Buried Secrets

by Margaret Daley

  She fumbled around in the tent for some kind of weapon. There wasn’t anything, but then she remembered that Zach had placed his backpack with his gun in it along the boulder behind where he had set up the tent. If she could just get it, then she might be able to turn the tables on Señor Santos.

  She scrambled to the back of the tent and tugged the canvas up, then crawled under it. The bag was a few feet away, with one of those feet exposing her to anyone who was looking toward the tent.

  Lord, be with me.

  She started to sneak low toward the boulder when she heard Señor Santos ask, “Where is Dr. Somers? In there?”

  Maggie stopped. The sounds of movement in front of the tent, then the flap being wrenched open caused sweat to coat her.

  “As you can see, she isn’t with us. Why would I share this discovery with her? All I wanted from her was the diary. A Collier doesn’t work with a Somers.”

  Although she knew the ruthless words Zach said were a lie to protect her, they chilled her.

  “Forget my men. What I want to know is, where are the codices?”

  Judging by the sound of Santos’s voice, he must have moved back toward the fire. Maggie again started for the backpack and managed to snag a strap. Slowly she tugged it toward her, determined not to make any noise. When the bag was hidden by the tent, she snatched it up and carefully unzipped it. Delving inside, she felt around for the gun, praying it was still in the backpack where she’d seen Zach put it.

  “They’re in the cave. If this is even the right place.”

  Zach’s words reminded her of the urgency of the situation. Señor Santos wasn’t a man who would take no for an answer. Finally she grasped the metal of the barrel. When she brought the gun out, she checked the clip then took off the safety.

  “I am not a patient man, Dr. Collier. These codices are part of my heritage. They do not belong to you and I will do anything to keep them out of your hands. Anything. I don’t need but one of you, so your cousin is expendable. Xavier, take care of him.”

  “Wait!”

  Zach’s shout bombarded off the rocks and propelled Maggie into action. She would only have one chance. Please, Lord, help me to remember Gramps’s lessons.

  She readied the gun, leaped to her feet and took aim at the bodyguard as he raised his .44 toward Hawke. She squeezed off a shot while everyone’s attention turned to her. The bullet ricocheted off the rock near the bodyguard, missing her target by inches.

  But the distraction was enough that Hawke launched himself toward the bodyguard, coming in low while Zach came in high. The man fell to the ground. Santos made a move toward the three wrestling men.

  Maggie stepped out from behind the tent. “Stay where you are.”

  The Mexican businessman turned toward her, glaring. Then a smile slithered across his face. “I do not think you will shoot me.” He started for her.

  She leveled the gun at him and pulled the trigger. The bullet hit the dirt at his feet.

  Santos laughed. “See? You do not have what it takes to be a killer. But I do.” He took another step toward her.

  “That was a warning shot,” she said in the toughest voice she could muster. Sweat rolled down her face. She willed her hand to be steady as she lifted the gun toward his torso.

  “Doctor Somers, I have nothing to lose and everything to gain.” Santos came another step closer.

  “But I have no qualms about pulling this trigger.” Zach cocked his gun, the barrel pressed into the back of Santos’s head.

  Maggie glanced behind the pair and saw Hawke tying up the unconscious bodyguard. Dropping her arm with the gun to her side, she nearly collapsed. By sheer willpower she held herself up and walked to Hawke to give him the weapon.

  Then she sank to the ground.

  Hours later Maggie sat on a boulder at the bottom of the mountain where the cave was, cradling a cup of coffee as the sun rose, streaking the eastern horizon with fingers of rose, orange and pinks in the midst of the clear blue sky. It would be a beautiful day, and for the first time in over a week, she could look forward to that.

  She had her life back.

  Or did she?

  She had been raised to hate anyone with the last name Collier. But she didn’t hate Zach. She loved him. What am I going to do about it? She didn’t have an answer to that question. She was too tired and mentally exhausted.

  Zach approached her. “Ready to go?”

  “I was hours ago.” She scanned the people who swarmed the area. Federal agents had arrived an hour ago and had taken over, hustling Señor Santos and his bodyguard away. Shortly after that, rescuers had come and were now going into the cave to bring out the three men tied up in the cavern.

  “I don’t know about you, but I could sleep for the next several days.” Zach helped her down from the boulder. “We’ll be sorting all of this out for a while.”

  “Will it interfere with you going on the expedition in a few weeks?” She would need to get used to not having him around 24/7. He would be leaving for the jungle soon, and her life practicing medicine in Santa Fe would resume. The thought of them going their separate ways saddened her.

  “No, but the lack of Santos’s money will.”

  “I’m so sorry. Will you have enough money to fund it completely?”

  He opened the passenger door for her. “Mr. Wright might increase his donation, so maybe.”

  Maggie slipped into the SUV, which had new tires on it now, and watched as Zach said a few words to Hawke. Then Zach rounded the car and climbed inside. “Is he leaving, too?” she asked, indicating Hawke.

  “Soon. He told me the FBI wants to talk with all of us tomorrow at his police station. I told him we would be there.” He started the engine. “Evelyn wants us to stay with her so we won’t have so far to travel.”

  “Personally, that sounds wonderful. I want to thank her for all she’s done. This will give me the opportunity.”

  He backed away from the mountain and followed the dirt road toward the highway. “You know we need to talk.”

  “I know, but I’m so exhausted I don’t know how much sense I would make.”

  “Sleep. I’ll wake you at Evelyn’s.”

  Maggie snuggled against the door. Zach knew the instant she fell asleep. Her face relaxed, all anxiety gone from her. He slowed to turn onto the highway, and studied her features for a few seconds.

  What am I going to do?

  He didn’t have an answer. He loved her, but was it enough? Their life goals were different. They hadn’t known each other for long. Could he put his heart on the line again and risk getting hurt? His marriage to Helen had been great, but the pain of her death had nearly crippled him emotionally.

  And worse yet, he couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that this wasn’t over with. Yes, Santos was behind hiring Bailey and Huffman. But how did Santos know about the map and the diary? Who had told him?

  “This was delicious, Evelyn. Thanks for fixing us dinner.” Maggie rose to clear the dishes from the kitchen table.

  “That’s the least I could do for you all after you spent most of the day down at the station being interviewed.” Evelyn came to her feet. “Sit. You’re a guest in my house.”

  Zach’s cousin’s voice brooked no argument. Maggie took her seat between Hawke and Zach. “At least that’s behind us and the codices are in safe hands.”

  Zach leaned back in his chair. “And I think they will end up in the museum at the college eventually. A tribute to our grandfathers.”

  “They would like that.” Evelyn stacked the dishes by the sink. “They started out as a team, and they are ending as one. You two have mended the rift between the families.”

  “I’ve volunteered to help bring out the rest of the treasure.” Hawke went to the stove and poured himself some decaf coffee. “I know you won’t have time, Zach, with your upcoming expedition.”

  “Yeah, thankfully that is back on. I was worried, with the arrest of Santos, but Mr. Wright agreed to increase his
donation. The next few weeks will be hectic.”

  Hawke laughed. “You think? Let’s see, you’ve got the end of the semester, the completion of the plans for your trip. Yeah, I would say you’re gonna be busy.” He waggled his eyebrows at Maggie. “Care to join me and represent the Somers in recovering the treasure?”

  The idea of going back into the cave drove terror into her heart. “No! My adventure has come to an end. I have a dull life of treating patients waiting for me in Santa Fe.” She placed an elbow on the table and cradled her chin. “You know that cavern where the treasure is kept is unstable. There was evidence of several rockslides. Please be careful, especially since you will have to dig your way into it.”

  “Yeah, not too many people are your size, and from your description of what is there, it would be difficult to get all the artifacts out without widening the opening.” Zach sipped his coffee.

  “Enough people have lost their lives over the treasure.” Maggie wondered how many others besides the ones in modern times.

  “But to think a sect of Aztecs spirited part of their heritage away right under the Spanish conquerors’ noses.” Evelyn said as she came back to the table.

  “Only because Father Santiago helped them,” Maggie said, wishing Gramps were here to be in the middle of this discussion. For that matter, she wished Zach’s grandfather were here, too, basking in the knowledge that the codices really existed and had finally been discovered.

  “It’s interesting that he didn’t go along with the plan to destroy all traces of the Aztec culture. Most unusual, especially for a monk.” Hawke scooted his chair back and stood, stretching.

  Zach finished his drink. “He was an unusual man. He wanted the Indians to retain their culture but embrace Christ. I wonder how successful he was with the Aztecs he traveled with. His journal never said anything beyond that he had converted the leader to Christianity.”

  “I like to think once the leader became a Christian the others followed.” Hawke pushed his chair against the table.

  Maggie looked at each person in the kitchen. “There are still some unanswered questions.”

  “Like who betrayed one of our grandfathers and told Señor Santos about the diary and map?” Zach took his cup over to the sink and rinsed it out.

  “And how did they know your every move?” Hawke crossed the room to the back door.

  “We may never know the answers to those questions. Señor Santos isn’t talking, and I don’t think the others know.” Zach rubbed the nape of his neck. “That’s what I’m worried about. That person is still out there.”

  Hawke opened the door. “I’ve got to feed the animals. Are you two heading home tonight?”

  Maggie answered, “Yes,” a second before Zach did.

  “Then drive safely back to town. I’ll keep you informed of any progress in the case. Who knows? Maybe Señor Santos will change his mind, confess all and tell us everything we need to know.”

  Zach’s laugh held no humor as his cousin left. “Thanks again, Evelyn, for everything. We’d better leave.” He embraced her, kissing her cheek.

  “Don’t be a stranger. Come see me before you leave for the jungle.” Evelyn shifted toward Maggie. “And the same goes for you. Don’t be a stranger. I hope you’ll come see me from time to time.”

  Maggie rose and gave the older Indian woman a hug. “After what we went through together, there’s no way I wouldn’t. How’s next weekend?” she asked with a laugh.

  “Tomorrow’s fine by me. With you two around, there’s never a dull moment.”

  Five minutes later, with the SUV packed, they were in the car and heading toward the highway that led to Albuquerque. Evelyn’s last words played in Maggie’s mind over and over: never a dull moment. She got the feeling that where Zach went excitement followed. But that wasn’t her way of life. Tomorrow she needed to get back to her routine and patients. The real world awaited her.

  Zach pulled into Maggie’s driveway and switched off the engine. It seemed like a lifetime had passed since Maggie had seen her house. She stared at it as if she hadn’t seen it before.

  “I guess I’d better go in,” she said reluctantly, a sadness enveloping her.

  “After what happened last time, I’d like to check out the house, if that’s okay.”

  The reminder of the incident that had occurred a week before made her hesitate.

  “Maggie?”

  “Yes. Yes, that’s fine.” She thrust open the door and climbed from the SUV.

  Zach carried her overnight bag while she rummaged in her large purse until she found her key, and unlocked her house. Inside she was again struck by the havoc. All around her was evidence of the destruction that Joe Bailey had caused in her home.

  “I’d forgotten all about this,” she whispered as she rotated in a slow circle in the middle of her living room.

  “I’ll stay and help you clean up,” Zach offered.

  She spun around to face him. “No! You’ve done enough. I’ll take care of this.” She wasn’t even sure why her voice sounded so forceful. Maybe if they made a clean break and went their separate ways, her heart wouldn’t hurt as much. “I mean, I’m tired, and all I want to do is go to bed. You still need to drive back to Albuquerque. You told Ray you were going to be handling your classes tomorrow, and I told Carol I would be at work first thing in the morning.”

  He gave her a strange look, his forehead creased. “Okay, if that’s the way you want it.”

  No. Yes. She didn’t know what she wanted. That was the problem. She loved him, but there were so many things that stood in their way. His work and lifestyle. Her past relationship. Besides, the past week had been unreal. How could a lasting love come out of that? She just needed to get back to her routine. The hurt would fade, as it had with Brad Wentworth.

  “I’ll check the house, then go.” He walked from the living room, leaving her alone with her thoughts.

  Who was she kidding? The hurt she’d suffered over Brad’s betrayal had been nothing like this. She moved to the picture window that looked out over the front yard, and stared at the curtain of darkness. She wished she were better at relationships, then maybe she would know what to do.

  But right now her mind was so muddled with exhaustion. Sleep was all she could handle.

  “Everything looks okay.” She heard him cross the living room toward the door. “Good night, Maggie.”

  Something in his voice pulled at her heart. She slid a glance toward him and caught a glimpse of his strong profile set in a neutral expression as he disappeared into the foyer.

  “Goodbye, Zach,” she whispered in a raw voice, not sure if he even heard her. But emotions swelled, closing her throat. Tears misted her eyes.

  At the sound of the front door shutting, one tear rolled down her cheek. She brushed it away. She would not cry. Their adventure was over, and she needed to get on with her life—without him.

  Zach climbed into the rented SUV and pulled out of Maggie’s driveway. His teeth clenched in frustration. Her goodbye had sounded so final. Yes, there were obstacles in the way of having a meaningful relationship with Maggie, and maybe this was for the best. How could he ask her to give up her practice to come with him on his expeditions? What kind of marriage would it be if he was gone a lot doing fieldwork? In the cave he had encountered microorganisms that he wanted to study after his trip to the jungle. He got excited just thinking about all the possibilities available in caves around the world.

  Maybe this wasn’t the real thing. He needed to get back to his life and finalize the plans for the expedition. He needed to keep busy, and then perhaps he could forget the connection he felt with Maggie Somers.

  The next morning bright sunlight streamed through the kitchen windows. A cup of coffee in hand, Maggie lugged her large purse to the table and sat. She was an organized person, and it was time to clean out her bag, get her life in order again. Her purse weighed a ton, and over the past week with Zach all she had done was stuff things into it, even gum
wrappers and sales receipts.

  She dumped the contents out. A lipstick rolled off the table and plunked onto the tile floor. Some coins she hadn’t had time to put in her wallet scattered over the wooden surface of the table. Crumpled-up tissues and a smashed candy bar caught her attention.

  Although she had managed to sleep some the night before, a lump was ever present in her throat, making a mockery of her declaration that she would get her life back on track—minus Zach Collier.

  Remembering the couple of times she and Zach had eaten a candy bar this past week, she touched the bar and considered unwrapping it for all of two seconds. Then she thought of what she usually had for breakfast—a bowl of cereal with fruit. No, she would find something other than candy to eat. She tossed the bar into the trash, then turned her attention to the other items on the table, picking up her wallet to put it back into her bag.

  Next to her checkbook was a small black object that looked like a flash drive for a computer. She’d never seen it before. Had Zach put one with the diary on it in her purse? Why didn’t he tell her if he had?

  She walked into her office in the second bedroom, stepping around the mess still littering her house from the break-in, and booted up her laptop. She stuck the flash drive into the USB port and waited for something to come up on the screen. Nothing appeared. Strange.

  Picking up the phone on the desk, she punched in Zach’s home number. When he answered, a thrill at the sound of his deep baritone voice momentarily distracted her.

  “Maggie, is something wrong?”

  “Maybe,” she answered, needing to sit in the chair, her legs suddenly weak.

  “What?”

  The urgency in his one word caused her to quickly say, “The flash drive of the diary you put in my purse doesn’t work.”

  “I didn’t give you a flash drive. I haven’t had a chance to copy it yet, and besides, I was hoping the police would recover the real journal from Santos.”