Kinley glanced at the policeman as he approached. Not this again. Raw, gritty tears stung the backs of her eyes—the urge to cry from frustration was strong. Nothing had gone right from the moment she’d set foot in Guatemala. If she didn’t want to prove her discovery so badly, she’d walk out of this police station, get in the van, drive herself back to the airport, and catch the next flight back to the U.S.
“I spoke with Mr. Graham from The Leonidas Corporation, as well as the district governor,” the officer said.
His tone and demeanor were much more conciliatory than they’d been earlier. Whoever Mr. Graham was, he’d obviously had an effect on the man’s attitude.
“We retrieved your bags from the van and have them at the police station,” he continued. “We need to record your statements of the incident, but you will be free to go after.”
“Of course, Officer…?” Shane held out his hand.
“Pineda.” He took Shane’s hand. “I apologize for earlier. The nurse is my wife’s sister. She said you came in with guns and a man you shot.”
“They didn’t shoot him!” Kinley’s outrage drove her forward a step. “That man would have died if not for them. They very likely saved his life. And mine.”
“Of course, Miss… I’m sorry, the man I spoke with did not know who you were,” Officer Pineda said.
“Kinley Dunn. I’m with the International Archaeological Foundation.”
“Ah, yes,” he said. “Many archaeologists pass through Carmelita. I will escort you to the hotel once we are finished.”
“We can all find the hotel together.” Shane shifted closer to her side.
The muscles in her shoulders relaxed. Shane’s no-nonsense statement eased a worry she hadn’t even realized she had. Whether it was the way they’d protected her or the intense events of the last couple of hours, the idea of being by herself and not with these virtual strangers was suddenly terrifying.
“Of course. If you will follow me?” Officer Pineda gestured for them to cross the street. Despite his easy tone, she had no doubt it wasn’t an invitation they could really refuse.
Forever later, but really in less than thirty minutes, Kinley had both her backpacks and crossbody bag, her passport, laptop, and, most importantly, her notebook. She clutched it to her chest and breathed a sigh of relief.
“Did they break the lock on your diary?”
Kinley opened her eyes and smiled at Oakley as he sat in the hard plastic chair next to hers. “Not quite. All my research is in here.”
“Can I?” he asked.
She stared at the simple composition notebook, then held it out to him. “Sure.”
He took it gently and opened it, flipping through the pages. He frowned and tilted his head, turning the notebook sideways. “What language is this?”
She glanced at the page he looked at. “Well, the pictures are Mayan glyphs.”
“Okay. What’s the rest of it?” He stretched out his arms, then pulled the notebook closer to his face.
Kinley chuckled. “That’s my own code.”
Oakley closed the cover and returned her notebook. “Do you write all your notes in code?”
“I do.” She didn’t want to get into the details right then, so returned the notebook to her backpack.
“Who’s ready for that drink?” Shane entered the small waiting room, settling his duffel bag on his shoulder, followed by Ghost.
“I need to check in to the hotel and find the Foundation site office. I think it’s at the hotel,” Kinley said.
“I could do with a shower before we eat,” Oakley said.
Shane looked at Ghost. “You?”
He only tilted his head back in a semblance of a nod, which must have been agreement in man-speak.
“All right. Let’s check into our rooms and get cleaned up, then food.” Shane leaned down and picked up her pack, hefting it over his other shoulder.
