Regardless of everything else going on Kane was excited. But he allowed himself only a few seconds to bask in the moment and refocused his attention on the task ahead. He stopped and faced the group. “Welcome to the outskirts of Vilcabamba.” For Sonco’s benefit he said it loud, and for himself he said it with forced confidence.

  Forced, because in less than a minute all hell would break loose.

  He appraised the group. As he knew he would, he saw a mixture of expressions. The barely disguised scowling face of Hooper fixed eyes on his, and behind him the wide-eyed look of appreciation on the face of Edgewood. The impassive neutral gaze of the Spanish professor De La Cruz appeared behind them, followed by an acute nervousness in the eyes of his friend Evan. It was only a fleeting glance, but Kane saw everything he needed. The Catholics didn’t expect an ambush, that was clear, and the undeniable look of steel in Ridley’s eyes filled him with more confidence than he felt.

  She was ready. He trusted Sonco, and knew he was ready. Now Kane took a deep breath, went eye ball to eye ball with Evan, and as he turned his back on them all he asked himself if he too was ready. With a few slow yet deliberate strides towards the ruins, Kane knew that he was.

  He entered the passageway first and peered into the gloom for any sign of Sonco. Nothing. He’s here somewhere. It seemed the perfect place for an ambush, with almost no light and visibility no more than eight feet. Kane could see no hint of what was to come, but he sensed it and felt it within the still and cloying air.

  And then out of the darkness came a couple of deep, harsh words barked in Quechuan, and storming from the shadows, Sonco was upon them. A blind struggle ensued, clashes between bodies, the thud and smack of fist upon flesh, and the grunts and groans of both pain and confusion. Kane was slammed into the cold solidity of an ancient Inca wall, cracking his head on the unforgiving stone. Two young porters bundled forward to help, and Kane heard Ridley say with uncensored rage, “No you don’t, bitch,” as she overpowered the girl Edgewood.

  Next Kane heard an angry, “Get the fuck off me,” and recognised the voice as Hooper, but what followed was a sound that chilled Kane to his core.

  A gunshot, loud and unmistakable, swiftly followed by another.

  Kane wasn’t hit. He called out, “Evan, Alex, are you hurt?” to which Ridley just nodded. However, no response from Evan. “John, Sonco?” Kane groped in his pack for his torch and pointed it at where he thought the gunshots had sounded. More torches flashed on, and he soon understood the carnage.

  On his knees, with his face in the dirt and hands trussed behind him, was the Spaniard, De La Cruz. Sonco stood over him, machete drawn but unused. Good, Kane thought. Ahead of him he saw the blonde-haired Edgewood restrained by Ridley, who had her right boot wedged dangerously into the young woman’s neck. Ridley had her pinned against the stone wall, and she looked terrified. The young Quechuans stood over the two of them, as per instruction from Sonco. Bringing up the rear, and blocking any way out of the passage, was Yupanqui the cook, looking fierce and powerful, as if he had murder on his mind. Unbeknown to most of them present, he did, but the hatred in his eyes was missed in the darkness. To Kane’s great dismay he spotted Evan slumped against a wall, blood spreading out from a wound in his shoulder, like a concentric red ripple on a pond. Evan looked up at him, and between winces managed a smile, injured but not serious.

  Kane breathed deep, relief washing over him, yet something was still wrong. He looked again and saw to his absolute horror that Hooper was gone. In the darkness he had obviously pulled a gun and shot his way through the melee, hitting Evan in the shoulder. He could only have gone forwards into the ruinous complex, and into what was now the swallowing darkness of an Andean night. The fact Hooper had a gun and was prepared to use it meant Kane knew it was both stupid and dangerous to follow.

  He checked on his friends and the porters for further injury, and once satisfied he checked on the Spaniard and the girl. When they were fully restrained, a machete-wielding Sonco led them with caution into the ruins.

  After ten minutes of forward movement, made difficult because of the darkness and the tangle of roots and fallen stones, they came to an open area, where Kane helped Sonco secure the prisoners to more roots that snaked over and around the ancient Inca structure. With Sonco stationed to keep them under strict guard, Kane turned his attention to Craft and was relieved to learn his injury was more a graze than an actual bullet wound. It would need treating, and they would have to guard against infection. But Evan was lucky, and they both knew it.

  Now the issue was how to stay safe themselves, and keep the terrorists separated and secure, knowing there was another out there with a gun. It was time to speak with De La Cruz and Edgewood, and Kane wanted answers.

  By torchlight, Kane and Ridley first searched the Catholic’s backpacks, and soon learned that the girl was unarmed. Although she admitted being a part of the Catholic organisation, she asked in a frantic, almost hysterical voice to speak with Kane in private. “Soon enough,” he told her. In De La Cruz’s pack, he found two small handguns but little else, which didn’t seem much weaponry for people with such violent intentions. Hooper, though, had left with a backpack that could be loaded with weapons, and Kane had to assume the worst.

  With Sonco’s help Kane dragged the Spaniard to his feet and escorted him deeper into the ruins. They sat him on a low wall, and Kane shone the powerful torch beam into the professor’s face.

  “Are you in charge, Professor De La Cruz?” Kane thought that if he treated him with at least a little respect then he might be more forthcoming with answers.

  The Spaniard looked impassively into Kane’s eyes for a long moment, before answering with measured words. “Well, Mr Kane, I suppose I am a leader of sorts, but I do not command these people. Their orders merely come through me, from God. But of course you knew that.” The Spaniard was the epitome of calm and seemed in no way concerned about the failure of their mission. In fact, it was his calmness that had Kane most worried.

  “And Hooper? Is he armed?” This time there was no response, just a look of complete indifference. Hiram pushed on. “I understand that you–your Eagle Alliance–is using me to get to Atahualpa’s treasure? Is that true?”

  De La Cruz considered for a moment. “Yes, it is true we intend to take the gold. But we are only taking what belongs to us.”

  “And what do you intend to do with the gold? If it’s even there.”

  Again there was no verbal response, but the look in the professor’s eyes betrayed his odious intentions.

  “Angelo, I understand your plan. But my friends and these young Quechuans have nothing to do with that. John overheard Hooper saying something about killing somebody, which is why we overpowered you.”

  De La Cruz cast his eyes over the torch beam and strained them into the darkness. He couldn’t see much, and he certainly couldn’t see the Quechuans, who were not close by. But De La Cruz knew they were there. “Mr Kane, I did not want your friends to get hurt, and I am sorry for the young man. That was just an accident, and I am sure Mr Hooper didn’t mean it.” But then he surprised them by spitting with vehemence onto the dusty ground, and in an icy, measured voice said, “However, I cannot say the same about these heathen natives. It is because of these uncivilised pigs that our mission was born.” He now stared with intensity into first Kane’s eyes, and then Sonco’s. “Mr Kane, listen to me, and listen with diligence. If any of these heathen pigs stand in the way of this mission, they will perish.”

  Kane didn’t think the Spaniard was in any physical position to be making threats, but the steel in his tone unnerved him, and the unwavering belief that he would succeed, despite his current predicament, only furthered that feeling of uncertainty. Kane assumed the confidence of De La Cruz rested on Hooper's shoulders, and that the American would likely come at them by force using the darkness as an ally. It meant they faced a long and dangerous night.

  Confession

  Leaving Sonco to guard the professor, Kane returned to Edgewood. He aimed his torch at her face and saw only a young woman way out of her depth. He sat beside her and waited for her to speak. He didn’t wait long.

  “I want to tell you things, but not if anyone else can hear us.” She glanced about, apprehension and fear evident.

  “It’s okay. We’re alone.” He turned to face her, moving the torch beam away from her face. “So, what’s your role in all of this?” His tone was passive, almost friendly, as if to encourage her to open up. According to John Haines, she was part of the terrorist cell, but she looked far from that right now.

  “It’s true,” she said in a voice so quiet it was barely a whisper, “I’m not who you thought I was. I am here with the terrorists, but I am not one of them. I am using them, and we are using you. In other words, I’m guilty of a grave deception, but I’m not a terrorist.” Kate looked down at her boots, her apparent shame evident. But Kane wasn’t convinced.

  “How are you using them? It can’t be for anything good.”

  “You are right. It’s not. They’re using you to get to the treasure, and by being part of their plan, I… I would be safe.”

  “Safe? Safe from what?”

  “Whatever De La Cruz tells you it’s probably a lie. You’re meant to help them get what they want, and once they have it, you’re all expendable.”

  “Expendable? You mean, they plan to kill us all?” Kane was incredulous.

  “I’m sorry, but yes. I wanted no part of that, and I planned to help you once I…”

  “Once you what?”

  “All I wanted was a small part of the treasure for myself. Not much, just enough to get me started out in life.”

  “You were just going to steal it?” If it wasn’t such a serious situation, Kane might have laughed. Then he remembered the guns. “How, and how would you get away with that?”

  “I don’t know. But please believe I’m not like them. I’d never have hurt anyone, and I would’ve warned you when the time was right.”

  Kane finished speaking to the girl. He didn’t know who or what to believe anymore, but he didn’t think it was Edgewood. However, he couldn’t believe she was a terrorist. Nevertheless, her intentions were bad, and she was a fool if she thought she could steal the treasure and simply walk away.

  He pulled her from her seated position and ushered her back to where Sonco was guarding De La Cruz, and together they hustled them to where the others waited. After securing them once more with the ropes, Kane led Sonco away to talk in private. However the moment they turned their backs the two captives looked at each other, and without a word, shared a knowing nod. Satisfied, De La Cruz relaxed against his bindings and closed his eyes.

  Unless he was mistaken, in just a matter of hours Hooper would return with all guns blazing, and they would be close to victory.

  Somewhere across camp Yupanqui paced like a crazed rhino. He had not expected the incident, and thus he was ill prepared to help against the Catholics. He had no loyalty to Kane, but he was a sworn enemy of all Catholics and would have stepped in had he have known. No matter, he thought. He gathered the young Quechuans around, and in the secrecy of the far end of the camp he told them his plan.

  “It seems the Inca Gods are smiling upon their sons tonight. Smiling upon us. Part of our job is done. We have two of the enemy tied to trees like the dogs they are, but the other dog has run off like a coward. We know he has guns, so we will need to be careful, because he will return during the night to free his fellow Catholic dogs.”

  Yupanqui looked about the group, five including Umaq Huamani, and all listened with intent. They were young and nervous, excited looks in their eyes. They were with Yupanqui, and they would follow him to the end.

  Only Umaq wavered. He didn’t want to fight, though he believed in Yupanqui’s cause. But he’d already made an agreement with the woman, and all he cared about was to get paid and go home and support his family. That was his duty, and thus, that’s where his true loyalties lay. But the big man scared him, and he had to keep up appearances and appear on Yupanqui’s side.

  He focused his gaze and listened as Yupanqui explained what he expected of them, both from him–and, more importantly–from their Incan Gods.

  Deserter

  With De La Cruz and Edgewood detained and Craft out of immediate danger, Kane called a meeting of those left; Ridley, Craft, Haines, and Sonco. The good guys. He led them to the centre of camp where a fire sent crazy shadows dancing across the timeworn and venerable Inca stones. The scene would have been beautiful, were they not in the midst of a deadly terrorist plot.

  Though Kane was shaken by everything that had happened, and although an armed and dangerous man was loose somewhere in the surrounding jungle darkness, Kane believed they had dealt with the drama well. He thanked his friends for their bravery. But now he turned to Sonco, the man who he believed their very survival might depend upon.

  “My friend,” he said, “I have needed you so often and for so many years out here in Peru.” He paused, staring at the Quechuan. Sonco was shaken too, and the troubled look he had worn for days remained. Troubled, with a hint of rage. Kane continued. “But now I need you more than ever.”

  But Sonco couldn’t hold his friend’s gaze, and Kane didn’t understand. He had never seen Sonco look so… so… what was that look? Kane appraised the man. His head hung low on wide shoulders now slumped, and the perpetual smile was absent.

  Defeated. That was it. Sonco looked like a man defeated. Kane was about to ask his friend what was wrong, when the defeated look of sorrow evaporated, replaced by hardened eyes that bore into Kane’s with an intensity he’d never seen. The gaze lasted several seconds, and in little more than a whisper, Sonco said, “Lo siento. I am sorry.”

  Before Kane asked for what? Sonco turned and disappeared into the darkness. By the time Kane reacted Sonco was gone. Kane bolted after his friend, but he’d only gone a few yards before he knew it was futile. He would never catch a man born in the Andes, and sadness and concern heavied his heart and clenched his gut. It was yet another surreal moment on an expedition that had rapidly descended into chaos.

  Haines knew Kane himself was greatly troubled. He had witnessed it evolve in his eyes over the last days, but now it was apparent in his sagging shoulders. Hiram and Sonco were close, almost like brothers, and John knew it made little sense.

  But what Kane didn’t know, couldn’t have known, was that Sonco believed they would never see each other again.

  “Hiram,” John said to no avail. And then, louder. “Hiram!”

  Kane snapped to attention.

  “I don’t know what just happened,” said John, “but you have to let it go.” He lowered his voice. “Maybe he’s gone for help? Maybe he’ll be back with support from a nearby village. I don’t know, but we have to focus our attention on the prisoners, and keep a vigilant lookout for Hooper.”

  Haines was right. Sonco’s sudden departure was a big blow, but going after him would leave them more exposed when Hooper returned. Another question now became a concern. In Sonco’s absence, Kane wondered if he could still count on the Quechuan porters. They had obeyed him when overpowering two of the terrorists, but now he was gone, and Hiram assumed the eldest and most experienced of the remaining Quechuans, Yupanqui, would take control in his place. He needed to speak with him, and given Sonco’s affinity and affection for Kane and his family, he hoped for the same allegiance from the cook.

  But that conversation never happened.

  A Coup

  “Are you ready?” asked Yupanqui. It wasn’t a question. He knew they were. He eyeballed them one by one, and watched as their eyes all became hard as flint. Their blood surged.

  “Vamonos.” Let’s go.

  Led by Yupanqui the porters emerged from their hidden meeting and circled the camp. They came fast at the terrorists from behind, and in less than twenty seconds had taken control of their enemy and were marching them at gunpoint across the clearing. In the light of the fire, Yupanqui seemed to have grown and had the appearance of a fearsome Inca warrior from another age.

  Kane was dumbstruck. Not only did the young Quechuan porters each carry a gun, but now their youthful features were replaced by a hard-edged patriotism to their new leader. It was a shocking turn of events, and with half a dozen guns trained on them they had little choice but to stand there, unmoved, and listen to what the man had to say.

  “It is both fortunate and unfortunate you are involved in this, Mr Kane. Of course, you have the most important role to play in this drama, because it is your map and your skills we need. The Incan people have been waiting a long time for this moment. We thought we were close when Mr Bingham was here in Peru all those years ago, and your grandfather after that. We even thought you yourself would be the man to lead us to glory the last time you were here, but, as I recall, Pachamama had other ideas for you then.” He smiled, but behind that smile hid fierce determination.

  Kane recalled with alarm the last time he was here, when only a landslide had prevented a successful mission to Vilcabamba. Yupanqui continued. “But never mind. That is history. You are here now, and this time we will succeed.” Yupanqui looked around at his team with pride, boys that had evolved into men overnight. “I said you were the most important person, but maybe not. That honour goes to him.” He pointed at De La Cruz and did not hide the look of hatred mixed with an animalistic anticipation in his fire-lit eyes. Few of those listening understood quite how the Spaniard was so important to Yupanqui, but Professor Haines had a good idea, and it sickened him. John kept his thoughts internal as the big man pressed on.