Read Online The Aztec Heresy by Paul Christopher - Free Book Online

to an ultimatum from his father about making something of himself, which in turn resulted in Noble Ventures, ostensibly an oceanographic foundation funded by Noble Pharmaceuticals but really nothing more than an excuse to provide a platform for a series of ill-advised treasure-hunting expeditions and a way to indulge Harrison Noble’s passion for scuba diving and island hopping through the Caribbean. It also managed to fulfill his father’s desire for keeping his son out of dangerous political bedrooms. The connection between the younger Noble and a drug czar like Angel Guzman led Max Kessler’s analytical intellect down a number of intriguing avenues and bore closer attention, especially if, as Max Kessler surmised, Harrison Noble was acting for his father. Like the taped door at the Watergate Hotel that led to Nixon’s resignation, Max knew the tip of an iceberg when he saw it.

8
    Pierre Jumaire poured coffee and set out a plate of petit fours in his simple kitchen, then sat down with Finn and Billy. ‘‘I’m still not sure of the importance of the Codex,’’ said Billy.
    ‘‘Beyond its intrinsic value as a historical document, the Cortéz Codex was proof of Cortéz’s treason. He was hiding a vast treasure from King Charles. In those days the monarchy received a quinto, one-fifth of any plunder from any expedition to the New World. By that time Cortéz himself was so powerful that the only way to deal with him was by having him excommunicated by the Inquisition, in which case all his lands and treasures would be forfeit to the Church, which would in turn pass on an agreed-upon proportion to the crown. It was exactly the kind of thing the Nazis did to the Jews in the thirties and Roosevelt did to the interned Japanese after Pearl Harbor. Government -sanctioned theft, all neat and tidy and done according to the laws of the day.’’
    ‘‘Follow the money,’’ murmured Finn.
    ‘‘Generally a wise course to follow as a historian, ’’ said Jumaire. He sipped his coffee, then lit another of his foul-smelling cigarettes.
    ‘‘Why would anyone be interested in the Codex now?’’ Finn asked.
    ‘‘Because it is a treasure map, of course,’’ answered the bookseller. ‘‘You’re proof of its interest yourself.’’
    ‘‘I don’t buy that,’’ answered Finn. ‘‘You and your friend Brother Kerzner haven’t been hanging around on the off chance that someone’s going to come looking for a five-hundred-year-old scrap of parchment.’’
    ‘‘It’s actually tree bark,’’ said the bookseller mildly.
    ‘‘Called amatl . Made from a fig tree, usually Ficus padifolia, ’’ she answered just as mildly. ‘‘As I said, a public education from Ohio can be quite good.’’
    ‘‘Touché,’’ Jumaire said and laughed. ‘‘I apologize.’’
    ‘‘Apology accepted,’’ said Finn. ‘‘But you still haven’t answered my question.’’
    ‘‘Tue-mouches,’’ said Jumaire.
    ‘‘Flypaper,’’ translated Billy.
    ‘‘I don’t get it,’’ said Finn.
    ‘‘A lure,’’ explained the old man. ‘‘We are aware of the interest Cavallo Nero has in such things. The more we know of their activities, the better.’’
    ‘‘Forewarned is forearmed,’’ said Billy.
    ‘‘Something like that.’’
    ‘‘And has somebody from the Black Knights been sniffing around?’’ Finn asked.
    ‘‘Let’s just say you’re not alone in your interest, ’’ said the old man coyly.
    ‘‘You’re making this sound like a dangerous proposition,’’ said Billy.
    ‘‘ Cavallo Nero has been known to be somewhat extreme in its methods,’’ agreed Jumaire.
    ‘‘So you’re warning us off?’’
    ‘‘No, merely informing you of the reality of the situation. Cavallo Nero is of the opinion that they are sanctioned by God Himself.’’ Jumaire glanced at Finn with a smile. ‘‘Or Herself. Thus anything they do can be justified. The Inquisition can do no wrong since they are in fact