Mayan Gods in the Yucatan (Peyton Brooks, FBI Book 5)

by M. L. Hamilton

  She knew she should tell Bass, but what would she tell him? That twice she’d heard young people talking about exchanging money? Americans probably exchanged money at the hotels all the time. Still, she knew she was onto something.

  As she moved out toward the beach, she decided she wasn’t going to say anything to Bass. She’d talk to Bambi instead and if Bambi thought it was significant, then she’d clue everyone else in.

  * * *

  “Tell me what they said again?” asked Bambi as they walked toward the Excelencia. Rosa and Radar had decided to go down to the cantina that Miguel had taken her to the previous night. They were hoping that they might discover something if they played their roles well, that or talk to Miguel’s drummer of an uncle. Maybe the customers would let their guard down if they thought the two FBI agents were just another wealthy Mexican couple vacationing in paradise.

  Bass decided to take the night off. Peyton suspected it was with a bottle of tequila. The frustration of learning nothing wore on him. Vega wanted to spend a night with his family. He’d been working a lot of hours and they missed him. Tank agreed to run the equipment for Peyton and Bambi as they decided to head back to the hotel, searching for Brett, the two girls Peyton had seen in the bathroom, or birthmark boy.

  Miguel had not shown up today at all. Peyton had been tempted to ask for him at the desk, or the parasailing hut when a new kid showed up to relive the girl, but Bass had warned her off that. She didn’t want to look too eager and they had no way of knowing if Miguel was their real mark. They didn’t want to tip anyone off. She didn’t agree. She thought her date with Miguel gave her the perfect opening, but she didn’t work drug cases as often as the DEA agent, so she had to defer to his better judgment.

  “They both said they needed to exchange money,” Peyton told Bambi now. “Tengo que cambiar dinero. And that they wanted monedas.”

  “Monedas? What’s that?”

  “Coins.”

  “Coins? Why do they want coins? I’ve got so many coins I don’t know what to do with them and they’re worth nothing. I jangle when I walk I’ve got so many coins.”

  “That’s what made me suspicious. Who wants coins?”

  “But when the birthmark boy exchanged the money yesterday, you didn’t see any pills?”

  “No,” said Peyton, “I was standing pretty close and from where I was, it looked like money.”

  Bambi considered that. Tonight she wore shorts and a gauzy top with a camisole under it. Peyton had opted for shorts as well, the long sundress restricted her movements too much, but she had on a pink halter top. She wore her hair loose because it had cooled off, but Bambi had hers in another elaborate braid.

  “Did Brett tell you anything more when you played volleyball with him and the other frat boys?” she asked Bambi.

  “No, he won’t tell me the source. He wanted to know how you and I liked the pill, but that was it. He and the others were going on a party boat tonight. They asked me to go, but it’s just a drinking excursion. I told him when he got some more pills to give me a call. We’d have a private party then.”

  “That’s good, but you’d better be careful. You know how these frat boys can be.”

  Bambi gave her a fallen angel look. “I’ve castrated bulls many times on my uncle’s Texas ranch. Can’t be any different castrating frat boys.”

  Peyton shot an alarmed glance at her. Was she serious? Had Stanford educated Emma Redford castrated bulls or was she shitting her? She never knew with Bambi.

  “You talk to Marco tonight?”

  “Every night and every morning. They think they might have caught the guy who killed the kid in Hunters Point. Marco actually had to chase down a perp. Makes me so damn nervous.”

  “What do you mean? He chased him down on crutches?”

  “Apparently. He was being sketchy with the details, which means he’s not telling me everything.” She shook her head and sighed. “I’m not gonna lie. When he got the job as captain, I was relieved. I thought it would keep him out of danger, but then he goes out on a raid with the rest of his precinct and he’s back in the thick of it again.”

  Bambi laid a hand on her arm. “He must feel the same way about you.”

  Peyton knew he did, but that didn’t make her feel any better. “I’ve got a whole team watching my back.”

  “And so does he.”

  Peyton hesitated and faced her. “You don’t know what it was like, Emma, when he got shot. I thought he was going to die right in front of me and then his heart stopped and they had to shock him to get it started again.” She shuddered. “I woke up in a panic again last night, but it was Marco on that altar, not Miller.”

  Bambi pulled her in for a hug. “I wish I loved someone that much,” she whispered in Peyton’s ear.

  Peyton laughed, hugging her in return. “I just told you I wake up in a cold sweat, imagining my boyfriend dead on an altar and you envy me?”

  Bambi held her off, her hands on her shoulders. “Don’t you get it? You have someone who you’d give your life to save. He feels the same way. That’s amazing. Who would care if something happened to me?”

  “I do,” Peyton said fiercely. “I care. And Radar and Sarge and Tank. And your parents and your brother.”

  Bambi kissed her cheek. “That means everything, but sometimes, sometimes I want what you have with Marco and Tank has with the Professor and Radar has with Gwen. And now even Sarge. Sarge has Stryker.”

  “You said you didn’t want that, remember? You said you liked being independent and free.”

  “And then I met Jake.”

  What was this Jake obsession? Bambi didn’t seem to understand Jake had just wanted sex, like every other man in the world. He hadn’t really been looking for a relationship. Still, Peyton didn’t have the heart to tell her that now.

  “What’s going on?” came Tank’s voice in their ears. “You’ve stopped moving. Is something wrong? You’re not in the hotel.”

  Peyton and Bambi exchanged a smile as Peyton lifted the com to her mouth. “We’re on our way. We were just talking about relationships.”

  “Why?”

  “Because we all want someone like you, Tank.”

  “What? What are you talking about?”

  “We want someone to collect sea glass and shells and cubic zirconia rings for us,” Peyton said. “Not buy us diamonds or silly chachkies we’ll never use.”

  “God, I’d love for a man to collect sea glass for me,” moaned Bambi as they started walking again.

  “Have you guys been drinking?” asked Tank.

  They both laughed. A few moments later, they reached the hotel and angled through the outside bar toward the club. A mariachi band was performing outdoors and Peyton noted they were actually quite good. She would have preferred sitting out here tonight. It was cool and the live music appealed to her more than the techno noise in the club, but the younger crowd was definitely not out here.

  The pounding pulsation of the bass assaulted their ears as they opened the door and stepped into the dark, crowded club. The smell of mildew and sweat was cloying. Peyton tamped down on her immediate desire to bolt. There were too many people and too much bumping and grinding going on.

  Sensing her distress, Bambi reached back and grabbed her hand, directing her to the bar. They found an open spot at the end and a ridiculously handsome man with his shirt open nearly to his navel came over.

  “¿Qué quieres beber? What do you want to drink?” he asked.

  “Two pineapple daiquiris,” said Bambi. “They serve them in an actual pineapple,” she said to Peyton.

  “I know.”

  He nodded and went away to prepare their drinks. Peyton took a seat on the stool, but Bambi stood, bopping in place to the music as she surveyed the scene.

  “Maybe we should have checked the front desk to see if Miguel came in for a nightshift or something,” she said to Peyton.

  Peyton nodded. “I’ll go. I don’t know how long I can stay in here
.”

  Bambi gave her a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry. I know this is hard,” she shouted above the music.

  The bartender returned with their drinks, setting them on the bar. Peyton waved Bambi off when she started to pay, pulling out her own money. She suddenly had an idea. She gave the bartender a little over what she owed and when he went to take it, she kept her hands over the bills.

  “Tengo que cambiar dinero.”

  He gave her a strange look. “Cambio de dinero en la recepción.”

  She sighed and nodded, releasing the bills to him.

  “What did he say?” asked Bambi.

  “Exchange money at the reception desk.”

  He brought her back her exact change and she left a tip on the bar for him, then she lifted her pineapple drink and sipped it. It was a little sweet for her, but Bambi moaned in pleasure as she drank her own.

  “I’ll go see if Miguel’s at the front desk,” Peyton said, hopping off the barstool, but she stopped, her eyes landing on birthmark boy and his two friends. She nudged Bambi with her shoulder. They were sitting at a table on the other side of the club.

  Bambi immediately picked up her drink. “Let’s go talk to them,” she said, heading off in their direction.

  Peyton grabbed her own drink and followed, fighting down her impulse to bolt through the crowd for the open air outside. The moment Bambi appeared at their table, she had their attention. The three boys scrambled to get her and Peyton chairs, snagging some from a nearby table. Most people seemed to be on the dance floor, not sitting at the tables, but these boys were alone.

  As Peyton sat down between the Asian kid and the Black kid, she realized they could hardly be out of high school, but they each had a drink. Bambi had immediately captivated their attention, but she focused on Birthmark Boy.

  “I’m Bambi,” she said, using her affected bubble-headed voice. “And this is my best friend in the world, Paige.”

  Peyton smiled.

  Birthmark boy said, “Hey, Bambi, I’m Trevor and this is Tran and Darius.”

  “How long are you in Cancun?” she asked.

  The boys exchanged looks, laughing nervously. Trevor wasn’t as slick as Brett and he was a little younger. Maybe they could get something out of him. “We’re just here for the week. We leave Friday.”

  “Graduation present?” asked Bambi, leaning close to him.

  “Yeah. Our parents paid.”

  “So.” She put her hand under her chin. “Tell me what is the funnest thing you’ve done since you’ve been here.”

  “Parasailing,” said Darius.

  “Scuba diving,” said Tran.

  Trevor smiled at her. “I liked going out in the glass bottom boat. I like seeing all the fish.”

  Bambi laughed. “They’re cool. I saw a lot of them snorkeling.”

  “What about clubs? You guys go to a lot of clubs?” asked Peyton.

  “Meet a lot of girls?” added Bambi.

  The three of them blushed and looked down. “No,” laughed Trevor. “We been coming here mostly.”

  “So why aren’t you dancing? Handsome guys like you?” asked Bambi, leaning against Trevor’s shoulder.

  They laughed self-consciously again.

  “We don’t really dance.” He gave the bumping and grinding couples a sideways look. “Not like that.”

  Darius turned to Peyton. “I could try if you want.”

  Peyton knew she wouldn’t be able to handle that much human contact in that close of a space. “I don’t really dance either.”

  Bambi finished off her drink. “Aw, I’m all out, Paige.”

  “I’ll get you another one,” said Trevor excitedly. “What was it?”

  “Pineapple daiquiris.”

  “I’ll get it,” said Tran, leaping off his chair. “How about shots all the way around?”

  “That’d be so much fun,” said Bambi, resting her head on Trevor’s shoulder. If his eyes got any bigger, they’d fall out.

  Tran slapped Darius with the back of his hand. “Come on. Help me carry everything.”

  Darius reluctantly got off his chair. Peyton knew he thought he might have a chance with her and didn’t want to leave before he’d sealed the deal. She smiled at him and winked. He beamed back at her, then followed the other boy to the bar.

  “I’m getting bored with the club scene,” said Bambi dramatically. “It’s the same every night.”

  “I saw you playing volleyball on the beach,” said Trevor. “Where are your other friends?”

  “They went out on a drinking cruise. I wasn’t interested.”

  “Why not? That sounds like fun,” said Trevor. “I want to go on one of those, but they’re expensive.”

  Someone bumped into Peyton and she fought an irrational surge of anger. She needed to keep her composure. They couldn’t afford to blow their cover now, especially as Bambi was laying down the situation for this kid.

  “It’s just more drinking.”

  “Man, I don’t mind. I mean we can’t drink at home, so we might as well take advantage of it.”

  Bambi shrugged, bracing her chin on her hand again. “After you’ve done tequila shots ten times, what’s the point? I get a headache. I like something that doesn’t give me a headache. You know what I mean, Trevor?”

  Careful, Peyton silently willed her.

  “I guess. I mean, if you drink water, you won’t really get a headache.”

  “But I don’t want to worry about it. I mean, I heard you can get anything you want down here.”

  “Like what?” said Trevor.

  “Like…”

  Suddenly Darius appeared at Peyton’s side. “Dude, we need some money. We don’t got enough.”

  Trevor reached into his shorts pocket. “How much do you need?”

  Darius rattled off a number and Trevor pulled out a wad of crumpled bills and a handful of coins. He dumped them on the table before him and began counting out what Darius said he needed. Peyton’s eyes were caught by the unusual coin with no markings on it. The side facing up was a completely blank surface, except for a small hole drilled into the top of it.

  As Trevor gave Darius the money, Peyton reached over and picked up the coin. Darius raced back to the bar, but Trevor went still. Peyton slowly turned the coin over in her hand. On the other side was an engraving of El Castillo.

  “What’s this?”

  Trevor blinked rapidly a few times. “Just something I picked up.”

  “Look at this, Bambi.” Peyton passed her the strange coin. It was about the size of an American quarter – one side polished smooth, the other side embossed with the main pyramid at Chichen Itza. The hole drilled into the top of it might have been for slipping onto a piece of twine. It was certainly not a peso. The color was a highly polished silver and thicker than a peso.

  Bambi passed it back and forth in her fingers, studying it. “Is that the pyramid at Chichen Itza?”

  “Yeah,” said Trevor, scooping up the rest of his money and shoving it back in his pocket. “They give you so many coins.”

  “Yeah, but this isn’t a peso,” said Bambi.

  Trevor reached for the coin, but Bambi deftly handed it back to Peyton.

  “Wouldn’t this make a cute necklace? I mean it already has the hole in it and everything,” said Bambi.

  “It’s perfect. You could use that really thin silver chain you bought in the market down the street,” said Peyton.

  Bambi turned to Trevor. “Have you been to the market?”

  “No. Can I have that back?” he asked Peyton.

  “You can bargain down there, you know, for the stuff you want. We had so much fun there today. I got a t-shirt and Paige got a switchblade for her boyfriend.” Bambi pursed her lips. “I don’t have a boyfriend.”

  Trevor’s eyes roved back to Bambi and he licked his lips. “Really?”

  “No.”

  Trevor forced himself to look at Peyton again. “I need that back.”

  “Why?” po
uted Bambi. “You said you don’t remember where you got it.”

  “But I still need it.”

  “What’s it for?”

  “The arcade. It’s just a token for the arcade,” Trevor blurted, holding out his hand. “It’s for the arcade.” He gave a tense laugh. “I didn’t want to say anything ‘cause that seems…well, you know.”

  “What?” asked Bambi, running her hand over his arm.

  “Childish, but it’s for the arcade.”

  “Then can I have it?” asked Bambi, pursing her lips again. “It would make such a cute souvenir for me. Please?”

  Trevor started to protest, but Darius and Tran returned with the shots. Peyton slipped the coin into the pocket of her shorts and rose to her feet. “I’ve got to go to the bathroom.”

  Bambi met her gaze. “Sure, I’m gonna stay and do some shots.”

  Peyton nodded and turned away from the table before Trevor could protest. She walked rapidly to the door leading to the lobby, but just as she was about to step outside, she ran into Bass coming through the door.

  “Hey!” he said in surprise.

  She pushed him in the chest back into the lobby and shut the door behind her, muting the music. “I thought you were staying in.”

  “Then I felt guilty about taking a night off. Rosa explained to me how important time is in a murder investigation, so I called over to the room, but Tank said you were here, so I thought I’d try to find you and Bambi.”

  Peyton fished the coin out of her pocket. “Have you seen one of these?”

  Bass took it, turning it over in his hand. “What is it?”

  “Birthmark boy, whose name is really Trevor, had it. I saw him exchanging money with Miguel the other day. What if this is what he was exchanging for? I specifically heard him say he wanted monedas.”

  “Coins?”

  “That’s what made me suspicious.”

  “Hm.” Bass turned the coin over in his hand. “It’s pretty weird that it has nothing on one side, but the other side has El Castillo on it.”

  “That’s what I thought.”

  “What did he say when you asked him about it?”

  “He wanted it back. He got pretty agitated. Bambi distracted him, but he definitely didn’t want me to have it.”