by Cullen, Ciar
“You are very welcome. Congratulations on finding her.”
“Oh, someone else found her.” He lay on the bed and stared at Tam as the nurse worked on cleaning her up.
* * *
SinJin woke to the site of Tam, leaning on one arm, staring at him.
“Hey handsome.” Her voice was weak and he knew she was trying to sound lighthearted for his sake.
“Tam.” His heart was going to burst, he was sure of it. He sat up quickly and took her in. SinJin felt silly, uncertain what she would want him to do. He had been in such pain, thinking she had left him. It had lingered and left a trail of doubt.
“Doctor says we’re both going to live. Imagine that.”
“Yes, imagine that.” He smiled and the dam burst. She began sobbing.
“Tam, that note, it was Ramirez, right?”
“You know what, Professor Twaine? I have it so bad for you that I think they might have to keep me in here and treat me for it.”
SinJin’s heart welled over. For the second time in less than a day, he pulled out his IV. He went to her and knelt by her bedside. She was a few inches from him. He looked into her eyes and let her gaze wash over him. She put a tentative hand on his cheek and he moved closer and kissed her delicately. Then he buried his face in her embrace.
“Oh, Tam. I thought you dumped me. Then I thought you were dead. I died myself, you can’t understand. I’m so sorry you got caught up in this, it’s my fault. That crazy son of a bitch!”
“I’m fine, Sinj. It’s all right now.” He sat on the side of her bed and held her tightly, not feeling the pain in his shoulder, not feeling anything but her warmth. He stretched out and held her against his chest.
“Sinj? Um, we’re still, like, a couple, right?”
He smiled and nodded. “Yes, idiot.”
She sighed and smiled. “I have to tell you something, and I know you’re going to think I’m crazy.”
“No, I won’t, trust me.”
“Yes, I think you will. Ramirez had me tied to a pole in a hut, not far from the site.”
“He didn’t hurt you in any way? Please, Tam, tell me.”
“No. Not like that. He hit me on the cheek, but no, he didn’t touch me.”
“I couldn’t break free of the ropes.” She showed him her wrists, which were covered in bandages. “I tried.”
“How did you get them off?”
“An animal chewed through them. I know it sounds preposterous.”
“The cat led you to the site.” He looked into her eyes.
“You saw it?”
“Yes, we all did.”
“All?”
“Jack, George, and I. We heard it speak too, all three of us.”
“Jack and my father are here? My mother? Oh my God. They must have been terrified. Wait a minute. They heard it?”
“Never mind, I’ll tell you about it later. Just rest now.”
“Sinj, I don’t want to rest. I want to leave. I want to go home.”
“What do you mean by ‘home’?”
“Cozmano. What else would I mean?”
He kissed her again and then pulled her close and whispered into her ear. “Dr. Martin? Don’t leave me again. That’s an order.”
The doctor walked in and laughed loudly at the pair, locked in a deep kiss. “I’d say ‘get a room,’ but it seems you’ve already done that.”
Chapter Thirteen
Jack thought SinJin looked a little lost amidst Tam’s reunion with her parents. He tentatively took a seat next to him on the porch. He thought the man looked healthier, happier, but still anxious for some reason.
“Quite a week, Professor.”
No answer. Jack stood. The guy was still a jerk.
“Sit down, Jack.” Annoyed, Jack sat, wondering why this man was so powerful that one felt the need to do what he said.
They sat in silence, sipping coffee, listening to the jungle sounds, and the occasional burst of laughter coming from the living room.
“She seems well enough, SinJin. You seem better too.”
“I’m fine.”
“You don’t seem fine, just a bit better. Man, you rescued the girl, the bad guy is dead, what’s the problem?”
“Well, we both know I didn’t rescue the girl, don’t we?”
“I don’t think I’ll ever be ready to talk about that one. I don’t get it, and I don’t want to get it.” He couldn’t help probing a little, though. “We all heard the same voice, right? ‘Tell my story.’”
“I’m not sure I’ll get the chance to tell his story. Who knows what will happen to Pacal now?”
“Oh damn, I’m sorry, I can’t believe I didn’t tell you. The guy from the archaeological service called to check on your condition. He’s a temporary replacement for Ramirez. They’ve evidently flipped out over what happened. He’s coming to see you tomorrow.”
“What?”
“I’m really sorry, I zoned. With Tam and all.”
“That’s okay.” SinJin was gruff. “Did he say anything about the site, about me? I mean, did he give any indication of what they intend to do?”
“Oh, sure. He’s bringing the permit for you and some papers to sign for your appointment to the University faculty.”
“Are you sure?” He held Jack by the shoulders and examined his expression.
“Quite sure. Oh, you thought you’d lose the site? No, they’re very hot on you continuing the work. Even talked about finding funding for it.”
Jack smiled and SinJin slowly returned his smile and then closed his eyes. Jack could practically feel the tension drain away from the man.
“Geez, I’m really sorry. I thought you’d assume that part would work out.”
SinJin was pinching the bridge of his nose and looked pained.
“Jack, I hope you’ll stay on,” he nearly whispered.
“What?”
“Stay on at the site. Work. You know, archaeology?”
“Why?”
“Well, because you’re a good archaeologist, at least that’s what you say, and I’m going to need a lot of help with this tomb. If it’s what I think it is, I mean, what I know it is.” He laughed nervously. “I haven’t quite gotten used to knowing that it really is his tomb.”
“Oh, it’s him all right.”
“Then I’ll need someone to manage the objects we recover, the storeroom, and restoration. I’ll need you to set it up while I’m at the site. We’ll hire some more help, but I want to keep all the crew I have now. Orlando stays in charge of the men. He’s certainly earned that right. And well, let’s see, we’ll get you settled in somewhere. There’s a little group of houses nearby for sale. Fifty-percent more than last year’s wage.”
“Offer accepted.” Jack’s heart was racing. It was beyond anything he had hoped for.
“Good. And Jack, I’m sorry, again.”
“I guess it’s none of my business, but I think I understand. The business about Ramirez and the young student. I know you can handle yourself, but did he hit on you?”
“Endlessly. But it’s weird, because otherwise, we were friends. We felt the same way about the work.” SinJin shook his head. “I still can’t understand why he lost it like that.”
“Put it aside, SinJin. For Tam’s sake, if not your own.”
SinJin nodded.
“Besides, Professor, you aren’t my type, so don’t worry about me.” Jack stood, trying to break the dark mood.
“Why the hell not? I thought I was everyone’s type!”
Jack groaned. “Let’s go in.”
SinJin thought his house had never seemed more alive, more interesting. Rosa fussed over Tam and the Martins. He watched Tam as she brought her mother up to speed on the week’s events. He heard a mention of Vista del Mar, strawberries, roses, and chocolates. She couldn’t be talking about their night of sex to her mother! His eyes grew huge as he listened more closely. Yes, she was filling Sandra in on the details of their time together.
; “Um, Tam, can I interrupt for a minute? I suppose you all know that they’re giving me, well us, the site. I’ll get the permit tomorrow.” Tam smiled broadly, proudly.
“And the appointment still stands. So, I’ll be staying on here for quite a while, I suppose. Jack has taken the job of artifact supervisor, and I’ll need to hire more crew. Well, anyway, we can work that all out later. I have to be at the site tomorrow with the new guy. What’s his name?” He looked at Jack.
“Pulido.”
“And I guess I’ll be pretty busy for a while. But, um, George and Sandra, I hope you’ll stay on for a while. You can stay here, or at Vista del Mar.”
“Oh, I don’t think our family finances can quite handle Vista del Mar, Sinj.” Tam laughed.
“What? Oh, that’s not a problem, Tam.”
“We’re not charity cases, honey,” George quickly defended himself.
“No, that’s not what I meant.” He looked at Tam and felt a flush of embarrassment. “Sorry, I should have told you. I own Vista del Mar. When I said I was paying a lot for the room, I was lying. For effect.” He began blushing. Tam smiled. “Well, the suite does usually go for a lot! Anyway, I was hoping you’d stay around for a bit, visit with Tam, be my guests. It’s been a rough few days. She could use your company.”
Sandra looked at George and nodded. “That would be lovely, Professor.”
“Now, Tam, could we have a minute?” He pulled her by the hand and led her off the porch and into the fringe of the jungle.
“Where are we going?”
“Nowhere. Here will do.” He looked into her eyes and felt the heat build in his heart, in his body. He had Pacal, he had Shield Jaguar. Now he needed her. He brushed a strand of pale hair away from her bruised cheek. He crushed her lips with his.
“I thought about this moment, over and over again. About holding you, kissing you.”
“I’m in love with you, SinJin Twaine. Is that what you need to hear?”
“Yes! I need to hear it as many times as you can stand to say it.”
He was hard and pressed against her stomach.
She moaned and pushed her hand into his loose shorts. “My God, I’ll never get enough of this.” She rubbed her hand up and down the length of him.
“Not here, not like this,” he panted.
“Yes, here, right now, like this.” She pulled up her sundress and he ripped off her thong, leaving her bare. He pushed her against a tree, eyes on fire. He turned her around to face the tree and thrust his swollen cock into her quickly. She cried out and he whispered, “Hold on to that tree, baby.” He felt the heat inside her as he thrust forcefully, as she clenched onto his cock. They cried aloud as they came together. SinJin kept her pinned against the tree and gently kissed her neck and shoulder.
“Sorry that was so quick, Dr. Martin.” He was panting and sweating, and not simply from the passion. “No, don’t turn around yet.” He held her hands against the tree with one hand as he reached into his pocket. “Now look at the ground, no peeking.” He slipped the ring onto her left ring finger and she gasped. “Okay, you can look.”
“Oh my God.” He had bought her a ring. When had he done that? She couldn’t see it very clearly through her tears and he helped her wipe them away. Then she took it in. “Oh my God! SinJin! No!” She couldn’t take her eyes off the stone.
“No?”
“It’s exquisite. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful. But isn’t it worth the gross national product of a small nation? I mean, honestly.”
He laughed and hugged her. “Oh Tam, you make me so happy. Are you happy? Please tell me you’re happy. I don’t have anything else to offer. It’s me, this house, and Pacal. Those are my life. And you. Is that going to be enough to keep you? You won’t get tired of it here?”
“SinJin, you can’t mean this. Are you sure it’s not the kidnapping—I mean, maybe you’re still shaken? You don’t need to do this to keep me here, I won’t want to leave like Laura did. I promise.”
“Can we do this soon? I mean, really soon.”
She mouthed a silent “Oh.”
* * *
Jack looked at the Martins, who were a little red in the face. Rosa was laughing. They had heard the couples’ cries of passion clearly.
“I guess they missed each other,” Jack shrugged.
The Martins couldn’t help laughing at that.
“I think they got engaged.” They looked at Rosa in surprise.
“Wouldn’t that be a little soon?” Sandra looked very confused.
“Well, he bought a ring for her. I was with him. A pink diamond. Very rare.” She imitated the shopkeeper.
Sandra smiled at her husband. “Well, dear, your proposal was a little more sedate than that, wasn’t it? I feel a little cheated, actually.”
“Yes, I feel rather embarrassed now. Sorry dear. Wish I could do the moment over.”
Chapter Fourteen
Estuardo Pulido was a short, stocky man of middle years. He seemed terribly nervous, and SinJin had to reassure the archaeologist repeatedly that he held Ramirez alone responsible for the horrible events at Pacal.
“Your permit, sir. Begin excavating the tomb and the buildings associated with Pacal when you like. Please submit the catalog of artifacts quarterly. For the time being, they can come to me. And the paperwork for your appointment.” He searched SinJin’s face, evidently fearing he would reject the Professorship and take his expertise elsewhere. Without Twaine, the site was vulnerable to looters. Pulido didn’t have the resources to handle it now. SinJin signed the papers without a word and handed them back to the man.
Pulido sighed, relieved. “And we will begin the process of securing funding for the excavation immediately. Now, Señor, if it not too much trouble, I would dearly love to see the tomb.”
“It would be my great pleasure.”
SinJin, Tam, and Jack were happy to have the crew back and answered their many questions while they gave Pulido a short tour.
“Where’s José?” Tam asked.
“Here, Dr. Martin.”
She gave the young man a hug, and kissed his cheek. “Thank you for giving me my SinJin, José.” Tears filled her eyes.
“I am not the one to thank, miss. I just did what he told me to do.”
“Who’s that, boy?” Pulido asked.
SinJin glanced sharply at Tam and she put her finger to her mouth to silence Jose, who cast his boss a sly glance.
“It’s a long story, Dr. Pulido. Let me tell you some other time. Now, let me show you the tomb.”
The entire crew followed the archaeologists to the tomb entrance. Tam and Jack were on their bellies immediately, discussing the symbols.
“Kids, back away so our visitor can see for himself.”
Pulido squatted and ran his hand over the glyphs, a gesture it seemed no one could resist. “Amazing,” he stood. “I’m not as good as the ‘kids,’ here, Professor, but it’s fairly clear what you have.”
SinJin described the sequence of walls and pointed to the innermost seal, as he had described to Ramirez.
Pulido smiled. “Señor, as they say in your country, ‘go for it.”
Feeling as if he were moving in a dream, SinJin took the pick-axe that Jack handed to him and chipped away at an undecorated stucco wall. There was room for him alone in the narrow passage, and it took two hours for him to widen a space big enough to fit through. Tam and Jack stayed by his side the entire time, taking notes, measurements, and photos to record the work. The wall was carefully removed, one tiny chunk at a time, so it wouldn’t fall into the chamber.
“Your shoulder? Do you want a break?” Jack asked.
“I’m fine,” he replied.
A short time later, he backed out of the space and stood, brushing himself off. “I’m too big.” He looked crushed. “If I widen it anymore, so that it’s big enough for me to get in there, I could damage the supporting beams. The tomb is below the opening.” He looked at Tam and she grinned.
&n
bsp; She squirmed into the hole and darkness swallowed her.
“Flashlight,” she called back. And moments later, she backed out and looked at SinJin. “A stone sarcophagus. I’ve never seen anything like it. On the lid, it reads, something like, ‘Shield Jaguar, Lord of Pacal, fearful enemy, revered by Spear Jaguar’.” She shivered and thought of the animal that had led her to safety. The sun fell behind clouds and shade blanketed the site once again.
“And?” SinJin urged.
“It’s intact. Never been touched.” The crew cheered, talked excitedly and SinJin clapped his hands and joined in. Tam and Jack watched in amazement as he did a little dance with José.
“Some beast, eh Jack?”
“You tamed him, Tam. Amazing.”
Pulido took his hand. “Congratulations, Professor. I will look forward very much to your report.”
They worked as long as the light lasted, sketching a plan for supporting the structure as they removed the outer wall. They would remove the coffin from the side, rather than dismantle the high structure above it. Tomorrow, tomorrow they would see the bones of the ancient ruler.
* * *
Dinner was a celebration, held on the porch of Cozmano, and Tam felt a peace that had been so elusive since she arrived in Mexico.
Jack broke the tranquility. “So, SinJin, tell us, which is better, getting the girl or getting the permit?” Tam scowled at him.
SinJin reached into his shirt pocket, pulled out the folded permit, and held it in front of Jack’s face.
“If Tam asked me to rip this up right now, the day before opening Shield Jaguar’s tomb, I would.”
“Hell, no!” She snatched the paper from him, trying to lighten the mood. “I’d be out of a job. He didn’t mean any harm, honey.”
“I know,” he rubbed his hand through his hair. “Sorry Jack. Damn, I’m always apologizing to you.”
“No, that was stupid. I knew the answer anyway.”
SinJin barely heard him. He looked at Tam. She felt his stare and smiled, but she knew something was terribly wrong. He looked so tense.