"Maybe they climbed down the walls."
"I saw them before the crash. They looked pretty steep to me."
We drifted off into silence. Graham returned to the murals. Meanwhile, I exited the shrine and carefully descended a few steps.
Mist and dark clouds engulfed the elaborate roof comb above the summit shrine. I could just make out a giant stone mosaic. It depicted a strange creature with four legs, a long body, and ferocious jaws. For the most part, it looked like a cross between a jaguar and a scaly reptile. But its facial features appeared almost human.
I decided it was a nagual, or shape shifter. The Classic Maya, like many Mesoamerican communities, had believed certain people could transform into animals while asleep. Some of those animals were nice.
Others not so much.
I squinted at the nagual. Shadows of varying darkness covered every inch of it. But I could still see its unblinking eyes.
A shudder ran through me. Its eyes looked hollow, yet sparkled with an almost electric energy. They stared straight ahead, at some point in the distance.
Yet, they seemed to stare through me as well.
Chapter 39
Beverly looked up as I completed my fourth circle of the pyramid. "What's wrong?"
"Just trying to figure something out." I glanced at her. "What are you doing?"
She knelt next to the west wall. Her hands were poised above a large stone block. "I'm trying to identify this material."
The Maya had used all sorts of materials to build their cities. Limestone was particularly common thanks to its prevalence throughout the Yucatán Peninsula as well as the surrounding areas.
"It's sedimentary limestone."
She gently brushed some flakes of mud from the block. "I know. But if you look closely, you'll see traces of other minerals and metals embedded inside each block."
"I noticed that. Is it unusual?"
"Not really. But I'm going to take some samples anyway."
Beverly had packed a substantial amount of equipment in her luggage. I was completely clueless on how to use most of it. "Sounds good."
She stared at me for a long moment. "I'm glad we came here."
I arched an eyebrow. "You know we're stranded in an inescapable canyon, right?"
"It's better than Manhattan."
"That's your opinion."
"What happened to you anyway?" She shook her head. "Before Votan, you would've given anything to be on this expedition."
I didn't reply.
"Are you sure you aren't feeling guilty over those deaths?"
"I'm sure."
"Are you scared?"
"Not exactly."
Her gaze narrowed. "Explain."
A few long seconds passed. "When I saw those two people die, I thought it was you and Dutch. The two of you had been standing right near them." I exhaled. "If the shooter had shifted a fraction of an inch, you wouldn't be here today."
She was quiet.
"It used to be different. Back when I started treasure hunting, I didn't have to worry about anyone else. Now, I do."
"I can handle Votan."
"Agreed. You're the toughest person I know, bar none. But that only matters if you get a chance to fight. Those two workers died within seconds of the first gunshots. They never had a chance to defend themselves."
Her face softened.
"I realized something that day," I continued. "Treasure hunters die. Sometimes the tombs get us. Sometimes it's the authorities or people like Votan. Regardless, it's fate. The only way to avoid it is to get out altogether."
I didn't know what else to say. So, I took a step back and studied the entire wall. A sudden surge of shock passed through me. "I can't believe it."
She blinked as if lost in thought. "Can't believe what?"
"Do you notice anything unusual about this building?"
"It's an undiscovered pyramid in the middle of a sealed-off canyon. Everything about it is unusual."
"I've looked at every inch of it," I said. "I've examined the walls and the summit shrine. But there's one thing I haven't found yet."
"And what's that?"
"An entrance."
Chapter 40
"Where's the satphone?" Miranda lowered her voice. "I'd like to hang on to it in case something happens."
"In … in my tent." Pacho's mouth quivered when he spoke. "Largest bag."
"Thank you."
Miranda started to stand up. But a weak hand gripped her wrist. "I know what you did."
"Excuse me?"
Pacho's cheeks looked flushed. His eyes were unfocused. "I know about the apparatuses."
Miranda's heart raced. He was delirious. That was the only possible explanation. Wasn't it?
She glanced at Dr. Wu. He knelt over the now-sleeping Rigoberta. "What about them?" she whispered softly.
"I know what you did. I know everything."
She gritted her teeth. "Did you tell anyone back home about this?"
"Not … yet. Wanted to …"
Pacho's mouth quivered for a few more seconds. Then it went still. His eyes slid shut. His cheeks began to contract and expand at a slow pace.
"I think it's time I got some sleep." Miranda turned to Dr. Wu. "Thanks for looking after them."
The doc flashed her a tired smile. "No problem."
Miranda pulled off her respirator and ducked outside the clinic. A soft rain splashed onto her face. She pulled her hood over her head and started to walk through camp.
Soft snores sounded out from all directions. Apparently, the others had finally gone to sleep. Even Alonzo, who'd been restlessly barking for the last hour, was quiet.
She stopped in front of Pacho's tent. The man had been acting strangely for months. He no longer worked closely with her. Instead, he kept his distance. His manner, once warm and inviting, had grown increasingly cold.
She looked around to make sure no one was watching. Then she unzipped the flap and crawled inside his tent. A single sleeping bag lay on the floor. Duffel bags were piled high next to it.
She grabbed the largest duffel bag and opened it wide. It contained numerous sets of clothes. She quickly sorted through them. At the bottom of the bag, she found the satphone. She took it and zipped up the bag.
She hesitated for a moment. Then she opened another bag. It was stuffed with stapled papers. Her heart pounded as she studied the documents.
She opened another duffel bag and searched it. Then she opened a third bag. Each bag was similar to the last one.
After a few minutes, she zipped up the bags and restacked them. She'd dreaded this day with all her heart. And now, it had finally come.
As she exited his tent, her heart pounded uncontrollably against her chest. She knew what Pacho had discovered. Fortunately, he'd never get the chance to take it public. Good thing too. His discovery wouldn't just ruin her.
It would ruin everything.
Chapter 41
I wrenched my back off the sleeping bag. Perked my ears and listened hard. Through the heavy rain, I heard a soft bark.
My brain felt foggy. But I figured it was Yohl Ik’nal, finally making her way back to camp.
I tried to fall back asleep. But the barking grew louder, more strident. Finally, I sat up again. Allowed my eyes to adjust to the darkness. The tent was small but waterproof. A mesh window rested just above the flap. Two sleeping bags took up most of the floor. My duffel bag and satchel, along with Beverly's equipment, took up the rest.
I looked at Beverly. Despite the humid air, she was curled up in her sleeping bag. Streaks of dried mud lined her cheeks. Over a dozen bandages covered her usually perfect skin.
I crawled to the flap and opened it. A steady shower fell over the campsite. The marsh looked increasingly like a quagmire. I'd been in the canyon for less than a day and I was already sick of the rain.