them . . . but he’s not a natural liar. Blunt, simple-minded honesty is one of his defining characteristics.’ He looked towards the ruins. ‘It’s possible they have found something else – especially considering his wife’s talent for discovering lost civilisations.’
Callas stood before Nina, gun still in his hand. ‘Then we only need to keep one archaeologist alive, don’t we?’
She glared at him. ‘Hurt anyone else and I’ll never tell you anything.’
His lips spread into a lupine smile. ‘Oh, you will. I promise you.’
A noise came from the jungle, the whine of a straining engine. A military truck lumbered into view, jolting along the rutted logging track. Eddie tensed, ready to take advantage of the distraction, but the jab of an AK’s muzzle into his back told him that his guards were expecting it.
The driver seemed surprised to see them, however; the truck had apparently set out before the SOS was received. It stopped in the clearing. The general shouted an order, and Cuff’s corpse was tossed like garbage into the vehicle’s open back.
Callas turned back to Nina. ‘I have a use for your friends after all.’ He clicked his fingers. His troops straightened, ready for action. ‘Bring them to the city.’
The use Callas had in mind was purely physical: slave labour, to help move his biggest prize. The prisoners were held at gunpoint in the plaza while men went into the Temple of the Sun to complete the assembly of the block and tackle before the two-ton golden disc was prised from the wall with jacks and slowly, carefully, lowered to stand on its edge between supports on the specially built cart.
Once it was done, the explorers were forced to help move the trolley and its weighty cargo to the top of the steps. Other soldiers assembled a makeshift ramp from stout planks so that it could be lowered to the plaza, where the overhanging jungle canopy was thin enough for it to be airlifted out without risking damage. Callas stood nearby, watching the disc’s slow progress from behind his sunglasses.
Stikes, meanwhile, disappeared into the palace. When he returned, Loretta’s camera in hand, his expression was more calculating than ever. ‘I think Chase really was telling the truth,’ he told Callas. ‘There’s a painting on the wall, an account of what I assume is the Incas fleeing the Spanish – I’m hardly an expert on Inca history. But,’ he added, gesturing at Nina, ‘I know someone who is.’
‘She can tell us how to find El Dorado?’ Callas asked.
‘I’m sure she can, yes. Given the right kind of encouragement.’
Callas nodded. ‘She will have it. But after the operation. That must come first.’
‘Well, of course. That’s why I’m here, after all.’
‘Why are you here, Stikes?’ Eddie demanded as he strained with the others to push the cart to the ramp. ‘You’ve got your knock-off SAS beret on, so I’m guessing you’re pretending to be a soldier.’
‘Actually, I’m in the same line of work as you used to be, from what I heard on the grapevine. A private military contractor.’
‘You’re a mercenary?’ said Nina disapprovingly.
‘Aren’t we all, ultimately? We provide our skills to those who need them, in return for money. Mine happen to be in the field of conflict resolution. 3S – that’s my company’s name, for Stikes Security Solutions—’
‘Not Stupid Southern Shitehawk?’ Eddie cut in.
Stikes kicked him hard, dropping him to his knees. The guards quickly moved in, AKs raised to deter Eddie from retaliating as he painfully stood back up. ‘As I was saying,’ Stikes continued, as if nothing had happened, ‘my company has been rather successful, what with all the opportunities in Afghanistan and Iraq. But things are tailing off now, so it’s time to look for new markets.’ A nod to Callas. ‘And new clients.’
‘There are no conflicts inside Venezuela,’ said Valero. ‘Only the fight against imperialist aggression.’
Callas laughed sarcastically. ‘The voice of the new convert! What were you before you put on that joke of a uniform? A farmhand? A dog from the barrios? You have no idea what is really going on in this country.’
‘He’s right, though,’ said Stikes. ‘There certainly won’t be any conflicts in Venezuela – once we’re finished.’
Another laugh from the general. ‘That is true.’
‘Finished what?’ Eddie asked.
But no answer was forthcoming, Callas instead walking to the steps in response to a call from below. The ramp was complete. The general issued more orders, and chains were attached to the cart and looped round thick stone pillars at the top of the