The Crystal's Curse Read Online Free PDF Page A

Maria’s eyes. “Perhaps, if you hide the room again before the evil gods can activate the chamber, Kukulkna will show mercy and return your son.” The old man picked up the wooden plank and began to carve again. Obviously, the interview was over.
    Maria, Ricardo, and Rob got up and left. They walked in silence to the Jeep. Once seated, Maria started to shake. Tears poured down her face. She pictured Joshua held captive, alone and afraid.
    Ricardo reached over and patted her hand. “It’s going to be all right. We’ll get him back.”
    Angrily she brushed away the tears and tried to pull herself together. Even in movies, she’d always detested the stereotypical female who felt apart in a crisis. Crying was stupid and useless. She took a deep breath and motioned for Ricardo to start the Jeep.
    Once they were out of earshot of the old man, and Maria more in control, she said, “We can’t go by the village now. We need to make sure that no one else finds out about the room. If word gets out, the Quiche will never give Joshua back.”
    Ricardo agreed. “Let’s get back to Sam, wrap up the dig, and get the crew out of here as soon as possible, before anyone else is taken.”
    *   *   *
    Sam had extended the search area deeper into the jungle. Returning to the campsite after several futile hours, he spotted a Jeep coming. He stood watching, hoping it was Maria and Ricardo with better news.
    The Jeep pulled up and stopped. Erik Johansen jumped out. Sam recognized him from Ricardo’s description. He was a little taller than Sam, with a blond crew cut, and an air of arrogance. His crisp khaki pants still had a perfectly ironed crease. He wore a light blue polo shirt that showed off the muscles on his arms and chest.
    He took off his sunglasses, revealing startling ice blue eyes. He approached Sam and extended his hand. “Hi, I’m Erik Johansen. I heard about your amazing discovery in town.”
    “Samuel Carson,” Sam said, wiping his hands on his pants before reaching out to shake the other man’s hand. Sam noticed Mr. Johansen’s manicured nails, hands that were large and smooth without any calluses, not the hands of an archeologist. His grip was firm and lasted a little longer than necessary. Something about the man was unsettling.
    “I was hoping to be able to see your find for myself. That is if you don’t mind,” Erik said with a smile that failed to reach his eyes.
    “I’d be happy to show you around the village we found,” Sam qualified. “But first, let’s get a cold drink. You must be thirsty. I just came in from the field. I’d like to wash up and rest a bit.” He led Mr. Johansen over to the mess tent, trying to stall until he could think of some way to get rid of the man. Maybe if he sees the village, he’ll go away happy, he thought. He left Erik no choice but to follow him and wait at the table while Sam washed up.
    Sam returned with two bottles of water, setting one in front of Erik and taking a large swallow from the other. He sat down across from Erik and said, “We haven’t had any visitors before. We’re quite a ways from civilization. What brought you out this far?”
    “I heard that there were ruins in this area. I’m scouting a place for my next expedition.” Smiling Erik looked directly at Sam.
    Sam frowned slightly. “Really, who did you hear that from? I’m curious because I was pretty sure that we’re the only ones interested in this area. I haven’t told anyone exactly where we are or about the ruins we found.”
    Erik shrugged. “I don’t remember exactly. You know how it is. Someone probably mentioned it at a convention I was attending.”
    “Who did you say was sponsoring your expedition?” Sam asked, taking another drink.
    “I don’t actually have a sponsor yet. That’s why I’m here scouting on my own. I was hoping to get sufficient evidence to convince the British Archeological Museum to sponsor a dig. I’m sorry to hear that your son’s missing,” he