Path of the Jaguar (11 page)

Neysa's broad face grew darker. "It came to me early this morning."

"Go ahead. Tell them," Sid spoke. "All day it's been so clear." She stopped, then reluctantly went on. "Someone is going to lose a great love!"

Despite her skepticism, Lennea's thoughts worriedly leaped to Wesley. She glanced around at the others. Joseph, Sid, Frank, and Lucas took Neysa's words so seriously, apparently in each mind flashed an image of someone special. Lucas responded with an oppressive sadness, Frank with genuine fear, Sid with a nervous laugh. Joseph was watching her.

Ridiculous! Everyone believed Neysa, as if she were reciting facts from a text book.

"Concentrate, Mother. See if you can find out more!"

Neysa closed her eyes tightly. Lennea could hear the Mayan woman's steady, calm breathing in the deep silence that filled the room. She seemed relaxed, as if she were on the verge of drifting off into peaceful sleep. Then suddenly, she started. "Oh, no!" Her eyes, now brilliant and fearful, fluttered open.

"What is it, Mother?"

Neysa, looking from Sid to Lucas, pleaded, "Don't let me ruin this nice evening. My visions don't always come true."

"What else did you see?" Lennea was alarmed by Frank's brusque tone, surprised that Frank was allowing these people to see the belligerent side of him no doubt unknown to them.

Neysa looked weak, drained, very ill. "I'm so sorry! Here I've frightened everyone. And with us all so worried about Delores!"

"I'm getting a message, too," said Joseph. "But of a different kind. What is that strange smell?"

"On, no! The pies!" Lennea raced into the kitchen, but it was too late. The smell of burning pastry hung like a thick, black cloud over the room.

•

"What a wonderful meal!"

"I'll second that!" remarked Sid, as his father passed him the platter of baked fish. He turned to Frank, a merry twinkle in his eyes. "I'll let you in on a little secret, Paco. I'm still a bachelor because I can't find Goldie's twin!"

Goldie beamed, and so did Frank. Frank pointed his fork at Sid, and replied, "You'll never find another one like her. So give up and enjoy her cooking!"

"My plan, exactly!" Sid said, digging his fork into the zucchini casserole.

Joseph had not needed Goldie's prompting to seat himself close to Lennea. She tried not to be aware of him, the brush of his hand that caused stirrings throughout her body. She listened intently to the conversation hoping it would blot out Joseph's nearness and the anxiety caused by Neysa's predictions. "Hern is really expecting Tikom to be his launch to the future."

"What do you think he'll find?"

"Nothing that will please him," Joseph answered Lucas. "But I do think he'll uncover relics worth all the trouble."

"It's exciting, isn't it? Being the Doctor's close friends." Goldie's awestruck voice brought attention Wesley's vacant chair, caused Lennea to consign upon Wesley's absence a harsh and unusual censure.

"The Maya's do not need interpretation, only illumination. Speaking of illumination, the first Sound and Light Show of the season will be Tuesday."

Sid's request for dessert interrupted the lingering silence and saved Lennea from having to give Joseph a definite answer. She arose to assist Goldie with the pie—at least Wesley wasn't here to witness this failure. As she placed the pastry topped with lumpy, dark crust in front of Joseph, she quipped, "I'm trying to disprove an old theory: anyone can cook."

Joseph laughed and began eating with relish. Lennea tried not to glance at the polite Guerrero's, who struggled with burned crust and dripping cherries.

At the close of the meal on the way into the living room, Neysa spoke her first words. "I'm so disappointed that Dr. Hern wasn't able to be here. I wanted him to tell us all about his new book."

Joseph's eyes brightened, the small crinkles about them appearing to deepen. "I happen to like crusts on the crispy side." If he were lying, the huge portion she gave him served him right.

Lennea wandered toward the patio doors. The night was beautiful. She longed to be outside in the jungle warmth, to feel the air, like tepid water, close about her.

From behind her Joseph spoke, "Let's go for a walk! They're so busy discussing the great Dr. Hern, they won't even miss us."

Lennea hesitated. What harm could it possibly do? She allowed herself to be guided by Joseph through the door, under wind chimes that tinkled faintly overhead. Whenever she glanced back, the patio lights were more distant, and finally uneasy thoughts took the definite form of Wesley's face. Her love for Wesley made this attraction to Joseph all the more disturbing. She continued to match Joseph's quick pace, knowing fully well that their being alone was a mistake.

Occasionally she would steal a glance at Joseph's strong chin, his slightly prominent nose. In the bright light of the kitchen, he had seemed tame and cultured; out here he looked restless, rugged.

And he seemed intent on a destination. When she slowed her step, his firm hand caught her arm, pushing her forward. She tried to quell a sudden surge of fear. "Where—where are we going?"

Lennea could feel his measured, determined steps beside her in the darkness. "To the ruins."

Lennea's heart thumped unevenly against her chest. She thought of the hidden money. He was deliberately guiding her in that direction. It couldn't be a coincidence!

"Few people know about these ruins," he said, as they passed the first clearing and on into the dense, broad-leafed trees. "With Chichen Itza so near, they are hardly considered worthy of attention."

As the rising pile of rocks came into view, Joseph outdistanced her.

"There is something compelling about abandoned places," he called back to her. "Think of all the secrets these rocks hold!" His eyes swept ever so slowly around the ruins, upon the jaguar stone behind which the cash lay. At the same time he appeared to be watching her.

Joseph was trying to find out from her the exact location of the cash! She forced her eyes to remain on his face. Lennea thought about the little Mayan man she had seen upon the trail the night she had hidden the money. Joseph must have hired him to follow her, to spy on her every move! He had informed Joseph of the general location of the hiding place, but neither of them knew the exact spot.

Joseph moved closer to the jaguar head. The white of his jacket made his back and shoulders massive. He took a step or two, then abruptly turned. The speed was timed and menacing, like a threat. Yet, in the darkness he appeared to be smiling. She had an impression of white teeth as she backed away. She kept stepping backward until the chill, cutting rock of a damp wall grazed her back, stopping her.

Joseph drew closer. She was aware of the muscular arms and chest, the well-toned hardness of his body. She remembered this afternoon when she had wanted him to hold her. Now she felt trapped against the ruined wall. Joseph raised his hand and she half-expected it to close about her throat. Instead, fingers gently lifted her chin. "Why are you afraid of me?

She trembled as his mouth moved against hers. His demanding lips were more unsettling to her than the anticipated threat had been.

"Joseph, don't!" Even as she spoke, she could feel her body weaken and melt against his.

His hands moved to her face. She could feel his fingers against the silver earrings she had put on for Wesley. For Wesley! She tried to free herself, to push him away.

"I've never felt this way about anyone," he said. In the darkness, he looked angry, as if the isolation of the jungle had changed him into another person. Hands gripped her shoulders and forced her closer.

Lennea's struggling grew desperate. Able to break free, she whirled out of his reach.

"Lennea, come back! I won't touch you again. Come back!"

Her long hair, damp from the humid night, streamed from her shoulders like a thick, heavy net. The heels of her sandals sank into the earth, slowing her speed. The cry of an animal from the darkness terrorized her, but she did not once look back. She knew that she would rather meet a jaguar face to face than risk another moment in Joseph's arms!

* * * * *

Chapter Nine

The crumpled note lay upon the tile floor as if someone had hastily shoved it under the door. The handwriting looked like Delores', but Lennea couldn't be certain. Anyone could have copied the style, her huge capital letters carelessly followed by excessive lines.

It was almost two now. Lennea had lingered with the LaTillas until a short time ago when they had left to spend Sunday afternoon in Cancun. They had almost persuaded her to join them, but at the last minute she had decided to stay and read through the notes Wesley had given her on his book.

The boy waited in a dilapidated Ford truck. As Lennea approached, the idea flashed before her that she was a fool to trust anyone. After all, the note might not be from Delores.

A quick look into the window revealed a thin boy, barely a teenager, with large, uneven teeth and long, lank hair. Not very dangerous, she decided.

"Get in," he said, patting the torn leather of the seat beside him. "I'm Rico. I take you to Delores."

Rico drummed his fingers impatiently on the steering wheel as he waited for her to climb in. He looked slightly familiar to her and she wondered if he worked at LaTilla's farm or at the henequin plant. He released the clutch with a careless, jerky motion, kicking up a cloud of dust behind them as they sped down the uneven dirt road that led to the village.

When she tried to question him, he shook his head as if he didn't understand. Lennea finally remained silent, gripping the dashboard for support each time the Ford's wheels ran dangerously close to the edges of the narrow road. Rico gave no sign of slowing down as they approached the village.

Chickens squawked, dashing away with a flutter of wings at the truck's invasion. Holding her breath, Lennea watched the small settlement whiz by in a blur of thatched roofs, goats, and orange flowers. Rico did not stop until they reached the gates of Chichen Itza.

Lennea, slightly breathless from the rapid ride, asked shakily. "Delores is meeting me here?"

Rico nodded, pointing beyond the gates. "She is at the Observatory." Leaning back lazily in the seat, he added, "I wait here, si?"

"Thank you." On legs made of rubber, Lennea hurried away from the battered truck. Glad that she had brought her purse with her, she paid the small admission fee. A host of tourists with cameras, Mexicans selling pottery and blankets swarmed the entrance.

She made her way through the congested gates, then stood off to the side, trying to get her bearings. To her left the great pyramid called the "Castle" jutted out against the gray sky. Nearby, she recognized the Temple of the Jaguars. Far in the distance, she spotted the rounded top of the Observatory.

The crowd thinned out as she began to hurry down the long path that led to the huge, fortress-like building. Though the Observatory itself was one of Chichen Itza's featured attractions, the nearby area was isolated, surrounded on all sides by dense underbrush and unexcavated ruins.

The rains had come and gone, and the sun now poked its head through the bulging clouds. The result of rain and sunshine produced a sticky humidity that made the heat almost unbearable. Soon, only a scattering of tourists remained upon the rough, uneven path. Only the hardy, she guessed, were able to take the walk to the Observatory in the afternoon heat.

When she reached the imposing stone building, there was no sign of Delores. From the first level she scanned the area, but spotted no dark curls, no bright red blouse among the scattered handful of people below.

She climbed to the next platform where spiral steps wound upward to the domed tower. The thick stone walls made the air cool, a welcome contrast to the steamy heat outside. On the uppermost level of the observatory, Lennea followed the circular pattern of the building, glancing out of each high stone window as she walked. The dizzying view reminded her of how far she had climbed. Again she searched for Delores.

Slowly now Lennea descended the steps, emerging from the tower on the far side of the building. From out of the thick trees into the gray brightness, Delores appeared. No greeting. No apology. "Did anyone follow you?"