Buried Secrets (12 page)

“I hope we aren’t running too late.”

“I can make up the time once we’re on the highway.”

“Evelyn told me what happened with Willow, Red and Gramps.”

He eyed her. “And?”

“I wish things could have turned out differently. Everyone ended up hurt in one way or another by what happened. I used to think Gramps was the only one hurt, but I don’t think that’s the case. They were best friends. They lost that and never found the codices.” She twisted toward Zach. “I think Willow felt responsible.”

“She loved your grandfather, but he wasn’t her one true love.”

“Do you believe a person has one true love somewhere in the world?”

“Perhaps.” He chuckled. “Aren’t you the one who reads romance books? Don’t you believe that?”

Did she? Her mother had pined for her father after his death, and she believed that was why she had gotten so sick and died, too, not a year after her dad had. If that was what love did to a person, she didn’t want any part of it.

“Maggie?” Zach pulled out onto the highway.

“To answer you, I don’t know. I’ve seen such unhappiness because of love.”

“And that scares you.”

“Wouldn’t it you?”

Again his gaze found hers. “Yes. But I also know what it feels like to really love someone.”

She straightened, his words taking her by surprise. “You do?”

“I was married for four years. When I met Helen, we knew instantly we were made for each other. She’s the reason I went in with my partners and started the pharmaceutical company. I wanted to stay home and be around, not traveling all over the world looking for the next big medicine.”

“What happened?”

“A skiing accident. She lost control and hit a tree. She never regained consciousness.”

Maggie saw his white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel. “How long ago?”

“Four years. Needless to say, I began traveling more after that.”

Are you still in love with Helen?
The question demanded an answer, but there was no way she would ask it. She didn’t like the implications. Instead she said, “When are you going to stop running?”

“I like to travel.”

The defensive tone to his words prompted her to say, “Didn’t you tell me you liked staying home and reading a good book?”

He sighed. “I do, and I also like to travel.”

“Interesting. Two opposing activities.”

“I could always pull out a good book next to the fire in camp and read,” he said with a chuckle, easing the tension beginning to build in the Jeep.

Silence fell between them. Maggie stared out the side window at the quickly passing landscape. Flat, stark. A beauty she would always be drawn back to no matter where she was in the world. She loved the land she had grown up in and couldn’t imagine being gone from it for long.

An hour later Zach pulled into a parking space next to the museum at the college. “I’m glad the reception is here. I want to show you some of the pieces my grandfather found. He loved being an archaeologist, getting his hands dirty in the dirt. He was at home when he was at a site. Willow usually traveled with him and helped him.”

A team.
A wistfulness spread through Maggie as she climbed from the Jeep. At least Zach had experienced that with Helen. Whereas she’d been too busy with her career to pursue a relationship that could lead to marriage. She didn’t regret committing to being a doctor, but what if…

Don’t go there, Maggie. Wasted energy.

As they entered the two-story adobe building that housed the museum, a brilliant array of colors streaked the western sky. A coolness laced the light breeze as the sun began its descent. A sensation someone was watching them shimmered through Maggie. She should be getting used to that feeling, but she wasn’t. She tossed a glance over her shoulder and saw a couple walking toward them, dressed as though they were attending the reception, too.

Get a grip. The two men are no longer a threat.

She smiled at Zach and followed him across the expansive lobby of wood and glass.

But what about the person who hired them?

T
he question of who had hired Bailey and Huffman came unbidden into Maggie’s mind, making her halt at the entrance to the main room of the museum, where the reception was set up. Suddenly she felt as though she had a large red bull’s-eye on her back. Cold, she tried to dismiss the sensation. This cloak-and-dagger stuff was definitely not for her.

“Okay?” Zach settled his hand at the small of her back.

“I just have to remember that the person who hired Bailey and Huffman has no reason to go after us now. He has the diary and the map. Everything he needs to break the code.”

“It may not be that easy for him. We’ve been staring at them for the past few days and only this afternoon do we think we have a general location. We still don’t know where the cave is in the mountain, and for that matter, if it’s a cave.”

“Our grandfathers worked for years trying to solve the mystery. You’re right. Just because we think we figured out the location doesn’t mean we’re right.”

“And our grandfathers didn’t have all the information. Each one only had part of the puzzle.” Zach waved at Ray across the room.

“When Gramps had the Latin Bible verses translated, the translators never said anything about letters missing, and since my grandfather didn’t know Latin, he wouldn’t have seen that. So if that is the code in the diary, he would never have found it.”

“But I still wonder where the map fits in with everything.”

“I can’t get the map out of my mind. I keep thinking I know something, but I can’t remember what. Maybe when we get to the mountain, the map will come into play.”

“Well, tomorrow we’ll find out.” Zach moved forward. “Let’s agree not to think about the codices for the next few hours. A break may be just what we need.”

Ray approached, a frown slashing across his features. “I’m so glad you’re here. A couple of potential backers are coming, and I’m no good at persuading people to donate funds for a project.”

“Señor Martinez is definitely backing out?”

“Yes.”

“Is there any chance the other two sponsors will contribute more?”

“No, they both indicated to Dr. Lanier they couldn’t, but he invited James Wright and Carlos Santos for the express purpose of you persuading them to contribute. I think Dr. Lanier and John came up with a short list, but only two could come tonight.”

Zach glanced at Maggie. “This is the part of the job I don’t like. Ray is so much better with the finances.”

“Carlos Santos and his wife arrived a few minutes before you. His plane just landed at the airport and he came right here.” Ray gestured toward a couple standing in front of a large painting done by a local Indian artist.

“Where’s Milton Ferguson and Hector Villa?” Zach peered at Maggie. “They are my two remaining backers.”

“Mr. Ferguson is on his way from his hotel, and Mr. Villa is here.”

“Good,” Zach said with a deep sigh.

“Before you start circulating, Dr. Lanier needs to speak with you.” Ray hurried toward an older man with a bad comb-over.

“Who’s that?” Maggie indicated the man Ray was now talking to.

“Hector Villa. He lives in the United States, but he grew up in several different countries in SouthAmerica.” Zach guided Maggie toward a tall, medium-built man in the back of the room, talking to a woman with long blond hair, wearing a white business suit. “Dr. Lanier is the head of the science department at the college. When I had my own company, this wasn’t a problem. We had a budget for research and development that I enjoyed spending in the hopes of finding a cure for an illness.”

“I imagine academia is different.”

“Publish or perish.” Zach shook Dr. Lanier’s hand and then greeted the woman next to him. “It’s nice to see you, Kristin. I didn’t realize you were back in the country. Dr. Lanier and Dr. Peterson, this is Maggie Somers.”

“Dr. Peterson was just filling me in on her project in Sierra Norte and her recent find. Quite exciting.”

The attractive woman’s smile encompassed her whole face. “Yes, this may be what I’ve been working toward for years.” She turned toward Maggie. “Nice to meet you.” Then her gaze swept to Zach. “I’ve come across some interesting plants in the jungle around my site. The rain forest there is pristine. You should plan an expedition.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. First, I have to complete the one I’ve got planned for this summer. I have unfinished business in the Amazon.”

“Then I’ll leave you all to talk business.”

After Kristin Peterson left, Dr. Lanier said, “I saw Ray talking to you. We have two people coming tonight who might invest in the expedition. The most likely is Señor Santos. His foundation supports ways to develop the rain forest. Mr. Wright has been a big supporter of this college in several endeavors.”

As Zach discussed the two men with Dr. Lanier, Maggie scanned the room at the people gathering. She saw Kristin say something to Ray and Señor Santos, then stride toward the exit. When the woman had been talking about her work, Maggie had felt a kinship with Kristin. They had the same drive. To the exclusion of a life outside of work, Maggie suspected.

As Kristin slipped out of the reception, a short man with a bald head paused in the entrance and surveyed the crowd. His dark, sharp gaze lit upon Zach, and he headed toward them. The directness of his stare unnerved Maggie. She placed a hand on Zach’s arm.

Dr. Lanier glanced over Zach’s shoulder and pasted a smile on his face. “Milton, it’s good to see you. Come join us.”

Zach swung toward one of his benefactors, extending his hand for a shake. “Have you been in town long?”

“Flew in late last night from Los Angeles on my way back to New York. I haven’t had a chance to tell you how sorry I was to hear about your grandfather’s death. I respected him and enjoyed funding some of his expeditions. He will be missed.”

“Thank you.”

“So what’s this I hear about a problem with Señor Martinez?”

“There was an explosion at one of his plants,” Dr. Lanier said.

Maggie leaned toward Zach and whispered, “I’m going to get something to drink, and view some of the exhibits, but I’ll make sure to be here for your speech.” She backed out of the circle before anyone had a chance to introduce her.

There was something about Milton Ferguson that made her uneasy, even though he said all the appropriate things. Then she remembered that a man with a bald head had visited Red Collier at the rehabilitation center. Could Milton Ferguson be that man? Surveying the room, she noted he wasn’t the only one at the reception with no hair. She was probably being ridiculous.

After getting a tall glass of ice water, Maggie positioned herself in front of the large painting that Señor Santos and his wife had been admiring earlier. The bold brushstrokes and sweeping vista of a mountain range took her breath away. The mixture of earth tones with rose, yellow and orange added to the painting’s beauty. From the terrain and type of foliage depicted it was obvious the mountains were somewhere in the Southwest, possibly New Mexico—probably very much like the one they would be going to the next day.

Maggie took a sip of her water and tilted her head. There was something familiar about the landscape. As a child she had traveled extensively with her father, exploring caves. Her father had been looking for the codices, as well—anything to get Gramps’s attention. There had been a drive behind her father’s actions that she glimpsed in Zach, a drive she had been caught up in for a short time as a child. She, too, had wanted to please Gramps and her father.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” a deep, masculine voice with an accent said right behind her.

She turned halfway around and came face-to-face with Señor Santos. “Yes. I’ve never seen this artist’s work before.”

“It won’t be long before everyone has heard about him. If you want an investment, one of his paintings would be a good one.” The man, who had dark eyes and hair and a closely cropped beard, held out his hand for her to shake. “I’m Carlos Santos. I saw you earlier talking with Dr. Collier.”

“Yes, we are—” she scrambled for the right word to describe her relationship with Zach “—friends.”

Still grasping her hand, he drilled her with an intense look. “Then he is a very lucky man, Miss—”

“I’m Maggie Somers.” Flustered by his penetrating gaze, she added, “Dr. Maggie Somers.”

“Are you a scientist, too?”

“No, I’m a medical doctor.”

“Has Dr. Collier recruited you for his expedition?”

A week ago the very idea would have appalled her, but when Carlos Santos asked her, she actually considered it for a moment before replying, “No, I haven’t been camping in years.” Not since her father had died in the cave-in. After that she wouldn’t even go with Gramps.

“There you are, darling.” A beautiful, elegant woman appeared at his side and curled herself against him. “I see you found your way back to this painting.” She slid her gaze to Maggie. “I know we will be taking it back to Mexico if my husband has any say in the matter.”

“It’s for sale?” Maggie examined the area for a sign.

“No, but that won’t stop Carlos from getting it.” She fluttered her hand in the air. “He’s a most determined man when he sets his mind to something.”

“My young bride has a way of exaggerating the facts,” Señor Santos said with a robust laugh.

“Bride? How long have you two been married?”

“Six months in two days.” The woman managed to move herself even closer to her husband.

“Congratulations.” Wanting to see some of the other exhibitions, Maggie started to move away. “It was nice meeting you. I’ve never been here, so I think I’ll take a look around.”

Carlos disengaged himself from his wife. “Let me show you. I will be the envy of every man here. A beautiful woman on each arm.”

Short of being rude, Maggie didn’t see any way of getting out of being escorted by Señor Santos and his wife. As they entered a room next to the main one, Maggie glanced back at Zach, who was deep in conversation with Milton Ferguson. Short and bald. She couldn’t shake the question: was Milton Ferguson the one who had visited Zach’s grandfather at the rehabilitation center?

“Finally a moment alone with you,” Zach said behind Maggie.

She whirled around. “You scared me.” Scanning the area, she asked, “Where is everyone?”

“Leaving. I think my speech sent them running for the doors.” He moved to her side and faced the cabinet of Indian pottery on display.

“It was good. Short and to the point. Did you get the funding you needed?”

“Yes, actually, both Mr. Wright and Señor Santos are donating some money.”

“You are persuasive!” she said with a chuckle.

“You seemed deep in thought when I came in.”

“I was thinking about that painting out in the main room, the one of the mountain range.”

“Of the Guadalupe Mountains? They’re near our mountain.”

“Yes. When my father explored caves, he would map them as he went. I hadn’t thought about them in a long time, but I’d like to go get a box from storage. Something is bothering me. I need to check it out.”

“What?”

“I think the map your grandfather had is definitely of a cave. I’m very visual. In fact, I have a photographic memory, and I keep feeling I’ve seen that map before, or something similar.”

Zach faced her, excitement in his features. “You might know where the cave is?”

“I don’t know. Probably not, but it’s worth taking the time to look.” She hadn’t been back to the storage unit in years. She’d taken a few items with her to Gramps’s, but he’d had limited space. She hadn’t been able to get rid of them, yet going through the boxes brought back painful memories.

“Frankly, we don’t have bunches of clues as to where the codices are, so I’m game. We need to check it out. Ready to leave?”

“I thought you were going to give me the grand tour.”

One eyebrow rose. “You’re really interested in what Red found?”

“Yes. My grandfather walked away from his passion. Yours didn’t. He continued being an archaeologist. I’m beginning to see that might not have been the best thing for Gramps.” She stepped over to a replica of a dig site. “His life, I think, was filled with second best. Ranching wasn’t his first love. Sadly my grandmother wasn’t, either. I would catch such sadness in his eyes, often after he would try to figure out the diary. I used to think it was because he couldn’t solve the mystery. Now I think it was much more than that.”

Zach came up behind her and clasped her shoulders. “I’m sorry.”

“You have nothing to be sorry about. I don’t even know if your grandfather did.” A small seed of guilt still plagued her. There was a part of her that couldn’t believe she was admitting that to a Collier. That part felt betrayed by her words.

“I wish you could have met Willow. She was an exceptional woman.”

She leaned back against him, and his hands kneaded the knotted muscles along her shoulders where all her stress had settled. “That I believe. She had two men madly in love with her. If Evelyn is anything like her, I see why you would say that.”

“I have been fortunate to have exceptional women in my life,” he whispered, his words washing over her neck in tingling waves.