by PJ Skinner
‘Bloody hell!’ she managed.
All around them in random piles, were wonders from the Inca age. Alfredo went from piece to piece, purring like a cat. He put on a stunning ceremonial necklace with a ferocious face as its centrepiece. He stroked the embroidered gowns, running the material through his fingertips and marvelling at the designs of swirling suns with faces and strange creatures. Like a small boy in Santa’s grotto, he couldn’t see enough, pouncing on one new object after another. Time passed without any expectation of managing to see everything. The treasure appeared infinite.
‘Sweat of the sun, tears of the moon. Gold and silver had no monetary value for the Incas. It was valued for its properties that allowed them to make such beautiful things.’
There was so much to see. Alfredo clutched at objects with an almost religious fervour. Sam started to feel dizzy watching him. Was she in shock? She felt drunk. After nearly an hour, they went into a second chamber at the back of the first. There was a row of many mummies on a stone slab along the back wall of the chamber, covered in fine materials and wearing funerary masks. Alfredo rushed forward to examine them. He turned in question.
‘The keepers of the treasure?’ he asked Don Moises, who stood at the entrance to the second chamber.
Moises nodded, and Sam wondered how he knew.
‘Yes, they’re all here. I’ll be next.’
Sam was flummoxed. Neither Alfredo nor Don Moises were surprised to find the treasure or the mummies. Her stomach flipped, and she felt nauseous. She sat down on a golden throne in the corner of the chamber, and the room swam before her eyes. She was about to faint. Then she remembered.
‘The drink,’ she said, falling to the floor.
‘Not yet,’ she heard Alfredo say. ‘Please, not yet.’
Sam slumped on the ground where she was shortly joined by Alfredo, still pleading. Everything went black.
***
Sam and Alfredo were carried out of the vault and up onto the surface. Their slumber was so deep that they appeared lifeless.
‘Take the foreigners back to the village,’ said Don Moises. ‘My granddaughter will take care of them when they wake. We have a great deal of work to do here.’
The men carried Sam and Alfredo down to the riverbank and loaded them into canoes for the short ride to Arenas. They passed other inhabitants of the village on their way who began to arrive at the plateau shortly afterwards. Filing into the chamber, they emptied it of its riches, piece by piece, carefully enveloping them in hessian sacking. The mummies were gently wrapped in many layers of plastic and then strapped to stretchers. Some of the villagers started to cut a narrow path north into the jungle, the sort of path that is lost to regrowth in weeks. They followed ancient signs cut into the trees and rocks, which only they could distinguish. Moises directed the work with a quiet gravitas.
As the day turned into night, the work continued until the chamber echoed in its emptiness. It was re-sealed by shutting the entrance and covering it once more with earth. The vines that trailed over the surface of the platform would soon obscure it from human eyes until it might be needed again. The golden cargo was loaded onto mules and sleds and backs, and the village moved silently away into the jungle, which closed over them.
‘Where are we going, sir?’ asked one of the children.
‘Far away,’ answered Don Moises. Very far away.’
***
Gloria and Mike woke up to find that Segundo had gone. It didn’t take Gloria long to find out that Wilson was also missing from his temporary prison. She was pretty sure that their disappearance had something to do with her father. Hernan Sanchez had pretty strong views on betrayal and the protection of his assets, but she had always been a bit squeamish when it came to the nitty-gritty of her father’s business affairs. She decided that she didn’t need to know about the fate of Wilson. She played dumb when Mike asked her about him.
‘He has disappeared with Segundo. I don’t know where.’
‘Who’s that man, Segundo? He’s very sinister looking. That face!’
‘He works for my father. Perhaps he’s taken Wilson to the police.’
‘I doubt that very much. I must say, I’m glad I don’t have to deal with Wilson. Confrontation isn’t my strong point.’
‘Forget about him, Mike; he’s gone now and Alfredo and Sam are safe.’
He hoped they were not only safe but on the trail of the treasure. He could save face with Edward if they found something. He settled for a sigh and a leisurely breakfast, while he waited with Gloria for the driver to take them back to the airport. He had had enough adventures for the time being.
Chapter XXIV
When Sam opened her eyes, she immediately shut them again on the assumption that she was hallucinating. She cautiously opened them again to find that she was looking into the anxious eyes of Tati, who hovered over her in a fretful way.
‘Alfredo?’ Sam asked.
‘Here, chica,’ she heard him say.
‘Where are we?’
‘Arenas, I guess.’
Tati nodded and smiled.
‘But what are we doing here, Alfredo? What happened to the treasure? Did I dream the whole thing?’
‘No, you didn’t, but I think you should know the whole truth as told to me by Don Moises. Let’s have something to eat. Tati has cooked us a tasty meal.’
‘What is Tati doing here? I don’t understand. What’s she got to do with anything?’
‘Tati has got everything to do with this. She is the granddaughter of Don Moises.’
‘Sam sat up quickly and then lay down when she was assailed by waves of dizziness. She tried again, this time slowly, and swung her legs over the edge of the bed, cautiously raising her head. She saw that Alfredo had also managed to sit up and was smiling at her, a beatific sort of smile, like a cat who had not only got the cream but had gone for a swim in it.
‘Wasn’t it marvellous?’ he asked rhetorically. ‘I never thought I’d live to see the day.’
‘But what happened to the treasure? How did we get here? What’s Tati doing here? You must explain.’
‘Let’s have a cup of coffee, and I’ll tell you the whole story.’
Sam got up and tottered outside to pee behind the house. She had a nasty taste in her mouth and felt as if she had the worst hangover in the world. She wavered over her bent legs and almost fell into the rubbish on the ground at the back of the building. After she had finished, she mounted the stairs into the house with her eyes screwed up against the bright sunlight, which poked viciously through the fluffy clouds, assaulting her eyeballs.
Once they were seated at the crude wooden table, drinking cheap Nescafe, which was bitter and sticky with age, Tati gestured for Alfredo to speak. Alfredo nodded and began to speak.
‘Do you remember what I told you about Valverde, the Spanish soldier who married an Inca princess and was led by her to the treasure?’
‘Yes, I do.’
‘The Incas realised that the only way to keep the treasure’s location a secret from the Spanish was to move it regularly. However, moving such a great amount of treasure was impractical, so only the best and most precious objects were selected for removal from the horde. A family of servants most loyal to the Inca lords were chosen to be the keepers of the treasure. They were given the task of guarding it for posterity and of moving it any time it was in danger. You’ve met the descendants of this extended family.’
‘The inhabitants of Arenas? I thought it was odd that there was an Indian village in the jungle. I know they traditionally only live in the Andes.’
‘Yes, you’re right, but the treasure was moved here one hundred years ago when one of the treasure hunters got too close to the last hiding place before this one. The present leader of the family who guards the treasure is Don Moises. He’ll eventually end up with the other mummies in the vault where the treasure is hidden. He told me about this when he realised he would have to move the treasure again. He’d heard about m
y work, and he knew that for me, the history was more important than the money. He offered me the chance of seeing the treasure if I promised never to look for it again. It’s our heritage. Moises made me understand that we should never let anyone take it out of Sierramar. Not even Mike.’
‘So, you let Moises drug us on condition that we got to see it? But how did he know what we were after when we came back? No one told anyone what we were doing...’ Sam’s voice trailed off, and she looked across the table at Tati.
‘It was you, wasn’t it, Tati? I saw you at the station at San Martin.’
Tati got the gist of what Sam was saying and nodded, laughing.
‘I knew I had seen her. I knew it,’ said Sam. ‘But who told Tati? Oh, Marta, I guess.’
‘Yes, she’s not the most discrete person on the planet and couldn’t keep the secret of our trip.’
Sam turned to Tati. ‘Was it you?’ she said. ‘Did you get someone to steal my wallet?’
Tati laughed again.
‘Now I understand,’ said Alfredo. ‘I should have known that the police wouldn’t give you your money back. Tati wanted to get to Riccuarte ahead of us so she arranged a delay.’
‘But how did Wilson know about the treasure?’ said Sam.
‘I’m afraid that Wilson found out about the treasure from me. He already suspected that something was going on. Marta is not good at keeping a secret. I drank too much and I put us all in danger. I’m so sorry.’
‘Don’t apologise. I’m not convinced he didn’t know already.’
‘He thought that I would agree to kill you and split the treasure, but he must have decided to kill me, too. When Don Moises heard from Tati that we were coming back to Arenas, he had decided to move the treasure. Then Wilson asked him for help in disposing of us. He talked to me when he found out about Wilson, because he didn’t want a man like that getting his hands on our Sierramarian heritage, and we agreed on the plan. So, there you have it, Sam.’
Sam didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. ‘Where is the treasure now?’
‘The villagers have taken it and are transporting it to one of the hiding places designated by the original Incas. They will build a new village and guard it there. It is their sacred duty. Anyone who betrays them is buried alive. Wilson is lucky. Although I suspect that whoever is looking for him may have a similar punishment in mind.’
‘What happened to Wilson? I thought he went to Riccuarte with Carlos.’
‘He did, Sam. But he was not a willing passenger. A man called Segundo turned up in Riccuarte looking for Wilson, claiming that he was responsible for the car crash that almost killed us in Calderon. Segundo told Doña Elodea that Wilson planned to kill us. Doña Elodea sent Carlos to warn Don Moises and to capture Wilson. I think Segundo works for Gloria’s father who is no angel himself.’
Sam had an inkling. Her head swam.
‘I think I’d better lie down for a minute,’ she said.
‘You do that. You’ll feel pretty queasy today until the effect of the sleeping draught wears off. We will leave tomorrow. Carlos is coming to pick us up in a canoe with Rijer.’
Sam lay back down on her bed. She was dog tired but there was something sharp sticking in her back. She was lying on her rucksack. She rolled sideways and pulled it out from under her. She threw it to one side and pulled the rough wool blanket over her body.
***
Alfredo, who had been watching her, lay down, too. Unlike her, he was still wide-eyed with wonder. He replayed the video he had recorded in his head of the treasure they had seen. He sighed a great big contented sigh.
***
Tati smiled and cleared away the coffee cups. She would have to get a new job after what had happened, but she had fulfilled her destiny as a descendant of the keepers of the treasure, and she was very proud of her role in the drama. What a pity she couldn’t tell Marta about it this time. Marta would have loved this story.
***
The driver arrived at San Lorenzo and picked up Gloria and Mike, who were waiting at the cantina to be rescued from their adventure. Mike felt an ache in his chest, and he knew that he had been lucky to survive his fright. Maybe it was time to go home to his long-suffering wife and stay there. He didn’t have the money for the lifestyle he craved, but he had enough to make her happy. She wanted a quiet life. He wouldn’t make a decision while there was still the chance that Sam and Alfredo would find the treasure. Would he be able to get it out of the country? How much would his share be? Maybe they could buy a house in the countryside and have some race horses?
***
Gloria did not speak either on the way to the airport. She thought about Alfredo. She was in love with him, of that there was no doubt. He was not perfect, but he was loyal and honest and there was something about him that was appealing and habit forming. He had a special charisma and sense of humour, and Gloria knew he was a keeper. She was determined to make a go of it. She crossed her fingers that he and Sam got home in one piece.
***
Sam woke up early the next day and went down to the river to wash. She remembered what Alfredo had said about the crayfish, and to her horror, she found that it was true. No amount of rationalisation about molecules being recycled made her feel any better about it. She was now ready to go home. It was all very well living in the jungle for a while, but she was desperate for a hot shower and some tasty food that didn’t have tuna or rice in it. Tati cooked them a late breakfast, and Carlos arrived in time to finish all the leftovers, hoovering them up in double-quick time. The rains had relented, and the river was less swollen and easier to navigate. They set off for Riccuarte through the muddy waters and made good time.
When they arrived, Doña Elodea was waiting at the riverbank with a basket full of empanadas. She was sitting on a log with the driver sent by Sanchez, who was helping himself to the delicious crunchy envelopes until she slapped his hand to indicate that he had eaten more than his share. Sam and Alfredo said goodbye to Tati, who was staying on at Riccuarte for a few days, and set off for a final night in San Lorenzo. The pick-up bucked and bounced along the road, making Sam feel sick after her ration of empanadas. They stayed in the hotel with the rustling beds. Sam was woken up by the occupants feasting on her blood again, but she couldn’t offer any resistance and fell back into a heavy sleep.
***
Segundo and Wilson arrived at the house of Pancho Rojas, El Duro, in Guayama, Sierramar’s second town, at nightfall. Wilson became panicky as he saw where they were going. He had tried to stay calm at first, reasoning that there was no possible motive for Sanchez to deliver him to El Duro. After all, he had tried to kill Sanchez’ daughter. Surely Sanchez would be looking for revenge, not sending the culprit to his rival. Wilson was not stupid. He saw very little hope in his situation. Wilson had hoped to talk his way out of the car crash scenario with Señor Sanchez by blaming Falconi for targeting the wrong car. He had always talked his way out of situations before. El Duro was another story. He was a vindictive man who had been repeatedly denied payment by Wilson’s promises of riches. He may have come to the end of his patience. Wilson knew what happened to men who tried the patience of El Duro.
As they pulled up outside the house, Wilson turned to Segundo.
‘I’ll pay you anything you want if you let me go,’ he offered.
‘And how will I spend it if El Duro cuts off my hands?’ replied Segundo, opening the door for Wilson to get out.
A very large black man waited for them outside a colonial house with pretty balconies. He directed Wilson through a large wooden door. Wilson aimed one last pleading look at Segundo before it slammed shut.
***
Sam and Alfredo arrived at the airport in Calderon to be enveloped in kisses and hugs from an ecstatic Gloria. Sam was tempted to tell her to ‘get a room’ when her welcome of Alfredo went a little bit over the top. Gloria did not take them home, but instead, they went straight to the hospital where Mike had been installed in a private room and was
hooked up to a drip. Mike was under observation while the doctors decided what had caused the attack of angina, although Sam had heard from Gloria that it was an attack of heroics, making her giggle in complicity. Sam decided to let Alfredo tell Mike the story of the still lost treasure of the Incas and its amazing history. She had a feeling that Mike would be satisfied with the result but not Edward. There was no proof of their amazing story. She was worried that Mike would lose Edward as an investor if he didn’t believe what was, after all, a pretty unbelievable story.
Mike sat up in bed when they arrived. His face was animated.
‘Did you find it? Are we rich?’ he said
‘We did find it but we aren’t rich. Alfredo will tell you all about it.’
Sam hugged him gingerly, trying not to get tangled up with the tubes. She and Gloria left Alfredo to fill Mike in on their adventure and went back to the Avenida Miranda where Marta was waiting to be filled in on the gossip. She would not be told about Tati, who had disappeared into the jungle with the treasure keepers and would not be back to Calderon.
Later that evening Sam emptied out her rucksack, separating the notebook, camera, penknife and other bric-a-brac from the sweet papers and other unidentifiable rubbish at the bottom of her bag. She searched all the pockets and shook them out. There was something stuck in one of the pockets. It was small and made of metal and very heavy with several sharp spikey bits sticking out, which had caught in the material of the rucksack. She fiddled around loosening the fabric around it and finally the object came out. It was a small gold brooch in the shape of a serpent. The fine detail and exquisite craftsmanship indicated that it was from the Incan treasure. How had it got into her rucksack? Who had put it there and why? It was obvious that someone had done this with a purpose, perhaps as a gift, perhaps as a reminder to keep the secret. Sam ran her fingers over the brooch. It was so beautiful it brought a lump to her throat. She was astonished and sad at the same time knowing she couldn’t keep it. There was someone who needed it more than she did.