It’s not as though anybody’s likely to stroll by.’
Eddie gave him a contemptuous look. ‘No, the plane that circled it yesterday wouldn’t attract any attention, would it, Dave?’
‘That’s Day,’ Cuff mumbled, trying to salvage some dignity under the group’s withering gaze.
‘So what should we do?’ asked Becker. ‘If there are guards, we could be in danger.’
‘We have to go on,’ Nina insisted. ‘We’ve got to know what’s out there.’
‘I agree,’ said Valero. ‘If thieves are stealing Venezuela’s treasures, the Bolivarian Militia will stop them!’ He stood with his hands on his hips, glaring defiantly into the jungle.
‘Easy there, Rambo,’ Eddie said. ‘Let’s see what we’re dealing with first. If it really is this place we’re looking for and there are people keeping an eye on it, we’ll call el Presidente’s people for backup.’ He indicated the satellite phone in the Toyota. ‘We’re not exactly geared up for trouble.’
‘Sounds like a plan,’ said Nina. ‘Let’s get our stuff.’
The expedition members donned backpacks and equipment belts. Valero started up the path, but Eddie waved him back. ‘Not that way – we don’t want to walk right into ’em.’ He gestured at a point further along the earth bank. ‘Over there. Keep it quiet.’
Eddie and Valero led, Nina just behind with the others following in a line. Keeping low amongst the undergrowth, they scaled the bank and dropped down on the other side to find themselves in a marshy dip. Despite the humps and hollows, though, the land ahead was on a gentle rise.
It started to rain, drops pattering noisily off leaves and heads. Nina shot a jealous look at Becker’s wide-brimmed fedora. But even the downpour gave little relief from the cloying humidity as the group trudged onwards. She peered into the gloom. ‘I can’t see much out there.’
‘Good,’ said Eddie. ‘Anybody out there won’t see much of us.’ He paused at the top of another muddy bank, then gestured off to one side. ‘I think there’s something over there.’
Nina squinted through the rain. There was indeed a vague shape visible beyond the trees. ‘A wall?’
She started towards it, but Eddie waved her back. ‘Wait here until I’ve checked it out. Oscar, with me.’ Hunching down, the Englishman slowly advanced towards the indistinct shape, Valero behind him. Nina watched anxiously as they disappeared behind the trees. She strained to listen over the constant drum of raindrops for an unexpected shout, a gunshot . . .
Eddie reappeared, waving for her to join him. She breathed out in relief and picked her way forward, Osterhagen and Becker behind her. As she got closer she realised that it was a wall, partially hidden by plants, crumbling in places and covered with centuries of dirt and decayed jungle debris, but definitely an artificial structure. At its tallest it stood about nine feet high.
Becker had seen something above it, however. ‘Look,’ he said, gesticulating excitedly. Set several feet back on its top was a second wall, rising another eight feet higher – and a third above that. ‘It’s tiered! Just like the walls at Sacsayhuamán.’
Osterhagen was nearly as enthused. ‘And look! The shape, the zigzag – these are Inca, I’m sure!’
‘Shh, shh, shut up!’ Eddie hissed, scurrying towards the group. Nina gave him a questioning glance. ‘There’s a gap like a big gate further along,’ he said. ‘That path goes through it, so those two blokes who we don’t want to know we’re here,’ he glowered at the Germans, ‘probably did too.’
Becker looked sheepish, hiding from Eddie’s glare beneath his hat brim. Osterhagen, meanwhile, turned his attention back to the wall. ‘If we climb it, we can try to spot these men from the top.’
‘There’s a collapsed bit over there,’ said Eddie. ‘I’ll go up and have a gander. If it’s safe, I’ll wave.’ By now, Valero had returned, and the other members of the group were approaching through the trees. ‘Oscar, keep an eye on the gate. Any trouble at all, everyone run like buggery back to the Jeeps. Okay?’
He went to the damaged section and scrambled up it, then searched for a suitable point to climb to the next tier. Finding a section where several large stones had been dislodged, he used the gaps as footholds and ascended again, disappearing from Nina’s view. The downpour was easing off, the water torture of the large drops giving way to a clammy drizzle.
After a minute, he leaned over the edge and waved. ‘Okay,’ she said. ‘I’ll go up first. Oscar, watch the gate until everyone’s clear.’ Valero’s