“Only one item?” Hawke said.
“What was it?” asked Lexi.
“Something that was discovered in the hoard in the wreckage of the San José — a small golden mask.”
“Curiouser and curiouser,” Lea said.
“Exactly what I’m thinking,” said Lexi.
Hawke stood up from his seat. “Any more details on this mask?”
Lund sighed. A bridge of trust had not yet formed between them but he had no choice. “The Mask of Inti is an ancient Incan facemask made of pure gold which depicts Inti, the Incan god of the sun. Believed by many archaeologists to have been merely a legend until recently discovered on the wrecked ship, the mask is supposed to hold a clue leading to the…” He stopped talking and studied their faces for a few moments. The atmosphere in the plush office was tense and awkward.
“Leading to where?” Lexi asked.
“Yes, don’t keep us all in suspenders, dahling.”
“There are few details, naturally — the Incas never left written records as far as we can tell, but my contact in Colombia, a Héctor Barrera, believed that there was some kind of legend saying that the mask would lead the bearer of it to the Lost City of the Incas.”
“The Lost City of the Incas?” Lea said.
“Yes,” Lund said curtly. “Paititi.”
“I thought that was just a…” Hawke said.
“Just a what?” Lund said.
“I was going to say just a myth, but then I realized that being just a myth doesn’t mean much anymore.”
“No,” the Dane replied flatly. “People have sought the Lost City for literally hundreds of years, but every expedition has ended in total failure, and very often the deaths of those taking part. The main problem was always a lack of reliable information detailing its location, but now it looks like there might be a new lead.”
“The mask?” Lea asked.
“Yes. According to Professor Barrera, there were legends about the Mask of Inti pointing the way to Paititi, but the truth is until we found the San José off the coast, the mask itself was no more than a legend.”
Lea sighed and fixed her eyes on Lund. “And this Barrera is certain the mask is the real deal — the genuine Mask of Inti?”
Lund nodded slowly. “Of that there is no doubt. He had a short time with the artefact before the raid, and was most certain of its authenticity. It was found with a number of other items on the San José that he was sure were once part of the famous Lost Treasure of the Incas, and he was the very best. We can be certain we’re looking for the genuine article.”
“He was the very best?” Hawke asked.
Lund’s face turned into a stern frown. “I’m afraid he was shot by the looters in the raid and rushed to hospital, but he was dead on arrival.”
“Do we have any leads?” Reaper asked. He knew they all felt the same thing he did — that the one person they needed more than anyone just wasn’t here anymore.
“That is where you come in,” Lund replied. “I have arranged for you to meet with a Professor Meier in Cartagena. He holds a senior position at the museum that was looted and has more details of the raid.”
“Looks like we’re off again,” Scarlet said.
“And soon,” Lund replied. “You’re meeting Meier later this afternoon so I suggest you fly immediately.”
And with that, they were on their way.
CHAPTER FOUR
Luis Moyano was a freshly-minted doctor of archaeology from the Universidad de los Andos in Bogotá with a PhD so fresh you could still smell the wrapping. It might be true that Luis had about as much life experience as the average boy scout, but that wasn't about to stop him taking on the world, no sir. His new job at the naval museum was just the first step in what he hoped would be a long and eminent career.
Now, he looked at the people standing outside his office door, wiped his hand on his shirt and offered it to them.
“I was expecting Professor Meier,” Lea said, reluctantly taking the hand.
“And I was expecting the police,” he said. “They’re talking to everyone about the robbery.”
Hawke stepped up. “We’re investigating the same crime.”
Lea showed him her ID card. “Is Professor Meier here?”
“No. Unfortunately Ricardo was taken ill a few hours ago and went home. I’m afraid he won’t be able to help you, but he was my supervisor for several years and my boss here so I know him better than anyone… except Mrs Meier, of course.” Without waiting for a response from the others Luis exploded into the most awkward laugh Lea had ever heard in her life.
She glanced at Hawke for a second and then back to Luis. “Can we come in?”
“Ah, yes… of course. Forgive me.” Luis walked backwards a few steps into his office and tripped over his bin, knocking pieces of paper and some crumpled soda cans onto the floor. “Paila!” he said, and immediately dropped to his knees to pick it all back up again. “Please, take a seat while I sort this mess out.”
Lea and Hawke exchanged a glance. “No, you’re all right, mate.” Hawke said, raising his eyebrow as he watched the young man scrabbling about on the floor. “I prefer to stand.”
A minute later and Luis Moyano was on his feet again and moving back around to his desk. “So, I would be happy to help any friend of Ricardo’s — as you can see, I have researched this field extensively.” As he spoke he wafted his arms to indicate his vast collection of peer-reviewed journals and books, but along the way he knocked over his coffee cup and it slopped out all over a pile of students’ papers. “Oh, damn it all!”
As Luis began to mop up the mess with his pocket handkerchief, Hawke rolled his eyes and leaned in to Lea. “Is this guy for real?” he whispered.
“Shhh,” she said, and slapped him away.
“So,” Luis said, smiling broadly as he stuffed the coffee-soaked cloth back into his pocket. “How can I help you?”
“We’re here about the robbery at the museum,” Hawke said flatly.
Luis shook his head and sighed. “We’re all very angry and shaken up. I hope Héctor is all right after such a terrible ordeal.”
“You mean you haven’t heard?” Lea said.
“Heard what? I was in the library researching all morning with strict instructions not to be interrupted.”
Hawke sighed and moved forward a step. “Héctor Barrera was murdered during the raid.”
“Señor Barrera is dead?” Luis’s mouth fell open in shock. “We were told he was injured and taken to hospital.”
“That’s true, but he died before he got there. I’m sorry,” Lea said. “Did you know him well?”
“We weren’t close at all, no… but I knew him a little professionally. I worked with him on several projects involving the Inca culture not to mention the discovery of the San José.” Luis fell into his chair and ran a hand through his hair. “I can’t believe this.”
“I think the San José is why he was killed,” Lea said.
Luis looked up at her. “Really? What makes you say that?”
“Tell me,” Hawke said, “Do you have a manifest of the treasure items found on board the galleon?”
“Somewhere, yes. Let me look for it.” Luis jumped up from his desk and turned to search the filing cabinet. He tried to open the top drawer but it was stuck, so he pulled harder, and then harder again. Turning to face Lea and Hawke with an embarrassed look on his face he grinned and made his apologies. “It’s not locked — just a stuck a bit.”
Hawke glanced at Lea and sighed. They were both watching the spider plant on top of the cabinet as it wobbled back and forth, and expecting the inevitable.
Luis gave it a serious yank this time and sent the plant flying through the air. Lea reached out and caught it and Hawke gave a round of applause, but the soil went everywhere.