out."
I crossed my arms.
"It will take a few weeks to put together another expedition. But when I do, I'd like your help."
"With what?"
"I'm not looking to conduct a full-fledged excavation, at least not at first. I just want to locate and retrieve the lost Library of the Mayas."
"Miranda can do that."
"Miranda's an archaeologist. She's slow, methodical. And between us, I think she prefers giving lectures to digging holes. You're different. You work fast, but you know how to handle a dig site without destroying it. Simply put, you're better suited for the task. I'm prepared to offer reasonable compensation for your assistance."
"That won't be—"
"I'll pay you a flat fee of two hundred thousand dollars, contingent upon a successful excavation, of course."
I arched an eyebrow. Two hundred grand was a lot of money. I could divide the haul three ways and live on my portion while I looked for a normal job.
"What if the library doesn't exist?" I asked.
"I'll throw in a daily stipend of one thousand dollars. If the library turns out to be a legend, then at least you'll receive some compensation for your efforts. However, I'll need assurances you're not stalling just to get a bigger payday."
"I understand."
"Also, for security reasons, the library's exact location must remain a secret. So, if you accept my offer, you'll be required to live on site until your work is finished."
I frowned.
"In addition, you'll need to live in complete isolation. No Internet. No social media. No email. No phone calls."
I wasn't the most social person in the world. And I was far from a technology guru. But even I had my limits. "That's crazy."
"There's no reason to think it'll take more than a week. After all, you salvaged the sarcophagus in a matter of hours."
"What if it takes a year?"
"Fair point." She thought for a moment. "Your initial contract will run for a limited period. If the library still hasn't come to light by then, you can choose to leave or I can release you. Alternatively, you can sign an extension."
I rubbed my jaw. "What happens after you get the library?"
"Miranda will take charge of the excavation. I imagine Rigoberta and Pacho will assume control of daily operations. Regardless, I've agreed to fully fund the dig for eighteen months. I'll still be involved of course, but only on a limited basis."
The distant sky, dark and swirling, caught my attention. Nearby, I heard soft snoring noises as Alonzo and Yohl Ik’nal napped in the grass. It was late. I needed to make a decision, one way or the other.
"Thanks for the offer." I extended my hand. "But I'm going to have to pass. Good luck to you."
"I'll tell you what. If you're successful, I'll throw in a bonus. I'll completely outfit your team with brand new equipment." Her gaze flitted to Graham. He continued to toil over Eve. "Think of all the artifacts you could save."
"I don't need new equipment." I took a deep breath. "This is my last day in the field. I'm retiring."
She stared into my eyes, watching me, reading me. I had the eerie sense she could see into my soul. "You're not ready to quit."
"Excuse me?"
"I made a few phone calls before I agreed to let Miranda hire you. Until four months ago, you were considered archaeology's most infamous outcast. People described you as a treasure hunter who sought artifacts with almost reckless abandon. You broke rules, flouted the law, and generally did the impossible. Then you locked horns with Votan. Two people died. Understandably, the incident left a bad taste in your mouth. You told everyone you were retiring, settling down to a normal life." Her eyes glinted. "And yet, you came here."
"This is a one-time thing."
"If that was the case, you wouldn't have accepted my offer to stay a few extra hours." She studied my visage. "No, I think you're still trying to figure out if you want to be a treasure hunter."
I frowned.
"So, come with me. Help me find the Library of the Mayas. Once you set eyes on those gold
I crossed my arms.
"It will take a few weeks to put together another expedition. But when I do, I'd like your help."
"With what?"
"I'm not looking to conduct a full-fledged excavation, at least not at first. I just want to locate and retrieve the lost Library of the Mayas."
"Miranda can do that."
"Miranda's an archaeologist. She's slow, methodical. And between us, I think she prefers giving lectures to digging holes. You're different. You work fast, but you know how to handle a dig site without destroying it. Simply put, you're better suited for the task. I'm prepared to offer reasonable compensation for your assistance."
"That won't be—"
"I'll pay you a flat fee of two hundred thousand dollars, contingent upon a successful excavation, of course."
I arched an eyebrow. Two hundred grand was a lot of money. I could divide the haul three ways and live on my portion while I looked for a normal job.
"What if the library doesn't exist?" I asked.
"I'll throw in a daily stipend of one thousand dollars. If the library turns out to be a legend, then at least you'll receive some compensation for your efforts. However, I'll need assurances you're not stalling just to get a bigger payday."
"I understand."
"Also, for security reasons, the library's exact location must remain a secret. So, if you accept my offer, you'll be required to live on site until your work is finished."
I frowned.
"In addition, you'll need to live in complete isolation. No Internet. No social media. No email. No phone calls."
I wasn't the most social person in the world. And I was far from a technology guru. But even I had my limits. "That's crazy."
"There's no reason to think it'll take more than a week. After all, you salvaged the sarcophagus in a matter of hours."
"What if it takes a year?"
"Fair point." She thought for a moment. "Your initial contract will run for a limited period. If the library still hasn't come to light by then, you can choose to leave or I can release you. Alternatively, you can sign an extension."
I rubbed my jaw. "What happens after you get the library?"
"Miranda will take charge of the excavation. I imagine Rigoberta and Pacho will assume control of daily operations. Regardless, I've agreed to fully fund the dig for eighteen months. I'll still be involved of course, but only on a limited basis."
The distant sky, dark and swirling, caught my attention. Nearby, I heard soft snoring noises as Alonzo and Yohl Ik’nal napped in the grass. It was late. I needed to make a decision, one way or the other.
"Thanks for the offer." I extended my hand. "But I'm going to have to pass. Good luck to you."
"I'll tell you what. If you're successful, I'll throw in a bonus. I'll completely outfit your team with brand new equipment." Her gaze flitted to Graham. He continued to toil over Eve. "Think of all the artifacts you could save."
"I don't need new equipment." I took a deep breath. "This is my last day in the field. I'm retiring."
She stared into my eyes, watching me, reading me. I had the eerie sense she could see into my soul. "You're not ready to quit."
"Excuse me?"
"I made a few phone calls before I agreed to let Miranda hire you. Until four months ago, you were considered archaeology's most infamous outcast. People described you as a treasure hunter who sought artifacts with almost reckless abandon. You broke rules, flouted the law, and generally did the impossible. Then you locked horns with Votan. Two people died. Understandably, the incident left a bad taste in your mouth. You told everyone you were retiring, settling down to a normal life." Her eyes glinted. "And yet, you came here."
"This is a one-time thing."
"If that was the case, you wouldn't have accepted my offer to stay a few extra hours." She studied my visage. "No, I think you're still trying to figure out if you want to be a treasure hunter."
I frowned.
"So, come with me. Help me find the Library of the Mayas. Once you set eyes on those gold
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