-oil
burningtomakesenseoutof
anyofit.Andbelieveme,
there’samountainofdata.”
“We’vegotnothing
plannedexceptdigging
throughit,”Remisaid,“so
that’snotaproblem.How’s
Selma?”
“She’srestingatthe
house.Shereallywantedto
comegreetyou,butItoldher
thatwouldmakemetoo
nervous.”
“Soshe’supand
around?”
“Sortof.Idon’tthink
she’sgoingtobeahundred
percentforawhile.”
“That’snotunexpected,”
Remisaid.“Iknowtheytell
youtofigureonatleastsix
monthstobefully
recovered.”
“It’sgottobe
frustrating,”Samsaid.“I
knowhowmuchsheenjoys
beinginthethickofit.”
Kendranodded.“Let’s
justsaythatshe’sadifficult
patient.That’swhatthe
doctorssaid.‘Feisty’was
actuallythewordtheyused
mostoften.”
Remismiled.“Nodoubt.”
Kendraledthewayinto
thehouse,followedbyZoltán
andRemi,Sambringingup
therear.Inside,Selmawas
sittingandsippingtea,her
walkernexttoher.Zoltánlet
outagreetingwoof.
“Welcomehome,”Selma
said,smiling.
“Selma.Howareyou?”
“Oh,youknow,alwaysin
thefight.I’vegotmytrusty
walker.ButIdohavetogive
intothewheelchairevery
onceinawhile,”she
admitted.
“Theimportantthingis
thatyou’rerecovering.”
“Iwishitwouldn’ttake
solong.I’mreallytiredof
beingsodependent.”
“Kendrahashelpedout
wonderfully,”Samsaid,“and
we’rebetweenadventures,so
youaren’tmissinganything.”
Reminodded.“That’s
right.We’rehereforthe
duration.Youjustneedto
focusonyourphysical
therapyandgettingbetter.
Don’tworryaboutplaying
motherhenwithus.We’rein
goodhands,”Remiassured
her,glancingatKendra.
“I’lltry,butit’sbecome
somethingofahabit...”
Samcarriedthebagsup
totheirbedroom,andRemi
joinedhimshortlyafter.
Remipacedinfrontofthe
glasswallthatfacedtheblue
Pacificbeyondtheterrace.“I
justwantSelmatotakeher
timeandnottrytorushher
recovery.”
“We’realldifferent.We
shouldrespectherwishes,”
Samsaidgently.
Remistoppedandstared
outattheocean,thepristine
beautycalmingherasit
usuallydid.“You’reright,of
course.Ijustdon’twanther
tooverdothings,toinjure
herselfandgetintobig
trouble.Thatwouldmakeher
recuperationtimeeven
longer.”
“Youknowwhatyou
need?Let’sheadovertothe
ValenciaHotelandgetyoua
fullspatreatment.Thewhole
deal.Thatalwaysmakesyou
happy.Andthenlunchonthe
restaurantveranda,maybea
KistlerChardonnay,some
bluepointcrab...”
“Why,SamFargo.NowI
rememberwhyIhangout
withyou.”
“Ithoughtitwasmy
pianoplaying.”
“Andyourlovelysinging
voice.”
Hegaveheraskeptical
frown.“Maybethat’spushing
it.”
“‘Toeachhisown,’said
themanashekissedthe
cow...”
Theyspentthemorning
andmuchoftheafternoonat
thehotel,andwhenthey
returnedhome,Remiwasin
considerablyimproved
spirits.Samsuggestedthey
beginporingthroughthe
archiveofpre-Columbian
lorePeteandWendyhad
amassed.
Thewholeresearchteam
wasworkingharmoniously
downstairs,Peteleaningover
Kendra’sstationandpointing
atsomethingonhermonitor.
Wheneveningcameand
twilightfadedintonight,
they’donlydentedthereams
ofaccounts,manyofthem
conflicting.SamandRemi
agreedthattheToltecsociety
aroundA.D.1000wouldbe
wherethey’dfocustheir
energy,scouringtheaccounts
foranythingthathintedat
Europeaninfluencearound
thattime.Whentheysaid
goodnighttoSelmaand
Kendra,theywereboth
exhaustedbutheartenedthat
they’dmadeatleastasmall
amountofprogressintheir
research.
“DidyouseethewayPete
waslookingatKendra?”
Remiaskedassheplumped
thepillowsinreadinessfor
somewell-earnedrest.
“Notreally.WhatdidI
miss?”
“Ithinkhemightbetaken
withher.”
“Pete?Really?”
“That’swhatIgot.I
wonderwhatWendythinks?”
“I’lldefertoyour
feminineintuitioninthese
matters.Everyoneknows
menarethelasttoknow
thesethings.”
“It’soneoftheendearing
qualitiesofyourgender.”
Zoltánwatchedthem
fromhispositionatthefoot
ofthebed,hiseyesalert,ears
pointingstraightup.
“AtleastI’vegotthat
goingforme,”Samsaid.
Remimovedbehindhim
andslippedherarmsaround
hischest.“I’mwillingto
forgiveyouforputtingmeon
icerecently—atleastalittle,
bigboy.”
“Don’tscarethedog.”
“He’sbraverthanhe
looks.”
Zoltán,asiffollowingthe
discussion,closedhiseyes
withafaintsnort.
S
am,checkthisout,”
Remicalled,the
morning’ssecondcupof
coffeecoolingonherdesk
besideheroversizemonitor.
“WhatamIlookingat?”
heasked.
“Quetzalcoatl.”
“Thefeatheredserpent
godoftheAztecs?”
“AlsocalledVotanbythe
Mayans.”
“And?”
“He’sdescribedasbeing
white,withredhair...and
cross-eyed,”Remisaid.
“Cross-eyed?”
“Yes.Moreinterestingly,
intheVikingsagasthatwere
compiledinthefourteenth
century,aVikingexplorer
namedAriMarson,whowas
aredheadandwascrosseyed,disappearedaroundA.D.
980onhiswaytoGreenland.
Accordingtothesaga,hewas
worshippedasagodinanew
landtendays’sailfrom
Vinland.”
“Vinland,eh?Andwhere
mightthatbe?”
“Accordingtodifferent
accounts,anywherefrom
BaffinIslandtothenortheast
partoftheU.S.”
Samdidaquick
calculation.“Thatwouldput
hislandingspotsouthofthe
U.S.Whichcouldmean
Mexico.”
“Possibly.Someaccounts
speculateitmighthavebeen
Cuba.Andtherearealso
storiesofQuetzalcoatl
comingfromtheeasttothe
Mexicanmainland—from
Cuba.”
“Interesting.What’s
that?”Samasked,pointingat
anotherimageonthescreen.
“It’sanimageof
Quetzalcoatlasawhiteman
withabeard.”
“ButIthoughtthatthe
worshipofQuetzalcoatlwas
farolderthanthetenth
century.”
“Itwas,”Remiagreed,
“buttherewasagreatdealof
confusionwhentheSpanish
arrived.Theygotalotwrong,
andthatwascomplicatedby
thereligiousclimatein
Europe.Sotheysimply
changedthingstheydidn’t
like.”
“Andthevictorsgetto
writethehistorybooks.”
“Exactly—andasfaras
thedatesinthesagasgo,
thoseareconsidered
unreliable,too.Inother
words,980couldhavebeen
1080andsimplybeen
changedduringonetellingin
itsoraltradition—orwhoever
draftedthewrittenaccount
couldhaverememberedit
wrong.”
Samnodded.“Butbackto
VikingsontheEastCoast.
DoInotrecallaVikingcoin
beingfoundinMainebackin
thefifties?”
“Isawthat,too.There’s
stillsomedebateabout
whetherit’sahoaxornot.”
“There’salwaysdebate.
That’swhatmakesthisso
muchfun.Cuttingthroughall
theopinionsandguesswork
anddiscoveringthetruth.”
Remileanedback.“Ifwe
takethisatfacevalue,then
it’spossiblethatQuetzalcoatl
was,infact,aViking.”
“Insomeaccounts,he
camefromtheeastin
longshipswithshieldsonthe
sides.Andamongthemany
formsofknowledgehe
broughtwastheuseofmetal
—specifically,iron—which
theVikingswereexpertat.
Maybeweshouldbefocusing
onthisQuetzalcoatlfellow.”
Reminodded.“I’mway
aheadofyou.Butthisgets
evenmoreconfusing.A
famousruleroftheToltecsin
theeleventhcenturywas
eitherbelievedtobea
reincarnationofQuetzalcoatl
orwasdeifiedasagod.
Again,that’slargely
speculative,becausethe
Aztecseradicatedmostofthe
Toltecrecords.Butthisruler,
TopiltzinCeAcatl
Quetzalcoatl,ruledtheToltec
capitalofTollan,whichis
nowcalledTula,incentral
Mexico.Hewascreditedwith
bringingallsortsof
knowledgetotheToltecs,
includinggrowingcornand
workingwithmetal,and
improvingtheirmasonry
skillsbyquantumleaps.And
he’sreferredtoinsome
accountsasbeingawhite
manwithabeardwho
favoredlongrobesand
animalskins.”
“Myhead’sstartingto
hurt.”
“Iknow.It’sliketryingto
grabagreasedeel.”
“Still,that’spositiveasa
startingpoint.”
“Agreed.”
“I’mthinkingwepullup
everythingwecanonthis
rulerQuetzalcoatlanddrill
downfromthere,”Samsaid,
returningtohisdesk.
“That’sasgoodaplanas
any.I’llgetthecrewonit.”
Thenextthreedayswere
spentdiggingdeeperintothe
legendssurroundingthe
enigmaticleaderofthe
Toltecs.Hisreignbecamethe
dominantforceincentral
Mexico.Thefewcodicesthat
purportedtotellthestoryof
theMesoamerican
civilizationswereoflimited
helpandseemedtocontradict
oneanotherinmorethana
fewplaces.Buteventuallya
fewthreadsgelledintoa
commontheme.AroundA.D.
1000,arulerhademerged
whotransformedToltec
society.Heintroduced
amazingleapsintechnology,
andwasoftendescribedas
resemblingawhiteman,
althoughotheraccountshad
himnative-born.
Atteno’clockinthe
evening,afteranotherlong
stintofporingoverthedata,
Sam’spulsequickenedashe
readanobscuretomethat
chronicledalegend
associatedwithQuetzalcoatl.
Hewasburiedwithatreasure
unlikeanyeverseen,withall
mannerofjadeandgold
artifacts.Thecrowningitem,
amagnificentjewel,was
consideredasmuchofa
legendasthatofElDorado,
thecityofgold:theEyeof
Heaven,aflawlessemerald
offeredfromtheToltecsas
tributetothepowerfulruler,
rumoredtobethesizeofa
man’sheartandpossessedof
magicalproperties.
Theaccountwaslongon
hyperbolebutshortondetail,
andchroniclednumerous
huntsbytheSpanishtolocate
thetomb,allofwhichended
infailure.Overtime,the
excitementhadfadedandthe
rumorwasdiscountedasone
ofmanythattheconquering
Europeanshadconcoctedina
bidtosecureinvestorsfor
exploration.
Butonethingstoodout
forSam:thedetailed
descriptionofQuetzalcoatl.
Inthisaccount,hewasanold
manwhodiedofnatural
causes,hisheavyredbeard
lacedwithgray,andhewas
laidoutinajade-and-gold
casketandentombedina
holyplacethatwouldforever
remainsecret.
Toanaccomplished
treasurehunter,themention
ofahiddentombwith
undreamed-ofricheswaslike
wavingaredcapeinfrontof
asnortingbull.Samshutoff
hismonitorsfortheevening
andmadehiswayback
upstairs,whereRemihad
retiredanhourearlier.Hefelt
afamiliarbuzzofanticipation
—onethathadrarelyledhim
wronginthepast.
HetoldRemiabouthis
discoveryastheysatsipping
sniftersofRémyMartinXO
cognacbytheopendoors,the
oceandarkotherthanforthe
twinkleofdistantlightsfrom
theoccasionalvesselworking
itswaynorthfromSanDiego
Harbor.BythetimeSam
finishedtellingherabout
Quetzalcoatl’slosttomb,
Remiwasalsoexcited.
Threehundredyards
offshore,nearoneofthevast
kelpbedsthathuggedthe
shore,atwenty-eight-foot
fishingboatwasanchored.
Anyonescrutinizingitwould
haveseentwomenwiththeir
rodsinthewaterdoingsome
nightfishing.Amorecareful
studymighthavenoteda
directionalmicrophone
pointedattheopendoorofa
homeonthebluff,andnoted
athirdmaninthelower
cabin,sittingwith
headphoneson,listeningto
everywordbeingspoken
insidetheFargos’bedroom.
Buttherewasnobodyto
noticethemenontheboat.
Thediscussionwasbeing
recordedandwouldlaterbe
analyzed,alongwith
countlessothers,andthen
forwardedtotheclient.The
operativeswereseasoned
surveillanceprofessionals,
wellversedineavesdropping
andcorporateespionage.
hazelingeredacross
A
MexicoCityinthepredawn
glowofathousandlights.
Thefreewayswerealready
cloggedwithvehiclesontheir
early-morningcommutes,
arrivingfromthedense
neighboringsuburbsthat
ringedthevastmetropolis.
Atiredoldgarbagetruck
lurchedslowlyuparoadin
themunicipalityofLópez
Mateos,itsenginestraining
asitmadeitsweeklyrounds
intheimpoverishedsprawl
tenmilesnorthofMexico
City.Manyfamilieslived
eighttoatwelve-by-fifteenfootroom,andthedrugrelatedviolentcrimemadeit
oneofthemoredangerous
areasintheregion.Thetruck
rolledtoascreechingstop
whenarumblebeganfrom
thestreetbeneath.Theearth
begantoshake—atfirst
gentlyandthenwith
increasingviolence.
Anearbybrickwallsplit
andcollapsed,thetop
crumblingastheearthquake
shookit,andageyserof
watershotfromafissurein
thecenterofthestreet.The
meninthegarbagetruck
watchedinhorrorasseveral
ofthetwo-storycinder-block
homesfellinonthemselves
asthoughtheearthhad
suckedthemintotheground.
Afewhalf-nakedchildrenran
intothestreetwhilethe
pavementbeneaththem
shuddered.Thefewworking
lampsonthebuildingfronts
winkedoutaspowercables
snappedsomewheredownthe
line.Streetlightsrocked
beforetearingfreeand
crashingtothegroundin
explosionsofglass.
Inthedistance,thecity’s
high-risesswayed.Evenina
regionknownforitsseismic
outbursts,thiswasabigone.
Theshakingcontinuedfora
fullminutebeforetheearth
settledtostillnessbeneaththe
frightenedpeople.
Thestreetresembleda
warzone,withhugecracks
crisscrossingtheremaining
pavementandwatermains
gushingintotheairbefore
poolinginstinkingpondsalso
fedbyrupturedsewagelines.
Doorsopenedasneighbors
emergedtotakestock,the
calamityonlythelatestina
seeminglyunendingstringof
badluckvisitedupona
populationbornunderadark
star.
Thesuninchedoverthe
surroundingmountainsand
castadimglowthroughthe
sedimentthathadfloated
skywardfromthedemolished
buildings.Thegarbagemen
surveyedtheruinedstreetfor
awhilelongerandthenthe
driverputtheancienttruckin
gearandexecutedashaky
turnbeforeheadingback
downtherise.
Furtherresearchinto
Quetzalcoatl’stombrevealed
nothingofuse,andbylate
afternoonoftheseconddayit
wasobvioustoeveryonethat
they’dhitadeadend.Sam’s
eyeswereburningfrom
boringholesthroughhis
monitor,searchingfortheone
elusiveglyph,athreadthat
mightleadtheminapositive
direction;nowtheywereout
ofoptions.ButSamhadn’t
earnedhisreputationby
givingup—histenacious
natureinvariablydrovehim
touptheantewhenthegoing
gotrough.
WhenSelmajoinedthem,
Remistoodtogreetheras
Samrubbedatiredhandover
hisface.
“How’sitgoing?”Selma
asked.
“Justtheusual
frustrations,”Remisaid.
“Incompleteaccounts,vague
hintswithoutanysubstance,
partialreports...”
“Ah,research,howdoI
missthee,”Selmaintoned.
“Howareyou?Feeling
anybetter?”Samasked,
turningfromhisscreen.
“Youknow.Everyday
bringsitsownlittle
challenges.”
“Theimportantthingis
thatyou’remakingprogress,”
Remisaid.
“Sometimesitdoesn’t
feellikeit,”Selmaconfessed
—arareadmissionfromthe
womanwhowasas
indefatigableandhardchargingastheycame.She
staredoffattheoceanand
thenfixedasmileonherface.
“IthoughtI’dstopinandsee
howyouweremakingout
withoutme.”
“Notsogreat,Selma.
We’resortofattheendof
ourropeonourcurrentline
ofthinking,”Samsaid,and
thengaveherasummaryof
theirprogress—orlackofit.
Whenhewasfinished,she
nodded.
“Well,youknowwhat
you’regoingtohavetodo.”
SamandRemiexchanged
alook.
“No...”Remisaid.
“Letmemakesomecalls.
Thatwon’thurtme.Truthbe
told,I’mgoingstir-crazy,
evenwiththebooksandTV.
I’llcallafewpeopleandput
outsomefeelers.It’llcheer
meupifIcanhelpinmyown
smallway.”
“Selma—”Samstarted,
butshewavedhimoff.
“I’llletyouknowifIhear
anything.Now,getbackto
work.You’llnevermakeitif
youkeepfindingexcusesto
slackoff,”Selmateased,and
thenwithoutanotherword
expertlyturnedherwalker
andslowlymadeherway
backtoherroomswitha
familiarexpressionof
determinationonherface.
Samexhalednoisilyand
stood,stretchinghisarms
overheadandrollinghishead
togetthekinksoutofhis
shoulderandneckmuscles.
Remiwentbacktoherscreen
whileSamgothisfifthcupof
coffeeandthenpushedoneof
theglassdoorsopenand
movedontothewraparound
terraceforsomewelcomesalt
air.Gullswheeledintheblue
skyoverhead,ridingan
updraftfromthesea,anda
fewboatsworkedtheedgeof
thekelpforest.Gluttonous
sealscompetedwiththe
anglersfortheocean’s
bounty,andSamwatchedas
theiroilyblackheadspopped
outofthewaterhereand
therebeforesubmerging
againforanotherrunatthe
fish.
Notabadlife,hethought.
Simple.Goforaswim,fresh
fishforlunchagain,then
maybeasiestaonanicerock
whilethesunwarmedyou.
Thesealsdefinitelyhadit
figuredout.Betterthangoing
blindstaringatpicturesof
ancientruins,tryingtofind
cluestountangleoneof
history’senduringmysteries.
Withafinalglanceatthe
late-afternoonsky,he
reluctantlyreturnedtohis
computerandcontinuedwith
hissearchforthemeaningof
theunintelligiblecarvings
he’dbeenstudying.
Twohourslater,Selma
emergedwithalookof
triumphonherface.
“Congratulations.You’ve
beeninvitedbytheNational
InstituteofAnthropologyand
HistoryinMexicoCityto
studytheirinventoryof
Toltecartifacts.Anoldfriend
andcolleagueofmine,Carlos
Ramirez,isinchargeofthe
effortthere.He’sthedirector
ofAntiquitiesandthecousin
ofoneoftheministersofthe
interior,aswellasbeingon
theuniversityboard.”
“Selma!That’s
wonderful,”Remisaid,rising
fromherseat.
“He’saverysweetman.
Wecollaboratedonsome
researchyearsagoandIdon’t
thinkhe’severforgottenhow
wellwegotalong.Anyway,
he’sgothishandsfullright
nowbecauseafterthebig
earthquakearepaircrew
fixingsomebrokenpipesin
thestreetdiscoveredanew
find—aseriesofsubterranean
vaultsconnectedbyatunnel
systemthatwasexposedby
thequake.Theyappeartobe
Toltec,butit’sallvery
preliminarybecausethearea
neartheruinsisstillin
disarray.Heinvitedyouboth
toflyinandmeetwithhis
twoseniorresearchers—and,
ifyoulike,togothroughthe
newfindtogether.”
“Selma,younevercease
toamazeme,”Samsaid,
shakinghisheadinawe.
“Well,it’snotallthat
amazing.AllIhadtodowas
rememberwhatthecountry
codeforMexicowasandcall
inafavor.Let’snotmakeit
morethanitis.”
“Whencanwego?”
“Apparently,mostofthe
cityisfine,butsomeareas
wereprettyhardhitand
wholeblockswereflattened.
Thequakemeasureda7.8,
butthedamagewaslocalized.
Hebasicallysaidyoucould
comedownwheneveryou
want.Yourreputationopensa
lotofdoors.”
“Youdidn’ttellhimwhat
we’reworkingon,didyou?”
Remiasked.
“No,Ijusttoldhimthat
youwereresearchingthe
ToltecsandQuetzalcoatland
howtheAztecsandlaterthe
SpanishtwistedtheToltec
legends.Thatgivesyoua
prettybroadcanvasonwhich
topaint.Butitwillalso
explainwhyyoumightbe
moreinterestedinsomelines
ofinquirythanothers.”
“You’reagenius,”Sam
said.
“Seriously,thismightget
youcloserthandoingthe
diggingonline.Asyouknow,
thatonlytakesyousofar...”
Reminodded.“Andthen
youhavetogetyourhands
dirty.Weknow,Selma.”
“Idon’tknowwhattodo
withmyselfwhenmyhands
arecleanforthislong,”Sam
agreed.“I’dsayit’stimeto
headsouthoftheborder.Ai
yaiyai!”
Remigavehimamock
frownandshookherhead.
“I’mafraidhemighthave
alreadybeenpreppingforthe
tripbynippingatthetequila.”
“Nonsense.I’msoberasa
judge,”Saminsisted.
“Thatexplainsalot,”
Remicountered,andtheyall
laughed.
“Kendra?Lookslikeit’s
timetogetthepilotsoffthe
beachandwarmingupthe
plane,”Samcalledout.
“Whenwouldyouliketo
takeoff?”sheaskedfromher
workstationnearthe
windows.
RemiandSamlookedat
eachother,andRemi
shrugged.“Tomorrow
morning?Say,ateight?That
willputusinMexicoCityby
noonlocaltime.”
“Willdo.Howabout
hotel?”
“Ithinklasttimewewere
therewestayedattheFour
SeasonsintheZonaRosa
district.AsIremember,it
wasverygood,andcentrally
located.”
“Consideritdone,”
Kendrasaid.Shedefinitely
sharedthesameorderlygenes
withSelma,they’d
discovered,andwithtime
they’dgrowntoappreciate
herquiet,straightforward
style.“Anyspecialrequests?”
“Selmawillgiveyouthe
rundownontheusualwelike
totakeintothefieldon
somethinglikethis,”Remi
said.“It’sprettybasic.She’s
gotthelist.”
“Great.ThenI’llgetright
onit.”
Therestofthedaysped
byastheypreparedfortheir
trip,andbothSamandRemi
weremorethanreadyfora
finalcelebratorymealattheir
favoriterestaurantinSan
Diego,anItalianplaceinthe
GaslampQuarter.Theytook
Sam’snewestacquisition,a
blackconvertiblePorsche911
Turbo918SpyderCabriolet
thatherarelyhadtimeto
drive.Hedroppedthetop,
andRemileanedbackinthe
softleatherseatasthewarm
eveningbreezeblewthrough
herhair.Heworkedthrough
thegearswithenthusiasmas
thepowerfulengine
catapultedthemdowntheonrampandontothefreeway.
“Easythere,Hoss,”Remi
cautionedasthedowntown
skylineroseaheadofthem.
“Sorry.Ikeepforgetting
howresponsivethegaspedal
isonthisthing.”
“Ithinkwealready
passedliftoff.Youcanease
up.”
“Yourwishismy
command.”
Samslowedtoasane
paceandsoontheywere
handingthekeystoavalet
andenteringtherestaurant.
Theownergreetedthemlike
long-lostrelativesand
escortedthemtotheprivate
cornertabletheyfavored.His
wifecameovertosayhello
andsuggestedaspecial
tastingmenuofthechef’s
specialsforthenight,paired
withabottleof2009
Sassicaia—arguablyItaly’s
foremostSuperTuscanred
wine.
Themealwasrelaxed,
eachdishperfectlyprepared
andpresented,beginningwith
abruschettatodiefor,
followedbybraised
sweetbreads,vealravioliina
trufflesauce,andthree
preparationsofshrimp.By
thetimeSamandRemiwere
sippingglassesoflimoncello,
theywerereadytoburst,and
bothagreedthattheywould
sleepwellafterthewonderful
meal.
T
heG650descended
throughthecloud
coveringonfinalapproachto
BenitoJuárezInternational
AirportinMexicoCity.
Whentheybrokethroughthe
lastoftheclouds,thecitywas
afewthousandfeetbelow
them.Torrentialrainfall
blanketedthebuildingsand
roads.Astheaircrafttouched
down,itstiresthrewarooster
tailofwaterintotheair,and
thentheytaxiedtothejet
charterbuilding.Allaround
themvehiclesracedthrough
thedownpour,headlights
beamingandflashers
blinking,bearingluggageand
fuelandprovisionsforthe
outboundcommercialjets
waitinginlinefortheir
chancetobravethestorm.
AblackGMCYukon
waitedforthemoutsidethe
terminal’sglass-and-steel
entrance.Thedriverheldthe
dooropenforthem,loaded
theluggage,andthencircled
aroundtoslipbehindthe
wheel.Oncetheywerein
traffic,thestreetswere
jammedwithvehicles.Water
rushedalongthesurface,
potholesthesizeof
televisionsfilledwith
ominousblackwater.The
localsshambleddownthe
sidewalks,wearingplastic
parkasandtotingumbrellas,
astheypickedtheirway
alongtheunevenconcrete.
Outsideofadiscount
pharmacy,aforlornfigure
wearingaplushchickensuit
stoodunderanoverhang,
wavingayellowfoamsign
withAbiertoprintedonitin
largeredletters.
“Ifthetreasure-hunting
thingbottomsout,Icould
alwaysdothat,”Sam
commented.
“I’dpayextratoseeyou
inthatoutfit,regardlessofthe
circumstances.”
“Idon’tknow.Itmight
lowerpropertyvaluesinLa
Jolla.”
“Coward.”
“Iamnot.”
“Chicken.”Sheputher
handsunderherarmpitsand
flappedherelbows.“Pwukpwuk-pwuk...”
Heeyedherwithgood
humor.“Areyoutryingtotell
mesomething?Because
you’regettingthisrooster’s
attention.”
“It’seitherthechicken
suitornothing.”
“IfIdidn’tknowyou
werekidding,I’dbeseriously
worried.”
“Kidding?”Remiasked
withraisedeyebrows.
“Nevermind.”
Theycheckedintothe
hotel.Afterunpackingtheir
bags,theycalledCarlos
Ramirez,whospokein
heavilyaccentedEnglish.He
toldthemthattheycould
comebyatanypointthat
afternoonandhe’dbehappy
tointroducethemtothe
othersresearchingthenew
find.SamandRemigrabbed
lunchinthehotelrestaurant
andthenhadataxitakethem
toINAH—theNational
InstituteofAnthropologyand
History—locatednexttothe
CuicuilcoEcologicalParkin
thecity’ssouthernmost
reaches.
CarlosRamirezmetthem
atthesecuritydeskina
stylish,immaculatelycutdark
graysuit.Heworehissaltand-pepperhairlongish,and
adappermustacheframedhis
upperlip,whichwas
perpetuallycurvedinasmile.
“Ah,SeñorandSeñora
Fargo.Welcome,welcome.
I’mgladyoudidn’tletthe
weatherscareyouoff,”he
said,shakinghandswith
them.
“Comparedtosomeofthe
placeswe’vebeenrecently,
thisisparadise,”Samsaid.
“Alittlerainneverkept
usawayfromanything
important,”Remiassured
him.
Carlosledthemupstairs
tohisoffice.“Ihaveasuite
here,inadditiontooneatour
headquartersinthehistoric
district.Buttruthfully,I
spendmostofmytimehere.I
preferacademiato
bureaucracy.Ofcourse,
fieldworkismyfirstlove.
Butthereislessopportunity
forthatnowthatI’mina
positionofresponsibility.”
Theofficewasexpansive,
withaconferencetableatone
endsurroundedbyburgundy
leather-upholsteredchairs,
andalargeovaldeskneara
bankofwindowsoverlooking
thepark.“Please,haveaseat,
andI’llcalltheothersand
makeintroductions.But
beforewedothat,tellmeall
aboutwhatIcanhelpyou
with.”
“AsSelmamighthave
toldyou,we’reresearching
theToltecs,”Samexplained,
“specificallyaroundtheA.D.
1000era.Wefiguredsince
thisiswheretheywere
located,weshouldcometo
Mexicoanddosomeinpersonnosingaround.”
“Youraccomplishments
precedeyou.Weasanation
areinyourdebtforsavingthe
MayanCodexonourbehalf.
AnythingIcanofferyouin
thewayofassistanceisyours
fortheasking.”
“Well,Ishouldn’tthink
thatthiswillbenearlyas
dramatic,”Remisaid.“I’m
afraidmuchofwhatwe’re
doingisgoingoverold
ground.Butit’sallpartofthe
job,andweprefertobe
thorough.”
“Yes,ofcourse.Where
wouldyouliketostart?”
“We’dliketolookatthe
existingcollectionofartifacts
andanydocumentsyouhave
thatpertaintotheToltecs...
ortheirmostfamousruler,
Quetzalcoatl.”
“Absolutely.
Unfortunately,thereisn’t
nearlyasmuchaswe’dlike.
TheAztecpriestsdestroyed
mostoftherecordsofhis
accomplishments.To
complicatematters,the
Spanish,whetherdeliberately
oraccidentally,further
distortedtherecordsuntil
whatweknowabouthimis
likelywrong.”
Reminodded.“Thenyou
understandtheproblem
we’vebeenhaving.We’re
hopingyouhavematerial
that’snotonline,whichmight
shinesomeadditionallighton
Tolteccivilization,aswellas
theirleader.”
“Actually,”Carlossaid,
“youcouldn’thavearrivedat
abettertime.Fromwhatwe
cangather,thenewly
discoveredcryptsthat
surfacedaftertheearthquake
promisetoprovideexciting
newinformationabouttheir
civilization.Ofcourse,it’sfar
tooearlytotell,butwe’re
hopeful.Thislookslikeit
washiddenunderground
deliberately,whichthe
Toltecsonlydidwiththeir
mostvaluedsites—andit’s
wellsouthofTula,so
completelyunexpected.”
“We’dbehonoredtosee
itassoonaspossible,”Remi
said.
“Letmecallinthe
archaeologistswhoare
headingupthatdig.You’llbe
workingcloselywiththem.
They’retwoofourbest.”
Carlosdialedhisphoneand
spokearapid-firestreamof
Spanish.“They’llbehere
shortly.Maribelaand
AntonioCasuela.Brotherand
sister.Remarkableintellects
andexpertsontheToltecs.”
Asoftcourtesyknock
soundedthroughthedoora
coupleofminuteslater.Atall
womaninherearlythirties
entered,followedbyaman
aroundthesameage.That
theyweresiblingswas
obviousfromtheirfacial
features.WhatneitherRemi
norSamwaspreparedfor
washowphysicallyarresting
theywere.Thewoman’slong
ebonyhairseemedtogleam
fromitsownlightsource,
highlightinghersmooth
caramel-coloredskin,high
cheekbones,pearl-white
teeth,andflashingchocolate
eyes.Themanwasequally
stunning,hisstrongjawline
andruggedprofileresembling
thatofamodeloracinema
starratherthananacademic.
Thewomanspokefirst,
extendingherhandtoRemi.
“SeñoraFargo.Howniceto
meetyou.I’vefollowedyour
exploitswithdelighted
surpriseforyears.”
Carlosbeamedatthem.
“RemiFargo,thisisMaribela
Casuela.”
“Thepleasure’sallmine,”
Remisaid,hereyesroving
quicklyoverthewoman’s
flawlessform,hersensible
blackslacksandredblouse
hugginghercurvesinaway
thatmostwomenonly
dreamedof.
“AndyoumustbeSam
Fargo,”Maribelasaid,
offeringherhandtoSam,her
palmcooltothetouch,her
voicemusical.
Samcouldhavesworn
thatasmallelectriccurrent
passedbetweenthemwhen
theirskintouchedand
quicklyturnedtothebrother.
“Antonio,right?”
“It’sathrill.Arealthrill,”
Antoniosaidastheyshook
hands.
“But,please.Useourfirst
names.Ihateformality,”
Remisaidasthenewcomers
tooktheofferedseatsnextto
Sam.
Carlosfilledtheminon
whattheFargoswere
interestedin,andtheireyeslit
upatthementionofthe
recentlyunearthedcrypts.
“It’sremarkable,”
Antoniosaid.“We’veboth
beeninside,andthecarvings
alonewillmakeforyearsof
study.Itseemsasthough
there’saninterconnected
seriesoftunnelstoatleast
fourburialchambers.We’ve
alreadyremovedthe
mummies.Theinsightthat
thisundisturbedfindshould
offerisunique.I’msure
you’llfindtouringitan
amazingexperience.”
“And,ofcourse,you’re
welcometoreview
everythingwehaveonthe
ToltecsandQuetzalcoatl,”
Maribelaadded,“although
mostofitiswellcoveredin
theacademicjournals,so
therewon’tbemany
surprises.”
“Howistheareaaround
thenewdiscovery?”Sam
asked.
Carlosfrowned.“It’s
controlledchaos.We’ve
clearedtheentrypointand
therearepoliceguardingit,
buttheneighborhoodisstilla
disasterarea.Overahundred
peoplelosttheirlivesinthat
coloniaalone.Rudimentary
serviceshaveyettobe
restored,andthere’sbeen
somelooting.Rescueteams
areworkingthroughthe
buildings,butit’snotagood
situation.”
“Isthereanydangerof
pilferingofthetombs?”Remi
asked.
“Thehopeis,no,”
Antonioreplied,“butthe
policeareverypoorlypaid,
soanythingispossible.
We’vecatalogedallofthe
preciousitems,andhavean
effortunderwaytomove
themhere,butit’sslowgoing
becausewewantto
adequatelydocumentthestate
ofthefind.There’safine
line,asyouknow...”
Reminodded.“First,do
noharm.”
Maribelaeyedher.“And
whatisyourbackground,
mayIask?IthinkIreadthat
you’reananthropologist?”
“That’scorrect,aphysical
anthropologist,althoughit’s
beenyearssinceIwas
involvedwithacademia.I
muchpreferbeinginthe
field,too.”
“Ofcourse.There’s
nothinglikethethrillofbeing
first,isthere?”
“No.I’vebeenvery
fortunatethatmyhusband
heresharesthatpassion,”
Remisaid,claspingSam’s
handpossessively.
AntonioandMaribela
gavethematourofthe
artifactsandphotosthey’d
amassedinthebasementof
thelargebuilding.Manyof
theitemswerealready
familiartoSamandRemi
fromimagesontheInternet.
“Oneofourfrustrations,”
Maribelaremarked,“isthat
theToltecsdidn’thavea
writtenlanguage,soany
historyisoraltradition
recordedatalaterdate.And
sporadicpictographs.Butyou
canseebytheglyphsthey
hadanelaborategraspof
symbolism,althoughthereis
muchdisagreementastohow
tointerpretmanyofthe
images.”
Antonionodded.“Justas
thereareconflictingaccounts
ofthemythicalrulerofthe
Toltecs,CeAcatlTopiltzin,
whoisoftenreferredtoas
TopiltzinQuetzalcoatlorjust
Quetzalcoatl.Overtheyears,
theaccountshavebecomeso
badlygarbledit’sdifficultto
knowwhattobelieve.For
instance,someinsisthewasa
mythicalfigurewithnobasis
inhistory.Othersclaimhe
wasthefirstrulerofthe
Toltecs.Stillotherssaythat
hewasbelievedtohavebeen
thedivinereincarnationofthe
originalQuetzalcoatl,the
premierdeityof
Mesoamerica.”Antonio
pointedtoacollectionof
carveddepictionsofastern
manwithalargeheadand
whatappearedtobeabeard.
“It’sallveryconfusing,”
Samagreed.“Especiallythe
beard.Unknownamong
Americannativepeople,
right?”
Maribelasmiled.
“Correct.Andmademore
difficultbythefewSpanish
accountsofAztecloreand
thecivilization’shistory.We
knowthatthesewereheavily
alteredversionsoftheoral
tradition.Anotherproblemis
thattherewerenodoubtsome
interpretationproblems.
Manyoftheexisting
documentswerecreatedby
theFranciscanmonksorthe
conquistadores,whoquite
simplybotchedtheaccounts.”
Antoniomovednextto
hissister.“Nottomention
thatsomerecordswere
secretedawaybecausethey
contradictedtheofficial
histories.Weknowthe
Spanishtendedtoremove
anythingthattheythought
mightleadtolegendary
treasures.Notthatitdidthem
muchgood,butitshowsa
systematicapproachto
lootingthelegacyofthe
MayansandAztecsforboth
financialgainandtocurry
favorwiththeKingofSpain
sothatfurtherexpeditions
couldbefunded.”
“Throughouthistory,
moneyhasplayedapartin
drivinghumanbehavior,”
Samagreed.
Antonionodded.“There’s
littledoubtthatsomeofthe
officialaccountsarepure
inventionbasedonconfusion
overtheoriginalQuetzalcoatl
thegodandQuetzalcoatlthe
Toltecruler.”
“Whathappenedtothe
moreaccuraterecordsthat
weretakenbytheSpanish,
whichmighthavehintedat
significantsites?”Remi
asked,carefultoavoidthe
useoftheword“treasure.”
“Allthesurvivingcodices
aremoremundane.Afew
madeittoSpain,somewent
downonshipsthatwere
routinelylostmakingthe
passage,othersdisappeared.”
“Haveyoutriedtolocate
any?”Samprobed.
Antonioshrugged.“Of
course.We’vemadeseveral
tripstoSpain,buttherewas
nothingtherethatisn’tpartof
thepublicdomain.Andthere
aresomeinCuba,butthat
government’shardtodeal
with,evenforusas
Mexicans.They’revery
secretive.MaribelaandI
werethereaboutfouryears
agoforseveralmonths
workingwiththeirmuseum.
Wewereshownsome
pictographsandamanuscript
thatwassaidtobewrittenby
aconquistadorrelatingtothe
AztecsorToltecs.They
refusedtoallowustostudy
themcloselyoreventotake
photographs.We’ve
approachedthemmanytimes
togainaccess,ortohave
themreturnedtoMexico,but
we’realwaysstonewalled.
It’sashamebecausethat’s
ourheritage,nottheirs.”
“Amanuscript?Whatdid
itsay?”Remiasked.
“Icouldn’ttellyou.Itwas
unintelligible—probably
somesortofcipher,which
wasn’tunusualinthosedays
forsensitivedocuments.
Withouttimetogothroughit
linebylineandfigureoutthe
code,there’snowayof
knowing.ButIclearly
rememberthattherewere
detaileddrawingsofAztec,
andpossiblyToltec,icons,
includingoneof
Quetzalcoatl.”
“HavetheCubanstriedto
decryptit?”Samasked.
Antonioshookhishead.
“Idon’tthinkso.It’sjustan
oldmanuscripttothem.Igot
thesensethatit’sbeenthere
solongthatnobodyismuch
interested—untilwewanted
totakeitwithus,atwhich
pointitbecameanational
treasure.”
“Andwheredotheykeep
alltheseMexicanrelics?”
Sam’svoicewaseven,no
hintofanythingbutpolite
curiosity.
MaribelaeyedSam.“In
MorroCastle,atthemouthof
HavanaHarbor.Theyhavea
smallmuseumonthe
grounds,andIguessthisstuff
gotrelegatedtothebasement.
Igotthefeelingthatit’s
storedtherebecausethat’s
whereitwasstoredhundreds
ofyearsago,probablyafter
theBritishhandedtheisland
backtoSpain.”
Remitookaseriesof
photos.Sheturnedto
Antonio.“Icancertainlysee
whyeveryone’sexcited—the
tombnetworksounds
remarkable.Youmustbe
thrilled.”
“Yes,it’soneofthefirst
newdiscoveriesinalong
timethatpertainstothe
Toltecs—and,givenits
location,it’sasurprise.Itwas
thoughtthattheToltecsonly
builtinTula,butnowthat
mustbereinterpreted.”
Antoniopaused.“Weknow
fromlegendthatQuetzalcoatl
wasdrivenfromTollanand
embarkedonajourneytothe
farthestreachesof
civilization,includingthe
MayancitiesinMexicoand
Guatemala,andperhapseven
beyond.”
“Doyouthinkthelegend
ofQuetzalcoatl’stombhas
anysubstance?”Remiasked.
“No,that’smorefrom
somequestionablementions
inoneofthemoreobscure
codices,aswellassome
letterstotheSpanishKing.A
wives’tale.”
“Soyoudon’tthink
there’sanytomb?”
“It’sdoubtful.Everyone
fromtheSpanishtopresentdayadventurershavehunted
forthatphantom,onlyto
comeupdry,”Antoniosaid
dismissively.“No,thetrue
treasureoftheToltecsistheir
history,and,unfortunately,
that’sjustaslostasanyburial
chamberforaquasi-mythical
ruler.Besideswhich,think
aboutsomeofthelore
surroundingthatstory.
You’veheardit,right?I
mean,comeon—anemerald
thesizeofaman’sheart?
Thatwouldhavehadtocome
fromColombia,andthere’s
noevidencethattheToltecs
evertraveledthatfarsouth,
muchlesstradedthere.I’ve
concludedthat,likesomany
ofthelegendsfromthatera,
it’sbasedmoreonhighhopes
thananythingfactual.Sortof
theMexicanequivalentofthe
HolyGrail,andaboutas
likelytoexist.”
Theinspectionofthe
artifactstooktherestofthe
afternoon,andSamandRemi
agreedtomeetAntonioand
MaribelaattheFourSeasons
forpickupthenextmorning
toexploretheunderground
crypts.Inthetaxibacktothe
hotel,SamcalledSelmaon
hiscellphoneandmurmured
intoitastrafficwhizzedby
them.
“Selma,Iwantyoutopull
upanythingyoucanfindon
SpanishartifactsinCuba.
Bothpublicandanything
rumored.”
“Cuba?Okay.I’llget
rightonit.”
“Oh,andforareallong
shot,seeifthere’sanything
likeanonlineblueprintfor
MorroCastleinHavana.”
“Willdo.I’lle-mailyou
withaprogressreportwhenI
havesomething.”
Remicaughthiseyeashe
hungupanddialedanother
numberfrommemory.“What
now?”sheasked.
“Well,theCubathinghas
methinking.Whowould
havemoreaccesstoinfoon
Cubathan...Rube?”
“RubinHaywood?Good
idea.I’msuretheCIAhasa
wholewingdevotedtoit.”
TheSUVhita
particularlynastybump,
jostlingthem.Remiclutched
theseatforsupportand
movedherfreehandtothe
goldiconatherneck.Sam
waitedasthecallrangand
whisperedtoher.
“Wecouldusesomeof
thatscarabluckrightabout
now.Canyourubitandmake
agenieappear?”
Theylaughed,andthen
Rube’sdistinctivevoicecame
ontheline.
“Rube.It’sSam.Yourold
buddyandpal.”
“Sam!Longtime.What,
areyouinD.C.?Wanttobuy
medinner?”
“Havetotakearaincheck
onthat,Rube.No,thisis
moreofafact-findingcall.”
“Whatisitthistime?”
Samtookhimthrough
whathewaslookingfor,and
Ruberemainedsilentfor
severalsecondsafterhe
finished.
“Itmighttakeawhile,but
Icanputananalystonit.I
heartheycandosome
amazingthingswith
computersthesedays.”
“Data’sonlyasgoodas
whoeverfeditin.”
“Ain’titthetruth.So
that’sit?Youwanttoknow
aboutanyCuban
archaeologicalcachesin
Morro?Kindofanobscure
areaofinquiry,evenfor
you...”
“I’mjusttryingtokeep
ourrelationshipfreshand
spontaneous.”
“Ahem.I’llhaveyou
knowIgotapromotion.”
“Really?Congrats.”
“Thanks.I’dtellyoumy
newtitle,butthenI’dhaveto
killyou,sobesttonotask.”
“Goodtoknow.”
“Allright,buddy.I’llput
theelvestowork.Stillgotthe
samee-mail?”
“Somethingsnever
change.”
WhenSamhungup,Remi
slidcloser.“Whatdidyou
thinkofournewassociates?
ThatMaribelaisastunner,
isn’tshe?”
“Who?Oh,thesister?I
hadn’tnoticed.”
Remielbowedhim.“Did
youknowwhenyou’relying,
youreyesgiveatelltale
flicker?”
“Whoareyougoingto
believe,meormylying
eyes?”
“Iwasjustsaying...
She’snotwhatIexpected.”
“Neither’sthebrother.
Notasuglyasthesister,but
still.”
Theyrodepastthe
colorfulfaçadesofstoresand
apartmentsinsilence,both
lostintheirthoughts,which
nowcenteredarounda
mythicalrulerandhisfinal
burialplaceandthehurdles
theywouldhavetosurmount
tohaveanychanceatfinding
it.
slateskydrizzledonthe
A
windshieldofAntonio’s
Suburban.Themorningmist
wasaregularoccurrencethat
timeofyearinDistrito
Federal,orDF,asthe
inhabitantsreferredto
MexicoCity.Trafficwasa
snarlastheymadetheirway
northofthecitycenterinto
theimpoverishedcoloniaof
LópezMateos.
Antonioturned,anda
blockuptheyfound
themselvesfacingtwo
militaryvehiclesflankedby
heavilyarmedsoldiers,their
M4riflesattheready.
“Thisisourprotection,”
Antonioexplainedashe
slowedtheSUV.“Thepolice
requestedbackupfromthe
militarywhenshotswere
firedatthemlastnight.
Probablyjustkids,but
everyone’sonedge.”
Hepulledupontoa
crumblingcurbnexttoa
cornermarketcoveredwith
spray-paintedgangtags.
Heavygridsofrebarwere
bentacrossitsbroken
windows.Asoldierbearing
sergeant’sstripesapproached
asAntonioopenedthe
driver’sdoorandpresented
hisidentificationtothe
hardenedveteran,whopeered
distrustfullyatitbefore
wavinghimforward.
Maribelaturnedtolookat
SamandRemi.
“It’sshowtime—isn’tthat
howtheysayit?”
“Indeed,”Remisaid.
Yellowtapecordonedoff
abrown-dirtslopeleading
intoachasmbeneaththe
street.SamandRemiheld
theirbreathatthestenchof
accumulatedsewageas
Antoniodisappearedintothe
gloom.Thedistinctiveroarof
agasgeneratorstartedup,
andtwoportablelights
flickeredtolifeinside.
“Comeon.It’sabout
fifteenfeetfartherin,”
Maribelacalled.
Remiswallowedhard,
almostgagging,andthen
followedthetwoMexican
archaeologists,Sam
immediatelybehindher.
Aheadwasabreachina
stonewall,wheretherocks
hadcollapsedinwardintothe
spacebeyond.Antonio
climbedthroughtheopening
andthethreeofthem
followed.Anotherlightwas
setuponatripodpositioned
atthejunctionofthree
passages.
Antoniowaiteduntilthey
caughtupwithhimandthen
explained,“Eachofthese
passagewaysleadstoaburial
vault.Probablythemost
significantoneisjustahead.
You’llseethepotteryand
otheritems—they’re
numbered,andwe’veleft
themwherewefoundthemso
wecandoamorecareful
examinationinthenextfew
days.Becarefulasyouwalk
—thefloor’suneven.”
Theyapproachedthefirst
cryptasagroup,their
footstepsechoinginthe
confinedspace,theairfilled
withthescentofwetearth
anddecay.Antoniobentover
andflippedaswitchbox
lyingbyhisfeet.Abankof
worklampsilluminatedthe
endofthetunnel,theireerie
glowreflectingoffthe
chamberwalls.
Remigaspedasaroot
brushedhershoulder.
Samtookherhand.
“Littlecreepy,isn’tit?”
Theroomwassmall,no
morethantwelvebytwelve,
withastonepodiumthathad
beenthefinalrestingplaceof
aToltecdignitaryatthefar
end.Pots,ceramicfigures,
masks,andobsidiantoolslay
strewnoneithersideofit,
withgridlinesofwhitetwine
nowstrungoverthemto
accuratelymaptheir
positions.Themoststriking
featurewasthepictographs
thatcoveredeveryinchof
wallspace—theentireroom
wasaToltecarttreasure.Sam
stoppedshortofthepedestal,
takinginthebreathtaking
display,andfeltRemiinch
closer,astheireyesroved
overthetableau.
Maribelasaid,“These
possessionswerelikely
collectedinanorderlypile,
but,overthecenturies,
earthquakeshavehadtheir
waywiththem.Althoughthe
cryptisinremarkablygood
shape,what’smostsurprising
arethecarvings.Verymuch
liketheotherToltecsites
we’vemapped...butI’ve
neverseentheminthis
abundance.”
SamandRemi
approachedthenearestwall.
Samtookasmallflashlight
fromhispocketandtwistedit
on.
Asomberfaceglowered
backathim,anelaborate
headdressatopitshead,a
stylizedclubinonehandand
aserpentintheother.Sam
movedtoanother,wherea
jaguarstoodreadytopounce
infrontofadepictionofa
temple.Nexttoit,a
processionofwarriors.Below
it,menleadinganimalson
leashes.Figuresconstructing
atoweringpyramid.Onand
on,sceneafterscene.
“Amazing,isn’tit?”Remi
whispered.“Thecondition’s
remarkable.”
Antonionodded.“We’re
hopingthatasweexcavate,
we’llfindevenmore.The
mudyouseeontheflooris
fromleakageovertime,
whichisinevitable.Butmost
oftheareaisaspristineas
I’veeverseen.”
“What’syourtheoryon
whothemummieswere?”
Remiasked.
“Probablypriests,but
veryhighlyplaced—possibly
thereligiousleadersoftheir
era.Whythey’reburiedsouth
ofTulaisamystery.”
“Wasitcustomaryto
entombthereligiousleaders
insuchelaboratecrypts?”
“Littleisactuallyknown
abouttheircivilization,so
therearestillmorequestions
thananswers.Itwilltake
manymonths,ifnotyears,to
fullydocumentthisfind—
assumingthatthecitydoesn’t
shutusdown.Thestreet
runningoverheadisa
problem,althoughwecan
probablybuyoneofthe
nearbybuildingsandcreate
anentrancethere.Butthat
takesfunds...”
Theymovedtotheother
crypts,whichcontainedmore
carvingsandmoreartifacts.
Remitookphotographsofall
theimagesforlaterstudy,
amazedbythesheerquantity.
Theamountofworkinvolved
hadtorepresentyearsof
skilledartisantime.
Afterthreehoursof
exploration,Antoniosignaled
thattheyweregoingtotakea
breakandreturntothe
surface.
Maribelaledtheway.
“Wehaveagroupof
studentscominginthis
afternoontohelpuswiththe
excavation.You’rewelcome
tostay,ifyoulike,butitwill
getcrowded.And,frankly,
you’veseenmostofwhat
thereistoseesofar.Perhaps
you’dliketospendsometime
attheInstitutewiththe
artifactsthere?”Maribela
suggested.“Icandriveyou
whileAntoniotakescareof
thingshere.”
“Thatwouldbegreat,”
Samagreed.“Wedon’twant
togetinyourway.And
there’scertainlyenoughto
seeintheInstitutevaultsto
keepusbusy.”
Reminoddedherassent,
andthegroupstepped
carefullybackouttothe
stinkingstreet,wherethesun
wasnowburningthroughthe
clouds.
Sam’sphonerangonthe
journeytotheInstitute.He
glancedatthescreenand
answeredit.“What’sthe
goodword?”heasked.
“Imayhavesomething
promisingforyou,”Rube
said,“butit’sbothgoodnews
andbadnews.”
“What’sthebad?”
“Cuba’saboutas
secretiveastheChinese,so
everythingwehaveishearsay
andinnuendo.”
“Meaning‘unreliable.’”
“Correct.”
“What’sthegood?”
“There’sapparentlya
storeofSpanishantiquitiesin
HavanathattheMinistryof
theInteriorcontrols.Partof
theirmuseumsgroup.”
“Idon’tsupposeIdare
askhowyouknowaboutit.”
“Defector.Floatedover
alongwithfiftyothersona
makeshiftboatfortyyears
ago.”
“Sotheinformation’sthat
old?”
“That’snotyourbiggest
problem.”
“WhydoIsuspectthat
yousavedthebestforlast?”
“AmIreallythat
transparent?”
“Justgiveittome
straight.”
“It’slocatedinthe
subbasementofMorroCastle,
whichhasacontingentof
militaryguardingitroundthe
clock.”
“Doyouhaveanydetails
onthelayout?”
“Checkyoure-mail.But
Sam?Justalittleadvice.The
Cubansplayhardball,and
theydon’tlikeAmericans.So
ifyou’rethinkingofdoing
anythingstupid,myadviceis
don’t.”
“That’snotvery
encouraging.”
Rubeexhalednoisily.
“WhenIhangupthephone,
you’reonyourown,my
friend.Iwon’tbeabletohelp
youifyoupursuethisandrun
intotrouble,andI’dadvise
stronglyagainstdoing
anythingrash.”
“Noted.Thanksagain.I
oweyouone.”
“Becareful,Sam.You
havetobealiveformeto
collect.”
A
fterspendingthe
afternoonanalyzingthe
materialattheInstituteand
comparingittothephotos
fromthatmorning,Samand
Remicalleditadayatsixand
returnedtothehotel.Sam
loggedontohisin-boxand
spentseveralminutes
studyingRube’se-mail,
whichconsistedofasetof
crudeblueprintsofMorro
Castle,obviouslyhanddrawn,andadescriptionof
themilitarycontingent
guardingthefort.Builtin
1589toprotectHavana
Harbor,Morrowasanational
landmark,nowrelegatedtoa
touristattraction.
Remisatonthebedwhile
Samfinishedupandthen
raisedaneyebrowwhenshe
sawthedrawing.
“SamFargo,Ihopeyou
haven’tdreamedupsome
crazyscheme.”
“Ofcoursenot.Iwasjust
thinkingwhatanicetimeof
yearitwouldbetovisit
Cancún.”
“Whichisonlyanhour
flightfromCuba,isitnot?”
“What?Really?That’s
all?”
“Youhavealousypoker
face.”
Henodded.“Thenit’sjust
aswellIdon’tplaycards.”
“Iknewwhenyouheard
aboutanencrypted
manuscript,youwouldn’tbe
abletoresist.”
“Well,nowthatyou
mentionit,itdoesseeman
awfulshamethatsomething
aspotentiallyimportanttothe
Mexicanpeopleisbeing
hoardedbyaforeignpower.”
“Wedon’tknowthatit
hasanyimportance.Forall
weknow,it’sarecipe.”
“WithabunchofpreColumbianillustrations?”
“Don’tforgettheletters
fromseamen.Notexactly
promising.Besideswhich,the
SpanishconquestofMexico
wentonfor,what,ahundred
eightyyears?Soitcouldrefer
tobasicallyanything,not
necessarilytheToltecs.”
“Fairenough,butdowe
haveanythingbettertogo
on?”
“Notyet,butwe’rejust
gettingstartedanalyzingthe
reliefs.Maybethere’s
somethinginthenewfind
thatwillpointusintheright
direction—”
“Whichwillstillbehere
whenwegetback.”
Remifrowned.“Ifweget
back.”
“Ohcomeon.AllI’m
thinkingisthatwesneakin,
takesomephotos,andare
gonebeforeanyonefiguresit
out.Where’stheharm?”
“It’safort,Sam.Asin,
fort-i-fied.Byaregimethat’s
morehostiletotheU.S.than
anyinthishemisphere.
Somethingtellsmethatifwe
getcaught,we’regoingtobe
inreallyhotwater.”
“Whichiswhynopartof
theplaninvolvesgetting
caught.”
Remisighed.“Forthe
record,thisisabadidea.But
Icanseethere’snopointin
arguingwithyou,isthere?”
“Maybetogetbetterat
it?”
“I’vehadyearsof
practiceanditdoesn’tseem
todoanymoregoodthanit
didwhenwefirstmet.”
“ThenweflytoHavana,
scopeoutthefort,andslip
intothevaultinthedeadof
night.”
“Right...Andjusthow
areyougoingtodothat?”
“Ihaven’tcompletely
figuredthatpartoutyet.”
“Callmewhenyoudo.”
Thatevening,threeemailscameinfromtheteam,
butnoneofthemcontained
anythingthatSamandRemi
didn’talreadyknow.There
wasanencyclopediaentryon
thelegendofQuetzalcoatl’s
tomb,describingacasketof
jade,mountainsofgold,
pricelessornaments,andthe
EyeofHeaven,whichto
Sam’strainedeyereadlike
thewishfulthinkingofa
teenager.Allhiddenina
secrettombinasacredplace,
safefromdesecrationby
heathens,whichtothe
Toltecsmeantanyonebesides
themselves.
Nextwasadoctoral
student’sreportona1587
searchexpeditionthathad
followedinthefootstepsof
theoriginalonein1521.
Whilethegroupdiscovered
manyofthelargerAztecand
Tolteccities,itcameup
emptyonthetomb.Butthe
uniquefeverthat
accompaniesthepromiseof
pricelesstreasurehadtaken
holdandgenerationafter
generationofadventurers
soughtQuetzalcoatl’sfinal
restingplace—aswellasthe
legendarySevenCitiesof
Gold—and,inSouth
America,ElDorado...allto
meetwithruin,disease,and,
ultimately,death.
Intheearly1920s,
accordingtoathirdarticle
fromapopularjournal,
anothergroupscouredthe
templecitiesofcentral
Mexicoinsearchofthe
elusivetreasurebutnever
returnedfromtheirquest—
presumedkilledbybanditsin
alargelylawlessland.
Afteraleisurelymealat
thehotel,Samcheckedon
flightsfromCancúnand
learnedthattherewere
severaleverydaytoHavana.
Hereaduponentry
requirementsanddiscovered
thattheycouldeasilymakeit
intoCubawithpapervisas
insertedintotheirpassports,
toberemovedoncethey’d
left,sotherewouldbeno
evidenceoftheireverhaving
beenthere.AfterSam
explainedthetravel
arrangementstoRemi,they
agreedtoatleasttryamini
Cubanvacationandtakea
hardlookatMorroCastle.
Sam’sfirstactthe
followingdaywastosend
newsoftheirplansto
everyoneinLaJollaandask
themtofindsomeonereliable
inHavanatohelpthemwhile
there.
Nextitemwasthetripto
Cancún.SaminstructedRex
tofileaflightplanforthat
evening.Finally,hebookeda
flightforthenextdayfrom
CancúntoHavana,after
beingassuredthathecould
getvisasinshortorderfrom
theCubanconsulatein
Cancún.
Theafternoonatthe
Institutewentbyquickly.
They’dalreadyseenmostof
thecarvingsonline,sothere
werenosurprises.Trafficto
theairportwasamisery,
takingalmostaslongasthe
flighttoCancún.Whenthe
G650toucheddownandthe
fuselagedoorswungopen,
muggyheatflowedintothe
cabin,thehumiditycloseto
ninetypercent.Acourtesycar
whiskedthemawaytothe
Ritz-Carlton,where,after
checkingin,theydinedat
Fantino,thehotel’supscale
restaurant.Remistartedwith
thesweetpeaandbutter
lettucesoupwithscallopsand
chosetheblackcodforher
entrée,andSamwentwith
thesearedahitunaappetizer
andtheporcini-crustedfilet
mignon,allwasheddown
withabottleof2006Adobe
GuadalupeSerafiel
Cabernet/Syrahblend.
Samreclinedasthestaff
whiskedawaytheplates,
swirlingthelastofthewine
inhisgobletbeforetakinga
long,appreciativesip.“Wow.
Whoknewtheymadewine
likethisinMexico?It’s
amazing.”
“Iknow.Quitea
mouthful.Almostamealby
itself.”
Hetookinthereflected
lightfromthechandelier
dancinginhereyes.“You
havetoadmit—sofar,this
isn’tsoterrible.”
“It’snoBaffinIsland,I’ll
giveyouthatmuch...”
Afterdinner,theyhad
tequilabrandyatthepoolbar
andwatchedthesurfcrash
ontothewhitesandbeach,
thewavesphosphorescentin
themoonlight.
“Thisiswonderful,Sam.
Ijusthopethattomorrow
finishesasnicelyastonight.”
“We’llbeinHavana.We
canfindsomeplacethat
makesadecentmojitoand
soakupthelocalcolor.How
badcanitbe?”
“Yourealizeeverytime
yousaythat—”
“Somethinggoeswrong,”
Samfinishedforher.“I
retractthe‘howbad’
question.”
“Idon’tthinkitworks
thatway.It’soutinthe
universenow.”
“Nonsense.We’reonthe
mostbeautifulbeachinthe
world.AndI’mwiththe
prettiestgirlintown.”
RemiedgedclosetoSam.
Thestrummingofthe
Mexicanbarbandandthe
harmonyofthesingers
perfectlycomplementedthe
intoxicatingbrandytheywere
sipping.Theyreturnedto
theirroom,thefutureas
uncertainaseverbuttheir
presentaspleasantasany
theycouldwishfor.
SamcalledSelma,
anxiousforwordonherhunt
foraCubanguide.Kendra
answeredSelma’sline.
“You’reinluck.Selma’s
gotasuggestionfromoneof
hercontacts:adoctorin
Havanawhoagreedtoshow
youaroundandwhoI’ve
beenassuredisasresourceful
astheycome.”
“Shevouchedforhim?”
“Shedid.He’safanof
severalofherarticlesand
they’vecorrespondedfor
years.Whendoyouleave?”
“Tomorrowafternoon.”
“Goodluck.”
Sampaused.“How’s
Selmadoing?”
“Stillrollingwiththe
punches,butthephysical
therapytakesitstollonher.”
“Itcandothat.Isshe
followingthedoctor’s
instructions?”
“Ithinkso.Probably
doingmorethansheshould.
Shetoldmeyesterdaythat
shejustwantstogetbackon
herfeetassoonaspossible.”
“Tellhershe’sinour
thoughts.”
“Iwill.”
O
ntheirwaytothe
Cubanconsulate,it
becameclearthatthetaxi
driverhadnoideawhereit
was.Afteraskingthree
pedestriansfordirections,he
finallydepositedthemin
frontofarun-downwhite
residencetwoblocksoffthe
mainstreet,whichheassured
themwasthe“new”location
oftheelusiveCuban
headquarters.
Thehotwaitingareawas
barelyventilatedbya
strugglingstand-upfanthat
predatedthecombustion
engine.Whenthewomanat
thecounterfinallyheldup
theirtraveldocuments,they
gratefullyapproachedher,
and,afterpayingthetoken
fee,theycouldn’tgettothe
exitfastenough.
Thepairambleddownthe
longblocks,thetropicalsun
beatingdownonthem.When
theymadeittothemain
street,Samwassoaked
through.Hescannedthe
shopsandpointedtoa
hardwarestore.
Tenminuteslater,they
emerged,severalhundred
pesospoorerbutwitha
bulgingsackofsupplies.
Theyflaggeddownataxito
returntotheirhotel.
Lunchbythepool,along
withafinalmargarita,
revivedtheirflaggingspirits,
andwhentheyarrivedatthe
airport,theycheckedtheir
luggageandsupplybag
throughsecuritywithouta
problem.Theirprevious
evening’spositivesentiment
lasteduntiltheywere
informedbytheCubanaAir
hostessthattheflightwas
runninganhourlatedueto
unspecifieddelays.The
departureareawasasfar
fromtheRitzpoolasone
couldget,butSammadethe
bestofitwithacoldTecate
beerandabagofpotatochips
whileRemisippedabottleof
water.
Onehourturnedintotwo,
andbythetimetheywerein
theirplaneseatsRemihad
mentionedseveraltimesthat
shedidn’thaveagreatfeeling
aboutthetrip.
“Relax.Whatcould—”
Samstartedandthencaught
himself.
Remiglaredathim.“I
warnedyou.You’regoingto
bringbadjujuonus.”
“Ididn’tsayit.”
“Youthoughtit.”
Samhadnocomebackto
that,sohejustgazedoutthe
windowatthepalmsbaking
ontheedgeofthetarmac.
Theancientjetlumbered
acrossitinpreparationfor
takeoff,andthentheywere
rumblingdowntherunway,
theplaneshakingalarmingly
asitstruggledtopropelitself
intothesky.
JoséMartíInternational
AirportinHavanawaslarger
thanthey’dexpected,with
threeterminalsandahostof
planesontheground.Remi
notedquietlytoSamthatthe
interiorwasasshabbyasthe
grayconcreteexterior.The
customsagentswereserious
andunfriendly,frowning
determinedlybeforewaving
themthrough.
Samchangedfour
hundreddollarsatthe
currencyexchangewindow
andpocketedtheCubanbills.
Whentheywalkedoutonto
thesidewalktomaketheir
waytothetaxiline,theheat
hitthemlikeablow.Hotand
morehumidthanCancún,
eventhebreezewas
uncomfortableasitblew
fromthesurroundingjungle.
AlineofnewMitsubishicabs
waitedunderarustingsteel
awning,whereacadaverous
maninafadedblueuniform
blewawhistlewithallthe
enthusiasmofamortician.
TherideintoHavanatook
forty-fiveminutes,first
throughcountrysideandthen
theoutskirtsofthecity.Sam
andRemiweresurprisedby
howmanyofthevehicles
weremodern—they’dbeen
expectingafleetof1950s-era
junkers,basedonthemovie
depictions.Apparently,the
Cubanshadn’tstudiedthe
samefilmsbecausetheir
appetiteforNissanand
Hondaseemedasinsatiable
asanywhereinAmerica,
althoughtherewerestill
plentyofagingFiatsand
Ladasbelchingblueexhaust
astheyrolleddownthe
streets.
Whentheyarrivedatthe
IberostarParqueCentral
Hotel,auniformedbell
captainheldRemi’sdoor
openasSampaidthedriver.
Thehotelwaslocatedinan
elegantcolonialbuilding
acrossthestreetfromapark,
ahugegreensquarethat
servedasthedowntowncity
center—buzzingwithactivity
aseveningapproached.A
saxophoneplayerblewa
hauntingrifftothe
accompanimentofrevving
carenginesandpealsof
laughterfromloiteringgroups
ofteens.Sampausedfora
momenttolistenbefore
turningandaccompanying
Remiintothehotellobby.
Oncetheywereintheir
room,Samcalledthecontact
Selmahadprovided:Dr.
Lagarde.Whenheanswered,
heimmediatelyswitchedto
passableEnglishafterhearing
thetelltaleAmericanaccent
inSam’shello.
“Ah,Ipresumethisis
SelmaWondrash’sfriend?”
Lagardesaid.
“Itis.We’reintown.I
wantedtotouchbaseandsee
whatyourschedulelooked
liketomorrow,”Samsaid.
“Ishallarrangemyaffairs
aroundyourrequirements,of
course.Ihavesome
flexibilityinthatregard.I’ll
letthehospitalknowIwon’t
bein.”
“Thankyou.Ihopeit
isn’ttoomuchofan
imposition.”
“Ofcoursenot.Any
friendofSelma’sisafriend
ofmine.Iholdherinthe
highestregard.”
Theyarrangedfor
Lagardetomeetthematthe
hotelatninethefollowing
morning.
“Sowherearewe
eating?”Remiaskedfromher
positionbythewindow,
whereshewaswatchingthe
activityinthesquareacross
thestreet.
“Ifoundapromising
nameonline.Myideaiswe
wanderaroundalittle,geta
feelforthetown,theneata
latedinner.Maybearound
nine.”
“Worksforme.”
Aftermakingadinner
reservation,theysteppedout
ontothestreet—abusy
avenuethatringedthesquare
andstretchedfromthe
famousmalecónthatran
alongtheocean’sedgeallthe
waytothefaredgesofthe
city.TheyfollowedthePaseo
delPradodowntothesea
wallandfoundthemselves
acrosstheharborchannel
fromtheirobjective—the
CastillodelosTresReyes
MagosdelMorro,orMorro
Castle.
“It’scertainlyimposing,”
Remisaid,gazingupatthe
fort’stoweringstonewalls.
“Howdowegettoit?”
“There’satunnelthat
runsundertheharborfor
automobiletraffic.”
“Sowe’renotgoingto
havetoswimthechannel?”
“Nottonight.”
“Youwanttogoover
thererightnow?”
“Wecantourittomorrow.
Tonightwe’resightseeing.
Takinginthecity’ssightsand
sounds.”
Agroupofyoungwomen
passedthemonthemalecón,
theirperfumelingeringonthe
lightwind.RemiandSam
followedthem,havingno
specialdestinationinmind.
Theywalkedeastalongthe
waterfrontandthenturnedup
asmallstreetintothehistoric
sectionofoldHavana,a
livelyareawherelocalsand
touristswanderedalongthe
sidewalks.Brickspoked
throughbatteredbuilding
façadeslikeskeletalbones,
themortarlongagoeroded
away,lendingthemanaura
ofseedydisrepair.
Theyroundedacorner
andnearlycollidedwitha
wizenedmansportinga
panamahat,hisskinasdark
asawell-wornsaddle,
puffingonacigaralmostas
bigashisarm.Hesmiled,a
flashofpinkgums,histeeth
longagosacrificedtoageand
circumstance,andmuttereda
sandpaper“Perdón”before
continuingonhisway,
trailingacloudofpungent
smokebehindhim.
“Areyousureaboutthis,
Sam?”Remiaskedina
whisper.
“Absolutely.Allthe
guidebookssaythissectionof
townisassafeasthewomb.”
Asiftounderscorethe
point,twosoldierswith
machinegunsapproached,
theireyeswatchful,studying
thesurroundingswiththe
vigilanceofapatrolinawar
zone.
“There,doesthatmake
youfeelanybetter?”Sam
asked.
“Itmightiftheywere
oversixteen.”
“Everyone’sacritic.”
Theysteppedarounda
poolofstagnantwater
gatheredinalowspotamong
theancientcobblestones.
Remipointedtoasmall
yellowsignfiftyyardsto
theirleft.“Look.There’sone
ofHemingway’shaunts.La
BodeguitadelMedio.”
“Iregardthatasanomen.
It’stheuniversecommanding
ustostop.”
“AccordingtoPapa,this
isthebestmojitoinHavana.”
“That’sgoodenoughfor
me.Leadtheway,”Samsaid.
Thebarwascrowdedand
smallerthanexpected.Its
wallswerecoveredwith
autographsofthenotorious,
thefamous,andtheforgotten.
Obligatoryphotographsof
CheGuevaraandFidel
Castroglaredatthemfrom
dingyframes.Astoolfreed
upandSamelbowedthrough
thetouristsandhelditfor
Remi,whotooktheseat
gratefullyandcaughtthe
bartender’seye.
“Dosmojitos,porfavor,”
shesaid,holdinguptwo
fingers.
Themannoddedand
movedtomakethedrinks,
crushingthemintleaveswith
focusedconcentrationbefore
pouringaliberalslugofrum
intoastainlesssteelshaker.
Headdedlimejuice,
sugarcanesyrup,andsoda
andthenshookthe
concoctionwithsincere
intensity,makinga
productionoutofthecocktail
preparationwhileseveral
camerasclickedbehind
Remi’shead.
Thedrinksarrivedonthe
scarredwoodenbar,each
withasprigofmintatopit.
Samheldhissweatingglass
upinatoastthatwasmetby
Remi.
Onemojitoledtoanother
andsoontheywerechatting
withaCanadiangroupbound
forVaraderothenextday—a
beachresortseventy-five
mileseastofHavanafamous
foritshospitalityanditssundrenchedshores.Asthe
crowdgotlouder,Sam
glancedathiswatchand
gesturedtothebartenderfor
thetab.
Outside,thedarkened
streetseemedmoreominous
thanwhenthey’darrivedat
dusk.Theyhurriedalongwith
othertourists,makingtheir
wayfromthewaterfront
towardthecitycenter.When
theyarrivedatalargehotel,
Remiapproachedoneofthe
loiteringtaxidriversand
askedhimhowfarthe
restaurantwas.Theoldman
lookedherupanddown
withoutexpression.
“SanCristobalPaladar?
Toofartowalk.Maybeten
minutes,maybeless,bycar.
Youwantmetotakeyou
there?”
Samnoddedandtheygot
in.
Therestaurantwasina
colonialhomeinthemiddle
oftownandthefoodwas
divine—anunexpectedtreat.
Whendinnerwasover,the
ownercalledataxiforthem
andwaitedbythefrontdoor
forthevehicletoarrive,
chattingwithRemiaboutthe
upsanddownsofoperatinga
businessinaCommunist
country.
Backatthehotel,Sam
convincedhertohavea
nightcapinthelobbybar.
Theysavoredsniftersofaged
HavanaClubGranReserva
fifteen-yearAñejorumasa
tuxedoedmusicianstroked
thekeysofagrandpianoin
theatrium.
“Well,sofar,Ihaveto
saythishasn’tbeenterrible,”
Remiconceded.
“Goodfood,gooddrink,
andgoodcompany.Alwaysa
winnerinmybook.”
“Ijusthopewedon’thave
hangoverstomorrowfromall
therum.”
“It’scommonknowledge
thatwhenyoudrinkitinthe
islands,younevergeta
hangover.”
“Interesting.Ihadn’t
heardthat.Soundslike
anotherSamFargo
invention.”
Forafewshorthoursin
theirusuallyhecticlives,the
worldwasperfect,themood
tranquil,themusichypnotic,
thetradewindsblowing
outside,astheyhadfor
centuriesandwouldfor
countlessmore.
T
henextmorningDr.
Lagardewaswaitingfor
theminthehotelatrium
lobby.Ashort,paunchyman
inhissixties,withadense
graybeardandround
spectacles,heworeawhite
tropical-weightlinensuitand
apalebluebutton-downshirt,
aseeminglymandatory
panamahatperchedonhis
head.
“I’mhonoredtomeet
you,”Lagardesaid,shaking
firstRemi’shandandthen
Sam’s.
“Thanksfortakingthe
timeouttoplaytourguide,”
Samsaid.
“Please,you’reonmy
island.It’stheleastIcando
forguests.”
“That’sverykindofyou,”
Remisaid.
“Bueno.Sowhatwould
youliketoseefirst?Thereis
muchofinteresthere,
dependinguponyourtastes.”
“We’rereallyhereto
studyMorroCastle,Doctor.”
“Please,callme
Raphael.”
“Andwe’reSamand
Remi.Canyoutellusabout
thecastle?”
“Ofcourse.It’sanational
treasure.EveryoneinHavana
knowsitshistoryandmost
havebeenthereahundred
times.Intheolddays,itwas
free—forthepeople.”
Raphaelsighedandshookhis
head.“Likesomuch,that,
too,haschangedandwemust
nowpaytoseeourown
history.”
“Canwegothereand
haveyoushowusaround?”
“Absolutely.Mycaris
parkedaroundthecorner.
Althoughwemaywantto
takeataxibecauseparking
therewillbeaproblem.”
Reminodded.“Whatever
youthinkisbest.”
Sevenminuteslater,the
cabdroppedthemoffatthe
baseofthehill.Thefort
loomedabovethem,theugly
blacksnoutsofcannons
juttingoverthewalls,pointed
atthechannelthatany
invaderswouldhavetopass
through.Raphaelledthem
throughthegates,whereSam
dutifullypaidtheirentryfee.
LikesomuchofHavana,
thefort’swallswere
crumbling,theirsurfaces
marredbycenturiesofstorms
andblisteringsun.
Dr.Lagarderemovedhis
hatandfannedhimselfwithit
foramoment.“Thefortwas
designedbyanItalian
engineer,JuanBautista
Antonelli,whowasrather
wellknownatthetime.His
designwasapprovedbythe
Spanishandconstruction
startedin1589.Upuntilthen,
thehillonlyhadafew
cannons,andastonehutfor
theguards,whichwas
inadequatetoprotectthe
townasitgrewfromasmall
villagetothemainSpanish
tradinghubfortheNew
World.Therewereconstant
threatsbypirates,andafter
buildingthefirstlighthouse,
thegovernorappealedtothe
Crowntobuildaproper
fortification.Ittookforty
yearstobuildthefort,which
wasarmedwithsixty-four
cannons.”
“ButtheBritishtookitat
somepoint,didn’tthey?”
Samasked.
“Indeedtheydid.In1762.
TheyheldHavanaforayear
anditwasreturnedtoSpain
aspartofanendtotheSeven
Years’War.Immediately
afterthat,constructionbegan
onLaCabaña,whichisthe
largerfortyoucanseejust
pastthepoint.Thattookten
yearstobuild,and,together
withMorroCastle,itmade
Havanaimperviousto
attack.”
“Therearecertainlyalot
ofpeoplewanderingthe
grounds,”Reminoted,gazing
atthecrowd.
“It’soneofthemore
populardestinationsin
Havana.Iconic.Evenmoreso
atnineeverynightwhenthe
symbolicfiringofthecannon
takesplace.Originally,it
signaledthatthegatesofthe
citywerebeingclosed.Now
it’sjustoneofthose
traditionsthatwe’vekept
fromSpanishtimes.”
Remipointedata
doorwaysurroundedbya
throng.“What’sthat?”
“Amuseum.Itfeatures
weaponsandnauticalrelics
fromthecastle’spast.”
“Canwegoinsidethe
dungeons?”
“Ofcourse.Thereare
onlyafewsectionsatthe
lowestlevelsthatareclosed
tothepublic.Oldvaults,I
believe.”
“Really?You’llhaveto
showustheentirecomplex.I
finditfascinating,”Remi
said.
Theyspenttheday
walkingthegroundsandhad
lunchatoneofthetwo
restaurants,whereatrio
playedsalsamusicforthe
patrons’entertainment.Sam
sampledseveralbeers,
includingthelighterCrystal
andtheamberBucanero.
Whentheyreturnedtotheir
hotelatfour,theywereboth
sunburnedandtiredbut
agreedthattheywantedtogo
backtothecastlethatnight
forthenineo’clockcannon
ceremony—aconvenient
pretextforobservinghow
quicklythecrowdsthinned
outsotheycouldplothowto
bestaccessthevaultsbelow.
TheblueprintRubehadsent
showedcrudeairductsfrom
thevaultstotheupperlevels
forventilation—apossible
entrypointiftheycouldn’t
breachthedoors.
Securitywaslax,but
therewerestillsoldiersand
policepatrollingthegrounds
—anditwouldonlytakeone
ofthemtosoundthealarm
andSamandRemiwouldbe
indeeptrouble.Thewingthat
housedthevaultswasclosed
off,aheavyrusting-iron
barriersealingoffthestone
hallwayleadingintothe
castle’sdepths.
Samstudiedthedrawing
foranotherhour,searching
foranythinghemighthave
missed,buttherewasn’t
muchtoofferhope.Theplace
wasastonefortressdesigned
torepelattemptstoenterit.
Evenfromtheinside,
breachingitwasatentative
proposition,assuminginthe
weehourstherewerefewor
nopatrolsforlongstretches
oftimeinthevicinityofthe
vault.Andthey’dbothnoted
surveillancecamerasinthe
innerpassageways,although
notinthevicinityofthe
barrier—butthatmeantthatif
theywerediscovered,their
likenesseswouldbetherefor
alltoseeandtheirchancesof
gettingoutofCubawouldbe
nil.
Ateight-fifteentheytook
ataxitotheMorroCastleand
mingledwiththelargecrowd
waitingforthecannon
ceremony.Thegrassfield
wherethecannonstoodwas
almostcompletelyblack,any
moonlightblockedbyclouds.
Thesoldiersindress
uniformsfromthepresent
andpastwentthroughthe
nightlyritual,tothepopping
offlashesandsnickingof
lenses.Excitementwashed
overthecrowdasthemasterat-armsyelledcommandsto
hissubordinates,whowent
abouttheirassignedtasks
withroboticefficiencyasstill
moresoldiersmarchedin
formationontothegreen.
Theexplosionwas
deafeningandgreetedwitha
cheer,andthenthegroup
seemedtodeflate,the
ceremonyover,leaving
everyonetofindtheirwayto
theexits.Remiedgedtothe
doorsthatledtothebarrierat
thelowerleveland,after
glancingaroundtoconfirm
thatnobodywaspaying
attention,easedoneopenand
slidthroughthegap.Sam
stayedinposition,feigning
interestinhiscellphoneand
ignoringthepolicemanwho
walkedby,whoseattention
wasdrawnmorebytheyoung
womeninshortskirtsthanby
Sam.
Fiveminutesturnedinto
ten,andthenanotherten.
Sam’sresolvehadjustabout
crackedwhenRemi
reappeared.
“Youhadmeworried,”he
said,relieved.
“Nothingtoworryabout.
Ifyoudon’tcountthearmed
patrolIhadtododge.”
Samstudiedherface.
“You’rekidding.”
“DoIlooklikeI’m
makingafunny?”
“Notreally.Howdidyou
avoidthem?”
“Iheardtheirbootsand
duckedintooneofthejail
cellsdownthehallway.I’m
justluckyitwasoutof
camerarange.”
“Sowhatdidyou
discover?”
“Fortunately,theguards
aresloppyandnotpaying
attention.There’salargeiron
gridovertheventilationduct,
whichissobadlyrustedIwas
abletobreakoffpieceswith
myfingers.Fiveminuteswith
acrowbarorboltcuttersand
we’dbethrough,butIdon’t
thinkyou’dfit.Ifwe’regoing
togetthroughusingthe
vents,it’sgoingtohavetobe
asoloactforme.Andthere
arestillthecamerasto
consider.”
Samshookhishead.
“Absolutelynot.”
“Okay,then,Iguesswe
cangohomenow?”
“Idon’tlikeyoutrying
thisalone.Therehastobe
anotherway.”
“Itookacloserlookat
thelockonthebarrierandit’s
aSoviet-erapadlock.Case-
hardened,soIdon’tthinkit
canbecut—andthat’s
assumingwecouldwanderin
withaboltcutter,andfurther
assumingthattheguards
wouldn’tnoticethatthelock
wascutoffandstartshooting
thesecondtheycamethrough
thebarrier.”
“We’vefiguredoutaway
inandoutoftrickier
scenariosthanthis.We’llfind
away.Youthinkyoucould
jimmyit?”
“Itlooksdoable,butI’ve
neverpickedaRussianlock
beforeandtherecouldbea
learningcurvethatwould
throwourtimingoutthe
window.Andlet’snotforget
thatanypatrolwouldseeit
openifwebothwentin.I
tookaphotosowecan
researchitonline.”She
paused.“Istillthinktheair
ventisthebestoption.”
“Outofthequestion.I’m
notgoingtojuststandaround
whileyoutakealltherisks.”
Remi’sfacesoftened.
“That’soneofthethingsI
loveaboutyou.”
“Mycourage?My
gentlemanlynature?”
“Thatyougetusintoa
reallydangeroussituationand
thenpretendthatthere’sno
riskforyou.I’mprettysureif
Igotcaught,youwouldn’tbe
leavingthecountryanytime
soon.”
“Yetanotherreasontonot
getcaught.Iwouldn’tdowell
inaCubanprison.”
Sheputacoolhandonhis
face.“No,youwouldn’t.Not
withthatprettyfaceof
yours.”
“Youalwaysmanageto
saytherightthing,”Samsaid,
andthensomethingattracted
hisattentionattheendofthe
walkway.Amanwitha
baseballcappulledlowover
hisbrowquicklyturnedaway
andlitacigarette,shielding
hisfeaturesfromview,and
movedaroundthecorner,
smokelingeringwherehe’d
been.
“Isawthatguyearlier.I
thinkwemighthavepicked
upatail,”Samwarned,his
voicelow.
“Forwhat?Wedon’teven
knowwhatwe’redoing
here.”
“Itcouldbenothing.Ijust
caughtaglimpseofhim
beforeandI’mtryingto
rememberwhere,”Samsaid,
hissensesonsuddenalert
followingtheman’sabrupt
departure.Thenhisface
changed.“Hewasonthe
edgeofthecrowd.Inoticed
himbecausehewasstaringat
you.Let’sseeifwecancatch
uptohim.Comeon.”Sam
beganwalkingbrisklytoward
thecorner.Remimatchedhis
pace,butwhentheyarrivedat
thejunction,theywere
confrontedbyaseaof
departingbacksasthelastof
thecannon-firingspectators
movedtothegates.
“Doyouseehim?”she
asked.
“No...Wait.There.
Blackbaseballcap.Blue
short-sleevedshirt.Thirty
yardsup,ontheright.Bythat
shopdoorway.”
ThemancaughtSam
staringathimandstubbedout
hiscigarette.Thecrowd
surgedasitnearedtheexit,
andhemeltedintothestream
ofdepartingpedestrians.Sam
brokeintoatrotandRemi
trailedhim,wonderingwhat
herhusbandplannedtodo
whenhecaughtupwiththe
man.
Whichneverhappened.
Whentheyreachedthemain
gates,therewasnosignof
theirquarry.Samscannedthe
figureswalkingdownthehill
butwithoutsuccess.Theman
haddisappearedlikea
mosquitoinadarkenedroom.
Theyspentanothertwo
hourswalkingthefort,
returningtothelower-level
doorseveryfewminutes,
tryingtotimetheentryofthe
guards,andtheyestimated
thatthepatrolwouldenterthe
passagewayeverythirty
minutes.Byeleven-thirty,the
rushofpeoplehadthinnedto
atrickle,andotherthanafew
late-nightrevelersleavingthe
restaurants,SamandRemi
weretheonlyciviliansinthe
fort.Eventhestreetvendors
sellingcurioshadpackedup
theirtradefortheevening.
Backatthehotel,Sam
wasstillconcernedbytheir
brushwiththetail.Remi
suggestedthattheyduck
aroundtheblockandsoothe
Sam’sbrutalizedpsycheat
anotherHemingwayhaunt:El
Floridita,thebirthplaceofthe
frozendaiquiri.
Theysatatthebarand
ordered,Samwithawatchful
eyeonthedoor,anditwasn’t
untilhisdrinkwasalmost
drainedthatheseemedto
relax.
“Sam,I’mnotsayingthat
themandidn’tstareatme.If
yousayhedid,Ibelieveyou.
Ijustcan’tfigureoutwhy
anyonewouldbefollowing
us.Maybehewasa
pickpocket?Lookingfor
someeasytouristtargets?”
“Thatcouldbe.Imean,
whoknowswe’rehere?
Nobody.Andevenifthey
did,whatwouldbethepoint?
It’snotlikewe’velocateda
gold-ladengalleonoffthe
coast.”
“Exactly.Ithinkwe’reso
sensitivetobeingfollowed
thatwenoticethingsthat
wouldbelostonothers.
Whichisn’tabadthing.”
“Maybe.Besides,all
anyonefollowinguswould
learnisthatwe’reinterested
inhistoricalsitesandwhere
togetthebestdrinksin
Havana.Notexactlypriceless
information.”
Remismiled.“No,it
actuallyseemspretty
innocent,putthatway.”She
finishedherdrinkandsighed
contentedly.“Sinceyou’ve
beensogoodtoday,I’ll
escortyoubacktothehotel.
We’vegottofigureouthow
todealwithourlittlefort
problemorthewholetripwill
havebeenfornothing.”
T
hreedayslater,Samand
Remicheckedout,
leavingtheirsuitcaseswith
Raphaelforsafekeeping.
They’dtradedthemforapair
ofblackbackpacks,their
valuablestuckedawayin
watertightbagsininner
compartments,andeach
carriedonlyachangeof
clothesandtraveldocuments.
Ithadtakenforty-eighthours
forKendratoarrangefor
everythingthey’drequested,
andtheplanwasforRaphael
tosendtheirbagsontothem
withthenextpersonheknew
flyingtoMexico.
Theyslippedouttheback
doorofthehotel,anxiousto
losetheshadowthatthey
werenowconvincedthey’d
pickedup.Asfarasthey
couldtell,itwasathreepersonteam—twomenanda
woman—whorotated,
changingtheirappearances
foreachnewshift.Remihad
persuadedSamtofavor
evasionoverconfrontation,to
exchangehisnormalhardchargingapproachforone
withmoresubtlety.
Afterswitchingtaxis
twicetoensuretheyweren’t
beingtailed,theytookathird
tothecastle.Thistime,they
atealatedinnerafterthe
cannonceremonyatoneof
therestaurantsonthecastle
grounds,takingtheirtimeto
lingeroverthemeal,waiting
forthespectatorstoclearthe
area.
Whentheyfinished
dinner,theybrowsedalong
thebattlements,keepinga
sharpeyeoutforthearmed
patrols.Atmidnight,they
madetheirmoveintothe
building,inchingtheouter
dooropenandlisteningfor
anysignsoflifebefore
hurryingdowntothebarrier
onelevelbelow.Theypassed
asinglesecuritycamera,but
therewasnowaytoavoidit
and,becausetheareathey
wereinwasopentothe
public,theyhopeditwouldn’t
triggeranalarm.
Remistoodsentrywhile
Samretrievedfromhis
pocketthetwopiecesofan
aluminumcolacanhe’d
carefullycutandformed
earlier.Heslippedone
roundedstuboverthe
padlockpostandsliditdown
untilthetabwasfully
inserted,gaveatwist,and
wasrewardedwithasmall
click.Herepeatedthe
exerciseontheotherpostand
pulledthelockopen.
“Showtime,”he
whispered.Remimovedto
hissideashesquirtedoilon
therustyhingesandclasp.
“Ready?”sheasked,
liftingtheclasp.
“Always.”
Shepushedtheleverto
theside,whichsqueakedlike
awoundedanimalinspiteof
thelubricant,andthenducked
inside.Samlistenedforany
hintofapatrolbutdidn’thear
anything,andthenfelthis
phonevibrateasRemicalled
frominside.
“Notgood.There’sacam
hereinthehallwaybythe
door,soI’mbusted.Timeto
engagePlanB.Lockitupand
getoutofthere.We’ll
rendezvousasweagreed.”
“Nope.Changeofplans.
I’mcomingwithyou.”
“Sam,they’vegotmeon
camera.Anysecondnow,
therewillbesoldiersontheir
way.Idon’thavetimeto
argue.”
“Thendon’t.Istherea
waytolockthebarrierfrom
theinside?”
Amomentofsilence
greetedhim,andthenRemi’s
hushedvoicefromhisphone:
“Yes.Aclasp.Likeonyour
side.”
“Seeyouinasecond.
Youbettergetmovingonthe
vaultdoor.I’mhopingall
yourlock-pickingpractice
willpayoff.”
Sampulledthedooropen
andedgedthrough.Heclosed
itagainquicklyandslidthe
padlockintotheclasp,
snappingitshut.Withany
luck,itwouldholdtheguards
foralittlewhile—thebarrier
lookedstrongevenifithad
beendesignedonlytokeep
touristsoutratherthanfortify
thecorridor.And,aswithall
securitydoors,itopened
outward,soyou’dhaveto
kickthewholeframein,not
justthedoor.Heguessedthe
Cubanswouldn’tbestupid
enoughtotrytoshoottheir
waythroughitbecauseofthe
dangerofricochetingbullets.
Thehallwaywasgloomy,
asingleincandescentbulbin
acagedfixtureprovidingdim
illumination.Samhurriedto
whereRemiwasonherknees
infrontofthevaultdoor.He
movedpastherandstopped
beneaththeceilingcamera,
fishinginhisbackpackuntil
hefoundacanofblackspray
paint.Afterpeeringatthe
mirroredglobe,hepoppedthe
topoffandhitthecamera
withaburst.
“They’reblindnow.
How’sitcoming?”
“It’snotascomplicated
asIthought.Shouldhaveit
openinasecond,”Remi
answered.Theyheard
runningbootsatthefarend
ofthecorridoronthe
oppositesideofthebarrier,
followedbyacrashingfrom
theheavyironslabasthe
guardstriedtodemolishit.
“Nowmightbeareally
goodtimetoopenthedoor,
Remi.”
“I’malmostthere,”she
whisperedbetweengritted
teeth,andbrushedthefirst
makeshiftpicklightlyagainst
thepostsinsidethelockas
sheappliedpressurewiththe
secondpickshe’dfashioned
fromabobbypin.Samhad
beendubiousofthesimple
toolsshe’dcreateduntilshe’d
demonstratedherabilities
withthembyopeningtheir
lockedhoteldoorinfifteen
seconds,atwhichpointhe’d
decidedthatitwastimefora
littlemorefaithinhiswife’s
talents.
“We’rein,”Remi
whisperedasthedeadbolt
clickedopenwithatwist,and
shestood.“Ready?”
Moreslammingechoed
fromthemetaldoor,
accompaniedbyshoutsand
theblowofriflestocks
againstit.
“Yougo.I’llwaitout
hereanddealwiththelight.I
don’twantthemgettingany
ideasaboutshootingdown
thecorridoriftheycanpunch
aholeintheiron.”
Asshepushedthedoor
open,aKlaxonsirenblared.
They’ddiscussedthe
possibilityofanalarm,either
silentoraudible,butitwas
stilljarring.Samstuffedfoam
earplugsinplaceashe
hurriedtothelamp.Whenhe
wasdirectlybeneathit,he
tookthepaintagainand
sprayedthebulbandsoonthe
hallwaywaspitch-black,the
onlylightcomingfroma
distantventilationslitinthe
ten-foot-thickwalls.
Agunshotexplodedfrom
thebarrier,followedbya
screamandyelled
instructions.Apparently,the
softleadbullethadn’t
penetrated;judgingbythe
commotionontheotherside,
ithadhitoneoftheguards,
whichwouldhopefully
dampentheirenthusiasmfor
moregunfire.
Thecrashingresumed
withintenseconds,thistime
steelonsteel.Sam’sguess
thatthefireaxeshe’dseenin
casesaroundthefortwould
comeintoplayhadbeena
goodone.Hehadnoillusions
thatthedoorwouldbeableto
standuptoasustained
assault.Hecreptalongthe
passagebacktothevault.
“Areyoudone?”Sam
shoutedthroughthevault
doorway,momentarily
blindedbytheflashof
Remi’sdigitalcamera.
“Almost!Threemore
shotsandwe’reoutofhere,”
sheyelledbackathim,the
sirendrowningouthervoice
asshecontinuedtotake
pictures.
Abeamoflightappeared
fromthebarrier.They’d
piercedit.Itwouldbeonlya
matterofsecondsuntilthe
shootingstarted.
“They’rethrough.Let’s
go.Now!”Samcalled.Remi
didn’thesitate.Theysprinted
forthefarendofthe
passageway,wherethey
knewfromtheblueprintthere
wouldbeacurveandthena
junction.Heprayedthatthe
diagramwasaccurateand
thatabrightmindhadn’t
decidedtosealtheirescape
routeatsomepointoverthe
lastfortyyears—thatcould
ruintheirnight.
Samreachedthejunction
justasgunfireeruptedbehind
them.Slugswhistledthrough
theair,whiningasthey
glancedoffthestonewalls
andricochetedinevery
direction.BothheandRemi
droppedandcrawledthe
remainingfivefeet,settinga
newrecordformilitary-style
scrambling.Thegunfire
continueduntiltheshooter
exhaustedhisclip.
Sampointedatadark
chamberfifteenfeetawayand
inchedtowardit,stickingto
thefloorintheeventofa
straybulletbouncingoffthe
rockwalls.Afterwhat
seemedlikeforever,they
reachedthedoorway.Theair
wasabouquetofrotand
decay,butalsothemost
welcomeodorintheworld—
saltair.Fromthefarsideof
theroomthecrashofwaves
breakingagainsttherocks
belowthecastle’sfoundation
greetedthemandtheyboth
leapttotheirfeetandfelt
theirwaytowardthesound.
There,atfloorlevel,were
threechutesthatopenedout
ontothesea,barelylarge
enoughtoaccommodatea
humanbody.Theironbars
imbeddedinthestonehad
beenmostlyeatenawayby
theelements.Sampulleda
penlightfromhispocketand
thenreachedintohisbagand
extractedatireironandrope.
Heswungthebeamaround
theroominsearchof
anythingtotiethelineto.
There—astonesinksatatthe
farendofthesmallspace,
attachedtothewall.He
quicklywoundtheendofthe
ropearounditseveraltimes
beforefashioningaclimber’s
knotandgivingitafirmpull.
“Letmebreakthebars,
and,whenI’mthrough,
followmedown,”Sam
instructed.Helowered
himselftothecoldstone
floor,thesurfaceslickfrom
condensationandmold,and
sliddownthechute,arms
first,playingoutropewith
hislefthand,thecrowbar
grippedinhisright.
Theirongrillewaslittle
morethanrust.Ittookless
thanhalfaminutetocreatea
gaphecouldsqueeze
through.Chunksofiron
droppeddownthesheerwall
outsideandstrucktherocks
below.Samflippedaround
andfollowedthemdown
forty-fivefeettoaslim
outcropping,wherewaves
struckitandexplodedin
burstsofspraybefore
retreatingbackintotheblack
ofnight.Theropeabovehim
vibratedasRemidescended
quickly;theclumpofher
rubber-soledbootslandingon
therocksfilledhimwith
relief.
“Becareful!These
bouldersareslippery,andthe
barnacleswillcutlikerazors
ifyouslip,”hecalled,pulling
outtheearplugsand
pocketingthemasheeyedthe
darkcastlewallabove.“We
needtohurry.They’llbe
throughsoonenough,andif
we’renotgonebythetime
theyfigureouthowwe
escaped,we’llbetryingto
outrunbulletsandradios.”
Cautiouslytheybegan
inchingalongtheshoreline,
goingasfastastheydared.
RemislippedonceandSam
caughtherarmandsteadied
her.Fiveminuteslater,the
castlewasbehindthemand
theywerejoggingeastona
rockybeach.
“Howmuchfarther?”
Remiasked,easilykeeping
upwithSam.
“Shouldbenomorethan
ahundredyards,”Samsaid.
“Luckyforustheynever
sealedupthetoilet
chutes...”
“Please.I’malready
goingtohavetotaketen
showersjusttogetthefeelof
themoldoffme.Idon’tneed
anyremindersaboutwhatthe
lastthingsdownthechute
were.”
“Theyhaven’tbeenused
foryears—probablyatleast
twenty.Thankgoodnessfor
indoorplumbing,right?”
“Ifyousayso.”
Theycontinuedloping
downthebeach,anxiousto
putdistancebetween
themselvesandthecastle.
“Howdiditgo?”heasked
asheslowed,eyesroving
overthecoastline,seeking
theirobjective.
“Igotshotsofeverything,
includingthemanuscript.It
practicallydisintegratedin
myhandswhenIunrolledit.
Ashamenobodycared
enoughtostoreitunderbetter
conditions.”
“We’refortunatethere
wasanythingleft.Couldyou
makeoutthewritingand
illustrations?”
“Idid.ButI’dsayright
nowthat’snotourbiggest
problem,”shesaidas
flashlightbeamsglimmered
fromthecastlebase.“Our
pursuersjustfigureditout.I
surehopeSelmawasgoodto
herwordorourtroubleshave
justbegun.”
“Look.Thereitis,”Sam
said,pointingataline
tetheredtoarockonthe
shore.Herantoitandpulled
ashardashecould,andan
ancientblackinflatableboat
camebouncingthroughthe
mildsurf.
“You’vegottobe
kidding,”Remisaid.
“Hey,it’sCuba.Whatdo
youwant?Thisisprobably
prettymodernforhere,”he
saidasthedinghywashedup
ontothebeach.Hesnapped
openhisSwissArmyknife,
severedthelinefromthe
rock,andcoileditupand
tosseditintothetiredlittle
craft.
“GetinandI’llpushitout
untilwe’reclearofthe
breakers,”Samsaid.
Remicheckedher
backpackagaintomakesure
thatitwassealedtight,the
camerasafeinthewaterproof
bag,beforehelpingpushthe
boatafewfeetintothewater
andclimbingin.
Samwaiteduntilanother
wavesurgedinandheaved
thetenderawayfromthe
sand,turninghisbacktothe
incomingsurfasitbrokeover
him.Lightsfromshoreswept
thebeachassoldiersfollowed
theirpathalongtherocks.
Thebottomfellawayfrom
Sam’sfeetandheclimbed
aboardand,afteraconcerned
lookatthepre-1960s
outboard,jerkedthecordto
starttheengine.
Nothing.
Hetriedagainandwas
rewardedwithafeeblecough
andpuffofexhaust.
“Remi.Grabtheoarsand
rowusfartherout.Thismight
takeawhile.”
Asshecomplied,he
didn’tneedtoturntofaceher
toreadherexpression.
Instead,hefocusedonthe
outboard,whichfinally
sputteredtonoisylifeonthe
eighthtry.
“There.Toldyouit
wouldn’tbeaproblem.”
Themoonlightglintedoff
thegoldscarabhangingfrom
Remi’sneckasshepeered
intothegloom,whereshe
couldbarelymakeoutthe
soundofmenyellingtoone
another.“I’dputitintogear
becausewe’restillin
range...andwillbeuntilwe
can’tseetheshore.”
Asiftounderscoreher
point,slugssplashedintothe
waterbehindthem,followed
bythesharpreportof
automaticriflefire.
“Let’shopenobody’sgot
anightvisionscope.Keep
yourheaddown,”hesaid,
andthengoosedthethrottle.
Hewasrewardedbyagroan
asthemotoralmostdied;then
itrevvedandtheboatsurged
forwardoverthesmallwaves.
Moregunfireslappedintothe
seaaroundthem,frustrated
volleysratherthanwell
aimed,andsoonthenoiseof
thegunfirerecededasthe
littlecraftbounceditsway
north.
“Howfar?”Remiasked.
Sampulledasmall
waterproofGPSfromhis
backpack,powerediton,and
squintedatthescreen.
“Mileandahalfdue
north.Nowwe’llberacing
theCubans’abilitytogeta
helicopterintotheair.If
they’reasmañanaaboutthat
asaboutotherthings,we
shouldmakeit.It’salmost
onea.m.onaweekday,and
weshouldn’tshowupon
radar.Ilikeourodds.”
“Whataboutthe
rendezvousboat?”
“Oncewe’reaboard,
we’llbeininternational
waterssoonenough.It’lldo
anhonestfiftyknotsonfairly
flatseaslikethese,andina
pinch,cantopoutatovera
hundred.Besides,Idon’t
thinktheCubansaregoingto
causeaninternational
incidentoverthrillseekers
breakingintosomeold
storageroom.Wedidn’teven
takeanything,whichaquick
inventorywillshow.Let’s
hopetheyloseinterestwhen
theyfigurethatout.”
“Lotsofhopinggoingon.
Idon’tneedtoremindyou
that’snotagreatstrategy,”
Remichided.
“Thefastestcraftthe
Cubanshavetopsoutat
thirty-sixknots,assuming
everything’soperating
perfectly,sowe’vegotan
advantageifthere’sachase.
They’dneverevengetclose.”
“Buttheirrocketsmight.
Itwouldbeniceifweknew
wherethenearestCubanship
was.”
“Ourboatshouldhave
radar.”
“‘Should’?Backtohope,
arewe?”
“Sofar,sogood.”
T
heinflatablebounced
alongatagoodclip,the
swellstwo-footers,thebreeze
barelystirringtheircrests.
Samkeptaneyepeeledon
HavanaHarborforanyfastmovinglights,butnone
appeared,andinafewmore
minutesthedarkhullofan
oceangoingspeedboat
appearedonthehorizon.
“That’sit,”Sam
announcedashepointedthe
bowinthedirectionofthe
waitingvessel.Soonthey
wereonboardthefifty-foot
CigaretteMarauder,itsthree
Mercury1075engines
rumblingastheysettledin.
Thecaptain,atallsilverhairedmanwithtwinkling
blueeyes,pattedthe
dashboardasthethreeof
themwatchedthedinghysink
outofsight,itslifenowover.
Hezippedhislight
windbreakeroverablue
Hawaiianshirtandranalarge
handthroughhishairashe
peeredattheCubanmainland
inthedistance.
“Howlongwillittakeus
togettoCaySal?”Sam
asked.
Thecaptainglancedathis
watch’sorangefaceand
smiled.“Ifnaturefavorsus,
coupleofhoursmax.My
tanksaretoppedoff,andI’ve
gotanotherboatwaitingthere
torefuelmeforthetriphome.
Ofcourse,ifwehaveto
evadeoneoftheNavyboats,
wecouldbethereinalittle
overanhouratfullthrottle.
Eitherway,we’llbeoutof
Cubanterritorialwaterwithin
tenminutes,maybeless.Run
thisbabyuptoeightyknots
andit’llmakeshortworkof
that.”
“Eightyknots?That’s
flying.”
“Youaren’tkidding.
Mightwanttostrapin
becauseatthatspeedwe
mightliftoff.”
“Goodidea,”Remisaid.
“Let’sgetgoing.Nopointin
waitingforthebadguysto
gettheiracttogether.”
“Aye,aye,littlelady.
Hangontight.”
Thecaptainengagedthe
transmissionsandpushedthe
throttlesforward.Thebig
enginesroared,theboatleapt
intomotion,andthirty
secondslatertheywere
tearingoverthewavesat
almosteightyknots.They
rocketedacrossthesea,the
lowwindshieldbarely
breakingtherushofairas
theyhurtlednorthwest.
Thecaptainplaceda
fingerontheradarscreenand
tappedablipontheouter
reaches.“That’sprobablya
Navyship!”heshoutedover
thescreamoftheengines.
“Lookstobetwenty-two
mileswest.Let’sseeifhe
picksuphispaceornot.He
maynotevenhaveuson
radar.It’sprettyhardtotrack
thisbaby,especiallyatnight
onmoderateseas.”
Theywatchedthepulsing
glowofthedothe’dpointed
outastheypullednorthofit
likeitwasstandingstill.The
captainsquintedandshook
hishead.
“It’smovingfairlyfast.
Lookslikearoundthirty-five
knots,whichisreallyhauling
forashipthatsize.Ofcourse,
we’redoingmorethandouble
that,sobythetimehereaches
thelimitsofhisterritorial
waterswe’llbehalfwayto
CaySal.”
Theswellsizepickedup
whentheywerefifteenmiles
fromCuba,theisland’slights
aglimmeronthehorizon.
Thecaptainthrottledbackto
fifty-fiveknots,which,while
racing,feltalmoststationary
aftertheopen-waterrunat
closetodoublethat.The
benchseatslammedtheir
lowerspines,comingoffeach
wave,andbythetimethe
captaineasedbacktofortyfiveknotsSamandRemifelt
likesomeonehadbeen
beatingtheirkidneyswitha
board.Theirhostappeared
unfazed;ifanything,he
seemedtobeenjoyingthe
nocturnalrun,thewind
whippingaroundhimashe
leanedforwardintoeach
wave.
They’dnowbeenaboard
fortwohoursandwere
approachingtheleewardside
ofCaySal.Thecaptainmade
ahushedcallonhisradio
beforepilotingnearerthe
shoals.Aflashlightwinkedin
thedarkness,andhedeftly
pulledthebigboatalongside
awaitingCessnaT206H
Stationairandeasedtoahalt
inthecalmwaternexttoit.
“Ahoy,Cap’n!Watch
yourstep,youtwo.Comeon,
takemyhand,”thepilot
calledoutoverthedroneof
theplane’sidlingengineas
hetossedalinetoSamsohe
couldpulltheboatcloser.
Remiwentfirst,leaping
acrossthechasmwithease.
Samturnedtotheboat
captain.
“Muchobliged,sir,”Sam
said.
“Safetravelstoyouand
yourlovelylady.Mayyou
makeitwhereveryou’re
headedwithsmoothairand
aneasylanding.”
Samnoddedandturned
hisattentiontotheplane.
“HereIcome,”hewarned.
Remiwatchedthrough
oneofthewindowsashe
jumpedontothepontoon.
Samcaughtholdofthedoor
andclimbedintotheaircraft.
Theboat’senginesrevved
anditpulledaway,readyfor
itsrendezvousbeforemaking
itswaybacktowhateverport
theboatcalledhome.Sam
peeredatthetransomasit
fadedfromview.
“MistressoftheC.Odd
nameforaboat,don’tyou
think?”Remicommented.
“Afterthatride,I’dsayhe
cancallitwhateverhewants
aslongasit’savailableagain
ifwe’reeverinasimilar
scrape.”
Thepilot,aspryman
whosedarkbrowngoateewas
sprinkledwithsilver,hoisted
himselfinandpulledthedoor
closed.“Welcomeaboard,”
hesaid,offeringagrin.
“Buckleupfortakeoff.”
Theywerepushedbackin
theirseatsastheplane
accelerated,bouncingacross
thesmallwavesuntilitlifted
intotheskyforthefour-hour
triptoCancún,wheretheir
G650awaited.
O
ncebackinMexico
City,SamandRemiset
outtostudytheimagesthey’d
takenatsuchriskandfound
themselvesviewingacollage
ofartifactsandfour
photographsofthe
manuscript.They’dalready
discardedthelettersfromthe
sailors,whichwereof
historicalsignificancebutnot
muchelse,andfocused
insteadonthejumbleof
apparentlyrandomlettersin
themysterydocument.
Thefirstthingtheydid
wastosenditalltoSelma
andtheteamforanalysis,
althoughitwaswithmixed
feelings.Selmamighthave
fullfaithinherniece’s
abilities,butRemiwasn’tso
sure.Ithadbeenaheated
topicofdiscussionandone
thathadledthemto
disturbingconclusions.
“Sheandtheteamwere
theonlypeoplewhoknewwe
wereinCuba,Sam.That’s
fact.AndweknowSelma,
Pete,andWendyare
trustworthy.”
“No,sodidLagarde.We
havenoideawhoelsehe
mighthavetold.”
“It’spossible,Isuppose,
butIhavemisgivingsabout
Kendra.Ihavesincethevery
beginning...”
“Whichmightbecoloring
yourperception,”Sam
observed.“Wecan’tjust
assumeshe’sfeeding
someoneinformationabout
us.”
“I’mnotassuming
anything.I’mjustsaying
there’snootherwaywhoever
wastrackinguscouldhave
knownwherewewere
stayingoraboutourinterest
inMorroCastle.”
“ExceptLagarde.And
everyonehetalkedto.Come
on,Remi,whichismore
likely?ThatKendra’s
workingforthedarksideor
thatsomeoneinCubahasa
bigmouth?”
Theyhadtoagreeto
disagree,butitwaswith
hesitationthatRemisentoff
theshotsofthemanuscript,
alongwiththeimagesofthe
icons,withinstructionsto
subjectthemanuscripttoa
comparisonofallknown
sixteenth-centurycodes.
Thephotosoftheartifacts
wereoflittlehelp.They
appearedtobepictographs
shippedtoCuba,presumably
foreithersafekeepingor
forwardingtoSpain—which
inthiscaseobviouslyhad
neverhappened.Theimages
depictedaprocessionof
warriorsandpriests,various
examplesofthedeity
Quetzalcoatl—afairly
commoniconinbothToltec
andAztecsymbolism—and
finallyseveraltableausofa
pyramidbelchingsmokeinto
thesky.
Thereseemedtobeno
rhymeorreasontowhythe
artifactshadbeentakenfrom
themainlandnorany
indicationofwhatwas
sensitiveorvaluableenough
aboutthemtowarrantthe
effort.Thereweresimilar
pictographscoveringvirtually
everyMesoamericancityin
Mexico,Belize,and
Guatemala.
Thefirstdayback,there
werenoanswers,andthey
decidedtopackitinearly,
stillexhaustedaftertheir
escapefromHavana.
“Isupposeit’sapretty
safebetthatwe’llneverget
invitedtolookforsunken
galleonsaroundHavana
Harbor,”Samsaidasthey
walkedtotheirwaitingtaxi
outsidetheInstitute.
“Itwasn’tlikewewereon
anyone’sshortlistforthat.”
“Howaboutweorder
roomserviceandgetagood
night’ssleep?Doesthat
soundreasonedandlogical?”
Samasked.
“Youmakeacompelling
argument.ButfirstIhavea
datewithalong,hotbath.”
“Whateverthelady
wants,theladygets.That’s
mynewmotto.”
Remigavehima
skepticallookasheheldthe
taxidooropenforher.“What
didyoumakeofthe
pictures?”
“Nicecomposition,
decentlighting...”
Shenudgedhimashegot
innexttoher.“Youknow
whatImean.”
“Ah,ifyou’rereferringto
myhopesthattheywould
leadustoourelusivefriend’s
finalrestingplace,I’mafraid
theyaren’treallythe
equivalentofanXonamap,
arethey?”
“That’swhatIthought.
Theydon’treallymakealot
ofsensetome.Seemslike
justmoreofthesame,”Remi
griped.
“Maybeweshouldget
MaribelaandAntonio
involvedtomorrow.They’re
reallytheexperts.Atleast
theycannarrowdown
whetherthey’reToltecor
Aztec.Thatwouldtellusif
they’reevenrelevant.”
“I’mreluctant,butit
doesn’tseemlikewe’re
seeingwhateverthepattern
is.”
“No.Butthatcouldalso
bebecausewejustcameoff
twenty-fourhoursofbreaking
andentering,beingchased
andshotat,traversingthe
oceaninaspeedboat,flying
acrosstheGulfinaprop
plane,andjettingtoMexico
City.”
“Don’tforgetsliding
downanoldtoiletchute,”she
reminded.“Iwon’tanytime
soon...”
“Ifyouthinkofitasa
waterride,it’smore
palatable.”
Remicrinkledhernose.
“Yuck!Justyuck.”
Theyrodebackin
comfortablesilenceand
enjoyeddinnerintheroom.
Samsurprisedherwithher
favorite,pomegranate
margaritas,andrewarded
himselfwithDonJulio
Blancoontherockswithsalt
andlime.Whentheywere
done,SamcalledSelmato
seewhatluckshe’dhadwith
themanuscript.Kendra
answeredthecallandthe
newswasn’tpositive.
“Nohitssofar.Wetried
anautomatedrunandthat
didn’tyieldanything,sonow
we’redoingitmanually.But
itdoesn’tlookgood.
AccordingtoPete,the
automatedsequencewould
havepickeditupifitwasa
knowncipher.Sowecould
belookingatsomethingthat
hasn’tbeenseeninthat
period,whichisawhole
differentkettleoffish.”
“Italsocouldbetiedtoa
differentdocument,inwhich
casewe’llneverfigureit
out,”hesaid.
“Selma’sgoingtorunit
throughhersourcesandseeif
anythingcomesup.Butmost
oftheciphersarewell
understoodnow,andthose
thataren’t...well,they’re
keepingtheirsecrets.”
“Stayonit,Kendra.I’ll
touchbaseagaintomorrow.
Hasanythingelsecomein?”
“Aprogressreportfrom
Canada.ADr.Jennings
indicatedthatthepreparations
arecomingalongnicely.He
saidyouwouldunderstand
whathemeantandthathe’s
returningtoMontrealasthe
catalogingcontinuessohe
canstartraisingfundsforthe
restoration.Heaskedmeto
thankyouforputtingWarren
LaschfromtheCSSHunley
effortintouchwithhim—
apparently,he’sbeena
godsend.”
“Oh,good.Ithoughthe
mightbeabletohelp.”
“He’sflyingtoCanada
forafewweekstoassistwith
theinfrastructurepreparations
andthetransportoftheship.”
Kendrahesitated.“Oh,andI
senttheprogressreportto
youre-mailaccount,too.”
“Good.Thanksforallthe
hardwork.Weappreciateit.”
Sampaused.“How’sSelma?”
“Fightingthegoodfight
—youknowher,she’sa
trouper.She’sgetting
strongerandmoremobile
everyday,butstillneeds
painkillersatnightsometimes
ifsheoverdoesit.”
“Isshethere?”
Kendrahesitated.“She’s
restingrightnow.Doyou
wantmetogowakeher?”
“No.Ofcoursenot.Let
hersleep.Ijustwantedtosay
hello.Itcanwait.”
“Okay.Isthereanything
else?”
“No,Kendra.I’llcall
againatninetomorrow
morningyourtime.”
“I’llbehere.”
Remiwatchedashe
endedthecallandsawhis
frown.
“Nothing?”sheasked.
“Notyet.”
“Evertheoptimist.”
“Allpartofmychildish
naïveté.”
“How’sSelma?”
“AccordingtoKendra,
holdingherown.”Sam
relayedthegistofthe
conversation.
Remisatinsilencefora
longmomentandthenkissed
Sam’scheek.“You’reagood
man,SamFargo.”
“Fooledyouagain.My
evilschemeisworking,”he
said,andkissedherback.
“Morelikefatigueandthe
margaritas.”
“Gottalovethose
margaritas...”
T
hethrobbingofthe
massivedieselengines
vibratedtheyacht’ssalon
floor.JanusBenedictpaced
itslength,asnifterofcognac
clenchedinhishandashe
listenedinquietfuryonhis
cellphone.Offinthe
distance,thewhite-and-blue
buildingsofMykonosdotted
theisland’shillsasthebig
shipapproachedforaweekof
revelryandmeetingswith
MiddleEasternclientswho
werewillingtopaytopdollar
fordifficult-to-acquirearms.
“Twoamateursgaveyour
professionalCuban
intelligenceserviceteamthe
slip?Howisthatpossible?
Explainittome,”heseethed.
“Theyweretrackingthem
roundtheclock,butthe
Fargosmusthavesomehow
stumbledacrossthe
surveillancebecausethey
literallyvanishedintothinair
whentheyshouldhavebeen
atthehotel,”Percysaid.
“Whichisanexcuse.You
knowhowIfeelabout
excusesinsteadof
performance.”
“Indeed.I’vealready
mademydispleasureknown
inthestrongestpossible
termstothelocals.They
won’tbegettingpaid.”
“I’dprefertheywerefed
tothesharks.”
“Quite.ButI’mafraid
theyratherfrownonthatsort
ofthing,eveninCuba.”
“Payingthroughthenose
forpoorresultsisbecoming
somewhattedious,Percy.”
“Noquestion.”Percytook
aquietbreath.“Ididgeta
ratherinterestingreportfrom
adifferentCubansource,
though.Thatsamenight,
someonebrokeintoMorro
Castle.Thefootagefromthe
securitycamerascaptured
yourfriendsintheact.The
Cubansarelividatbeing
madefoolsof—thecastleisa
fortifiedarea,withamilitary
andpolicepresence,andyet
youramateursmadeitinand
outwithoutanyeffort,from
whatIcangather.”
“Unbelievable.Whatdid
theytake?”
“Well,that’stheoddpart.
Accordingtothelocals,
everything’saccountedfor.
Asitis,thevaultinquestion
heldonlysomenavalodds
andendsandafew
documents.Oh,andsome
carvedstones.Bloody
rubbish,allofit,fromwhatI
cansee,”Percysaid.
“Notiftheyrisked
breakingintoaguarded
stronghold.Ifthere’sone
thingI’velearned,it’sthat
thosetwodon’tdoanything
byaccident.Iwanta
completeinventoryofthat
vault.Nowwouldbegood—”
“Ianticipatedyour
request.Ifyou’llpopinto
youre-mailaccount,you’ll
findalist,withphotos.
Althoughsomeofthe
documentshavedegraded
prettyseverelyafterbeing
storedinadungeon.”
“Iseveryoneacomplete
idiotonthatsideofthepond?
Whyonearthwouldthey
housesomethingvaluablein
aroomwhereitwouldrot?”
“Apparently,they’vegot
theirhandsfullcarryingon
withthenobleCommunist
Revolution.”
Janusgrunted.“Very
well.I’lllookitoverandget
backtoyou.”
Hepunchedthecalloff
andcontinuedpacing,his
stomachchurningashe
weighedhisoptions.He’d
heardfromhisMexican
contactearlier:theFargos
werebackinMexicoCityand
hadspentthedayatthe
Institute,whereatleasthe
couldkeepabettereyeon
them.Theyhadn’tspottedthe
surveillance,likelybecause
theMexicanswereusinga
largerteam.Hemadea
mentalnotetocautionhis
Mexicanconduittoavoid
doinganythingtomakethem
suspicious.
Janusenteredhislavish
officeandcheckedhise-mail
in-boxandreadtheinventory
listwithinterest.Something
hadbeenworthrisking
everythingfor.
Nomatter.Unbeknownst
toevenPercy,hehadasecret
weapon.Onehehad
cultivatedwithcareand
whichlookedreadytofinally
payoff.Hewasconfident
he’dknowasmuchabout
whattheFargoswere
workingonastheydid,just
ashe’dbeenabletotrack
themaroundtheglobe.
Janusshutdownhis
computerandrejoinedhis
brotherandtheentertainment
uponthepooldeck.Forthis
trip,he’darrangedforfive
stunningSpanishmodels,
threeofwhomwereblondes.
Heknewhisclients’tastes
wellandblondesalways
easedthewayfordifficult
decisionstobemadeabout
expensiveordnance.He
ascendedthestairstothe
upperdeck,hishandcrafted
Italianmoccasinssoundless
onthehardwoodsteps.Janus
approachedthetable,arms
open,abeamingsmileonhis
face,asheeyedtheyoung
beauties,histodowithashe
pleasedbeforehisclients
arrivedinafewhours.
“Ladies,please.It’srude
tokeepallthefunto
yourselves.Slideover.The
captainwantstospendsome
timewithhisnewfriends.”
Thegirlstittered
nervouslyathissudden
appearancebutrelaxedwhen
theysawhisface.Theywere
experiencedandtheyknew
thatexpressionwell.An
unthinkinghungerthatwas
theirstock-in-trade.
AsoldastheGreekhills
theyweresteamingtoward.
MaribelaandAntoniogazed
attheFargos’Cuban
photographsindisbelief,
havingstoppedattheInstitute
thatmorningbeforemaking
theirwaytothecrypts,where
excavationwasunderway.
“Absolutelyremarkable.
Howonearthdidyouget
these?”Antonioasked.
“Apparently,friendly
persuasionworkswonders.
Youjustneedtoknowthe
secretpasswordandthe
Cubanscouldn’twaittogive
usphotos,”Samsaid.They’d
agreedtoshowMaribelaand
Antoniothesnapshotsofthe
artifactsbutnotthe
manuscript.
Remisatnearby,herface
impassive.
“Well,youhaveacareer
asapoliticianaheadofyouif
youwant,”Maribelasaid,the
admirationinhersmilealittle
toowarmforRemi’sliking.
“I’mnotnearly
unscrupulousenough,I’m
afraid.”
Maribela’smusicallaugh
waslikenailsonachalkboard
forRemiandsheallbut
groanedasshegottoherfeet
andmovednexttoSam.
“Whatdoyoumakeofthe
pictographs?”sheasked.
Antonioedgednearerand
studiedtheimages.“I’dsay
definitelyToltec,butthe
imagesareunlikeanyI’ve
seen.We’llneedtostudy
themfurther,ofcourse,but
I’msure.”
“Isthereanythingabout
thesubjectmatterthatstrikes
achord?”Remiasked.
“Notreally,”hesaid.“A
procession.Quetzalcoatl.
Priestsordignitaries.The
usualjaguarsandeagles.The
mostunusualisthedepiction
ofthepyramidortemple.”
“Butitdoesn’tmean
anythingtoyou?”Samasked.
“Partoftheproblemis
thatmuchofwhatwebelieve
isreallyinterpretations,
whicharesubjecttochange
basedonnewinformation.
We’vealreadymadesome
discoveriesinthecryptsthat
haveusreconsideringour
earlierassumptionsaboutthe
Toltecs.”
“We’dlovetoseewhat
you’vebeenuptoinour
absence,”Remisaid.
Antonionodded.“Of
course.We’llbeheadingup
thereafterthismeeting.
You’rewelcometocome
along.”
“It’sstillquitegrim,”
Maribelasaid,“butnowthat
waterservicehasbeen
restoredtosomeofthe
affectedarea,thetension
levelhasrecededsinceyou
werelastthere.”
“Thenit’sadate,”Sam
agreed,andquicklybusied
himselfwithhisnotesuntilhe
caughtRemiglaringdaggers
athim.
Whenthesiblingshad
departedtotheiroffice,Remi
movedawayfromSam,her
shoesclickingonthe
linoleumfloor.
“Whatisitwithyouevery
timeMaribela’sinthe
room?”sheasked.
“Whatareyoutalking
about?”
“Youknowexactlywhat
I’mtalkingabout,Fargo.”
Heshrugged.“No,really,
Idon’t.”
“Sheopenshermouthand
it’slikeyou’reateenageboy
attheprom.”
Sam’seyeswidened.
“Why,Remi,isthatthe
green-eyedmonster
surfacing?You?Really?”
“Don’ttrytodeflect.Isee
howyou’rebehaving.”
“YoumeanhowIkeep
pawingather?”
“It’snotfunny.”
Hisexpressionsoftened.
“Youshouldknowbynow
it’syouandnobodyelse.”
Sheeyedhim
distrustfully.“Areyoujust
sayingthattomakemefeel
better?”
“IfIwas,whateverIsaid
wouldalsobetomakeyou
feelbetter.SoifIsaidno,it
wouldn’tbethetruth.”
“See?That’swhat
infuriatesmeaboutyou.You
cannevergivemeastraight
answer.”
“Ijustdid.Now,canwe
returntothetreasureofa
lifetime?NotthatImind
livinginaMexicansoap
operaoranything...”Sam
pretendedtotwirla
nonexistentmustache,and,in
spiteofherself,Remi
laughed.
Theridetothesitetook
fortyminutesthroughthe
city’sbustlingstreets.When
theirSUVpulleduptothe
cryptentrance,adifferent
contingentofsoldierswas
guardingtheopening.The
familiarformalityofhanding
overidentificationwas
repeatedandsoontheywere
underground,whereadozen
earneststudentswere
whiskingatpotterywith
brushesandphotographing
thefinds.
Antonioledthemthrough
thepassagewaytothelargest
chamber.“Youknow,oneof
thecarvingsyoushowedme
remindsmeofseveralhere.I
didn’twanttosayanything
untilIsawthemagain,butI’d
beinterestedinyour
opinion.”
Astheyarrived,hesaid
somethinginSpanishtothree
studentswhoweretagging
artifacts.Theypromptlyleft,
makingroomforthefourof
them.
“Whichcarving?”Remi
asked.
“Ithink...Yes,hereitis.
Righthere.It’squitesmall,so
you’llhavetogetclosetosee
thedetail,”hesaid,tapping
anareaofthepictographwith
hisfinger.
SamandRemidrewnear
andstudiedtheareahe’d
indicated.Agroupof
warriorsandpriestswere
payinghomagetoapyramid.
Aboveit,acloudhovered.
Maribelasquintedatthe
carving.“Icouldgoeither
wayonthat.It’s
inconclusive.”
“Lookslikesomesortof
devotionalorprayer-related
motif,”Samsaid.“Youcan
seewherethegatheringis
supplicating,bowingtothe
pyramid.Isthattypeofthing
typicalofToltecart?”
Antonioshruggedand
frowned.“Nomorethanin
MayanorAztec.Although
wehavefarmoreofbothof
thosetoevaluatethanwedo
oftheToltec.”
Remipeeredatthe
pyramidforanothermoment
andthensteppedback.“Let’s
assumeforthemomentthat
thisrepresentationis
recordingthesame,ora
similarstory,totheCuban
carvings.Whatwouldthattell
us?”
“Unfortunately,nothing.”
Antoniopaused.“Exceptthat
someunknownpartyalmost
fivehundredyearsagofelt
therewassignificancetothe
depiction.That’saboutit.”
Maribelanodded.
“Whetherthereisactually
anymeaningattachedtoitis
anothermatteraltogether.I
don’tsupposeyouwereable
toconvincetheCubansto
giveyouthemanuscriptthat
wasstoredthere?Maybe
somephotographs?”
SamfeltRemistiffenand
steppedin.“We’reworking
onit,butyouknowhowthat
goes.We’reluckywegot
whatwedid.Ifsomething
changes,though,you’llbethe
firsttoknow.”
Maribelaheldhergaze
foramomentandthen
returnedtoscrutinizingthe
processionmemorializedin
thestone.“Wedon’teven
knowwhetherit’slinkedto
anyofthisornot,soperhaps
it’snottheendoftheworld.
Itcouldbesomeone’s
inflatedaccountoftheriches
oftheNewWorldoran
appealtotheCrownformore
money...”
“Butdidn’tyousayithad
illustrationsofAztecor
Toltecfigures?”Samasked.
“Yes,butthatwouldn’tbe
unexpectedifitwasacoded
progressreportortheauthor
thoughthe’dstumbledacross
somethingthatlaterturned
outtobeafalselead,”
Maribelaexplainedasshe
turnedfromthecarving.
SamandRemispentthe
remainderofthemorning
poringoverthepictographs.
Atnoon,Maribeladrove
thembacktoMexicoCity
whileAntoniocontinuedhis
work.Aftershedroppedthem
offattheFourSeasons,Sam
calledSelma’slineasthey
madetheirwaytotheirroom.
Kendraansweredthephone
again.
“Oh,I’mgladyoucalled.
Selmawantstotalktoyou,”
Kendrasaidafterthey’d
exchangedpleasantries.
“She’srighthere.”
“Well,putheron.”
Selmawastednotime
gettingtothepoint.“I’ll
makethisshortandsweet.I
ranthroughthemanuscriptall
nightandcameupempty.
Whateveritis,it’snota
commoncode.Ialsoran
somesmallchunksofitby
severalacademicswho
specializeinthatsortofthing
andtheycouldn’tmakeheads
nortailsofit,either.”
“Wheredoesthatleave
us?”
“Iwasthinkingaboutit
thismorning.Italkedtoyour
oldCalTechprofessor,
GeorgeMilhaupt,toseeifhe
hadanyideas.Iknowhe’s
dabbledincryptologyand
knowseverybody.”Selma
hesitated.“Hebroughtupa
nameandI’mnotsureyou’re
goingtolikeit.Hesaidthat
probablyyourbestchanceis
withLazlo.”
“LazloKemp?”Samsaid,
hisheartsinking.
“Theoneandonly.”
Anuncomfortablesilence
hungontheline,likethe
aftermathofabadjoke’s
failedpunchline.
“Buthe’s...indisposed,
isn’the?Sincehis,er,
mishap?”
“Yes,eversincethe
scandal,he’sbeenoffthe
radar.ButIdidsomedigging
andapparentlyhe’sgivenup
thehallowedhallsof
academiaforfieldwork.Last
anyoneheard,hewasheaded
intotheLaotianjunglein
searchofsomelosttreasure
hebelievedhe’dgottenalead
on.”
“Healwayshadthe
personalityofatreasure
hunter,notaprofessor,”Sam
said.“I’mnotsurprised.”
“Well,perhapsoncehe
becameeffectively
unemployable,hefiguredhe
hadnothinglefttoloseand
decidedtoemulateyour
success.”
“He’dmentioneditafew
times.ButIalwaysthoughtit
wasidlechatter.”
“Obviously,notsoidleif
thereportsaretrue.Anyway,
Georgesaidhewouldbethe
verybestatdecipheringyour
manuscript.”
“Ican’tfaultthat
assessment.Hedoeshavea
gift,”Samagreed.
“Itriedtoreachhim,but
noneofhisnumberswork.I
eventriedhisdaughterand
shehasn’theardfromhimfor
years.Which,bytheway,she
wasn’ttoobroken-upabout,
judgingfromherlast
statementbeforeshehungup
onme.”
“Ouch.”
Selmaclearedherthroat.
“‘Ifyouwanttogettothe
bottomofthemanuscript’s
message,you’regoingto
havetofindLazlo.
SomewhereinLaos.Maybe.
Withhim,youneverknow.’”
Samexhalednoisilyand
studiedtheceilingbefore
makingadecision.“Allright,
Selma.Thankyou.Pleaseput
Kendraandthegangonthis.
I’llneedtoknoweverythingI
canaboutwherehewaslast
seen,whohewasworking
with,whooutfittedhim,
whenhelastcommunicated
withanyone...”
“Ifigured.They’re
alreadyonit.”
“You’reagoddess,
Selma.”
“Hardly.”
Sampaused.“How’s
everythinggoingwithyou?”
Hervoicesounded
serious.“Iwouldn’t
recommendthisifyoucan
avoidit.Hopefully,itwon’t
takemuchlonger.It’sno
joyride.”
WhenSamdisconnected,
Remiwasstaringathimfrom
acrosstheroom.
“DidIhearLazlo’sname
mentioned?”sheasked.
“Myoldprofessorsaid
thathe’saboutourbest
chanceatdecryptingthe
manuscript.”
“You’vegottobe
kidding.”
Samgaveherapained
expression.“IwishIwas.”
“What’shedoing
after...theincident?”
“Well,hewasfired.
Nothinglikeajuicyscandal.
Selmasayshe’soffinthe
Asianjungletryingtofind
sometreasurehehasalead
on.”Samshrugged.“Whyhe
hadtopickthedaughterof
oneofthemostpowerful
newspapermagnatesin
Englandto...sharehis
companywith...isbeyond
me.Talkaboutbaddecision
making.”
Remifrowned.“I’llsay.
Wasn’tsheabouteighteen?
Andwhatwashe?Fifty?”
“Ithinkmorelikelate
forties,butthebooze,well,
isn’tkindafteracertain
point.Shewasoneofhis
freshmenstudents,”Sam
confirmed.“Andshewas
barelyeighteen.Buttheyboth
saiditwasconsensual...”
“I’msorry,Sam,buthe
deservedeverythinghegot.
AndI’msayingthatas
someonewholikedhim.”
Samnodded,notingher
useofpasttense.“Anda
drunk.Noquestion.Buthe’s
alsoawizatancient
documents,whichiswhy
Georgerecommendedhim.”
Remishookherhead.
“Don’ttellmewe’re—”
“Goingtohavetofind
him.”
“Theman’samenace.
He’sawalkingdisasterarea.
Afterstickingmeontheice
andhavingmeslidedowna
toiletchute,you’regoingto
askmetogoinsearchof
someself-centeredlushin...
Wheredidyousayhewas
lastseen?”
“Laos.”
“AsinLaos,asweltering,
dangeroushellholeonthe
othersideoftheworld?That
Laos?”
“Iheartherearepartsthat
arelovely,”Samcountered.
“Absolutelynot.Nota
chance.Youarenotgoingto
sweet-talkmeintogoinginto
theGoldenTriangletofind
him.”
“Remi...”
“Haveyoulostyour
mind?IT’SNOTGOINGTO
HAPPEN.Endofdiscussion,
Fargo.Imeanit.”
T
heG650’stires
screechedwhenthey
toucheddownonthe
scorchingrunwayofWattay
InternationalAirportinthe
LaoPeople’sDemocratic
Republic.Theflightfrom
MexicoCityhadtakenalmost
twenty-fourhours,witha
refuelingstopinHawaii.
Kendrahadarrangedforthe
necessarypermitsforthe
planetoenterLaotian
airspaceandspendasmuch
timeasrequiredonthe
groundthere.Theflightcrew
wouldremaininVientiane,
thenation’scapital,foras
longasneeded.
AcarfromtheSalana
BoutiqueHotelwaswaiting
attheterminalwhenthey
clearedcustoms.Theroom
wasadequate,notlavish,with
marginalbutfunctionalairconditioning.Afterlong
showers,theyatealight
dinnerandwenttobedearly,
thehalf-daytimedifference
betweenMexicoCityand
Vientianehittingthemboth
hard.
Whentheyawokeafter
elevensolidhoursofsleep,
SamcalledKendra,whohad
foundaguidetotakethem
intothehillsofLaostothe
lastplaceLazlohadbeen
seen.FromwhatSelmahad
discovered,he’darrivedin
Vientianeandspentaweek
gettingoutfitted,visitedan
acquaintanceattheuniversity
there,andthengonenorthin
searchofwhateverhad
capturedhisimagination.His
lastcontactwiththeworld
hadbeenacollectcalltohis
estrangedbrother,madefrom
apayphoneinasmalltown
onthebanksoftheNam
SongRiver,whichwastheir
ultimatedestination:Vang
Vieng.
Thebrotherhad
reluctantlyrelayedthe
discussiontoSelma.Lazlo
hadbeggedhimtowiretwo
thousandpoundstothe
WesternUnioninVientianea
monthandahalfbeforeto
helpfundhisongoingsearch
andgethimoutofa“spotof
trouble,”asLazlohadputit.
Whenpressed,he’dsaidthat
he’drunafoulofthelawin
VangViengandwouldbe
escortedtoVientianebythe
policesothathecouldpay
theoutstandingfineheowed.
Hisbrotherhadsentthetwo
thousandwiththewarning
thattherewouldbenomore
money.Lazlohadassured
himitwouldbemorethan
sufficientandthathewas
closetoadiscoverywhich
wouldendhisongoing
financialdifficultiesforever
andmakethewholefamily
rich.
Sincethen,therehadn’t
beenanycommunication,and
thebrotherwasafraidthat
Lazlohadfinallygotten
himselfintoasituationhe
couldn’treadilygetoutof.
Theirguideturnedoutto
beayoungmaninhismidtwentiesnamedAnalu,who
spokepassablepidginEnglish
inahigh-pitched,excited
voice.Heproudlyescorted
themtohisvehicle:atenyear-oldIsuzuSUVwith
fadingredpaintand
questionabletires.WhenSam
toldhimtheywereboundfor
VangVieng,hesmiled,
offeringadentaldisplaythat
waseveryoralsurgeon’s
dream.
“Youbackpacking?
Tubing?”Analuasked.
“Uh,no.Wehaveafriend
whowethinkmightbeup
there.”
“Lotsofpeoplegoand
gethurtonriver.Somedie.
Everyyear.Usedtobe
crazy.”
“Usedtobe?”Remi
asked.
“Yeah,uh-huh.Big
touristtown,manykidsparty.
Butnownotsobad.”
“Whathappened?”Sam
asked,curious.
“Governmentteardown
allriverbars.”
“Sothere’snodrinking?”
Remisaid.“Thatsoundslike
hellonearthforLazlo...”
“Stillplentydrinking.
Lotsintown.Same-samebut
different.Andfewbars
rebuildonwater.Friendsof
police.Family,cousins,
brothers,yeah?”
“IthinkIunderstand.So
youknowtheplace?”Sam
asked.
“Yeah,sure,uh-huh.I
takeyounow?”
“Howfarisit?”
“Three,maybefourhour.
Roadprettygood.Norain.
Notsogoodinrain.”
“Aretherehotelsup
there?”
“Sure,uh-huh.Plenty
goodhotels.”
“Well,then,”Samsaid,
“let’sgetgoing.Theday’s
notgettinganyyounger.”
TheypiledintotheSUV
andtheenginestartedwitha
cloudofominousblack
smokeandthenbeganidling
roughlyonitsthree
remainingcylinders.Sam
silentlywonderedwhere
Kendrahadgottenthetipfor
theirnewfriend.
Analupulledintotraffic
withacasualdisregardforthe
oncomingvehicles—aneffort
thatwasrewardedwithample
honking.Heflooredthepedal
andmadeagesturethrough
hisopenwindowthatSam
interpretedasasignof
friendlyacceptance.Thelittle
SUVlumberedforwardlikea
losingboxerattheendofthe
eleventhroundafterswerving
toavoidadeliveryvanbya
matterofinches,whichdidn’t
fazeAnaluintheleast.
Tensecondslater,ablack
Nissansedanrolledfromthe
curbhalfablockbehindand
tookupatrailingposition,the
twoLaotianmeninitserious,
theirattentionfocusedonthe
SUV.Thepassengermadea
call,astheirquarrytookthe
on-ramptoRoute13,and,
afteratersediscussion,gave
instructionstothedriver,who
droppedbackanotherfifty
yards.
OnceoutoftheVientiane
area,theroadbecameaflat,
two-lanestripinmarginal
condition,withswarmsof
motorcyclesbuzzingpast
eachtimetheIsuzuneareda
town.AsfarasSamcould
tell,therewerenodiscernible
rulesoftheroadandbythe
secondhourhe’dgrown
accustomedtonearmisses
andkamikazeridersracing
towardtheminthewrong
lane,pullingtoonesideto
safetymomentsbefore
impact.
Totheirsurprise,lush
farmlandwithalmostneon
huesofgreenstretchedfor
milesoneithersideofthe
highway.They’dbeen
expectingjungleandrain
forestandinsteadseemedto
beinatropicalagricultural
stripthatwentonendlessly,
thewindblowingtwisted
wavesofripplesacrossthe
fields.
Foralltheirmisgivings,
Analuavoidedkillingeither
them,oranyotherdrivers,
andofferedarunning
commentaryonthevarious
communitiesastheydrove
north.Someofhisasides
werehumorous,somesad,
butallworld-weary,theresult
oflivinginasocietywhere
povertywasendemicand
corruptionwasanexpected
aspectofanyformof
authority.
Astheynearedtheir
destination,Remipointedtoa
stringofmountainsthrusting
intothesky.“Oh,look.
That’sreallybeautiful,isn’t
it?”
“Karstformations.
Limestoneerodedawayby
theriverovertime,”Sam
said.
“It’slikesomethingoutof
amovie.”
Trafficincreasedasthey
drewclosertotownandsoon
theywerepartofalongline
ofcarsinchingforwardlikea
frustratedconcertinaasthey
waitedforaherdofcattleto
crosstheroadaheadofthem.
“Whatfirststop?We
almostthere,”Analuchirped,
leaningonhishorn
occasionallytobreakthe
monotony.
“Thepolicestation.”
AnalustaredatSamwith
wideeyesintherearview
mirror.“Yousure?”
“Nevermoreso.And
we’llneedyoutotranslateif
theydon’tspeakEnglish,”
Remisaid.
Theexpressionon
Analu’sfaceclearlyindicated
hewishedhe’daskedfor
moredetailsabouttheir
errandbeforeacceptingthe
job.Asanative,he’dbeen
raisedtounderstandthat
goingtothepolicestation
wasrightuptherewith
jugglinghatchetsintermsof
prudence.Still,heputona
braveshowandnoddedas
thoughhehadn’tacareinthe
world.Whichwouldhave
beenmoreconvincingifhis
facehadn’tblanchedatleast
threeshadeslighter.
Whentheyreachedthe
towncenter,Analumadea
rightturnanddroveupa
block,thenparkedina
muddylotinfrontofoneof
thefewconcretebuildings,
therestfashionedoutof
woodandpaintedgaudy
colors.Heshutofftheengine,
whichwheezedlikeachainsmokerbeforeexpiringwitha
shudder,andtheyclimbedout
intothemuggyswelter.Sam
eyedthebuilding,which
seemedbarelylargeenough
tohouseafewdesksanda
cell.HemotionedforAnalu
toleadtheway.
Inside,twowirymenwith
thickheadsofgreasyblack
hairsatbehindacounter,
smokinghand-rolled
cigarettes,theiruniforms
stainedwithsweatdespitethe
fanblowingatepidstreamof
airtheirway.Aportable
radioononeofthedesks
blaredapopsongthatwould
havebeeninsipidinany
language.Theylookedup
withdroopingeyesasAnalu
madeacautiousintroduction.
Oneoftheofficersstood,
wentintotheback,and
emergedafterhalfaminute
withashort,plumpmanin
hisfortieswholookedlike
he’djustwokenup.Theman
buttonedhisuniformshirt
withclumsyfingersandthen
barkedanannoyedquestion
atAnalu,whosmiledwith
trepidationandembarkedon
aramblingexplanationof
whyhe’dinterruptedthe
captain’safternoonrest.
Thecaptainmoppedathis
perspiringfacewithasoiled
clothhandkerchiefand
gruntedandthenasked
anotherquestion,thistime
withadistincttoneof
menace.Analunoddedlikea
buffoonandturnedtoSam.
“Hewanttoknowwhat
youlookingfor.Itellhim
youimportantguestsof
Laotianpeopleandhave
questions,yeah?”
Samclearedhisthroat.
“Tellhimthatwe’relooking
foraBritishmanwhowas
eitherincustodyorowed
moneytothepolicehere
aboutamonthorsoago.The
gentleman’snameisLazlo
Kemp.”
Theplumpman’seyes
narrowedatthementionof
Lazlo’sname.Analu
translatedandthecaptain
wavedhimawaywithan
abruptgesture,thenfixed
Samwithacalculatingstare.
“Whatyouwantwith
him?”themandemandedin
fracturedEnglish.
“We’refriendsofhis.We
haven’theardfromhimfor
months.We’reworried.And
wehavenewsforhim,”Remi
said.Theofficialignoredher,
waitingforSamtospeak.
“Weneedtotalktohim
andwewerehopingyou
mightknowhowtoreach
him,”Samsaid.“I’dbe
extremelygratefulifyou
couldhelp.Extremely.”
ThemanglancedatRemi
andreturnedhisattentionto
Sam,hisexpressionnow
moreoneofcunningthan
annoyance.“Youfriend?”
“Yes.Agenerousfriend
whoseproblemyoumightbe
abletosolve.”
“Howgenerous?”
“AhundredAmerican.”
TheLaotianofficial
scoffedandthenegotiation
began.“Athousand.”
Samshookhisheadatthe
preposterousfigure.
“Hundredfifty.”
Threeminuteslater,Sam
countedouttwohundredfifty
dollarsandhandedthebillsto
thecaptain,whoshowed
absolutelynoconcernathis
extortionbeingviewedbyhis
subordinates.Hetookthe
moneyandfingeredeachnote
asifsuspiciousthatSamhad
printedthemthatmorning
andthentheydisappeared
intohispantsinablink.He
pulledapenfromhisshirt
pocketandscrawledan
addressandanameona
scrapofnotepaper.
“TalktoBane.Maybehe
seeEnglish,”hesaid,and
handedthesliptoAnalu,who
lookedatitlikeitwasalive
scorpion.
Backinthecar,Analu
turnedtothemwithconcern
etchedacrosshisface.“This
notgood.”
“No,mysuspicionisit
won’tbe,”Samsaid.“Butwe
needtofindourfriend.”
Analucoaxedtheengine
intolifeandtheysetoutup
thehighway,turningtoward
theriverontoarutteddirt
roadafterahundredyards.
Theybouncedalongbefore
theystoppedatacomplexof
structuresthatlookedready
tocollapseundertheirown
weightattheslightestbreeze.
Analustaredattheentryand
shutoffthemotorwitha
shakeofhishead.
“Wehere.Needtopay
againforinformation.Man
whoownsthisvery
dangerous.”
“Remi,whydon’tyou
stayherethistime?”Samsaid
asheswunghisdooropen.
“Andmissallthefun?”
“IthinkI’llpayalotless
ifIdon’thaveabeautiful
womanwithme.”
“Alwayslookingforthe
bargain,aren’tyou?”
“It’smynature.”
“Fine.Justdon’tget
yourselfkilled.I’dhavealot
ofexplainingtodotoSelma
andthegang.”
Analuknockedonthe
flimsyslabofplywoodthat
servedasadoorandaftera
fullminuteawizenedman
withlongwhitehairanda
scragglybeardpeeredatthem
fromwithin.Analuspokein
Laotianandthemangrunted.
AfterscrutinizingSam,he
pulledthemakeshiftdoor
openandsteppedbacktolet
thementer.
Samcouldbarelymake
outthebodieslyingonfilthy
cotsalongthewallsinthe
gloom.Theinteriorwas
broiling,butthesleepers
seemednottonotice.They
passedintoanotherroom,
wheretwomensatata
foldingmetalcardtablewith
ametallockboxandanarray
ofpipes.Analubowed
respectfullyandstatedhis
case,andtheelderofthetwo,
anancientbirdlikemanwith
scarcelyanymuscleonhis
bones,pursedhislipsand
lookedSamupanddown.
Afterextendedhaggling,
duringwhichAnalualmost
walkedawaythreetimes,
Sampresentedahundreddollarbilllikeafirst-class
tickettoNewYork.The
opiumdealerreachedout
withanemaciatedarm,held
ituptothelightfiltering
throughafilthywindow,and
murmuredtohiscompanion.
Themanwho’dshownthem
insmiledinawaythat
remindedSamofaKomodo
dragon.Analushivered
involuntarily.
Theolddealerleaned
forwardandspokeinraspy
butunderstandableEnglish
seasonedbyfiftyyearsof
smokingopium.“Crazy
Englishmanhangoutat
Lulu’s.Oneklicknorth.
Probablytherenow,”hesaid
withthesolemnityofa
clergymandeliveringa
eulogy.
SamturnedtoAnalu,who
lookedterrified.“Doyou
knowLulu’s?”
“Itbadplace.”
Samnoddedatthedealer
andthankedhimforhis
assistance.SamandAnalu
couldmakeoutthemen
insidecacklingthroughthe
paper-thinwallsasthey
returnedtotheIsuzu.
“I’dsaythatwentwell,”
hesaidtoRemiastheyslid
backinsidethebakingsteel
box.
“IthoughtIheard
laughter.Whatwasthejoke?”
“Whowasitthatsaidthat
ifyou’resittingatapoker
gameforfifteenminutesand
youdon’tknowwhothe
patsyis,it’syou?”
Remiglancedatthe
building.“Awiseman.”
Theenginecaughtonthe
thirdsputter,and,afew
minuteslater,theywere
easingtoastopinfrontofa
longrectangularshackwitha
thatchedroofthatmademost
ofthehovelsintheworld
looklikepalaces.Two
motorcyclesrestedonrusting
kickstandsnearthedoor,
wherearoosterstood,head
swiveling,searchingfor
anythingedible.Music
driftedfrominside,and
femalelaughterpealedover
themelody,whichtoSam’s
earsoundedlikeanout-oftunechildren’srecitalwithan
aggravatedbirdofprey
screechingoverthedin.He
andRemiexchangedglances
andthenSamtookherhand
andledhertothedarkened
doorway.Ashabbypale
greensignoverhead
announcedthatthey’darrived
atLul’s—thelastuhaving
rubbedoffatsomepoint.
Theinteriorwasno
surprise,giventhecurb
appealoftheroadhouse,but,
evenso,Remiwastaken
aback.Soiledstrawlittered
thedirtfloor,whichwas
dottedwithsixwhiteplastic
tables,alldevoidofpatrons.
Awood-and-bamboobar
lurkedatoneendofthe
gloomyroom,wherearailthinmaninhisfiftiessat
watchingablack-and-white
television,behindwhich
stoodtwodecrepit
refrigerators.Attheother
end,alocalwomaningarish
redstretchpantssatdrinking
atawoodentablelittered
withemptybeerbottles.Her
companionwasaCaucasian
manwiththeunhealthy
jaundicedcomplexionofa
hobo,whostaredatthe
newcomerswiththeblurry,
unfocusedgazeofamanwho
thoughthewashallucinating.
“Lazlo.Niceplaceyou’ve
gothere,”Samsaid,fake
cheerinhisvoiceashe
approachedthetable.
“Goodheavens.Most
remarkable.Sam...Fargo.
Whatonearthareyoudoing
here?”Lazloaskedwitha
slur.“AndifI’mnot
mistaken,withthelovely
Rami?”
“Remi,”shecorrected.
“Andno,you’renot
mistaken.”
Lazlomadeavaliant
attempttostand,anambitious
actthatappearedtoexhaust
him.Hesensiblydowngraded
hischivalrytoawaveofhis
limphand.“Please,havea
seat.Bartender,drinksall
around!”hecalled.Theman
behindthecounterlookedup
asifregisteringthe
newcomersforthefirsttime
andraisedaneyebrow.
“Abeer,”Samsaidover
hisshoulder,whileRemi
shookherhead.Analustayed
atthedoor,lookingreadyto
runatanymoment.Acreaky
fanwithcrackedplastic
bladessuspendedfroma
beamtwirledoverhead,
blowingLazlo’scigarette
smokeattheyoungwoman,
whoappearedtobetwentysomethinggoingonsixty.
Thebartenderopenedthe
nearestrefrigeratorand
extractedabottleofBeerlao
Original,thenpaddedoveron
barefeetandplaceditonthe
tableinfrontofSam,
showingnointerestin
clearingawayLazlo’s
empties.Lazloraisedhishalffullbeerinatoast.Sam
clinkedhisbottleagainstit,
takinginLazlo’sdilatedeyes
ashedidso,aswellasthe
threedrainedshotglasses
nexttothedeadsoldiers.
Thebeerwassurprisingly
cold.Samtookalongpull
beforesettingitdownand
waitingforLazlotoaskwhat
theyweredoingthere.Lazlo
dranktherestofhisbeerin
threegulpsanddroppedhis
smolderingcigarettedown
theneck,watchingit
extinguishwithadampfizzle
beforesettingthebottlenext
toitsemptybrethren.Remi
shifteduncomfortablyonher
hardchairandLazlofinally
gotthehint.Heregardedhis
femalefriendandrattledoffa
rapid-firesentencein
passableLao.Shefinished
herdrink,rose,andteetered
offtowardthebaronhigh
heelsthatleftlittledoubtas
tohervocation.
“Sogoodtoseeyou,old
chap.Really.Whoeverwould
havethought...”Lazlo
began,butquicklyseemedto
deflate.“Bitunderthe
weatheratpresent,though.
Notmyusualeffervescent
self.”
“Icanseethat,myfriend.
Butit’sgoodtoseeyou,too,”
Samsaidasheleanedbackin
hischair.HefixedLazlowith
anamenablelook.“What’sa
niceBritlikeyoudoingina
placelikethis,Lazlo?”
Lazloofferedahumorless
grinandfumbledinhisshirt
pocketforhissmokes,then
lostinterest.“It’salongand
sordidstory.Asaremost
involvingyourstruly.”
“Wetraveledhalfway
aroundtheworldtofindyou,
sotakeyourtime.”
Lazloclearedhisthroat.
“You’veobviouslyheard
aboutmylittle...
indiscretion.”HeshotRemia
cautiousglance.“Yes,of
courseyouhave.A
monumentalmistakeby
anyone’syardstick.Butno
matter.OnceIgotthatall...
reconciled,Idecidedto,well,
sortofreinventmyself.
Opportunityknocksoftenfor
thecuriousamongus—and
I’dbeenlookingoversome
scrollsfromtheKhmers.And
I’dalwaysintendedtogetout
intotheworldsomedayand
makemyfortune,butitdidn’t
workout,sohereIam.”
“Hereyouare,”Remi
echoed.
“Whathappened,Lazlo?”
Samaskedsoftly.
Lazlofeltinhisbreast
pocketandpulledouta
crumpledpacketcontaininga
solitarycigarette.BothSam
andReminoticedthathis
handtrembledashelitit.
“Itallstartedwell
enough.Ihadsome
promisinglocationsmapped
outandthreechapstohelp
meinthebrush.Wespenta
fewmonthssearching...but
nothing.ButIstillkeptatit.I
mortgagedtheflattopayfor
thisexpedition,soIhadto
makeitwork.Butthatwasn’t
quitewhatthegodshadin
storeforme.”
“Whatwereyoulooking
for?”
“Treasure.Whatelse?
WhentheKhmerempire
implodedinthefifteenth
century,aremarkablestoreof
goldandjewelswasspirited
outofwhat’snowCambodia
andhiddeninacave
somewhereinLaos.Atleast
that’swhatIgleanedfromthe
accounts,andIwas
convincedIcouldfindit.
Turnsoutthatwasalittle
optimistic,”Lazlosaid,his
voicebrittle.Heseemedto
collapseinonhimself,empty.
“Sohereyoufindme...for
mysins...”
“Whyhere?”Samasked.
“Whynot?It’sasgooda
placeasanytowrestlewith
yourdemons.Whynotinthe
wildsofLaos?Whatbetter
place?”
“Andthat’sit?Yougave
up?Oryoudiscoveredthere
wasnotreasure?”
“Itwasn’tsomuchthatI
gaveupasmynaturecaught
upwithme.Ihadeverything
undercontrol,butasmy
fundsraneverlowerandI
wasnoclosertofindingthe
KhmertreasurethanIwasat
theoutset,Ireturnedtothe
embraceofmywaiting
mistress:thebottle.Itwasn’t
longbeforemypassionfor
thetreasuremetamorphosed
intosmokingthelocalopium
andchasingitdownwitha
bottleofthenatives’rice
whiskey—lao-lao,it’scalled,
andanabsolutebargainat
lessthanaquidabottle.”
LazlogaveSamahunted
look.“Twoquidanightfora
guesthouseroom,ahandful
ofcoppersforanight’s
supplyofdragonsmoke...
Amancangetlostforalong
timeatsuchenticingrates.”
Samhunchedforward.
“You’rebetterthanthat,
Lazlo.”
Lazloshookhishead.
“Notanymore,I’mafraid,not
anymore.Theolddaysare
over.Can’ttakebackthe
tickingoftheclock.”
Remiclearedherthroat.
“Wehaveapropositionfor
you.”
Lazlowheezedalusty
laugh.“I’mtrulyflattered.
Or,atleast,IthinkIam...”
Remiignoredtheclumsy
innuendo.“Wehavea
project.Somethingweneed
yourhelpwith.Butyouneed
tobestraight.You’llbeofno
uselikethis.”
“Aproject?”
“AnancientSpanish
manuscript,”Saminterjected.
“WegotitinCuba.Butit’sin
codeandwecan’tcrackit.”
“Therearefewcodesthat
can’tbecracked.”
“Thisonedoesn’t
resembleanythingwe’ve
seen.”
Lazloblewacloudof
nicotineatthefanandclosed
hiseyes.“IsincerelydoubtI
haveitinmeanymore,Sam.”
“Nonsense.Ofcourseyou
do.You’rejustthrowing
yourselfapityparty,”hesaid.
“Killingyourself—oneofthe
brightestmindsofitskind—
becauseyoudrinktoomuch
anddostupidthings.”
Lazloopenedhiseyesand
smiledagain—amaudlin
apparition.“Guilty,old
friend.Guiltyascharged.
Andbetterthatyouleaveme
toservemysentenceinthis
backwaterofpurgatory.I’m
justnotuptosnuff.”
“Meaningyou’retoofar
gonetobeabletosolvethe
riddle?Oryouwon’tbecause
itwilltakeyouawayfromall
this?”
“Alittleofboth,I
expect...”
“Lazlo,lookatme.Isaid
wehaveaproposition.Don’t
youwanttohearit?”Remi
asked.
Hestubbedouthis
cigaretteandhiseyesfinally
metRemi’s.“Fine,young
lady,fine.Whathaveyou
cometodiscuss,assuming
it’snotmyspectacularfall
fromacademicgrace?”
“Helpuswiththe
manuscriptandwe’llassist
youwithyourKhmerhunt.
Helpusfindoursandwe’ll
helpyoufindyours.
Whateverittakes.Funding,
personnel...We’llevengo
intothejunglewithyou.It’sa
no-loseproposition.Giveus
whatweneedandwe’llgive
youwhatyouneed.Lookat
me,Lazlo.ListentowhatI’m
saying.Dothisandwe’lldo
whatwehavetoinorderto
makeyourdreamcome
alive.”
Lazlosatback,his
befuddledbraingrappling
withwhatshe’djustsaid.
“You’re...you’reserious,
aren’tyou?”hestammered.
“I’mdeadserious,”Remi
said.“Thisisyourbig
chance.Toturnitallaround.
Tomountaproper
expedition.Tomakea
significantfind.Withmoney
noobject.Aonce-in-alifetimechance.”
Samnoddedassent.
“Onlyafoolwouldturnthis
down.Andyoumaybemany
things,butyou’veneverbeen
afool.”
“Therearesome
newspapermenwhowould
argueagainstthatmost
convincingly,I’msure.”
Remisoftenedhertone.
“That’soveranddone.This
isnow.Weneedyourhelp.
Sayyesandwe’llgetyouout
ofhere,cleanyouup,andput
youtowork.Whateverneeds
tobedone.”
Lazloshookhishead.
“Thatmightnotbesoeasy.
I’vebeendoingthisforsome
time.”
“We’llfindyouagood
clinic.They’llweanyouoff.
You’llberightasrainbefore
youknowit.Youdon’thave
tobethis,Lazlo.You’vegot
everythingtogainbymaking
therightchoice.”
Lazlo’sfacecrinkledinto
asneer.“‘Foronce.’That’s
whatyouweregoingtosay,
isn’tit?”
“No.Butifitmakesit
easier,thenIwill.Makethe
rightchoiceforonce.”
Hedidn’tsayanythingfor
alongtimeandthenhis
shouldersshudderedandhe
buriedhisfaceinhispalms.
Whenhelookedup,hiseyes
wereredandmoist.
“Idon’tdeservethis.
You’refartoogoodforthe
likesofme.”
Samshookhishead.
“Nobody’sbetterthananyone
else.We’rejustinaposition
tohelpyourightnow.Justas
you’reinapositiontohelp
us.It’sasimpletransaction.
Webothgetwhatweneed.
Thebasisofallworking
relationships.”
Remisteppedbackand
Lazlowipedhiseyeswiththe
backofagrimysleeve.“Be
carefulwhatyouwishfor,
Sam.”
Samsmiledandcaught
Remi’seye.
“Ialwaysam,Lazlo.”
L
azlowaslivingina
hovelneartheriverthat
wouldhavebeenathomein
theslumsofCalcutta.Sam
helpedhimwithhisfew
belongings,andsoonthey
wererattlingdowntheroad
backtoVientiane.Lazlo
dozedoffafterthefirstleg
andawokeonlywhenSam
gotcellcoverageandlefta
messageforKendra,asking
hertolocateasuitablerehab
centerintheregionthatcould
handlebothopiumand
alcoholwithdrawals.Two
hourslater,Selmacalled—at
fivea.m.Californiatime.
“I’velocatedaplacein
Bangkok,ifyoucangethim
there.Igatheryoufound
him?”sheasked.
“Selma!”Samsaid,
surprised.“Iwasexpecting
Kendra.Quiteabitlater,
actually.”
“Isawhervoicemail
lightblinkingandtookthe
liberty,figuringitwas
probablyyou.Iwasup,
anyway.Here’stheinfo.It’s
afirst-classestablishment.
Apparently,therichin
Thailandregularlycontend
withthesameissuesLazlo’s
facing.Thewebsitelookslike
afive-starhotel’s,andit’s
partofoneofBangkok’stop
hospitals.”Shegavehimthe
particulars,whichherepeated
aloudsoRemicould
memorizethem.
TheyhadAnaludrop
themattheplaneaftercalling
thecrewandalertingthem
thatthey’dneedtoflyto
Bangkokimmediately.When
theyarrivedattheairport,the
G650wasalreadyhumming
fortheshortflight.Sandra
greetedthemwithagleaming
welcomesmile.Samhad
calledtheclinicand
confirmedthattheycould
accommodateLazlo.They’d
warnedhimwhattoexpect
andexplainedthathecould
haveadrinkontheplaneto
avoidtheriskofconvulsions,
butnottoallowmorethan
onestrongcocktail.
Sandrapreparedadouble
Finlandiaandtonicatthe
requestofLazlo,whoperked
upafterhe’dswallowedit
likeaparchedmanatadesert
oasis.SamandRemimade
smalltalkwithhimduringthe
flight,andacarfromthe
clinicmetthemattheairport.
Thefacilityliveduptoits
webpresence.After
completingalongapplication
andsigninghisnametoit,
Lazlowasledintothedepths
oftheclinicbystaff,while
theadministrator,ahandsome
Asianwomaninadarkblue
businesssuit,explainedtheir
procedurestoSamandRemi.
“Believeitornot,the
opiumwithdrawalsarethe
leastofhisissues.Wedeal
withthatproblemusingdrugs
thatcleansetheopiumfrom
theopiatereceptorswhile
he’sunderdeepsedation,so
ifhe’sonlybeensmokingfor
afewmonthsandnot
injecting,thatwillbedealt
withinamatterofhours.The
alcoholisadifferent,and
potentiallymoreserious,
complication.Yourfriend
appearstobealong-term
alcoholicandthatcanbe
quitedangeroustowind
down.”
“He’sbeendrinkingfor
aslongasI’veknownhim,”
Samsaid,“whichisatleasta
decade.”
“Thenitwillbearough
rideforthenextthreetofour
days,andpossiblylonger.We
usenitrousoxideandvitamin
regimenstoreducethe
withdrawaleffects,butevery
patientisdifferent.
Additionally,thephysical
withdrawalprocessisonly
thebeginning.He’llneed
ongoingcareforatleastthirty
daysandheshouldenrollina
program.”
“We’realreadymaking
arrangementsforhimin
MexicoCity.He’llbewell
lookedafter,”Remiassured
thewoman.
“Verygood,then.Will
youbestayingintownforthe
duration?”
“Yes.We’reatthe
MandarinOriental,”Sam
said.“Ijottedourcellnumber
ontheinformationform.”
Theadministratorstood
andshooktheirhands.“Try
nottoworry.We’lldo
everythingwecantomake
thisascomfortableas
possibleforhim.”She
hesitated.“Iwouldn’tstopin
duringthedetoxperiod—he’s
notallowedvisitorsuntilthat
phaseisover.”
Reminodded.Sheand
Samhadlookedup“alcohol
withdrawal”attheplane
terminalswhileenrouteand
shecouldwellunderstand
whythepatientwasoff-limits
forseventy-twohoursor
longer.
Fourdayswentby
quickly.Everymealwasan
opportunitytotestthevarious
restaurantstheconciergehad
recommended.Theytooka
tourofthecityonthesecond
dayandspentlonghoursafter
thatwalkingthestreetsofthe
teemingdowntownwhenever
theskywasclear.Whenthey
returnedtotheclinic,the
administratorshowedthemto
Lazlo’sroomandthenleft.
“Howdiditgo?”Sam
asked.
“Farworsethan
expected,”Lazlosaidwitha
troubledbutclearstare.
“Wouldn’twanttohavetogo
throughthatagain.Rather
likebeingdraggedthrough
brokenglassafterhaving
beenroastedonaspit.No,
actually,thatmightbemore
pleasurable,cometothinkof
it.”
Samnodded.“Thegood
newsisthat’saonce-in-alifetimeeventifyou’re
careful.Howareyoufeeling
now?”
“Certainlynotahundred
percentbutcouldbeworse,
allthingsconsidered.”
“Havetheygotyouon
anything?”
“Valium.Saidthere’sa
dangerofdependence,soit’s
amixedblessing.Butit’sgot
theworstofthesymptoms
undercontrol.”
“Havetheyindicated
whenyou’llbefitfortravel?”
Remiasked.
“Haven’tasked.I
assumedI’dbeworkingfrom
here.Isthatnotthecase?”
SamandRemiexchanged
alook.“Wethoughtitmight
bebetterifyoucamewithus
toMexico.”
“Goodheavens.Mexico?
Imustadmitthat’sapleasure
I’veyettoexperience.”Lazlo
paused.“Iwasratherhoping
thatyoucouldgetmehighresolutionscansofthe
documentinquestion,aswell
asacomputer,soIcould
beginmyanalysiswhile
incarcerated.It’sanawfully
tediousplace,this.”
“Ihavethemonaflash
drive,”Remisaid.She
ferretedaroundinherpurse
andextractedanotebook
computer,pretending
astonishment.“And,oh,
what’sthis?Justacomputer.
Wethoughtyoumightwant
togetstarted.”Shesetthe
notebookonhisbedandthe
driveonthetablenexttoit
beforerootingaroundinher
bagandfindingthepower
cord.“Voilà!You’reaonemancryptologydepartment
onwheels.”
“Goodshow.Goodshow
indeed.NowallIneedtodo
isfindtheonswitch.”
Lazlo’shandswere
unsteadyasheliftedthe
computerandsetitonhislap,
butthatwasn’tsurprising
givenhisstatewhenhe
enteredtheclinic.Theyboth
knewhewouldbeinfragile
shapeforsometimetocome,
havingalreadyarrangedfora
clinicinMexicoCityto
supervisehisongoing
treatment.
Afteranothertenminutes,
theylefthimtohisnew
projectwithapromisetosee
himagainthefollowing
afternoon.Nexttheymetwith
theadministrator,who
approvedhimfordischarge
andtravelinforty-eight
hours,butwithastern
cautiontokeeptheplanedry
soasnottopresent
temptation.Neitherofthem
hadaproblemwiththat,and,
onthewaybacktothehotel,
Remipassedthewordto
Sandra.
Checkoutfromtheclinic
twodayslaterwasa
paperwork-intensiveordeal.
Everyonesighedinrelief
whentheywerefinallyridof
thebuildingandontheirway
totheairport.SamandRemi
hadenjoyedtheunexpected
downtimebutwereitchingto
getbacktoMexico,their
senseofbeingunderthegun
moreintensethanever.Lazlo
wasbeingtight-lippedabout
anyprogresshe’dmadeon
themanuscript,aswashis
fashion,althoughattimeshe
wouldsmilelikea
mischievouschild,which
theygenerallytooktobea
positivesign.
Theflightacrossthe
Pacificwasanhourshorter
duetoastrongtailwindbut
stillexhaustedthembythe
timetheyarrivedinMexico
City.Arepresentativefrom
theclinicwhereLazlowould
takeupresidencemetthemat
theairportandferriedthemto
theclinic’sbuildinginan
upscaleareaofdowntown
nearthebusinessdistrict.
SamandRemicheckedback
intotheFourSeasons,where
theirluggagehadbeensent
fromCubacourtesyof
Lagarde’sfriend.
Thatevening,theyhad
dinnerwithCarlosRamirez,
whowasacharminghostand
tookthemtooneofMexico
City’stoprestaurants—Pujol
—wheretheydinedlike
royaltyonthechef’stasting
menuandahostofrare
tequilas.
Carlostoldthemthat
progressatthenewfindhad
beenslow,hamperedbythe
weather—ithadrainedfor
threedaysintheirabsence,as
amassivefronthadmoved
acrossMexico,floodingthe
wholeareainitswake.The
marginallyaccessiblestreets
hadbecomeimpassable,so
MaribelaandAntoniohad
beenunabletoresumetheir
workuntilthepreviousday.
Carlossaidthattheywere
excitedbytheimagesSam
andRemihadbroughtback
fromCubaandhadfounda
fewmoresimilaritiesbetween
theartifactsinthecryptsand
thecarvingsinHavana.
Bythetimetheevening
wounddown,SamandRemi
weresatiatedandoptimistic
abouttheirchancesnowthat
Lazlowasontheirteam.
Theybothagreedthatthey
wereluckytohaveCarlos
helpingthemandweresorry
toseethenightend.Carlos
badethemgoodnightand
offeredtodrivethembackto
thehotel,buttheydeclined,
preferringtolingeroverafterdinnerdrinks.Whentheyleft,
Samheldtherestaurantdoor
openforRemi,admiringher
HervéLégerblackcocktail
dressandthewayitclungto
hercurves.
“Thedresslooksmagical.
Greatchoice,asalways.”
“Why,thankyou.I
wasn’tsureyou’dnoticed.”
“Areyoukidding?I’m
theenvyofeverymalein
MexicoCity.Andtheshoes
areincredible,too,”headded,
goingforbonuspoints.
“JimmyChooredpointytoepumps.”
Hegrinned.“Youhadme
atChoo.”
J
anusBenedictsethis
coffeecupdownonthe
teaktableandgazedatthe
islandsofftheportside,their
bluffsrisingfromthewaterin
defianceoferosionandmanmadeprogress.They’dgone
ashoretheprioreveningwith
hisguests:threegentlemen
fromSyria,whoseemedmost
interestedinhissurface-to-air
missileselection,aswellas
theavailabilityoftheRussian
Ka-50BlackShark
helicoptersthatheregularly
brokeredforthecashstrappedRussian
manufacturer.Ofcourse,their
negotiationswouldbelengthy
andongoing,andnoreligious
beliefswereallowedtogetin
thewayoftheirenjoymentof
theGreekislands’pleasures,
northeirappreciationof
Janus’ssupplied
entertainment,bothchemical
andfeminine.
Janus’sheadwasfuzzy
fromtheextratwoglassesof
grappahe’dconsumed
againsthisbetterjudgment,
butsometimesonemade
sacrificesinordertomake
one’sguestsfeelwelcome.
TheSyriansseemedtohave
hadawonderfultime,and
Januswasconfidentthat
wouldtranslateintoahigher
priceforthearmsthanthey’d
havebeenwillingtopayhad
heprovidedsodasand
sandwiches.
Hecheckedthescreenof
hisiPadandconfirmedthat
allthreewerestillsound
asleepintheirstaterooms.
Thehiddencamerascamein
handyformorethancreating
insuranceforhimselfshould
somethingturnugly;they
alsoenabledhimtobea
consummatehostand
anticipatehisguests’every
desirebeforetheyevenfelt
them.
Fornow,thestaterooms
werequiet,andJanuswas
confidentthathe’dhaveat
leastanotherhourortwoto
himselfbeforehe’dhaveto
becometheentertainment
committeeagain.
Reginaldstumbledupthe
stairs,apairofDolce&
Gabbanasunglassesshielding
hiseyesfromtheworstofthe
morningglare,acigarette
danglingfromhislips,ashe
satdownacrossfromhis
brotherandpointedathis
coffeecup.Awhiteuniformedstewardscurried
fromthebowelsofthesalon
andpouredhimagenerous
measureofdarkroasted
coffee,andthen,after
registeringReginald’snod,he
returnedwithasnifterof
Baileysandpoureditintothe
cup.
“IsupposeIdon’tneedto
askyouhowyou’refeeling
thismorning,”Janussaid,
watchinghisyoungersibling
raisethecuptohislipswith
anunsteadyhand.“Little
jittery,I’dsay.”
“Itwasademanding
night.ThatSophie—”
“Yes,quite—sparemethe
gorydetails.Wedowhatwe
musttomaketheclientsfeel
athome.Andweacquitted
ourselveswithaplomb.I
thinkthesechappiesareclay
ripeforthepotter’swheel.”
“Withtheamountofcoke
theywentthrough,they
bloodywelloughttobe,”
Reginaldsaid,hisfacedrawn
fromtheaftermathofhisown
overconsumption.
“Theyseemedamenable
bytheendoftheeveningto
reconsideringthevaluewe
addtotheirassumedprices
forthehelicopters,direct
fromthemanufacturer.”
“Notthatthey’dbeable
tobuythemdirectinthefirst
place.”
“Ah,butit’snotso
importantthattheygraspugly
realitiesasthatthey’rehappy
aboutthedeal.AndI’dsay,
basedontheirenthusiasmand
staminauntilthesmallhours,
they’llbeashappyasmenin
theirpositionscanbe.After
all,it’snotasthoughit’stheir
money.It’sallpartofthe
dance.Theyneedtoassure
whoevertheyreportto,their
accountantsorbackers,that
theygotthebestvalue
available.Ourjobistohelp
themdothatwhilemaking
theirvisitaspleasantand
divertingaspossible.”
“Thenmission
accomplished.”
“Yes.Andgoodnews,old
boy.Youwon’tneedto
endureanymoremomentsof
amusement.I’vegotthejetin
Athenswaitingtotakeyouto
Mexicolatertoday.After
breakfast,Simonwillferry
youashore,whereI’vemade
arrangementsforyoutocatch
thefirstflightofftheisland.”
“Mexico?Goodheavens.
WhyonearthwouldIwantto
gotoMexico?Beastlyplace
fullofbandits,isn’tit?”
Reginaldcomplained.
“Thatmaywellbe,but
ourclientstherepurchasea
largeamountofourproduct,
andhaveexpandedglobally,
sowhentheywanttodiscuss
updatingtheirordnanceit’sa
lucrativepriority.That,and
thosetwomeddlingpests,the
Fargos,arebackinMexico
City.Iwanttobepreparedif
they’vediscoveredsomething
andI’mnotwillingtolose
thedayitwouldtakemeto
flythereiftheyhave.SoI’m
sendingyoutoholdtalkswith
theLosZetascartelabout
theirexpansionrequirements
andtopersonallysupervise
anyactionrequiredwiththe
Fargos.”Janustookanother
tasteofcoffee.“And,
Reginald—thesearevery
importantcustomers.Quite
volatile,Ishouldadd.You’ll
beontheirhometurf,asthey
say,soI’dcautionyouto
behaveaccordingly.Don’tdo
anythingthatwouldanger
themorthiscouldwellbethe
lastIseeofyou.”
“Brilliant.You’resending
meintopsychocountryto
parleywithabunchofgunhappylunatics.”
“They’renotthatbad.
And,asIunderscored,rather
profitableandworthcaution
inyourapproach.I’msureas
longasyoukeepalevelhead,
you’llgetalongswimmingly.
AsfortheFargos,don’tdo
anythingrash.Ifactionis
required,consultwithme
first.DoImakemyself
clear?”Januswarnedina
menacingtone.
“Youdon’tneedtospeak
tomelikeI’mafive-yearold.”Reginaldfinishedhis
coffeeandsignaledtothe
invisiblestewardforanother.
“Iunderstand.I’mtoplay
nicewiththepeasantsandact
asapaperweightwiththe
Fargos.Shouldanythinking
berequired,I’mtoleavethat
toyou.DidImissanything?”
“Reginald,I’mserious.
Therewillbenoimpulsive
outbursts.Thisisapersonal
matterformenow.Don’t
muckitup.”
“Messagereceived.I’llbe
impeccablybehavedasI
tradebeadswiththenatives.
You’llneverknowIwas
there.”
Janus’seyesnarrowed
andthenhenodded.Itwasas
closetocapitulationashis
brotherwouldcome.
Hopefully,itwouldbe
sufficient.Janusknew
Reginaldwasitchingtoprove
himselfbutstillhadyouthful
impulsivenesstooutgrow.
Besides,theregionalheadof
LosZetashe’dbemeeting
wasn’tmucholderthan
Reginald,soperhapsthey’d
getalongwell.And,of
course,therewaslittle
downsideJanuscouldseeto
havinghisbrotheronthe
groundiftheFargosrequired
attention.
Thefollowingday,Samwas
shavinginthebathroom
whenhisphoneonthe
nightstandrang.Remistirred
atthesoundandrolledover
toanswerit.
“Hel...Hello?”shesaid,
hervoicethickwithsleep.
“Remi,it’sLazlo.Imust
say,I’msurprisedtofindyou
stillasleepatsevena.m.
whenthere’streasureto
discover...”
“Uh...goodmorning,
Lazlo.”
“Howsooncanyoubeat
thismiserableprisontomeet
withme?”
“Ithoughtitwasrather
nice.”
“Besidethepoint.”
Shecheckedherwatch.
“Dependingontraffic,maybe
anhour.”Sheclearedher
throatandsatup.“Why?”
“Oh,nothing.Ithought
youmightbeinterestedin
whatIdidduringthedepths
ofthenight.”
“Whichis...?”
“Ponderedmymiserable
existencewithgenuine
remorseandnotasmall
dollopofanxiety.Oh,and
decryptedthemanuscript.”
“You’rekidding.”
“No,I’vecrackedit.Of
course,you’llneedtowork
outwhatitallmeans.
Somethingaboutatemple
andsnakeswithwings.Odd
bunch,theSpanish.”
Samcameoutofthe
bathroomwhenheheard
Remi’svoice.Shewavedhim
overandhandedhimthe
phone.
“Lazlo?”
“Topofthemorningto
yer,youngman!”Lazlosaid
withapassableIrishbrogue.
“You’reawfully
cheerful.”
“I’vedecodedthe
manuscript.Iinvitedyour
betterhalftocomeandjoin
meforcoffeewhilewego
overit.Theinvitationextends
toyou,ofcourse,unless
you’reotherwiseoccupied.”
Samblinkedtwiceand
glancedatRemi.“That’s
greatnews.You’rea
magician.We’llbetherein
twoshakes.”
“Takeyourtime.I’veno
pressingengagementsnow
thatI’mpurerthananun’s
prayers.”
“Orsoberatleast.”
“Thatalso.Seeyou
soon.”
Samtossedthephoneon
thebed.“Justasuggestion,
buttodaymightbeagood
daytohurryintheshower.”
“I’llbereadyinfive
minutes,”Remisaid,already
onherwayintothebathroom.
“Thisisexciting.Ilovethis
part.Whenitallcomes
together.”
Samsmiled.“Metoo.”
L
azlowassittingonhis
room’ssmallbrown
sofawhentheyarrived.He
rosetogreetthemandmoved
toacirculartableinthe
corner,wherethenotebook
computerwasdisplayingits
screensaver.
“Please,takeaseat.I
suspectyou’llbeherefora
while,”hesaid,indicating
twofoldingchairshe’d
obviouslyrequestedin
anticipationofthemeeting.
“Youlookbetter,Lazlo,”
Remisaid,studyinghisface,
notingtheclarityinhiseyes.
“Thanks,Remi.You’rea
persuasivelady—inthebest
possibleway,Imean.”
“Sowhathaveyougotfor
us?”Samaskedashesatnext
toLazlo.
“Ah,wheredoIbegin?
First,thecode.Itwasa
substitutioncipherandthe
originalunderlyingtextwas
writteninLatin—orevery
otherwordwas,alternating
withSpanish.That’smore
thanalittleunusual,butit
suggeststomethattheauthor
wasn’taconquistador—
rather,hewasamemberof
theclergyoraneducated
nobleman.Iwon’tboreyou
withallthetechnicaldetails;
theshortversionis,I’veonly
encounteredanythingsimilar
fromthateraoncebeforeand
thatwasanencoded
documentintendedforthe
Pope’seyesonly.Ienteredit
onmylistpurelyoutofhabit
andthankgoodnessIdid.
BecausewhenIranthetext
throughthatprogram,it
identifiedtheencryption
pattern.And,fromthere,it
waschild’splay.”
“Interesting.Soitwasa
priest?”Remiasked.
“You’llhavetobethe
judgeofthat.”
“Whydidn’titshowupin
ourdatabase?”
“Probablybecauseyou
haven’tspentthelasttwo
decadescompilingthemost
completelistofencryption
techniqueseverassembled,”
Lazlosaidwiththeslightest
hintofasmile.
“Sowhatdoesitsay?”
“OnceItranslatedallthe
LatinintoSpanish,itseems
tobeareportonanoral
traditiontheauthordragged
outofahighlyplacedAztec
prisoner—aholyman.
Perhapsoneofthemost
esteemed.Anyway,thisman
toldtheauthorabouta
supposedlygreattreasurethat
wastobefoundinsacred
ground.Gemstones,rare
icons,andsomethinggivento
hispredecessorsbyoneof
theirgods.”
“Agod?”
“That’swhatitsays.
Looselytranslated,Itookitto
mean‘theEyeofGod.’”
Remisatback.“No.It’s
‘theEyeofHeaven,’although
theToltecsdidn’thavea
specificbeliefinheaventhat
wecandetermine.Toolittle’s
knownaboutthem,though,to
saythatwithconviction.But
Icanseehowingrappling
withaconceptlikean
afterlife,Christianswould
naturallyusewordsthatwere
themostfamiliartothem.”
“God,heaven—tomy
ears,itamountstothesame.”
“Doesitofferany
directiontowherethisEyeof
Heavencanbefound?”Sam
asked.
“Inaroundaboutway.
NearasIcantell,it’sinthe
burialchamberofoneoftheir
supremebeings.
Unpronounceable.”
“Quetzalcoatl,”Remi
murmured.
“That’scloseenough.”
“Anddoesitsaywhere
thischamberis?”
“Nearaholyplace
dedicatedtothegod,of
course.”
“Itcomesoutandsays
that?”
“Well,notinsomany
words.Moreamidramblings
aboutwingedsnakesand
suchlike.Haven’tgotthe
foggiestwhetheryou’llbe
abletomakeanythingoutof
it,butImadeacopyofmy
roughtranscriptandsavedit
totheflashdriveyougave
me.It’sallyours,andIhope
itpointsyouintheright
direction.Althoughyou’ll
justgivethetreasuretothe
nativesratherthanpocketing
itlikeanysensiblefellow
would.”
“That’sright.It’snot
aboutthemoney.Any
percentagethatMexicooffers
us,assumingwefind
anything,willgointoour
charitablefoundation,”Remi
said.
“Idon’tsupposeyou’d
adaptyourcharitablemodel
toincludebroken-down,
disgracedex-academics,
wouldyou?”
Samsmiled.“Whydon’t
wetakeitadayatatime?”
“Canyoutakeusthrough
thislinebyline?”Remi
asked.Lazlonodded.
Thirtyminuteslater,they
allsatback,alookofpuzzled
consternationonSam’sface,
Remi’sexpressionneutral,
Lazlopositivelybeaming
withaccomplishment.
“Itdoesn’treallytellus
wherethetombis,doesit?”
Samsaid.
Lazlosmiled.“Youmean
somethinglike‘Walkfifty
pacesfromtheoldoaktree,
westbynorthwest,andwhen
youseethesplitrock,dig’?
Notassuch...”
“Therecan’tbethatmany
templesdedicatedto
Quetzalcoatl,”Remimused.
Samshookhishead.
“Actually,thereare.The
Toltecs,theAztecs,the
Mayans...theyall
worshippedhim.So,
dependingonwhenthetomb
wasconstructed,thebody
couldhavebeenplacedinan
existingtomboratombbeing
builtatthetimeoftheburial.
Themanuscriptdoesn’t
clarifythetiming,doesit?”
“No.Itjustsays‘a
chamberbeneatha
pyramid,’”Lazlosaid,
pointingtoapassageinthe
translation.
Samshookhishead
again.“Therearedozens...
hundreds,assumingthatit’s
notonethathasyettobe
discovered.Seemslikeevery
year,they’refindingmore
MayanruinsintheYucatán.”
“Orthatitwasn’tonethat
wasdestroyed.Like
Chulula,”Remiadded.
“NotthatIwishto
disheartenyou,”Lazlosaid,
“buttherecouldalsobesome
confusioninthetranslation
fromtheoriginallanguageto
Spanish.Itcouldwellbethat
itwasn’tatemplededicated
tothisQuetzalcoatlbutrather
aholysitewherehewas
worshippedalongside
others.”
“Sowhatdoesthatleave
us?”Remiasked.
“Lookingforachamber
beneathoneofhundredsof
pyramids,”Lazlosaid.“At
leastitwasclearthatthe
chamberwasbeneaththe
pyramidandnotincorporated
intothewalls.”
“Whichassumesthatwas
accurate.Itsoundslikethe
Aztecpriestwasn’tsure
abouttheexactlocation,
either.”
Lazlonodded.“True.The
manuscriptstatespretty
clearlythatit’sfoundedon
hearsay.Asaremostofthese
accounts,really.”
Samgroanedandstood.
“Nobodysaidthiswouldbe
easy,didthey?Lazlo,you’re
aprinceamongmen.
Seriously.”
“Goodshow,oldchap.If
onlymysanctuaryhere
affordedtheoddginandtonic
fortoastingpurposes...butI
supposeNursewouldn’t
allowthat.”
“It’sforthebest,Lazlo,”
Samsaidsoftly.
“IexpectthatevenifI
don’tliveanylonger,it’ll
seemlikeaneternity—andan
aridoneatthat,”Lazlo
teased,andthengavethem
bothalookofresigned
acceptance.“Seriously,
though,Iappreciateyourhelp
inallofthis.”
“Wehaveanulterior
motive.We’rehopingwecan
convinceyoutolookoverour
shouldersandhelpusfindthe
tomb.Maybeperusethe
photosfromtheearthquake
site,seewhetheryouconcur
withourinterpretationofthe
pictographs?”
“I’dbedelighted,of
course.Youhavebuttoask.”
“That’sthespirit.”
Astheirtaxidrewnear
theInstitute,Remitook
Sam’shandinhersand
exhaledquietly.“Don’t
worry.We’llfigureitout.”
“Weusuallydo,don’t
we?”
“Kindofourthing,
right?”
“Exactly.Butwemight
needsomehelponthisone.
Howdoyoufeelabout
approachingCarlosaboutit?”
“I’drathernot.Let’ssee
whatwecancomeupwithon
ourownfirst.Anddon’t
forgetoursecretweapon—
theoneandonlyLazlo,”
Remisaid,hertonenot
entirelyconfident.
Samnoddedandsqueezed
herhand.“Maribelaand
Antoniocertainlyseemlike
theycouldnarrowitdownfor
usifanyonecould...”Sam
glancedatthesidemirror,as
he’dbeendoingperiodically
sinceleavingtheclinic.“Do
meafavor,wouldyou?Tell
thedrivertokeepgoingpast
theInstitute,”hesaidquietly.
“What?”
“I’veseenthesamecar
behindusonthewaytothe
clinicandnowhere.Ablack
Toyota.Ithinkwe’rebeing
followedandIwanttofind
outforsure.”
Remileanedforwardand
hadabriefconversationin
Spanishwiththedriver,who
noddedandcontinuedsouth.
“Whatdidyoutellhim?”
Samasked.
“Totakeustothebest
breakfastrestaurantheknows
inthearea.”
“Anenterprisingchoice.”
“Hopefully,tastytoo.I
couldusesomeeggsanda
cupofstrongcoffee.”She
glancedatthemirroronher
side.“Whatdowedoifwe
arebeingfollowed?”
“Goodquestion.Maybe
trytocornerthemandfind
outwhoitisandwhytheyare
followingus?”
“Thathasn’talways
workedoutwellinthepast,
hasit?”
“Fairenough.Then
what’syourvote?”
“Wegoaboutour
businessandlosethemwhen
itmatters.Idon’tseemuch
harminanyoneknowing
we’reatthehotelorthat
we’redoingresearchatthe
Institute.It’snotlikewe’re
anunknownquantityin
Mexico.”
“Nicetohavethebrains
oftheoperationthinking
clearly.Myinstinctisto
chargein,gunsblazing,”Sam
admitted.
“Whichhasitsmeritsin
somecircumstances,I’llgrant
you.Butwedon’thaveany
guns.”
“Alwayspouringcold
wateronmyfun,aren’tyou?”
“It’smylife’swork.”
Theycontinuedonfor
anothersixminutesandthen
thedrivercoastedtothecurb
infrontofapopular
restaurant,judgingbythe
crowdinside.Theywalkedin
andthehostessshowedthem
toatablebyoneofthelarge
picturewindows.The
tantalizingaromaoffreshly
cookedfoodanddarkcoffee
permeatedtheroom.Sam’s
mouthstartedtowaterashe
tookhisseat.Aglanceatthe
streetconfirmedthatthe
Toyotahadtakenupposition
fiftyyardsdowntheblock,
endinganyargumentsabout
itsrole.
“Sam,Iknowyoudon’t
likehearingthis,butthere’s
onlyonepersonwhoknew
wewereinCubaandnow
here.”
Henodded.“Notreally.
Lagardeknew.Hehadour
bagsdelivered,remember?”
“It’snotLagarde,I’m
tellingyou.Ithastobe
Kendra.”
“Let’ssayyou’reright.
That’sadifficultsituation.”
“Whatarewegoingto
do?”
“Stoprelyingonthe
officeuntilSelma’sbackfulltime.”
“Whydon’twejustfire
her?”Remisaid.“Itmakes
mefuriousthatshe’dspyon
usandsellusout.Selma’s
ownfamily...”
“Howdoyouthinkit
wouldmakeSelmafeelifwe
letKendrago?No,Ithinkwe
havetokeepittoourselves
andofferaslittleinformation
aspossiblefromnowon.I
don’twanttobreakSelma’s
heart.”
Awaitressarrivedand
Remiorderedcoffeeforthem
both.Sampretendedtostudy
themenu.
“Knowwhatyou’regoing
tohave?”Remiasked.
“Huevosrancheros.Those
areonthemenu,right?”
“Mighthelpifyou
weren’tholdingitupside
down.”
“Comeon,mySpanish
isn’tthatbad.”
“Ifyousayso.Justletme
orderoryou’llwindupwitha
hard-boiledpigsnoutor
something.”
“Baconmakeseverything
better.”
“Sowedon’tfire
Kendra?”
Samshookhishead.
“Andnopigsnout.”
“Phooey.”
S
amandRemispenta
longdayattheInstitute
scrutinizingtherelic
collectionforanythingthat
mightbeaclueastowhich
pyramidsshowedthegreatest
promise.Duskwas
approachingwhentheywere
surprisedbyMaribela’s
arrival.RemiwasbySam’s
computer,pointingata
photographofatemple,and
realizedtoolatethatthe
manuscriptwasstilluponher
screenontheoppositesideof
thelabtable.Beforeshe
couldswitchtheimageto
somethingmoreinnocuous,
Maribelawasstaringatthe
scanwithbewilderedshock.
“Yougotit!You’re
amazing.Ithoughtwe’d
neverseeitagain,”she
exclaimedasRemihurried
backtoherstation.Remi
threwSamaresignedlook
andthenturnedtoMaribela.
“Yes.Sometimesweget
lucky.TheCubanshavebeen
mostforthcoming.Perhaps
it’sallintheapproach...”
“Irecognizedthe
documentimmediately.But
it’sstillgibberish.Thatcould
takeyearstodecode.”
“Actually,we’vealready
decryptedit,”Remisaid,her
toneonlyslightlyarch.
“Really!That’s...
unbelievable.Youreallyare
miracleworkers.Whatdoesit
say?Anythinginteresting?”
“Wewerejustdiscussing
it.Basically,it’sanaccount
byaSpanishpriestor
educatednoblemanthattells
thestoryofQuetzalcoatl’s
hiddentombandofthe
treasureassociatedwithit.”
Maribelaseemedtaken
aback.“I’veseentheother
mentionsofthelegend,but
thiswaswrittenspecifically
torelayinformationabout
it?”
“Inamannerofspeaking.
Theproblemisthatit’s
typicaloftheeraandvery
vague.Ifthereisatomb,it’s
buriedbeneathaholy
pyramid.That’sthebest
we’vebeenabletofigure
out.”
Sammovedfromhis
positionovertowherethe
twowomenstood.“Wewere
goingtoaskyouandAntonio
tolookoverthetextandhelp
usnarrowitdown.Thatis,if
itwon’tinterferewithyour
currentproject...”
“Butofcourse!Ican
speakformybrother.We’d
behonoredtolookatitand
offerourthoughts.He’supin
hisoffice.I’llgogethim.”
Maribelahurriedfromthe
roomandRemisatdownin
herchairandglaredatthe
monitor.“Thatwassloppyof
me.”
“Weweren’tgetting
anywhere.Maybethisisn’t
theworstthingthatcould
happen.”
“Thenwhydoesitfeelso
wrong?”
“We’reterritorialanimals.
Andfiercelycompetitive.It’s
naturaltoresistsharing‘our’
discovery.”
“It’snotadiscoveryyet.
It’sonlyamanuscript.Which
mayormaynotamountto
anything.”
“Whichiswhythere’s
probablynoharm.Besides,
MaribelaandAntoniowould
likelybeworkingthedig,
anyway,assumingthere’s
anythingtoit.”Sam
shrugged.“Frankly,ifthereis
atombandit’sburied
beneathapyramid,we’dneed
togetthegovernment’s
permissiontoexcavateina
historicsite.It’snotlikewe
canjusttakeabackhoeto
theirnationaltreasures.”
Maribelareturnedwith
Antonioandtheyhuddled
aroundRemi’smonitor.Sam
couldn’thelpbutnoticethat
evenafteradayinthefield,
Maribelalookedlikeshe’d
juststeppedofftherunwayin
Milan.Remiglancedathim
asthoughabletoreadhis
thoughtsasshebroughtup
thedecodedtextonthe
screen.
Theyspentthenexttwo
hoursgoingoveritwiththe
siblings.
“It’sbeenalongday,”
Samannouncedashestood
andstretched,glancingathis
watch.“Shallweresumethis
tomorrow?”
“Absolutely.Wouldyou
haveanyproblemifwetook
acopyofboththemanuscript
fileandthedecryptionsowe
canstudyitathome?”
Antonioasked,holdingupa
flashdriveonhiskeyring.
Reminodded.“Sure.Just
treatitasconfidential,please.
Thiscouldbeanextremely
importantfind,ifwecan
figureoutwhichpyramidit
is.”
“Ofcourse.We’lllimitit
tojustmeandmysister.And
Carlos.Asthedirector,his
approvalisneededtoinvest
man-hoursinresearchingit.”
“That’sfine.Ishestill
here?”Samasked.
“No,butI’llbeinearly
andwilltellhimallaboutit.”
Antonioglancedathis
Panerai.“Whenwouldyou
liketomeettomorrow?
Nine?”
“Thatwouldbeperfect,”
Remisaidwithasmile
directedatAntonio.
Samextendedhishandto
Antoniofortheflashdrive.
“I’llgomakeacopy.”
Theirtaxiarrivedfifteen
minuteslater.Ontheway
backtothehotel,Samturned
toRemiwithasmile.
“Doyouwanttoeatatthe
hotelorseekoutsomelocal
fare?Idon’tcareaslongas
it’ssoon.Icouldeatahorse.”
“Whichyoumightbe
doingifwedon’tdineatthe
hotel.Breakfastdidn’tsit
wellwithme.”
“Itwasprobablythepig
snout.”
“Right.Maybeitwasn’t
fresh.”
“That’stheworst.Snout
pastitsprime,”Samagreed,
andtheybothlaughed.“Still
havingregretsaboutletting
theminonit?”
“No,I’moverthat.As
muchasIhatetoadmitit,
youwereright.Iwasbeinga
bigbaby.”
“Notreally.LikeIsaid,I
couldseemyselfdoingthe
samething.”
“ButIexpectyouto
behavelikeatoddler.”
“It’spartofmynaïve
charm.”
“Youbetitis.”
Dinnerwasquiet,with
Remiagreeingthatone
margaritaneverhurtanyone.
Afterenjoyingtheirhuge
entrées,theyreturnedtotheir
room,bothwondering
silentlywhetherthey’dreally
donetherightthingby
handingovertheresultofso
muchhardworkandif,inthe
end,anyofitwouldeven
matter.
Thenextmorningthey
awoketotheirwindows
rattlingfromsheetsofwinddrivenrainlashingthehotel.
“IthoughtMexicowasall
aboutwarmweatherandblue
skies,”Samsaid.
“Well,it’sbeenwarmer
thanbackhome.”
“Andrainedenoughto
giveSeattlearunforits
money.”
“Probablythetimeof
year.Hey,dowehavetimeto
grabcoffeeandaroll?”
Samlookedathiswatch
asheedgedbyherintothe
bathroom.“IfIdon’tshave
mylegs.”
“I’mwillingtooverlook
itthisonce.”
ThedrivetotheInstitute
wasslowandmiserable,the
streetsawashwithfloating
trashandoverflowing
manholes.Bythetimethey
madeittotheoffice,itwas
halfpastnine.Maribelawas
waitingforthemwithan
excitedexpression.Itwasall
shecoulddotorestrain
herselfwhentheywalked
throughthedoor.
“Goodmorning,
Maribela,”Samsaid,running
hisfingersthroughhiswet
hair,theresultoftherunfrom
thecabtothefrontentrance.
“Goodmorning.”
“Howdidyournightgo?”
Remiasked.
“Ididn’tgetmuchsleep.
NeitherdidAntonio.ButI
havegoodnews.Antonio
thinksheknowswhich
pyramiditis,”Maribela
blurted.
“Really?”Samsaid.
“That’sgreat!Howdidhe
figureitout?”
“HediscardedtheMayan
ruinsthatdidn’tfitthecriteria
oriftheirstorycamefroman
Aztecreligiousfigure.The
Aztecshadlimited
interactionswiththeMayans,
soit’sunlikelythatasecret
thisimportantwouldhave
beenimpartedtoanAztec
priest.Also,backthen,travel
wouldhavebeendifficultinto
theYucatánfromhere,and
there’slittlechancethatany
pilgrimagemadewouldhave
stayedsecretforlong.And
last,unlessthebodywas
somehowpreserved,itwould
havebeenburiedaroundthe
timeofQuetzalcoatl’sdeath
—theruler,obviously,notthe
deity.Whichnarrowsthe
fieldconsiderably.”
“Makessensesofar,”
Remiagreed.
“Thatleavesuswith
pyramidsthatwerein
existenceatthetimeofhis
death—whichisuncertainbut
whichwecanestimatetobe
betweenA.D.980and1100.
Eitherway,whilethat’sa
decentnumber,it’snothuge.
AnditrulesoutalltheAztec
sites.”
“Butwhatifthetombhad
beenconstructedlaterandthe
bodymoved?”Samasked.
“Possible,butthat’snot
thewaythetextreadsifyou
adjustitforthenuancesof
theNahuatllanguage.The
personwhowrotethe
manuscriptwasrecording
whathethoughttheAztec
wassaying,butthat’s
probablynotwhatheactually
said.It’sarecordofhowa
Spaniardwouldinterpret
whathesaid.Makesense?”
Reminoddedslowly.
“Butbecausethat’syourarea
ofspecialty...”
“Exactly.Our
interpretationcanadjustfor
whatmighthavebeenlostin
translation.Ifthat’sthecase,
andthere’snoguarantee,then
thesiteisoneoftheruins
northoreastofMexicoCity.”
“WhichareTeotihuacan,
Cholula,andTula,right?”
“No,Cholulawassouth,
nearwherePueblanowis.”
“Andyou’vedefinitely
ruledouttheMayancities?”
“Asmuchasanythingcan
beexcluded.Itwouldhave
beenimpossibletokeep
somethinglikethe
constructionofasecrettomb
beneathasacredpyramid
secret.No,we’relookingat
eitherTeotihuacan,which
wasuninhabitedbythetime
Quetzalcoatldied,orTula,
whereheruledbutfrom
wherehewasexiledlatein
hisrule.Thelikelihoodisthat
it’sTeotihuacanbecauseit
wouldhavebeenempty,so
anyoneworkinginsecret
couldhaveperformedthe
excavationandbuiltthe
chamberwithoutbeing
discovered.”
“Soundslikealotof
manpower,”Samsaid.
“Yes,butthemanuscript
mentionsasecretorderthat
worshippedtheruler
Quetzalcoatlasalivinggod
andlaterdedicateditselfto
theprotectionofthesacred
tomb.Ifthefollowerswere
suitablyzealous,it’sentirely
possiblethattheycouldhave
donetheconstructionand
thentakenupresidenceinthe
area,keepingtheirsecret
throughthegenerations.”
“Thenit’stheTempleof
theFeatheredSerpentin
Teotihuacan?”Remiasked.
“We’vebeenlookingatthat
asoneofthecandidates,but
itseemslikeit’stoo
obvious.”
“Sometimesthemost
obviousplaceisthebest
placetohidesomethingof
immeasurablevalue.Wehave
adiggoingonthereright
now.Atunnelsystemhas
beendiscoveredbeneaththe
temple,butitwasfilledin
aroundA.D.250andit’s
takingforevertoexcavateit.”
“Thenyouwouldhave
discoveredthesecret
chamber,too,ifitwasthere,”
Remisaid.
Antonioenteredand
approachedthem.
“Maribelawasjusttelling
usaboutyourtheoryabout
wherethetemplemightbe
located,”Samsaid.
“Ah,yes.Well,it’sall
speculative,but,formy
money,itwouldbe
somewherebeneaththe
TempleoftheFeathered
Serpent,”Antoniosaid.
“Butthere’sbeensonar
doneafterthetunnel
discovery,”Remisaid,“andit
didn’trevealanythingmore.
Maybethetunnelconnectsto
it?”
“Doubtful.Oneofour
colleaguesheadsupthatdig
andnothing’sbeen
discoveredorhintedatorwe
wouldhaveheardaboutit.
No,ifit’sthere,it’s
somewhereotherthanthe
obvious.Andthesonarscan
thatwasperformed
concentratedonthatone
quadrantafterthislatest
tunnelwasfound.Ifit’sin
oneoftheotherquadrants,or
ifit’sdeeperthanthetunnels,
itcouldbeadecadebefore
anything’sfound.”
“Thenhowdowelocate
it?”Samasked.
“Basedonour
interpretationofthe
manuscript,itseemstopoint
tosomefairlyspecificareas
onceyounarrowitdownto
thatpyramid.Ofcourse,that
wouldhavebeenallbut
impossibleforasixteenthcenturyexploration,which
maywellbewhythesearch
waseventuallyabandoned.”
“Howdoweget
permissiontoexcavate?”
“Well,you’dneeda
permitfromtheMinistry.
WhichIjustgotfinished
discussingwithCarlos.He’s
goingtoputinarequestand
seeifhecanfast-trackit.”
“Howlongwillthat
take?”Remiasked.
“Ifnoresistanceis
encountered,maybeaweek,”
Maribelasaid.
“Andthere’sthequestion
offundingtheundertaking,”
Antonioadded.“We’re
alwayslowonmoney,and
thenewfindhastakena
hundredtenpercentofour
discretionaryfund.”
SamandRemismiledat
thesametime.
“Wecouldmakea
donation,ifthatwould
smooththeway,”Samsaid.
“Justtelluswhatyouthinkit
wouldtakeandwecanput
thewheelsinmotion.We’ve
fundedotherdigs,sowhynot
thisone?Makingthe
discoveryisworthmorethan
thecostofasmallexcavation
team...”
Antonionodded.“That’s
verygenerousofyou.
Perhapsyoucouldrelaythat
toCarlos?Hehandlesthe
financesfortheInstitute.”
SamandRemiwent
upstairstoCarlos’sofficeand
knocked.Hecametothedoor
andbeamedatthembefore
welcomingthemintohis
suite.Theyfirstdiscussedthe
likelihoodofatombbeneath
theTempleoftheFeathered
Serpentandheseemed
genuinelyexcitedaboutthe
possibility.Whentalkturned
tologisticsandtheir
participation,hewasreticent
tocommittoatimelinebut
thennoticeablyrelaxedwhen
Samfloatedtheideaofa
donationtocoverthe
excavationexpense.
“That’sextremely
generousofyou.AndI’d
imagineitwillmakeitmuch
easiertoapproveifwehave
fundinginplace,”hesaid.
“That’swhatwewere
thinking,”Samsaid.“We
don’twanttodelay
exploration.Saythewordand
we’llarrangeforawire
transfertotheInstitute’s
account.Itcanbethereby
tomorrow.”
“Idon’tthinkitwouldbe
overlyexpensiveifyouhave
aspecificlocationinmind.
Really,we’retalkingabouta
fewworkers,asupervisor,
possiblysomeexcavation
equipment...”
“Andascanner,ifyou
thinkitwouldhelp,”Remi
added.
“Probablynot,butit
doesn’thurttobudgetforit.
Figure,mmm...fifty
thousandAmericandollars
wouldmorethancoverit,
includingthepermit.The
scannermustbeflownin
fromtheUnitedStatesand
operatedbyatrained
technicianfromthere.”
“Consideritdone.”
Whentheyreturnedto
theirtemporaryoffice,
Antoniowasscrutinizing
satellitephotographyofthe
locationandMaribelawas
pointingtoanareanearone
ofthecornersatthepyramid
base.“Thisisthelikelyspot,”
shesaid,tappingthemonitor.
“Alloftheelementsinthe
Aztec’saccountarethere...”
“Thismayseemlikea
sillyquestion,butisthe
actualpyramid,thisTemple
oftheFeatheredSerpent,
solidorhollow?”asked
Remi,thethoughtjust
occurringtoher.
Maribelasatback.“It
appearsthatit’shollow,but
fardeeperthancouldhave
beenreachedwithanyease
fromtheexterior.What
happenedisthatsuccessive
pyramidswerebuiltoverthe
priortemples,incorporating
theminside.Archaeologists
tunneledintoitand
discoveredovertwohundred
skeletons,aswellashuman
remainsateachofthefour
corners.Andthey’vebeen
overitwithsonar.There’sno
chamberinside.”
“Yes,butsonarhasits
limitations.I’malltooaware
ofthem,”Samsaid.
Reminodded.“Andwhat
abouttheAdosadaplatform
infrontofthepyramid?Have
weexcludedthatasa
possibility?”
Antonioshookhishead.
“Thatwasbuiltatalaterdate
thanthepyramid.The
Adosadawasprobably
constructedtosupplantthe
pyramidastheplaceof
worship.Themanuscript
doesn’tdiscussit,but,you’re
right,itcouldalsobea
location.Maybeasortof
sleightofhandofthetomb
builders—amisdirection.Or
wemaybeinterpretingit
incorrectlyandit’snoneof
these.”
“SoyouthinktheTemple
oftheFeatheredSerpent
pyramidinTeotihuacanisthe
bestcandidate?”Sam
summarized.
“That’sourbelief,”
Antonioagreed.
Samrubbedhisface.
“Maybeweshouldgooutto
thesitewhilewe’rewaiting
forthepermit.”
Remilookedoutthe
window.“Onceitstops
raining.It’snotthatfar,is
it?”
“It’saboutforty
kilometersaway.”
“Thenthat’swhatwe’ll
do,”Remisaid.“Unless
anyone’sgotanybetter
ideas?”
Samshookhishead.
“Soundslikeaplan.Here’s
hopingforclearskiessooner
thanlater.”
I
trainedallofthe
followingday,soSamand
Remiimmersedthemselvesin
studyingeverythingthey
couldfindonTeotihuacan,
focusingontheTempleofthe
FeatheredSerpent.The
historyofthecitywas
fascinating,aswasthespeed
withwhichithadceasedto
beviable—atonepoint,it
wasthelargestintheworld,
butitwasabandonedaround
A.D.700anddestroyedbyfire
fiftyyearslater.Acitythatat
onepointwaslargerthan
Romehadbecomeaghost
town.Andaslittleisknown
aboutitsbuildersasaboutthe
Toltecs,whoseowncitywas
onlysixtymilesnorth.
Theydidn’tseeCarlosall
daybutassumedthathewas
athisotherofficeandwould
contactthemaboutfunding
theprojectwhenhe’dgotten
approvalforadig.Theday
draggedbyslowlyandby
fiveo’clocktheywereboth
morethanreadytoleave.
Morningbroughtthe
blessedreliefofthesunand,
withit,traveltoTeotihuacan
toseethelayoutfor
themselves.Eventhough
they’dstudiedit,nothing
couldhavepreparedthemfor
thegrandeurwhenthey
exitedtheirtaxiandstoodin
frontofthehugestonefigure
thatactedasagreeternearthe
museumgates.
Theymovedwithasmall
groupofGermantouristsand
walkedontothelong,wide
AvenueoftheDead,which
bisectedthecityand
terminatedatthePyramidof
theMoon.TheTempleofthe
FeatheredSerpentwasatthe
oppositeendoftheunearthed
portionofthecity,withthe
PyramidoftheSunbetween
thetwolandmarks—an
incrediblesightandthethirdlargestpyramidintheworld
afterthoseinEgyptand
Cholula.
Samindicatedthe
surroundingbuildings.“You
getasenseofhowvastitwas
andhowevolvedthe
civilizationmusthavebeen.
Oneofthemostamazing
thingsishowgeometrically
precisethelayoutis.The
frontwallofthePyramidof
theSunalignswiththepoints
wherethesunsetsonthe
equinoxes,andtheAvenueof
theDeadpointsatthesetting
ofthePleiades.Astronomy
playedahugeroleinthis
society.”
“TheotherthingIwasn’t
preparedforishowhotitis.I
guessnoshadeanywherehas
itsdrawbacks,”Remisaidas
theywalkedupthefamed
avenue,takinginthecity’s
size.“AndhereIwas
complainingaboutitbeing
coldjustafewdaysagoon
Baffin.”
Theystrolledalongin
silence,and,aftertheyhad
movedhalfwayalongthe
AvenueoftheDead,Sam
heldhisphoneup,asif
checkingforasignal,and
thenspokesoftly.“Don’tturn
around,butourtail’sabout
twohundredyardsbehind
us.”
“Areyousure?”
“Seeforyourself.”Sam
hadbeenfilmingasheheld
thecellaloft.Hequickly
rewoundandhandedthe
phonetoher.Thefootage
wasbouncy,buthe’dcaught
animageofaHispanicmale
inhisthirties,walkingalone,
lookingoutofplace.He
obviouslyhadn’tbeen
expectingtohavetowalk
milesintheheatandwas
dresseddifferentlythanthe
othervisitors,tohis
detriment.
“Doesn’tlookvery
happy,doeshe?”
“Hewasprobably
thinkinghe’dbesittingall
day,notgoingonahike.”
“Youknow,you’vejust
inspiredmetopickupthe
paceandspendtwiceasmuch
timewalkingthesiteaswe’d
planned,”Remisaid,handing
thephonebacktohim.
“Baddaytobeinthe
‘FollowtheFargos’
business.”
“Let’smakehimearnhis
money,shallwe?”
“You’reahardwoman,
RemiFargo.”
“Aye,thatIam,kindsir.
ThatIam.”
ThePyramidoftheMoon
loomedbeforethem,with
smallertemplesoneitherside
liningtheavenue.They
stoppedatthePalaceofthe
Jaguars,sonamedbecauseof
thecolorfulfrescoestobe
foundthroughoutitsinterior,
andsavoredtheshadefrom
thecorrugated-metalroof
beforetrekkingtothePalace
ofQuetzalpapalotl,which
oweditsnametothe
illustrationsonitswallsofa
mythicalbutterflycreature.It
hadbeenrenovatedandstood
inmostofitsformerglory.
Theytooktheirtimeinside,
fullyawarethattheirtailwas
outintheharshsun.Whenhe
finallyfollowedtheminside,
theyleftandmadeforthe
PyramidoftheMoon,forcing
himbackoutside.
“Ialmostfeelsorryfor
him,”Samsaidquietlyas
theystartedascendingthe
stepsonthefrontofthe
pyramidalongwithafew
otherhardytourists.
“Notme.Nobody’s
forcinghimtotailus.”
“Hedefinitelygottheraw
endofthedeal.Didyousee?
He’swearingblackleather
dressshoes.Notagood
choiceforthiskindofthing.
He’llbeluckyifhecanwalk
bythetimethisisover.”
“Andthere’ssomuch
moretosee.Wow,lookat
thisview,”shesaid,then
pulledherphonefromher
pocketandtooksomephotos
oftheentirecityspreadout
beforethem.Thebuildings
shimmeredfromtheheat
risingoffthepavementas
SamandRemitookinthe
awe-inspiringpanorama.
“Wheretonext?”Sam
asked.
“Oh,Ithinkweneedto
seethePyramidoftheSun,
don’twe?Andthenwecan
finishupintheCitadel,
whichisthesectionwiththe
TempleoftheFeathered
Serpentoveronthefarend.”
“Goodthingweateabig
breakfast.Wewon’tbeoutof
hereuntiltwoorthreeatthis
rate.”
“Andourtailwillbe
limpingonstumpsbythen.
Didn’thismomevertellhim
thatsensibleshoeswere
important?”
“Andsunscreen.Bethe
wisheshe’dbroughtahat,at
theveryleast.Shouldbea
meanburn.Weareatseven
thousandfeet.Ouch.”
“NowevenI’mfeelinga
littlesorryforhim,”Remi
said,“butnotenoughtowind
thisdown.AmIcorrectthat
thereweretemplestructures
ontopofeachofthose
smallerpyramidsbeforethe
citywasdestroyed?”she
asked,pointingtotherowto
herleft.
“That’stheassumption.
Sameforthetopofthisone,
aswellastheothers.”
“Makesyoufeelvery
smallandrecent,doesn’tit?
Tothinkthatallthiswas
thrivingfifteenhundredyears
beforewewereborn.And
nowit’slargelymoundsof
dirt.”
“Nobodygetsoutofthis
alive.Whichisagoodreason
tomakethemostofitwhile
thesun’sshining.Whichit
definitelyistoday,asour
friendcanattestto.”
RemitookSam’shand.
“Comeon,let’sgettothebig
pyramid.Ourboydownthere
seemslikehe’sgettingway
toomuchrest.Andhowlong
canhestareattheother
buildingsbeforehestandsout
evenmore?Thisisthemain
attraction,andeveryoneelse
hasclimbedthesteps.”
Thesmallertemplesalong
thewaywerelargewhen
viewedfromtheground,the
terrainbeyondthemrising
nearlytotheirsummits.
Whenexcavationhadstarted,
thecityhadbeenbumpsof
landwithanoccasional
structurepeekingfromthe
landscape,theearth
seeminglyeagertoreclaimit
asthoughwipinganytraceof
Teotihuacanfromitssurface.
Theyclimbedthestepsto
thePyramidoftheSunand
gazeddownattherestofthe
complextwohundredfeet
below.
“PoorQuetzalcoatl’s
pyramid’skindofpuny
comparedtothis.Hegot
shorted.Thosefeathered
snakesgetnorespect,”Sam
jokedasawelcomebreeze
tousledhishair.
“Let’sstopinatthe
museum.Nodoubtithasairconditioning.Let’scooloff
thereandthenfinishupwith
SnakeBoy,shallwe?”
“Soundslikeagoodplan.
EspeciallytheACpart.”
Themuseumwasfilled
withartifactsthathadbeen
uncoveredduringthehundred
yearsofarchaeological
explorationofthesiteand
includedamapanda
simulationofwhatthecity
hadlookedlikeinitsprime.
Allthebuildingshadbeen
coveredwithplasterand
brightpaint,decoratedwith
frescoestohonorthegods
andcelebrateimportant
momentsinthecivilization’s
history.Theybrowsedfor
fifteenminutes,enjoyingthe
coolofclimatecontrol,and
thenmadetheirfinalwayto
theareacalledtheCitadelby
theSpanish,whichtheyhad
thoughtwasafortbutwas
actuallyaplazathathoused
theTempleoftheFeathered
Serpent.
Astheyapproachedthe
temple,itdidn’tlook
particularlyimpressive
comparedtothetwolarger
pyramids.Butoncethey’d
mountedthestepsofthe
platforminfrontofit,they
couldseethedetailofthe
carvedsnakeheadsandthe
elaboratedepictionsof
serpentswindingtheirway
aroundeachlevel.
“It’scertainlyallabout
snakes,”Samsaid.
“Gosnakeorgohome.
That’smynewmotto.”
“You’reintherightplace,
then.Allsnakeallthetime.”
“Butwithfeathers.Don’t
forgettheplumage.”
“Ofcoursenot.”
“Lookslikeit’sclosedoff
tovisitors,”Remiobserved.
“Andthey’reworkingon
someoftheheads.”
“Ihaveafeelingthisisa
bitlikeowningabridge.
You’reneverreallydonewith
maintenance.”
“Thenthiswasthecenter
ofthecity?”
“That’sthethinking.But
therestisunderthatfarmland
overthere.”
“Andthatshopping
center.”
Remipointedtothe
pyramid.“Soyouthinkour
chambercouldbealongthe
backside?Canwegetover
there?”
“Doesn’tlookthatway.
It’scordonedoff.Besides,
oncewehaveapermit,we’ll
beoutherefordayswhilewe
excavate.I’msurethere’s
nothingtoseeuntilthen—
justmoredirt.”
Aftertwentyminutes
lookingovertheCitadel,they
headedbacktothemain
entrance,wherearowoftaxis
waitedintheswelteringheat
forexhaustedvisitors.As
theytookthefirstinline,
Remisneakedapeekbehind
them,wheretheirshadow
washobblingasfastashe
couldtotheparkinglot.
“Shouldwewaitfor
him?”shesuggested.
“No.Whymakeanything
easy?”
“Iwonderwhoheis?Or,
rather,whoputhimuptoit?”
“Someonereally
frustratedaboutnow.Don’t
worry.We’llditchthemonce
wehavethepermit.Thereare
smallhotelsaroundherewe
canstaywherewe’llneverbe
found.Thetrailwillendwith
anemptybag.”
“Ihopeyou’reright.”
Thetripbacktookan
hour,and,afteralatelunchat
anearbyrestaurant,theywent
totheInstitute.Outside,two
policecarswereparkedatthe
curb,withafewcurious
studentsstandingnearthem.
“Iwonderwhatthisisall
about?”Remimutteredas
theyenteredthebuilding.
Maribelawasstandingat
thesecuritydesk,talkingwith
apoliceofficerinhushed
tones.Whenshesawthem,
shedisengagedand
approached,strainevidenton
herbeautifulface.
“Whatisit,Maribela?”
Samasked.
“It’sCarlos.He’s
disappeared.Thepolicesay
he’sbeenkidnapped.”
“Carlos?”Remiblurted.
Maribelafrownedand
nodded.“It’saregrettable
partoflivinginMexicoCity.
Kidnappingshappenalltoo
often.”
“That’sterrible.Whatare
thepolicedoing?”
“They’regoingthrough
hisofficetoseeifthere’s
anythingthatcouldhelp
identifythekidnappers,but
it’spurelyaformality.These
areusuallyorganized
criminalgangsthatdoitfor
themoney.Theytargetthe
wealthyandthepowerful.
I’mafraidthatCarlosisa
littleofboth,betweenhis
familyfortuneandhis
positionwiththe
government.”
“Do...dothekidnappers
usuallyharmtheirvictims?”
Remiasked.
Maribela’sfaceclouded
further.“Sometimes.There’s
nowayofpredictingit.But
we’llpraythatthere’saswift
resolutiontothisandthat
Carlosisreturnedtous
unharmed.I’mafraidthat’s
allwecando.”
O
verthenexttwodays,
theylearnedtheir
permithadstalledwith
Carlos’skidnapping.Without
hispushingtogetitdone,it
hadbeensuckedintothe
greatblackholeofMexico
City’sbureaucracy.Antonio
visitedtheMinistrytosee
whatprogresshadbeenmade,
butafterahalfdaythere,he
returnedwithadour
expression.
“Nobodyknowsanything
aboutit.SoImadeanew
request.Butwe’velost
almostaweek.”
“That’sfrustrating.It
doesn’tsoundlikethere’s
muchwecandoaboutit,”
Samsaid.
“No,unfortunately,thisis
thesystem.It’sabadone,but
it’stheonewemustwork
with.”
“Howlongdoyouthink
thisapplicationwilltake?”
“Couldbeasmuchasa
month.AlthoughI
highlightedthatwehavea
commitmentforfunding,
whichItoldthemwastimesensitive,soI’mhopingthat
hastensitalong.”
“Amonthistoolong.
Carlosfelthecouldgetit
doneinaweek.”
“Whichheprobably
could.Theproblemisthat
Carlosisn’there,sowedon’t
havehiscontactbasetodraw
upon.Hecouldpickupa
phoneandtaketheright
persontolunch.I’mafraidI
don’tevenknowwhothe
rightpersonis.I’vespentmy
timeinacademiaandinthe
field.”
Remishiftedinherseat.
“Isthereanythingwecando
tohelpspeedthingsup?”
Antoniofrowned.“I
sincerelywishtherewas.But
Ican’tthinkofanything.”
Antonioleftthemand
returnedtothenewfind.Sam
continuedstudyingthe
imagesfromthetunnel
discoveredundertheTemple
oftheFeatheredSerpent
whileRemiporedoverthe
pictographsfromthetombs
northoftown,unearthed
duringtheearthquake.Atone
o’clocktheytookabreakfor
lunchandSamcalledthe
clinictoseehowLazlowas
faring.Theadministrator,
IsabellaBenito,cameonthe
line,and,afterexchanging
pleasantries,Samcuttothe
questionsthatheandRemi
haddiscussedthepriornight.
“Howishe?”Samasked.
“Physically,he’sgetting
stronger,andhasmadea
nearlycompleterecovery.
He’sputonthreekilos,andis
takingpartintheclinic’s
exerciseprogrameveryday.”
“Andmentally?”
“Ah,thatisalwaysa
moredifficultprocess.The
psychologicaldependenceon
alcoholisinsidious,andithas
beenamajorpartofhis
lifestyleformanyyears.”
“Iunderstand.”
“Hisself-imagemustbe
revisedsohecanimaginea
futurewithoutalcohol.That,
astheysay,isthehardpart.
Unfortunately,manypatients
don’tmakethatimportant
transitionandinsteadfall
preytooldhabits.”
Samsighed.“Inyour
opinion,ishestableenough
toworkonaprojectwith
us?”
“Thatdependsonwhat
yourequireofhim.Ifyouare
askingwhetherhecanwork
herewhilehe’srecovering,
theanswerisacautiousyes.
Itcouldwellprove
therapeutic.”
“Whataboutgoinginto
thefieldwithus?”
“Intothefield?Youmean
leavingtheclinicbeforehis
coursehereisdone?”
“Onlytemporarily.
Perhapsadayhere,twothere.
What’syourassessment?”
Benitohesitatedasshe
consideredthequestion.
“We’renearingthepoint
wherewewouldslowly
reintroducehimintothe
outsideworld.Smallstepsto
acclimatehimtoa
noninstitutionalsetting.But
thatwouldbeundercarefully
controlledcircumstancesand
supervisedateveryturn.”
“Thenhe’sreadyto
reassimilate?”
“Yes,butI’mdescribing
goingtoarestaurantwith
severaloftheotherpatients,
accompaniedbyacounselor.
Takingashoppingtrip.It
soundslikeyou’reproposing
somethingmore...
demanding.”
“SeñoraBenito,Lazlois
foremostanacademic.It’s
whathelivesfor.Intellectual
stimulationislikeoxygenfor
him.WhatI’mproposingis
toinvolvehiminaproject
thatwillfullyengagehis
attention.Thatwillgivehim
apurpose.”
“Ifyouwishtodoso,I
havenoobjection,butyou’ll
havetotakefull
responsibilityforhim.”
“Yes,Iappreciatethat.If
I’munderstandingyou
correctly,you’resayingthat
he’sprobablyuptoit,butyou
can’tguaranteethathe
won’t...backslide.”
Hertonewascautious.“I
can’tseeanythingnegative,
buthonestly,SeñorFargo,
noneofuscanpredicta
patient’soutcomewith
completeaccuracy,especially
atthisstage.It’sstillvery
early.”
“Irespectthat.Thankyou
foryourcandor.”
“You’rewelcome.”
“We’llbecomingbythis
afternoontolookinonhim.”
Samhungupandfilled
Remiinonthediscussion.
Sheshutdownhercomputer,
alookofconcernonherface
asshegatheredherthings.
“Idon’tknow,Sam.I
mean,he’sdeliveredasmall
miraclewiththemanuscript,
butitsoundslikehe’sstillon
thinice.”
“Noquestion.ButIthink
itwouldbegoodforhimto
workwithus,anditcertainly
won’thurttohaveanotherset
ofeyesonthedata.What’s
theworstthatcouldhappen?”
“Thereyougoagain.”
“Sorry.”
Remisighed.“Let’sgrab
somethingtoeatandgosee
howhe’sdoing.Ifheseems
fine,we’llmakethecallthen,
okay?”
Samnodded.“Youbet.
Butjustincase,youmight
wanttoputtogetheracare
packageforLazlo.”
Sheheldupaflashdrive.
“I’mwayaheadofyou.”
Awareofbeingfollowed
butnowresignedtoit,they
madetheirwayacrosstown
totheclinic.Lazlowassitting
upinbed,readingabook,
whentheyarrived.
“How’sthelifeof
leisure?”Samasked,
roundingthebedasLazlo
stoodandshookhishand.
“I’maboutbloodyready
tocrawlthewallswithallthis
cleanliving.Whoknewthat
virtuecouldbesoboring?”
Remismiled.“Youlook
good.”
“Flatterywillgetyou
whateveryoudesire,young
lady.Please.Haveaseat.Tell
meallabouthowthehuntfor
yourtombisgoing,”Lazlo
said,motioningtothesofa.
“CanIofferyousomewater?
I’mafraidthat’sallI’vegot,
unlessyouwantmetoring
forsomecoffee.I’vegiven
uponapropercupoftea.”
Theyexplainedtheir
theory.Lazlofollowedalong,
seeminglywithouteffort,
askingdirect,probing
questionsthatwereasprecise
astheywererelevant.After
halfanhourofback-andforth,SamandRemi
exchangedaglance,andshe
leanedforward,handsfolded
infrontofher.
“Lazlo,wecoulduse
somehelp.Howwouldyou
liketolookoverwhatwe’ve
gatheredandgiveusyour
expertopinion?”
“Well,I’mnotsurehow
expertitiscomparedtoallof
you,butifthere’sanythingI
canaddtotheparty,whynot?
It’snotasthoughI’m
figuringoutcoldfusionatthe
moment.”
Remireachedintoher
purseandextractedtheflash
drive.“Thesearephotosof
allthematerialwe’ve
collected.Pictographsfrom
thenewlydiscoveredToltec
tombs,everythingthat’s
relevantfromtheInstitute
archives,URLsforanything
inthepublicdomain,maps—
thewholeshootingmatch.”
Lazlotookthesmall
device.“Well,thisshould
keepmebusyforatime,I’d
imagine.Whenareyou
planningtodoyourdig?”
“We’restillwaitingfor
thepermit.Therewasa
complication,”Samsaid.
“Oh?”
HetoldLazloaboutthe
kidnappingandtheeffectit
hadontheirproject.Lazlo
frownedandshookhishead.
“Bloodybadluck,that.So
you’restalled?”
“IwishIcouldsay
otherwise,butthat’swhatwe
are.”
“Onlyrayoflightisthat
itwillgivemetimetogetup
tospeed.Doorsclosingand
windowsopening,andall
that.”
“Yes.Well,hopefully,
we’llgetthego-aheadsoon.
Whenwedo,wewantyou
withus,”Remisaid.
Lazloraisedoneeyebrow.
“Youthinkmyjailerswill
allowthat?”
“Ifyousweartobeon
yourbestbehavior,Ithink
theymight.”
“Mybestbehavioris
usuallyeveryoneelse’s
worst...”
Samsmiled.“Butthisis
thenewyou,myfriend.And
helpinguswiththisfind
wouldbeabigstepin
establishingyourcredentials
asafieldexpertratherthan
anacademic.”
“Well,ifyoucan
convincethedragonladyto
letmelooseontheworld,
howcanIsayno?”
“That’swhatIwas
hopingyou’dsay.Fornow,
giveeverythingalook,and
getintouchifanything
occurstoyou.We’llstart
withthat.”
“Willdo.”Lazlopaused,
andwhenhespokeagain,his
voicewassoft.“Iappreciate
everythingyou’redoing.”
Remismiled.“You’re
helpingus.It’satwo-way
street.”
Lazlolookedtowardthe
window,wheremotesofdust
driftedlazilyintheafternoon
sun.“Iwon’tletyoudown.”
Theridebacktothehotel
wasaquickone,theplaintive
lamentofadistraughttenor
onthetaxiradiobattlingwith
amariachihornsectionthat
soundedlikeithadstarted
happyhourearly.Remigazed
atthesidemirrorasshe
edgednearertoSam.
“They’restillfollowing
us.”
“Atleastthey’re
consistent.”
Shefurrowedherbrow.
“Whatdidyouthinkof
Lazlo?Heseemedlucidto
me.”
“Youheardthe
administrator,itcouldgo
eitherway.Butfornow,my
money’sonLazlo.Ithinkhe
wantsanewleaseonlife...
Thisisit.Lordknowsitbeats
ahutinsomemudhole.”
“Ihopeyou’reright.”
Selmacalledastheywere
preparingtogoouttodinner,
hertoneexcited.“Ispoke
withanoldfriendattheState
Departmentwhoknows
someonewhoknows
someone.They’regoingto
contacttherelevantMexican
ministrytomorrowandsee
whatcanbedonetoputyour
permitonthefasttrack.”
“That’sgreatnews,
Selma.Didn’ttakeyoulong.”
“Ihadtopromiseacase
ofgoodchampagne.She’sa
connoisseur,sononeofthe
cheapstuff.”
“Ifshecanmakethis
happen,she’llgetDom
Pérignon.”
“Oh,she’llmakeit
happen.She’sgotalotof
influencewithforeignaid
programs,includingthose
thataredirectedatMexico.
Everyonetherewantstodo
herfavors.Iwouldn’tsayit’s
alock,butit’sascloseasyou
cangettoone.”
“Thenit’sDomonthe
menuforherassoonasIcan
orderit.”
“I’lltakecareofit.Feels
goodtoactuallybedoing
somethinguseful.”
“Thensparenoexpense,
Selma.”
“Willdo.Haveagood
night.”
“Andyouaswell,”he
saidquietlyandsmiledfor
thefirsttimeinwhatfeltlike
forever.
Afterasomberdinner
SamandRemiwenttosleep
early.Severalhourslaterthe
jarringringofSam’sphone
shatteredthesilenceofthe
room.Hegropedforthelamp
switch,groggy,and,after
switchingiton,stabbedthe
littlecelltolife.
“Hello?”Hisvoicewas
hoarse.
“Sam,oldboy.I’ve
reviewedthetranslationof
themanuscriptandlooked
overyoursnapsofthe
pictographsandIhavetosay
I’mnotconvincedatthe
reasoningthatputsthetomb
whereyouthinkitis.”
“Lazlo,doyouhaveany
ideawhattimeitis?”
“Nonewhatsoever.Sorry
ifit’slate.Ithoughtyou’d
wantthebadnews.”
“Canwediscussthisin
themorning?”Samsquinted
attheLEDdisplayofthe
bedsideclock.“Orlaterthis
morning?”
“Absolutely.Ijustwanted
youtoknow.AndI’dvery
muchliketogotothe
recentlydiscoveredtombto
seethepictographsinperson.
Photosaren’tallthey’re
chockeduptobe.”
“Noted.I’llcallyouwhen
it’slightout.”
“Goodshow.I’llbe
waiting.”
Samswitchedthelightoff
asRemishiftedbesidehim.
Heexhaledsoftlyandshe
movedcloser.
“Stillthinkthiswasa
goodidea?”shemurmured.
Samwasalreadyasleep.
battered1970s-erablue
A
Fordtruckloadedwithcastoffwoodenbeamslurchedup
thedirtroadthatran
alongsidethegroundsofthe
building-supplywarehouse
ontheoutskirtsofMexico
City.Insidethehighcement
wallthatranalongthelot
perimetersatthreevehicles,
eventhoughthewarehouse
wasclosedtobusinessforthe
week—ablackCadillac
Escalade,awhiteLincoln
Navigator,andalifted
burgundyH2Hummerwith
oversizetires.
Insidethesmaller
secondarybuilding,Carlos
satboundtoawoodenchair,
nakedfromthewaistup,his
faceabrutalizedmassof
contusions,thechairback
barelysupportinghis
slumpingweightashe
struggledforbreathagainst
theropes.Reginaldpacedin
frontofhim,hiscigarette
smoldering,hisface
contortedwithunthinking
angerasheweighedthe
informationhe’djust
received.
Reginaldmovedbackto
Carlosandpunchedhim
again,thetopsofhisblack
drivingglovesslickwith
dryingblood.Carlosgurgled;
theblowbarelyregistered
afterhavingsurvivedso
manyfromhisenraged
captor.
“Ithoughtyoutoldme
thatthepermitwaskilled.
Youliedtome.You’llregret
that,”Reginaldhissed,the
menaceofhisthreatobvious
ineverysyllable.
Carlosleanedtotheside
andspatonthefloornear
Reginald’shandmadeshoes.
“It...was.Whenyou
kidnappedme,it...should
have...stalledindefinitely,”
hemanaged,blurringinand
outofconsciousnessaspain
ravagedhisbody.
“Apparentlynot.Our
sourcesjusttoldusthata
permitfortheFargos,in
partnershipwiththeNational
InstituteofAnthropologyand
History,isbeingwalked
throughandhasreceivedthe
highestpriority.”
“I...differentpermit...
notmine.You...hadme...
days.Must...be...new,”
Carlosmumbled,thewords
barelydistinguishable,and
thenhischinlolledontohis
chestasheblackedout.
Reginaldpunchedtheside
ofhisheadforgoodmeasure
andthenshookhisownhand,
whichwassorefromthe
blows.Hisfurygradually
abatedashestudiedthe
unconsciousarchaeologist.
Hepacedagainforafew
momentsandthenhestripped
offtheglovesandthrewthem
onthefloorindisgustbefore
stalkingfromtheroom.
Intheofficenextdoor,a
dark-complexionedHispanic
maninhismid-thirties,acne
scarspockinghisfeatures,
regardedReginaldwithpig
eyesfromhisseatbehinda
cheapmetaldesk.Two
youngermensatnearthe
doorwithKalashnikovAKM
assaultriflesintheirlapsand
staredoffatnothing.
“Well?Didyoulearn
anything?”askedFerdinand
Guerrero,theMexicoCity
chiefoftheLosZetascartel,
themostviolentinMexico—
aninternationalcriminal
enterprisewithtentaclesthat
reachedasfarawayasAfrica,
Europe,andSouthAmerica,
aswellaseverymajorcityin
theU.S.
“No.Heclaimsit’snot
thesame...issue...Iwas
concernedabout.”
“Maybehe’stellingthe
truth?”Guerreroasked,his
softvoiceoutofplacewith
histhick,fight-flattenednose
andcustomarysneer.
“Itdoesn’tmatter.His
absencehasn’tboughtus
enoughtimetogetourpermit
approved.”Reginaldkicked
thesideofanothermetaldesk
infrustration,thesoundlike
anexplosioninthesmall
space.Theirsourcehad
gottenthemthemanuscript
andtranslation.Andalittle
moneyspreadtoanassistant
withadrugproblemandin
overhisheadtoGuerrerohad
gottenacopyofthelost
permit,sotheyknewexactly
whereinTeotihuacanto
target.
“Whatdoyouwantusto
dowithhim?Lethimgo
free?Ifhisusefulnessisatan
end...”Guerrerosaid,
shiftingbehindthedeskto
studythesilvertipsofhis
burgundyLagartoostrich
cowboyboots.
Reginaldfoughtfor
controlofhisemotionsand
thenwavedahand
nonchalantly.“Ipresumeyou
haveameanstodisposeof
him?”Hepaused,thinking.
“Hecanidentifyme.”
Guerrerolaughed,a
phlegmysounddevoidof
humor.“Youcouldsaywe
do.Anyspecialtiming
concerns?”
“Let’swaittilltheendof
theweeksoitlookslikea
kidnappinggonewrong.In
fact,ifyouhavesomeone
whocouldcontactthefamily
andmakealargeransom
demand,thatcouldbemoney
inyourpocket,”Reginald
suggested.“Easymoneyfor
yourtrouble.”
Guerrero’seyes
narrowed.“Itoldyouthe
priceforarrangingthis.”
Reginaldsawthedanger
andinstantlybacktracked.
“Ofcourse.Whichwe’llbe
happytodiscountfromyour
organization’snextorder.I
meantadditionalmoney—
moreofaperformance
bonus.”
Guerrerolaughedagain
andslappedthetabletop.
“Ha!You’reafunnyman.
Muchmorethanyourbrother,
eh?Butyoutalkthesame
way.Aperformancebonus!”
Thetwobodyguards,
uncertainwhathadamused
theirboss,grinned,butdidn’t
daregoasfaraslaughing.
Guerrerowasnotoriousfor
mercurialmoodswings.Ifhe
imaginedaninsultfroma
subordinate,itcouldbea
deathsentence.Andhis
volatilitywasn’timprovedby
hisprodigiouscocaineand
methamphetamineintake,
makinghimasdangerousas
anarmedgrenade.
Guerreronoddedslowly
andReginaldventuredawan
smile,chokingbackthe
tremorofuneasethatthe
cartelkiller’sgazeinduced.
“Goodshow,then.I’dsay
waituntiltheendofthe
week,thendowhatyoulike
withhisbody.”
“Noproblemo,jefe,”
Guerrerosaid,histonenow
neutral.
“Quite.”
Reginaldpausedbythe
doorandoneofthegunmen
pulleditopenforhim.Ashe
walkedbacktotheSUVthat
Guerrerohadthoughtfully
providedforhisuse,he
weighedstrategiesfor
keepinghislatestscheme
fromhisolderbrother,who
wouldbelividifhefoundout
aboutthekidnapping.Janus
wastooconservative,
Reginaldthought,and
sometimesitwasbestto
adapttoasituationonthe
groundasitdeveloped.If
thingshadgoneasplanned,
thepermitthey’dappliedfor
wouldhavemadeitthrough
thesystemwhiletheFargos’
applicationlanguished,and
they’dhavebeenableto
supervisethedigthemselves.
AslongasGuerrero
didn’tspeaktoJanusaboutit,
hesawnodownside.Andhis
brotherwouldn’thaveany
appetitefordiscussionswith
thehomicidalsociopathwho
rantheMexicoCityLos
Zetas.Reginaldwouldbring
hisbrotherapricefor
approvalthatincludedthe
discounthe’dpromisedand
assurehimthatwasthebest
hecoulddo—aftertrimming
offafewthousandquidfor
hisownbankaccount,of
course.Januswasfamily,but
hetreatedReginaldlikea
petulantchild,ashehadmost
ofhislife,andtheresentment
randeep.
Hesteppedoutsideofthe
darkenedwarehouse.Heslid
hissunglassesonandwaited
forhiseyestoadjusttothe
brightlightashestudiedhis
slightlyswollenknuckles.
Withaglanceathiswhite
goldPatekPhilippeWorld
Timer,heapproachedthe
Lincoln,hummingasongthat
themariachishadplayedthe
eveningbeforewhilehewas
entertainingthesixteen-yearolddancerGuerrerohad
arrangedfor.
Itlookedlikeitwasgoing
tobeabeautifulafternoon.
AntonioandMaribelaentered
theFargos’workareatwo
dayslater,beaminglike
they’dgottenraises.
“Thepermit.It’sdone.
Wecanstartwheneverwe
want,”Maribelaannounced,
wagglingasinglesheetof
paperintheair.
“That’swonderful,
Maribela,”Remisaid.“Will
youbeworkingwithuson
this?”sheasked,herdoubts
aboutMaribelalingering.
“Ofcourse.It’stoo
importantapotentialfindto
entrusttoanyoneelse.”
“Butwhataboutyournew
one?Thecrypts?”
“Thatwillbemonths,
possiblyyears,ofpainstaking
effort.We’vegotoneofour
trustedassociatesheadingup
theteam.Sowe’reallyours,”
Maribelasaidwithagoodnaturedtossofherincredible
hair.
Remifingeredthegold
scarabdanglingfromher
neckandofferedawansmile,
whichAntonioreturned.
“That’sabeautifulnecklace.I
don’tthinkI’veeverseen
anythingquitelikeit,”he
said,eyeingthependant.
“Thankyou.It’smylucky
talisman.FromSpain,”she
saidlightly.
Samclearedhisthroat,
notdelightedwithAntonio’s
admirationofRemi’sbauble.
“Let’sgetthisshowonthe
road.I’llarrangetohave
somemoneywired
immediately.We’llneedto
makealistofequipmentand
personnelwe’llwant.Ifthe
wiregoesouttoday,we
shouldbeabletosource
whateverweneedtomorrow
andbeatthesitebythe
followingday.”
“That’sgreat,”Remisaid.
“Itfeelslikewe’vebeen
waitingmonths.Iknowit’s
onlybeentendays,but
still...”
Antonionodded.“Yes.I
justwishCarloswerehere.
Hewouldhavemadean
exceptiontohisscheduleto
participateinadigofthis
magnitude.”
“Hastherebeenany
news?”Samasked,choosing
hiswordscarefully.
“No.Nothing.It’staking
toolong.Hiswife’soutofher
mindwithworry.Asyoucan
imagine.”
“Isthatkindofdelay
unusual?”Remiasked.
“Yes.Mostcriminals
wanttheirmoneyasquickly
aspossible,”Maribelasaid.
“Waitingdoesthemnogood
andincreasestheirrisk.So
it’smostunusual.”
Atensesilencehung
betweenthem,andthen
Antoniorubbedhishands
together.“Nopointin
dwellingonwhatwecan’t
affect.Bettertofocuson
whatwecan,eh?”
“Indeed,”Samsaid,
staringathisiPhone’sscreen.
“I’llmakethecallonthe
money.Istillhavethe
accountinformationCarlos
gaveme.”
“ThenI’llleaveyouto
it.”
Theremainderofthe
afternoonwasspentmaking
listsandoutliningthebest
approachtothedig.They
wereeagertoexcavatebut
hadtoproceedcautiouslyto
ensuretheydidn’tdamage
anyartifacts.
Twodayslater,they’d
slippedoutoftheFour
Seasons,takingaside
entrance,beforeduckinginto
awaitingcardrivenbyoneof
Ferrer’speople.They’d
checkedintoElOasis,a
motelsixblocksfromthe
ancientcity.Whilethe
accommodationswere
primitive,theairconditioner
andshowerworked,if
grudgingly,whichwasmore
thanthey’dexpected.Now
theywerestandingbeneatha
tarpthatprovidedwelcome
shade.TherearoftheTemple
ofQuetzalcoatlpyramid
loomedbeforethem.
Lazlohadjoinedthemon
hisfirstoutingfromtheclinic
andseemedrelievedtobeout
ofthecontrolled
environment,obviously
preferringbeinginthefield.
Thelate-afternoonsunbeat
downonthemasworkersdug
alongaforty-footsectionof
thepyramid’sbase.The
laborersearnedtheirmeager
pay,workingtenhoursand
movingasurprisingamount
ofsoil.
Theforemanwasaboutto
wrapitupwhenoneofthe
men,hisyellowT-shirt
soakedthroughwithsweat,
calledout.Everyonerushed
towherehewasstanding,ina
deeptrenchafullstorybelow
groundlevel.Remiheldher
breathforafewmoments
whenshesawwhathe’dhit
withhisshovel—the
unmistakableshapeofamanmadestonesurface.
“Thisisit,”shesaidina
whisper.
Sammovedtothecrude
woodenladderthatstood
nearby.Allfiveofthem
loweredthemselvesintothe
trenchandAntoniobarkedan
order.Themancarefully
scrapedmoredirtaway,and
hewasquicklyjoinedbytwo
morelaborers.
Anhourlater,aten-foot
sectionofwhatwasclearly
thearchedroofofachamber
stoodrevealed,theworkers
nowleaningontheirshovels,
pantingfromexertion.
“Itwillbenightsoon.We
cancontinuetomorrow,”
Maribelasaid,butRemi
shookherhead.
“No,themencango.
They’veearnedtheirrest.But
we’vecomethisfar,andI
knowIwon’tbeabletosleep
ifwedon’tatleasttrytofind
awayin.”
Samnodded.“Wecan
handleitwithouttheworkers.
We’vegotsomesmall
experiencewiththiskindof
thing,”hepointedout.
“Verywell,”Antonio
said.Hehadaquiet
discussionwiththeforeman,
whostoodlikeasupplicant,
strawhatinhishand.The
crewscrambleduptheladder,
takingtheirshovelswith
them.Samstudiedthestone
surfaceandthenraisedhis
gazetothedarkeningsky.
“Canwegetafewof
thoseworklightsturnedon?”
Lazloasked.
“Ofcourse,”Maribela
said.Shequicklyascended
therungstogroundleveland
spokewiththeforeman,who
wastalkingtothesecurity
guards.
Samcalledupfromthe
excavation,“Oh,andwe’ll
needflashlights,prybars,and
rope.”
Tenminuteslater,they
werefeelingalongthemortar
seamsofthelargestone
bricksthatformedthe
structure’sroof,lookingfora
waytoworkoneloose.
Antoniocalledoutfromhis
positionattheedgeandthey
movedtowherehestood,
lookingdown.
“Thinkyoucangetoneof
thebarsinthat?”heasked,
pointingtoagapinthejoint
—acrackrunningaroundthe
stonewheretimehad
degradedthemortar.
Remislippedherbarinto
it.“Sam?Trytogetyoursin,
too.”
Samjoinedher,butthe
fissurewastootight.He
beganscrapingthemortar
withthesharpedgeofhis
tool,andinahalfhourthe
stonewaslooseenoughto
shift.Lazlojoinedthem,and
Antoniogothiscrowbarinto
thecrackaswell,and
betweenthefourofthemthey
workedthestonefromits
setting,leavingatwo-foot
gap,thedarknessbelowinky
anddamp.Remidirectedher
flashlightbeamintothe
cavity,whichswallowedthe
lightlikeviscousmud.She
squinted,tryingtomake
anythingout.
“Gettherope.I’lldrop
downinsideandlook
around.”
Samshookhishead.“No.
I’llgo.”
“Youthinkyoucanfit
throughthat?It’llbetight.”
“Iworkout.”
“Lately,byliftingtequila
andenchiladas.Butifyou
thinkyoucanmakeit...”
RemiteasedasAntonio
uncoiledthenyloncord.
AntoniohandedSamone
end.“Theremightbesnakes.
Manyinthisregionarequite
poisonous,asarethe
scorpionsandspiders.We
mightwanttowaituntil
morning.Icangetafiberopticscopefrommy
associateinthetunneldig,
andperhapsoneofhisrobots
toexplorethechamber.”
Samgrinned.“Andlose
outonalltheglory?No
chance.Iliveforthiskindof
thing.”
“Butthesnakes...”
Maribelacautioned.
“Ieat’emforbreakfast.”
“Hopefully,noneofthem
havethesameideaaboutyou,
oldboy,”Lazlosaid.
Remirolledhereyesas
Samwoundtheropetwice
aroundhiswaist.“Tiethisto
somethinguptopthatwill
supportmyweight—oneof
thevehiclebumperswould
work.I’lllowermyselfuntil
I’minside.ThenI’llletout
rope.Slowly.IfI’m
screaminginpain,thatwould
beagoodsignaltopullmeup
andgetsomeantivenom
ready.”
“Wedon’thaveany
antivenom,”Antoniosaid.
“Noplan’sperfect.But
the‘IfI’mscreaming...pull
meup’part’sstillagood
one.”
Remitookhishand.“Be
careful,Tarzan.”
“I’ddothejunglecall,but
itmightscarethesnakes.”
“Andhorrifythe
bystanders.Aswellasyour
wife,”Lazlosaid.
Antoniocarriedtherope
uptogroundleveland
returnedafewminuteslater.
“You’resecure.”
“‘Allright,’asEvel
Knievelusedtosay,‘here
goesnothing.’”
“Fivebuckssayshenever
saidthat,”Remicountered.
“Underhisbreath.”
Samsatattheedgeofthe
holeanddroppedhislegsin;
then,withafinaltugofthe
rope,heleanedhisweight
againstthesideandslidhis
lowerbodyintotheabyss.He
fedoutlineslowly,
disappearingbeneaththeir
feet.Remimovedtotheedge
andshinedherflashlight
beamdownathim.
“Anysnakes?”sheasked,
watchingherbeamandhis
playacrossthestonefloor.
“Nope.Nolawyers,
either.”
“Soundssaferthanout
here.”
Hisfeettoucheddown.
Heslowlyswepttheinterior
ofthechamberandthen
playedoutmorelineashe
movedcautiouslytoastone
entryway.
Abovehimstood
Antonio,hislegtwitching
withnervousenergy,and
Samcouldjustmakeoutthe
headsofthetwosecurity
guardspeeringdownthehole.
Theskywasnowalmost
black,withtheoccasional
twinkleofstarsglimmering
overhead.
Maribelapacedfromone
endofthetrenchtotheother,
chewingatafingernail,while
Remisweptherbeamintothe
farreachesoftheirdiscovery
fromabove.
Aminutelater,therope
tightenedagain,andSam
calledfrombelow.“Pullme
up.”
Antoniocalledouttoone
oftheguards,whohurriedoff
tostartthetruckandbackit
up,raisingSaminthe
process.Theropewenttaut,
andthenSamappeared,his
hairdustyandaspiderweb
stucktohisface.Antonio
yelledandthetruckstopped.
Samhoistedhimselftherest
ofthewayanduntiedthe
ropefromaroundhiswaist.
“Well?”Remiasked
expectantly.
“Notgoodnews.Looks
likegraverobbersgotherea
longtimeago.Asin
centuries.Manycenturies.
Youcanseewheretheentry
rockswereknockedin.That
wouldhavebeenbeforethe
surroundingterrainhad
coveredit,sowe’retalking
pre-Columbian.Maybeeven
athousandyearsago.Even
theskeletonsaregone.”He
shookhishead.“Whatever
thisis,ifitwasthehidden
tomb,itwasn’tthatwell
hidden.There’snotreasure.
Nothing.Justacoupleof
smallemptyroomsandafew
carvings—nothingmore.”
Remi’sshoulderssagged,
asdidLazlo’s.“Notevenany
snakes?”sheasked.
“Naryaone.”
Shebrushedhisshirtas
hesweptthespiderwebaside.
“Soabigletdown,huh?”
“Onlyifyouwere
expectingsomethingbesides
aholeintheground.”
“Muchadoaboutnothing,
then...”Lazlosaid.“Ah,
well,ithappens,Isuppose.”
Sampeeredintothe
opening.“Althoughwestill
mightlearnsomething.Butif
you’reaskingwhetheritwas
worthmissingdinnerover,
theanswer’sno.”
Remismiledathim.“My
big,braveexplorer.Ibetyou
workedupquiteanappetite
downthere,didn’tyou?”
“Andthirst.Don’tforget
drinks.”
Lazlosnortedandthen
covereditwithawell-timed
cough.
SheturnedtoAntonio.
“Arethereanygoodplacesto
eatintown?Wecanposta
securityguardhereand
explorethechamberinthe
morning.”
“Yes,thereareseveral
verygoodtraditional
Mexicanrestaurants.”He
gavethemthenamesoftwo
ofthemostpopularasthey
fileduptheladder,
disappointmentevidentin
everyone’sdemeanor.
“Howaboutwegetyou
cleanedupandfedandthen
wecancommiserateovera
fewmargaritasaboutwhat
wentsohorriblywrong?”
RemisuggestedtoSam.She
turnedtowhereAntoniowas
helpingMaribelafromthe
ladder.“Antonio,Maribela,
you’rewelcometojoinus.
Youtoo,Lazlo.”
Antonioexchanged
glanceswithhissister.“No
thankyou,westillhaveto
drivebacktoMexicoCity.
Butwe’llseeyoubackhere
tomorrowmorning.Say,nine
o’clock?”
Samshrugged.“Sure.
There’snohurrynow.We
foundwhatthereistobe
found.”
“I’velearnedtonever
turndowntheofferofameal,
ifyoudon’tmindmysober
company,”Lazlosaid.
“There’snothingwe’d
likebetter,”Samreplied.
MEXICOCITY,MEXICO
Adarkbrownsedanrolled
slowlydownthedeserted
streetintheCerrode
XaltepecbarrioofMexico
City,nearthebaseofSierra
deSantaCatarinamountain,
oneoftheworst
neighborhoodsinMexico.
Violence,drugtrafficking,
andhumanslaverywerean
everydayoccurrence,aswere
murdersthatthepolicerarely
spenttimeinvestigating.The
philosophywasthatifyou
wereinthatarea,youwere
eitherlookingfortroubleor
wereapredatorandprobably
deservedwhatyougot.Pools
ofstinkingwaterringedthe
intersectionwherethesedan
easedupbyagraycinderblockhomewitha
corrugated-metalroof,the
entirestructurecoveredwith
graffiti,nolightsoninside
noronthestreet.
Thebackdoorofthe
slow-movingsedanflewopen
andaformtumbledontothe
filthypavement.Thedoor
closedwithathunkandthe
driverspedup,travelingtwo
blocksbeforeheturnedright
ontoalargerroadand
illuminatedhisheadlights.
Carlos’slifelesseyes
stareduncomprehendingly
intotheeternityofthenight
sky.Itwouldbemanyhours
beforeacoroner’svan
appearedtoscoopuphis
remains,escortedbyseveral
truckswithheavilyarmed
policetoensurethatnobody
shotthetechniciansasthey
wentabouttheirwork.It
wouldtaketwomoredaysto
makeanidentification,a
typicaloccurrenceinoneof
themostpopulouscitiesin
theworld—parforthecourse
forapoliceforcethatwas
woefullyunderbudgetedand
understaffedandhadtomake
dowithantiquatedequipment
alreadyoldattheturnofthe
newcentury.
TEOTIHUACAN,
MEXICO
Thetwosecuritymen
Antoniohaddeployedto
guardthetombtookabreak
fromtheirmonotonyand
movedfarawayfromthe
trenchasanSUVeasedtoa
stopnearit.They’dbeenwell
compensatedtomake
themselvesscarceforthirty
minutesandtoseeandhear
nothingandtheyhadgladly
complied,eachpocketinga
month’spayforapaltryhalf
hourofdisinterest.
JanusBenedictexitedthe
passengersideandwalkedto
theedgeoftheexcavation,
joinedbyReginald.The
driverremainedinthevehicle
withtheenginerunning.
“Thisisit?Doesn’tlook
likemuch,”Reginaldsaid,
annoyedtobeawakeatfour
a.m.towastehistimein
somearmpitwellawayfrom
therefinedcomfortofhis
five-starMexicoCityhotel.
“Lookslikeforoncethe
Fargoscameupempty.
WhichI’mthrilledabout.But
alsoalittleintriguedby.”
Janussighed.“Isupposeeven
thebestofuscomesupshort
everynowandagain.Bound
tohappen.”
“Thenwhatarewedoing
here?”
Januspeereddowninto
thetrenchagainandthen
shookhisheadandreturned
tothecar.“SinceIflew
halfwayacrossthebloody
globe,IthoughtI’dseeitfor
myself.”
“Lookslikeaholeinthe
groundtome.”
Janusglaredathis
brother.“Nothingslipsby
you,doesit?”hesnarledas
heclimbedbackintothe
passengerseat.
Reginaldmutteredanoath
whenthedoorshut,angryat
hisbrother’sbarbbut
knowingbetterthanto
confronthim.Nerveswere
closetothesurface,withthe
templehavingbeenfound,
andhedidn’twanttoriskan
outburstfromhisjet-lagged
sibling.
Thetirescrunchedon
gravelasthebigvehicle
backedaway,andwhenthe
securityguardsreturned
fifteenminuteslater,thesite
wascalmandempty,which
wouldbetheirreportthe
followingmorning,nowonly
afewhoursaway.
W
hatisit?”Samasked
astheytookataxi
fromtheirmoteltothesite.
“Idon’tknow.Something
justdoesn’tfeelright.Ican’t
believethatthatwasit.Itjust
feelsso...Idon’tknow,so
incomplete.”
“Ofcourseit’s
disheartening,butatleastwe
solvedtheriddleofthe
manuscriptandlocatedthe
chamber,”Lazlosaid.
“That’swhat’sbugging
me.I’mnotconvincedwe
did.Wefoundachamber;but
thequestionis,didwefind
thechamber?”
Samturnedtoher.“What
areyousaying?”
“Isn’titpossiblethatwe
gotsomethingwrong?”
“Wefoundit.Right
wherewethoughtitwould
be.”
“Notwherewethoughtit
wouldbe—whereAntonio
andhissisterwereconvinced
itwouldbe.Butwhatifthey
arewrong?”
“Andwejusthappenedto
findacryptbyaccident?”
“They’vebeenfinding
newtunnelsandchambers
aroundthosepyramidsfor
years.Nobodydugthatarea
upbefore,I’llbet.We
excavatedahugestretchof
thebase.Theoddsoffinding
somethingaren’tashighas
you’dthink.Andwhatdidwe
actuallyfind?Alootedtomb.
That’sallweknow.Didyou
seealotofimagesonthe
wallsthatwouldleadyouto
believethatitwasthefinal
restingplaceofaruler
reveredasagod?”
“Well,actually,nowthat
youmentionit,itwasrather
simple.Butstill...”
“Ifyouweregoingto
constructahiddentombthat
waslegendaryforitsriches
andcontainedtheremainsof
themostimportantruleryour
civilizationhadeverknown,
wouldyouconsiderthata
fittingfinalrestingplace?”
Lazlonoddedfromhis
positioninthefrontseat.
“Shehasapoint.”
Samstudiedherface.“Is
thatwhat’sgotyoujittery?
Thatit’sso...
unimpressive?”
“Ithinkit’sthat,andthat
I’veneverbeenahundred
percentconvincedthattheir
assuranceswereright.I’ve
hadmydoubtssincetheyfirst
toldus.Don’taskmewhy.
Callitintuition.Butsome
partofmybrainwasgoing,
No,that’snotright.Idon’t
knowwhatIsawthatledme
inadifferentdirection,but
whateveritwas,Idid,and
I’velearnedtotrustmy
instincts.”
Sam’sfacegrewserious.
“Wait.Whatdidyoujust
say?”
“Didn’tyouhearme?”
“Ofcourse.Yousaidyou
don’tknowwhatitisyou
saw.”
Shelookedperplexed.
“Right.”
“Whatdoyoumeanyou
saw?Wherecouldyouhave
seensomethingthatwould
leadyoutoadifferent
conclusion?Whatdidyousee
that’sconvincedyoutheygot
itwrong?”
Remithoughtinsilence
and,astheyapproachedthe
gate,shookherhead.“Idon’t
know.It’sjustafigureof
speech.”
“I’veknownyoufora
longtime.You’revery
precisewithyouruseof
language,whetheryourealize
itornot.Yousaidyousaw
something.Nowmyquestion
iswhat?”
“Sam,I’mreallytryingto
think,butIhonestlydon’t
know.It’sbaffling.”
Henodded.“Letyour
brainworkonit.Don’tkeep
concentrating.Letitcomeup
withtheansweronitsown.
It’llcometoyouwhenyour
brainfiguresitout.Brainsare
goodthatway.”
“Sincewhendoyouknow
somuchaboutbrains?”she
asked,eyeinghimskeptically.
“That’showmineworks.
Ifiguredyoursmightoperate
thesameway.”
“Ifthatweretrue...”
Lazlowassilent,lostin
thoughtduringtheexchange.
Whenthetaxirolledtoastop,
helookedaround,asthough
startled,beforeclimbingout
ofthecab.
Sampaidthedriver,and
theybeganthewalktothe
templefromtheentrygates.
Themorningairwascool,a
lightovercastprovidingsome
relieffromthesun’sblaze.
Whentheyarrivedatthesite,
Antoniowasstandingunder
thetarp,studyinganimage
onalargemonitor.
“What’sthat?”Samasked
astheyapproachedhim.
“Ah,goodmorning.This
isafeedfromarobotthatI
wrangledfrommycolleague
forafewhours.They’re
usingitattheothertunnel,
butIfigureditwouldspeed
upourworktohavethe
interiorofthechambers
filmedbeforewegocrashing
aroundinthere.”
“Excellentidea.Where’s
yoursister?”
“She’sdowninthe
trench,operatingtheremote.
It’sonacable,soshewas
limitedbylength.”
Theywatchedtheimages
flickeringonthescreen,and
Lazloshookhisheadwhen
thelensslowlyroamedover
thecarvings.“Whatdoyou
makeofthose?”
“Prettyaveragefor
Teotihuacan.”
“DotheylookToltec?”
Remiasked.
Antoniotookacloser
look.“Notparticularly,but
it’ssohardtotelluntilwe
haveachancetoreally—”
“Butyourfirstimpression
isthattheylookmorelikethe
othershere?”
Antonioslowlyturnedto
faceRemi.“Whatareyou
gettingat?”
“Somethingtellsmethat
thisfind,whileinteresting,
isn’twhatwewerelooking
for.”
Hiseyeswidened.
“What?”
Sheexplainedher
reservationstohim,taking
himthroughherthinking
process.Whenshewasdone,
Antoniodidn’tlookquiteas
confidentashehadwhen
they’darrived.
“Butyoudon’tknow
whatitwasyousawthat
madeyouquestionthe
location?”
Shefrowned.“Notyet.
Butit’sastrongfeeling.”
Sammovedtowardthe
excavation.“Goodmorning,”
hecalleddowntoMaribela,
whowasstaringatasmaller
monitorsetuponacardtable
nearthecryptentry,
maneuveringajoystickto
directtherobotbeneathher
feet.Shepressedabuttonand
lookedupathimwitha
smile.
“Buenosdíastoyouas
well.”
“Youdidn’thappento
findanincredibletreasure
whilewewererunninglate,
didyou?”
“No.Anythingofvalue
wastakenlongago.”
“What’syourimpression
ofthecarvings?Ionlysawa
few.”
“Tooearlytosay.”
“Didtheystrikeyouas
appropriatehomagetoa
breathingincarnationofa
god?”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Myimpressionfrom
yesterdaywasthatthey’re
prettyhumble.”
“Mmm,”shesaid
noncommittally.
“‘Humble’...”
Remiapproached,trailed
byLazlo.“Sam,Iknowwhat
itwas.”
Maribelaregardedthem
withconfusion.
“What?”Samasked.
“TheCubancarvings.The
pyramid.Withthecloudover
it.Inboththatimage,aswell
astheoneatthenewfindof
thesamescene,there’s
alwaysasecondbuilding.”
“Thereis?”
“Yes.Asmallertemple.”
“And?”
“Why?”Remiaskedwith
asatisfiedtone.“Whyisthere
asmallertemple?”
Sampaused.“You’re
goingtotellme,aren’tyou?”
Lazloclearedhisthroat
andtookover.“Becausethe
pyramidisanorientation
point,nottheactuallocation
ofthetomb.”
Maribelaeyedhim
skeptically.“Howdoyou
know?”
Remisteppedforward.
“There’sthepyramidandthe
cloud.Butbarelyvisiblein
thecloudisthesamething:
themoon.Thecloud
obstructsmostofit,butit’s
there.”
“Okay...”
Remishookherhead.
“Wegotitwrong.It’sthe
PyramidoftheMoonthat’s
thelocation.Wewereso
fixatedonQuetzalcoatl,we
werelookingforsnakes.And
thedepictionsareconfusing.
Justliketheaccountinthe
manuscript.”
“Areyousure?”
ShegazedintoSam’s
eyes.“I’veneverbeensosure
aboutanythinginmylife.
We’vebeenlookinginthe
wrongspot.”
Lazloglancedaround
beforespeaking.“Ithinkit’s
abouttimethatItakethattrip
totheearthquakesiteI’ve
beenrequestingandtakea
hardlookatthepictographs
inperson.Withalldue
respect,beforewecontinue
downthisroaditwouldbe
nicetoknowthatwehaven’t
missedanythingelse.”
Reminodded.“Iagree.”
SheturnedtoAntonio.“Do
youthinkwecouldgetaccess
today?”
“Idon’tseewhynot.Let
memakeacallandalertthe
teamthatwe’reonourway.
I’lldriveyoumyself.”
Maribelaeyedthedig,
handsonherhips.“I’llstay
hereandsupervisethe
workers.”
Antoniocheckedhis
watch.“Allright,then.I’ll
callfromthecar.Nopoint
wastinganytime.”
T
heroadstoLópez
Mateoswereclogged
withlate-morningtrafficas
thebigSUVrolledpastthe
deterioratingbuildingsinto
thecenterofthedistrict,now
largelyrecoveredfromthe
earthquake.Thelittlestreet
withthetombentrancewas
stillclosedtotraffic,anda
contingentofsoldierswas
standingguard.Antonio
displayedhiscredentialsand
theywereallowedonfoot
downthewell-troddenpath
intothedigsite.
Theleaderinchargeof
theprojectapproached
Antonioandshookhands,
and,afterashortdiscussion
inSpanish,movedpastthe
groupintothesunlight.
Antoniosquintedashiseyes
adjustedtothegloominthe
crypt,andheturnedtoLazlo
andtheFargos.
“Sam,Remi,you’vebeen
herebefore,soyouknowthe
precautionstotake.Lazlo,
mostoftheareashavebeen
cordonedoffsoasnotto
causeanydamageaswe
excavateanddocumentthe
findings.I’llaskyouto
respectthatandtoavoid
touchinganything.I’ve
instructedthecrewtotake
lunchearlysothesitewillbe
allyoursforthenexttwo
hours.”
“Ofcourse.You’llnever
knowIwashere,”Lazlo
assuredhim.
“Andthankyouagainfor
doingthis,”Remisaid.
“Hopefully,it’llyield
positiveresults.”Antonio
motionedwithan
outstretchedhand.“Thisway.
We’llstartwithwhatwe’re
callingthemainburialvault.”
Theymovedslowlydown
thepassagewaytothe
junction,andAntonioled
themintothelargestofthe
rooms.Heswitchedon
severalmorelamps,sothey
couldbetterstudythe
pictographs,andstoodback.
“Again,becarefulofthe
areasonthegroundwiththe
stakesandchalkaroundthem.
Thoseareartifactsthat
remaintobeunearthed,”he
remindedthegroup,andthey
noddedashenearedthefirst
oftheelaboratecarvingsthat
spannedthewall.
Remijoinedhimand
pointedatthepictograph.
“Here’stheprocession,you
see?Exactlyasinthe
photos.”
“Reallyremarkablein
person,isn’tit?”Lazlo
murmured,takinginthe
entiretyoftheimagebefore
movingclosertostudythe
detail.“Musthavetakenthem
ages.Incredible
handiwork...”
“Andtherearemoreon
theburialplatform,aswellas
ontheotherwalls.Butthis
oneisrepeatedinallthe
chambers,soitnodoubthad
significancetotheToltec,”
Antoniosaid.
“See?Thereitis.
Obviously,theTempleofthe
FeatheredSerpent,”Samsaid,
pointingtotheornately
carveddepictionofthesixlevelsteppyramid.
“Yes,I’dwagerso...”
Lazloagreed,eyesnarrowing
asheinchednearer.
Remibegan
photographingthe
pictographsagainincase
she’dmissedsomethingon
herearlierpass,andSam
edgedtothefarwalltostudy
thecarvingsthere.Lazlo
spentseveralminutesporing
overthedepictionofthe
procession,mutteringsoftly
tohimself,beforejoining
Sam.
“That’stheonerepeated
inalltherooms?”heasked.
“Yes.”
“I’lljusthavealook,
then.Mightaswellsince
we’rehere.”
“Youshouldgowith
Antonio.He’llshowyouthe
way.”
“Ofcourse.Wouldn’t
wanttogetlostorwander
intoalocalwateringhole.”
LazloandAntoniomoved
downthestonecorridortothe
nextvaultasRemistaredat
theimagesofpyramidswith
furiousconcentration,as
thoughthroughsheerforceof
willshemighthavea
breakthroughthatwouldshed
lightonthetruelocationof
Quetzalcoatl’stomb.
“It’sprettyobviousthat
it’sTeotihuacannowthat
we’vebeenthere,isn’tit?”
Samsaid.
“Yes,sowe’reinthe
ballpark.That’ssomething.”
“Andthat’sgottobethe
PyramidoftheSun.”
“I’dthinkso,basedonits
size.”
Samshookhishead.
“ThentheTempleofthe
FeatheredSerpentcan’tbe
thecorrectspot.Lookatthe
orientation.”
“Iagree.Butagain,
AntonioandMaribelaarethe
expertsandtheythought—”
Samwasinterruptedby
Lazlo,hurryingbackintothe
vault.Remiturnedtolookat
him,takingintheexcitement
onhisnormallyplacidface.
“IthinkI’vegotit,dear
boy.Tookmeawhile.And
fiendishlyclever,whoever
carvedthese.Frankly,ifyou
didn’tknowwhattolookfor,
you’dneverfigureitout.
Certainlynotfromthe
photographs—nooffense.”
“Whatareyoutalking
about?”Remiasked.
“Thepictographsare
slightlydifferentineachof
thetombs.It’ssubtle,but
theyare.”
“Areyousure?”Sam
asked.
“Absolutely.Comeon,
I’llshowyou.”
Lazloledthemintothe
chambernexttotheone
they’dbeeninandpointedto
thepictograph.“See?The
dignitariesarepositioned
differently,andsoarethe
landmarks.Thatpyramidis
moretotheright.”
Samfrowned.“That
couldbenaturalvariation.
Justaresultofthematerials
availableortheartist.
Meaningless.”
“True.Butnowlet’sgo
intothenextroom.You’llsee
yetanotherslightdifference.”
“Iftheartistswere
carvingfromanillustration,
astheymostlikelywere,
there’sprobablyno
significancetoanyofit,”
Antoniosaidfromthe
threshold.
“Normally,I’dagreewith
you.Buthumorme.Let’sgo
tothenextone.”
Everyonefiledintothe
thirdvault,wheretwolamps
bathedthecarvingsinlight.
“Yetmorevariation,do
yousee?”
Reminoddedslowlyand
tookseveralphotos.“Ido.
Butwhatdoesitmean?”
Lazlo’sfacecrackedinto
awrygrin.“That’sreallythe
question,isn’tit?Toknow
theanswer,youhavetogeta
littlelost.”
SamandRemiexchanged
apuzzledglance.
“Sorry.I’mnotfollowing
you,”Samsaid.
“Iwantedtoconfirmmy
suspicion,soIwenttolookat
thefourthtomb.There,inthe
darkantechamber,Icould
makeoutcarvingsonthewall
atnearlyceilingheight—
aboveeyelevel.Therewas
nolamp,whichmadeithard
tosee,soIborrowed
Antonio’spenlight.Andwhat
doyouthinkitwas?”
Samshookhishead.
“GPScoordinates?”
“Ha.Close.Come.Havea
look.”
Heledthemintothe
narrowstonecorridortothe
fartombandstoppedbefore
entering.Remidirectedher
penlightbeamatthecarving
Lazlowaspointingat.“Look
familiar?”heasked.
“It’stheprocession
again.”
“Indeeditis.Exceptlook
closer.Doyouseesomething
thatisn’tinanyofthelarger
carvings?”
Samsteppednearerto
Remi,nodding.
“We’llI’llbe...”
RemilookedupatSam’s
profile,realizationwritten
acrossherface.
“Thoseareplanetsand
stars.”
Lazlonoddedlikeaproud
father.“Yes,theyare.And
withthecelestialwaypoints,
weshouldbeabletodecipher
wherethetruelocationofthe
tomblies.”
B
ackinthesecondtomb,
Antoniogesturedatthe
processionpictograph.“In
thisone,therearefaint
outlinesofthemoonand
severalstars,too.Butalmost
asanafterthought.”
“Yes,asthereareinone
oftheothers.Onlythe
constellationsareasdifferent
asthedrawings,I’mafraid,”
Lazloconfirmed.
“ThenIdon’tunderstand.
Howwillweknowwhichof
thedepictionsisthecorrect
one?”
Lazlostoodmutefora
moment,thinking.“Ican’t
helpbutbelievethatthe
repeatedpictographhas
meaning.I’mguessingthat
it’sanastronomicaldepiction
—acluetothosewhowere
adeptatreadingthestars.
Maybe...Maybethereason
thatthepositionofthe
landmarksisdifferentineach
renditionisbecausethe
imagesarerepresentationsof
thesamethingatdifferent
timesoftheyear.Major
events.Summersolstice,
wintersolstice...”
“Howwillwedecide?”
Remiasked.
Lazlo’seyeswidened.
“Youhaveimagesofthe
manuscriptandthe
pictographsfromCuba,
right?”
“Ofcourse.Butthey’re
backatthemotel.”
“Thenthat’swherewe
needtogonext,”Lazlosaid.
“Why?”
“Because,ifI’mnot
mistaken,themanuscript
holdsthefinalcluethatwill
enableustounravelthis
riddle.Remi,takeanother
seriesofphotosofeach
room’spictographs,inorder,
aswe’dseethemifwewere
movingfromtheprimary
vaulttothefinalone.Tryto
getthemfromthesameangle
ineach.Finishwithournew
findintheantechamber.”
Withintenminutes,they
werebackintheSUV,
movingdowntheuneven
streets,backtoward
Teotihuacan.Anhourlater,
theystoppedatthemoteland
Remiraninside,emerging
momentslaterwithaflash
driveinherhand.
Oncebackatthedig,they
gatheredaroundthemonitor
asLazlostudiedtheCuban
pictographsandthe
manuscript.Nobodysaida
wordashegazedintentlyat
theimages,flippingbetween
them,beforefinallysettling
ontheseriesfromthetombs.
“TheCubanpictograph
andthemanuscriptnarrowit
downtothesecondinthe
series.Seethemoonthere?It
matchesthepositioninthe
Cubancarvings.Therestare
redherrings,asyousayinthe
colonies.”
“You’recorrect.That’sa
depictionofthemoon.Faint,
andIwouldneverhave
noticeditwithalltherestof
theglyphs,butthereitis,”
Antonioconceded.
“Nowthequestionis,
whichtempleisit?The
smalleroneoverthere?”Sam
said,pointingtoalower
buildingtotheright.
Lazlodidn’tsayanything
andthensteppedback.“It’s
notashardasyouthink,now
thatweknowwhattolook
for.”
“Whatisit,Lazlo?”
Maribelaasked.
“Theothersymbolspoint
theway,”Lazlonodded.
“Teotihuacanisorganizedin
averyspecificmanner.The
citywasdesignedaccording
toastronomicalevents.The
movementofthesun,the
stars,themoon—allofthese
playedahugeroleinits
layout.”
“Right...”
“Lookupattheskyinthe
carving.Abovethemoon.
Thatonestarisbiggerthan
therest.Whichwouldmakeit
theNorthStar.Polaris.”
Antoniogruntedassent.
“Thatwouldfit,basedon
otherToltecimageswe’ve
analyzed.”
Lazlosighed.“NowI’m
afraidthereallyhardwork
comesin.We’llneedto
simulatethemovementofthe
moonandthestarsuntilwe
cometoapointwheretheyfit
thepositionsinthatcarving.
Whenwedo,we’llbeableto
calculatethetomb’s
location.”
“Itmaynotbesohard
afterall,”Antoniosaid,and
thenwalkedthemslowly
throughtheother
astronomicalsymbols.After
conferringwithLazlo,he
jotteddownafewnotes
beforetypingonthelaptop’s
keyboardatafuriouspace.
Theywatchedashedeleted
onewordandentereda
differentoneintoablank
searchboxandthenpresseda
seriesofkeys.
“Ihaveaprogramthat
willanalyzethepositionof
themoon,stars,andsun
basedonroughcoordinates.
It’lltakeawhiletoprocess
allthis.Lazlo’sassumingthat
thefinalprocessionwould
havebeenatakeycelestial
event.Something
monumental.Fittingforthe
burialofthegreatestrulerof
histime.SoIenteredinall
thepossibleobviousevents.
Theequinoxes,other
alignmentsthatareviewedin
Mesoamericanculturesas
significant.”
Ascreenpoppedup.He
andLazlostudieditandthen
overlaiditonamodelof
Teotihuacan.Afterchanging
thescreenseveraltimes,
Antoniosteppedback.
Lazlotappedthescreen.
“There’syourtemple.The
firstoneontherightasyou
facethePyramidofthe
Moon.”
RemilookedtoAntonio.
“Havethereeverbeenany
excavationsthere?”
Antonioshookhishead.
“Idon’tbelieveso,otherthan
clearingthelandawayonthe
frontsidesoyoucanseethe
temple.Thesecondary
pyramidswereconsidered
trivialintheschemeof
things,soresourceswentto
thelargerbuildings.”
“Thenthey’veneverbeen
thoroughlyexplored,”Remi
said.
“Weonlyhavelimited
resources—”Maribela
bristled.
Antoniohelduphishand,
cuttingheroff.
“Idon’tthinkRemiis
sayingwe’vebeennegligent.
Ithinkherintentwasto
establishthatnothingmuchis
knownaboutthemsinceall
theseriousdigsfocused
aroundthemorespectacular
sites.”
“That’sright.Sothere
verywellcouldbeatomb
there.Eitherunderitoralong
oneofthebases,”Remisaid.
“Actually,ifyoulookat
howthingslineup,you’llsee
therearofthetempleonthe
axis.”
“Howlongisthatside?”
Samasked.
“They’reallaboutthirtysixmeterssquare.Soalmost
ahundredtwentyofyour
feet.”
“Notthatmuchsmaller
thantheTempleofthe
FeatheredSerpent.”
“Alittlemorethanhalf
thesize,actually,butyou’re
correctthatit’salargearea.”
“Let’sgooverandhavea
look.Wouldweneedanew
permit?”
“Ithinkasthesenior
functionaryofINAHhere,I’d
sayno.”
TheypiledintoAntonio’s
officialSuburbanandcrawled
thelengthoftheAvenueof
theDead,takingcaretoavoid
thescatteredgroupsof
touriststakinginthesights.
Whentheyreachedthe
temple,theyclimbedthe
slopebehindit,whichhad
onlybeenpartiallycleared,
andstaredattherearofthe
smallerpyramidasifthey
couldintuitwherethelost
chamberwaswithinstinct
alone.
“Callitninetyfeetto
excavate.Butthisis
considerablymoredirtto
move.Couldwegeta
backhoehere?”Remiasked.
“Justtodothegross-level
clearingandthenwecould
havethecrewtakeover...”
“Idon’tseewhynot,”
Antoniosaid.“Thereare
numerousplacesintownthat
rentequipmentandamanto
operateit.Perhapswecould
getonethisafternoon.And
withsufficientfinancial
incentive,themanwould
probablybewillingtowork
late.Wemightgetitdonein
adayorso,thenmovein
afterthatwiththemenasyou
suggested.”
“Thenlet’sstakeoutan
areatoclear.”
Ahugebackhoearrivedat
twoandworkedtillnine,
doingsobytheglowofthe
worklightsoncethesunset.
Sam,Remi,andLazloleft
whentheoperatordidand
tookataxitotherestaurant
wherethey’deatentheprior
night.Thefoodwasgoodand
themoodexcited,thesense
ofhavingmadesignificant
progresspalpable,asthey
discussedtheprojectin
hushedtones.
Thenextmorningthe
excavationstartedateight
andbytwo-thirtytheentire
backsectionofthepyramid
basewasreadyforthe
waitingmentobeginthe
morecarefuldiggingwith
picksandshovels.Thecrew
wenttowork,continuingtill
dark.
Theyresumedthe
followingday,clearingthe
dirtundertherelentlessglare
ofthehotsun.Atsixp.m.,
oneofthepicksbroke
throughthehardclayintoa
cavitybelow.Theholewas
widenedenoughtoallow
entry.Thistime,Remi
insistedonbeingthefirstone
in,andaftersimilarwarnings
asSamhadgottenbefore,she
wasloweredintotheopening
withahigh-poweredportable
lightandaradio.
“Whatdoyousee?”Sam
askedafterthirtyseconds.
“It’sacrudetunnel.It
goesunderthetemple.”
“Howfar?”
“That’swhatIintendto
findout,”Remisaid,hertone
short.Samdecidedtoleave
herinpeaceandallowherto
exploreuntilshefeltadesire
tocommunicate.Afteralong
pause,theradiocrackled
againwithhervoice.
“There’sanentryway.Stone,
andcarvedfarmore
elaboratelythananywe’ve
seenbefore.Butit’sblocked
withsmallerrocksmortared
inplace.We’llneed
somethingtobreakthrough.
Anditwouldprobablybea
goodideatoshoreupthe
tunnel,althoughifithasn’t
cavedinoverthecenturies,
it’sprobablyokayfornow.”
Sampassedthe
informationontoAntonio,
whowasstandingbythe
openingwithLazlo,staring
intothevoid.Heorderedthe
menintoaction.Theforeman
broughtatallladder,and
threeworkersdroppedinto
thedark.Thereststayed
aboveandpasseddown
woodenbeamsandboardsto
buildprimitiveshoring.
“I’mcomingdown,”Sam
said,andafterthefirstwave
ofworkerswasclear,he
descended,apickinhisfree
hand,followedbyLazlo,
Antonio,andMaribela,all
carryingheavyironprybars.
Theirflashlightbeamsplayed
alongtheclaywallsuntilthey
sawRemiaroundabendin
thetunnel,facingacrudely
mortaredrockwallframedby
carvedstone—thecarvings
muchlikethosethey’dall
seeninthecryptsatthefind
inLópezMateos.
“Look.Thepyramidwith
themoon,”Remisaid,
pointingattheprocession
depictedatthetopofthe
doorway.“Thisisit.Ithasto
be.”
Samnodded.“Stand
clear,”hewarned.“Let’ssee
ifwecangetthroughthis
rock,shallwe?”
Everyonesteppedback.
Heswungthepickandit
connectedwithstone.A
chunkofmortarflewoff.He
swungitagainandanother,
biggerpiecedroppedathis
feet.“Thiswillwork.It’lljust
takealittletime.”
“Let’shavethelaborers
dothis,”Maribelasuggested.
Samshookhishead.“No
way.Justgivemeafew
minutes.”Hecontinued
beatingatthewall,and,after
severaldozenblows,oneof
therocksfellintotheempty
spacebeyond.“We’re
through!I’llknockoutafew
moreoftheseandthenlet’s
putthosecrowbarstouse.”
Twocrudelysquared
stonescollapsedinwardafter
hisnextblow,thenanother
onhisnext.Hedroppedthe
pickbyasidecolumnas
LazloandAntoniomovedin
withtheircrowbars,thearea
toolimitedforRemior
Maribelatohelp.Moreofthe
rocksdroppedintothespace,
andthenthelowerpartofthe
wallcollapsedinaheapof
rubble.Adustcloudrose
fromthepile.
“IthinkRemishoulddo
thehonors,”Samsaid.
Antoniomotionedtoher
withasmallbowofassent.
“Absolutely.Señora?”
Sheliftedthebulky
portablelightandhelditin
frontofherandthenleaned
intothenewlyopenareaand
glancedaround.“It’savault.”
Remiclimbedthroughthe
opening,lightintow.They
heardhergasp,andashiver
offearwentupSam’sspine.
“Areyouokay?”he
demanded,shininghis
flashlightintothedark.
“Perfect.Ithinkit’ssafe
tosaywefoundthetomb.”
Shepaused.“There’sabody
coveredinjadeonastone
platform,andseveralmounds
ofofferingsaroundit.
They’redusty,butIseesome
glinting,soprobablygold.
Andjademasks.”
“Gold?TheToltecsdidn’t
haveanygold,”Maribela
said.
“Perhapstheytradedfor
it?Obsidian,too.AndToltec
pottery.Ceramics.”
“AnyreasonIcan’tcome
in?”Samaskedthroughthe
hole.
“No,butbecareful.This
willbeasignificantfindand
wedon’twanttocrash
aroundlikebuffalo.”
Sameasedhimself
throughthegap.Maribelaand
Lazlofollowedhimin,trailed
byAntonio.
Theyfoundthemselvesin
atwelve-by-fifteen-foot
chamberofcarvedstone
walls.Remisteppedgingerly
aroundapileontheground
andleaneddown,holdingthe
lampinfrontofher.TheLED
bulbsilluminatedtheinterior
ofthecryptinaneeriewhite
glow.Sheliftedasmall
figurefromthemoundand
helditup.“Gold.”
SamandLazlowere
standingbythefigureonthe
platform.Themummy’sskin
wasdesiccated,thecolorof
coffeeandthetextureofbeef
jerky.Lazlopeeredatitand
didaquickcalculation.
“Lookslikehewasnomore
thanfivefeettall,soclearly
indigenous.Notexactlythe
tall,imposing,beardedfigure
ofthelegends,ishe?”
Maribelamovedtohis
side,gazingdownatthe
body.“Buttherobeis
consistentwiththestories.
White,orwhatwasonce
white,animalhide.Therobe
ofaprophet...”
“Oragod,”Antonio
whispered.
“ButnoEyeofHeaven,”
Samsaid.
“Alas,probablypartof
thelegendthatgrewover
time,”Maribelasaid.“Asyou
know,theenormousriches
couldhaveincreasedinthese
taleswiththetelling,along
withQuetzalcoatl’sheight.”
Remihadmovedpastthe
offeringsandwasstudying
thesymbolsonthewall.
“Look,almostallofthemare
snakes.Quetzalcoatl.And
here—theprocessionthemeis
reprised,butthey’recarrying
thebodyofafeathered
serpentinthisdepiction.A
funeralprocession.”
Theyspentanotherhour
insidethechamberasthe
workerscontinuedpropping
woodenbeamsalongthe
tunnel’slength,andthen
Remisetherdimminglight
downandbrushedahand
throughherdustyhair.“I
thinkwe’vehadaproductive
day,don’tyou?It’sprobably
timetoleavethistothe
experts.”
Antonionodded.“It’sone
ofthemostsignificant
discoveriesinthelast
hundredyears.Youshouldbe
veryproudofyourselves.The
discoverersofQuetzalcoatl’s
finalrestingplace.It’san
incrediblehonortoworkwith
youboth.”
Maribelasmiled.“Yes.
It’saremarkable
achievement.TheMexican
peopleoweyouatremendous
debtforrestoringan
importantpieceoftheir
historytothem.Another
tremendousdebt,”sheadded,
referringtotheMayanCodex
theFargoshadretrievedonly
monthsbefore.
“Thehonorisours,”Sam
said,“forbeingallowedto
exploreasacredsite.And
youshouldbecongratulating
yourselvesaswell.Thiswill
beahugeeventinthe
archaeologycommunity.
Quetzalcoatl’slosttreasure
andhisbodyallinoneday.
Mostdon’thavethatkindof
afindinalifetime.”
Remiclearedherthroat,
thedustthickintheair.
“Whatwe’vefoundwe
couldn’thavedonewithout
you,”shesaidgraciously,
althoughthetruthwasmore
complicated.
Lazlowasstaringatthe
mummy,shakinghishead.
“Whatisit,Lazlo?”Sam
asked.
“We’restillmissing
something.Idon’tknow
what,butweare.”
Maribelachuckled.
“Lazlo,youdidit.Ifthefind
isn’twhatyou’dhopedfor,
thatdoesn’tmeananyone’s
missinganything.”
“Perhaps.ButIwantto
doacarefulinspectionofthe
interior.Justasthe
informationthatledushere
wasoverlookedintheLópez
Mateostombs,mysenseis
it’stooearlytoassumewe’ve
crackedthisnut.”
Antoniosteppedforward.
“Ofcoursewe’lldoa
detailedanalysisofthefind
andgoovereveryinchofit.
We’reallafterthesame
thing,andIthinkLazlo’s
instinctsshouldberespected.
It’salwayspossiblethatthere
aremoresecretshereandthat
Quetzalcoatlhasn’trevealed
themalltousyet.”
Whentheywerebackat
groundlevel,Antonioplaced
callstoarrangeformore
securityasnightfell.They
wantedtotakenochances
witharoomthatcontained
goldandpricelessartifacts.In
aruralareaofMexicowell
awayfromthereachesofthe
policedepartments,Antonio
wasnaturallycautious—
enoughoftheworkershad
seenwhatlayinthechamber
forrumorstobeginandan
armedpresencewasthe
sensibleprecaution.
Antonio’scellphone
chirpedandheexcused
himself.Helistenedforafew
momentsandhisfacewent
white.Whenhereturned,he
lookedshaky.
“What’swrong,
Antonio?”Remiasked.
“It’s...Theyfound
Carlos’sbody.”
Theyfellsilent,the
excitementoverthefindnow
mutedbytherealityoftheir
colleague’sviolentdemise.
Antoniosharedtheslimfacts
he’dbeengiven,which
explainednothing.Another
senselessdeathinabrutal
worldandagoodmantaken
fromtheEarthfornoreason.
Asthedaylightwaned,ahot
windblewacrosstheruins
likethebreathofanangry
god,moaningthroughthe
surroundingstructures,a
funeraldirgefortheir
departedfriend.After
contemplatingthenewsof
Carlos’spassing,Samand
Remipackedtheirbackpacks
asthesiblingsissued
instructionstothetwo
securitymen.WhenAntonio
wasfinished,heapproached
theFargos,hismoodsomber.
“I’mgoingtostayhere
untiltheadditionalsecurity
showsup.I’veaskedfora
contingentofsoldiersfrom
thenearbymilitarybase.”He
checkedthetime.“They
shouldarriveinanhour.Are
youleaving?”
“We’llcomebytomorrow
toseewhat’sbeing
unearthed,ifthat’sokay,”
Remisaid.
“Itwouldbemy
pleasure.”
Theyfollowedthelastof
thestragglingtouristsdown
theAvenueoftheDead,
movingtowardtheentry
gatesonautomaticpilot.
RemiandLazlowerequieton
thewaybacktothemotel.
T
henextmorningLazlo,
Remi,andSamrodean
INAH-suppliedgolfcart
towardthePyramidofthe
Moon.Antonio’sSUVwas
parkedneartheresearchtent
thatwasbeingerectedbya
sleepycrew.Whenthey
approached,hewasgivingan
orientationtoagroupof
earnest-lookingstudents.
Maribelastoodattheedgeof
thegatheringandhereyes
brightenedwhenshesaw
themrollup.
“Hola!You’rehere
early,”shecalledoutasshe
walkedovertothem,her
strideasfluidasadancer’s.
“Wewantedtogeta
secondlookatwhatwe
found,”Samexplained.
“Verygood.We’rejust
goingovertheprotocolswith
theteam.We’vebeen
assignedadozenhelpers.We
wanttoensurewedon’tharm
anythingaswedocumentthe
contentsofthecrypt.”
“We’dliketospendsome
timeinside,photographing
everythingasitwasfound
beforeitallgetsshifted
around.”
“Ofcourse.Comethis
wayandI’llgetyousome
glovesandbrushesincase
youspotanythingyouwant
tocleanoff.”
“Thankyou,butwe’re
mostlyinterestedinthe
carvings.We’rehopingto
findsomethingthatwillshed
somelightonwhy
Quetzalcoatlwasdescribedin
anumberofaccountsasa
tall,beardedwhiteman.The
mummyisanythingbut...”
“Ah,yes,thelegends,”
Maribelasaid.
“Itneverhurtstobe
thorough,”Remisaid,her
voiceeven,hertonefirm.
Lazlosensedarising
tensionbetweenthetwo
womenandmovedquicklyto
diffuseit.
“Howmuchlongerbefore
yourbrother’sdonewiththe
lads?”heaskedMaribela.
“He’sbeenatitforfifteen
minutes,soIthinkhe’llbe
finishingupprettysoon.”
Antoniojoinedthemonce
hewounddownhis
orientationandgreetedthem
likevisitingroyalty.
“Theretheyare!Cometo
celebrate?”
“Wewantedtogetphotos
ofthefindbeforeeveryone
reallygetstowork.”
Samglancedatthesix
soldiersstandinginaloose
ringatthesiteperimeter,their
M4rifleshangingfrom
shoulderstraps,notoneof
themmorethannineteen.
“Iseeyou’vegotthebig
gunsin.Literally.”
“Itwouldn’tdotohave
Quetzalcoatl’streasurewalk
off,wouldit?”
Thedaywentbyinablur
ofphotographsanddustingof
carvingstogetallthedetail.
Samfinallycameupforair,
donewiththecrypt.Remi
joinedhimunderthetarp,
whereLazlowas
methodicallyporingoverthe
photographsonthebig
monitorwithrapt
concentration,seemingly
oblivioustothenoisearound
him.
“Didyougeteverything
youwanted?”Samasked.
“Ithinkso,althoughI
wasstruckbythesame
sensationIhadyesterday.Not
muchofatreasure,really,
comparedtosome.”
“TheToltecsprobably
weren’tarichpeople.”
“True.Butthelegendjust
seemssooverblown
comparedtowhat’sdown
there,”Remisaid,herfingers
brushinghergoldscarab.
“Maybeit’sjustmylucky
charmsendingoutskeptical
vibes.”
“I’dsayit’sbeenpretty
luckysofar.Still,vibesorno
vibes,I’dcountitasawin.
Wesolvedanotherof
history’sriddles.Notabad
day’swork.”Samglancedat
Lazlo.“Youaboutreadyto
packitin,Lazlo?”
Lazloseemedonlythento
registerthem.“We’remissing
something.Idon’tknow
what,butweare.”
“Istarttogetworried
whenyouandRemiagreeon
somuch,”Samjoked.“But,
comeon,it’sbeenalongday.
Thephotoswillstillbethere
tomorrowandyoureyesmust
beburningoutofyourhead
bynow.Youhungry,Remi?”
“WhenamInot?Butyou
looklikeyoucouldusesome
freshening-up.”
“Youhaven’tlookedina
mirrorlately,either,have
you?”
Theysaidtheirgood-byes
toAntonioandMaribelaand,
havingcheckedoutofthe
motelthatmorning,tooka
taxitotheSt.Regisin
MexicoCity,firstdropping
Lazlooffattheclinic.They
agreedtoregroupthe
followingmorninganddrive
outtothesitetogether,once
theywererestedandfortified,
thehardworknowdone.
Teotihuacanwasdeadlystill
atthreea.m.Thetowering
pyramidswerealmost
invisibleagainstthe
deepeningvaultofthenight
sky,theancientcity’swide
boulevardaninkystrip
devoidoflife.Asliverof
moonpeekedthroughthe
patchworkofclouds,giving
barelyenoughlightforthe
soldiersguardingthenewly
discoveredcrypttoseeone
another’sfaces.Ahardened
sergeantroamedthetemple
perimeter,ensuringthathis
dozenmenwerealertand
vigilant.Althoughtheywere
onlytwenty-fivemilesfrom
thehumofMexicoCity,this
wasanotherworld,the
glimmeroflightsfromthe
nearbytownofSanMartínde
lasPirámidesasunlikethe
capital’sneonbrillianceas
waterandwine.
Acorporalstoodnearthe
barricadethathadbeen
erectedtomakethe
excavationareamore
manageable,tellingajokein
alowtonetooneofhismen.
Hestiffenedwhenhesawthe
sergeantapproachandfell
silent—theircommanderwas
knownasahardcase,a
careersoldierwho’dspent
fifteenyearsintheservice
stationedalloverMexico
duringtheupheavalofthe
drugwars.Hetookthisdull
guarddutydeadseriously,
whereashismen,mostof
whomwerebarelyold
enoughtoshave,vieweditas
yetanotherinalongstringof
boringpostingsthatseemed
randomandpointless.
Thesergeantopenedhis
mouthtospeak,alookof
reproachonhisface,when
hiscapblewoffalongwith
halfhisskull.Thecorporal
tookasecondtoregisterwhat
hadhappened—thefinal
secondinhisshortlifeasa
tinyreddotdancedoverhis
sternumandthentworounds
slammedintohischest.The
privatehe’dbeentellinghis
storytowasswinginghis
weaponuptofireatthe
invisibleassailantswhena
slugtorethroughhisthroat
andhecollapsedinaheap,
hisdyingbreathgurglingas
heshuddered,hisriflenow
lyinguselesslybyhisfeet.
Fromthesurrounding
field,eightmencladinblack
movedtowardthesite,their
passagestealthyand
practiced.Threemore
soldierssuccumbedtothe
puffsofthesound-suppressed
9mmpistols,theirsubsonic
ammomakingthemasquiet
asairguns,andthenacry
wentupfromoneofthe
remainingsoldierswhenhe
spottedthehuddledbodyof
oneofhissquadnearthe
edgeofthefield.Theleader
oftheattackinggroup
murmuredintohisearbudand
alleightoftheblack-clad
figuresopenedfireonthe
remainingsoldiers,making
shortworkofthem.
Thebattlewasover
beforeitbegan;thesoldiers
hadbeenmowndown
withoutgettingoffashot.
Theleaderoftheintruders
rosefromhiscrouched
positionandmovedthrough
thecarnage,stopping
occasionallytofireintoone
ofthemoaningwounded.
Whenhewassurethearea
wassecure,hefishedacell
phonefromhisblack
windbreakerpocketand
pushedoneofthespeeddial
buttons.
Twominuteslater,three
largevehiclesapproached—
SUVsrunningwiththeir
lightsoff.Theleadtruck
pulledtotheedgeofthesite
andallfourdoorsopened.
Guerrerosteppedoutand
waitedforReginald,whowas
onlyamomentbehindhim.
“It’sdone.Butweshould
hurry.Ihavenoideaifthey
havetoradiointothebaseon
aregularscheduleorwhat
theirprotocolis,”Guerrero
said,eyeingthecorpses,his
expressioncalm—thesightof
deadMexicansoldiersan
everydaypartofhisbusiness.
Reginaldnodded.“Have
themenbringtheholdalls.
We’llwantthegold,of
course,butalsoanyiconsor
ceramics.There’sathriving
marketforthoseifyouhave
therightcontacts.”
“Which,ofcourse,you
do.”Guerrerogrinned,anda
straymoonbeamglintedoffa
gold-cappedincisor,lending
himademoniccastinthe
gloom.
“Rathermakesmethe
idealpartner,doesn’tit?This
couldbeworthafortune.”
“Thenlet’sgoseewhat
wegot,eh?Leadtheway,”
thecartelchiefsaid.
Reginaldpickedhisway
aroundthebodiestotheramp
thathadbeenexcavatedfor
easieraccesstothetomb.
Inside,heflickedonhis
portablelamp,asdid
Guerrero,andsoontheother
menhadjoinedthem.Four
remainedabovetoensure
theirlootingwasn’t
interrupted.Reginaldentered
thecryptandkneltbyoneof
thethreemounds.He
carefullyliftedagoldfigure
andhefteditwithagruntand
thenwrappeditcarefullyina
towelbeforeslidingitintohis
bag.
“Thereisn’tasmuchas
I’dhoped,butthisalone
weighsatleasttwokilos.No
questionthiswillbea
profitablenight.Let’stake
everything—thiswillhardly
fillfourorfivebags,so
there’llbemorethanenough
room.ButrememberwhatI
said:carefulwitheverything
anddon’tjustthrowthings
intothebags.Wrapeachitem
completely.We’lltake
inventoryoncewe’rewell
awayfromhere.”
Themenwenttowork.
Onedugoutthepriceless
artifactsandhispartners
wrappedandstowedthe
goods.Thevaultwascleared
outwithintwentyminutes.
Reginaldstaredatthe
mummybeforeglancingat
hiswatch.
“That’sit.Ourbusiness
hereisconcluded,”hesaid,
takingalastsweepofthe
crypttoensurehehadn’t
missedanything.Satisfied,he
joinedGuerrero,who
extendedahandinanofferto
carryReginald’sbag.
“Whatdoyouthink?”
Guerreroaskedashetookthe
heavysack’shandlesfrom
Reginald.
“Nowaytotellatthis
point,butI’dguessmillions.
Howmanyisreally
determinedbythemarketand
howlongweneedtoletthe
inventorycooldownbefore
offeringittoafew
discriminatingcollectors.”
“Whydon’twejustmelt
thegoldandconvertintocash
immediately?”
Reginaldshookhishead
asifappalledbythenotion.
“Goodheavensno,oldboy.
Thevalueinthoseiconsisin
theirhistory,nottheweight
ofthegold.They’relikely
worthathousandtimesmore
thantherawvalueofthe
metal.”
GuerrerogaveReginalda
skepticallook.“Remember
thedeal:fifty-fifty.Notricks
orthereisn’tacornerofthe
planetremoteenoughtohide
in.”
“Wouldn’thaveitany
otherway,”Reginaldsaid,
doinghisbesttosoundevery
bitthehonestupper-crustBrit
tothispretentioussavage.Of
course,nomatterwhatthe
trovebrought,hewould
ensurethatatleastseventy
percentstucktoJanusand
him.Thecartelthugwould
havenowayofknowingthe
actualtermsofeachsale,and,
ifnecessary,Reginaldwas
confidentthathecoulddo
sidedealsforsecretpayments
overandabovewhatwas
wiredtohisaccount.
Hecouldn’twaittosee
Janus’sexpressionwhenhe
appearedwiththetreasure.
Whilehisoldersiblingslept,
Reginaldhadtakenthe
initiativeandmadethema
smallfortune.Ithadoccurred
tohimtocutJanusout
altogether,butthetruthwas
thatheneededhisbrother’s
expertisetovalueeachpiece,
aswellasneedinghis
network.Perhapsinanother
fiveyearshewouldknowall
theplayers,butfornowJanus
ruledthatroostwhetherit
rankledReginald’sprideor
not.
Withanyluck,they
wouldbesafelybackin
MexicoCitybythetime
roadblocksbarredthe
surroundingroadsand
vehiclesweresearchedina
manhuntthatwouldbetoo
little,toolate.
Reginaldcouldonly
imaginehowtheFargos
wouldreactwhenthey
discoveredtheirthunderhad
beenstolen,thattheirbigfind
wouldberememberedasan
unmitigateddisaster.
Awolf’sgrinflashed
acrosshisfaceashe
envisionedtheirexpressions.
Paybacktime.
L
azlowaswaitinginthe
cliniclobbywhenSam
andRemi’staxipulledup
outsidetheimposingbuilding
thenextmorning.He
practicallyranfromthe
doorwaywhenSamgotoutof
thecarandwavedandwithin
minutesthethreeofthem
werecomfortablyensconced
inaboothatanearby
restaurant.
Afterthey’dordered
breakfast,thediscussion
turnedtothetomb.
Lazlotookasipofhis
blackcoffee.“Iwanttotake
mytimegoingoverthe
locationtoday.I’mafraidthat
yourMexicancolleaguesare
alittletooquicktodeclare
victory,formyliking.”
“Theyjustaren’tas
naturallysuspiciousasyou
are,”Samsaid.
“Yearsofpoorbehavior
andcynicismmoldone,in
thatregard,”Lazloagreed.
Sam’scelltrilledastheir
mealsweredelivered.He
glancedatthenumber,
puzzled,andanswereditas
RemiandLazlodugintotheir
eggs.Afterahushed
discussion,hehungupand
placedthephoneonthetable
nexttohisplate,theblood
drainedfromhisface.
“Sam.What’swrong?”
Remiasked.
“It’sthesite.It’sbeen
attacked.Everyonekilled,the
treasuregone.”
“Howisthatpossible?”
Lazloaskedincredulously.
“Latelastnight.Someone
murderedthesoldiersand
raidedthecrypt.Allthe
artifacts...everything
gone.”
“Howmanysoldierswere
there?”Lazloasked.
“Adozen.Thatwas
Antonioonthephone.He’s
absolutelydevastated,asyou
mightimagine.”Samwenton
tofilltheminonwhat
Antoniohadrelayed.When
hewasfinished,theystaredat
eachotherinstunnedsilence,
therealityoftheattacktaking
awhiletosettlein.
“Sothere’snothingleft?”
Remifinallyasked.
“Atleasttheydidn’ttake
themummy.”
“Whoevenknewabout
thefind?Haditbeen
reported?”Lazloasked.
Remishookherhead.
“No.But,obviously,
somebodytalked.Couldhave
beenoneofthelaborersor
oneofthestudentsoreven
oneofthesoldiers.Waytoo
manyfingersinthepie.”
“Antoniosaysthatthe
placeiscrawlingwith
FederalesandTVcrews.He
saidwewerewelcometo
comeupbuttowaittillthe
endofthedaysothecopscan
dotheirthing.”
“Thisisunbelievable.
We’reonlyrock-throwing
distancefromMexico
City...”Remisaid,her
thoughtsablur.
“Arethereanytheorieson
whoperpetratedit?”Lazlo
asked.
“Acriminalgang.Cartels.
Takeyourpick.Butwhoever
itwashadtobevery,very
good.Nobodyheardanything
untilthedayshiftshowedup
atseven.Whichmeansthe
attackerskilledadozen
heavilyarmedsoldiersin
silence.Noneofthesoldiers
hadevenfiredtheirweapons.
Ithadtobealmostinstant.”
“LikeSAS.Commandos.
Nighonimpossible,I’dhave
thought.”
“They’retakingtire
impressions,butAntonio
didn’tsoundpositive.
Somethingtellsmethatthe
Federalesaren’tTV-style
CSI.”
“No,Iwouldn’texpect
so,”Remiagreed.
Sam’sshoulderssagged.
“I’veprettymuchlostmy
appetite.”
Remipushedherplate
away.“Metoo.”
Lazlocontinuedplowing
throughhisfoodasRemi
sippedhercoffee.Aftera
finalforkfulofomelet,hesat
backandgazedthroughthe
picturewindowatthetraffic
onthestreetoutside.
“Youknow,oneofthe
thingsIwasstudyinglast
nightwasaccountsofthese
sortsoftombs.Forallintents
andpurposes,ifyou’regoing
tohidesomething,youshould
keepitasecret.Butevenso,
secretscanleak.Soifyou
haveatreasurethat’sunlike
anythinganyone’severseen
beforeandit’sburiedwith
yourgloriousleader...what
wouldyoudo?”
“Igiveup.”
“Well,inafewinstances,
there’sbeenadecoytomb.
Theonethatmakeseveryone
stoplookingbecausethey
thinktheyfoundit.Typically,
withadequaterichesto
satisfyeveryonethatit’sthe
realthing.Ingeniousbuggers,
someofthemwere.”
“Youthinkthiscould
be...aheadfake?”
“Anything’spossible,
isn’tit?It’sjustan
observation—basedonwhat
youwereexpectingandwhat
youfound.”
“You’veseenthephotos.
Doesthisstrikeyouasa
treasurefitforaking?Even
byToltecstandards?”
“Notreally.Ithinkthat’s
rathermypoint...and
yours.”
“Butifit’snotthereal
tomb,thenwhymemorialize
itinthecarvings?”
“That’swhat’sgotme
thinking.Perhapsthe
location’scorrect,butthe
cryptwediscovered...was
designedtobediscoveredso
thatanyhuntforitwouldend
there.”Lazlosighed.“Which,
youhavetoadmit,it
effectivelydid.”
Remiconsideredtheidea
andlookedatSam.“Didn’tI
tellyouthatLazloisa
genius?”
“Well,thejuryisstillout,
butstill...”Samreplied,
smiling.
“No,seriously.”
“Interesting,anditdoes
makeacertainsense.But,
frankly,theMexican
governmentprobablyisn’t
goingtobethrilledwithus
diggingrandomlyinthe
hopesthatmaybethathunch
isvalid.Wehavenothingto
goon,”Samsaid.
“Buttherehastobea
way.”
“Ididn’tsaytherewasn’t.
Justthattheywon’tletus
excavateinaproven
historicalfindjustfor
giggles.”
Remistudiedhis
expression.“Butyouhavean
idea,don’tyou?”
“Ido.Oneofthethings
Antoniotoldmeonthecall
wasthatthesonarfinally
showedup,albeittoolateto
dousanygood.Only,I’m
thinkingmaybeit’snottoo
lateafterall.”
Sampaidforbreakfast
andtheysteppedoutontothe
street.Remiwavedatacab
andwaitedasitpulledtothe
curb,trafficsurgingpastit.
“Doesthismeanthatour
gloriousstayattheSt.Regis
isover?Backtothe
Teotihuacanmotel?”Remi
asked.
“Onlyifyouwanttogive
thisonemorego.”
“OfcourseIdo.Lazlo’s
instinctisthesameasmine
onthisone.Wemayhave
discoveredtheonlychamber
andit’sjustawildly
exaggeratedtaleorwefellfor
atrickyToltecruse.”
“Humannaturehasn’t
reallychangedinathousand
years,hasit?Anyonenormal
wouldhavefoundthis,seen
sometreasureandabody,
andcalleditaday,”Lazlo
agreed.
Samheldthereardoor
openandslidinnexttoher
whileLazloclimbedintothe
passengerseat.
“Butwe’renotnormal,
arewe?”shesaid.
Samsmiled.“Thank
goodness,no.We’dbebored
todeath.”
LAJOLLA,CALIFORNIA
Kendraleanedbackinher
chair,anotherlongdayof
researchconcluded,and
sneakedaglanceatPete,who
wasshuttingdownhis
computer.Wendyhadtaken
offahalfhourearlier,leaving
thetwoofthemtotheir
devicesastheyworkedon
theirlatestassignment.
“Anyluck?”Peteasked
ashestood,atwo-day
dustingofstubbleonhisface.
Hebrushedaboyishlockof
hairoffhisforeheadand
smiledatKendra,whoshook
herhead.
“No,butweweren’t
reallyexpectinganymiracles.
Thisisgoingtotakealong
time.Nothing’sjumpingout
atme,”shesaid.
“That’swhytheycallita
job,right?”
“Beatsflippingburgers.”
Peteapproachedherdesk.
“Areyouspeakingfrom
experienceorina
hypotheticalburger-flipping
way?”
Kendrabattedhereyes.
“I’mnotgoingtogiveupall
mysecretssoeasily.Agirl’s
gottohavehermysteries...”
Peteseemedsuddenly
uneasyandshiftedfromfoot
tofootbeforeclearinghis
throat.Kendraraisedone
eyebrow,waitingforhisnext
utterance.
“Youhaveanyplansfor
tonight?”
“Iwasgoingtoget
anothertattoo.Why?”
Thatthrewhim,buthe
continuednowthathe’d
begunhispitch.“Oh,nothing.
Iwasjustthinkingabout
headingintoOldTownand
grabbingabeeratanew
microbrewerythatopenedup.
Ireadaboutitonline.It’s
supposedtohaveawesome
pizza.”
“Idon’teatcarbsordairy
ordrinkalcohol,”Kendra
saidandthenofferedagrin.
“I’vealwayswonderedwhatI
wouldsoundlikesayingthat.
I’vehearditsomanytimesit
makesmyheadwantto
explode.NowIknow.”Pete
lookedconfusedandKendra
sighed.“It’salittlehumor,
Pete.Ilovepizzaandbeer.
Whatred-bloodedAmerican
girlcouldresistanofferlike
that?”
“Sonotattoo?”heasked,
relievedandhappyshe’d
acceptedhisinvitation.
“Dependsonhowmany
beersIhave.Youbuying?”
“Firstround’sonme.”
Sheclickedhermouseon
aniconandshutdownher
computer,thenstoodandslid
theshoulderstrapofherslim
purseoverherhead.“There.I
travellight.Twocarsor
one?”
“That’suptoyou.Idon’t
minddroppingyouofflaterif
youonlywanttotakeone.”
“Soundslikeadeal.Lead
theway.I’mactuallystarving
—Ikindofforgottoeatlunch
today.”
“IthoughtIwastheonly
onewhodidthataround
here.”
“Likemindsthinkalike.”
Astheywalkedtothe
doorKendraheldupafinger
andmouthedthename
“Selma,”andthenshemoved
acrossthedarkenedfloorto
Selma’sdoor.Seeinglight
beneathit,sherappedlightly
ontheheavywood.Zoltánlet
outaprotectivebarkfrom
insideandthenSelma
crackedthedooropenand
smiledwhenshesawKendra.
“I’mjustheadingoutof
here,Selma,”Kendra
explained.“Doyouneedme
togetyouanythinginthe
morningonmywayin?”
Selmashookherhead.
“No,darling,thankyou.I’m
fine.Haveagoodnight.And
remembertosetthealarm
whenyouleave.”
“Iwill.Areyoumanaging
anybetter?”
“Isn’ttherean
expression?‘Thatwhichdoes
notkillus...’”
“Nietzschehadaway
withwords,didn’the?”
Kendrasaidwithasmile.
“Hedidindeed.Youtake
careofyourself,”Selmasaid,
thenspottedmovementinthe
shadows.“Oh,Pete.Youstill
here?”
“Yes,Selma.Iwasjust
walkingKendraout.”
SelmagaveKendraa
knowingglancebeforeher
faceassumeditscustomary
neutralexpression.“That’s
verychivalrousofyou.All
right,then,it’stimeforthis
oldladytohitthesack.You
kidshaveanicetime.”
Kendraleanedforward
andgaveheralightkisson
thecheek.“Takecareand
sleepwell.”
MEXICOCITY,MEXICO
J
anusBenedictfoughtto
controlthesimmering
ragethatwasthreateningto
explodeashewatched
Reginald’ssmugface
describehisnocturnaltomb
raid.Reginaldwashighon
morethanadrenaline,Janus
thought,aswellasexcitedat
havingmadeoffwiththe
treasureunderSam’sand
Remi’snoses.
Reginald’sselfpreservationinstinctkickedin
towardthelatterpartofhis
accountasheregisteredthe
flatlookinJanus’seyes—a
lookheknewwell,evenifhe
didn’tunderstandwhyhis
brotherwasn’thappyatthe
news.
Whenhefinished,Janus
staredattheornateceilingof
theMexicoCityvillahe’d
rentedfortheweek,lostin
thought.
“Well,aren’tyougoingto
sayanything?”Reginald
demanded.“Wegotthe
treasure.”
“Quite.Butlet’sexpand
onthatalittle.You
orchestratedandparticipated
inanightattackona
historicallocationwith
membersoftheLosZetas
cartelandslaughtereda
dozensoldiersinthe
process?”
“Yes,Itoldyou.Butwe
gotawayclean.”
“‘Gotawayclean.’You
murderedadozenmenand
havemadeyourselfandme
partofit.”
“Partofwhat?Wehave
thetreasure.”
“Ah.Thetreasure.Which
ishardlythestuffofwhich
dreamsaremade,looking
overyourphotos.Andwhere
isit,praytell?”
“Itoldyou.Weren’tyou
listeningtoanythingIsaid?
Guerrerohasitinasafe
house.”
Janusstoodandmovedto
awindowtogazeoutatthe
park.Whenheturned,his
facewasimpassive.“You
don’thaveanyideawhat
you’vedone,doyou?”
“Well,actually,Ido
ratherknowwhatIdid.Igot
thebloodytreasure,didn’tI?”
“No,whatyoudidwas
partnerwiththemostvicious
bunchoflowlifemurderers
ontheplanetinabloodbath
thatwillhavetheMexican
governmentscouringthe
Earthforthoseartifactsfor
yearstocome.Soyou’venot
onlyruinedanyabilityto
marketthegoods,butyou’ve
mademeabedfellowwith
killerswhowouldjustas
sooncutyourheartoutaseat
breakfast.Insteadofbeinga
disinterestedvendorwho
suppliestheseanimalswith
whattheyrequireonthearms
side,you’vemademea
partnerwiththem.Oh,andif
anyofthesethugsevergets
intohotwaterandwishesto
barterinformation,theynow
havesomethingtheycan
exchange—notonlyabout
theirchiefbutalsoaboutyou
and,byassociation,me.”
“I...Ididn’tthink...”
Janus’sexplanationwas
likeablowtoReginald’s
face.“That’sthefirstsensible
thingyou’vesaid.Youdidn’t
think.Atall.Ifyouhad,you
wouldhavespokenwithme
andIwouldhaveexplained
whyyouridioticschemewas
dangerousandstupid.Iwould
havearrangedtohavethe
cartelexecutetheraidwithout
youthere,withusmerelyon
thereceivingendofthe
goods.Iftheywere
successful,withno
expectationofimmediate
financialgainonourpart.”
“What’sthedifference?”
“ThedifferenceisthatI
knowtheseparasitesand
they’llwanttheirmoney.
Theywon’tbeinterestedin
whyitcouldtakeseveral
yearsforthistocooldown.
Which,becauseI’mtheir
partnernow,I’llhaveto
coverorrisktheirire.So,you
dimfool,you’venotonly
exposedusbothto
considerabledanger,nowand
inthefuture,butyou’vealso
costmeaprettypenny,which
Imayormaynotever
recover.”
“Butwehave—”
“Hell’sbells,Reginald!
Wehavenothing.LosZetas
haveabunchoftrinketswe
won’tbeabletomarketand
whoseveryexistence
endangersyou.Wehave
customerswhowillnow
believethey’reourpartnersin
crime.Wehaveanongoing
riskthatoneorallofthemis
eventuallyarrestedandgives
youupinexchangefor
leniency.Andguesswhat?
Mostplacesintheworldwill
extraditeamassmurderer,
youbloodyimbecile.”
“ButIdidn’tkillanyone.”
“Yourwordagainst
theirs.Doyouwanttoprotest
itwhilerottinginaMexican
jail?Isimplycan’t
understandhowyouthought
thiswasagoodidea.”
“Well,it’sdoneand
there’snoundoingit,”
Reginaldsaid,armsfolded
overhischest,histone
truculent.
“Ican’tbelieveIallowed
youintomyaffairs.Really.
Youdon’thaveanyideawhat
you’redoingandyetyoustill
thinkyou’rethesmartest
chapintheroom.
Unbelievable.”
“See,Janus?Thisis
exactlythekindofthingI’m
gettingsickof.Youdressing
medownlikeaschoolboy.”
“You’regettingsickof
it?”Janustookaseriesof
deepbreaths,hishands
shakingwithrage,hispulse
poundinginhisearslikea
bassdrum.Hewilledhis
heartbeatslower.“Reginald,
you’veembarkedusona
disastrouscourse.And,
worse,youstilldon’tknow
whattheFargosarereallyup
to.”
“Whatdoyoumean‘up
to’?”
“They’restillhere.In
MexicoCity.AndIhaveiton
goodauthoritythey’rebackat
thesite.Whichdoesn’tsound
likepredictablebehaviorif
they’dfoundtheirtreasure
andwerecallingitaday,
doesit?”
“Butthere’snothingleft
exceptforthatoldstiff.
Maybethey’regatheringtheir
equipmentorhavingalast
lookbeforebuzzingoff?”
“Perhaps.Ofcourse,if
youhadn’tgoneona
rampage,we’dstillbe
watchingandwaitingwith
theadvantageours.Now
they’rewarnedandaresure
tobeevenmorecautious.A
dangerousstateofaffairs.”
Reginaldlitoneofhis
cigarettesbeforemovingto
thebartopourhimselfa
healthyslugofScotch.He
downeditintwoswallows
andturnedtofacehisbrother.
“I’msorry,Janus.Ijust
thoughtIcouldsurprise
you...”
“You’vecertainly
surprisedme,that’sforsure,”
Janusspatandthenshookhis
head.“CallGuerrero.Iwant
tomeetwithmynewpartner
assoonaspossibletodiscuss
ouroptionsmovingforward.”
TEOTIHUACAN,
MEXICO
TheareaaroundtheTemple
oftheMoonhadbeenclosed
offbythepoliceandyellow
crimescenetapeflutteredin
thebreezeasLazloandthe
Fargosnearedthesmaller
pyramidnexttoit.The
authoritieslookedtobe
finishinguptheir
investigation,thebodieslong
sincehauledtothemorgue,
anyevidencealready
collected.Theremaining
officersstoodaround
chatting.Theexcitementwas
overandtheysimplywere
runningouttheclockuntilthe
endoftheirshift.
Maribelaapproachedas
Remiwasexplainingtheir
presencetotwouniformed
policestandingsentrybythe
entry,agapinthetape,and
afterafewtersewordsthey
wereadmitted.Sheledthem
totheresearchtent,wherea
dejectedAntoniowassitting
onacollapsiblebluecamp
chair,hisstudentssenthome
thatmorningafterthey’d
arrivedatwhatwasnowa
warzone.
“Ah,thereyouare.The
policearejustwindingthings
up.Shouldn’tbelongnow
andthenwecangoinand
surveythedamage.I’m
havingthemummycarefully
removedtodaytokeepthe
jadeintactandtakentothe
Instituteforfurtherstudy.
Seemssafertohave
everythingoutofthecryptin
casesomeoneseesthenews
articlesandthinkstheremay
besomeeasymoneyin
sellingQuetzalcoatl’s
remainsontheblackmarket
tothehighestbidder.”
Samnodded.“Probably
best.Sonowthere’sjustthe
emptychamber?”
“Yes.Ofcourse,the
chamberitselfishistorically
significant,asarethe
carvings,butthey’renot
portable.Wecanarrangeto
havealockedgateinstalled
overthenextfewdays.
That’swhatmanyoftheother
areashaveanditseemsto
work.”
“Whataboutsecurityat
night?”Lazloasked.
“We’llhaveasmall
contingentofsoldiers,but
there’snothinglefttosteal,
soit’spurelyforshow.I’ll
arrangeforaconstruction
crewtoerectthegate
tomorrowandwe’llonly
needthesitesecurityafter
that.”
“Whichiswhat,exactly?”
Remiasked.“Thesecurity,I
mean?”
“Afewcars,golfcarts,
andsixmenatnight.
Teotihuacanisabigareato
patrolandtheymainlyspend
theirtimemakingsurethere’s
novandalism.Theirpresence
ismoreadeterrentthan
anythingelse.”
“Theydidn’tdiscoverthe
deadsoldiers?”
“No,they’dbeentoldby
theArmytostayoutoftheir
waysotheywouldn’tgetshot
byaccident.Thesitewas
undermilitarycontrol.Not
thatitdidalotofgood.”
“Anyleadsonwhodid
this?”Lazloasked.
“Nonethey’resharing.
I’mjustanacademicwho
rootsaroundindirtfora
living.Nobodytellsme
anything,”Antonio
complained.
“Well,that’saboutto
change.Butlet’swaituntil
everyoneleaves,shallwe?”
Remisaid.
MaribelaandAntonio
lookedatherstrangely.
“Isthisthesonar?”Sam
asked,standingbytwoblack
Anvilroadcasesemblazoned
withFragile.
“Yes.Thatoneisthe
monitorandsensorunitsand
theotheristhetricycle
contraption.”
“Ihaven’tseenoneof
theseinawhile,”Samsaidas
heopenedthecases.
“Theyusedthemonsome
oftheotherlocations.Butthe
rangeislimited.TheMuon
detectorsaremoreeffective.”
“Still,itwillpenetrate,
what,thirtytofortyfeetand
givereasonablyaccurate
readings?Irecallthoseare
thespecs.”
“Ofcourse.Butitwillbe
goingbacktomorrow.Itold
themnottobothersending
outtheoperator.Adelivery
truckwillbebyinthe
afternoontopickitup.”
SamandLazloexchanged
aconspiratoriallook.“That
shouldbemorethanenough
time.”
“Time?Forwhat?”
Maribelaasked,edging
closer.
“I’llfilleveryoneinonce
thepolicehaveclearedout
andit’sjustus,”Samsaid,
thenreturnedtoexamining
thedevice,Lazlobesidehim,
thepairexchanginghushed
whispers.
AntonioturnedtoRemi,
whojustshrugged.“Don’t
lookatme.Imarriedacrazy
man.”
TheFederalesdepartedat
six-fifteen,whenajeepwith
sixarmedsoldiersarrived—
thenightshift,whowere
understandablyonedgeafter
theirpredecessors’fate.The
mengrippedtheirweapons
nervously,onalertbutwith
noobviousthreatstodefend
themselvesagainst.
Asduskfellandthe
pyramids’shadows
lengthened,Sampulledupa
campchairandfacedAntonio
andMaribelawhileLazloand
Remiperusedthelatest
imagesfromthevault.He
tookthemthroughhis
suspicionsandhetoldthem
whathewantedtodo:usethe
sonartoperforma
clandestinesearchforanother
chamberwhilenobodywas
around.
“Iwanttodoitthisway
toavoidanyleaks.There
werefartoomanypeople
herewhenwefoundthissite.
Somebodytalked.Theonly
waytoensureasecretstaysa
secretistokeepitbetween
us.”
“Youreallybelievethere
couldbeanotherchamber?”
Maribelaaskedindisbelief.
“It’sapossibility.OneI
don’twanttooverlook.And
itseemswehavetheperfect
chancetoworkwiththesonar
withoutanaudiencetonight.
Let’sdoit.Ifwedon’tfind
anything,it’sonlyanevening
ofourlives.Butifwedo...
Ijustdon’twanttogetona
planeandflyoutofherenot
knowing.”
Antonionodded.“How
doyouwanttodothis?”
“We’llgetthesonarunit
downintothecryptandI’ll
pushitalong,”Samsaid.
“Anycavitiesbeneaththe
surfacewillshowupas
interruptionsofthenormal
patternonthescope.It’s
fairlysimpledetectionbut
shoulddoforourpurposes.”
Thesystemcompriseda
foldingstandwithasingle
wheelonthefrontandtwoin
theback,likeamodified
babystroller.Anoperator
consolewithascreenrested
atchestlevelinfrontofthe
handlebars,withthesonar
detectionarraysuspendedjust
abovethegroundnearthe
frontwheel.Thesoldiers
watchedthemwithmild
curiosityastheypushedthe
assembledcarttothedirt
ramp.Antoniostoppedand
chattedwiththem,explaining
thattheywereconducting
measurementsbelowandnot
toworry.Nobodyseemed
interested,andsoonSamwas
fiddlingwiththedevice
controlstocalibratethe
sensitivity.
“Seethat?Solidearth,”he
said,pointingatthescreen,
whichwasaseaofstatic.
“Howwillweknowifit’s
notsolid?Orifit’s
structure?”Remiasked.
“That’swheretheart
comesin.Itwillalldepend
ontheoperator’sdefttouch.”
Theyinchedslowlyalong
thepassagewaytowardthe
crypt,andSamturnedknobs
astheyprogressed.Threequartersofthewaytothe
chamber,hestoppedand
adjustedthescreen.
“Whatisit?”Maribela
asked.
“Lookslikesomething
belowus.Yes,there’s
definitelysomethingthere.”
Hepointedatthescreen.“See
that?Thedisturbanceinthe
field?It’sahollowarea.
Couldbeacave...ora
tunnel.”
“Acave?”Remiasked.
Antonionodded.“Yes,
muchofthecitywasbuilt
abovecaves.ThePyramidof
theSun,forexample,hasa
naturallyoccurringcave
beneathitthatwasusedfor
sacredrites.”
“Sohowdoweknow
whetherit’sman-madeor
natural?”
“Lazlo,wouldyoutake
thechalkandmarkthis
position?We’llcomebackto
itlater,”Samsaid,indicating
atinofyellowpowder.Lazlo
madeanXonthedirtfloor,
whicheveryonewascareful
nottodisturbasthey
continuedtowardthe
chamber.Justoutside,the
floorbecamestoneblocks
andSamhadtorecalibrate
thesystemagain.
Theypassedoverthe
thresholdandcarriedouta
methodicalgridsearchofthe
tombarea,buttherewereno
morereadingsliketheonein
thepassageway.Aftertwenty
minutesofcarefulscanning,
Samwipedabeadofsweat
fromhisforeheadand
motionedtothetunnel.
“TheonlythingI’m
pickingupisthatone
anomalyonthewayin.
That’sit.”
“Itdidn’tseemthatbig,
didit?”Maribelaasked.
“No.Nomorethana
coupleofmeters.”
“Howfarbelowus?”
Lazloasked.
“Lookedlikemaybetwo,
twoandahalfmeters.We’ll
beabletonarrowitdown
oncewegooveritagain,”
Samexplained,andthen
pushedthecartbackintothe
passagewayandstoppedat
thechalkmarkontheground.
“Thereitis.It’stwo
metersdirectlybeneathus.
Looksirregular—widerthan
itislong.Couldbejustabout
anything,butit’sdefinitely
thereifyou’refeeling
adventurous.”
Remi’seyebrowsrose.
“Whatdidyouhavein
mind?”
Hestudiedtheimageone
finaltimebeforeshuttingthe
systemoff.
“Iwasthinkingalittle
exercisemightbe
invigorating.”
S
am,Antonio,andLazlo
gruntedastheyswung
picksatthehardenedclay,
havinghitarhythmoverthe
halfhourthey’dbeen
workingatit.Twicethey’d
stoppedandclearedaway
pilesofsoil,andtheywere
nowhalfwaytowhatever
awaitedthem,standingina
holeroughlyeightfeet
square.RemiandMaribela
piledthedirtevenlyalongthe
wall,tobefilledbackinonce
they’dsatisfiedtheircuriosity
aboutthemysteriouscavity
beneaththecorridor.
Theearthbelowthe
men’sfeetbegantoshiftand
beforetheycouldclimbout
ofthepititgaveway.They
foundthemselvesfallingina
showerofdirtandthen
landingonastonefloorhard
enoughtoknockthewindout
ofthem.Remi’svoicedrifted
downtoSamfromabove.
“Areyouallright?”
Samshookthedirtoff
andsatup,probinghisribs
beforecallingouttoher.
“Ithinkso.Lazlo?
Antonio?”
Antonioshiftednextto
him.“I’mokay.Just...
stunned.”
“Nowaytotreatguests,
I’llsaythatmuch,”Lazlo
muttered,brushingdirtoffhis
face.
“Ithoughtwe’dhave
morewarningthanthat
beforethefloorgaveway,”
Samsaid.
“Sometimesit’san
imprecisescience,no?”
Samcoughedandlooked
up.“Remi?Couldyoutoss
downsomeflashlights?”
Samfeltsomething
scuttleacrosshislegand
shiveredinvoluntarily,the
snakewarningssuddenlynot
sofunny.Above,heheard
footstepsandthenRemi
calledout.
“Lookoutbelow!”
Threealuminum
flashlightslandedonthe
moundofdirtbetweenthe
men.Remi’svoiceechoedoff
thewallsofwhateverspace
theywerein.“Well?What’s
downthere?”
Samswitchedonhislight
andshineditaroundwherehe
waslying,theairstillthick
withdust.Secondswentby.
“We’reinanothertunnel,”he
finallysaid.
Samwaitedforher
response,andAntonioand
Lazloflickedtheirbeamson
aswell.Thetunnelwaseight
totenfeetwideandstretched
intothegloom.
“Hangon,then.I’m
comingdown,”Remisaid.
Theendofaropedropped
nexttoSamandRemi’sslim
formdescended,
accompaniedbymoreloose
dirtfromthehole.
Samflashedhislight
acrossRemi’storso.“Niceof
youtodropin.Whatdidyou
tietheropeto?”
“Ourmummyfriend’s
platform.Maribela’sstaying
upthereincaseweneedhelp
—doesn’tseemlikeagood
ideaforallofustobedown
herewithoutasurewaytoget
backup,doesit?”
“Maribela?”Antonio
called.
“Yes?”
“Canyougetthesoldiers
tobringoneoftheladders
down?Atallone?”
Samshookhishead.“No.
Idon’twantanyonebutusto
knowaboutthisyet.”
Antonionoddedand
wincedfrompaininhisneck
andthenlookedupatthe
opening.“Sam’sright.Can
youbringthetallaluminum
ladderhere?Itdoesn’tweigh
much.Andsomemorelights,
ifpossible.Butnosoldiers.
Justyou.”
“Allright,”shesaid.Her
footstepsechoeddownthe
upperpassageway,leaving
themwiththesoundoftheir
breathingandnothingmore.
Remi’slightplayedoverthe
wallsofthetunnel,andshe
pointedtotheirright.
“Doyouseethat?”
“Yes.Lookslikean
antechamberofsomekind,”
Samsaid.
“Lookatthecarvings.
They’reToltec.Thesameas
theonesinthecrypt.But
thesearemoreexotically
detailed.”Remimoveddown
thetunneltothestonewalls
ofthelargerarea.Amassive
stoneframearoundthe
passagewaythreshold
displayedthedistinctive
pictographsofthecrypt
above—butcarvedwith
considerablygreaterdetail
andobviouscare.“Herewe
havethesamefuneral
procession.Samepyramid,
butthemoonisn’tobstructed
byanycloud.And
Quetzalcoatl...Look!He’s
depictedheredifferentlythan
inanyoftheothers.Herehe’s
gotlonghairandabeard.”
“Promising,”Samsaid.
Sheeyedthepassageway.
“Thebuilderscertainlytook
theirtimeonthis,giventhe
lengthofthetunnelandthe
detailofthesecarvings.”
“Iwonderwhat’sdown
theotherway?”Samasked,
lookingoverhisshoulderto
whereLazlohadwandered.
“Onlyonewaytoknow,”
Remireplied,andreturnedto
thecave-inspot.Shestopped
adozenyardsfartheralong,
whereLazlostoodwithhis
flashlightbeamplayingover
amassofdirtandrocks
wherethetunnelended.
Lazloeyedtheruined
passage.“Lookslikethe
builderscollapsedthetunnel
aftertheyweredone.They
reallydidn’twantanyone
makingtheirwayinhere,did
they?”
Samstudiedthedebris.
“There’snoindentation
above.Sothiswasdeliberate.
Theycaveditinorfilledit
andthensmoothedoutthe
terrainabovesotherewould
benotraceoftheentrance.”
Theywerestartledbythe
clatteroftheladderbeing
loweredbyMaribela.
Antoniowedgedthebaseinto
thedirtbelowandtesteditfor
stabilitybeforegivingherthe
go-aheadtodescend.She
camedownusingonehand,
theothercarryingthemore
powerfulbattery-powered
LEDworklightthey’dused
inthecryptabove.
Thelamp’sharshwhite
glowilluminatedthetunnel
likeanapproachingtrain,and
thesiblingsquicklyjoined
SamandRemiinthe
antechamber.Maribelatookit
inwithoutcomment.Lazlo
pushedbythemandmoved
slowlyintothechasm.Remi
motionedtothemandledthe
waydeeperintothe
subterraneanpassage,which
extendedconsiderably
farther,bisectingthetunnel
abovebeforeturningunder
thepyramid.
“Holdon.Everybody
stop,”Samsaidasthey
nearedanotherbend.The
groupfrozeandRemiedged
closertohim.
Lazlolookedaround,
unsureofwhattodo.“What
isit?”
“There.Thatsectionof
thefloor,”hesaid,pointingto
adepression.“I’veseenthat
sortofthingbefore.It’sa
boobytrap.TheToltecsused
reedsorsomethingsimilarto
createafalseflooroverapit
andthenputdirtontopofthe
matting.Overthecenturies,
gravityhasexerteditspull,
but...”
Lazlotookashakystep
back.Saminchedforward
andkneltinfrontofthesixfoot-squaredepressionand
thenturnedtoRemi.“Doyou
haveyourknifewithyou?
AfraidIleftmineatthe
motel,”heconfessed.
“Nowell-dressedgirl
goestunnelcrawlingwithout
one,”shesaid,andhandedit
tohim.Heunfoldedthefiveinchbladeandlockeditinto
place,thenleanedforward,
onehandsteadyinghimself
againsttheedgeofthe
depression,andstabbedit
intothedirtinfrontofhim.
Theknifepenetratedintothe
ground.Hesawedwithit,
thenremovedtheknifeand
handeditbacktoher.
“Whateveritis,it’stoo
hardtocut.”Hetookthe
handleofhislongaluminum
flashlightandpoundedonthe
ground.Theunmistakable
hollowsoundofacavity
answeredhim.Afterafinal
thumpforgoodmeasure,he
stoodandnodded.
“Let’sgetsomewood
fromtheresearchtentandput
itacrossthisarea.Whatdo
youwanttobetwhenwe
excavateit,we’llfindadeep
holewithalotofverysharp
objectsatthebottom?
Obsidianbladesorspears?
It’sadroptrap.”
AntonioandSamwent
fortheplanksleftoverfrom
theshoringprojectwhile
Lazlo,Maribela,andRemi
waitedbythedepression.
Theyreturnedwithfour
planks,easilylongenoughto
spanthearea.Lazlohelped
Antoniosettheminplace,
andSamtestedthemakeshift
bridgebeforewalkingacross.
“Mindthatyoudon’tslip
off.Couldbefatal,”Lazlo
warned.
Attheendofthetunnel
theyfoundthemselvesfacing
alargecarveddoorway
sealedwithstonebricks,
carefullymortaredinplace
ratherthanthehaphazard
rockworkoftheothercrypt.
AntonioandLazlowentback
totheladder,mounteditin
searchoftools,andreturned
withthepicks.
Thebrickbarrierproved
moresolidthantheother,but
inhalfanhourthefirststone
blockshifted,quickly
followedbythreemore.They
redoubledtheireffortsand
soonhadanaperturelarge
enoughtosqueezethrough.
RemiandLazloledtheway,
Maribelabehindherwiththe
lamp,whileSamandAntonio
relaxed.
“Ohmy...thislookslike
therealthing,”Remisaid,her
hushedvoicestillaudiblein
theconfinedspace.Sam
shoulderedhiswayintothe
vault,whereRemiwasgazing
atanornatesarcophagus
restingonapedestal—but
unliketheplatformabove,
thisonewascoveredin
carvedfigures.Sam
approachedherandregarded
thetopofthecoffinwhile
Lazlodidaslowscanofthe
otherwiseemptyroom,his
flashlighteventuallycoming
torestonthepictographs
adorningthesidesandtopof
thesarcophagus.
“Whowantstohelpget
thisopen?”Samasked.
AntonioandLazlomoved
totheoppositesideand
noddedathim.Lazlosethis
flashlightonthestonefloor.
“Readywhenyouare,old
boy.Butitlooksheavy.”
“Hey,yoursisterandI
canhelp,too.Moveover,
Fargo,”Remisaid,andslid
nexttoSam.Maribelajoined
AntonioandLazloonthe
othersideand,onSam’snod,
theyheaved.
Thelidmovedafew
inches.Theytriedagain,and
thenagain,eacheffortedging
itfartheropen.Whenthey’d
clearedtwofeetofspace,
theystoppedandRemi
directedherflashlightinside.
Remigasped,asdid
Maribela.Samletloosealow
whistleandsteppedcloser.
“Thelegendsweretrue,”
hesaidquietly,hishandon
Remi’sshoulder.
Thefigurewas
mummified,buthislongred
beardandhairwereintact,
carefullybraidedinanornate
style,withsmalljewels
wovenintothestrands.He
woreatunicofchainmail,a
classicVikinghelmet,and
hadasteelswordclenchedin
onehandandaspearinthe
other.Abattle-axerestedby
hissideandashieldcovered
hislowerlegs.
Antonioregardedthe
lengthofthesarcophagus.
“Whatdoyouthinkhewas?
Hundredeightycentimeters?
Assuminghisbodystretches
thefulllengthofthecoffin.”
“Morelikesixfeet
something.Hewastall,that’s
forsure.AViking,”Sam
said.
Maribelalookedathim
strangely.“Youseemso
sure.”
Samtoldthemaboutthe
longshiponBaffinIslandand
theireyeswidened.
“Sothat’swhyyouwere
sointerestedinthelegend,”
Antoniosaid.“Youknewit
likelycorrespondedwith
fact.”
“Yes,”Samadmitted.
“Andnowwehavefurther
proofthatthecultures
overlappedinwaysnobody’s
everimagined.”
“Lookatthis,”Lazlosaid,
shininghisflashlightonthe
undersideofthecoffinlid.
“There’saninscription.”
“Whatdoesitsay?”Remi
asked.
Hestudieditforseveral
longsecondsbefore
answering.“Ican’tbesure.
Myrunicalphabet’samite
rusty,but,onfirstglance,it
lookslikeaeulogyofsome
sort.I’llneedtoseetheentire
thingtobeabletodoa
reasonabletranslation.”
“Couldyoudoitfroma
photographoftheinteriorlid
andanotheroneofthepart
that’sexposedatthefootof
thesarcophagus?”Remi
asked.
“Isupposeso.Caretodo
thehonors?”Lazloinvited.
Remislidherphoneintothe
spaciouscoffinandtook
severalphotographs,then
repeatedtheprocesswiththe
exposedundersideofthelid.
Whenshewasdone,she
photographedtheentire
exteriorofthesarcophagusas
therestofthemstudiedthe
carvingsonthewalls.
“Bitoddthatthere’sno
booty,isn’tit?Didn’tthe
legendspecifyanemeraldthe
sizeofasmallcar?”Lazlo
asked.
“Itdid.Butthatcouldbe
anexaggeration.Idon’tsee
anythinginhere.Doyou?”
Samasked.BothAntonioand
Maribelashooktheirheads.
Maribelaplayedherlight
acrossanelaborate
pictograph.
“Thisappearstotellthe
storyofQuetzalcoatl’s
conquestofalargeMayan
city.MaybeChichenItza.”
Antoniopointedtothe
seriesofcarvingsnexttoit.
“Andhere...It’llrequire
furtherstudy,butitseems
likethischroniclesthemove
oftheTolteccapital,or
perhapsit’stheseatofpower,
totheMayancity.Andlook!
Thissymbolizes
Quetzalcoatl’sexilefromthe
Tolteccapital...and...his
death.”
“Lazlo,ifIhaven’ttold
youyettoday,you’re
absolutelybrilliant,”Remi
said.
“Inevergettiredof
hearingit,althoughit’sabit
ofanoverstatement,”Lazlo
said,pinpointsofcolor
blossomingonhischeeks.
Samturnedtoher.“It
wouldhaveneveroccurredto
usthattheothertombwasa
decoy.”
Antonioshookhisheadin
awe.“Thisisreally
incredible.ThemoreIstudy
thesepictographs,thelessI
feellikeIknowaboutthe
Toltecs.Theirtradingsphere
wasapparentlymuchmore
extensivethanwebelieved.”
Remitappedthesideof
thecoffin.“Rememberthat
thelegendsaysthat
Quetzalcoatlwanderedinthe
wildernessforyearsafter
leavingTollan.”
“Figuringallthisoutwill
bealife’sambition.Adream,
really,forbothmeandmy
sister,”Antoniosaid.
Lazlosmiled.“Well,I’d
sayyoumorethanhaveyour
workcutoutforyou.”
Theyadmiredthe
carvingsforseveralmore
minutesandthenSam
glancedathiswatch.“I
suggestthatwewindthisup
fortheeveningandreturn
tomorrowmorningtodoa
morethoroughinventoryand
catalogallofthecarvings.I
don’tseeanythingelse,do
you?”
Antonioshookhishead.
“No.Still,thisisahistorical
treasurewithoutprecedent.It
willchangethehistoryofmy
people.Whetherornot
there’sanEyeofHeaven,
todayisamiraculousdayby
anymeasure.”
Lazlonodded.“Yes.
Well,quite.”Hisstomach
rumbledaudibly.“Sorry
aboutthat.Naturecallingfor
sustenance—nothingtobe
doneaboutit.”
“Let’sgetyouboysfed
andwe’lltakethisup
tomorrow,”Remisaid,and
Samgrinned.
“Allthistombraiding
doesmakemealittle
peckish.”
“Wedon’twanteitherof
youtowasteawayto
nothing.”
“Comeon,then,I’llbuy
thefirstcelebratoryCoke,”
Lazloagreed.
Oncetheywerebackat
groundlevel,Antoniogave
thecontingentofsoldiers
exactinginstructions,
forbiddinganyonefrom
enteringthetombwhileRemi
transferredthephotographs
she’dtakenfirsttoherflash
drive.Whenshefinished,
Antonioofferedtogiveher
andSamalifttotheirmotel,
whichtheygratefully
accepted.Aharvestmoon
glowedorangefrombetween
thescatteredcloudsasthey
rolleddownthebroadavenue
ofthedeadmetropolis,the
findofalifetimebehind
them.Atthemotelthey
wavedasAntoniopulled
awayand,aftercleaningup,
rendezvousedatthenearby
restaurant.
“Idon’tsupposeyou’dlet
theshotsofthecoffinlidout
ofyoursightthisevening,
wouldyou?”Lazloaskedas
theirplateswerebeing
clearedaway.
“You’rereadingmymind
again,Lazlo.Youhaveto
stopdoingthat,”Remisaid.
“What’sthehurry?I’d
sayafteradayliketoday,you
cantaketherestofthenight
off,”Samsaid.
Lazloshrugged.“Oh,no
particularhurry,Isuppose.I
justthoughtyoumightliketo
knowwherethetreasure’s
hidden,that’sall.”
“Whatareyoutalking
about?”
“Theinscription.MyOld
Norseorthographyisn’tas
rustyasIpretended.”
Remi’seyesnarrowedas
shepassedtheflashdriveto
him.“Whatdidyousee,
Lazlo?”
Lazlopaused
dramatically.“Ifit’sallthe
sametoyou,I’djustassoon
translateitbeforethe
maddingcrowdsdescendon
thetombtomorrow.Notto
geteveryone’shopesup,but
thelastlinesaidsomething
abouttheEyeofHeaven.
Which,giventhe
inscription’slocation,would
seemaboutasgoodasa
treasuremaptothisdustyold
academic.”
L
azlowassubduedthe
followingdayat
breakfast.Darkcirclesringed
hiseyes,lendinghimthelook
ofahaggardraccoon,andit
wasobvioustoSamand
Remithathehadn’tspent
muchofthenightsleeping.
Afterhisthirdcupofcoffee,
hesatbackandfixedthem
withafatiguedstare.
“Theanswertoyour
questionisyes.Yes,I
translatedtheinscription.
And,yes,ittellsanincredible
tale.Unfortunately,theone
thingitdoesn’tdescribeis
wheretofindtheEyeof
Heaven,”hesaid.
“Whatdoesitsay?”Remi
asked.Lazlopulledapieceof
wornnotepaperfromhis
pocketandunfoldedit.He
slippeditacrosstoSamand
Remi,whoreaditcarefully.
Youseethebodyof
KnutEldgrim,sonof
fatherBjornand
motherSigrid.Icame
fromGotalanderwith
200menand4ships.I
wastheirleaderand
navigator.After30
days’sailacrossacalm
seawecameontoa
strangesandyshoreby
arockcliffbeneatha
mountainthatjutted
straightintothesky.
Thelandaroundwas
coveredbylushforest.
Wemetstrange
peopleunlikeanywe
hadeverseen.They
werefriendlyandledus
alongwayinlandto
theirvillage,Tollan.I
helpedhealalarge
gashontheirruler’s
rightlegfromajaguar.
Iusedthemedicinewe
hadbroughtwithus
shouldwefind
ourselvesinbattle.In
gratitudetheKing
mademehischief
adviser.
Iaidedother
villagerswithinjuries
andsickness.Mycrew
wasgivenmanyrare
objectsandprecious
stonesfordigginga
canaltobringwater
fromarivertotheir
village.
Oneyearlaterthe
Kingdied.Justbefore
heleftusheordained
measthenewleaderof
thepeopleandgaveme
thenameTopiltzinCe
AcatlQuetzalcoatl.He
bequeathedaheaddress
ofthegreatfeathered
serpentgod.Hegave
meanamuletasa
symbolofmypoweras
rulerandgod,alarge
greenstonefromthe
souththatglowswith
thelifeofthesun:the
EyeofHeaven.
Intheyearsthat
followedIshowedthe
peoplehowtosmelt
iron,laymasonry,and
carvesculpture,to
growfoodandbuild
roadsandwaterways.
Undermyruleour
empiregrew.We
conqueredtheMayan
cityofChichenItza.I
movedthecapitalof
ourvastlandstothis
cityandthereIbuilta
templetothefeathered
serpentliketheonein
Tollan.
AsIlaydyingthe
peopleofthislandwept
andsaidthatmy
brother,thegod
Tezcatlipoca,was
castingmeoutbutthat
Iwillreturntothem.
Mywarrior
comradeshave
returnedtoour
homelandladenwith
thewondersofthis
world,withplansto
return.Amarkerhas
beenbuiltwheremy
shipscameashore.
Whenmypeopleof
Gotalanderreturnthey
shallreturntothese
peoplewiththeEyeof
Heaven,markingmy
returntothem.
SamandRemipuzzledover
thefinallineasLazlo
watchedtheirreaction.When
Samlookedup,his
expressionreflectedthe
frustrationLazlofeltafter
spendinghalfthenightonthe
translation.
“Sothere’samarkernear
arockcliffbeneathahillor
mountain.Pieceofcake.That
onlyleaves,what,several
thousandmilesofMexican
andCentralAmerican
coastland?Andamarkerthat
couldhavewelldisintegrated
longago,”Samsaid.
“Assumingitwasn’ta
casualtytooneofthe
earthquakesthathave
reshapedthecoastlineand
decimatedcitiesinMexico
overthelastthousandyears,”
Remiadded.
“Orhurricanes.Let’snot
forgetthehurricanes.”
“Althoughitdoessaythat
amarkerhadbeenbuilt.Not
erectedorcarved.Built.I
takeittomeanthatitmustbe
referringtoastructure.
Wheretheshipslanded,”
Lazlosaid.
“Ohwell,inthatcase
forgivemypessimism.All
we’relookingforisamarker
thatwasbuiltonthecoasta
thousandyearsago.Which
couldmeananythingfroma
pileofrockstowhoknows
what,”Remicorrected.
Samappearedlostin
thought.Hetookalongsip
onhiscoffeeandthen
stopped,thecupfrozenin
midairasheturnedtoRemi.
“Ontheship.TheBaffin
find.Therewasarunestone
aboard.Doyouhaveapicture
ofit?”
Shenodded.“Ithinkso.
ButI’mnotsurewhere.
Probablyononeoftheflash
drives.”
“Weneverbotheredto
translateit.”
Remipushedbackfrom
thetable.“Oh...my...”
“IfImightbesobold,I’d
lovetogetalookatthat
photosoonerthanlater,”
Lazlosaid.
Remialmostranbackto
theroom.Thewaitress
clearedtheplatesoutofthe
wayandSamwaslaying
downseverallarge-
denominationpesonotes
whenRemireturned,holding
ablueflashdrivealoftin
triumph.
“Howlongwillittake
youtotranslateit?”sheasked
asshehandedittoLazlo.
“Dependsonhowmuch
textthereis.Howbigwasthe
stone?”
“Maybetwofeetbythree.
Ihonestlythoughtitwas
ballastthefirsttimeIsawit
inthehold.”
“Letmegettowork.
Shouldn’tbemorethanan
hourortwo.Certainlynot
afterallthepracticeI’ve
recentlyhad.”
“We’llwaithereforyou.”
“Noneed.Ifyouwantto
gotothedig,I’llmeetyou
thereonceIhavesomething
toreport.”
Reminodded.“Onething,
though.Ithinkfornowit
wouldbebesttokeepour
discoveriestoourselves.This
couldwellleadustotheEye
ofHeaven.Idon’twantto
broadcastthatandbecome
targets.Orgetbeatentothe
punch.Somum’stheword,”
shesaid.
“Mylipsaresealed,”
Lazloagreedasherose.“You
cantelltheladsIsleptin,
shouldanyonehaveaburning
desiretoconsultwithme
aboutthepriceoftea.”
“Themanneedshis
beautyrest,”Samagreed.
“Goodluck,Lazlo,”Remi
said.
Lazlogaveherapained
smile.“Luckwillhavelittle
todowithit.”
AntonioandMaribela
werealreadyatthetombsite
whenSamandRemigot
there,supervisingwhat
seemedlikeaphalanxof
archaeologistsandtechsfrom
theInstitute,alloutfittedin
newlyissuedwhitelabcoats,
whileacadreofarmed
soldierslookedon.Antonio
wavedwhenhesawthemand
theguardsletthemthrough.
“Goodmorning.Where’s
yourpartnerincrime?”
Maribelaaskedwithasunny
smile.
“Heshouldbealong
anytime,”Samsaid.“What
haveyougotplannedfor
today?”
“We’regoingtobegin
mappingtheareaandgoover
thelowertombwiththesonar
beforewesenditback—just
incase,”Antonioexplained.
“AndI’vejustbriefed
everyoneontheprotocolsfor
documentingthefindwith
videoandphotographs.”
“Soundslikeyou’vegot
everythingundercontrol,”
Remiaffirmed.
“Asmuchasanythingof
thisscalecanbemanaged.
Butmakenomistake—this
willbeamultiyearendeavor.
Itdwarfsanyoftheother
excavationswehavegoing.”
“Doyouhaveateam
workingonthecasket
inscription?”Samasked.
“Thatwillbeprocessedin
duetime.”
“Wecanhelpwiththat,if
youlike,”Remioffered.
“Weappreciateit,but,
honestly,youtwohavedone
morethanenough,”Maribela
said,hertonecordialbuther
glancedismissive.“Which
remindsme.We’llbedoinga
pressreleaseanda
conferencelaterandwould
lovetohaveyouthere.”
Theywereinterruptedby
aharried-lookingscientist
carryingaclipboardanda
radio,andSamandRemi
usedthedisruptiontomove
awayfromthecommand
center.Samheldonehand
overhiseyes,shieldingthem
fromthemorningsun,and
watchedtheactivitynearthe
mouthofthetomb.
“Youhaveanyinterest
whatsoeverindoingapress
conference?”heaskedRemi.
“Notunlesssomeone’s
holdingaguntomyhead.”
“Sowe’llbegoff?”
“Absolutely.Wecan
claimoneofusgotfood
poisoning.”
“Workseverytime.Want
toflipacoin?”
Remishookherhead.
“No,I’llbethefallguythis
time.”
Halfanhourlater,Lazlo
arrivedand,afterrunningthe
securitygauntlet,headed
directlyforthem,barely
containedexcitementplaying
acrosshisface.Maribela
watchedhimmarchtoward
theFargos,andSammoved
tomeethimbeforehegave
anythingaway.
“Isay,IthinkI’ve—”
Lazlostarted,butSamcut
himoff.
“Wehavealotoffolks
payingattentiontoustoday.
Maybeweshouldtakeanice,
slowstrollaroundthe
pyramidwhileyoutellme
whattherunestonesays?”
“Ah,quite.Isee.Well,
leadtheway.Sorry.Didn’t
meantogiveawaythe
game.”
“Noproblem.Remi,will
youjoinus?”
“Youcouldn’tstopme.”
Oncetheywereoutof
earshot,Lazloquicklygave
themarundownofwhathe’d
discovered.
“Theruneseemstohave
fairlyspecificinstructionson
locatingtheEyeofHeaven.It
doesn’trefertoitassuch,but
itdoessaytheprideofthe
NewWorldresidesbeneatha
temple.Andthenitgoesonto
describelandmarks.Ajutting
peakjustsouthofit.Anearby
lagoon.Cliffs.Asmall
nearbyisland.Ithinkthat
there’senoughtogoon.With
adetailedexaminationofthe
coastlinealongtheGulfof
Mexico,weshouldbeableto
narrowitdown—assuming
thatthelandmarksarestill
roughlythesame.”
Remi’seyeslitup.“Why,
Lazlo,that’swonderful.Do
youhaveawrittentranslation
forus?”
“Ofcourse.”Heslipped
herafoldedpieceofpaper.
Shesliditintoherrearpocket
andexchangeda
conspiratoriallookwithSam.
“Lazlo,we’regoingto
bowout,claimingstomach
problems.You’rewelcometo
stayoryoucanjoinusback
inMexicoCitywhilewe
researchthis.”
“MuchasIenjoystanding
inthesunturningintoa
lobster,IthinkI’llerronthe
sideofcautionand
accompanyyou.Doyou
mind?”
“Ofcoursenot.”
SamandRemimoved
backtothestagingareaand,
afterabriefdiscussionwith
Antonio,beggedoffthe
mediacircusinfavorof
returningtotheirmotel.
Antoniohadoneofhis
assistantsdrivethemback,
andbynoonLazlowasback
attheclinicandSamand
Remiwerecheckedintothe
St.Regis.
Sam’sfirstcalloncethey
hadsettledintotheirroom
wastoSelma,whoagreedto
standbyforreceiptofthe
translationsotheteamcould
gotoworkonlocatingthe
area.Remiquicklytypedit
intohercomputerandsentit
off,andasshewatchedthe
confirmationofreceipt
appearinherin-box,smiled
atSam.
“It’sonlyamatterofa
fewdaysbeforeAntonioand
Maribelagetaroundto
translatingtheinscription,
youknow.”
“Yes,butnobodyhasthe
messagefromthelongboat
exceptus.”
“WhataboutAntonioand
hissister?Howdoyoufeel
aboutinvolvingthem?”Remi
asked.
“Ithinkoncewehavean
ideawhatwe’relookingat,
wecanmakethatcall.Right
now,thefewerpeoplewith
allthepuzzlepieces,the
better.Therehavebeentoo
manyleaksalready.Why
temptfate?”
ISLAMUJERES,
MEXICO
J
anusBenedictcarefullylit
theCohibacigarhe’d
beensavingforafterlunch
andpuffedcontentedly,
takingintheturquoisewaters
offIslaMujeresfromthe
lowerdeckofhisyacht.The
glass-and-steelbuildingsof
Cancún’sskylinesparkledin
thedistance.Asteward
approachedwithacellphone
and,afterapologizingforthe
intrusion,setitontheteak
tableanddisappeared.Janus
liftedthephonetohisear.
“Yes?”
“TheFargoshave
managedtopullyetanother
rabbitoutoftheirhat.”The
speakerwentontodescribe
theVikingfind,culminating
withthenewsconferencethat
wouldbebroadcastlaterthat
afternoon.
Janusprocessedthe
informationinsilenceand,
afterblowingacloudof
smokeatthesky,issuedaset
ofinstructions.Whenhewas
finished,hehungup,hisface
untroubled,toalltheworlda
manwithnocares.
Withthefindatthe
PyramidoftheMoon,he
knewtheFargoswellenough
tounderstandthatifthere
weretreasuretobehunted,
theywoulddosowiththe
tenacityofleeches.Allhe
neededtodowasbepatient
andremainvigilant.Fromhis
currentpositionhecouldbe
anywhereinMexicoina
matterofhours,andwhenhe
wasalertedthattheFargos
wereonthemove,itwould
bechild’splaytointercept
them.
Reginaldwasstillin
MexicoCity,wherehis
quarryremained.Januswould
watchandwait,allowingthe
irritatingpairtodothework
forhim.Arelativelysimple
schemehadalreadybeen
madefarmorecomplicated
byhisbrother,andJanus
didn’twanttoinvolvehim
againunlessabsolutely
necessary.Guerrero’s
participationasmorethana
hiredgunwasanirritantand
subjectedJanustounduerisk,
buttheremightcomeatime
inthenearfuturewhenhis
brutalapproachwouldcome
inhandy.
Januslookedupatapair
ofpelicanscirclingoffthe
transom,eyeingthesurfaceof
theseaforanysignsofbait
fish.Predatorsfeeding.The
naturalorderofthings.
Animmutablelawof
naturethatthemeddlesome
Fargoswouldsoon
experiencefirsthand.
MEXICOCITY,MEXICO
SelmareachedSamthenext
day.Hervoicesounded
strongerthanithadoverthe
lastfewweeks—theold
Selma,brimmingwith
efficiencyandstamina.
“We’vebeenworkingon
thelandmarksyougaveus,
andwe’venarroweditdown
toseverallikelyareas.One’s
ontheCaribbeancoast,near
Belize;thesecondisinthe
YucatánnorthofCancún;and
thethirdisnorthofVeracruz,
ontheGulfofMexico.”
Samclosedhiseyes,
envisioningthegeography.
“Howmanymilesfrom
Teotihuacanistheoneby
Belize?”
“Aboutsevenhundred
fiftymiles.”
“Mostlyjungle,I’d
guess.”
“Itwouldbe,yes.”
“WhatabouttheYucatán
location?”
“Alittlefarther.”
“Ican’tseeagroupof
Vikingstravelingthat
distanceoverland,through
jungle,canyou?”Samasked.
“Anything’spossible,but
I’dsaytheywouldhave
neededaprettygoodreason.”
“Hmm.Andhowmany
milesistheVeracruzspot?”
“Aboutahundred
seventy.Butthere’sa
mountainrangebetween
Teotihuacanandthecoast,a
naturalbarrierofsorts.”
Samthoughtfora
moment.“Icanseethem
crossingthemountainswitha
guide.Ican’tseethem
trudgingthroughdense
jungle.”
“ThentheVeracruz
locationisyourbaby...”
“Ihearabutinyour
voice,Selma.”
“Well,thereisasmall
wrinkle.”
“Andwhat’sthat?”Sam
asked.
“It’sonornearthe
groundsofanuclearpower
plant.”
Thesilencestretchedover
thelineasSamabsorbedthe
information.“You’re
kidding.”
“YouknowIdon’tkid.”
Samsighed.“IsupposeI
do.”
“Dependingonthe
preciselocation,itcouldbe
justoutsidetheperimeter
securityarea.Butthere’sno
wayofknowinguntilyou’re
ontheground.Ilookedatall
thesatellitefootageandit’s
inconclusive.Theonlywayto
tellforsureistogothere.”
“Well,atleastit’snottoo
far.”
“That’sapositive.
Althoughit’salsoinaregion
thathasalotofsecurity
issues.”
“MorethanMexico
City?”
“Ohyes.There’sonlyone
highwaynorthalongthecoast
fromVeracruz—themain
portontheeastsideofthe
country.Whichisalso,not
coincidentally,wheremuch
ofthecocainefromColombia
enters.Sothatareaisthe
primarydistributionarteryfor
traffickingcocainenorthto
theborderstates—whichuntil
recentlywereconsidered
outsideofthegovernment’s
control,effectivelyoperated
bythecartels.”
“Tellmethisgetsbetter.”
“Ifiguredyou’dwantto
knowwhatyouwerelooking
at.”
“Thanks,Selma.I’m
guessingitwouldbepretty
closetoimpossibletoslipin
therewithoutapermitanddig
around,whatwiththenuclear
powerplant.”
“That’sprobablyasafe
assumption.”
Remireturnedfromthe
spaanhourlaterandSam
filledherin,pointingoutthe
areaontheirlaptop.
“Lookatthebrightside.
Atleastwe’vegotalikely
spotforthetemple,”shesaid.
“Sure.Crawlingwith
cartelkillersandnukes.And
wecanforgetaboutsecrecy
—we’regoingtohaveto
bringAntonioandMaribela
intothisifwe’regoingtoget
apermit.”
Remisatonthebedand
brushedherfingersthrough
herauburnhair.“Doesn’t
soundlikewehavemuch
choice.Imean,wedon’thave
totellthemthatwethinkthe
EyeofHeaven’sthere.Just
thatwehavealeadandwant
tolookforruinsinthatarea.”
“Aleadonwhat?”
“Well,onsomething
relatedtotheVikings.That
basedoninformationwe
gleanedfromthelongship,
webelievethatwaswhere
theycameashoreandthat
theremightbesome
evidence.Keepitvague.”She
rose.“I’mgoingtotakea
shower.Thinkaboutitsome
andthenwecancallAntonio.
Afterdiscovering
Quetzalcoatl’stomb,Idon’t
seehowhe’llsayno.”
“Idon’t,either.ButIalso
don’tseehowhewon’twant
toaccompanyus.It’s
relativelycloseandhe’sbeen
withussofar.”
“You’reprobablyright.
Andthatmeanshissister,
too.”
“Theyseemtocomeasa
pair.”
“Nocomment.”
Antoniowaspolitebut
cautiouswhentheyspokeon
thetelephonethatafternoon.
HewasstillinTeotihuacan,
wherehewouldremainuntil
hewassatisfiedthatthe
excavationwaswellunder
wayandateamleaderhad
beenputincharge.
“I’llhavetochecktosee
whatrestrictionsthereare.
We’redealingwiththe
nuclearregulatoryauthority
andthey’realawunto
themselves.Partofthepower
company,butbecauseofthe
riskposedbyreactors...”
“Iunderstand,Antonio.It
wouldreallymeanalotto
us.”
“Icantellyouthatifit’s
ontheirgrounds,itwillbe
muchmoredifficult.Imagine
ifyouwantedtoconduct
archaeologicalresearchon
thegroundsofoneofyour
nation’sreactors...”
“Well,let’shopethatit’s
not.There’snowayof
knowinguntilwegoout
there.Maybeweshould
assumethatit’snotwithin
theirperimeterfence—would
thatmakeadifference?”
“Itmight.Letmemake
somecallsandseewhat
we’reupagainst.”Antonio
hesitated.“Howimportantis
this?Isitsomethingurgent?”
Remilaughed,hopingher
lighttonewoulddisarmhim.
“Well,we’dliketoknockit
outwhilewe’restillin
Mexico.Iwouldconsiderita
hugefavorifwecould.”
“Well,Ihatetodisappoint
alady.I’llgetbackintouch
whenIknowmore.”
“Thankyou,Antonio.”
Remihungupandsmiled
atSam.“He’sgoingtodo
everythinghecan.”
“Nosurprisethere.”
Sheconsideredhimfora
moment.“Why,Fargo,isthat
ahintofjealousy?”
“No.Mystomach’sstill
uneasyfromthefood
poisoning.”
“Thatwasaninvention.”
“Oh.Right.”
Remislidnexttowhere
hewassittingonthebedand
tookhishand.“You’rethe
onlyglobe-trottingtreasure
hunterforme,SamFargo.”
“Youprobablysaythatto
alltheadventurers.”
Shekissedhimonthe
cheek.“Onlytheoneswilling
towearchickensuits.”
“AtleastI’vegotthat
goingforme.”
Shekissedhimagain.
“That’smorethanenough.”
VERACRUZ,MEXICO
T
heGulfstream’swheels
toucheddownonthe
runwayofVeracruz
InternationalAirportand
taxiedtotheprivateterminal
atthesouthernendofthe
runway.Lazlosmiledat
Maribela,whowasseated
acrossfromhim.Shelooked
outthewindowatthe
morningmisthoveringover
theairportinsteadof
returningthesmile.Antonio
caughthiseyeandshrugged.
SamandRemiunclipped
theirseatbeltsastheplane
coastedtoastopand,
momentslater,theywere
insidetheterminal.Antonio
spokeintohiscellphone
brieflyandthenturnedto
them.
“Thecarsshouldbehere
infiveminutes.”
“‘Cars’?”Maribelaasked.
“Ah,yes.Well,a
concessionImadewiththe
powercompanywasthatwe
wouldbeaccompaniedatall
timesbythreeofthelocal
policeforce.It’sforour
protection,aswellasto
ensurewedon’ttrespasson
theirproperty.Ifwe
determinethatweneed
accesswithintheplant’s
perimeter,thatwillbea
differentdiscussion.”
“That’snotaproblemas
longastheycankeepquiet
aboutwhatwe’redoing,”
Samsaid.
“Itwasn’tnegotiable.
Andfrankly,withallofthe
violencelately,it’snotabad
idea.”
Lazlolooked
uncomfortable.“Isay,did
youjustmentionviolence?”
Reminodded.“It’snot
thatbigadeal,Lazlo.
They’vejusthadafew
beheadingsrecently.”
“Andgunbattles,”Sam
confirmed.
“Oh,andthegrenade
attack.Orwasthat
somewhereelse?”Remi
askedinnocently.
Lazloblanched.“Ido
hopethisisallformybenefit.
Jollygood.Quiteamusing,I
assureyou.”
“Comeon,Lazlo,you
onlyliveonce,”Remijoked.
“WhichI’vegrownquite
fondofinmyownway,even
ifdryasthedesertwind.I’d
hatetohavemywinning
streakendedbyamachete
blade.”
Antoniowavedatthem
fromtheglassterminaldoors.
“They’rehere.”
TwosilverChevrolet
SuburbanSUVssatatthe
curb.Threeuniformedpolice
officersstoodbythevehicles,
submachinegunsdangling
fromshoulderstraps,
deployedasthoughtheywere
expectingtobeattackedat
theairport.Everyone’s
demeanorgrewseriousasthe
realityofthedangerthere
wasdrivenhomebythe
men’salertness,andanyurge
tojokeaboutitfurtherdiedat
thesightoftheirweaponsand
theflatlookintheireyes.
“I’llrideinthelead
vehiclewiththeofficersand
Lazlo,”Antoniodirected.
“Maribela,yourideinthe
secondvehiclewiththe
Fargos.”
Theirbaggageand
equipmentwasloadedand
theywereoutofVeracruz,on
thecoastalroadnorth,within
fifteenminutes.Shimmering
fieldsoftallgreengrass
undulatedinthelightbreeze
astheyrolledpast.When
theyleftthecitylimits
behind,thelandscape
transitionedintofarmland,
withacresofcropsstretching
tothebaseofthefoothillsin
thedistance.Halfanhour
fromVeracruz,amassive
arrayofmochasanddunes
linedthecoast.
“That’samazing.Itlooks
liketheSahara,”Remisaid.
Afour-wheel-drivedune
buggyshotoverthecrestof
oneofthenearestdunes,
throwingacloudbehinditas
ittorealongparalleltothe
highwayandthenracedback
towardthesea.
Tenmoreminutesand
theypassedalagoon,the
rippledemeraldwaterdented
bythewind,ringedbypalm
treesandbrightlypainted
cinder-blockbuildingswith
thatchedroofs.Lazlopointed
offtotheirleftatapeak,
juttingintotheskylikea
monolith.
“That’spromising.Iseem
torecallthatdescribedrather
well,actually.Looksperfect
forrockclimbing,ifthat’s
yourthing,whatwiththe
sheerfaceandall.”
Maribelaglancedathim
intherearviewmirror.
“That’sElCerrodelos
Metates.It’swellknownin
Veracruz.ThereareTotonac
tombsnearbyin
Quiahuiztlan,alongwith
substantialruinsonthehill.
Letmeknowifyou’dliketo
seethem.Theturnoffisup
ahead.”
Remishookherheadand
Samshrugged.“Maybeonce
we’redonelookingaroundon
thecoast.Wouldtherehave
beenTotonacsettlements
aroundhereatthetime
Quetzalcoatlarrived?Around
A.D.1000?”
“Withoutadoubt.The
regionhasbeeninhabitedfor
thousandsofyears,”Maribela
confirmed.
“Interesting.Forwhatever
reason,Iimaginedthisstretch
asrelativelydesolateback
then,”Samsaid.
“Well,it’smorea
questionofsemantics.There
weredefinitelycitiesinthe
area,buttheyweresmall
comparedtomodern
standards.”
“Sothiswouldstillhave
beenremote?”
“Exceptforfishing
camps,I’dsaythatwouldbe
correct.”
Fourmilesfarthernorth,
thebrick-redtowersofthe
LagunaVerdenuclearpower
plantcameintoview.
Maribelaturnedherhead
slightlytowardtherearseat.
“Ourdestinationisonthe
othersideoftheplant.Asyou
cansee,it’salargecomplex.
It’sbeeninoperationsince
themid-nineties.”They
passedthebuildings,and
Maribelapointedatadeep
teallagoonontheirright,
betweenthehighwayandthe
GulfofMexico.“That’s
LagunaVerde—the‘green
lagoon’theplantgetsits
namefrom.Theroadwe’ll
takerunsnorthofittothe
shore.”
TheleadSuburban’s
brakelightsilluminatedand
signaledarightturn.Dust
roseintotheairasitturned
ontothedirttrack,andtheir
SUVfollowed.Theypassed
severalhomesandthenmade
anotherrightandfollowed
theroaduntilitbecamelittle
morethanatrail.Antonio’s
SUVstoppedbyadense
thicketandhegotout,along
withthearmedescorts,and
waitedasthedriverparked.
Everyonegatherednextto
therearcargodoorsand
waitedasAntoniopushed
asidetheassortmentofpicks,
shovels,prybars,andlamps
togetatthesmalleritemsand
handthemout.Samhefteda
macheteandregardedthe
bladebeforeslidingitback
intoitscanvassheath.
Antonioclearedhis
throat.“Allright.Thepolice
willstaywiththevehiclesto
ensurenothinghappensto
theminourabsence.Youall
havecanteensandmachetes
—myonlywordofwarning
isaboutsnakes.Thereare
plentyofrattlersaroundhere,
sotreadcarefully.Anddonot
beinahurry.Theyshouldbe
moreafraidofyouthanyou
ofthem,butyouneverknow,
sobesttogivethemplentyof
warningthatyou’recoming.”
“Nobodymentioned
snakes,either,”Lazlo
remindedSam,who
shrugged.
“Hejustdid.”
Remitookoverfrom
Antonio.“We’relookingfor
theruinsofatemple.
Exposedtotheweather,it
maybeonlyremnants.I’m
notsure,butifyoucome
acrossanythingthatappears
man-made,yell.I’dsuggest
wespreadout,tenmeters
apart,andworkourway
southfromthispoint.”
“Again,howdowekeep
frombeingbittenbysnakes?”
Lazloasked.
“Bymovingslowlyand
watchingyourstep,”Antonio
said.
“Prayermightalsohelp,”
Samadded.
“Ready?”Remiasked.
Theybeganworkingtheir
wayuptherisetowardthe
summit,accompaniedbythe
soundofthesurfcrashing
againsttherocksatthebase
oftheclifftenstoriesbelow.
Thebrushwasthickand
untamed,coveredbya
canopyoftreebranches,
nourishedbytheplentiful
rainandsun.Latemorning
transitionedintoafternoon,
thesunbeginningitsslow
descentbehindtheSierra
MadreMountains,when
Remicalledoutfromthe
edgeoftheirline.
“Ifoundsomething!”
“Onmyway!”Sam
yelledashemovedtoward
her.
“It’sovergrown,butit
lookslikepartofawall.”
LazlojoinedSamand
theyhackedtheirwaytoward
Remi,MaribelaandAntonio
approachedfromtheinland
side,andsoontheywereall
standingbyarisefromthe
naturalterrain.
Shetappeditwithher
bladeandthesteelclinked
againstrock.
“Iscrapedawayafootof
soilinacoupleofplacesand
it’sstoneunderneath.Looks
likeitrisesaboutfifteenfeet
abovethesurroundingarea.”
“Whichwouldbemore
thanenoughforasmall
temple,”Antonioconfirmed.
“Afterathousandyearsof
stormsandrunoffandsoil
buildup,you’dexpectittobe
abiglump—exactlylikethis
is.”
Samsteppedforwardand
dugatthedirtafterpushing
awaythetangleofplants
growingoutofthesloping
face.“We’regoingtoneed
thoseshovelsandpicksfrom
thetrucks.”
AntonioandLazlowent
forthetoolswhileSam,
Remi,andMaribelahackedat
thethickfoliagewiththeir
machetes,tryingtoclearthe
perimeterofthemound.All
threewereexhaustedbythe
timeLazloandAntonio
returnedandtheytooka
breakasthecoolingbreeze
blewfromtheedgeofthe
cliffonlyafewshortyards
away.
“Approachingships
woulddefinitelyhavebeen
abletoseethisfromthesea.
Whatdoyouwanttobetthat
thoseleftbehindlitasignal
fireeverydayaspartoftheir
duties?”Samasked.
“Thatwouldmakesense,”
Remiagreed.“Itmightalso
explainthecloudoverthe
pyramidinsomeofthe
depictions.Thatcouldhave
beenasmokecloud—aveiled
referencetothistemple.”
MaribelaeyedRemi.
“Perhapsyoucantelluswhat
itisthatwe’vefound?”
“Lazlowasableto
translatearunestonefrom
theVikinglongship,”Remi
explained.“Itspokeofa
markerontheshore—a
templethatwouldleadthe
NorsemenbacktotheNew
Worldtocolonizeitinthe
nameoftheirleaderwhowas
buriedthere.There’s
probablyatroveofhistorical
datawecangleanfromit.”
Samrosefromwhere
he’dbeencrouchedand
hoistedoneoftheshovels.
“Let’sgetsomeofthisdirt
offandseewhat’sunderneath
it,shallwe?”
Antoniojoinedhimwitha
pick,andtheybeganworking
onthecenterofonesideof
themoundwhileMaribela
andRemidugintoanother.
Afteranhourofhardwork,
Samsteppedbackand
examinedtheclearedareahe
andAntoniohadcreated.
“Remi?Comecheckthis
out.Itlookslikeanentry.But
it’sbeensealedoff.”Sam
tappedtheareawiththetipof
hisshovel.They’dmanaged
toexposearectangular
openingwithastonelip,but
theirwaywasbarredbya
mixtureofrockandcrude
mortar.“Andyou’llwantto
getapictureortwoforour
scrapbookofthedepiction
carvedintotherim.”
Remijoinedhimand
leanedhershovelagainstthe
dirt.Maribelaarriveda
momentlaterandgasped
whenshesawwhatSamwas
pointingat.
Etchedintothegranite
frameoverthedoorwaywasa
death’shead—wearingawar
helmetadornedwiththehead
ofasnake,itsfangsexposed,
itsfeatheredwingsspread
wide,asitpreparedtostrike.
M
aribelalookedat
Antoniowith
astonishment.
“Idon’t...understand.
That’sunlikeanyofthe
Toltecimageswe’veever
comeacross.”
“Yes,it’smoretypicalof
thesortofthingtheVikings
wereknownfor,”Remisaid,
hercameraclickingasshe
capturedmultipleangles.
“Lookattheskull.It’sgota
beard.Ithinkwe’reseeing
thefirstexampleofViking
iconographyeverfoundin
Mexico.”
“Thejuxtapositionofthe
indigenousartandtheViking
is...striking,tosaythe
least,”Maribelasaid.
“Notparticularly
welcoming,isit?”Lazlo
commented.
“Itdefinitelymakesyou
stopandthinktwice,”Sam
agreed.“Iwonderwhythey
sealedthetempleentry?”
“Perhapstheygottiredof
waitingfortheshipto
return?”Lazlosaid.
Samnodded.“There’s
onlyonewaytofindout
what’sinside.Mightaswell
seeifwecanbreakthrough
thiswhilewe’vestillgot
somelighttoworkwith.”
SamturnedtoAntonio.
“Whatdoyouthink?Doyou
haveanyproblemwithus
creatinganopeninghere?”
“I’dsayyourinstincts
havebeenquitegoodsofar.”
“Allright,then.Let’ssee
whatthismudismadeoutof,
shallwe?”
Themortarhadhardened
totheconsistencyofrock,
andthesunwassinking
belowthemountainsbythe
timetheirpickshadpunched
thefirsthole.Thesightofthe
gapwideningencouraged
them,withmortarcrumbling
awayinlargechunks,and
withinminutesthey’dcleared
theentireentryway.
Maribelahadbrought
flashlightsfromtheSUVs
andsheflickedoneonand
handedittoSam.Hesquinted
andpeeredinside.Remi
edgednexttohim,bringing
herbeamtobearonthe
interior.
“Thiswasn’twhatIwas
expecting,”shesaid,and
steppedbacksothatAntonio
andMaribelacouldsee
inside.Lazloapproachedand
lookedovertheirshouldersas
theyplayedtheirlightsover
theinterior.
“Thisisanotherfirst.I’ve
neverseenamassburialina
templelikethis.Howmany
skeletonsarethere?”
Maribelaasked.Antonio
countedquietlyinSpanish.
“Adozen.Butlookat
howthey’redressed,”hesaid
ashetookatentativestep
downthesinglestairintothe
temple.Maribelafollowed
himin,trailedbyLazlo.Sam
andReminoddedtoeach
otherandjoinedthem.The
chamberwaslargerthanit
hadlookedfromtheoutside
—atleasttwentyfeetsquare.
Theskeletonssatagainstthe
wallsasthoughwaitingfor
something.Eachhadona
chain-mailtunic,andseveral
hadVikinghelmetssunkover
theirskulls,decayedteeth
grinningintoeternity,swords
andbattle-axesbytheirsides.
“Look!There,”Remi
said,pointingtoseveral
objectsneartheentrystairs.
Shetrainedherflashlighton
thelongwoodentroughand
thetoolsnearit.“That’s
wherethemortarcamefrom.”
“Bloodyhell.They
walledthemselvesin,”Lazlo
exclaimed.
Nobodyspokeasthe
weightofwhattheywere
seeingsankin.Therewasno
wayofknowinghowmanyof
theskeletonsbelongedto
menwhohadbeenalive
whenthedoorwayhadbeen
sealed,butthetoolswere
ampleevidencethatatleast
one,andprobablymore,had
livedlongenoughto
completehisgrimwork
beforespendinghisfinaltime
onEarthtrappedinhisown
tomb.
“Lookatthepictographs.
They’recruder.Butlookat
whatthey’reportraying,”
Remisaid,gazingabovethe
assembledbodiesatthe
carvings.
Abeardedwarrior,part
snake,partbird,wasslayinga
groupofmenattackinga
smalltemple.Abovethe
peak,acloudhovered.The
imagerywasgrizzly:the
bodieshackedapart,several
beheaded.Lightningbolts
blazedfromthewarrior’s
eyes,settingfiretothe
surroundings,wherestill
morefiguresburnedinthe
flames.
“Notterriblycheery,is
it?”Lazlowhispered.“Bit
Armageddonformytaste.
Still,themessageisclear.”
Samnodded.“I’lltakeit
asawarningtoanyonewho
triestobreachthetemple.”
“Likewehave,”Remi
said.
Everyonewasquietuntil
Antoniomovedbacktoward
thedoorway.“It’sgetting
dark.Weshouldgatherour
thingsandhavethepolice
guardthisovernight.I’ll
speaktothemaboutit.”
“I’mnotreadytoleave
yet.Let’sgettheportable
worklampsfromthetrucks
andsetthemup,”Remisaid.
“Butthere’snothingthat
can’twaituntilmorning,”
Maribelaprotested.
“I’mnottired.Ifthe
guardsaregoingtobehere
allnight,Iseenoreasonwe
can’tworkthroughthenight,
too.Itwouldn’tbethefirst
time.Thebatteriesshouldlast
atleastthatlong.”
SamgaveAntonioa
wearylook.“Youheardthe
lady.Ijustfolloworders.”
“Idon’tunderstandwhat
theurgencyis.Wecanjust
comebacktomorrow.
Everyonewillstillbedead,”
Maribelasaid.
RemiglancedatSam.
“There’smoreatstakehere
thanjustthetemple.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
Antonioasked.
“Somewhereinsidemay
betheEyeofHeaven.Left
forthereturningVikingsso
theycouldclaimtheir
positionastheleadersofthe
indigenouspeopleof
Mexico.”
Maribelablinkedin
astonishment.“Areyou
serious?”
“Ididn’twanttosay
anythinguntilwefoundthe
site.”
“Thenwhereisit?”
Maribelaasked.“TheEyeof
Heaven?”
Samshrugged.“That’s
theproblem.Thelanguage
isn’tspecific.‘Beneaththe
temple’isalltherunestone
said.Whichcouldmean
belowusinachamberor
vault,orinacavesomewhere
downthecliff,orburiedin
somehiddencornerofthe
temple.Forallweknow,
therearemorecluesinthese
pictographs.Nothingabout
thishasbeenstraightforward
andIseenoreasontobelieve
itwillbefromhereonout.”
Remimovedintothe
centerofthespace.“Which
bringsusbacktooursenseof
urgencyanddesirefor
secrecy.Thisprojecthasbeen
plaguedwithproblemsand
we’dratheravoidoneout
hereinthemiddleof
nowhere.Theonlypeople
whoknowanythingabout
thisareinthisroom.Butthe
longerittakesforustofind
thejewel,assumingitreally
exists,thegreaterthe
likelihoodthatsomething
goeswrong.”
Antonionodded.“I
understand.We’llgetthe
lampsandnegotiatewiththe
policetospendthenight
guardingthearea.Tomorrow
wecanarrangeforheavier
securitywhilewework—
thesemenwillhavetogo
homeand,whentheydo,they
mighttalk,whicharoundhere
couldmeanseriousproblems.
Everyone’sawareofthe
violencethat’sbeenan
unfortunatepartofthe
region’srecenthistory.”
Antoniodidn’tneedtosay
anythingmore.
“Nottomentionthe
snakes,”Lazloadded,
lighteningthemoodonly
slightly.
Halfanhourlater,the
threelampswereinplaceand
oneoftheofficerswassitting
outsidethetemple,his
companionsbackintheSUV,
wheretheycouldspot
approachingvehicles.Lazlo
waspacinginfrontofthe
entry,scratchinghishead,as
SamandRemitappedonthe
floor,Samwiththehandleof
hismachete,Remiwithher
flashlight.Antonioand
Maribelaweretaking
photographsofthecarvings.
Lazlostoppedmidstride
andstaredatthewall.“Sam?
Ijustnoticedsomething.”
“Whatisit?”Samasked,
stilltapping.
“Thewalls.Theydon’t
endatthefloor.”
“Whatareyoutalking
about,Lazlo?”
“Lookatthewalls.The
stoneblocks.They’re
symmetrical.Buttheonesat
thebaseareonlyathirdas
deep.Sothisfloorisn’tseton
bedrock,asyoumightexpect.
Eitherthatortheblighters
dugafooterforthewalls,
whichisn’tlikelycirca
1000.”
“What’syourpoint?”
Samasked.
“Mypointisthatyou’d
expecttoseethisiftherewas
morestructurebelowus.Or
astherunestonesaid,
beneath.”Lazlounsheathed
hismacheteandbegan
scrapingthefloor,removing
thefilmofdirtthathad
accumulatedoverthe
centuries.“Andiftheentire
thing’shollowbelow,you
mightnothearadifferenceby
tapping.Infact,I’dwager
it’llallsoundthesame.”
SameyedRemiand
nodded,andsoontheywere
allontheirknees,working
away.Anhourpassed,and
thenAntoniocalledout.
“Ifoundapeg.”
Remiroseandwentto
him.“Apeg?”
Antoniotappedpartofthe
floor.“Doyouhavea
pocketknife?”
Remiunfoldedherknife
andhandedittohim.Heused
thepointofthebladetoclear
dirtawayandsoontheywere
staringatacircleinthefloor,
sixinchesindiameter,crafted
fromstone.
“We’veseenthesein
Mayanruins,”Maribela
explained.“Thebuilders
wouldaffixamovableslab,
usingstonepegstoprevent
theslabfromshifting—
effectivelylockingitinplace.
Therewillmostcertainlybe
others.”
Antoniowedgedtheknife
bladedowntheedgeofthe
pegandwiggledit.Thepeg
moved.
“Doesanyoneelsehave
anotherknife?We’regoingto
needatleasttwo.”
SamhandedhimhisSOG
Ae-04Aegisfoldingknife
andAntonioworkedatthe
stoneplug.Hewasableto
raiseitthree-quartersofan
inch,andSamgrippedthe
edgesandpulleditfree.He
satback,admiringtheprecise
taperingofthegranitecone,
andthensetittooneside.
“Let’sfindtherestof
these.”
Anhourandsevenpegs
later,thedistinctoutlineofa
stoneslab,threefeetwideby
fourlong,wasclearly
evident.LazloandAntonio
hadgoneinsearchofsome
saplingstheycoulduseas
makeshiftrollers,and
Maribelahadcommandeered
abottleofmotoroilto
lubricatetheedges,hopefully
makingiteasiertobreakfree.
OnceAntonioreturnedwith
twodecentlengthsoftree
trunk,Lazlofollowingwith
twomore,theyplacedthe
woodonthefloorandwentto
workwiththeprybars,
wedgingthemalongthe
slab’sedges.
“Getthissideliftedand
I’lltrytopushitfromtheend
usingmybar,”Sam
instructed.Theyworkedat
thestonerectangle,Remiand
Maribelausingtheshoveltips
forgreaterleverageasthe
menworkedthebars,andone
endslowlyrosefromthe
floor.
“Great.Holditthere...
holdit...”Samheavedon
hisbarandleveredtheslab,
firstoneinch,thenanother.
“Lazlo,getoneoftherollers
underit.Watchyourfingers!”
Lazlopushedasaplingto
theedge,directlybeneaththe
lip,andtheyeasedoffthe
bars,loweringtheslab.
Antonioquicklyrolledthe
otherthreeinline,soasthe
slabslidfartheritwouldroll
alongthetrunks.Lazlojoined
Samandgothisbarintothe
openingandheaved.Theslab
movedanotherfewinches.
Sweatdrippedfromtheir
brows,andSampausedto
wipeitoutofhiseyes.
“Ithoughtyouhadabad
back.”
“Bitmiraculous,isn’tit?I
feellikeateenageragain,”
Lazlosaid.
“It’sawondroustime.
Now,let’sgetthisthingout
ofthewaysowecansee
what’sunderit.”
Theypriedtogetheras
Maribelapouredthelastof
themotoroilonthegrooves.
RemisqueezednexttoSam
andaddedherweighttothe
effort.Theheavystone
coveringlurchedupontothe
saplings,revealingayawning
opening.Maribelaand
Antoniorolledtheslab
towardthemanditgroundto
ahaltnearoneofthe
skeletons.Samfreedhis
aluminumflashlightfromhis
beltanddirectedthebeam
intotheinkygap.Nobody
spokeuntilLazlobrokethe
silence.
“Ijusthopetherearen’t
anysnakes.”
R
emibrusheddustoff
herpantsandmovedto
thefarsideofthegap,her
beamshiningoverthelong
seriesofstonestairsleading
seeminglyendlessly
downward.Agossamerfilm
ofcobwebsblockedthelight,
andalargeblackbeetle
scuttledawayintoacranny.
Antonioandhissisterjoined
theminpeeringintothe
darkness,theiradditional
flashlightwattagedoinglittle.
“Sowhowantstogo
downfirst?”Lazloasked.
Remicoughed.“Sam?”
“IknewI’dgetthejob
whenIsawthespiderwebs.”
“Don’tpout.Youlove
thispart.”
Samgrinned.“Indeed.”
Hemovedtowherethefirst
stepdescendedinto
nothingness.
Hisscuffedbootlanded
onthenarrowstoneledgeand
hewipedawayspiderwebs,
hisflashlightgrippedinhis
lefthand.Anotherstep,and
thenanother,thethicksoles
silentasheplacedeachfoot
withcare.Sam’sbreathing
soundedlikeabellowsinthe
narrowpassageway,andhe
instinctivelystoopedtokeep
frombrushingagainstthe
ceiling.Hestoppedonceat
theeighthstepandcrouched
down.
Remicalledtohim.
“Whatisit?”
“Ithoughtitmightbea
boobytrap.There’sagapon
oneside,butit’snothing.”
“Areyousure?”
“We’llknowina
second.”
Heputhisweightonthe
stepandnothinghappened.
Samcontinueddownuntil
hewasbarelyvisiblefrom
above.Hereachedoutto
steadyhimselfbutdrewhis
handbackfromthewall
whenhesawwhatlooked
suspiciouslylikesnakeholes.
Abrownmillipedeslunk
alongtherockface.The
lamplightplayedoffits
chocolateexoskeletonandhe
shudderedinvoluntarily.
Hisbalancerestored,Sam
tookadeepbreathand
continueddown.Theair
temperaturedroppedashe
descended.Threestories
belowthetemplehereached
asmalllanding,thestoneslab
beneathhisfeetslickwith
mold.Onthewallweremore
carvings,thesedifferentfrom
thoseadorningthetemple.
Therewasapassable
etchingofalongship,its
squaresailanddragonheads
painstakinglydetailed,cutting
throughhugewaves.A
beardedfigure,wearinga
billowingcloakandthe
wingedserpenthelmet,stood
atthehelm.Roundshields
linedthehull,andtheship
wasfilledwithwarriors,their
spearsandaxesexaggerated
inthedepiction.Floatingin
frontoftheboatwaswhat
appearedtobeasunora
planet,emittingwavesof
energyorlightasitguided
theshiptoitsdestination.
Saminchedclosertoit
andsawthatitwasn’ta
celestialbodyatall.Fromits
center,astylizedcarvingof
aneyegazeddownatthe
ship.
Heturned,theglowing
rectangleofthetopofthe
stairwellseeminglyamile
away,andcalled.
“Ithinkthisisit!”
“What?”Remi’svoice
answered,echoingoffthe
stonewalls.
“It’sapictograph.A
Vikingshippilotedby
Quetzalcoatl,withajewelthe
sizeofmyheadinthe
carving.”
Samturnedtowherehis
voicewasreverberatingina
largerareatohisright.There,
attheendofashortpassage,
wasasmallcavern,worn
fromtheearthoverthousands
ofyearsbygroundwater
drippingthroughthestone.
Hebrushedmorecobwebs
asideandfeltsomething
crawlingonhisarm.Hefroze
andthenslowlymovedthe
flashlightbeamdownthe
lengthofhisarmuntilhesaw
ablackwidowspider
marchingalonghisexposed
skin.
Samslippedtheendof
theflashlightbetweenhis
teeth.Hedrewadeepbreath
tosteelhimselfandbrushed
thearachnidaway.The
disgruntledspiderlandedon
thestonefloorandracedoff
intothedarkness,andSam
closedhiseyesforamoment
andcursedsilently.Thenhe
directedthebeamalongthe
wallsofthecaveuntilit
glintedoffsomethingatthe
farend,atthetopofa
stalagmitethatappearedto
havebeenloppedoff.Sam
sweptthefloorofthecave
withthelight,waryofbooby
traps,andwhenhesaw
nothingsuspicious,placed
onecarefulfootinfrontof
theotherasheapproached
themakeshiftpedestal.
Thirtyfeetabovehim,
RemiandLazlowaited,their
breathingshallow,asthough
anydeepinhalationsmight
disruptwhateverfragile
balancewasinplayandbring
aboutdisaster.Maribela
pacedbackandforthnearthe
entrance,heranxietyobvious,
asAntonioeyedtheskeletons
withcuriosity.
“Youcanseethesewere
Vikingsfromtheirsize.
They’reallafoottallerthan
anyofthemummieswe’ve
recoveredinourdigs,”he
said.
Lazlonodded.“Thelast
guard,waitingfortheirship
tocomein,poorblighters.
Musthavebeenroughduty.
Mostofthemhavegray
beards,sounlessthiswasthe
geriatriccruise,theywere
hereformanyyears.”
“We’llprobablyfind
evidenceofasignalfireon
thetopofthetemplewhen
it’sexcavated,”Remisaid,
takingintheskeletonswitha
longglance.
“Imaginewhatitmust
havebeenlike.Dayafterday,
yearafteryear—”
Lazlowasinterruptedby
Sam’svoicefromthe
passageway.
“Youwon’tfindthatkind
ofdedicationanymore,that’s
forsure,”hesaid,stepping
fromtheopeningashewiped
spiderweboffhisshoulder.
“DidImentionIhateblack
widows?”
“Sam!Whatdidyou
find?”Remiasked.
Sam’sexpressionwas
dejectedashisgazelandedon
eachoftheirfaces.Hesighed
deeplyandthenhisface
brokeintoagrin.
“Oh,nothing.Justthe
biggestemeraldI’veever
seen.ItlooksIncantome,but
whatdoIknow?”
S
amledthemdownthe
stairs,warningagain
aboutthesuspecteighthstep
aseveryonefollowedhimto
thevaultwherehe’dfound
theEyeofHeaven.
“Becareful.Trytowalk
inmyfootsteps.Idon’ttrust
thisfloor.Therecouldbea
deadfalltrapanywherein
here,”Samcautioned.Remi
tookcaretofitherfeetinto
theprintsSamhadleftinthe
dustasshenearedthe
glowingjewel.Lazlo
followed,slightlymore
unsteadily,glancingaround
warilyatthespiderwebsthat
driftedlikeghostlytendrils
fromeverysurface.Antonio
andMaribelaweremore
confidentintheirapproach,
theenvironmenttheirnatural
habitatafteryearsexploring
ruins.
Theystoodfacingthe
stone.Adecayedwooden
chestrestednearbyonthe
chamberfloorlikean
afterthought.Samcleanedoff
athousandyearsofcalcium
thathadaccumulatedonthe
emeraldfacewithhis
bandannaandtheytookinthe
waythejewelrefractedthe
light,glowingasifpossessed
ofaninnerenergy.Thestone
wasclear,nearlyflawless,
andeasilythesizeofa
grapefruit.Itsatinahandbeatengoldcasingwith
stylizeddepictionsof
Quetzalcoatlonit.
“It’sstunning,”Lazlo
whispered.“Likeithasalife
ofitsown.I’veneverseen
anythinglikeit.”
Remimovedtotheside
andcroucheddowntostudy
theremnantsofthechest,the
woodlongagorottedaway,
onlytherustybindings
hintingatitsoriginalform.
“I’dsayit’ssafetoassume
thattheToltecmadeitinto
Incaterritory.Theemerald
wouldhavehadtocomefrom
theIncaempireinwhat’s
nowColombia.Lookatthese
statues.”
Antonionodded.“Thisis
trulyapricelessfind.”
“Howmanycaratswould
yousaytheemeraldis?”
Lazloasked.
“Iwouldn’tevenknow
howtoguess.Is‘huge’a
number?”Samsaid.
“Closeenough,oldman.
Wellplayed,bytheway,all
around.Beenabusyweekfor
theFargosbyanymeasure.”
“Yes,we’vebeenvery
fortunate,”Remisaid,
returningtohisside.“But
nowtherealworkbegins.
Antonio’steamneedstotake
overandmakesenseoutof
allthis.Allwedidwasfollow
afewclues—whichwe
couldn’thavedonewithout
yourhelp,Lazlo.”She
paused.“AsI’vesaid
numeroustimes,you’rea
genius.”
“Neverarguewitha
lady,”Lazlosaid,beaming.
Maribelaglancedather
watch.“Ijustrealizedthat
withalltheexcitementwe
haven’teatensincebreakfast.
Doesanyonewantsomething
foralatedinner?Icanrunto
thenearesttownandget
something.Theofficerswill
wanttoeat,too.”
Samturned.“Goodidea.
There’snotalotmorewecan
dohereotherthanensure
nobodydisturbsthesiteuntil
wecangetitproperly
secured.”
“I’llgowhileyou’re
takingphotographs.Arewe
planningonstayinghere
tonight?”Maribelaasked.
“Isupposeso.NowayI’ll
beabletogetanysleepnow,”
Remisaid.“Tellyouwhat,
I’llgowithyou.”
“Noneed.Itcouldtakea
whiletofindsomethingthat’s
open.Arechickenenchiladas
goodforeveryone?”Maribela
asked.
Theyallnodded.
“Perfect.I’llbebackas
soonasIcan.”
“Doyouwantsome
money?”Samasked.
“I’dsaythatyou’vemade
enoughcontributionto
Mexicooverthecourseof
thisadventurethatwecan
buyyoutake-outfood.It’s
theleastIcando.”
WhenMaribelahadgone,
Antoniolookedaroundatthe
cave.“I’mgoingtogetoneof
theworklampsfromthe
templesowehavelight.”
“Goodidea.Andwhile
you’reatit,seeifyoucan
arrangemoresecurity.
Findingthischanges
everything,”Samsaid.
“Willdo.”
Lazlomovedtothechest
andexaminedtheicons,
carefulnottotouchthem.
Antonioreturnedafew
minuteslaterwithanLED
lampandsetitneartheEye
ofHeavensoRemicouldget
photographsofeverything.
Onceshe’dfilmedeachitem
inthecave,theymovedback
tothelanding,whereshe
repeatedtheprocesswiththe
carvings.Whenshewas
finished,theywearily
climbedthestairstothe
temple,Samleading,Antonio
behindhim,RemiandLazlo
bringinguptherear.
Anexplosionofgunfire
eruptedfromabove,sounding
likecannonfireinthe
enclosedspace.Thebodyof
oneoftheofficerstumbled
downthestairs,hisrifle
clatteringnexttohim.Sam
stoppedtheman’sfall,
checkedhispulse,and
grabbedtherifleasAntonio
freedtheman’sservicepistol.
Nobodysaidaword,their
earsringing,thepoliceman’s
lifelessformblockinghalfthe
stairway.
JanusBenedict’svoice
calledoutfromthetemple
above.
“Don’tdoanything
stupid,Fargo.Thisisn’tthe
hillyouwanttodieon,old
chap.Iassumeyou’redown
thereandbynowhaveyour
handsontheguard’srifle.
Justputitdown,niceand
easy,andcomeoutwithyour
handsup.”JanusBenedict’s
voicewascalmand
reasonable,likehewas
discussingachessmove.
Sam’seyessearchedthe
opening.“HowdoIknow
youwon’tbutcheruslikeyou
didthispoorman?”
“Notmystyle.Butmy
localpartnersaren’taspatient
asI,soifyoudon’tdropany
weapons,you’llbefacinga
groupyouhavenochance
against.Andtheylook
jumpy.”Januspaused.“And,
ofcourse,there’sthe
Mexicanwoman.They’re
holdingaguntoherhead.If
thisgoesanyfurtherawry,
it’sonyou.Putdownthe
pistolanditwillallworkout.
Youhavemyword.”
“Yourword?Athiefand
amurderer?”Samspat.
Janus’stonehardened.
“Thisisyourlastchanceand
thenI’mafraidtheladshere
willshoottheyoungladyand
tossherbodydowntoyouas
anindicationoftheirresolve.
Wedon’thavealotoftimeto
quibblenowthatthere’sbeen
gunfire.Reinforcementswill
beheresoonandIintendto
begonebythen.Sowhat’sit
goingtobe?Proveapoint
andthegirlgetsit,orbe
sensibleandlivetofight
anotherday?”
Antonioexchangedalook
withSamandshookhishead,
butSamroseandtossedthe
riflethroughthegap.Antonio
scowledandthentossedthe
pistolup.
“We’reunarmed,”Sam
calledoutandraisedhis
hands.
“Yes.That’smuch
better,”JanussaidasSam
climbedoutoftheopening,
followedbyAntonio.
Maribelawasstandingnextto
Janusbythetombentry,
Reginaldholdingapistol,
Guerrerobehindthemwith
hisownhandgun,itsugly
muzzlepointedintheir
direction.
Antonio’sfaceradiated
relief,andthenconfusion,as
Maribelasmiledandstayed
byJanus’ssideashe
approached.Guerreromoved
tothediscardedguns,kicked
themafewfeetfartheraway,
andtookupapositionnextto
Reginald,hisweapontrained
onthem.
Samlockedeyeswith
Janus.“Evenforyou,thisisa
lowmoment,Benedict.This
ishowyouwanttobe
remembered?”
“Notmydoing,oldchap.
Really.Butthelocalsdo
thingsdifferentlyandit’s
theirball,sotospeak.When
inRome...”Janussaid,
shakinghishead.“Believe
me,allthekillingisas
appallingtomeasitisto
you.”
“Butyoudidn’tstopit.”
“Couldn’t.ButIdon’t
condoneit.Irequestedthat
thisbedoneasantiseptically
aspossible.ButI’mafraid
thatthere’salimittohowfar
Icaninfluencethenatives.A
bloodthirstybunch.Notmy
choosing,butthereitis.”
“You’dhavebeenrightat
homeinNuremberg.”
“Shutyourfilthymouth
orI’lladdyourbodytothe
pile,”Reginaldthreatened,
hispistolpointingatSam.
“Whodoyouthinkyouare,
anyway?You’reluckyyou’re
stillbreathing,youignorant
Americanpleb.”
“What’sthis,Janus?
Broughtyourbrotheralongto
dothedirtywork?Didn’t
wanttobreakanailwiththe
bloodystuff?”Samtaunted.
Reginaldsteppedforward
andstruckSamacrossthe
facewithhispistol.Sam
gruntedandheldhishandup
towherethebutthadsplithis
cheekopen.
JanusturnedtoReginald.
“Now,then,noneedforthat.
I’msurethey’llbesensible.”
Hereturnedhisattentionto
Sam.“Where’syourlovely
bride,Fargo?”
Samreturnedhisstarebut
didn’tsayanythingforafew
beats.“Rotinhell,Benedict.”
Janusshookhishead,as
ifdealingwithanill-behaved
child,andpulledaniPhone
fromhispocket.“Never
mind.Ah,Iseeshe’sdown
onthestairs.Hopingforone
ofyourinfamousFargo
miracles,I’dwager.”He
clearedhisthroat.“Remi?Be
adearanddon’tmakeme
comegetyou.Iknowyou’re
there.Comeoutandplay.”
Sam’seyeswidened.“A
trackingdevice?”
“Youareabrightone,
aren’tyou?Yes,I’vebeen
awareofyoureverymove
sinceSpain.Yourwife’s
luckytalismanisalsomy
luckytalisman.Wellworth
thepaltrysumitcostforthe
homingdevice.”
Severalmomentslater,
Remimovedfromthegap,
slowly,herflashlightgripped
tightly,anexpressionof
loathingbeingJanus’s
reward.Lazlolaggedbehind,
lookingshocked,hishands
raisedoverhishead.
RemisneeredatJanus.“I
thoughtIsmelledvermin.
Shouldhaveknownitwas
you,Benedict.”
“There,there.Don’tbe
suchabadloser.Not
becomingatall.”Janus
shrugged.“Iloveyour
necklace,bytheway.You
reallyhavenoideahow
much.”
Remitorethenecklace
offandtosseditonthe
ground.Maribelastepped
forwardandpickeditup.
“Verynice.Alittlevulgar,
formytaste,butI’llsmile
wheneverIwearit.”
Remistartedforward,
furyinhereyes.“Youscum.”
Janussteppedtowardher.
“Now,now,dearwoman.I’d
hateforyourlastbreathsto
betarnishedwith
unpleasantness.”
Samspatbloodonthedirt
athisfeet.“Thenyouare
planningtokillus.Somuch
forthemoralhighground.
You’renothingbutatwo-bit
thiefandamurderer.Never
brightenoughtolocateyour
owntreasures,always
reducedtostealing.”
Janusfrowned.“You’ve
gotquiteanuglymouthon
you,haven’tyou?Bothof
you.Iwon’tbedoingany
suchthing.However,my
colleaguehereprobablyisn’t
predisposedtoleavingany
looseends,soI’mafraidthat
itdoesn’tlookgoodforyou
celebratinganother
anniversarytogether.The
brotherwillbespared,with
thepromisethatifhespeaks
aword,bothheandhissister
willmeetwithuntimelyends.
Butyoutwoposeaproblem
forwhichthere’sonlyone
obvioussolution.Ifit’sany
consolation,I’llputina
requestthatitbeswiftand
painless.”
JanusconsultedhisPatek
Philippewristwatch.“Dotry
toenjoyyourfinalmoments.”
“You’recursed,
Benedict,”Sampromised,
drawingRemitohim.
J
anuslookedpastthe
Fargosandeyedthe
stairwayopening,takingin
theslabofftotheside.He
movedcloserandlooked
downintothedarkspace
whileGuerreroandReginald
kepttheirweaponstrainedon
thegroup.Afterseveral
seconds,hesteppedbackand
turnedtoMaribelawiththe
hintofasmile.
“Maribela,whydon’tyou
takeReginalddowntoseethe
emeraldwhileIsortoutthis
unpleasantness?”
“Verywell,Janus.
Reginald?”Maribelasaid.
Antoniostaredather,
confused,andthenheshook
hisheadandcursedin
Spanish.“No.Whyon
earth...?”
Maribelashrugged.“Shut
up,Antonio.Thisisforthe
best.Wehavethe
photographs.Theactual
emeraldisn’tgoingtodous
anygood—it’snotlikewe’re
goingtogetabonusfor
locatingit.Youyourselfsaid
thatthetreasureofthe
Toltecswastheirhistory.
We’llstillhavethat.”
Samshookhishead.
“Whatkindofwomanare
you?Mendiedbecauseof...
what,greed?Howmuchishe
payingyou?Howmuchdoes
itcosttobetrayeverything
you’veworkedfor?I’m
curious.”
Januswavedhisstatement
off.“That’snoneofyour
concern.ThoughIcan’tdeny
thatthelovelyMaribelawill
behandsomelyrewardedfor
herefforts.Now,go.We
don’thavemuchtime.”
Antoniolooked
devastated.“Maribela...”
“Letitgo,Antonio.Trust
meonthis.Inaweek,we’ll
beabletofundourown
explorationsandnothaveto
begforcoinsfromthe
government.Youmaybefine
livinglikethisbutI’mnot,”
Maribelasaidscornfully,and
thenpointedtotheopeningin
thefloor.“Comeon,
Reginald.I’llshowyouthe
way.”
“Wait.Iamgoingwith
you,”Guerrerosnarledin
heavilyaccentedEnglish.
“I’mnotsurethat’s
necessary,”Janussaid.
“You’rerathermoreinneed
uphere,Ishouldthink.”
“Iamgoing,”Guerrero
insisted,eyeingReginald
distrustfully.
“Ah,well,then,Isee.But
whowilltakecareofthislot
inyourabsence?”Janus
asked,hiscivilizeddemeanor
cracking,ifonly
momentarily.
Guerrerowalkedoverto
wherehe’dkickedthe
guard’sBerettapistoland
scoopeditup,thenhandedit
toJanus,whohelditlikeit
wasalivesnake.
“Youcan.I’llbeback.
WhenIam,I’llfinishthejob
foryou,”Guerrerosaidwith
anuglysmirk.Hecalled
outsideandagunmanholding
anassaultriflefilledthe
templedoorway.“Comein
andwatchthesetwo,”he
orderedinSpanish.The
gunmanmovedinside.
Guerreroturnedto
Maribelaandswitchedto
English.“Leadtheway.Your
boyfriend’srightaboutone
thing—weneedtohurry.It
won’tbelongbeforethe
securityforcefromtheplant
getshere,andwedon’twant
tohavetoshootitoutwitha
squadofsoldiers.”
Maribelasteppeddown
intothegap.Reginald
descendedthestairsbehind
her,hispistolinhisbelt,a
lookoffalsebravadoonhis
faceashiseyesnervously
trackedthetunnelceiling.
“Don’tworry.It’sheldup
forathousandyears.It
shouldbesafeforfivemore
minutes,”Maribelasaid.
“I’mnotworried.Ijust
don’tmuchcareforconfined
spaces,”hesaid,hisvoice
crackingonthefinalwords.
“Manypeopledon’t.”
Theymadetheirwayto
thecave,wherethework
lightwasstillilluminated,
andapproachedtheemerald.
“Bloodyhell.That’s
biggerthanIthoughtitwould
be.Massive,isn’tit?”
Reginaldsaidinawe.
Maribelanodded,her
gazelockedonthestone.
Reginaldsteppedclosertoit.
“TheEyeofHeaven.It’s
magnificent.Truly
breathtaking,”hewhispered,
avariceandcunninginhis
eyesashetookinthe
pricelessjewel.
“Itis.There’snotelling
howmuchacollectorwill
pay.Manymillions.Perhaps
hundredsofmillions,”she
said,calculatingherlikely
cut.
Reginalddrewhispistol
andturnedtoMaribela.“You
reallyareagreedybitch,
aren’tyou?”
Shockandfearplayed
acrossherface.“No.I’ve...
I’vedoneeverythingyou
asked.”
“Whichmakesyou
stupid,inadditiontogreedy.”
Sheshookherhead,
panicked.“Yourbrothergave
mehisword...”
“Yes,well,Ididn’t.I’ll
takecareofJanus.He’llsee
thelightwhenhe’ssavedthe
twentypercenthewasgoing
topayyou.”
The9mmparabellum
roundstruckMaribelainthe
centeroftheforehead.Her
bodystiffenedandshe
collapsed,lifeless,tothe
ground.Thesharpcrackof
thepistolreverberatedinthe
stonechamberlikeabomb
detonating.Reginaldslipped
theweaponbackintohisbelt
andreturnedtotheemerald.
Guerrerogrinnedandclapped
Reginaldontheshoulderas
theyeyedthepricelessjewel.
“So,cabrón,youlike
yourmoneyasmuchasIdo,
eh?Good.Moreforus!”
Inthetemple,thecartel
gunman’seyesneverleftthe
Fargos,hisfingeronthe
triggerofhisKalashnikov
rifle,readytofireata
moment’snotice.Janusheld
theBerettaonAntonio,
distasteevidentinhis
expressionathavinghadto
sullyhishandswiththe
vulgartask.
Thedeafeningsoundof
Reginald’sshotexploded
fromthestairwell,andthen
timeseemedtocompressand
moveinslowmotion.The
gunmaninstinctivelyturned
tofacethenoise,ifonlyfora
moment—butlongenough
forSamtopullhisknifefrom
hispantspocketandflipit
openinasinglemoveand
flingitattheman’sthroat.It
plungedintohisneck,the
three-and-a-half-inchrazor-
sharpbladeslicingthrough
histrachea.Hisfinger
reflexivelyjerkedthetrigger
oftheassaultrifle,sendinga
volleyofroundsintothe
skeletons.Ricochetswhistled
andwhinedinthespace.Sam
threwhimselfatthekilleras
hefellbackwardacrossthe
entrywaythreshold,where
bulletsfromhismurderous
colleaguesoutsidepeppered
hisdeadform.
Janustriedtoaimthe
BerettaatSambutRemi’s
bootedfootconnectedwith
hiswrist,sendingtheweapon
spinningtotheground.He
lungedforit,butRemiwasa
splitsecondfasterandhewas
almostonthegunwhenshe
grabbeditandslammedthe
buttintohistemple.Hiseyes
wentoutoffocusandhe
slumpedtothegroundasSam
gotholdofthecartel
gunman’srifle.
Samdoveforthework
lightandswitcheditoff,
plungingthetempleinto
darkness.Moreshotsrangout
fromtheexteriorofthe
building,butSamheldhis
fireashewaitedforhiseyes
toadjust.Heknewthat
withoutthelighttotargethim
andtheothersinside,the
gunmenwouldbefiringblind
attheentry—aslim
advantagebuttheonlyonehe
had.
“Antonio.I’mbettingthe
gunmanhadapistol.You
everuseone?”Samasked.
“I’llfigureitout.”
Guerrero’svoiceechoed
fromthestairs.“Jaime!
What’sgoingonupthere?”
RemicrepttoSam’sside
andmurmured,“I’lltake
them.Youtaketheshooters
outside.”
Samquicklysizedupthe
situationandnodded.“Deal.”
Hesawmovementinthe
dimexteriormoonlightand
sighteddownthebarrelofthe
rifle,thensqueezedoffthree
shots.Samheardagrunt
outsideandcreptforwardto
wherethegunman’scorpse
layonthestep.Moreshots
soundedfromoutsideand
thumpedintothebody.Sam
grittedhisteethandignored
thefire,focusedonreaching
themanandcheckinghis
pockets.Hereachedtheentry
andgropedwithhisfree
hand,theriflepointedinto
thenightashefeltforthe
telltaleshapeofathirtyroundmagazineorapistol.
Hefoundarevolverinthe
man’sbeltandpulleditloose,
thensliditacrossthestone
floortoAntonio.
Samheardarustlefrom
thebrushtotheleftofthe
templeandemptiedtherifle
intoit.Hisfingersfelttwo
magazinesinoneofthe
windbreakerpockets.Hetore
themfreeandrolledawayas
ahailofbulletsblasted
overhead.Samejectedthe
spentmagazineandslappeda
newoneinplaceandthen
chamberedaroundand
squeezedoffmeasuredbursts
atthekillersoutside.
Remiwaitedsoundlessly
nearthestairwellopening,
earsstrainingforanysound,
thehighringfromthegunfire
dampeningherhearing.
Antoniocrawledtoherside
andwhispered,“Whatshould
Ido?”
“Shootdownthestairs
whenIdo.”
Shereturnedtolistening,
certainthatReginaldand
Guerreroweremakingtheir
wayupthepassageway.And
thenReginald,onthesteps
belowGuerrero,switchedon
hisflashlighttoavoidfalling.
Guerrerohissedathimtoturn
itoff,butitwasenough—
Remihadbeenabletomake
themout.Sheloosedfour
shotsintothegap.Antonio
firedthreetimesbesideher,
thericochetsbouncingoffthe
stoneasthestairwellbecame
akillingfield.Shehearda
groanasabodyhitthestones
hard.Shefiredtwomore
shotsforgoodmeasureand
wasrewardedwithaterse
exclamationandthenthe
soundofbootspounding
downthestairs.
Reginald’sdistinctive
voicecursedagainandshe
heardabodyfall,bouncingas
itsliddownthesteps.
Reginaldhadturnedtailin
thedarkness,losthisfooting,
andfallentherestoftheway.
“Areyouallright?”Sam
calledfromhispositionby
theentry.
“Neverbetter!”Remi
answered.
“I...thinkso,”Antonio
said.
Lazlomoanedfromnear
theskeletons.Remipeeredin
hisdirection.
“Lazlo,”shewhispered.
“I...I’m...hit.”
Lazlo’svoicewasacroak.
“Howbad?”Samasked.
“Abloody...bullet...
hitme.Howmuch...
worse...doesitget?”
“Where?”
Lazlocoughed,
“Shoulder.”
“Hangon.Thiswillbe
overinseconds.”Sheturned
toAntonio.“Dowhatever
Samtellsyouto,doyou
understand?”
Antonionodded.“What
areyougoingtodo?”
Anothervolleyofshots
peltedthetempledoorway.
Remicringedandduckedher
head.Sam’sRussianrifle
answeredthefire,itsstaccato
barkmusictoherears.She
glancedbackatthestair
openingandhereyes
narrowedlookingintothe
darkness.
“Finishthis.”
D
uringalullinthe
shooting,Remiranina
crouchtoSamandtoldhim
whatshewasplanningtodo.
“I’mgoingtotakehim
down,Sam.Weeither
woundedorkilledthecartel
guy,soit’sonlyReginaldand
Maribela.AndI’vegota
scoretosettlewithher.”
“Remi.Thinkthis
through.Justwaituphere.
Eventuallythey’llhaveto
comeupthestairs.Takethem
then.”
“Idon’tlikethemdown
therewiththeemerald.”
“It’snotliketheycango
anywherewithit.”
Shethoughtforafew
momentsandnodded.“Fine.
We’lldoityourway.Butfor
therecord,I’minfavorof
doingaSamFargo—goingin
withgunsblazing.”
“Noted.AndI’mnot
rulingthatout.Ijustdon’t
likeasituationwhereyou’re
onthestairsandReginaldis
shootingfromapositionof
safety.That’saskingforit.”
“Youmadeyourpoint.
Whatareyouplanningto
do?”
“They’vegotuspinned
down.It’sastalemate.We
can’tleave,buttheycan’tget
in.Mygoalistoholdthem
offuntiltheguardsshowup
fromthenukeplant.Itwon’t
bemuchlongerwithallthis
gunfire.”
“Let’shopeso.Wedon’t
actuallyknowhowlong
they’lltake.Andtherecould
bemorecartelgoonsonthe
way.Infact,thenuclearstaff
mightbeunderinstructions
nottoleavethegroundsin
casethisisjustadiversion
forafrontalattack.”
Samlookedatwhere
Antoniowascrouched,pistol
inhand.“Antonio,doesyour
cellphoneworkinhere?Do
youhaveasignal?”
Hefisheditoutofhis
pocket.“Ido.”
“Callsomeone.Getthe
entireMexicanmilitaryhere.
Now.Explainthesituation.
Weneedthecavalrytocome
overthehill.”
Antoniopunchedinthe
emergencynumberandspoke
inlowtonesasSamand
Remikeptwatchingthebrush
outsidethetemple.Whenhe
hungup,hedidn’tlook
confident.
“Theywantedmetostay
ontheline.ItoldthemI
couldn’tbutthattheyneeded
togetanarmedgroup
presenceouthere
immediately.Andanairevac
forcasualties.Theoperator
saidshe’ddothebestshe
could.”
“Thatdoesn’tsound
promising,”Remisaid.
“They’llsendsomeone—
theonlyquestionishowlong
ittakes.”Antoniohesitated.
“Whatareyougoingtodo
aboutReginaldandmy
sister?”
“Allwecandoiswait.
It’ssuicidetogodownthose
stairs.”
“ButMaribelacouldbe
hurt.Orhecouldbeusingher
forahostage.”
Remitouchedhishand.
“Antonio.Think.Therewasa
gunshotthatstartedallthis.
Andonlytwopeoplewereon
thestairs—Reginaldand
Guerrero.”Shepaused.“I’m
sorry,Antonio.”
“Shemightbe
wounded...likeLazlo.”
Samnodded.“It’s
possible.Butthere’snothing
wecandorightnow.We
needtoholdoffthesemen
untilhelparrives.Thenthe
professionalscantakecareof
Reginald.We’llseehowhe
faresagainstheavilyarmed
soldiersinfullbattlegear.”
Lazlogroanedfromthe
floor.
“How’reyoudoing,
Lazlo?”Samasked,eyes
continuallyscanningthe
groundsforsignsoflife.
“Not...great.”
Remicrawledoverto
him.Shesawthebullet
wound.
“Lazlo,help’sontheway.
Itshouldn’tbelongnow.”
“Good...show...”
Moreshootingslammed
intothestoneentryway,
sendingchipsflying.Sam
poppedoffashotatthe
orangeblossomofthe
shooter’smuzzleblastas
Remireturned.“Letmehave
thatthing.I’mthemarksman,
remember?”
“I’vedoneprettywellso
far.”
“They’restilloutthere
andshooting.Comeon,I’ll
swapyou.AKforanearly
newBerettanine.Sucha
deal.”
Samdidassheaskedand
heftedthepistol.“I’mnot
surewhatI’llbeableto
accomplishwiththis
peashooter.”
“Don’tworry.Fireoffa
coupleofshots,seeifyoucan
drawthemout.”
Samsqueezedofftwo
rounds.Whenthegunman
outsideopenedup,Remikept
herheaddownuntilhewas
doneandthenfiredthree
shotsinquicksuccession.
Nofireanswered.She
turnedtoSamandgavehima
smallsmile.“Neversenda
man—”
“Todoawoman’sjob.I
know.Youthinkyougot
him?”
“Prettysure.Butthere
maybemoreoutthere.”
“Wanttorisktryinga
breakout?”
“Itwouldbesafertostay
hereandwaitforthemilitary
toshow,”Remisaid.She
lookedaround.“Where’s
Antonio?”
Samturnedtoscanthe
darkenedinterioroftemple.
“Hewasjusthere.”
Remicursed.“Idiot.He
wentdownafterReginald.I
knewit.”ShehandedSam
backtherifle.“Givemethe
Beretta.”
“Remi.Justbecause
Antoniowantstocommit
hara-kiridoesn’tmeanyou
should.”
“He’sdoingwhatIshould
have.”
“No,he’sdoing
somethingreallystupidyou
shouldn’tbeinvolvedin.”
“Holdthatthought,
Fargo.”
“Remi...”
Shecoveredthedistance
tothestairsinsecondsand
wasoutofsightbeforeSam
coulddoanythingtostopher.
Shefeltherwayalong,gun
heldinfrontofher.There
hadn’tbeenanymore
shootingfrombelow—at
leastthatwasapositive.She
alsodidn’tsenseAntonioin
frontofher,whichmeant
he’dturnedthecornerand
wasinthepassagewaytothe
cave.
RemipassedGuerrero’s
corpse,kneltdown,andfelt
arounduntilshefoundhis
pistol.Shesliditintothe
waistofherpantsatthesmall
ofherbackandcontinued
downthestepsuntilshe
reachedthelanding.Thefaint
glowfromtheworklampwas
alittlebrighterthereandshe
couldbarelymakeoutthe
pictographassheleaned
againstthestonewalland
preparedtoturnthecorner.
Sheduckedaroundlow,
inacrouch,presentingas
smallatargetaspossible.
Nothing.Stepbycarefulstep,
shecreptforward,eyes
adjustingtothelowlight,gun
scanningthepassageasshe
madeherwayforward.She
listenedandheardonlythe
softdrippingofwater
somewhereinthecave.
Remiswungintothe
cavern,leadingwithhergun,
andfrozewhenshesaw
Reginaldatthefarside,
standingbehindAntonio,his
gunpointedatAntonio’s
head.
“DropitorIblowhis
headoff,”Reginaldsaid.
“Shoothim.Hekilled
Maribela,”Antoniohissed.
Reginaldshookhishead.
“Itwasn’tme.Itwas
Guerrero,”helied.
Antoniotriedtostruggle
free.“Shoothim.”
“Givemeonereasonnot
to,Reginald,”Remisaid,
takinganotherstepintothe
chamber.
“I’llkillhim.IswearI
will.”
Anotherstep.“Andwhy
shouldIcare?Idropmygun,
you’lljustshootme.”
“Thishasallgonewrong.
Ijustwanttogetoutofthis
alive.Don’tmakemekill
him.”Reginaldpaused,then
shoutedatRemi,“Youhave
fivesecondsandthenyou’ll
bewearinghisbrains!”
Remiloweredher
weapon.“Easy,Reginald.I
believeyou.Ifyoushootus,
Samwillcutyoudownwhen
youtrytocomeupthestairs.
You’llbedeaderthanElvis
beforeyoumakeitthree
feet.”Shesawaflickerinhis
eyes.
“Shutupanddropthe
gun.”
“Shoothimnow,”
Antoniopleaded.
“I’mputtingthegun
down.”Remislowlyknelt,
hereyesneverleaving
Reginald’s.Shesawthe
momentoftriumphshe’d
beenwaitingforwhensheset
thegunonthestonefloorand
beganstraighteningup.
Reginaldmovedhisgun
fromAntonio’sheadtopoint
atRemiashesneeredin
victory.“Youstupidcow—”
Heneversawherother
handslipbehindherandgrip
Guerrero’sgun,allhis
attentionfocusingonhereyes
andthehandthatwasplacing
theBerettaonthefloor.
Herleft-handedshot
caughtReginaldhighinthe
shoulder,inchesfrom
Antonio’schest.Hespun
fromtheforceoftheshot
shatteringhisscapulaas
Antoniothrewhimselfon
Reginaldandstartedtobeat
himwithangeredfuryatthe
deathofhissister.Reginald’s
pistoldroppedonthefloor
andRemiracedtowarditas
Antonioandhefelltogether.
Shekickeditoutofreachas
Sam’svoicecalledoutfrom
theentryway.
“Remi.You’reokay!”
“OfcourseIam,Fargo.”
Samhandedhisrifleto
Lazlo,whowasleaning
shakilyagainstthepassage
wall,andmovedtobreakup
thefight.Bythetimehe
reachedAntonio,he’d
stoppedbatteringReginald,a
glazedlookinhiseyesashe
grippedtheyoungerman’s
shirt.
Reginald’sheadslumped
forwardashelost
consciousness.Sameyed
Reginaldandnoddedat
Antonio.“Doesn’tlooklike
he’llbeaproblemanytime
soon.Howaboutyou?”
“Hekilledmysister,”
Antonioseethed.
“I’msorry,Antonio.I
reallyam,”Samsaid.“But
youneedtolettheauthorities
dealwithhim.”
Antoniogazeddownat
Reginald’sbatteredfaceasif
comingoutofatranceand
releasedhim.Hestood
slowly,lookingathis
swellingknucklesasif
consideringfinishingthejob
onReginald.
Samsteppedforward.
“Thisisn’ttheway,”hesaid.
“Ineedyoufocusedifwe’re
goingtosurviveuntilhelp
arrives.Pullyourself
together.”
“I’mjustshaken,”
Antonioreplied,slowly
calmingdown.“Whatabout
thecartelgunmen?”
“Iheardtwoheavy
vehiclesarriving.IfIwere
them,I’dbelonggone.My
hunchisthatthey’renot
goingtowanttotakeon
whateverjustshowedup.”
SamstudiedAntonio.“Let’s
headbackupstairsjustin
case.Securityshouldbehere
anyminute.They’reprobably
ontheirwayfromtheparking
areadownbytheroad.”
Antoniolookedaround
thechamberandhiseyes
lockedonhissister’sbody.
Lazlomovedintothe
caveandstoodinfrontof
MaribelatobreakAntonio’s
concentration.
Samleaneddownand
scoopedupAntonio’s
revolver,pocketedit,and
thentookhimbythearm.
“Comeon.Let’sgotopsideto
greetthewelcoming
committee.”
RemifollowedSamand
Antoniooutandupthestairs.
Astheyclimbedthesteps,
Remilookedback.
“Lazlo?Areyouall
right?”shecalled.
Hisvoicerangoutfrom
thedoorway.“Havenofear,
I’mrightbehindyou.”
Whentheynearedthetop,
Samswitchedonhis
flashlight,thepistolinhis
righthandsweepingthe
room.Hestoppedabruptlyat
thetopstep.
“Sam.Whatisit?”Remi
askedinahushedwhisper.
Sawstoodmotionless
beforeturninghisheadand
whisperingthroughclenched
teeth,“It’sJanus.He’sgone.”
G
one?”Remisaid.
“Hewasrighthere
whenIwentdowntogetyou.
Hemusthavecometo.Either
thatorhewasfakingand
waitingforachanceto
escape.”
“Youhavetocatchhim.
Hecan’tgetawaywiththis,”
Antoniogrowled.
“I’mwayaheadofyou.
I’mgoingafterhim.”
Remisteppedoutofthe
stairwell.“Sam,areyousure
aboutthis?Therearealotof
gunslyingaroundout
there...”
“He’snotgoingtoescape.
IfIknowhim,thelastthing
hewantsisagunbattle.
That’snothisstyle.”
“Whatifyou’rewrong?”
Remidemanded.
Hehandedhertheguard’s
Berettaandremovedthe
revolverfromtheguard’s
pocket.“Here’smore
firepower.Ifanyonebutme
orthepoliceshowsup,start
shootinganddon’tstop.”
“Youneveransweredmy
question.”
“I’lltakemychances.”
Samshutoffhisflashlight
andmovedtothetemple
entrance.Hepaused,tryingto
senseanymenace,andthen
threwhimselfout,rollingon
theflattenedgrassashe
waitedforbulletstopound
thegroundaroundhim.
Nothing.
Hescannedthearea,
notingnowhewasoutside
therewasmoremoonlight
thanhe’dthought,and,seeing
nothing,consideredwhich
directiontheEnglishman
wouldhavetaken.
Itwasnocontest.Janus
wouldneverchoosetowalk
intothehandsofhis
adversaries.
Sameyedthegroundas
hemovedawayfromthe
templeandcameacrossa
deadgunman,hispistolcase
onhisbeltopenandempty—
confirmingthatJanuswas
nowarmed.Samfolloweda
smalltrailthatthegunmen
hadusedfortheirapproach,
steppingsoftly,carefulnotto
provideJanuswithawarning
thathewasbeingfollowed.
Wavespoundedtheshore
belowthecliffthatwasno
morethantenyardsawayand
hecouldsmellsaltintheair
ashepusheddeeperintothe
brush,stoppingoccasionally
tolistenincaseJanuswas
blunderingalonglikea
woundedox.Buttherewas
onlythecrashofthesurf.
Samplungedthrough
vine-coveredtreesovera
thickcurtainofbrushthat
eventuallyopenedontoa
smallcircularclearing.The
clearingendedattherocky
cliffs,highabovethe
poundingsurf.Toolate,he
sawJanusupaheadinthe
eerieglowofthemoon.
JanusstoodfacingSam
withapistolaimedathis
head,amerethirtyfeet
betweenthem.
Themousehadturnedon
thecat.
Intheblinkofaneye,
Samraisedtherevolverto
firingposition.“It’sover,
Janus.Throwdownyour
weapon.”
“Idon’tthinkso,”Janus
said,atightsmileacrosshis
face.“Wehavewhatis
appropriatelycalleda
Mexicanstandoff.”
“Callitwhatyoumay,”
Samsaid,“you’restillgoing
topayforyourkillingof
innocentpeople.”
“Ineverkilledanybody.”
Janus’svoicewasclear,his
tonefrigid.
“Liar.”
Janusshrugged.“Believe
whatyoulike.There’sno
bloodonmyhands.”
“Maybeyoudidn’t
personallymurderanyone,
butyou’rethecausebehinda
longtrailofdeadbodies.”
“Notmydoing,oldchap.
Really.Iwasn’tincontrolof
thesituation—regrettably,my
Mexicanassociatetook
mattersintohisownhands.
LikeIsaid,thenativeshere
dothingsdifferently.
Senseless.Mostregrettable.”
“Youcouldhavestopped
it,”Samspat.
Janusshookhishead.
“No,Icouldn’t.Myposition
wascompromisedduetomy
brother’smisstep.Couldhave
beenthedeathofme,too.I’m
afraidtherewasalimittomy
influence.Notmydoing,but
thereitis.”
Thedistantbeatofa
helicoptercamefromthesea.
NeitherSamnorJanusspoke
asthesoundbecamelouder
andaspotlightshotthrough
thegloom,framingthemin
itsglare.
“Mexicanauthorities,”
saidSam.“Ihopeyouenjoy
yourridetoprison.”
ToSam’ssurprise,Janus
laughedinagloatingtone.
“Yes,I’llenjoytheride,butit
won’tendinaMexican
prison.Itwillbetomyyacht,
whichisininternational
waters.”
Samwasangeredbythe
cockyreply,butwhenhesaw
thehelicopterwasbrightblue
insteadofmilitarykhaki,he
knewJanuswasn’tbluffing.
“Icanshootyoubeforeyou
board.”
JanusstaredatSamin
silenceandthendroppedhis
pistol.Heshruggedand
slowlyturnedtofacethe
helicopter,hisbacktoSam.
Thehelicoptersetdownand
twoarmedmenleaptfromthe
aircraft,theirweaponstrained
onSam.
Samcontinuedtokeephis
weaponaimedatJanuseven
thoughhewasoutgunned.
“Onedayyou’llpayforyour
crimes.”
Januswalkedtowardthe
aircraft.Whenhenearedit,
hestopped,turnedtoSam,
andcalledoutoverthenoise
oftherotorblades,“AsIsaid,
Idon’tkill.Notevenyou,
SamFargo.”
“Atleastyoudidn’tget
theEyeofHeaven.”
“True,”Janusshouted
abovethethumpingsound.
“Buttherewillcomeanother
timewhenatreasurewill
bringustogether.”Heturned
andboardedthechopperas
Samstoodfrozen.
Samwatchedasitlifted
fromtheclearingandturned
overthecliffstowardthesea.
“Yes,”hesaidsoftlyto
himself,“therewillcome
anothertime.”
Samloweredtherevolver
ashiseyesfollowedthe
darkenedaircraftdisappear
intothenight,leavinghim
aloneonthebluff.Thebreeze
tuggedathisclothesashe
madehiswayslowlybackto
thetemple.
Whenhereachedthe
entryway,Remiranoutand
threwherarmsaroundhim.
Hehuggedherforalong
momentandthenpulledback.
“Hegotaway.”
Remi’seyesradiated
confusion.“Heescaped?
How?”
“Ilethimgo.Icouldn’t
shootanunarmedmaninthe
backevenifitwasBenedict.”
Heexplainedwhathad
happened.
Remireacheddownand
tookSam’srevolverfrom
him.Shepeeredatitinthe
moonlight,flippedopenthe
cylinder,andthenturnedto
him.
“Goodthing.Youwere
outofbullets.”
S
amandRemiwatchedas
theheavilyarmed
soldiersringedthetemple
areaandfourmedicscame
towardthem.Remipointedto
whereLazlowasslumped
againstawallandtwoof
themwentafterastretcheras
theothertwofollowed
Antoniodownthestepsto
Reginald.
SammovedtoLazlo,who
reachedtowardhimwitha
shakinghand.
“Don’ttrytotalk.They’ll
takecareofyou,”Samsaid.
Lazlomotionedforhimto
comecloser.Samexchanged
aglancewiththemedics,
whoshruggedastheystood,
havingstabilizedLazlo.Sam
kneltbyhimandoffereda
grimsmile.
“Saveyourenergy,my
friend.You’regoingtoneed
it.”
Antonioburstfromthe
temple,alookofalarmonhis
face.Remiglancedathim.
“Whatisit?”
“TheEyeofHeaven.It’s
gone,”Antoniowhispered,
eyeingthedozensofsoldiers
whoweremillingaroundin
theinterior.“Thisisa
catastrophe.”
Lazlocoughedand
winced.“My...myjacket,”
hesaid,turninghisheadto
whereoneofthemenhad
placedhisbloody
windbreaker.
“Areyoucold?”Sam
asked,alarmed.
“No.The...thejewel’s
inoneofthepockets.”
“What?”Hescoopedup
thejacket,feelingtheweight,
andretrievedtheemerald.
“Ithoughtitmight...be
best...toremove
temptation...ifwewere
expecting...acrowd,”Lazlo
saidandclosedhiseyes,
exhaustedbytheeffort.
RemiandSamexchanged
aglanceandSamhandedthe
jeweltoAntonio,whotookit
reverentially.“Becareful,
Antonio.That’sanimportant
pieceofhistoryyou’re
safeguarding.”
Antonionodded,a
conflictedlookinhiseyesas
hestudiedthegem,the
memoryofhissisterclearly
attheforefrontofhis
thoughtsasheheldthe
treasureoftheToltecsinhis
hands.
Sevenhourslater,Lazlo
regainedconsciousnessatthe
militaryhospitalinVeracruz
afteratwo-hoursurgery.The
prognosiswasgood,and,
withalittleluck,hewould
mend,apuckeredscaranda
crescent-shapedincisionas
braggingrights.
SamandRemi
approachedhisbedashis
eyesopened,hiscomplexion
stillwaxyandgrayevenafter
countlessbagsofbloodand
plasma.Heclearedhisthroat
andtriedtotalk,butSam
shookhishead.
“Don’t.We’llbeback
tomorrow.Wejustwantedto
stickarounduntilyoucame
to.Lookslikeyoucheatedthe
GrimReaperonceagain.
Ninelives,themanhas.”
“I...”
“Justtakeiteasy.There’s
nothingthatneedstobe
discussedrightnow.Wejust
wantedyoutoknowwe’re
hereforyouandwe’llbe
stayingnearby.Rest,and
we’llcomebacktomorrow,
allright?”Samsaid,and
Lazlomanagedaweaknod,
thenclosedhiseyesand
driftedoff.
Theareaaroundthetemple
wascordonedoffandasmall
militaryencampmenthad
beensetupblockingthe
accessroad.SamandRemi
showedtheirpassportsand,
afterastony-facedcorporal
checkedtheiridentification
againstalistandradioedfor
approval,theywereallowed
ontothegrounds.Another
soldierpointedtoanarea
filledwithmilitaryvehicles,
wheretheyweretopark.The
trailleadingthetwohundred
yardstothetemplewasnow
adirtroad,clearedand
widenedtogetequipmentand
stafftothearea.Armed
soldierslinedthetrackevery
dozenyardsorso,andSam
andRemicouldseethatthey
weretakingthesecurity
precautionsseriously.
Theyarrivedatwhathad
beenadirtmoundonlyhours
before.Itnowresembledan
anthill,withworkerscrawling
overitandclearingsoilunder
Antonio’swatchfuleye.A
largetenthadbeenpitched
nearby,alongwithatarp
suspendedfromfourbeams,
underwhichtechnicianswere
settingupequipment
accompaniedbythesteady
droneofagenerator.
“Antonio,didyougetany
sleep?”Remiaskedasthey
approachedthetemple.
“Afewhours.IknewI
wasn’tgoingtogetmuchand
there’sworktobedonehere.
Asyoucansee,we’re
clearingtheexterior,with
anotherteamworkinginside.
Itwilltakesometimeto
catalogeverything.”
“AndtheEyeof
Heaven?”
“Underguardinthebase
commander’ssafeuntilwe
canflyittoMexicoCity.”
“Howlongdoyouplanto
beon-sitehere?”
“Atleastaweek.I’llbe
commutingbackandforth
betweenTeotihuacanandthis
siteforawhile.Bothfinds
aremonumental.Forwhich
theMexicanpeopleoweyou
adeepdebtofgratitude.”
“Theworkisitsown
reward,Antonio,”Remisaid
andSamnodded.
Antoniopointedatan
areaneartheflatroofofthe
templethathadbeencleared
andcalledouttotheworkers
inSpanish,thenturnedhis
attentionbacktohisguests.
“HowisLazlo?”
“He’llrecover.”
“Haveyouheardanything
aboutReginald?”
“Underarrest,being
treatedatthesamemedical
facility.Reginald’sin
guardedconditionfromblood
loss,buthe’llsurvive,”Sam
said.
“Iwantedtotalktoyou
aboutthat.Idon’tfeel
comfortableaskingbutIhave
toforthesakeofmyparents.
Isthereanywayyoucould
leaveMaribela’sinvolvement
withBenedictoutofthe
officialaccount?”
SamandRemismiled
together.“We’vealready
discussedit.Asfaraswe’re
concerned,shediedinthe
lineofduty,”Samsaid.
“There’snothingtobe
gainedbytarnishingher
memory,”Remiadded.
“Ithankyou.You’llnever
knowhowgratefulIam.”
“We’rebothverysorry
abouthowthisturnedout...
aboutheruntimelydeath.”
Antoniolookedoffatthe
sparklingsurfaceoftheGulf
ofMexico,adistant
expressiononhisface.When
hereturnedhisgazetothem,
hiseyesweremoist.
“Inspiteofitall...she
wasmysister.”
SamnoddedasRemi
swallowedhard.
“Iknow,Antonio.I
know.”
LAJOLLA,CALIFORNIA
F
ourdayslater,andone
goodnight’ssleep,Sam
andRemisatinthekitchen,
gazingatthecobaltblueof
thePacificstretchingto
Japan.Selmabroughtapotof
coffeeandsetitnexttoher
tea.Sheclearedherthroatas
shesatdownoppositeand
studiedthem.“Youtwolook
tanandfit.”
“Yes,loungingaround
Mexicoseemstoagreewith
us,”Samsaid.
“I’dsayyouhadahealthy
doseofFargoexcitement,”
Selmacommented.
“Oh,youknow,the
usual,”Remisaid.“Gunfire,
cartelkillers,hiddentreasure.
Allinaday’swork...”
Samsippedhiscoffeeas
Selmafilledtheminonthe
newssincethey’dbeengone.
Kendrahadfinallybeen
offeredherdreamjobatthe
UniversityofCaliforniaat
SanDiegoandwouldbe
startingthefollowingweek.
“That’swonderful,
Selma.Thanksagainfor
bringingheraboardtohelp.”
“Iknowshereally
enjoyedhertimehere.And
shemadeabigpointabout
howwecouldalwayscallon
herifneeded.”
“That’sverysweet.”
“She’llbestoppingby
tomorrowtogettherestof
herthingsandsaygood-bye.”
“Good.Iwanttothank
herpersonally,”Samsaid.
“Oh,anddidyouhear?
Antoniowasnamedthenew
headofINAH.Theyoungest
ever,”Selmasaid.
“Hedeservesit.He’sa
dedicatedarchaeologistand
he’spaidhisdues,”Remi
said.“We’llhavetosendhim
anotecongratulatinghim,
Sam.”
“Ofcourse.”Sampaused.
“And,Selma,mayIsaythat
you’relookinggreat?”
“Well,thankyou.I’m
actuallyfeelingprettyclose
toahundredpercent.The
doctorsgavemetwothumbsup.TheysaidI’llstillneedto
bemonitored,butthe
procedureandphysical
therapyhavebeenasuccess.
Infact,I’mtakinguptap
dancing.Doctor’sorders.
Somethingaboutithelping
withthehipjoints.”
Remilookedatherwitha
lookofdisbelief.“That’s
wonderful.Buttapdancing?”
“Tellmeaboutit.Butthe
badnewsisthatI’mfitfor
duty,soyou’restuckwith
me.”
“Thebestresearcherin
thewholeworld,”Sam
countered.“Hardly‘stuck.’”
ColorrosetoSelma’s
faceandsheturnedtolook
outattheocean.
“WhataboutBenedictand
hisbrother?”
Samfrowned.
“Reginald’sbeingheld,
pendingtrial.We’llprobably
havetoflybackatsomepoint
andtestify,butbetweenour
accountandAntonio’she’s
goingtobeputinjailforthe
restofhislife.”
“There’snowayforhim
toslipoutofit?”
Samshookhishead.
“None.AmajorLosZetas
cartelbosswaswithhim,
alongwithahostofcartel
killers.Ballisticsandprints
matchedReginald’sgunto
thebulletthatkilled
Maribela.No,he’shistory,
althoughthere’ssome
concernthathe’llnevermake
ittosentencing.Apparently,
theLosZetasareholdinghim
responsibleforGuerrero’s
death,sohe’sinsolitary
confinementforhisown
safety.”
“AndJanus?Didheever
surface?”
“We’veswornouta
complaint,butthere’ssome
questionhowthatwillplay
out—he’sdisappeared.The
caseagainsthimistrickier
becausetheycan’tshowhim
actuallypullingthetrigger
andtheonlyeyewitnesswho
couldhaveconfirmedhis
involvementwasGuerrero—
andhe’snottalkingtoanyone
buttheDevil.”
“ButJanuswasthere.
Youcanputhimatthe
scene,”Selmasaid.
“Iknow.Butit’s
complicated.Ifhewasstillin
Mexico,itmightnotbe,but
sinceheisn’t—”
“Thenhemightgetaway
withit,”Remifinished.
“Antoniohastakenavery
personalinterestinensuring
thatneitherofthemwalk.My
money’sonhimdoing
everythingpossibletomake
thewheelsofjusticegrind
forward,”Samsaid.
Selmasatback.“Well,
then.Anotherpageinthe
Fargobookturns.What’s
next?Youmentioned
somethingaboutLazlo?”
“Tobedetermined.He
toldushe’sgoingtostayin
MexicoandhelpAntoniofor
awhile,butIsuspectwe’ll
seemoreofhimaround
here,”Samsaid.
“Assuminghe’schanged
hisways,thatcouldbe
interesting,”Selmasaid.
“Abullettendstobeabig
attitudeadjuster.Ithinkhe’s
ontherightpath.”
Selma’seyesnarrowed
andthenshesmiled.
“Well,aswitheverything,
timewilltell.”
FORTY-FIVEDAYS
LATER,MEXICOCITY,
MEXICO
T
heNationalMuseumof
Anthropologywas
festoonedwithcolorful
bannersannouncinganew
exhibitiondedicatedtothe
Tolteclegacy,featuringthe
fabledEyeofHeaven—a
jewelthathadbeenthe
featureofcountlessmagazine
articlesandtelevision
specialssinceitsdiscovery.
Theundeniablepresenceof
VikingsduringtheToltec
heydaywasnowestablished
ashistoricalfactandthe
jewelservedtocommemorate
theintersectionofthe
cultures.
Dignitariesfromthe
governmentmingledwiththe
uppercrustofMexicoCity
societyatwhatwasbeing
describedas“theeventofthe
season.”Asixteen-piece
mariachibandplayed
favoritesintheexterior
courtyardasservers
circulatedthroughthecrowd,
offeringappetizersandliquid
refreshments.
SamandRemistoodwith
Antonio,sippingchampagne,
neartheentrytothehall,
wheretwosternarmedguards
framedthedoorway.Lazlo,
alsothere,shiftedfromfoot
tofoot,eyeingthecrowd,a
sodainhand.
“Youcleanupprettywell,
I’llgiveyouthat,”Remi
teased.Lazlohadn’tstopped
fidgetingwithhistuxedo’s
bowtiesincethey’darrived.
“Allpartofmyevilplan
totakeoverthecountry,you
know,”Lazlosaidwitha
wink.“Butyou,mydear,are
theenvyofeverymanhere.”
Remi’sbeadedchiffon
eveningdressbyCarolina
Herreradancedunderthe
glowoftheoutdoorlighting.
Sam’ssmilewaswortha
thousandwords.
“Yourfriendherehas
beeninvaluableonthedig.I
eventhinkhe’sstartingto
pickupafewwordsof
Spanish,”Antonioshared
withasmile.
“I’mgladtoseethat
you’vefullyrecovered—not
thatIbelievedthatabullet
wouldslowyoudownmuch,”
Samsaid.
“Maddogsandsuchlike.
And,yes,Ifeeltip-top.
AlthoughIwouldn’t
recommendthewholegetting
shotpartoftheexperience.”
“All’swellthatendswell,
astheysay,”Remisaid,and
heldherchampagnefluteup
inatoast.
Antonio’sfacegrew
serious.“Ipresumeyouheard
aboutReginald?”
“No.Don’ttellmethathe
escaped,”Samsaid.
“Hewaskilledyesterday
duringadisturbanceatthe
prison.It’sstillunder
investigation,butmysources
tellmetheybelieveitwasa
mini-riotthatwasstagedto
createadiversionsothat
severalLosZetascartel
enforcerscouldexact
retribution.Apparently,itwas
brutal.”
Remishookherhead.
“Livebythesword...”
“Can’tsaytheworld’sthe
poorerforit,”Lazlosaid,at
whichAntonionodded.
“Andhastherebeenany
wordonJanus?”Samasked.
Antonioshookhishead.
“No.It’slikehedisappeared
intothinair.There’sa
warrantoutforhisarrestin
Mexico,butit’sdifficultto
enforceoutsideofour
borders.Hehasn’tbeen
convictedofanywrongdoing,
socooperation,especially
againstamanwith
considerablemoneyand
power,is...grudging,tosay
theleast.”
Thebandstoppedplaying
andanelegantlydressed
matronapproachedthe
microphoneandmadean
announcementinSpanish.
Antonioofferedahushed
summarywhenshewasdone
speaking.
“They’regoingtoopen
thedoorsintwominutes,and,
forthefirsttimeinhistory,
theEyeofHeavenwillbeon
displayforallofMexicoto
see.It’sanexcitingmoment.
Ihopeyoudon’tmindsaying
afewwordsinsideand
havingabriefphotosession
withthejewel,”Antoniosaid.
“Thepapershavebeen
clamoringforit.”
“Dowehaveto?”Sam
asked.
“I’mafraidso.Itisall
partofthepageantry,”
Antoniosaid.
“Can’tLazlostandinfor
us?He’safarmore
persuasivespeaker,andhe’s
gotthetuxandeverything,”
Samsaid.
“Youlookquitedapper
yourself,oldchap,”Lazlo
said,eyeingSam’snavyblue
Canalisilksuit.“Nowayout
ofit.Goeswithbeingan
archaeologicalrockstar.”
Samshruggedandturned
toRemi.“Well,Remi,looks
likeit’stimetostrutour
stuff.”
RemiwinkedatLazloand
thenturnedtoherhusband.
Hewaitedexpectantly.Her
eyesfilledwithmischief,she
leanedintohimandstoodon
hertiptoes,herlipsinches
fromhisear.
“Pwuk-pwuk.”
TWOYEARSLATER,
MONTREAL,CANADA
T
helongshiprestedon
handcraftedwooden
wedgestokeepitupright,its
keelsurprisinglysturdy
despitebeingathousand
yearsold.Strategicallyplaced
lightingilluminatedthecraft,
whichhadbeenlovingly
restoredbyacrewthathad
workedtirelessly,often
aroundtheclock.Membersof
thepressroamedthenewly
builtstructureadjacenttothe
museumthathadbeen
designedespeciallyforthe
ship,photographingthe
imposinghullandthedisplay
ofartifactsinilluminated
casesalongthewalls,asthe
galaattendeesmurmuredin
hushedtones.
Dr.Jenningsapproached
SamandRemithroughthe
throng,accompaniedbya
tall,tannedmaninawelltailoredArmanitux.The
man’sfacecrackedintoa
widesmileasheshookhands
withSamandgaveRemia
two-cheekedkiss.Itwastheir
oldfriendWarrenLasch,who
hadflownintomeetthem
afterinvestingmonthsofhis
timehelpingwiththe
restorationproject.
Dr.Jennings,Lasch,and
theFargoswalkedslowly
aroundthevessel’s
impressivelength,admiring
thecarethathadbeentaken
inreturningtheshiptoits
originalgrandeur.
“It’sreallymiraculous,”
Remisaidastheylookedup
atthegloweringdragonhead
onthebow.“You’vedonea
marvelousjob.It’san
amazingachievement.”
“Eventheshieldslook
likethey’reinperfect
condition.Bravo!Really,”
Samechoed.
Dr.Jenningssmiled.
“Thankfully,wehad
unlimitedresources,duetoa
generousdonationfroman
anonymousphilanthropic
organization,sowewereable
totakeappropriatecaretoget
herhereintactanddoafirstratejob.”HeturnedtoLasch.
“Wecouldn’thavedoneit
withoutWarren’s
considerableassistancealong
theway.He’sbeena
guardianangeltous.”
“I’mafraidJenningshere
ispronetoexaggeration,”
Laschsaid.
“No,Idon’tthinkheis.
Andtheshowcasesforthe
artifactsarereally
impressive,”Samobserved.
“Thisdisplayshouldbethe
jewelinyourmuseum’s
crown.”
“Yes.We’vealreadyhad
requestsfromParisandNew
Yorktoloanthesmaller
itemsforanexhibitioninthe
comingyears.But,frankly,
andperhapsI’mbeing
sentimental,butIcan’t
imaginelettinganyofitout
ofmysight.”
“Iknowthefeeling,”
Remisaid.“Youleavealittle
partofyourselfineachfind.”
Awaiterapproachedand
madeaslightbow.“Mr.
Fargo?”
Samnodded.“Guiltyas
charged.”
“Ihaveanoteforyou,
sir,”thewaitersaid,handing
Samacream-linenenvelope.
“Anote?”Samasked,
puzzled.“Whofrom?”
“Thegentlemanwhogave
ittomedidnotgivehis
name.Hemerelysaidforyou
toaccepthisapologiesfor
beingunabletostay.”
“Gentleman?Whatdidhe
looklike?”
“Tall,verydistinguished,
withgrayhair.”
Samtookafewsteps
away,turnedhisback,and
openedtheenvelope.Heread
theshortnoteandthen
rejoinedtheothers,aslight
scowlonhisface.
Remistudiedhis
expression.“Whatisit,Sam?
Youlooklikesomebodystole
yourbicycle.”
Samsighedandpassed
herthenote.“It’sfromanold
friend.”
Remireadthenoteout
loudinahushedtone:
“‘Lookingforwardtoour
nextencounter.Enjoyour
truce.Itwon’tlastlong.’It’s
signedJanusBenedict.”She
eyedSam.“Youlookas
thoughhegottoyou.”
“WhenIgetthe
opportunity,I’llsendhima
replythatwillburnhisears
off.”Sam’sgazeflowedover
thecrowd,thewomenin
colorfulfashionablegowns,
themeninblacktuxedos
lookinglikearegimentof
uniformedelitetroops,but
therewasnosignof
Benedict.“I’mafraidhe’s
madehisexit.”
“Thenexttimewemeet,
hewon’tbeascharitable,”
Remisaidsarcastically.
Samnodded.“Notwhen
hediscoversournext
expeditionisasearchforthe
ArkoftheCovenant.”
Remi’seyeswidenedand
ascowlspreadacrossher
face.“Forgottotellme,
didn’tyou?”
Samlaughed.“Ihope
Benedicthasthesame
reaction.”
“Letmeguess.Thisis
anotheroneofyourdevious
ploystomisleadthewolf.”
“Yes.Ourartifactthievingfriendabhors
frustration.”
“Youknow,ofcourse,
you’rebeatingaclubagainst
ahornet’snest.”
“Ido.”
“Thenwherewillwebe
whenJanusistryingtofind
us?”
Samgrinned.“Basking
underthesunandswimming
inatropicallagooninthe
Pacific,searchingforcluesto
theancientruinsofalost
civilizationintheSolomon
Islands.”
Remiignoredtheroomful
ofpeopleandputherarms
aroundSam’sneck,pulled
himdownwithsmilingeyes,
andkissedhim.
“I’llsayonething,Sam
Fargo,youknowhowtocozy
uptoawoman.”
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