“He will be safe,” KuTu reassured her.
She stepped back, examining the wall. It really wasn’t very high. A little over twelve feet, maybe fifteen, with some uneven stone edges that could act as footholds. And Quint was no Humpty Dumpty. He was strong, capable, and healed quickly—something she’d witnessed with her own eyes after the last two digs he’d worked.
She turned toward the man of the hour, noting his clothing and boots, all of which shouldn’t hamper him on the climb up or down. She’d feel better if he had some gloves … wait, he’d been wearing some earlier while moving thorn-covered branches out of their way.
“How are you feeling this afternoon, Parker?”
He tipped his head slightly. “Why are you sizing me up like that, boss lady?”
She didn’t want to lie to him, so she waded carefully into the truth of the matter. “KuTu thinks we need someone strong to climb the wall. I’m hesitant to send him, Raul, or Bronko, because that’s not really what they are being paid to do. They’ve already gone above and beyond by helping us clear a path to this place. So, that leaves you or me, and KuTu doesn’t think I’m the right one for the job.”
So far, she’d spoken the truth, for the most part.
Quint’s gaze narrowed. “When has someone else’s opinion about a matter like this one ever made you pause? What’s really going on here?”
Damn, he knew her too well. Normally, she’d be up that wall without thinking twice, but that was before she cared about something more than what had gone on in the past. Before Quint had come along and given her hope for the future.
“Let me put it this way, Parker. How do you feel about being the first photojournalist to see what’s hidden behind this wall in what has likely been centuries?”
When he hesitated, so did she. Wait, what was she thinking, sending Quint up there to do her job? It was better for her to go. She knew what to look for.
“Never mind. I’ll do this. I just need a boost up there to get started … and to borrow your camera. I left my cell phone back at camp.”
He scoffed. “Cut the bullshit, Angélica. We both know you won’t just take pictures. You’ll find something old but shiny on the other side that you justhaveto check out, which will end with me climbing the wall after you.” He squatted and tucked his gear away in the camera bag. “I might as well go up, so the others aren’t stuck sharing firelight with these skulls out here all night.”
Maybe they should play it completely safe, head back to Calakmul, and call in Teodoro to join them with his shaman bag of safeguards. Then they could enter the site after they’d been properly protected.
She reached out and touched the wall again, running her palm down the crust of lichens. But they were right here, right now. A quick look wouldn’t hurt anything, would it? And if Quint werewilling, the climb wasn’t that big of a risk. Plus, Lord of Death or not, vultures were usually perceived as a sign of good luck. She looked up at the circling birds. And now there were actually six of them gliding around and around overhead.
She squatted next to Quint, grabbing his arm. “Please promise me you’ll only take pictures when you’re up there.”
He stared down at her hand for a moment before meeting her gaze. “Angélica,” he said solemnly, “I have no desire to hop down the other side and see how many critters are waiting to bite, sting, or chew on me for fun.”
“Promise me,” she insisted, squeezing his arm.
He placed his hand over hers. “I promise.” He stood and pulled her up with him. “Now let me do my gallant deed for the day so that my queen can sleep tonight knowing what awaits us on the other side of this wall.” He turned to Bronko while tugging on his gloves. “You want to give me a hand up?”
The ex-hitman nodded, handing his cigar to her father to hold and then stepping over to the wall. Meanwhile, Quint slid his arms through his backpack straps and then clipped the strap that secured it around his waist.
Raul came over to help, warning, “Watch for snakes.”
“I’m not going down the other side,” Quint told him.
“I meanonthe wall. Snakes can climb.”
“Christ.” Quint grabbed Angélica by the shoulders and pulled her close. “The crazy things I do for you, woman.” He leaned down and kissed her, like they weren’t standing next to a pile of skulls in the jungle with an audience watching.
His lips tasted salty, but his kiss was sweet and slow. Her knees gave way a little, her head going rummy. Quint was a hell of a kisser. Although, it was probably partly due to the heat. But maybe both, plus the excitement of finding out whatever waited to be explored on the other side of this wall, and a towering wave of affection for the guy willing to climb the wall for her.
Quint sported a lopsided smile when he pulled away. “I’m beginning to think Pedro was right. I do need to have my head examined.”
“What do you mean, Pedro?” Juan guffawed. “I knew you were a goner right out of the gate.” He looked on with a definite smirk. “Isaw you staring at my daughter on that very first night with those big lovesick cow eyes and the rest was Maya history, just like everything else in this jungle.”
Angélica ignored her father’s crowing and focused on Quint. “Up and down in one piece, Parker. Take only pictures, leave only drops of sweat, got it?”
“Sure thing.”
Bronko and Raul both hunched over with their fingers laced, offering makeshift footholds to help start Quint’s ascent. After a few grunts, and a curse when he scraped his arm on one of the stones near the top, Quint stood on the top of the wall.
