The Death Relic by Chris Kuzneski

Author:Chris Kuzneski [Kuzneski, Chris]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
ISBN: 9780141946252
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Published: 2011-08-17T16:00:00+00:00

40

Payne had many talents, but getting secrets from the dead wasn’t one of them. He figured that was more Maria’s field than his. In fact, their two areas of expertise couldn’t be more different. He was great at finding live people and making them dead. She was great at finding dead people and making their pasts come alive. No wonder they argued about everything.

Putting their differences aside, Payne called Maria and told her he had found something in the Hummer that she needed to see. She wanted to know what it was, but he refused to tell her over the phone. He simply said it was significant and she needed to trust him. She sighed in protest but said she’d be there shortly.

Five minutes later, she arrived with Jones.

‘I hope this is important,’ she said. ‘We were making progress in there. We were talking to a tour guide who vaguely remembers Hamilton.’

Payne was hoping for more. ‘And?’

Jones shook his head. ‘That’s pretty much it.’

‘Wow!’ he said sarcastically. ‘Sorry I pulled you away from that. It sounds like you cracked this case wide open. Maybe we can get a sketch artist to do a drawing. Oh, wait! We already know what Hamilton looks like.’

She smiled, knowing she couldn’t argue the point. ‘Which means you found something better?’

He held up the manila envelope. ‘It’s the document Hamilton went to retrieve when he disappeared. At least I think it is. It was in the Hummer.’

‘Where?’ Jones asked.

‘Between the two crates. It was wedged in there pretty good.’

She pointed at it. ‘What does it say?’

‘I don’t know. It’s written in Spanish. But I think I know who wrote it.’

‘Who?’ she demanded.

‘A Franciscan named Diego de Landa.’

Her mouth fell open. ‘Are you serious?’

‘Of course I’m serious. I wouldn’t have called you as a joke.’ He handed her the envelope. As he did, he shook his head. ‘You gotta start trusting me more.’

She pulled out the packet and stared at the name on the title page: ‘Diego de Landa’. The possibilities gave her chills. ‘You’re right, I do. I need to start trusting you more. And you’re right about this, too. This is much more important than what we were doing.’

‘I know. That’s why I called.’

She pointed at the Hummer. ‘May I read this inside? I’d like to take some notes as I translate.’

‘The engine’s running and the AC’s on. Be my guest.’

She walked around the front of the H2 and climbed into the passenger seat. Jones waited until she had closed the door before turning his attention to Payne.

‘Thanks for that. She’s pretty excited.’

‘No problem. I’m trying to play nice.’

‘I know and I appreciate it.’

Payne nodded but said nothing.

‘So,’ Jones said as he lowered his voice to a whisper, ‘can I ask you a personal question? You know, confidential. Just between us.’

‘Of course you can. What’s up?’

Jones made sure Maria wasn’t listening before he spoke again. ‘Who in the hell is Diego de Landa?’

Payne grinned. ‘You mean you don’t know?’

‘Well,’ he stammered, ‘the name is vaguely familiar, but I can’t really spout a bunch of facts off the top of my head.

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