Legends of the Yucatan, uncovering a mystery
of greed and betrayal. A story by Jason Weimer.
Narrated by the International Community Schools
High School Marketing Class of 2025. In The Legends
of the Yucatan, a gripping tale of adventure,
mystery, and danger, Professor James Hawthorne
and a group of unlikely heroes find themselves
thrust into a world of ancient artifacts, cartel
members, and Mayan myths. The Setting Our story
begins in the quaint and famous, well now even
more famous, town of Coloma, California, which
is located in El Dorado County. Coloma's significance
resides in the fact that it's known as Ground
Zero of where the California Gold Rush started
in the mid -1800s. Coloma and the surrounding
area is not only etched in the history as the
starting place of the California Gold Rush, but
is now also known as the little town that helped
expose one of the largest and longest U .S. government
scandals of all time. The scandal is now known
worldwide as the Great California Gold Rush Scandal.
The region and county has seen growth among visiting
tourists. Over the last year and a half since
the Gold Rush scandal broke, tourism has almost
doubled, which has contributed to much higher
revenues for local businesses. Coloma City Council
members have had to hold several extra meetings
with real estate developers, city planners, zoning
officials, and contractors to develop plans for
infrastructure improvements, road expansions,
and new business -friendly zones. El Dorado College,
located in Coloma, has seen a jump in enrollment
since the scandal was exposed as well. Curiosity
and intrigue have brought many more students
from all over the United States to the college
to study. Both the history and science departments
have seen a significant increase in enrollment.
Even though the county of El Dorado and the town
of Coloma are experiencing population growth,
the region still holds on to its cultural and
historical charm. UNAM is short for the National
Autonomous University of Mexico. It's ranked
as Mexico's number one university and ranks as
number two in all of Latin America. UNAM has
an enrollment of over 360 ,000 students. Popular
tourist attractions and archaeological sites
in Mexico are sprinkled along the Yucatan Peninsula.
Cancun, being the popular destination for tourists
and holiday goers, sits on the east coast of
the peninsula and is about a 20 -hour drive from
Mexico City, or just a two -and -a -half -hour
flight. The Yucatan is full of ancient archaeological
sites. One well -known site is known as Chichen
Itza, one of the largest Mayan cities. It's just
over 90 minutes from the city of Merida and just
over two hours from Cancun in Playa del Carmen.
Chichen Itza is a notable site of ancient Mayan
ruins. At its center is the massive step pyramid
known as El Castillo, or the Temple of Kukulkan.
This ancient city thrived between 600 AD and
the 1200s, and its stone carvings have endured
over time. Key structures such as the ball court,
the Temple of the Warriors, and the Wall of Skulls
still display detailed carvings from the past.
Nightly sound and light shows illuminate the
building's sophisticated geometry, giving visitors
a spectacular show. Another location popular
with tourists and archaeologists is Tulum. Tulum
is a resort town on Mexico's Caribbean coast,
in south of Cancun. The 13th century walled Mayan
archaeological site at Tulum National Park overlooks
the sea. It incorporates the clifftop Castillo,
built as a watchtower, and the Templo de las
Pinturas, with a partially restored mural. Inland,
the Coba Archaeological Site has pyramid -shaped
temples with views over the surrounding jungle.
Finally, Calakmul is another ancient site of
the Mayan people and is located near the border
of Guatemala and Belize. Over 6 ,700 ancient
structures have been discovered and identified
in this area, which date back to 1000 BC. The
entire site is located in the protected tropical
forest of Calakmul in Campeche, Mexico. This
area has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage
Site. Because of this designation, many of the
ancient structures have been hidden once again
by the imposing jungle forest. Few tourists venture
into this location because of its remote and
less accessible location. I'm Lily, remember
me? I'm thankful for all the outpouring of support
and love I've received since being part of the
group who helped expose the truth of the Gold
Rush scandal. Because of my involvement in helping
expose this scandal, I'll be granted a permanent
green card to live and work in the US upon completing
all my studies. I've had some weird flashbacks
the last year and a half of my time being held
in the tunnels, which have helped the FBI piece
other small details together over time. I'm still
connected with Ava, Ethan, and Sarah, and of
course, Professor Hawthorne at the college. I
completed my bachelor degree in forensic science
from El Dorado College, and I've started my master's
degree. With the influx of new students came
more demands for expanded programs at the college.
So I'm part of the first cohort in the newly
developed forensic science master's degree program,
which I'm super excited about. I'm also taking
a few extra classes in the history department,
as I really would love to specialize in a career
that does forensic investigation of past events,
places, and artifacts. I was able to secure a
TA position with Professor Hawthorne and Professor
Case. I really enjoy having my feet in both the
history and science worlds, and I just really
love to learn. Hey there, it's Ava Turner here.
You may remember me from my previous adventure.
I helped break the series of stories of the California
Gold Rush scandal when I was working at the Sacramento
Bee. I'm not even 30 years old yet, and I feel
like I've lived a lifetime already with the amount
of exposure and opportunities I've had since
those stories came out. The events and circumstances
of that adventure have changed my career and
life in so many positive ways. I've only been
out of college for two and a half years, and
I now work as an independent writer and investigative
reporter. I'd say that 90 % of my contract work
now comes from Reuters. Reuters is a valued source
of news of which they then source to newspaper
all over the country, like the Sacramento Bee
and hundreds of other papers, both online and
offline. In fact, Reuters is quite famously known
as the first to break the news in 1865 that President
Abraham Lincoln had been assassinated. I'm so
honored to be working with them and appreciate
the arrangement we have together. Hello, I'm
Amanda Chase. My students call me Prov Chase.
I'm 36 years old and new to the area. I accepted
a position at El Dorado College last year and
now help teach several classes in the history
and science departments. I'm a rare person as
I've done two doctoral degrees, one in general
history and one in general science. That's why
I landed this faculty position at El Dorado College
as I'm qualified to teach in both the history
and science departments. I'm married and my husband
is a lawyer who specializes in business and corporate
law. We have two elementary age children and
we are originally from New York. My husband and
I were inspired by the events and bravery of
the people involved with exposing the Gold Rush
scandal. It was good timing as we both were looking
to make a change and wanted to relocate. After
reading all the articles and watching all the
news reports and interviews, I knew we had to
be out there. Anyway, when I saw that the college
was hiring for a new faculty position and that
person would be working in the same department
as the great professor Hawthorne, I knew I wanted
this position. And now, here we are, a year later,
and I've made it through my first year at the
college. Oh, by the way, fun fact as well. My
kids attend the school where Sierra Reese now
teaches art. You know, Sierra? She was also part
of the gang who helped expose the corrupt officials
from the Gold Rush scandal. Hola. I'm Thomas
Frolis. I'm a 52 -year -old man. I'm a family
man. Always have been. My students call me Professor
Tommy, which is Prof Tommy. I'm on staff at UNAM,
and I've been here for quite a long time now.
Professor Hawthorne and I go way back. In fact,
James and I worked together on several dig projects
here in Mexico and Central America years ago.
I'm well -connected at the university and the
museum. My university department, the Department
of Archaeology and Anthropology, works closely
with the museum and much of our work is directly
related to the city and state cultural and heritage
type initiatives. Let's just say the Mexican
Ministry of Cultural Affairs is one of our biggest
supporters and financiers. Tony Garcia over at
the museum is a good friend of mine. I helped
to mentor him as he gained seniorities at the
museum. We probably grab lunch together at least
once a month. I'm surprised he still has time
with as large a staff he has now over there.
Hello, my name is Anthony Garcia and I'm the
lead curator for the Museum of National Anthropology
in Mexico City. My close friends just call me
Tony. I'm 44 years old and I've worked at this
museum for almost 24 years now. I started working
here as an intern while I was finishing my college
degree and never left. I guess you could say
that I've almost made it to the top rung of the
corporate ladder here. I routinely meet with
my boss, the museum director, and prominent city
and government officials regarding all things
culture and heritage. And I get to interact with
the Yunnan professors and students on a regular
basis as well. I learned how to curate some of
the rarest artifacts and relics from around the
world and bring them to this museum for shows
and installations. We do, however, specialize
in rare relics and artifacts of the ancient Mayans
and have done a lot of study of the Aztec civilization.
I love my job. Let's just say I don't plan on
going anywhere. I converted a section of my large
corner office into a studio apartment as I'm
often here overnight working. Chances are if
you need to find me, you'll always find me at
the museum somewhere. Hello, I'm Miranda Martinez
and I'm 28 years old. I was born and raised in
Mexico City with family ties to Texas. I have
a younger brother and a younger sister. My younger
brother plays for one of Mexico City's pro soccer
teams and my sister is studying pre -med. I'm
a graduate of UNAM's undergraduate and graduate
programs of history and anthropology, and I'm
one of the youngest team leaders the university
has ever sent out in the field. One of my biggest
accomplishments, besides being the first female
in my family to graduate with honors from UNAM,
was that I helped lead the team that discovered
the now famous and very rare jade vessel artifact.
You'll hear about that later. My family is pretty
well connected among the elites in Mexico City.
My mother and father own and manage several high
-end restaurants that have been featured on multiple
international food programs. Their restaurants
regularly host some of Mexico's most influential
politicians and business moguls. Although I grew
up in the world of elites and influence, I don't
really enjoy it. I'd rather be out in the countryside
learning about our past so I can help preserve
it, not only for my generation, but for future
generations as well. Hi, my name is David Silva.
I'm 31 years old. Well, almost 32 to be exact.
I'm a dual U .S. Mexican citizen. I was born
in Mexico. My father's American, and my mother
is Mexican. My father moved to Mexico City for
work, where he met my mom. They then got married
and had me two years later, which was a big surprise
to both of them at the time. At least, that's
what they tell me, and maybe that's why I'm an
only child. My father then relocated us to the
U .S. right before I started middle school. I
spent my middle school and high school years
attending school in Los Angeles, which was a
big adjustment for me. My parents still live
and work there. I had a knack for swimming and
won several high -profile swim meets in high
school. I didn't know what I wanted to do after
high school, so I joined the U .S. Navy. I knew
that if I wanted to go to university sometime,
that the best way to get that paid for was through
the GI Bill offered by the U .S. government.
While in the Navy, I trained and worked as a
rescue and recovery diver, which took me all
around the world, mostly to natural disaster
zones. We were often contracted by both private
and public companies and even sometimes other
governments for our services, some of which have
been classified. I left the Navy after 10 years
and was quickly recruited by the Mexican government
as a private citizen to help recruit and train
new dive technicians for the Mexican Navy. My
former senior Navy officer recommended me when
he found I was leaving. I also accept contracts
for dives from pirate companies and the university.
In fact, I was a diver on the team that found
the golden mass of Chichen Itza. You'll hear
about that later. Professor Hawthorne here. You
probably remember me from my previous adventure
with Ava, Lily, Ethan, and Sierra. The last two
years have been quite crazy, good and bad. One
of my closest friends and colleagues at the college,
Bill Sharpton, was charged and convicted of multiple
felonies and is now serving prison time for his
role in the Gold Rush scandal. Other prominent
city and state leaders were also caught and convicted.
The public's trust in our city, county, and state
leaders has been greatly diminished because of
the Great Gold Rush scandal. Well, this is what
the national network news agencies have named
it now. I still get the feeling there are others
involved who haven't yet been caught. Well, it's
in the hands of the FBI now. Moving on to some
of the good things that have happened in the
last two years, my wife and I have had the opportunity
to travel around the country, along with several
of the others, to tell the story of our involvement.
I'm thankful to HarperCollins for picking up
my book, The Secrets of El Dorado, and sending
us on a book tour. We had a great time meeting
so many people all over the country and are thrilled
to tell our story, and we're glad it inspired
them. El Dorado College enrollment has grown,
so it's good to have a new faculty member. Amanda
Chase joined my team, and she helps teach several
different classes. With this newfound 15 seconds
of fame, many of our old friends and work colleagues
have reached out to see how things are going.
I even got reconnected with an old friend from
Yunam in Mexico City, which you'll hear about
soon. Part 1. The Proposal Professor Hawthorne
looks down at his watch, and then he glances
up at the clock in the back of the room. Hmm,
I guess the batteries finally died in that old
clock. The professor mumbles to himself as he
starts to pack up his papers and laptop. As he
carefully slips his laptop in his very worn leather
shoulder bag, he clears his throat and then he
says with a loud voice, Okay everyone, there
is about 10 minutes remaining in class to finish
up. Make sure to read the final instructions
before turning in your work. And don't forget
to have a great holiday break. And I'll see you
next year. The professor smirks a bit as he says
that last part, hoping at least one of the students
would laugh. Or at least crack a smile and look
back. Nope, not this year again. Maybe the joke
has worn itself out over the countless years
he's used it with his last class on the last
day before the college goes on break for Christmas
and New Year's. The professor looks up as Lily
Chan approaches the front table as he's closing
his bag and putting on his jacket. Tough ground
today, he says to Lily. Yes, they were. They
were probably just tired and happy that their
final exam is over. Lily responds as she hands
in some leftover papers that were left behind
by several eager to leave early students. She
then asks, Is there anything else we need to
do today? The professor responds, Not that I
can think of, and if there is something, well,
it can wait until we get back from break. That's
the thing about work. It'll always be right here
where you left it. It's not going anywhere. Professor
Hawthorne and Lily follow the last two students
out of the classroom, turn off the light, and
shut the door behind them. As they walk down
the hallway toward the elevator, the professor
says, Well, how does it feel to complete your
first semester as a TA? Very different from when
you were a student, right? Honestly, it's been
great. I mean, I didn't really know what to expect
as far as the day -to -day responsibilities,
but so far I've really enjoyed it. And as a bonus,
I'm able to receive three extra college credits.
And by the way, I really appreciate you allowing
me to join your department. Thanks for putting
in the work for me. You're welcome. And that's
good to hear, Professor Hawthorne says. The entire
TA experience can be a make it or break it, depending
on who you're TAing for. I mean, I feel really
bad for the poor souls who get stuck TAing in
the English department. Yeah, that's what the
rumor is around here. Don't TA in the English
department, Lily says with a half smile and then
adds, Professor Chase has been great as well.
She told me she loves it when she has the opportunity
to mentor TAs in her classes. Lily makes eye
contact with one of the two students up ahead
who is holding the elevator and then says, thanks
for holding that for us. The professor then says,
you all go ahead without me. I've got to stop
back in my office before I leave anyway. Oh,
by the way, Lily, if you find yourself without
plans for Christmas or New Year's, please reach
out to me or the missus. We usually host several
students who can't make it back home for the
holidays. Lily nods her head, smiles, and says,
Okay, thank you, and will do, as the elevator
doors close. The professor makes his way to his
office and notices that just about every other
classroom and office is already closed, dark,
and empty. except for Amanda's office a few doors
down. Well, this place clears out fast this time
of year, he says this as he unlocks and enters
his office, while the faint sound of a vacuum
sweeper hums in the background. As he enters
his office, he notices that there is one last
manila envelope resting upright in the mail receiving
basket, which sits on a chair just inside the
door on the right, and just under the mail receiving
slot in the wall. I'll grab that on my way out,
he thinks to himself. After finishing a few last
minute things, the professor grabs the manila
envelope, turns off the light, pushes the lock
button on the back of the doorknob, and then
closes the door behind him. The professor makes
it a point to stop at Amanda's office to see
if she actually is still here, or if it's the
cleaning staff that are in her office finishing
up before break. He peeks through the door and
sees Amanda packing her backpack while sitting
at her very tiny desk. Oh, hey there, the professor
says. Looks like you're getting out of Dodge
as well. Oh, hey, Professor, Amanda replies.
Getting out of Dodge? Haven't heard that one
before. Yeah, it's something my father and I
used to say to each other when we were excited
or ready to leave a place. We used to watch that
old Western show, Gunsmoke, together when I was
a kid. And that saying was used a lot on the
show, even though neither of us had ever visited
Dodge City, Kansas. The professor responds with
a small chuckle. He continues, Lily just left
and said she has really enjoyed TAing for the
department, and especially for you. Anyway, I
thought you'd like to know you've really made
an impact on her in her short time here so far.
So thank you. Oh, and by the way, the contractor
spoke with me this morning and said that your
new office would be completed by the time you
returned after break, so you don't have to put
up with this small closet of a space anymore.
Wow, that's so nice to hear. Lily's been so helpful
in so many areas, not just with typical TA things
like helping do attendance, checking work, and
so forth, but she's also given my family and
I great advice about the town and surrounding
area. I know we've only just been here a year
and a half now, but my family and I feel very
connected and grounded already with the community
and the school. As Amanda gets up, turns out
her light and walks out of her small closet -sized
office space and she continues as Professor Hawthorne
walks next to her down the hallway towards the
exit of the building. Our two girls love their
new school. Byron and I made the right choice
by enrolling them in that new charter school
you and your wife recommended. Miss Sierra Reese
is their art teacher. I've gotta say it's pretty
cool to be surrounded by the heroes of the famous
California Gold Rush scandal. I didn't think
that would happen when I accepted this job. As
Professor Hawthorne and Professor Chase exits
the building together and into the almost empty
parking lot, Amanda then says, and yes, I'll
be ready to move out of that small closet I call
my office as soon as the other office is ready.
Ha, I'm sure you will be. Think of it as a late
Christmas present from the college. The professor
says this with a smile as he turns to walk towards
his parked car. He hesitates for a moment and
then turns around. Oh, and one more thing. Merry
Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your
family. Thank you. And you too. Please give my
best to your wife. Amanda responds as she turns
and walks to her car. As Professor Hawthorne
opens the driver's door on his old Bronco, he
looks down at the envelope he's been carrying
since he left his office. He glances down at
the top left corner of the front of the envelope
where the return address has been affixed. The
address reads, The National Autonomous University
of Mexico. School of Political Social Sciences,
Mexico City, Mexico. This large and famous school
is better known by its nickname, which is UNAM.
Hmm, it can't be. The professor says to himself
as he starts his engine, puts the Bronco in drive
and then leaves campus, ready to enjoy the next
four weeks of holiday break. Shortly later, the
professor arrives home to an empty house, remembering
his wife was working at a local charity fundraising
event downtown today. He sits down on one of
the stools at the island in the kitchen and places
the envelope on the table. His phone then dings,
almost on cue, like he had planned it that way.
As he is opening the envelope and pulling out
the contents, he looks down at his phone and
sees that he's got a new email and it's sent
to his personal email account. Hmm, that's funny,
he thinks. I don't give that address out to many
people, so I wonder who that could be. He focuses
on the papers that he pulled out of the envelope
and scans them until he finds exactly what he's
looking for at the bottom of the second document.
There you are, the professor says with a grin
as he reads the name at the bottom of the letter.
Sincerely, Professor Tommy Flores, UNAM School
of Political Social Sciences, Mexico City, Mexico.
Hawthorne notices that the two documents in the
envelope appear to be a formal invitation and
a proposal directed to both El Dorado College
and him personally. He picks up his phone and
opens the email that had just arrived. He notices
that the from address is tommyf at unom .edu
.mx. The email message is quite short and to
the point and reads, James, this is Tommy. Long
time, man. Hope you received the official invite
from me already. Also send an official invite
to your college dean and administrative staff.
After you read it, please let me know if this
is something that can happen. I didn't have your
work email, only your personal email address.
Anyways, I'm hoping you still check this account.
Let me know. All the best, Tommy. Professor Hawthorne
scans the two documents again and more thoroughly
this time. The first document is like a cover
letter introducing several different people.
UNAM is a higher educational institution and
one of the more well -known museums in Mexico
City. The second page or document is the official
invitation and proposal which consists of three
main things. guest lecturing, sitting on a Q
&A panel, and an official invitation to an honorary
guest to a formal event being held at the Museum
of National Anthropology, Mexico's most prominent
natural history museum. The museum event will
include the unveiling of two rare, somewhat controversial
Mayan artifacts that were recently discovered
by an archaeological team from UNAM. The artifacts
will be turned over to the museum for further
study and research purposes. Hmm, this could
be a fun experience. The professor says out loud
that he finds two more important details towards
the end of the second document. The first is
that the events would be happening during the
first and second week of May, which is a week
before both UNAM and El Dorado College hold graduation
ceremonies. The other detail is an invitation
to bring a small group of like -minded students
from the El Dorado College and the other California
Gold Rush scandal heroes. Hawthorne thinks to
himself, this is quite the proposal, especially
since travel and food expenses would be paid
for by one of UNAM's many cultural exchange grants.
I like this idea a lot. I just hope the dean
will be keen on this as well. Professor Hawthorne
puts the documents down and eyes the fresh pumpkin
bread loaf sitting on the kitchen counter, grabs
a fork from the drawer and says to himself, Well,
it's time to start celebrating the holidays early,
and I know just where to start. Part 2. The Interviews
It's early May and UNAM is bustling with activities
and the temps in Mexico City are already starting
to rise with the summer months approaching. The
end of the second semester is always quite hectic.
With graduation approaching, Professor Thomas
Flores, or as his students call him, Prof Tommy,
had just returned from grabbing a quick bite
to eat from one of the food vendors near his
campus building. He was running late for lunch
and couldn't get his usual came asada torta.
the famous Mexican version of a loaded meat sandwich.
More on that later. Prof. Tommy morning classes
and meetings had interrupted his weekly Friday
lunch routine, and he wasn't too happy about
it either. He ended up grabbing two tamales and
a bottle of Coke, then headed right back to his
small office in preparation for his video call
at 1 p .m. Prof. Thomas Flores sits down in his
squeaky desk chair with one tamale in hand and
taps the keyboard and mouse to open his video
calling app. finds his old friend's contact number,
and clicks the Call Now button. Professor Hawthorne's
computer starts ringing with a ringtone sounding
like one of those old -time phones from the 1940s.
He set the ringtone on his video app several
years ago and has never changed it. He actually
can't remember how to change it. Hawthorne clicks
the green Accept button on his screen and is
immediately met. with an image of Tommy Flores
taking a big bite out of what looks like a tamale.
Hey buddy, says Hawthorne, looks like you're
having a busy day. If my memory serves me right,
I don't remember you ever working through your
lunch break back in the day. Ah, yes, well, there's
a time for everything. Tommy responds with a
mouthful of food. He puts his tamale down, takes
a swig of coke, and then says, I'm just confirming
your flight details or wanted to relay some logistical
information so you know what to expect when you
arrive. One of our drivers and myself will pick
your group up at the airport. We'll be waiting
for you after your exit baggage claim and I'll
be holding a sign with your name on it and the
UNAM logo. And we'll be taking you directly to
our accommodations so you can get settled and
then we can meet again sometime late afternoon.
Time continues. Oh, by the way, my department
head was pleased to hear that Ava Turner at Lily
Hand was also coming. I know this is a busy time
for you all, but what is happening here is a
pretty big deal, and it will be an honor to have
you all here for it. Hawthorne replies, Oh, thanks,
Tommy. Everything is a go on our end, and if
all goes as planned, we'll be talking in person
tomorrow afternoon at the hotel. Mrs. Hawthorne
says hi and sends her greetings. She can't make
the trip with me, but wanted me to remind you
of the time in Puerto Vallarta when you almost
got duped into wrestling that guy's pet alligator.
Remember that? Wow, there's one memory I've tried
to forget, but thanks for reminding me. Tommy
responds with a quirky smile. He continues, I've
got to go, but one last thing you might want
to remind your students who are coming. Make
sure they bring some work -type clothes, or we'll
be going to the field with one of our teams.
I'm sure they'll be happy to know they won't
be sitting around on the university campus the
entire time they're here. Okay, I've got to finish
my lunch quickly and then head to my next class.
Take care and I'll see you later tomorrow. And
with that last statement, Tommy ends the call
and rushes off to his next class. Hey boss, Amanda
says this as she knocks softly on the open door
to Hawthorne's office. She continues, I've got
to admit, I'm a bit jealous. I'm not going with
you guys. Are you all ready for the big trip?
Hawthorne looks up from his chair with a slight
smile on his face. Yeah, I think we're ready.
I mean, I guess we'll find out tomorrow as we
get on the airplane. Wow, the last few months
since our official invite have flown by. I can't
believe the trip is already here. I hope everybody
remembers everything. You've done a great job
of helping me get all the details figured out
on this end, so thank you so much. The professor
gets up from his chair and starts walking toward
the door. And thanks for holding down the fort
while we're away. I know this department will
be in good hands. Do you want to grab a quick
lunch and review any last minute details? It's
my treat and I'm heading to Ethan's Cafe. Amanda
responds, sure, especially if you're buying.
If we leave now, we can beat the lunch crowd.
All right, sounds good. I'm parked out front.
We can start a conversation on the way there.
The professor replies as they both make their
way out of the building toward the parking lot.
The following day, the bus ride to Sacramento
Airport was lively and loud. Professor Hawthorne,
Ava, and Lily were all sitting together toward
the front and talking about some of the first
day agenda. There were seven college students
who were going on the trip as well. Most of the
noise and excitement was coming from them. The
college students were at part of one of Hawthorne's
spring semester classes called Archaeology of
the Americas, which covered North, Central, and
South America. These students were all third
and fourth year students in the broader archaeological
undergraduate degree program. The class included
seven students, three guys, and four girls. The
students were not only going to receive three
credits from taking this class, but they were
also going to receive one extra college credit
for being part of this trip. Needless to say,
they all felt like they were in the right class
at the right time. El Dorado College approved
the trip back in February, about two months after
UNOM rep Tommy Flores made the official invitation
ahead of the holiday break. The college admin
were more than happy to send the group of nine,
Hawthorne, Lilly, the class TA, and seven undergraduate
students. The college admin also approved Ava
Turner to help as an official chaperone of the
group. Ava's popularity as a reputable journalist
had grown over the last two years, so having
her along on the trip meant good PR for the college.
Ava grabs Lily's hand and squeezes tight as the
plane makes it landing at Mexico City International
Airport, Benito Juarez, or better known by its
three -letter handle, MEX. Ava looks at Lily
and says, No matter how much I travel, I never
get used to the landing part of the flight. That's
just something about it that makes me nervous.
Lily smiles and squeezes her hand back and says,
Yeah, sometimes it gets to me as well, especially
if the weather seems a little unpredictable.
Or maybe it's just the fact that we're not in
control. Ava responds back, Yeah, that and my
fear of heights I'm sure contribute to my nervousness.
Ava changes the subject while the plane is taxiing
to one of the arrival gates. I hope all our luggage
shows up. Hawthorne, who is seated in the row
behind them, responds with, Yeah, I hope so.
Otherwise, our book signing event might be quite
boring. As the plane door opens and the flight
attendant gives the call clear to exit the plane,
Hawthorne looks around to make sure all the students
he and Lily are responsible for have gotten their
carry -ons and are ready to go. He nods his head
and makes eye contact with each student, making
sure they are ready and paying attention, then
turns around and exits the plane following Ava
and Lily, who are in front of him. Less than
15 minutes later, the group of 10 were waiting
at baggage carousel number 6, praying and hoping
that all their luggage made the trip safe and
sound. Of course, this wasn't like the old days
where airlines would often lose luggage. I think
the only one who was actually a bit nervous was
Professor Hawthorne. You see, over 20 years ago
in this very airport, before it was renovated,
he and one of his dig teams stood in this very
same baggage area and waited for over three hours
for their equipment to show up. And when it finally
did, several important cases were missing. He
had filed a complaint to the airport authorities
and airline to no avail. The two cases were never
recovered, and the tools and equipment lost hampered
their dig project at the time. But that memory
soon left as Hawthorne watched all their luggage
get deposited down the chute and into the spinning
baggage carousel. Luggage in hand, Lily turns
toward the professor and says, Looks like all
our luggage is here. We're ready to go when you
are. Great, the professor responds. Follow me
out and ignore the taxi drivers alongside the
curb. We're looking for my friend, Professor
Tommy, who should be holding a sign labeled El
Dorado College Group. Ava is one of the first
ones out of the airport exit doors and sees Professor
Tommy holding the sign a few meters away. Hey
guys, he's over there. She turns around and says
to the group behind her. Professor Tommy notices
the larger group of young people walking towards
him and then sees Hawthorne. He waves his hand,
then moves to greet them. After a few introductions
and pleasantries, Prof Tommy directs the group
towards the large white van, courtesy of UNAM,
which comes with the driver as well. The group
loads their luggage and gets situated into the
van. As the van leaves the airport, Prof Tommy
turns around in his seat and says, Hola, and
welcome to Mexico City. It's great to have you
all here, and I hope this trip will be the highlight
of your semester. While Lily and the group of
students get settled into their different visitor
dormitory rooms, Ava and the professor meet with
Professor Tommy to talk about the upcoming events
and schedule. Hawthorne is scheduled to give
two lectures the following day while the college
students and Lily are given a tour of some of
the campus. Ava received permission to meet and
interview several college professors, Professor
Tommy being one of them. The museum's head curator
Anthony Garcia, and two individuals who helped
discover the artifacts that will be handed over
to the museum at the gala event in just a few
days. Tommy, thank you for your warm welcome.
The accommodations are perfect for our group
and the schedule looks good. So after my lecture
tomorrow, Ava, Lily, and I will be in the main
student center signing books and talking with
students, right? Prof. Tommy responds, yeah,
that's correct. You'll be accompanied by a few
of my students and your students are free to
mingle. hang out, and enjoy getting to know some
of our UNAM students and staff. Plus, there's
plenty of food and snacks options in the student
center. Tommy goes on, Ava, do you have any questions?
No, this looks all good. I can go with the flow
and I look forward to talking with Mr. Garcia,
Ms. Martinez, and Mr. Silva. Did I get their
names right? That's correct, Tommy replies. Okay,
I've got to run. Text or call me if you need
anything else in the meantime. Otherwise, I'll
see you tomorrow. Thanks again, James, for accepting
my invite. It's really good to see you again.
And Miss Turner, it's nice to meet you all as
it seems you've made quite the name for yourself
over the last two years. And with that, Professor
Tommy shuffles off and out of the small dormitory
sitting room. Hawthorne and Ava watch as Prof.
Tommy walks out the front door in a hurry. Hawthorne
then turns to Ava and says, My good buddy Tommy
is always in a hurry and always has another place
to be. But he's a good man, and if you need anything,
you can text him directly. Sounds good, Ava replies.
I'm going to review my interview questions this
evening and prepare for tomorrow. Hope that's
okay. Lilia and I will make sure the girls are
in by curfew. See you tomorrow. All right, have
a good night. Hawthorne replies as he thinks
to himself, yep, curfew. I haven't heard that
word in a very long time, and I guess I better
do the same and make sure the boys are in as
well. The following morning, and while Professor
Hawthorne delivers several lectures in one of
the large lecture halls on campus, Ava is busy
prepping for her interviews in a side room in
the same building. She asked one of the El Dorado
College students, Olivia, who came along on the
trip, to assist her with some of the audio recording
equipment. Ava plans on not only writing several
articles for print and online publications, but
she also wants to capture video and audio recordings
of the interviews. She's been granted the rights
by the university to publish the video and audio
of the interviews online and through different
news agencies that are interested. In the meantime,
Lily and other college students are sitting in
on Hawthorne's lectures. Professor Hawthorne
invites the students to join him on stage and
contribute towards the end of each lecture as
he gives an update about the school back in Coloma,
California. Several students share from their
own experience how they're enjoying their classes,
college life, and the school in general. Miranda
Martinez walks into the small room, smiles, and
sits down across from Ava and Olivia. She notices
that Olivia is still fumbling around with some
of the recording equipment, so Miranda sits down
and says hello first. Hello, I'm Miranda, and
I assume you're Ava? Oh, hey, Miranda. Ava responds
quickly. She continues, so sorry about the delay
on our end. Some of the settings on our equipment
were bumped out of whack on the trip down here.
Anyway, I think we have it sorted out now. By
the way, this is Olivia. She's a student at Eldorado
College and is helping record these interviews.
And I'm Eva. All right. Hi, Olivia. Very nice
to meet you. Miranda responds. Hello. Nice to
meet you, too. Sorry again for the delay. Olivia
responds as she makes one last adjustment to
the microphone. Miranda, thanks for doing this
interview with me. I guess in the world of archaeology
and history, your find is a big deal. Eva continues.
And that's what I want this interview to be about.
how and where you found the artifact and some
of the history behind it and maybe what's next
for you personally. I want to make this story
more personal, kind of like telling the story
about the people who do this for a living as
well. So as you are telling me these things,
I may interrupt with clarifying questions just
so I can get the facts straight. Hope that's
okay. Yeah, it's no problem, Miranda says. I
just hope I don't sound too boring. Miranda smiles
as she says that last part and then starts explaining
to Ava the story behind the artifact, why it's
such a big deal, and how she and her team were
able to discover and recover it. Miranda continues
with impeccable English. So, the rare vessel
we found is made of pure jade and we discovered
it near the ancient sites of Calakmul, which
is close to the border of Guatemala and Belize.
The artifact dates back to the late 3rd century
AD. Scientists found residues you have chocolate
on the inside and the hieroglyphic state that
it was used for chocolate. The vessel has a unique
screw top cap and is one of a kind. Cacao, the
thing that makes chocolate, did not grow in many
places in Mesoamerica at that time. Chocolate
was very rare. It was expensive and was served
only to elites and kings back then. Gosh, I hope
I'm not boring you. Eva responds quickly. No,
no, this is fascinating. Please keep going. Miranda
continues. Evidence suggests that this was a
king's personal possession. In fact, we think
this belonged to the most famous Mayan king known
as Pakal the Great. Even though it was not found
in the area of Palenque where he ruled, there
are several markings on it that point to him
personally. Pakal the Great is famous for many
things, but most importantly, he transformed
the city of Palenque into a successful and influential
city that rivaled other cities. such as Tikal.
It's believed that Pakal the Great helped restore
divine order to the city and its residents after
it had been partially destroyed by the Khan peoples
from Kalakmal. That's the location where we actually
found the artifact. Anyways, I just happened
to be in the right place at the right time and
with the right team. So why is this discovery
so significant, Ava asks. Miranda answers, I'm
not an expert in ancient - Mayan artifacts, but
two college professors, a resident historian,
several politicians, and Mr. Garcia, the museum's
top curator, all seem to think this find may
lead to other discoveries in that area. This
artifact has great cultural and historical significance,
especially for the indigenous people who still
live in and around the discovery site. The Yucatan
Peninsula has one of the largest concentrations
of indigenous people in Mexico, and while they
hold a lot of power and say both politically
and economically. Protected villages near the
site have already petitioned the Mexican government
for the artifact to be kept locally in their
own possession and out of the museum here in
Mexico City, some 1 ,000 kilometers away from
their secret sites. I guess they believe it contains
some of the power and wisdom of Pecal the Great.
For me, well, I just think that's a great significant
historical artifact with deep cultural meaning.
It's pure jade with a screw top lid. The meticulous
engineering of the vessel shows off a level of
craftsmanship not seen before this time period.
It also proves that cacao is being traded at
that time, which our history books do not mention.
And lastly, it's worth a lot of money. Miranda
pauses for a moment and then says, I want my
next comments to be off the record, if that's
okay? Sure, okay, that's fine. Eva responds with
a puzzled look on her face, turns to Olivia,
and then asks Olivia to turn the camera and microphone
off. Please continue, Eva says. Miranda then
continues. Thank you. Okay, off the record, and
I'm only telling you this right now because you're
not from around here and I trust you as a journalist.
Well, I think this information should get out
at some point. I just don't want my name attached
to it. Miranda hesitates again and then says,
the discovery of this artifact and its location
could jeopardize a very significant new trade
agreement between Mexico, Guatemala, Belize,
and a large oil company out of Venezuela. Also,
there are known cartel groups that operate in
and around a discovery area. This entire region
is quite remote and can be dangerous. Miranda
stops abruptly and then finishes with one last
statement. all just keep that last part out of
your story thank you olivia interrupts quietly
are you done then do you want me to turn the
camera and microphone back on now no that's okay
ava responds i'm good with it i have then looking
at miranda ava continues and we will respect
your wishes to keep that last part off the record
and out of the story thank you for sharing and
for your time After watching Miranda leave the
interview room, Ava and Olivia prepared to interview
Mr. David Silva, the diver who helped recover
the other artifact they were told about. Mr.
Silva is running a few minutes late. Ava's instincts
tell her that there is a larger story here, especially
after hearing what Miranda said. off the record.
Ava looks at Olivia and says, please don't talk
to other students about what Miranda was saying
off the record. We need to keep that confidential.
But I will need to brief Professor Hawthorne.
I may need to stay down here for a little bit
longer than expected. Olivia responds, yeah,
I won't. I'm not sure what all that means, but
it sounds like there are conflicting interest
groups involved in whatever this is, and I'm
happy to stay out of it. I'm just a broke college
student on a class trip paid for by the university.
Ava laughs slightly. And that you are, Olivia,
I was there once as well. At that moment, David
Silva walks into the room. Good morning, ma 'am.
I mean, ma 'ams, David says as he turns his head
and looks at both Ava and Olivia. Good morning,
Mr. Silva, and thank you so much for agreeing
to do this interview with me, Ava responds. Please,
you may call me David. Mr. Silva sounds too formal
for this setting. And no problem about the interview.
If you don't mind, I'd like to keep my last name
out of your report or story. Should I start recording?
Olivia asks Ava. Yes, go ahead. Ava responds
to Olivia. Ava then starts the interview. So,
David, could you give us a little bit of the
background about how you found the mask artifact
and then what it means to the greater historical
community here in Mexico? David responds. Well,
I'm not a historian and I don't feel like I can
speculate about the historical significance of
the artifact. However, its location was particularly
difficult to reach in order to retrieve it. I
found it at the bottom of a small and very deep
cenote. It was covered in mud and other debris.
From my understanding, it's a one -of -a -kind
and it's made of gold. It was quite heavy once
I got it up and out of the water. It will be
shown at the God of the Museum tomorrow night.
Ava asks another question. Are there any details
about the artifact, the mask, that you know and
could share with me? David answers, well, people
are already calling it the golden mass of Chichen
Itza. And from my limited understanding, it seems
to be attracting a lot of attention, much like
the J .Jar Miranda and her team found earlier
this year as well, because the mass changes some
of the theories about how the Mayan must have
been trading with other people back in the day,
mainly because gold is not something that is
found in this region. Go on, Eva responds. David
continues, one of the other guys on our team,
I believe he was from the university, said that
the mask proves that the Mayans were most likely
trading with other people back then, such as
the Aztecs or the people living on the Caribbean
islands. If this is true, says this guy, then
there will probably be more teams sent to search
for more artifacts. So where is the cenote located?
Ava asks with a smile, knowing that David is
probably not at liberty to say. David smiles
back and then says, well, that's the $50 million
question. And I, along with the other team members,
and there's only four of us to be exact, have
been asked to keep the exact location confidential.
I mean, can you imagine if the location was made
public? Every amateur pirate and wannabe treasure
hunter would be there right now. David sat back
in his chair with a straight face when he said
this. He then continued. I've seen this firsthand
in my military career and now in the private
sector. People do some crazy and wild stuff over
money and power. Ava shakes her head and says,
yep, I know exactly what you mean. Before we
end this interview, I've got one more question.
I heard you say Miranda's name. How'd you know
her? I'm just curious. I mean, what are the odds
that two significant historical artifacts worth
millions were found in the same year? David tries
to hold back a smile and then says, I think it's
just a coincidence that these two artifacts were
discovered around the same time. Or maybe it's
just fate. Either way, I don't really think much
about it. I got paid to do the job, a job that
no other diver south of Louisiana could have
done. And I did it. Now as far knowing Miranda,
as you have probably noticed, These two finds
have brought a lot of press and have piqued the
attention of a lot of powerful people here in
Mexico and abroad. Anyway, Miranda and I have
been in many formal and informal meetings together
over the last few months, mostly with governmental
agencies, politicians, and reporters. So you
could say we feel like we're on the same boat
together. No pun intended, by the way. After
a few more minutes and some goodbye pleasantries,
David leaves the interview room. says the thing
they both are thinking about. Did you see the
smile he had when I asked him about Miranda?
Ava notices Olivia nodding her head and continues,
there may be an undiscovered love story unfolding
here. I mean, I'm not here to write a story about
their personal lives, but if fate pushed them
both into discovering these two rare artifacts,
maybe fate also pushed them together. Now that
would be an interesting side story. And with
that, Ava and Olivia pack up their equipment
and head off to meet up with Professor Hawthorne
and the other students for the book signing event
in the Student Center. The UNOM Student Center
is a large open space that expands both inside
and outside the main building. There are actually
four student centers on the main UNOM campus,
and the one the book signing event is happening
in is the largest of the four. Professor Hawthorne,
along with Ava and Lily, sit front and center
behind the main table, which is located on an
elevated platform near one of the main sitting
areas. There was an announcement made in both
Spanish and English informing the people in the
student center that they were welcome to come
to the table, welcome the guests, ask questions,
and buy a book and get it signed. Several vertical
upright banners flank the tables. The tables
hold several stacks of books that are ready to
be signed. The graphics on the banners include
an image of the cover of the book and other clipartish
-looking graphics of gold and old gold miners.
The book chronicles the true story that Hawthorne,
Ava, Lily, Sierra, and Ethan experienced firsthand
several years prior, a story that seems to be
fading in their personal memories with each passing
year. However, the book itself, titled The Secrets
of El Dorado, is still selling quite well for
the publisher and had even made the New York
Times bestseller list at one point. It's now
gaining popularity outside the U .S. market as
it gets translated to other languages, like Spanish.
While the El Dorado College students mingle around
the UNAM Student Center, which, by the way, is
four times the size of the El Dorado College's
Student Center, Hawthorne, Lilly, and Ava interact
with the number of interested students who have
swarmed the table with curiosity. questions and
general interest in their story. Anthony Garcia,
a hurried and busy man, squeezes his way through
the crowd of students and emerges right in front
of Hawthorne and the girls. Hello, you must be
the famous James Hawthorne, and if my memory
is correct, you are Ava and Lily. Anthony Garcia
says as he approaches the table. He continues,
I recognize you from your photos in the back
of the book. Let me introduce myself as we'll
be seeing each other tomorrow night as well.
Anthony continues talking as Hawthorne, Ava,
and Lily stand up and shake hands with him. I'm
Anthony Garcia, the lead curator from the museum.
I was glad to hear your plan on coming to the
gala at the museum tomorrow night when Professor
Tommy, a mutual friend, told me that he had invited
your group. We made some special arrangements
to secure extra tickets for your group. I wanted
to let you know not to be alarmed when you see
the price of each of the tickets on the printed
paper. We've secured complimentary tickets for
you and your group free of charge. The gala is
also a fundraising event, so the ticket prices
to attend reflect that. I just want to let you
know... It's a black tie event, and when you
arrive, please provide the doorman with this
letter and these tickets. I won't have another
chance to see you before the event, so I wanted
to come meet you in person and hand deliver these
to you today. And to be honest, I like meeting
famous people that aren't actors. Anyways, would
you mind signing my two copies of your book?
I bought these when they were first published
over a year ago. Professor Hawthorne responds
with a grin and a look of gratitude. Nice to
meet you, Anthony, and thank you for the complimentary
tickets. I was wondering how our group was going
to get into the event at the museum, but had
forgotten to ask about that detail in all of
our haste in planning and travel. So thank you
for putting my mind at ease. And yes, we'd love
to sign the books you have, and by the looks
of them, they have been well -loved over the
last year. Anthony replies, yes, I passed these
copies around to several of my close friends
and finally got them back. You know the type
of friends who like to borrow all your stuff
so they don't actually own anything of their
own. Anthony says the last part with a slight
smirk on his face as he watches the trio sign
his well -worn and read books. Alright, I gotta
run and thanks for signing the books for me.
I'll see you tomorrow evening. Ava jumps in with
a last second request as Anthony is turning around
to walk off. I'd love to ask you some questions
and get your personal perspective on both the
artifacts tomorrow evening if we get the chance.
Ava watches as Anthony turns around and mouths
the word. Sure thing, as he slips back into the
crowd of students who are all standing by the
tables and awaiting their turn to meet these
famous non -actor people from the United States.
And maybe buy a book. Prof. Amanda Chase has
been back at the college in Coloma, California,
while Professor Hawthorne, Ava, Lily, and the
students have been enjoying their first couple
days on the ground at UNAM in Mexico City. As
she finishes one of her classes and while walking
out of the lecture hall, her phone gets a notification
with a not -so -familiar ding. It catches her
attention because it's a very different sound
from the usual notification ding she receives
from her other messaging apps. Hmm. She thinks
to herself and then looks more closely at the
screen on her phone as she's walking down the
hall toward her office. The message reads, the
U .S. Embassy has issued a level three travel
warning for parts of Mexico. Amanda clicks on
the notification and a longer message then appears
and reads, Level 3, reconsider travel. Avoid
travel due to serious risks to safety and security.
The Department of State provides additional advice
for travelers in these areas in the travel advisory.
Conditions in any country may change at any time.
Oh my, Amanda thinks to herself as she gets situated
at her desk in her office. She sends a quick
text. to Professor Hawthorne asking if he has
seen the same message or has heard of anything.
It reads, Hello, hope things are going well for
you all down there. It's been really quiet here
for the last few days. Anyway, quick question,
did you happen to receive a notification from
the U .S. Embassy about a travel alert? Just
wondering, asking as a concerned friend and colleague.
Amanda impatiently stares down at her phone screen,
waiting for a reply from the professor, hoping
he sees it immediately. All of a sudden, it hadn't
been but a few seconds. Amanda sees the small
dots in the messaging app bounce, which indicates
that the professor is in the middle of replying.
So she waits. Professor Hawthorne stopped mid
-stride as he was walking back to his temporary
dorm room on the UNAM campus after a long day
of being with students, signing books and talking
a lot. His phone had dinged with a familiar message,
which indicated he had received a text message.
He noticed it was from Amanda Chase, who was
back at El Dorado College in Coloma. He was thankful
to have her join as a faculty member this past
year. She had helped make this trip possible
for him and his students. helping with logistics,
planning, and taking some of his classes while
he was away. Zoe felt he owed it to her to keep
all communication lines open while he was away
from the school, especially if she had any questions
about one of his classes she was covering. He
looked down at his phone and read her message.
He then clicked a few other messaging apps open
and saw nothing. There was no notifications or
messages from the U .S. Embassy about a travel
alert. He thought to himself as he was messaging
Amanda back, hmm, maybe a false alarm or just
formality the U .S. sends out pre -summer travel
season. He proceeds to text her back letting
her know that they are all fine and have not
heard any news like that from anybody they've
met. He texts back and it reads, Thanks for the
message. We're doing good. Did not get any notifications
on this end. Maybe a false alarm or just a pre
-summer travel precaution. BTW, thanks for holding
down the fort while I'm gone. I really appreciate
it. And with that, he opens the door to his temporary
dorm room and plops down on the uncomfortable
small bed and zones out. Amanda reads Professor
Hawthorne's message and feels a sense of relief
and texts back. Okay, sounds good. Take care,
and if I get any more messages, I'll text you
back. And with that... A thought comes to mind.
She then remembers that when she was helping
set up all the travel plans for the team several
months prior, she actually entered her phone
number as one of the main contacts for the team
and forgot to add Professor Hawthorne's number.
She thinks to herself, well, if I get any more
notifications, I'll just pass them along as well.
I'm hoping Hawthorne's assessment is correct,
that this U .S. Embassy travel alert notification
is just a formality for tourists ahead of the
heavy summer travel season that's just around
the corner. Anthony Garcia is still with anxious
pride. He can't believe that he has the honor
of helping emcee the museum fundraising gala.
In a little more than eight hours, he'll be mingling
with prominent politicians, famous Mexican actors,
and a lot of very wealthy in this very own museum.
Well, let's just say the city's museum, but he
likes to call it his museum since the shows and
items he has been able to curate over the years
have helped propel this unknown old building
into an international destination. Not to mention
the world -renowned stuff he's been able to recruit
and keep. He thinks to himself, tonight is the
accumulation of many, many years of hard work,
and I'm going to enjoy myself. After all, I deserve
it. Mexico City, this district, and the community.
owes me a great deal of gratitude for the past
many years. And deep down Anthony also knows
that the artifacts that will be unveiled at the
gala and be displayed in the museum also come
with some territorial and cultural baggage he
hopes does not ruin the excitement everyone will
be feeling. He's got plenty to do in the next
eight hours before the event begins so he gets
busy. He's focused and determined to make this
one of the best evenings of his career. It's
mid -morning and the El Dorado College students
who came on the trip have the day off. There
are no scheduled events all day until the evening
gala at the museum. Yesterday had been a long
and fun day, but they were all glad to get to
sleep in a bit, relax, and get some free time.
Max, Danny, and Joe were sharing a four -person
dorm room and were only a few doors down from
the room Professor Hawthorne was staying in.
Each night, Professor Hawthorne had come down
to the room, checked in on them, shouted, and
hung out before turning in for the night. He
even played a few hands of five -card draw. The
guys mentioned more than once that getting to
hang out with the professor outside the classroom
was actually quite fun and that it was quite
entertaining to see another side to him. Max
gets up and starts rummaging through his suitcase.
Hey, Danny, Joe, so are your clothes as wrinkled
as mine? Max asks his two roommates as he sifts
through his suitcase that's been laying on the
floor of the Yunam dorm room. He and his El Dorado
classmates have been staying in for the last
few days. Max continues. My mom would be so disappointed
in me right now. I mean, I totally forgot to
set out the outfit I packed for the gala event
and now it's full of wrinkles. It looks so unprofessional
and juvenile. Danny jumps in. Well, you can do
what I've had to do before. Hang your wrinkled
clothes in the bathroom and turn on the hot shower
water and shut the door for a few minutes. The
steam from the hot water should help get rid
of the wrinkles. Really? That works? Joe turns
and looks at Danny and then over at Max as he
and Danny watch Max unfold and hang up the one
formal outfit he had brought up on the trip.
This is my formal outfit for tonight, Max says
as he holds it up to show the other two guys
who are still lounging around on their beds.
I'm going to try the bathroom steam trick and
see if it works. Max continues, guys, how often
do we get dressed up this fancy back home? Hardly
ever, right? So we need to look classy and sharp
tonight. Besides, we need to match the girls
and styles. I'm sure they'll be dressed to the
nines. We can't have them outclassed us. Joe
cracks a smile, looks directly at Max, and then
says, Sounds like there's a certain someone you're
trying to impress tonight. It's okay to admit
you have a thing for Olivia. Danny jumps in again.
Well, the question you need to be asking yourself,
and then finding out the answer to is, does Olivia
have a thing for you too? Until you figure that
out, I think you'll just be another dude in a
nice suit this evening. Meanwhile, an across
-the -small -campus street that separated several
of the boys' dorm from some of the girls' dorm,
the four college girls, who are also part of
the El Dorado college group, were essentially
doing the same exact thing boys were doing. That
is, they were looking through their suitcases
and prepping their formal clothes for that evening's
gala event at the museum. It was still mid -morning
and they were happy to have some downtime as
well. The past few days have been quite busy.
Enjoyable, but busy. Hey Olivia, did you end
up packing that one outfit you were talking about
last week after class? Vivian asks as she holds
up her formal dress to make sure the wrinkles
are not noticeable. No, I didn't. Olivia responds.
My parents gave me some trip money at the last
minute, so I was able to actually buy a new outfit
a few days before we left. Oh, let's see it.
Isabel remarks as she is in the middle of reorganizing
her own suitcase and her clothes she had just
been stuffing back in the suitcase after she
had worn them. Yeah, let's see it Liv. Vivian
chimes in. Okay guys, here it is. Olivia says
as she reluctantly holds up the new dress she
had just purchased a few days prior to them leaving
California to go on this trip. She continues,
okay, what do you think? Be honest now. Isabel
jumps in and immediately says, Oh, wow, that's
awesome, and it's totally you. Yeah, not bad.
Vivian says as she looks over at Emily, who hadn't
really said anything yet. What do you think of
Emily? Well, it's not my style, and it probably
won't fit me, but it'd look really pretty on
you, Olivia, Emily says as she puts down her
phone after scrolling through her social media
accounts. Well, thank you. And you could totally
pull this look off if you had to. Olivia says
as she proceeds to hang up the dress, making
sure it stays nice and wrinkle -free before having
to put it on later that day. Just then, there's
a knock on the girl's door. Lily knocks on the
girl's door and it opens immediately. There stands
Olivia with a big smile on her face. Lily then
says, you all seem to be enjoying some downtime.
How's it going? Great. We were just hanging up
our formal outfits for tonight's event. We can't
go looking like we just pulled our outfits out
of our messy suitcases. Olivia responds. Oh,
right. Thanks for the reminder. I need to do
that too. Lily says as she steps halfway into
the room to look at the other outfits hanging
up. Isabel then asks, what's Mrs. Turner doing?
Miss Turner? Oh, right. You can totally count
her by her first name, Ava. She would probably
laugh if she heard you being that formal. Lady
responds. She's just hanging out in our room
and trying to catch up on work. Well, I just
wanted to come down and check on you and see
how things are going. Remember, we need to be
out up front at 6pm all ready to go. The van
driver will then take us all over together. Hawthorne
spent the better part of the morning scouring
the internet looking for information about why
the United States had put out the travel warning.
Of course, the information was not specific and
there was nothing online that he could find that
would justify any type of heightened anxiety
on his part. He did feel a lot of responsibility
for the students who had come, but also knew
that this trip offered them a great experience
that many of them would not be able to get anywhere
else. Professor Hawthorne, noticing that it's
a little past noon, leaves the room and makes
his way down to the dorm room where the boys
are staying. He knocks on the door. No answer.
After a few more unanswered knocks, the professor
decides to head over to one of the small student
unions located on the other side of campus and
grab a bite to eat for lunch. The professor enters
the student union building and immediately sees
Max, Danny, and Joe sitting at a table eating
and notices they had just gotten started. He
walks over to them and then says, hey guys, glad
you found some food. Do you mind if the teacher
joins you? Of course not. We just got started.
They're actually serving American style hamburgers
today. And well, you can tell that we're pretty
excited about that. Max responds as he looks
down at his two plates full of food. All right.
Sounds good, Hawthorne replies. Let me get my
tray of food and I'll be right back. Oh, and
by the way, if you have any questions about the
gala tonight, we can talk about it over lunch.
The professor then turns around and walks off
to get his food, which is served cafeteria style.
As Hawthorne walks off and is out of earshot,
Joe makes a comment to the other two guys. I
don't know about you, but it's kind of fun coming
a trip with the professor. Getting to see him
outside the classroom and realizing he's just
a normal person. Well, besides the fact that
he's somewhat famous. Yeah, well, I don't really
think about the whole Gold Rush scandal thing.
He was involved in a couple years back. Well,
Miss Turner and Lily too. And there he is, well,
Max responds. Danny then says, as they watch
Hawthorne start walking back to their table with
his tray of food, I wonder what kind of scandal
we'll find ourselves in on this trip. Professor
Hawthorne sits down with his tray of food, looks
up at the guys, and then says, Alright guys,
what questions do you have about tonight's event?
Meanwhile, and on the same day, there was a scurry
of activity in an old abandoned two -story building
just a few blocks away from the museum. The museum
at which the night's activities would be happening.
The old abandoned building was known to local
residents as the Old Broom Factory and had been
sitting empty for the past few years. When the
business had been operational, they produced
all kinds of brooms, which were sold and distributed
all over Mexico. However, many of the locals
knew... that the business was used for more than
just making brooms. Rumor has it, the old broom
factory had also been a money laundering tool
for one of the local gangs that had ties to the
cartel. Is everything in place? Maria asked her
niece and nephew, who were sitting a few feet
away from her on old half -broken wooden chairs.
Si, senora. Everyone is prepped and ready for
this evening. Carlos responds as he looks at
his older sister, Renata, sitting next to him.
It's an easy in and out. No problem. We've done
much more difficult jobs than this one, Renanta
says. Well, don't get too cocky. There's a lot
more at stake with this job. Maria snaps back
and then continues. There will be a lot of people
there, so just follow the plan and see that it
gets done and done right. Speed and coordination
is the key to grabbing both of the items tonight.
I'll be here waiting. Don't deviate from that
plan. Get back here as quickly as you can. And
remember to connect with our guy on the inside
when you get in there. Professor Hawthorne and
the three young college guys walk out of their
dorm building and toward the white van that's
parked out front. He notices his friend Prof.
Tommy is standing outside next to the van already
talking with Ava. He then notices the college
girls and Lily walking toward the van from the
other side, having just exited the girls' dorm
building. As everyone stands around the van,
Hawthorne says, Thanks for being on time, everyone,
and you all look great. We clean up real well.
All right, everybody, let's load up and get going.
We'll probably hit some traffic on the way there,
Palmer says as he jumps in the front passenger
seat. A few minutes later, the van is moving
and on its way to the museum for a night that
no one will forget. About 30 minutes later, the
van arrives at the museum's front entrance, which
was a drop -off only. The American college students,
along with Hawthorne and Ava, exit the van and
take in the surroundings. The evening was starting
to settle in, and the day's light was dimming.
I guess you could say it was dusk. There was
a mariachi band consisting of about 12 members
playing close to the foot of the main stone staircase
leading up to the main entrance of the museum.
Photographers, along with reporters and news
agencies, were scurrying around as guests and
spectators started arriving. Upon getting out
of the van and after taking a head count to make
sure everyone was accounted for, Professor Hawthorne
looks over at Ava and says, Looks like quite
the media event. Did you know this evening's
event would be so popular among the major news
outlets? Ava responds, I knew it was going to
be popular, but I didn't know it would be this
popular. I mean, I see another Reuters reporter
here. Probably to make sure they get the whole
story from different angles, I suppose. Tommy
puts his arm around Hawthorne's shoulders and
says, You all ready to go inside? It'll be much
quieter and more calm once we go inside the museum.
There's a reception area with snacks and beverage
you can enjoy while waiting for the planned agenda
to begin. As the group makes their way through
the crowded outdoor area in front of the museum
and then up the main stone. steps towards the
large wooden entrance doors. Ava looks back down
toward the road and spots both David Silva and
Miranda Martinez getting mauled by reporters
and cameras as they were trying to make their
way toward the steps and entrance. Prof Tommy
notices Ava's reaction and shouts over the noise
back at Ava. Yup, they're like local celebrities
now. And I think secretly the public would love
to see them become a couple. Six months ago,
no one knew them and they didn't know each other.
Now they're more famous than the cartel. Ava
cracked a half smile and nodded her head back
at Prof Tommy and thought to herself, being more
famous than the cartel is not necessarily a good
thing either. After entering the main entrance
of the museum and then walking through the large
museum atrium, Professor Hawthorne and the group
make their way to the main reception area, which
was already packed with guests. Everyone was
dressed to the T and standing around talking
or leaning on one of the many tall cocktail tables
with wine glasses in hand while talking about
the things ruling class elites talk about at
these sort of events. Hawthorne thought to himself,
but said out loud, these two artifacts must have
some significant historical and cultural relevance
to attract all these people here tonight. The
crowd of guests who had gathered in the reception
area included some of Mexico's most rich and
famous, along with prominent politicians from
Mexico and other influential Latin American countries.
Tommy leans over to Hawthorne and says loudly,
I'll leave you all here to mingle. Have fun tonight
and enjoy the spectacle. you have your own seat
assignments so i'll meet you back in the atrium
by the front entrance later after the fundraising
auction and the artifact unveiling they aren't
auctioning the two artifacts though stays in
museum permanently however anthony and his team
have chosen some rare items from the museum we
auctioned off for the fundraiser i'm sure your
student will get a kick out of watching all the
rich people here tonight trying to outbid and
outspurring each other. I'm sure they will, Hawthorne
replied, and then watched Tommy snake his way
back through the crowd and toward the atrium
of the museum. Professor Hawthorne felt a bit
out of place among this crowd and knew that the
rest of his group probably felt the same way.
He recognized several different celebrities and
politicians. He thought to himself, It's quite
funny, the celebrities and even the politicians
he recognized all look shorter in person than
they do on TV. He was glad to be able to just
blend in with the crowd and not have anyone recognize
him. However, he wondered about Ava since she
had been on a lot of news segments over the past
year telling their story. As he was thinking
this, he looked over to see her standing several
tables over with two people he did not recognize.
Eva was laughing and having a good time with
the two old reporter acquaintances from a different
network she had met earlier in the year while
doing an interview with the governor of California.
They were reminiscing about the fun and awkward
moments that typically come with meeting and
then interviewing a prominent politician, and
all the weird and special requests from the politician's
office and... The amount of concessions the reporters
usually have to make just to get the interview.
Ava looks down at her watch mid -sentence, then
says, Hey, it was so fun running into you both
here, and I guess I'll see you on the TV. I've
got to go find my group and then find our seats.
And with that, she walks over to where Lily and
the students were standing and says to Lily,
We should probably make our way to our seats
now. I think the event is starting soon. She
continues, Have you seen the professor? He's
over there. Lily responds as she points in the
direction she saw Professor Hawthorne stop at
when they had first arrived in the reception
area. Lily and Ava notice that he's a short distance
away and leaning on one of the tall standing
tables. He's by himself and just standing there
casually looking around at the crowd. Hawthorne
notices the large group walking toward him through
the crowd. He sees Ava and Lily leading the way
and then says to them as they get close to where
he's standing. Man, some of the best form of
entertainment is people watching. He then snaps
out of his people -watching gaze and then says,
It must be time to go find our seats now. Yeah,
it's time. Aver responds and then continues,
I think the emcee will take the stage in about
10 minutes or so to officially kick off this
evening's events. As the group makes their way
out of the crowded reception area, Lily looks
down at her ticket, then at several of the students'
tickets and says, Looks like we are on the left
side and tower the back. As the group walks back
towards the main atrium, and then down a long
corridor in the opposite direction of the reception
area, they enter into another large space that
looks similar to the atrium. This large space
is located in one of the museum's wings and has
the capacity to hold up to 500 people. At least
that's what the sign up there on the wall says.
I see where we are sitting, Ava says as she points
in the direction Lily had mentioned. That's cute.
There's little welcome bags on each chair and
it looks like the chairs are cushioned. As Hawthorne
finds a seat next to Ava who is sitting on the
end, he nods his head in agreement to Ava's previous
comment about cushioned seats and says, Wow,
these are nice and comfortable. Well, if you're
a paying celebrity guest, there are certain expectations
that come with this event, like having a comfortable
place to sit. I like it. He says this as he looks
down the row where the students have all gotten
seated and are now rummaging through their gift
bags that were left on the seats for each guest.
The crowd that had been in the reception area
just moments ago were now all finding and taking
seats as well. Even though the room had a capacity
of 500 by the looks of it, there were only about
maybe 300, 350 seats set up. The stage itself.
Looked like it took up about a fourth of the
area and there were several dozen more standing
cocktail tables in the back of the room for those
who might want to get up and stretch their legs
during the ceremony. Just at that moment, Hawthorne
felt someone touch his shoulder. Prof. Tommy
looks down at Professor Hawthorne and Ava as
he stops and stands next to the row. He then
says, Hey guys, glad you found your seats. Pretty
cool, right? Some of these guests here tonight
have dropped a fortune to be here. so I'm glad
we were able to get you all complimentary tickets.
He then looks up and over the crowd and says,
Alright, the show is about to start and I'm about
to go find my seat which is towards the front.
Anthony owes me a favor and sent me up front
closer to the stage. Okay, I'll see you later
when it's all over. And with that, Tommy makes
his way towards the front just as the light starts
dimming and the music begins. Ava watches and
observes as the entire room goes silent with
the dimming of the lights and the music. She
looks over at Professor Hawthorne and down the
row at all students who are staring at the stage
now. She then says under her breath to Hawthorne,
Never thought we'd be sitting here doing this.
Hawthorne replies, Well, the surprises just keep
coming, don't they? It's fun to be witnessing
in person what a lot of times goes on behind
the scenes when something like this happens.
These artifacts must be pretty significant to
demand such a spectacle. Just as he finished
saying this, the music jumps in in volume and
intensity. Lights start flashing and numerous
dancers come onto the stage wearing traditional
Mayan cultural dress and mask. It appears the
celebrations have begun. After an exciting and
loud kickoff dance and light show, which lasted
several minutes, Anthony Garcia, the museum's
director, made his way onto the stage, which
was elevated about four feet from the main floor
level. This was so that everyone in attendance
could see the stage from where they were seated.
Even the back row seats where Hawthorne and his
group were sitting. Anthony grabs the microphone
and says, Welcome to this grand gala event! It's
a one -of -a -kind event, and we're so happy
you could join us. I hope you enjoyed your pre
-gala cocktail party, and you're able to network
with each other for a bit. Let's give a big round
of applause to our excellent dancers as they
exit the stage. Don't worry, you'll see them
again later. While Anthony continues talking,
introducing himself, and thanking several sponsors,
the dancers make their way off the stage and
then begin exiting the main hall through a side
door, making sure not to interrupt Anthony as
he was still speaking. There was still lingering
smoke on the stage and around the sides of the
stage from the smoke machine that was used during
the opening performance. The smoke which was
actually from several dry ice machines still
obscured the sides of the stage. One of the dancers
who left the stage paused by the exit door, waiting
until all the other dancers had exit through
the door first. This dancer, one of the male
dancers, wanted to be the last one through the
door. Finally, as he walked through the side
door, he pulled a small but wide piece of clear
tape out from under his left arm and quickly
placed it over the inside door latch. He then
glanced back out at the audience sitting in the
darkened room whose attention was still directed
towards the stage, making sure no one saw him.
He then closed the door softly and quietly behind
him as to not make any sound. The tape held tight
and the door latch and lock did not engage. This
side security door was such that one could leave
the hall through this door but could not enter
back into the hall through this door. Lily looked
down at her phone to check the time, looked back
up and then glanced over at the professor Hawthorne
and Ava and said, This is going so quickly. I
didn't realize how fast auctions like this went.
I've never seen this before in real life. It
had already been 45 minutes since the dancers
left the stage. There were several other notable
guests introduced, a few short speeches from
politicians, and a live auction of other expensive
artifacts and collector's pieces the museum was
selling to help raise money. Lily then held up
her program, pointed to the cover of it, and
asked quietly, When will they bring out these
two pieces? She was pointing to the photos of
the jade jar and the golden mask which were prominently
pictured on the cover of the evening's program.
Hawthorne whispers back, I'm sure it's coming
next. They always save the best for last at events
like this. Plus, I think they're planning to
be done within an hour and we've already been
sitting here for about 45 minutes or so. Eva
glances over and then says, in that case, I'm
going to get up and go stand over to that side
so I can get a better angle for my photos. Ava
then pulls out her press pass she was given earlier
in the evening, gets up, walks towards the side
wall, and then moves up closer to the stage.
Her press pass allows her to roam around the
hall more freely, taking photos and even try
to interview guests. As Ava is maneuvering closer
and closer to the stage along the side wall,
she sees Anthony Garcia walk up on the stage
and then take his place behind the podium. While
he is doing this, she notices four museum workers
carry up two heavy vertical stands, assuming
that the two special artifacts will be brought
out and placed on the two stands so that the
guests can all see them. She gets her camera
ready. The music plays in the background again,
and the light dims. Anthony takes his place behind
the podium and waits for the music volume to
be lowered. Before he makes the announcement,
the music is lowered, which is his cue to make
the announcement. He grabs the mic and says,
And without further ado, something you have all
been waiting for this evening. Something that
has been hidden and buried for a long time. Something
that holds great cultural and spiritual significance
to all citizens of Mexico. I'd like to present
to you... At that moment, there were four loud
bangs, perfectly synced to detonate one after
another, followed by white, blinding flashes
of light. Guests were startled and screamed.
The bright flashes of light and the loud bangs
confused everyone in the room. It created chaos.
People were fighting to find the exits and running
around dazed and half -blind. Not only was there
chaos on the floor of the hall with hundreds
of people scattering for the exits, the fog machines
had also been turned on somehow and were pumping
out dry ice smoke at maximum levels. Moments
later, after getting his wits about him, Professor
Hawthorne, still seated on those comfortable
cushy chairs in the back row, and in some shock
from the loud noise and flashes of light, looks
down the row toward where Lily and all his students
are sitting. To his surprise, not one of them
had panicked or had gotten up out of their seat.
All Hawthorne saw was their scared faces staring
right back at him. Without thinking, he yells
out, lay down on the floor and don't move. Hawthorne
knew that if the students panicked and tried
to run out of the hall, along with the rest of
the panicking guests, they may get trampled on,
at worst, or separated from each other, at the
very least. His only thought was to keep the
group together, if at all possible. Hawthorne,
still somewhat stunned and confused, keeps his
eyes on the row of students who are now laying
down on the ground by the chairs they were just
sitting in. The students are all intently looking
right back at the professor as if to say, What
should we do? Run? Stay? It's only been a few
moments since the loud bangs and flashes of light
went off in the hall, and at this point the majority
of the guests had already funneled out of the
main hall through one of the two main entrances
towards the back. The professor got up on his
knees and peeked up over the chairs and noticed
that much of the smoke that was created by the
dry ice machines had almost all dissipated. The
room was somewhat clear and empty of just about
everyone. Chairs were scattered all over the
place and some had been turned over as the guests
had left in a panic. There was an eerie silence
to the place. Papers and the occasional high
heel shoe were scattered around the floor. The
students started to get up off the floor as well,
talking to each other and trying to comprehend
what had just happened. As the professor was
now standing up and looking around the room,
he noticed Ava walking toward them. She was visibly
shook up as she was standing closer to the stage
area. She was also yawning in an attempt to get
her ears adjusted to the silence after the shock
of the loud bangs. Professor, Professor, Liddy
yelled out. What should we do? As Lily was finishing
asking Professor Harthorn that question, there
were several dozen security personnel with guns
drawn entering the room and moving tactically
around the room, followed by several museum staff
who still had very panicked looks on their faces.
By this time, Ava had reached her professor and
the others who were now all standing and watching
the security team move around the room with slow
and deliberate movements. Her hair was somewhat
messed up and the lanyard with her press credentials,
which had been hanging on her front, was now
hanging on her back. The concussion of the bang
and flash had visibly affected her. As the group
started to move out from the row they were standing
in, Lily embraced Ava and said, Are you okay?
Yeah, I'm okay. My ears are still ringing and
I have a headache, but I'm not hurt. I'm not
sure what happened, though. Ava responded with
an expression of relief on her face. Tommy and
one of the museum staff members walk up to Hawthorne
and his group right as Ava reaches them. Their
faces also showed disbelief and shock, yet concern
for the professor and his students. Before Tommy
could say anything, Hawthorne asked in a worried
tone, Anthony was on the stage. Did you see what
happened to him? Shaking his head. Tommy responds,
he's still down on the stage and the museum's
medical team is up there looking after him. We
think someone ran up to the stage and hit him
on the back of the head right after the flashbang
grenades detonated. Tommy continues, he's awake
and talking but the medical team doesn't want
him to move until they finish assessing his conditions.
They'll be taking him to the hospital soon. Wow,
flashbang grenades, that explains everyone's
panic. I'm still feeling the effects, and I really
hope Anthony's okay. Ava says this as she rubs
her ears in the temples on her forehead. By this
time, all the students had gathered around Prof.
Tommy and Hawthorne and were all trying to figure
out what had just happened. All of a sudden,
Isabel, one of the shy students who doesn't talk
a lot, bursts out. Are we still in danger? Max
turns to her and says quietly, I think we're
okay now. The security guys are here and they've
got a lot of firepower with them. I mean, look
at those guns. Joe, somewhat excited by all the
activities and action, then says, Looks like
Mexico's version of an American SWAT team. I
think we're safe now with these guys around.
While the students were talking amongst themselves,
Hawthorne and Ava started asking Tommy questions
about what had happened. So was this a heist?
Hawthorne asked point blank. Did they steal the
artifacts? From what we can tell, it looks that
way. I mean, both artifacts, the gold mask and
the J -Jar, were temporarily being held by two
museum security team members behind the stage.
Tommy continues, the security guys were about
to bring out the two artifacts onto the stage
as Anthony was making his announcement. That's
when the flashbang went off. I heard the medical
team talking about the museum security team members.
They're also injured and being attended to behind
the stage right now. I think their injuries are
more severe. At that moment, Ava gets a thought
and then says out loud, Hey, I may have captured
something on my camera at that moment actually.
Ava continues as she looks at the small screen
on the back of her camera and starts cycling
through all the photos right up to and during
the incident. I had my camera pointed at the
stage and was using my rapid capture function.
My camera was taking a photo every half second
automatically. Anyway, ah! Oh, look at this.
Ava turns her camera around so Hawthorne and
Tommy can see the viewing screen. There was a
sequence of shots that captured the very moment.
The photos had captured the flashbangs were almost
all washed out and white. But there was a sequence
of three photos right after the bright white
flashes. These photos seem to have captured two
figures in all black holding something. The two
figures somewhat blurring. We're exiting out
the side door next to the stage, the same door
the dancers left from earlier in the program.
We should probably get one of the police officers
over here and show him the images, Hawthorne
says. No, Thomas says abruptly. We don't want
to do that. Let's get you all out of here and
back to the dorms. I'm sure the lead investigators
will be here soon, now that the site is secure.
I don't really want to be here all night, as
there are already enough witnesses they can talk
to. Tommy then motioned for the group to follow
him out of the large room and then exit out of
the museum the same way they came in, the front
door. After they get back outside, Tommy walks
the group down the block a few meters so they're
not blocking the front entrance of the museum.
There are several police cars and trucks parked
along the street now. Most of the guests who
were inside then ran outside, had mostly dispersed
and were in the process of leaving. Some were
getting picked up by the drivers and others were
finding their parked cars and driving off. Tommy
says to Hawthorne, Ava and the group, the van
is on the way to pick you up and take you guys
to the dorm. He then leads over to Hawthorne
and Ava and says quietly, don't show those images
to anyone else just yet. Trust is a rare commodity
in Mexico, especially among the police. He continues,
I'm going back inside to check on Anthony. I'll
contact you tomorrow morning. and give you an
update. So, hold tight this evening, and we'll
connect in the morning. And with that, tell me
to walk back towards the museum. The van ride
back to the university dorms has been eerily
silent. The students had barely said a word.
They were probably still in shock at what had
just occurred. Now back at the dorms and after
room checks were complete for both the boys and
girls, Hawthorne thought to himself about the
remainder of the trip schedule and the other
activities that had been meticulously planned.
He had spent about a half hour with the guys
debriefing the evening's events and he had asked
Ava and Lily to do the same with the girls. The
guys had a lot to say, mostly questions that
Hawthorne didn't have the answers to. Eventually,
the professor made it back to his own room. As
he entered the dark and quiet dorm room, he started
contemplating what they should do as a group.
Should they just return home and count the trip
as a loss, only having been there a couple days?
Or should they just wait a day or two to see
how things shake out? These were questions he
couldn't answer as he dropped down on the dorm's
flimsily mattress still dressed in his evening
suit, his eyes closed slowly. What a day it had
been. Maria was pacing back and forth in the
dimly lit interior room. The old broom factory
had many different interior small rooms that
used to be used for storage. This particular
one was temporarily being used as a rendezvous
point. By this time, it was getting late in the
evening. She had listened carefully for too long,
waiting and wondering when Renata and Carlos
would suddenly appear. She knew that eventually
the police would be making their way over to
the factory to do a security sweep, especially
after what had just happened at the museum next
door. Fearing the worst had happened, Maria was
about to make a phone call that could seal her
fate. One way or another, when all of a sudden,
she heard some noise from outside the room. The
door swung open quickly, and there stood Renata
and Carlos sporting very large smiles. We got
them! We got them both! Renata yelled out. Shut
up, Ren, Carlos whispers. They may hear us. The
police are all over the place out there, and
I'm sure they'll be searching this place soon.
Maria looked them both in the eyes and said,
Where are the pieces? By the side door in black
bags. Renata responds with a softer voice. Good.
Let's go. Wipe the doorknob and anything else
you touch with your fingers on our way out. No
one can know we were here. Maria says this as
she exits the small room and starts walking toward
the side door where the two black bags are resting
on the floor. The gold mask is super heavy and
larger than what we expected. It doesn't really
fit in the bag either. It's quite awkward to
carry. Carlos says as he picks up the heavy,
larger bag. Renata responds with a snarky comment.
And that's why you're carrying that one and not
me. At least you're good at something. She continues
with another snide remark. You weren't supposed
to leave any witnesses behind the stage. Now
we may have two security guards to deal with.
They're nobodies. Why didn't you just follow
the plan? The three sneak out the side door,
walk down the alley and get into a waiting black
car. Police sirens and patrol car lights can
be seen and heard off in the distance. Maria
gets in the front passenger seat, looks over
at the driver, and nods her head as Carlos and
Renata get into the backseat with the black bags.
As the car pulls out into the main road and then
drives toward the highway, Maria turns around
and looks back at Renata and Carlos and asks,
Do we have any witnesses to worry about? Tell
me all about the incident. Don't leave out any
details. We've got a long drive ahead of us.
Hawthorne's phone goes off. It's loud and annoying,
especially when it's unexpected. He looks over
at the small digital clock that sits on the small
desk in the corner of the room. 7 .34 a .m. The
professor is surprised he was able to sleep this
long. He's usually wide awake by 6 a .m. every
morning. Oh man, the professor says to himself
as he rolls out of bed, looking for his phone.
That annoying ringtone, I've got to get that
changed. He finds his phone and sees that it's
Amanda calling. He takes a deep breath and then
hits the accept button. As soon as the phone
connects, Amanda blurts out, Are you all okay?
I just saw the news up here. There was some incident
at the museum. Hey Amanda, Hawthorne responds
with a low and tired voice. Yeah, set your mind
at ease. We're all okay. Hawthorne continues.
The students are fine, probably still sleeping.
We're going to take this day and regroup a bit.
We'll wait to connect with Professor Tommy again
to discuss our agenda and what's next. Things
may shift on our end depending on what he recommends.
The professor hangs up with Amanda, hoping that
she sets her mind at ease and doesn't worry too
much. He's been in sticky situations before.
However, the responsibility of having this many
students in his group does add another element
of complexity. While he's thinking about it,
he sends off a quick message to both Ava and
Lily, and it reads, Let's hang tight this morning
around here. I'll try to connect with Tommy about
our next options. Once I hear from him, we can
make a plan. Maybe I'll see you over at breakfast.
It's almost noon and the group has just been
hanging out around the dorm rooms and the Student
Union Center most of the morning. Professor Hawthorne
is currently sitting at a small table in the
student union with Ava and talking about last
evening's events. In the middle of their conversation,
Hawthorne gets a message on his phone. It's from
Prof. Tommy. Professor Hawthorne says, It's Tommy.
Let's see what he has to say. He reads the message
out loud so Ava can hear. It reads, Hope you
are all doing okay this morning. I'm heading
to the hospital to check on Anthony. He's awake
and seems to be doing better. wondering if you'd
like to come. Ava doesn't hesitate, then says
yes. I mean, I know he sent that text to you,
and I want to go as well, if he's okay with that.
Ava holds up her laptop and points to the story
she was working on all morning. Hawthorne replies,
I'm sure he'll be fine if you go. You'll just
need to ask permission from Anthony if he wants
to be included in your report. Professor Hawthorne
types back. I'm here with Ava and she's wondering
if she could accompany us as well. Might be good
PR for the museum. You know, spread word of what
happened. A few seconds later, Tommy's reply
text come through. It reads, Sure, I'll pick
you up in front of the dorm in 30 minutes. See
you then. Tommy Carrs pulls up outside the dorm
where Professor Hawthorne and Ava are standing
and waiting. He rolls down the window and says,
Alright, let's go. Sorry I'm a few minutes late.
I had to answer a flurry of emails and calls
this morning about last night. As Hawthorne and
Eva kiss into Tommy's very small car, Tommy continues,
Hey, this is way off -topic and kind of random,
but do you mind if we stop by one of my favorite
food vendors on the way? They make the best cana
asada torta in Mexico City. Hands down and believe
me, I've tried them all. He continues, I haven't
had lunch yet. And I really wanted you to try
this place before you all leave to go back. And
I think this is probably the only time we can
do this. Hawthorne cracks a smile and looks back
at Ava and then says, one thing you've got to
understand about my friend Tommy here is he never
passes up an opportunity for a carne asada torta.
Professor Hawthorne then looks over at Tommy
and continues, well, if you ever make your way
up to Coloma, I'll take you to my favorite spot
now, Ethan's Cafe. I'll introduce you to their
famous pastrami sandwich. It'll change your life.
Ava is sitting in the current backseat, shaking
her head and rolling her eyes as she listens
to these old friends compare their favorite local
sandwich joints. She also misses Ethan's cafe.
He jumps in the conversation and says, Prof Tommy,
you've got me intrigued about this high -protein
sandwich you're talking about. I've never had
one, but there's a first time for everything,
right? I mean, maybe I should include this detail
in my story as well. You've got it, Ava. That's
the spirit. I just hope Anthony is up for it
because we'll bring him a torta as well. He will
show him up after what happened last night, Tommy
replies. Good idea. You know, talking about food
can really lighten up a dreadful situation. I'm
in a much better mood now. Thanks, Tommy. And
I'm hungry, Hawthorne says as he looks out the
car window. Meanwhile, Miranda sits quietly in
the waiting area on the third floor of the hospital.
She's brought a few small things to hopefully
brighten up Anthony's day. A nurse walks up to
her and tells her she can go in and see Anthony
now that the doctor is done with that morning's
assessment. Miranda walks into the room and says,
Hello Mr. Garcia, it's so good to see you are
doing well. You sure gave us a scare last night.
Just at that moment, David walks in the door,
looks at Miranda with a surprised look on his
face, and then over at Anthony who is sitting
in a chair next to his hospital bed. He says,
oh hey, I didn't know you had company, Mr. Garcia,
but this is a nice surprise. David said this
with a smile as he looked at Miranda. He continues,
it looks like Miranda and I had the same idea.
Anthony sits up straighter in the chair and responds,
wow, thanks for thinking about me, and I appreciate
the flowers and gifts you brought. Anthony continues,
the doctor was just here and - Just at that moment,
Prof Tommy, Harpon, and Ava walk into the room,
which is now quite crowded. Tommy enters the
room first while holding a large wrapped carne
asada torta and saying, here you go big guy,
we thought this would show you up. Tommy then
says, oh so sorry, didn't you have visitors already?
He continues as he gestures towards Miranda and
David who are standing inside the room. Well
hello Miranda and David, looks like you had the
same idea we had. Looks like our good buddy Tony
has lots of fans. Tommy often called Anthony
by his shorter name sometimes. Tommy then looks
over at Anthony to Tony, who is now looking a
little uncomfortable and shy with all these wishes
packed inside his very small hospital room. Tommy
then says, it's good to see you up and alert.
So, what's the doctor's order? Well, they want
to keep me for at least two more nights, maybe
three. There's a small hairline fracture on the
back of my head, and with my concussion, they
don't want to take any chances the next few days.
He continues as he eyes the sandwich Tommy put
down on the table next to his bed. Well, you
know how to cheer a guy up. After about 15 minutes
of small talk, and after watching Anthony devour
his sandwich, the five visitors, Prof Tommy,
Professor Hawthorne, Ava, Miranda, and David,
leaves Anthony's hospital room, walk back out
to the waiting area. As they were all awkwardly
standing there, wondering what was next, and
what should be said, Tommy speaks up first. Hey,
you know, we still have this schedule for Professor
Hawthorne's group, and I'd like to propose a
few changes and see what you all think. Go on,
Professor Hawthorne says. Tommy continues as
the other four listens to his idea. The schedule
had your group going all the way down to Calakmul,
starting tomorrow and then staying there for
two days. Miranda was going to accompany us down
there. Miranda jumps in. Right, but I assume
that trip is cancelled after what happened last
night. Hawthorne then adds, my colleague Amanda
back in Coloma did receive a notification from
the U .S. Embassy about the travel alert being
raised. What if instead we go to Chichen Itza?
It's a close and not as remote. Maybe we should
go and enjoy our cultural trip to one of Yucatan's
most famous archaeological destinations. He continues,
We all know David can't reveal the location of
the cenote where the mass was found, but maybe
he could accompany us as our resident treasure
hunter or treasure finder. And Miranda would
love for you to go as well. David looks around
at the others who are looking at him. He then
responds, Well, I'm technically on the clock
with the university and the museum for a few
more days. I know it's a change of plans for
you all, but I'm okay with it. Miranda then responds,
I think it's a good idea. I wouldn't - feel comfortable
going to Kalakmal now anyway, not after what
happened last night, that location can be a little
risky even in the best of times. And I'd be up
for going with you and David to Chichen Itza.
There's plenty to see and do there from an academic
point of view as well. Well, Tommy, you know
me. I'm along for the ride, and if we can salvage
the remainder of this trip this way, then I'm
all for it. Hawthorne says as he glances over
at Ava. He then continues, what about you? Would
you be up for that, changing the destination
of our field expedition? Ava fires back without
hesitation. Of course I'm in. I go where the
story leads, and right now that sounds like the
place Professor Tommy is suggesting. So, what
next then? Alright, don't worry about the travel
changes. The university will rearrange the travel
plans for all of us and get that sorted out by
tomorrow's morning. They can make it happen pretty
quickly. You'll all just be ready to fly out
tomorrow morning, sometimes before 9am. Once
I get an exact time, I'll let you know. Tommy
looks at Miranda and David. and then it says
you can just meet us at the airport after you
hear back from me about our time of the departure
i'll send that information later this evening
to you Renata could hear her aunt arguing with
two guys in the next room. The four of them,
Aunt Maria, her brother Carlos, the driver, and
her have been hiding out in a dirty old run -down
safe house outside the city of Merida for the
better part of the morning. They were all tired
from the long drive through the night and were
a little cranky as to why the cartel members
showed up late and were now changing some of
the details about their previously agreed upon
deal. She could hear it in her aunt's voice from
the next room that things were not going very
well. Renata looks at Carlos and mumbles, Man,
I knew Aunt Maria shouldn't have trusted these
guys. They're a bunch of losers. They never do
their own dirty work. Carlos, who hadn't really
been paying attention to the loud arguing from
the next room, looks over at Renata and responds.
I hate doing this type of work anyway. Why can't
we just find something different to do? Something
honest. Renata snaps back. Something honest?
She laughs and continues. Are you kidding me?
That train has left the station, little brother,
and ain't coming back. This is our family's line
of work and nothing we do can change that. So
don't be naive and stupid. Just do what we say
and maybe someday you can be rich and then just
disappear. At least that's what I'm hoping for.
Carlos mumbles back a response. Well, it didn't
work out for mom, did it? Renata responds. You
didn't even really know her anyway. You were
too young. Renata continues, I watched Mom struggle
to make ends meet, and she was just trying to
take care of us the best she knew how to. I suppose,
but she'd probably still be with us today if
she had found a different type of work, honest
work. Carlos continues, I'm just saying, if Aunt
Maria keeps making deals with the card sale and
then things go bad, like they did for Mom, they'll
just erase us like they did her. At that moment,
Maria bursts through the door and into the room
where Renata and Carlos were sitting and says,
I hate working with a cartel. She continues,
they're only going to pay us half of what they
said earlier unless we give them something more.
Renata then says, what do you mean something
more? We got them both artifacts. Keep your voice
down. They're on the phone with the big boss
in the other room. Maria says to Renata. She
continues. They want to know the location where
the golden mask was found because they believe
there's more there. Maybe gold or whatever. Then
once they know the location and it's confirmed,
we get paid the remainder of what they owe us.
That's not fair, and Carlos says. Well, they're
the ones holding the guns and our payout. If
you want to be done with this lifestyle, then
we need to do this. Otherwise, we're stuck, Maria
says. She continues, we've got to give up the
only leverage we have left now to make this happen.
Maria says this as she looks out the small half
-broken window that's behind where Renata and
Carlos are sitting. She lifts up her hand and
points her finger at the man who is calmly sitting
in the driver's side seat of the car they came
here last night in. She then says, that guy there,
our driver, well, there's more to him than you
know. Meanwhile, the plane that Professor Hawthorne
and the others are on has landed at Merida's
regional airport. It was a short flight from
Mexico City and it was already mid -morning.
Merida is a larger city as compared to others
in this part of the Yucatan. The famous Chichen
Itza ruins are only an hour and a half car ride
from the city center. The incident at the gala
event two nights ago feels like it happened a
week ago. Having the extra day yesterday to rest,
debrief, and then go see Anthony at the hospital
helped ease the professor's mind in regards to
changing the schedule and bringing along the
students. They were now all here, all the students,
Ava, Lily, Prof. Tommy, and their very own special
field guides, Miranda and David. It felt good
to be out of Mexico City, and the group was quite
excited to have celebrity guests Miranda and
David with them. Hawthorne thought to himself
as they were all exiting the small Merida airport
together, and in good spirits, All right, this
is like a big, fun field trip. What could go
wrong? The worst is behind us. After the group
gets checked in at one of the local hotels, drops
their overnight bags off, and gets oriented to
the schedule, they all meet in the lobby where
Hawthorne gives the students a quick history
lesson about where they are, Merida, Mexico.
Hawthorne explains to the students as they wait
for Tommy, who can sometimes be late. He says,
The city of Merida is the provincial capital
of the Yucatan Peninsula, and its population
is close to one million. It sits about a half
-hour drive inland from the coast. It's the financial
and cultural center of the Yucatan and is known
as one of the safest cities in Mexico. In fact,
it's been ranked as one of the three best cities
in Mexico on three different occasions. Hawthorne
looks down at his watch and then continues, The
city has a deep and rich history dating back
to its founding by the Spanish conquistadors
in the 1500s. The local Mayan population has
remained resilient and strong despite the colonial
influence and integration from Spain hundreds
of years ago. Hawthorne then finishes with his
last statement as he watches Tommy come down
the narrow hotel staircase and make his way to
the lobby. Needless to say, this city, its history,
its location, and its close proximity to the
heart of the Mayan culture and people is a deeply
significant place. Prof. Tommy walks up to group,
who are now all standing there and look at him.
He then says with a smile, Good morning, everyone.
What I missed. Miranda, who was standing next
to Professor Hawthorne, is the first to respond
with a funny comment. Well, we thought about
leaving, but then we thought, how would we find
the best mid -morning brunch spot in all of Merida
if you aren't with us? David laughs slightly
and then adds, well, I know a good spot, but
Professor Tommy will need to be the final word
since he usually knows all the best food spots
in these towns. Tommy clenches his throat and
then says, alright everyone. Sorry I'm late.
I've got a bad habit of being on Mexico's time
when I'm off campus. He then continues as you
look at Hawthorne with a slight grin and says,
Now that good professor here has given you all
a free history lesson. I think it's time I show
you the best place to get one of my favorite
locals, Huevo Rancheros. But for those of you
who want a lighter option, avocado toast or a
small pastry with coffee. All right, let's go.
And with that, the group loads up on the small
touring bus. After enjoying a mid -morning brunch
together at one of Prof Tommy's favorite cafes
in Merida, the group are on a tour bus and heading
toward the famous and ancient ruins of Chichen
Itza. The bus ride from Merida to the sprawling
site is about an hour and a half long. During
the ride, the students surround Miranda and David
and pepper them with a variety of questions about
their personal journeys into their careers and
everything in between. Professor Hawthorne and
Prof Tommy sat up close to the driver and were
discussing the day's agenda. Eva and Lily were
sitting together talking about life and the variety
of things from the past year. As the bus arrives
at Chichen Itza, as you would guess, the area
is very populated with tourists. And one of the
first things to do as a tourist is to visit the
Grand Museum of Chichen Itza. Then, after gaining
knowledge about this ancient Mayan location,
it is advised to go see some of the old structures
such as the Great Step Pyramid, known as El Castillo,
or the Temple of Kukulkan. There is also the
ball court. Temple of the Warriors, and the Wall
of Skulls, all popular among tourists. The tour
bus parks and the group gets started with a visit
to the Grand Museum together. After spending
what seemed like an hour in the museum, Hawthorne
and Prof Tommy rounded up the group and made
their way toward the exit. As they were exiting
the building, Hawthorne mumbled to Tommy, who
was walking next to him, Well, I'm glad this
museum visit was uneventful. Unlike our last
museum experience a few nights ago, Tommy looked
at Hawthorne out of the corner of his eye and
nodded his head in agreement and then said, Thanks
for the reminder. I'm going to check on Anthony
and see how he's doing. Hawthorne replied, good
idea. The group gets back on the bus, which then
takes them to another large parking area situated
closer to El Castillo, the large and famous step
pyramid. As the group gets off the bus and makes
their way to the large open area surrounding
the step pyramid, Hawthorne, wanting to take
advantage of a teachable moment, motions for
the group to gather around him and Prof. Tommy
before letting the students wander around and
explore. Hawthorne begins with describing the
temple itself. The step pyramid is known by the
name El Castillo or the Temple of Kukukan. Kuku
Khan was a Mayan deity and was represented by
a feathered serpent. Hawthorne continues, the
temple's height and presence dominates the flat
landscape around here and was one of the main
structures in all of Chichen Itza. Prof. Tommy
and I did some work here way back in the day,
so it's fun to be back. Tommy jumps in with a
few more details. The temple has four sides and
each side has 91 steps. It used to be open to
the public until tourists would hurt climbing
the thing. It's closed to the public ever since.
And since has been, I think, 2006. We're not
allowed to climb the thing or go inside. That's
unfortunate, but there are a lot of cool small
rooms inside. He continues, Anyway, you can walk
around the temple if you feel like it, and then
go explore any of the other structures you see
here. Just be mindful and obey the signs. Even
though UNAM has a partnership with the local
government officials, we're not allowed to take...
students beyond the designated tourist areas
without a pre -approved permit, which we didn't
have time to get before we left. After about
30 minutes or so of walking around different
sections of the site, Miranda, who had been here
before on numerous occasions, went and sat down
next to Ava, who was relaxing under a shade tree.
Miranda asks Ava, so our interview from the other
day, when will that be published? Ava smiles
and responds, well, the interview will be part
of a larger set of stories, which one of the
editors at Reuters will need to approve. But
if I had to guess, I would say it'll be ready
for release within a week, she continues. I'm
still working on some other parts of it, though,
so now they're waiting on me. Miranda then says,
oh, I see. I've always admired journalists for
their ability to tell a story and sometimes in
real life as it's happening. Miranda then noticed
Ava looking at her digital camera screen and
asked, do you take that everywhere you go? Yeah,
pretty much. Ava responds. Miranda then asks,
did you have it at the museum the other night?
As a matter of fact, I did, Ava answers. Ava
could tell Miranda wanted to ask her another
question and felt a little hesitant. So Ava jumped
in and responded. And if you are wondering, I
had my camera going during the incident at the
museum. And the morning before we went to visit
Mr. Garcia at the hospital, two investigators
came up to Yunam and met with me about the photos
I took. I turned over several images that hopefully
will help them find the thieves. Ava pauses for
a moment then continues. I'm not sure why I'm
telling you all this, but if I were in your shoes,
I would want to know if the police and authorities
were trying to get to the bottom of what happened
at the museum the other night and find the two
artifacts, not to mention the people they hurt
in the process. Miranda sat nodding her head
in agreement and then asked, do you still have
those images on your camera? If so, could I take
a look at them? Maybe there's something or someone
I would recognize from that night that could
help. Yes, I do actually, Ava answers. Look here.
Eva says this as she points to the small camera
digital screen. You can cycle through the images
by pushing this button here and go back by pushing
this button here. Eva says this as she hands
the camera to Miranda and then points to the
button to use. Miranda sits quietly next to Eva
and slowly cycles through the photos on the camera,
studying each one as if she was trying to solve
the mystery. She then says, hmm, wow, there are
several hundred images on here. Miranda then
stops for a moment and stares at the small screen,
squints, and then says, Whoa, wait, you captured
several images of the thieves. I know they are
a bit blurry, but... At that moment, and as Miranda
was mid -sentence with the camera close to her
face, Professor Hawthorne and David walk up behind
where Ava and Miranda are sitting. Hawthorne
looks down and notices that Miranda is looking
through Ava's photos and asks, So Ava, did you
hear back from the investigators about your photos
yet? Before Ava could answer, David jumps in
and says, Wait, what? You have photos from the
incident the other night? Do you mind if I take
a look as well? Ava, feeling a little nervous
now that David wants to see the photos and hoping
her promise to Professor Tommy the other night
is not getting broken, very reluctantly says,
Okay. Ava says, Sure. And just to let you know,
the lead investigators have all my photos and
they told me that they'd be looking into it.
David sits down next to Miranda and says, do
you mind if I look over your shoulder? And then
he replies to Ava and says, I wouldn't bet on
the investigators being able to piece it together.
I mean, they are probably legit, but it's been
my experience to not put much faith in the authorities
being able to figure this out fast. Hawthorne
then replies, David looks intently at the digital
camera screen as Miranda clicks forward on each
photo slowly. He then says, He then points to
the screen and says, Ava replies, and maybe the
ones who injured the museum staff and Mr. Garcia
in the process. One of the images caught David's
eye particularly. He then asked Miranda to try
to zoom into what looked like the arm of one
of the persons. He then said, There, look. Do
you see it? There on the wrist of one of the
persons is a small tattoo. And I know that tattoo.
I've seen it before. The tattoo is a cross with
two small dots over the top. The image was blurry,
but when zoomed in on one of the forearms of
the thief, there was a small gap between the
glove and the sleeve of the hoodie, which revealed
part of the thief's wrist. There, as plain as
day, well, a little blurry though, was the tattoo.
A cross with two dots over the top of the cross.
David then says, I've seen this before from a
few of my police and military friends back in
Mexico City. Anyway, it's a popular tattoo that
one particular gang uses. He then adds, I can't
say that I'm surprised though. This gang is known
to work with the cartels. Miranda then says,
don't you think the investigators have seen this
too and are working their contacts? Well, probably,
but I wouldn't want to assume that. And the authorities
are quite slow in these matters, so who knows
what they know. Hawthorne jumps in and asks,
besides the obvious answer of for money, Why
would the cartel support or initiate such a high
stakes heist? At that moment, Tommy walks up
to where the adults are sitting. Still in the
shade of now crowded around Ava's camera and
says, well, the students are all still out exploring.
And what do we have here? He says that with the
last bit with a slight smile. Hawthorne answers
with a little sarcastic tone. We're playing detective
here while we wait. At that moment, David feels
his cell phone vibrate in his side pocket and
hears it ding. He grabs his phone out of his
pocket and turns it over to see the screen. He's
holding his phone in a way that any of the others
could see the screen if they wanted to. He looks
down at the screen, which is a bit hard to see
because of the bright sun. He squints to get
a better look at what looks like an image that
was just texted to him. He gasps. What? Wait,
what is this? David's surprised reaction to what
he was looking at on his phone made Miranda look
over and then down at his phone, which he was
holding by his side, and right next to where
she was seated. Whoa, David! Miranda exclaimed.
What is that? Who is that? Miranda's questions
caught the attention of everyone there, Hawthorne,
Tommy, and Ava. Someone through an anonymous
number had just sent David a photo of a person
kneeling down on the ground with two individuals
standing behind him. The individuals were holding
weapons and were masked. One of the masked individuals
had their hand under the chin of the man kneeling
on the ground and was forcibly holding his head
up and pointing at the camera directly. The man
who was on the ground was quite upset and his
face showed both anger and fear. David recognized
the man kneeling on the ground immediately and
said, that's my younger brother. What? I don't
understand. Moments later, a short text message
followed the image that was sent and it read,
instructions to come. Follow exactly if you want
to see your brother ever again. Maria motions
to Renata and Carlos to load up in the car again.
She says, grab your things and let's go. Renanta
asks as she and Carlos were packing their bags
and getting back into the same car they had come
in. So we're into kidnapping now? Maria then
responds, just do as I say and we'll be fine.
We need that final payout and this is the only
way to get it. Plus, the cartels guys are in
charge now and we're just along for the ride,
at least until it's done. As the now two cars
pull out of the small dirt turnoff next to the
safe house, Carlos asks, so what does our driver
have to do with this? I mean... Why is the cartel
interested in him and why throw him in the trunk?
Maria responds, You ask too many questions, nephew.
Just go along with the plan and follow my lead,
and hopefully this will be over by the end of
today. And, if you need to know, our driver from
last night, well, he's related to the guy who
discovered the golden mask. So, if you're wondering,
the cartel is hoping to make an exchange. Our
driver for the location of where the golden mask
was found. Maria then looks over at the new driver,
one of the two cartel members who is now driving
the car they're in. Their car is following the
other cartel members who is driving an old pickup
truck that looks like it's been hit with bullets
on a number of occasions. Renanta then adds,
so if we drove to Merida last night and this
was the cartel's plan from the beginning, we
must be heading towards Chichen Itza since that's
the general location the mask was found. Maria
glances over at the driver, hoping her niece
and nephew's flurry of questions doesn't upset
him. She then answers, Yes, Renata, you're very
observant. We've got about an hour and a half
car ride, so let's keep our questions to a minimum,
okay? Tommy looks at David with a very serious
and concerned face and asks, David, what are
you looking at? And tell me you're not mixed
up in this whole thing. David answers, his voice
tone changing, more deliberate, focused and angry.
He says, this is my brother and well, I haven't
spoken to him in well over three years. We had
a falling out about some of the work he was involved
in. I didn't agree with it as it was a borderline
criminal at that time. After our argument, he
just disappeared. I had no idea what he was doing
or where he went. Hawthorne then asks, so in
your opinion, is this real or just a ruse? I
mean... This could just be a setup for something
bigger. You and Miranda are quite popular now.
What do they want, money? At that moment, another
text message comes into David's phone. David
looks down, reads silently, and then answers
Professor Hawthorne's question. It's not a ruse.
My brother's not capable of something this elaborate,
at least not without help. He then reads the
following text message out loud. It reads, Give
us the exact location of the cenote or where
you found the mask, and upon confirmation, we'll
release your brother unharmed. No exceptions,
no negotiations. You have one hour. If we see
any federal or local police officers anywhere
near the location, you tell us. Your brother
disappears. Remember, we have eyes and ears everywhere.
Tommy then says softly and quietly, Well, the
demands are quite clear and straightforward.
I may know a guy at the police precinct by UNAM
campus. We could trust with this information.
Miranda, who has stayed quiet, now speaks up.
There's no time, David. Why can't you just send
the location of where you found the mask? I don't
think anyone's life is worth losing over that
information. David replies, there are only four
of us who know the location, and I suppose I
was the easiest to get to. The other three, one
of whom is an American diver, a buddy of mine
from the military. Well, he's back home in the
U .S. right now. And the other two, they're both
low -level politicians that have nothing to gain
by giving this information to the cartel. He
continues, And you're right, Miranda. No one's
life is worth losing over this information. Tommy
looks at David and then says, You stated before
that you and your dive partner discovered the
golden mask near here. That part is public knowledge,
right? Tommy goes on, Well, my guess is that
the guy's on the other end of the text message.
on the way here. They give you a one hour time
limit to respond. Hawthorne jumps in and says,
I'd like to get these students out of here. I'm
going to find Lily and have her accompany them
back to the bus and then go back to the Grand
Museum. They can rest there, grab some food,
and wait while this gets sorted out. Professor
Hawthorne's feeling of stress and anxiety was
now starting to rise. The responsibility of keeping
the students safe was solely on his shoulders,
and he had thought the worst of the events were
over. Ava responds to Hawthorne's comment. She
says, If you don't mind, I'm going to stick around
here and see what happens. And don't worry, I'll
keep out of trouble. Hawthorne steps away from
the group to go find Lily and the students in
order to give them some instructions about the
change in plans. He won't, however, tell them
what all just transpired with David, the photo,
the text message, and David's brother. The less
he shares with the students, the better. He thinks
the students will be better off hanging out at
the Grand Museum compound with Lily for the time
being. There are a lot of tourists and other
officials there. It's a good public area and
safe for the group. Maria looks back at Renata
and Carlos as the car they're riding in pulls
up to a gas pump and right behind the small pickup
truck they were following. She then says, one
of you needs to stay in the car while the other
grabs us some water and snacks. There's not another
shot between here and our destination, so let's
stock up. We're only stopping for a few minutes
so we can get back on the road. Renata looks
at Carlos and says, I nominate you. Here's some
pesos. You know what I like. Don't talk to anyone.
Carlos replies back, fine, whatever. The only
people here are tourists anyway. They don't know
us and don't care. I'll be right back. After
a few minutes, Maria feels a blank stare from
the driver of their car glaring at her as if
to say, come on, let's go. Maria looks over towards
a small convenience store waiting for Carlos
to exit with several water bottles and some snacks.
She says under her breath, come on, come on.
She then sees him emerge from the store and walk
toward the car, smiling and humming. She shakes
her head and says to Renata, who's been waiting
in the car with her and the driver now. Jeepers,
that kid lives in his own world. Renata laughs
softly and then replies, I've been saying that
for years, Aunt Maria. At that moment, Carlos
opens the door and gets into the backseat and
says, I think you'll like the snacks I got. Some
of the stuff we can't get in Mexico City. They
probably have it here because of all the tourists
that come this way. Maria rolls her eyes and
then looks at the driver and then says, Okay,
we're ready. Sorry about that. She even turns
around and says to Renata and Carlos in the backseat,
We've got about 45 more minutes before we reach
Chichen Itza. And give me a bag of those dried
tamales and a water bottle. After about 15 minutes
of getting the students back on the bus and telling
the driver to take them back to the Grand Museum,
the same museum they had spent an hour at earlier,
Professor Hawthorne makes his way back to the
others who are still sitting in some shade close
to the main step pyramid. He walks up to the
group and then asks, so what's the plan? Hawthorne
waits for someone to answer. Everybody just sits
there, not saying a word. David then breaks the
awkward silence and says, We got into a small
argument a few minutes ago and I think we've
come to an agreement. My brother's life is far
more important than keeping location the cenote
confidential. I don't really care about that
stupid gold mask. It means nothing to me. David
continues as the others listen. Most people assume
I discovered the mask at the bottom of the cenote
when in fact I found it in a different location.
I can tell by the looks on your faces that you
are surprised, maybe even a bit angry at why
I led everyone to think it was at the bottom
of a deep secret cenote. Truth is, however, my
dive partner and I did dive the cenote, but we
found nothing. It wasn't until we had finished
our dive and then were taking off our tanks and
securing our gear that we made the discovery.
Anyway, we can assume that the thieves who took
the artifacts the other night during the gala
event are working with the cartel. And I recognized
a small tattoo on the wrist of one of the thieves
from a photo that Ava has. Miranda looks at David
with a very puzzled look on her face and then
says, What? Really? Why would you keep that a
secret? Tommy jumps in as well and says, Alright,
I'm intrigued and you have my attention, David.
I assume there's a good reason for this. David
responds, Okay, here it is. The secret cenote
is actually the cenote, which is located on the
inside and at the base of this temple right here.
This temple, Hawthorne says as he points to El
Castillo, located a mere 50 meters from where
they are huddled under a tree for shade. Yeah,
that's correct. David responds, I know what you're
going to say. You're going to say that it's common
knowledge that there's a cenote located at the
base and inside the temple. It's true. We explored
it and found nothing. It wasn't until we were
done and putting our gear away that we discovered
a hidden small passageway off the main chamber
next to the cenote. He continues. It was hidden
and we found it by accident. One of my heavy
oxygen tanks tumbled over and hit the wall behind
it. As soon as this happened, a small hole opened
up inside the wall, revealing a narrow corridor.
Tommy is intently staring at David as he tells
the group what happened and then says, So, only
four people knows about this? Well, not really,
David answers. Only my dive partner and I know
about this. The other two guys with us had already
exited the cenote chamber and were outside the
pyramid when this happened. And, out of curiosity,
my partner and I then broke some more of the
wall opening. Enough so we could squeeze through
it and check it out. David continues to explain
what happened as the others were listening intently.
We then squeezed through the small opening in
the wall with our flashlights and slowly, in
a crouching position, made our way through this
small corridor, which led to a medium -sized
interior chamber, which you could stand upright
in. This is where we found the golden mass, just
sitting there, resting against one of the walls
inside the chamber. Tommy jumps in and interrupts
David and says, Wait, what? Do you have any idea
how groundbreaking this discovery is? Tommy looks
over at Hawthorne and says, This is amazing.
Hawthorne replies, Oh yeah, David, go on, please.
David continues with somewhat of an anxious voice
now, and I have to tell you that the mask was
not the only thing in that hidden chamber. There
were a lot more items in there, a stash of other
artifacts that seemed sacred to this temple and
place, and yes, much more gold. Other gems and
stones and pottery, which I assume would be full
of other important and valuable things. We were
both shocked and amazed knowing that this was
an undiscovered chamber beneath one of Yucatan's
most visited tourist destinations. We thought,
how could this still be hidden? David then finishes
with his explanation. I was being pressured by
the politicians and UNAM to bring back something
of value from our cenote dive and exhibition.
And the mask, which was located right inside
the chamber, was easy to grab and carry out.
I thought this would satisfy our sponsors in
the college. I also led them to believe that
we found the mask at the bottom of the deep cenote
we were diving in. My dive partner and I did
not want to reveal at the time that this hidden
chamber existed. We knew it would be extorted
by the politicians back in Mexico City. It's
just too special and significant, especially
to the indigenous people living here. Miranda
then says, I know that feeling, David. When my
teammate and I made the discovery of the jade
jar south of here, we hesitated even revealing
it. We knew it would change things. Miranda was
just sitting there taking it all in. In her heart,
she totally agreed with David, his feelings of
not wanting to extort such a sacred site and
revealing its location. She knew that, much like
the gala event, higher up people in authority
would want to make a spectacle of such a discovery.
She had the same feeling about her expedition
months ago. She didn't like the fanfare and publicity
And maybe that's why her and David had connected
so well together. They shared much of the same
values. Miranda then said, so what's next then,
your brother, for the location? David replies,
yes, I'll give him the location of the cenote
under the pyramid as to where we found the golden
mask. This could buy us some time since they
would have to figure out how to confirm it by
hiring their own divers to investigate it while
trying not to get caught by the park security
guards. Also, David continues, my partner and
I covered up the hole in the wall with the stones
that have fallen so the entrance to the corridor
is hidden once again. A person would have to
know that it's there in order to discover it.
Tommy then adds, yeah, park officials don't really
go down in the pyramids anymore. Anyways, since
it's been closed off to tourists years ago, it's
just kind of a time capsule down there now. As
Tommy is talking to the group, he's dialing Anthony
on his phone, who he had just talked to earlier.
to see how he's doing. Tommy then says, I'm hoping
for a miracle here, but I'm going to ask Anthony
if he could make a call to the lead park ranger
down here and see if we get a special permission
to enter the pyramid. I mean, if what David is
saying is true, which I believe him to be, then
we need to get into that chamber and document
as much as possible before we have to leave.
It's an undisturbed treasure trove of valuable
artifacts, history and culture. Hawthorne looks
over at Tommy with a smile and says, Hmm, just
like old times, buddy. I'm in. That's if Anthony
can help make it happen in the next 45 minutes.
Miranda then says, I just had an idea, David.
She continues, in return for giving them the
location where you found the mask, why don't
you ask them to return the jade jar they stole
as well? They already have a golden mask, which
is worth far more than the jar. I wonder if they'd
compromise. While Tommy is on the phone with
Anthony, who's still in the hospital back in
Mexico City, but doing better, David sends a
text back to the number that sent him the photo
of his brother, demanding that not only do they
give him his brother back, but also the jade
jar they took. Of course, he's assuming they
have it on them. He then says to Miranda, I hope
this works and doesn't backfire. The cartel can
be quite cruel if they think you're changing
the details of the agreement. I mean, their message
did say no negotiation. At that moment, Tommy
turns back around and faces the group again,
having been on the phone for about five minutes
and then says, okay, I've got good news. Anthony
got hold of the lead park ranger here and got
us permission to enter El Castillo accompanied
by one of the on -site workers. Anyways, I guess
the lead rangers felt sorry for what had happened
to Anthony. And well, he was easily convinced
we had got verbal permission. He continues, one
of the site's workers will be here in a few minutes
and will take us into the pyramid. Hawthorne
jumps in and says, does anyone have a flashlight
on them? Well, besides your phone flashlight?
None of them had a proper flashlight. However,
they all had their phones and Ava did have her
camera as well. Eva, who had been quite silent
listening to all the events unfolding, then says,
Professor Tommy, I've got my camera with me and
I can help take photos once we get inside. It
could help since you're wanting to document what
we find. Tommy responds to Eva. Good idea, Eva.
This would be helpful. Oh look, there's the sight
ranger now. Looks like he's motioning us to follow
him around the back of the pyramid. Tommy then
says in a somewhat sarcastic voice, I hope you're
ready to walk up 91 steep steps to the top. We
need to enter the structure from the top. And
with that, Tommy, Hawthorne, Ava, David, and
Miranda disappear around the backside of the
pyramid, led by the young park ranger who looks
to be not even 20 years old. Following the young
park ranger who seemingly bound up the 91 stone
steps to the top of the pyramid, rather quickly,
Hawthorne and Tommy were the last to make it
to the top of the temple structure where the
others were already waiting. The pyramid structure
stood 79 feet tall off the ground, or 24 meters.
The temple which sits on top of the pyramid is
20 feet tall, or 6 meters. Altogether, the entire
structure, pyramid, and temple have a height
of around 98 feet, or 30 meters. The temple is
a square stone structure and would be the group's
entry point into the pyramid. After catching
their breath and wiping the sweat from their
faces, the group of five looked to the young
park ranger for some instructions. The young
man didn't say anything. He just looked back
at them. It was midday and the sun was quite
hot, so the group was anxious to get into some
shade. So Hawthorne asked, so can we enter the
structure now? There was a long pause and then
the young park ranger, not really wanted to do
this in the first place, replied by telling the
group that he was just going to go wait for them
down at the bottom of the structure outside and
on the ground level just to make sure no other
tourists attempted to climb the pyramid. He told
the group that they could take as long as they
want and just to come back out the way that they
came and to make sure they are not in there too
long because the quality of the air is not good
for long exposure. After the young park ranger
unlocked a small metal gate which would allow
the group to enter the structure, he then started
walking back down the 91 stone stairs toward
the base of the pyramid. While standing at the
top of the pyramid and as the group was getting
ready to enter, David gets a text message from
the cartel and it reads, We agree. We will exchange
your brother and the J .H .R. for the location.
No more changes. Instructions to follow. David
reads the text message to the group and then
says, wait, they are sending another text. Just
a moment. The next text message David receives
then says, The J -Jar will be dropped off at
the Grand Museum's front reception desk at Chichen
Itza as a sign of good faith once we have received
the location of where you discovered the golden
mass. Then, we will release your brother when
we confirm the location you sent us is legitimate.
No games, no authorities, or your brother disappears
forever. David then says to the group, Okay,
let's do this. I know the way and we don't have
a lot of time. By this time, the young park ranger
had made it to the bottom of the pyramid and
was already resting on one of the benches under
a tree some 30 yards away from the base of the
structure, just sitting there and chilling out.
As a group of five funneled into the stone temple
structure at the top of the pyramid, some had
feelings of worry and some had feelings of excitement,
or a mix of both. Hawthorne was the last to enter.
He stood in the small stone entranceway of the
temple, looked back over his shoulder and toward
the horizon and thought, Wow, what a view. And
what have we gotten ourselves into? Part 6. The
Escape The passageways inside El Castillo, the
step pyramid of Chichen Itza, were small and
cramped. This once great structure from the ancient
Mayan past held many, many horrible secrets.
some that would never be told, and some that
were too gruesome to be told, especially to children.
The inside was dark, quiet, and still. Yes, the
place gave us a sense of mystery. If a person
was not careful, they could get lost, especially
in the dark, as no light from the outside could
enter. It was a sealed structure. Hawthorne,
who was the last of the five people in line,
David being the first, still marveled at the
engineering of the structure as he moved through
the passageways, which led down. Miranda followed
David, then Ava, Tommy, and then Hawthorne. Fortunately,
the five of them all had somewhat full battery
life on their phones, so they took turns using
the built -in flashlights. David, who was leading,
held one light and then Tommy held the other
light, which gave them three phone lights as
backups. There was no cell signal within the
structure either. Hawthorne appreciated David's
confidence and had a good feeling they would
be in and out within 30 minutes. This would give
the group time to investigate the hidden chamber
David had mentioned. David, Miranda says quietly
as she is following closely behind him in the
cramped downward and winding passageway. This
place gives me the creeps. How'd you do it last
time with just your dive partner and you? I mean,
your expedition seemed to have been high risk.
I'm surprised the university endorsed it. David,
not stopping, turned his head slightly so Miranda
could hear him answer and said, I suppose that's
why they hired me. I've done so many high -risk
dives, this really didn't seem that different.
However, now that you say that, maybe it was
a bit more risky than usual. He continues, my
partner and I carried all our own gear in and
out of this place. And we did not have a way
to communicate with anyone on the outside once
we dove the cenote. The other two guys that came
with us left us down as soon as they saw us put
on our dive gear. I guess they were a little
jumpsy and superstitious and didn't want to be
inside this thing any longer than they needed
to. Ava, who could somewhat hear David's answer
to Miranda's question, then asked, So David,
hoping David would hear her question, then asked,
It seems we've been going down for a while now,
and we've got to be getting close to the base
of the interior of this thing. What's your estimate?
Are we almost there yet? Miranda echoed Ava's
question to David, who was walking and moving
at a good pace. She also added, How will we know
it when we are there? At that moment, they left
the narrow and cramped passageway and entered
into a large open space or cavern. In the center
of the large open cavern was a beautiful pool
of water. It was almost surreal as the water
was stunningly turquoise blue, clear, and pristine.
It glowed and the light it produced lit up the
cavern. As all five of them entered the cavern,
David said, Turn off your phone lights. We can
use the bioluminescence from the algae in the
water to see. Isn't it beautiful? Wow, David,
I guess you left this out of your story. This
is an incredible place, Ava says with a grin.
She then looks back at Hawthorne standing behind
her and says under her breath, this place sure
beats the tunnels on old man Sutter's property.
Hawthorne laughs quietly and nods his head in
agreement and says back to Ava, a place I'd rather
not revisit, that's for sure. He then adds with
a grin on his face, a place it seems you and
Sierra did go back and visit though, I mean.
The missus and I are quite thankful you did too.
Hawthorne and Ava's coded conversation about
their previous adventure back in El Dorado County
was interrupted when Tommy spoke up. So much
has changed about this place from the last time
I was here. Tommy tells the group, he continues,
I don't remember much being, it was so long ago,
but I do remember that this pool was not glowing
and it was not this deep and clear. Miranda turns
and then asks Tommy, What do you mean? It wasn't
like this when you were here last time? Tommy
answers, It's been almost 30 years since I was
here. And no. Back then, it was just a dark and
dank cabin. Tommy then looks at Hawthorne's and
asks, What do you think? Maybe there's an underground
spring or river that eventually collided with
a cenote pool here and, well, opened up, creating
a deeper chasm and bringing in the algae and
more fresh water. Tommy continues, and there
used to be a ground -level entry -exit point
to this cabin from the outside for many, many
years ago, when archaeologists were still studying
the interior. I've only been through it once,
way back in the day, but it's been closed back
in, I think. That's probably why the park ranger
had us enter from the top. Well, at least we
got some exercise. Hawthorne replies, You've
got a good memory, Tommy. I had totally forgotten
about that other entry point down on this level,
and your theory about the underground spring
and river could be true. There's got to be fresh
water source circulating from the cenote. Otherwise,
there wouldn't be that algae and fresh vegetation.
He then asked David a question. When you dove
this pool, did you and your partner feel any
underwater currents? David answered and said,
yes, the deeper we dove, the current got stronger.
He then says, my partner and I assumed there
was an underground river under this place, but
didn't want to risk exploring any more than we
had to at that time. We were not prepared for
that type of diving. That's when we called it
quits and came back up to the surface, took off
our gear, and then discovered the hidden passageway
to the chamber, just over there. David then points
to the far wall opposite of where they were all
standing. Come on, let's go and I'll show you
as we don't have a lot of time left. As their
car was nearing the ancient site of Chichen Itza,
Maria gives instructions to Renata and Carlos
about the plan. She explains, here's what's going
to happen. The other cartel guy in front of us
in the old pickup truck is going to pull off
the main highway close to the other main parking
site by the El Castillo. You know the big pyramid
and wait. Our driver is taking us to the Grand
Museum first. That's when you, Renata, are going
to take this black small black bag, the one in
the jay jar it is in, to the front reception
desk. Drop it off with the desk clerk and attach
this note to it. Maria points to a note that
says, To Mr. Silva, welcome to the Yucatan. Enjoy
your stay. Maria continues, don't need to pay
attention to the note. It's just there to divert
attention away from the bag. Renata then says,
wait what? We went through a lot to steal that
thing. Why are we dropping it off here? We're
not, Maria answers. Now listen, Big Boss wants
to use it as bait. The receptionist will just
think you're just dropping it off for someone
coming to visit. Maybe a friend or another tourist.
Either way, it's meant to deflect attention away
from the actual bag. At least that's what you
need to convince the desk clerk of when you go
in there. Carlos, who is sitting quiet and just
looking out the sidecar window, then chimes in
and says, that sounds like a stupid plan. Wasn't
that piece supposed to be turned over to the
guy back in Mexico City? The guy who's working
with some big oil company? Carlos then looks
at his aunt sitting in the front seat and asks,
why did we take this job? It's gotten way too
complicated. Maria answers back, this time with
a softer tone as she tries to assure her nephew
that it's all going to work out in the end. She
says, Well, nephew, we're stuck between two very
powerful players. Our driver and his boss represent
one of those big players and the guy back in
Mexico City represents the other big player.
Both have unlimited resources and both have all
the power. And we really need that payout. Renata
jumps in and says, This better work. I mean,
I assume you're trying to get more information
from the brother of the guy who's in the trunk.
Why else would I be doing this? I didn't think
the big boss wanted to negotiate. Maria then
tries to end the conversation with this. The
brother of the guy in the trunk has more information
the cartel wants, and it must be important enough
to negotiate with the jar. Well, that's what
we are hoping they think is in the black bag.
She continues. We've talked enough about it already.
We need to find a rock that weighs about the
same as the jar, wrap it in newspaper, and then
swap out the rock for the jar in the black bag.
The jade jar won't actually be in the black bag.
We want to bluff them and see if they take the
bait. You also need to zip tie the black zippers
together once you swap the rock for the jar.
We don't need anyone accidentally opening that
black bag prematurely. Renanta says one last
thing. This bluff better work since I'm the one
that will be walking in there. You do realize
that there are cameras everywhere. And that's
why you're going in there. Now make yourself
look like a young, innocent tourist. Maria snaps
back as she turns back around in the car seat.
The hidden chamber was dark and dusty. As the
five entered the space with David leading the
way, they were in awe at the contents that were
hidden within. Troves of old artifacts filled
the chamber. from well -kept and decorated old
pottery pieces and jars filled with coins, to
other gold and precious metal decorations and
ornaments that dated back to when the Mayan people
inhabited this land. El Castillo, or so it seemed,
was not just used as a spiritual place of worship
and sacrifice, but it seemed to also be used
as a place to hold Mayan treasure. The team of
five, Tommy, Hawthorne, Miranda, David, and Ava,
worked fast to document and take as many photos
of different pieces as possible. They knew that
they could not carry anything back out with them.
However, with the others in agreement, Tommy
and Hawthorne wanted to take several small gold
and silver coins back out with them as physical
proof so they could show the proper authorities
at some point. They all understood what was at
stake if the information about this hidden treasure
chamber got out to the wrong people. and there
was still concern for David's brother. David
still had not decided about how much detail he
was going to give the guy on the other side of
the phone once they were back outside of the
pyramid. He still had time to think as the group
was getting ready to leave the inside of the
Castillo. Meanwhile, the other cartel driver
of the old pickup truck had parked just off the
highway near the main parking lot of El Castillo.
The driver got out of the truck and looked into
the brush and undergrowth near the road. He made
a motion with his hand and whistled. Moments
later, two guys appeared. The group makes their
way out of the treasure chamber and then back
out into the larger Cenote Cavern. They meticulously
put many of the stones and rocks back in place
to cover the hidden passageway once again. This
took a little longer than they had hoped for.
Hawthorne, who was now standing closest to the
corridor they had come down just a short 30 minutes
earlier, says to the group, Let's head back out.
I can leave this time with my phone light since
I've got a full battery. With that said, the
group of five exit the glowing Cenote Cavern
and make their way into the narrow and cramped
corridors that had led them down to the bottom.
They now must take the same path back out. All
of a sudden, Miranda, who was falling right behind
Hawthorne with the other three right behind her,
grabbed Hawthorne's arm from behind and stopped
abruptly, which made Hawthorne stop as well.
She then said in a whisper, Do you hear that?
I hear voices. It sounds like someone's coming
this way. Tommy, who was falling right behind
Miranda, says, Why are we stopping? Tommy then
watches as Miranda puts her finger to her ear,
then points towards Hawthorne into the darkness,
as if to communicate that she hears something
in the corridor up ahead. Tommy then turns around
and whispers to David and Ava, who are behind
him. Miranda and Hawthorne stop because they
heard something ahead. David then whispers through
Ava to where Tommy and says, Well, maybe it's
the kid park ranger coming to check on us down
here. Ava, who is visibly getting more nervous
the longer they stood still in the small narrow
corridor, then says, I doubt that kid is going
to come looking for us down here. We haven't
been gone that long, and he gave off the impression
that we were his biggest inconvenience of the
day. At that moment, a faint light coming from
up ahead in the corridor was slowly getting brighter
against the stone wall it was reflecting off
of. Hawthorne could hear the voices now. It sounded
like there were two people talking to each other,
maybe three. He quickly asked Miranda in a whisper,
What do you think? Should we wait here and meet
whoever this is coming toward us in the corridor?
Or turn around and have David take us back down
to the Cenote Cavern? Miranda immediately responds
and says, we should turn around and go back now.
I hear their Spanish and the way they're talking
to each other. Well, they sound quite serious.
I don't think this is anyone we know and no one
else is supposed to be down here right now. Miranda
then turns around facing Tommy now. She says
in a whisper, go back down, go back down. Tommy
could tell Miranda was serious by the tone in
her voice and by the look. on her face so without
questioning her he turned around and motioned
to ava and david to go back down to the cenote
cavern and quickly david turned around and with
the others following immediately started fast
walking back down the way they had just come
he was thinking but did not say out loud what
are we doing then he thought i trust miranda's
instinct though a few minutes later the group
enters the large cavern again and they are right
back where they came from Hawthorne, who was
last to enter, says to the others, who are now
huddled around each other, trying to come up
with a plan. We have maybe five minutes, tops.
Whoever's coming down that corridor is moving
pretty fast, and they'll be here shortly. What's
the plan? David, without hesitation, then says,
Wait, I have an idea, Professor. Yeah? Both Professor
Hawthorne and Prof Tommy answer at the same time.
David then asks, Do you both still have those
coin samples you took from the hidden chamber?
Yes. Both Hawthorne and Tommy answer at the same
time again while shaking their heads in agreement.
David then says with more urgency in his voice,
Throw your coins in the water, some in the shallower
part and some in the deeper part, and make sure
they can be seen from where we're standing. Miranda
then says, That's a great idea, and I know exactly
what you're thinking. As Hawthorne and Tommy
were dropping the sample coins they had taken
from the hidden chamber, Ava then says, Uh, Professor
Tommy, I think it's time you try to find that
other exit and fast. Otherwise, we're trapped
here with only one way out, and there's no way
I'm going to try swim out through that thing.
She says this as she's pointing to the glowing
blue and turquoise water. Tommy throws his last
coin in the wallet and then says, Got it, Ava,
and I'm walking on it. It's been almost 30 years.
and my memory is not what it used to be. He continues
to think and says out loud to us other now watches
him moving around the cavern looking for the
old entry exit point. Hmm, let's see if I've
remembered correctly. Hawthorne was standing
on the edge of the cenote pool struggling to
get the last two coins out of his pocket when
all of a sudden three people emerged from the
corridor directly behind him. He quickly looked
at Ava, who was about an arm's length away from
him, and then turned around, squarely standing
face -to -face with the young park ranger who
had obviously been smacked around a few times.
The young park ranger, who had been quite rude
and distant to the group a mere 40 minutes earlier,
was now standing there looking directly into
Hawthorne's eyes, scared and trembling like a
small child. He had a large red mark on the side
of his face, maybe from where he'd been hit or
smacked by one of the cartel members who had
escorted him down into the pyramid. Both cartel
members had weapons, one more lethal than the
other. It was obvious that the one cartel member
who was holding the long gun, was older and in
charge as he was shouting out commands in Spanish
to the other. The other cartel member was holding
a worn -out machete and pointing it in the direction
of Ava. Hawthorne and Ava stood still, motionless,
not wanting to escalate the situation. They both
understood some of the commands being given in
Spanish, but did not want the cartel members
to know that they understood them. So they played
dumb with faces of confusion. Miranda, looking
back and over at where Tommy and David were and
hoping they had located the old ground floor
exit passageway, slowly started walking over
to Ava with her hands up in the air and speaking
softly in Spanish. She says, We are only scientists
and professors. We are here at the request of
our university and with permission from the park
administrators. Both cartel members stood behind
the young park ranger, using him as a shield
and hostage, and threatening him by pressing
the barrel of the long gun against the kid's
back. As Miranda was trying to find her next
words, hoping they would be strategic and calm,
she noticed that the cartel member, the one holding
the gun, was now looking down toward Professor
Hawthorne's left hand. Professor Hawthorne knew
exactly what the cartel member was looking at.
The cartel member's flashlight was still on and
it was pointing at Hawthorne's hand. The coins
in Hawthorne's hands, the ones he struggled to
get out of his pocket a moment ago, were now
shining and glittering from the light of the
flashlight. Hawthorne, directing his gaze back
and forth between Miranda and the cartel member,
listened as the two seemed to be arguing. Not
understanding word for word, Hawthorne did figure
out they were arguing about the coins and the
potential of more treasure. While the verbal
exchange between Miranda and cartel member was
happening on the opposite side of the glowing
blue cenote, Tommy and David had quietly found
the old and partially usable exit corridor. It
was full of cobwebs, dark and damp. This small
exit corridor was used almost 60 years ago when
archaeologists and researchers were still studying
the inside of the pyramid. Researchers breached
the walls of the pyramid at ground level to assist
with getting in and out of the pyramid quickly,
instead of having to enter and exit from the
top. The exit corridor was just big enough to
squeeze through, one at a time, with the hopes
that the gate on the other side which led to
the outside of the pyramid and daylight was not
locked shut. Tommy looked at David and then said
quietly, I think you should go first. Here, take
this rock. Tommy picks up a medium -sized rock
off the ground and puts it in David's hand. Go
quietly into the corridor while they're arguing
over there. See if it leads to the gate. If it
does, use this rock and try to break the lock,
which is on the inside of the gate latch. Then
come right back in the middle if it's open. We
can then figure out how we are all going to escape
this situation. David looked back at Tommy and
said, don't let anything happen to her. I mean...
Don't let anything happen to any of them. I'll
be right back. He then disappeared into the dark
small corridor with a rock in hand. After David
had entered the corridor, Tommy then stepped
in front of its entrance to obstruct his view
in case either of the cartel members suddenly
gave notice to what he was doing on the far side
of the cenote. Thankfully, the argument between
Miranda and the two bad guys was still happening,
and their attention was still on Hawthorne and
what he was holding in his hand. So Tommy stood
there, still and quiet, not wanting to attract
attention to himself or the fact that David would
be returning soon with either good or bad news.
Hawthorne, now impatient with the entire situation
and noticing the arguing was starting to escalate,
interrupted both Miranda and the cartel member
by holding out his hand toward the scared park
ranger kid. The professor had three silver coins
and two gold coins in the palm of his hand. The
coins were shiny and reflected the light of the
flashlight. The cartel members stopped talking
mid -sentence and just stared at the coins. Hawthorne
looked over at Miranda and nodded his head as
if to say, but without really saying it, go ahead
and tell him the treasure is in the cenote. All
of it. Miranda immediately said, if you want
to know, this was the secret cenote where the
gold mask was found. And there's a lot more items
in the pool. Coins like the ones the professor
is holding. See? She then points toward the beautiful,
glowing, and clear blue water and to the spot
where Tommy and Professor Hawthorne had dropped
some of the coins earlier. Some of the coins
could be seen under the water from the surface,
and others had slipped down deeper into the area
of the cenote with a strong current. She continues,
Look, there's a lot of treasure down there in
the water. Can you see it? Miranda noticed that
the cartel member, the one with the long gun,
the one that had been arguing with her, seemed
to be mesmerized in a trance by the coins he
was now seeing in the water. He was quiet and
peering. down into the water. Miranda could tell
he was thinking about how to get the coins out
of the water. Hawthorne knew this could be the
group's opportunity to escape. He met eyes with
Ava and mouthed the words, be ready. At the same
time, Tommy heard two faint bangs coming from
the exit corridor. He knew David must have found
the exit gate and was now trying to break the
lock on the gate with the rock. Tommy crossed
his fingers then looked up. and they made the
sound of the cross gesture from his forehead
to his stomach, then shoulder to shoulder. Then,
and to everyone's surprise, the cartel member,
who was holding the long gun, used it to push
the park ranger kid toward Ava as if to gesture,
Here, use your problem now. The cartel member
then pointed the gun at Hawthorne, Miranda, Ava,
and the kid, and moved the gun barrel back and
forth frantically from one person to the other.
He then motioned for them to move out of the
way and stand closer to the cavern wall. Ava,
grabbing the kid park ranger by his wrist, directed
him toward the side cabin wall, away from the
edge of the water of the cenote, and away from
both of the cartel members. Ava could tell the
guy who was in charge had one thing on his mind
right now, and that one thing was how to get
the coins. She could see it in his eyes. She
could tell he was now trying to figure out how
he was going to retrieve all those coins he could
see in the water. These were the gold and silver
coins Hawthorne and Tommy had thrown in right
before the cartel members entered the cavern,
with their very scared young hostage. Miranda,
who was now standing next to Ava and the kid,
was trying to listen to the conversation both
cartel members were having between each other.
The two guys were now standing on the edge of
the cenote and discussing how they could collect
all the coins themselves. Miranda knew that both
these guys, seeming to be lower -level members
of the cartel, wanted to take advantage of this
new situation for themselves. She could hear
it in their voices. They were excited. She could
tell they were now more interested in collecting
the coins for themselves than caring about what
the five of them were doing. This new opportunity
was now distracting them from their original
plans with the hostages. Hawthorne, who had moved
away from the edge of the cenote and who was
now standing next to the smaller and not -in
-charge cartel member, looked back at Miranda
and Ava and mouthed the words, be ready. He then
glanced over to where Tommy was still standing
on the other side of the cenote, opposite of
them, and mouthed the same words. be ready. Not
sure exactly what was going to happen, Hawthorne
knew they may get an opportunity to try to escape.
While still looking at Tommy, Professor Hawthorne
noticed Tommy looking down and to his left. Tommy
then immediately looked back up at Hawthorne
and nodded his head up and down as if to say
yes. Hawthorne took this simple gesture by Tommy
to mean one of two things. Either Tommy was acknowledging
that he was ready or that David had succeeded
in finding the old exit tunnel corridor and it
was feasible to escape. The four of them, Hawthorne,
Miranda, Ava, and the park ranger kid, standing
opposite of Tommy, would have to make their way
around the cenote and then one by one rush through
the small tunnel and then through the exit to
the outside. Hawthorne knew the timing had to
be perfect. and that they needed a distraction
to happen. All of a sudden, the loud crackling
of a radio broke the eerie silence in the cavern.
Ava jumped, as did the park ranger kid standing
next to her. Ava looked over at the kid and said
softly, You'll be alright, hang in there. She
noticed the kid smile back at her, then looked
down at the ground again. Ava looked up at Hawthorne
and noticed that he was staring intently at the
younger and not in charge cartel member whom
he was standing close to. Hawthorn watched as
the cartel member, the one that seemed to be
in charge, the one with the gun, pulled a small
hand radio out of his pocket and then said something
into it. The guy was talking softly on the radio
and seemed to be answering several questions
that were asked of him about the situation. Hawthorn
had forgotten a lot of his Spanish, at least
the speaking part, but he could still understand
a lot of it as it was spoken around him. Someone
on the other side of the radio was asking the
cartel member if they had found it. Hawthorne
knew the person on the other side of the radio
had to be close in proximity to them, as this
was a shortwave walkie -talkie radio. He assumed
the person on the other side of the radio was
outside the pyramid somewhere, but close to the
pyramid, maybe a lookout. Hawthorne watched and
listened as the cartel member, the one in charge,
proceeded to tell the person on the other side
of the walkie -talkie they found the cenote where
the golden mask was found. He could also be heard
asking what they should do with the hostages
that they were holding. Amanda, overhearing much
of the conversation on the walkie -talkie, looked
over at Ava and said, they are talking about
us and what they should do now that they found
the secret cenote. The look on Ava's face triggered
a small panic inside Miranda's mind. She was
thinking, my live stream and work has brought
me to a moment like this. How can this be? She
could also feel herself get angry, and without
thinking, she blurted it out so the cartel members
could hear her. This is a problem with people
like you. You take, take, and take, and don't
have a clue about the impact your actions have
on your own country, Mexico, or your own countrymen.
She then says, you should be ashamed. Your family
should be ashamed. Both of you. Ava looked over
at Miranda and was trying to suppress her smile.
Miranda was brave and correct. Ava felt the same
way. Ava felt time stand still, as if they were
now all waiting to see how the two cartel members
were going to react to Miranda's tongue lashing.
Ava secretly loved it, but was a little unsure
about the timing. Then, to her surprise, and
probably to the surprise of all of them, the
cartel member with the gun who was now standing
on the edge of the cenote looked over at Miranda,
smiled, and then laughed. He seemed unfazed by
what she had just said, or just didn't care.
He seemed to have one greedy thing on his mind
now. The coins. Hawthorne, breathing a sigh of
relief after listening to Miranda scold both
cartel members loudly and then observing neither
of them react, watched as the older one handed
over the radio to the younger one, whom Hawthorne
was standing closer to. The cartel member next
to Hawthorne was now holding the radio and the
old machete, one in each hand. Hawthorne knew
this kid still posed a threat. Then, something
that none of them would have predicted, the older
one handed his gun over to the younger one as
well. The younger cartel member was now holding
three things, the radio, the gun, and the machete,
in two hands. Hawthorne thought to himself, he's
vulnerable now, that his hands are full. He also
seems quite clumsy in the way he's handling the
long gun, not holding it in the way a person
would if they were familiar with how to use it.
Alright, this is a good sign. But, on the other
hand, a scared person with a loaded gun can be
just as dangerous or more dangerous than someone
who knows how to use it and control it. So they
all waited now, watching to see what the older
cartel member, the one who seemed to be in charge,
was going to do now that he passed the radio
and the gun over to his younger partner. Miranda,
still quite angry and scared, but she didn't
want to show it, took one step closer to Ava.
She looked over at Prof. Tommy, who was still
standing opposite of them on the other side of
the cenote. then looked at Professor Hawthorne,
whose back was toward her, and then at Ava. Miranda
then says to Ava in a whispered tone, I bet he's
going to try to get some of the coins out of
the water before they leave. These two guys want
them for themselves. They're not going to turn
those coins over to their boss. Ava whispers
back to Miranda, I was thinking the same thing.
They found the cenote, which means they can report
to their boss, and the coins only prove that
there may have been more treasure at the bottom
of it. And why not just take a few coins for
yourself while you're at it? They can't help
themselves. Look. Maria heard part of the radio
conversation between the driver and a person
on the other side of the radio. The signal was
poor and staticky, but she could tell it was
good news by the reaction the driver had. Renata,
who was sitting in the back seat of the car and
fanning herself, then asked, What is it, Aunt
Maria? Carlos butts in and says, yeah, what's
going on? I'm hot, bored, and hungry. Maria answers
and says, the cenote location has been confirmed
and there's proof. I guess they found some gold
and silver coins. Maria continues, Carlos, since
you're so bored, why don't you go see if the
black bag has been picked up at the museum's
reception desk? Be careful and nonchalant about
it. Try to blend in like you're a tourist. If
the bag is still there, behind the reception
desk. Then go sit down and wait for instructions.
Maria then says, this is exciting. We're close
to our payout and then we can go our own way.
After watching the older cartel member who seemed
to be in charge hand over the radio and his gun
to the other cartel member, Hawthorne again looked
over at Tommy and again mouthed the words, be
ready. Hawthorne watched as Tommy again nodded
his head as if to acknowledge and say, I've been
ready. They all watched as the older cartel member
took off his shoes, rolled up his pant legs,
and then stepped down into the water just inside
the inner edge of the cenote. Under the water
and around the inner rim of the cenote was a
narrow rocky shelf that ranged from two to three
feet deep. If a person stepped off the shelf,
the ground drastically went deeper as it was
steep, somewhat muddy, and very slippery. And
that person would go under. The rocky ledge was
easy to stand on, but if you were to step off
the ledge, you would have to swim to get back,
as there was not a good place to get foot traction
under the water. The coins that Hawthorne and
Tommy had thrown into the cenote, some of them
had landed on the rocky ledge, and some had landed
deeper and further out, though still visible.
The only other person in this group that had
been in that water was David, and he had said
it was a difficult dive, mainly because of the
strength of the underwater current, especially
if you swam out into deeper areas. The water
was crystal clear and a person could almost see
all the way to the bottom, which gave the impression
that the cenote was not as deep as it really
was. Nor could you see the current that lurked
beneath the surface. Hawthorne watched as the
older cartel members sloshed around on the inner
rocky ledge, trying to pick up the gold and silver
coins, the ones that were easy to grab. He would
occasionally walk back over to the younger partner
and hand him one or two coins as he picked them
up out of the water. The younger partner, whose
attention was mostly on what his older partner
was doing now, looked more relaxed and confident.
Obviously, the thought of getting rich off the
coins had distracted him. Then it happened. The
older cartel member, feeling overly confident
in his ability to reach some of the deeper coins,
stepped off the ledge and immediately slipped
on the muddy underwater embankment and went fully
submerged. Hawthorne froze for a moment, then
looked over at the younger cartel member who
was looking right back at him as if to say, what
should we do? At that moment, both Hawthorne
and the younger cartel member lunged forward
toward the edge of the cenote to reach out their
hands towards the guy who was still submerged
under the water, but visibly struggling to get
to the surface. Then the unexpected happened.
As both Hawthorne and the younger cartel member
bent over the edge of the cenote to try to help
and save the guy from drowning, The long gun
and the radio slipped out of the younger cartel
member's hands. He had still been holding three
things, and in the haste of trying to reach out
one of his hands towards his struggling partner,
both the radio and gun fell. There was a loud
splash and a soft thud. Ava, seeing what had
just happened with the radio and the gun, looked
at Miranda and said, Now's your chance. Run to
Tommy now. Ava grabbed the young park ranger
by the side of his shirt and then made a beeline
directly to where Tommy was standing. She saw
Tommy motioning to them to come, come, and hurry,
quickly. Miranda followed directly behind Ava,
and in no less than 15 steps, they were right
next to Tommy and listening to his instructions.
As Tommy watches a commotion happening with the
Hawthorne and the younger cartel member on the
opposite side of a snorted pool, he says to Ava
and Miranda as he points to a small opening next
to him. Quickly. go through there one by one.
David is waiting inside and will guide you to
the exit. He was able to break the lock. Now
quickly go. Ava pushed a park ranger kid through
the small corridor opening first and then she
follows and then after her Miranda then follows.
Ava is talking to the kid. Go, go, hurry up and
don't stop. Miranda, who is right behind Ava,
looks back as she passes into the small corridor
and sees that Tommy is waiting, assuming he's
waiting to see what happens with Professor Hawthorne.
She then feels a sense of relief as she hears
a familiar voice up ahead in the darkness say,
You're almost here. Follow my voice. She thinks
to herself, David, thank goodness. Meanwhile,
Hawthorne watches as the long gun sinks deeper
and deeper into the water. It had dropped further
enough out, missing the narrow ledge and landing
on the muddy and slippery embankment, which was
very steep. There was no way to recover it without
diving into the water after it. The radio, which
had also dropped out of the young cartel member's
hands, had landed on the rocky ground by the
edge of the water. After watching both items
fall, first the gun into the water, then the
radio onto the ground next to Hawthorne's feet,
Hawthorne still bent over with his arm out toward
the drowning man, looked up at the young cartel
member who was now only holding the old machete.
The young kid was holding the machete under his
arm and squeezing it tight by the handle, and
he had a panicked look on his face. Hawthorne
could tell he was no longer a threat at that
moment. He was just scared. Knowing that neither
he nor the young cartel member could reach the
gun in the water, Hawthorne grabbed the radio
by his foot, stood up straight and ran toward
Tommy who was still waiting by the exit corridor
on the opposite side of the cenote. As Tommy
watched everything happen and then saw Hawthorne
grab the radio and run toward him, he yelled
out, James, right here. The exit is right here.
Tommy points to a small opening next to where
he's standing. Tommy keeps an eye on the younger
Akata member who has to really move from his
kneeling position. It appears he's still trying
to find a way to reach his partner who has sunk
deeper and deeper underwater. Tommy watches as
Hawthorne twists through the opening and then
disappears into the dark corridor where the others
had gone just a few moments earlier. Tommy, feeling
conflicted about the carter member who went into
the water, calmly takes a few steps forward toward
the edge of the cenote and looks down to the
crystal clear water, secretly hoping there was
some way this guy could be saved, even though
he was just threatening them with a gun earlier.
But it's too late. Tommy watches as the man,
who's now just a blurry figure, who's drifted
deeper and deeper into the depths of the cenote.
His body is now motionless, then all of a sudden,
he disappears out of sight, as a swift and strong
underwater current catches his body and carries
it away, possibly into a deeper underwater cave
or cavern. Tommy glances over the other Kata
member, who is still kneeling down at the edge
of the cenote, just staring into the water. Tommy
looks at him for a moment in silence, not saying
anything. Tommy could tell he was in a bit of
shock as he had just watched the demise of his
criminal colleague. Tommy then looks up, makes
a sign of a cross gesture from his forehead to
his stomach and shoulder to shoulder. Turns around
and then exits the synoptic cavern through the
small corridor where the other touches left from.
The Chase As Professor Hawthorne squeezes through
the small, rough, and rocky exit, the bright
daylight meets him with a blinding intensity,
just as it had with the others who made it safely
out moments before him. As his eyes adjust to
the light, he sees Miranda and Ava talking softly
with the young park ranger. David, having helped
Hawthorne out, was kneeling down next to the
exit, waiting to help Tommy. Tommy appears less
than a minute later and is able to exit the base
of the pyramid just like the others had done.
As Tommy stands up and brushes off his pants
and shirt, Hawthorne asks, do we need to worry
about the young cartel member? Still trying to
adjust to the bright daylight, Tommy responds,
no, he was just standing there, still bent over
looking into the water. His partner disappeared
in the current. There was nothing any of us could
have done. It's weird, but I feel terrible that
we couldn't save him. Hawthorne shakes his head
in agreement and then says, yeah, that guy didn't
have a chance once he sank into the deep part
of the cenote. I grabbed the radio as I was leaving.
I think there's another person out here somewhere,
maybe a lookout. David then adds, I spotted another
guy just around the corner, maybe 50 yards away
from the base of the pyramid, just sitting there
and waiting. And he doesn't look like the other
tourists here today because he's not part of
any tour group that I can tell. David changes
the subject quickly and then says, Professor
Hawthorne, can you call Lily? I think that's
her name. And ask her to go to the Grand Museum's
reception desk at the front of the building and
confirm that something was dropped off for me.
We need to make sure they are giving us the jade
jar back as well. Once we can confirm it, then
I can give them the location of the cenote. Hawthorne
replies, good idea. I'll call her right now so
she has time to check. Hawthorne gets on his
phone, which now has a strong signal, and calls
Lily. Hawthorne keeps the call short and says,
Hello, Lily. I've got to keep this call short,
but could you do me a huge favor and go up to
the reception desk by the front entrance and
see if there was something dropped off for David
Silva? I can explain later. Just text me back
yes or no as soon as you find out. After hearing
Lily say no problem and will do, Hawthorne hangs
up and tells the others. Tommy then starts explaining
the plan to all of them. Okay, that's great to
hear from James. Tommy says and then continues
with his plan and says, if we go around the other
side of the pyramid, we can then make our way
through the ball court and we can avoid being
seen by other supposed lookout. And David, maybe
you can try to contact whoever is on the other
side of the video. Let them know we gave them
what they wanted, the secret cenote location,
and make sure they think it's the cenote. Then
we can get the J -Jaw and get your brother back.
Time continues. Okay. We should go back directly
to the Grand Museum once we catch one of the
shuttles that leaves from the main parking lot.
Miranda then says, okay, ball court, then to
the parking lot for a shuttle back and then back
to the Grand Museum. Got it. She then adds, the
park ranger, I found out that his name is Louis.
He's coming with us as he needs to go back to
the park administrative headquarters next to
the museum. He said he needs to report what happened
to his boss, who will then pass it along to the
provincial police who are stationed a few kilometers
down the highway. All right. Let's go, guys.
Tommy says as he starts walking around the opposite
side of the pyramid toward the ball court to
avoid the other suspected lookout. Hawthorne
walks next to Tommy as they enter the ball court
area of Chichen Itza and discuss what their next
move should be. They stop talking partway through
the ball court, just taking in the old ancient
sports arena. It's quite impressive and the largest
of its kind in Mesoamerica. The ball court measures
at around 120 meters in length and about 30 meters
wide. It's a large flat area with tall stone
walls flanking each side of the court. Stone
rings protrude from the walls toward the top
of the wall. The Mayans used the court for games.
In one of the games, contestants would use their
hips, elbows, or knees in an effort to get a
ball made of rubber through their opponent's
stone ring. There were many tour groups mingling
around and getting photos, which also helped
the group blend in, just in case the lookout
guy was walking around. As they exited the other
end of the ball court and were now walking toward
one of the main parking lots, the radio came
alive in Hawthorne's pocket. The voice on the
other end was asking for an update and what was
going on. Hawthorne looked at Tommy and asked,
should we answer it? What should we say? David,
hearing the voice over the radio, jogged up to
Hawthorne and Tommy and said, here, let me see
the radio. I have an idea and I think you can
buy us more time. David clicks the radio receiver
and then speaks. We think we found the right
place. We still need some time to confirm. It
looks promising. I think the plan is working.
David says this into the radio and in Spanish,
trying to mimic what the other cartel members
sounded like. The guy had barked enough orders
at them while in the cavern, so David thought
he could do the guy's voice, or at least get
close to it. David then clicks off the receiver
and waits for a response, holding his breath
and secretly hoping the guy on the other side
of the radio believes it's the voice of his criminal
partner. The radio crackles one and then the
voice then says, We'll keep moving ahead. Keep
us posted. Out. It only took Lily a few minutes
to walk to the reception desk at the Grand Museum.
It was close to the entrance of the place, and
it was close to where Lily and the other students
were hanging out. There were multiple food and
beverage vendors and comfortable seating areas
near the reception table. The area inside the
front of the museum would remind you of a combination
of a food court with a local artisan craft market.
On one side were the food and beverage vendors,
and then on the other side were the artisan handicraft
vendors. The museum's reception desk sat inside
the main front doors and on one end of the large
food and craft area. The tables and chairs sprouted
out throughout the middle area. There were many
tourists around, shopping, eating, and resting.
Lily and the students were doing the same. When
Lily received the call from Professor Hawthorne,
she felt like something were going wrong. was
going on but knew that Hawthorne couldn't explain
it all to her over the phone. So, she just did
what he asked. She looked over at where all the
students were sitting. Some were eating, some
were talking with each other, and some were quiet
and on their phones. She then said, wait here,
I've got to go check on something at the reception
desk for the professor and I'll be right back.
Lily got up from the table she was sitting at.
and started walking toward the reception desk,
which was on the opposite end of where they were
all sitting. Carlos, who was just sitting there
by himself, minding his own business. He had
chosen a table that was close to both one of
the popular food vendors and near the reception
desk. He had a clear line of sight of the reception
desk with the food vendor sitting just to his
right side. Close enough that he could smell
the fresh street tacos being made. He was definitely
going to get some as soon as he had a chance.
He was also playing one of his favorite games
on his phone while waiting. He loved football,
or what the Americans call soccer. And he secretly
wished he could have been a better football player.
If that would have been the case, then he wouldn't
have to be doing this type of work. Anyway, Carlos
just sat there, distracted by his video game
and the smell of fresh street tacos being made
next to him. He had to keep reminding himself
to keep an eye on the reception desk to see if
anyone comes and picks up the black bag Renata
had placed there earlier. He sees a text message
come through. It's from his aunt Maria and reads,
Give me an update. Has anyone picked up the bag
yet? Carlos texts back quickly, slightly annoyed
that the text message interrupted his video game
playing. And he texts back, No, nothing yet.
As Lily weaved her way through all the tables
and chairs, having left the students just a short
two minutes prior who were keeping themselves
busy, she looked toward the reception desk and
saw a black bag sitting on the side of the desk,
in plain sight and next to one of the desk attendants.
She thinks, oh, I wonder if that's what Professor
Hawthorne is talking about. As she nears the
last of the seating area, she notices a guy who's
sitting alone at a table playing on his phone.
The volume is up on his phone, that's probably
what caught her attention. And Linny can see
that he's playing a video game. She also notices
that he's acting fidgety, looking up toward the
reception desk, and then looking down at his
game every few seconds. As she walks by him,
she looks down at his table. This guy has his
arms outstretched on the table and holding his
phone and playing a video game. Lily notices
that the guy has a tattoo on his wrist. The tattoo
is of a cross with two small dots above the cross.
She doesn't think much about it and then keeps
walking towards the reception desk. All of a
sudden, her phone rings. She looks down and sees
that it's Professor Hawthorne, so she stops and
answers it. As soon as Lily answers her phone,
Hawthorne asks, is there something at the reception
desk? Sorry to rush you, but it's a little time
sensitive. The dean now walking a little slower
toward the reception desk because she was on
the phone, gets a little closer and then responds
to Professor Hawthorne's and says, yeah, there's
a black bag sitting there and it looks like a
note is on it. However, I can't read it from
where I'm standing. Okay, great, Hawthorne replies
and then continues, don't pick it up. We'll be
there in the next 10 minutes or so, as we just
caught a shuttle. David can be the one to pick
up the black bag. You can go be with the students
while you wait for us to arrive. Before Hawthorne
hangs up, he asks one more question. Just out
of curiosity, he asks, oh, by the way, and before
I hang up, you didn't happen to see anything
or anybody that seems out of place, like they
don't belong there. Right when Professor Hawthorne
asked Lily that question, she immediately thought
about the guy who was sitting by himself and
playing his video game on his phone. He didn't
look like the other tourists. He wasn't wearing
the same types of clothes the other tourists
were wearing, and he seemed quite anxious and
nervous about something. He also had an interesting
tattoo on his wrist. Lily responded back to Hawthorne
as she started to walk back to where the students
were still sitting. Lily responded, there is
this one guy I walked by. He's alone and acting
a little off. He doesn't really fit in as a tourist
or museum worker. He is sitting at one of the
tables closest to the reception desk. Oh, and
I almost forgot this part. He's got a tattoo
on his wrist. It's off a cross with two dots
above it. I thought it was interesting, as I've
never seen one like that before. Just as Lily
said that last thing, the shuttle bus arrived
to pick up Hawthorne's group and several other
tourists who were also waiting at the bus pickup
spot in the park's main parking lot. Hawthorne
made it a point to follow right behind David
as the group loaded onto the shuttle bus. Hawthorne
sat down next to David in one of the open seats
and then said, Lily, we have a development. Don't
approach that guy. We'll be there soon, so hang
tight with the students. Hawthorne hung up the
call with Lily and then said to David, who was
sitting next to him, on the shuttle bus and said,
David, didn't you say that the guy at the museum,
the guy Ava caught on camera that night at the
gala, had a tattoo of a cross with two dots on
his wrist and that you recognized it? David,
with a puzzled and concerned expression on his
face, answers, Yes, why? Hawthorne answered,
as Lily was going to see if there was something
waiting at the reception desk for you, she walked
past a suspicious looking guy and noticed he
had that same tattoo on his wrist. David then
says, okay, I guess that's to be expected. Hmm,
so they have another lookout posted by the reception
desk to see who comes to pick up the J jar they
promised to give us? He continues, I'll go in
and pick up the black bag. The rest of you go
in first and then spread out. I'll come in last
and go directly to the reception desk. The lookout
will see me and then hopefully call back to his
people to let them know I picked up the jay jar.
Hawthorne then replies, Okay, we'll hang tight
in the meantime. There's plenty of tourists around
so we can blend in. As the shuttle bus enters
the parking lot of the Grand Museum and as they
all exit, Hawthorne and David share the plan
with Miranda, Ava, and Tommy. The young park
ranger then informed the group that he was heading
directly over to his supervisor's office so they
could then call the provincial police to get
them involved. Hawthorne, Miranda, Ava, and Tommy
all enter the Grand Museum together, avoid walking
by the reception desk, and then spread out among
the tourists that are mingling around in the
food and market court area. David was going to
wait about 10 minutes and then come in by himself
and go right to the reception desk to pick up
the bag. While Hawthorne and the others were
pretending to blend in as tourists, Hawthorne
noticed the guy Lily described on the phone sitting
at a table still playing a game on his phone.
He looked up every once in a while toward the
reception desk, just like Lily had described.
Hawthorne thought, this has to be the guy. Hawthorne
then walked over to be close to where Tommy and
Miranda were, Ava having already found Lily and
the students some distance away and was sitting
and talking with them. Hawthorne then said to
Miranda and Tommy, what do you think? Tommy says,
let's wait and see what happens. We can always
alert one of the on -site security guards. I'll
put money on it. That guy was one of the guys
at the gala event the other night. Taller, thin,
and has the same tattoo on his wrist. I mean,
he fits the image Ava has of him on a camera.
Well, Prof. Tommy, you'd win the bet because
that is 100 % the guy at the gala event. He's
probably the one who knocked down Mr. Garcia,
Miranda says. As David was waiting to enter the
Grand Museum, he texted a number of the person
who was holding his brother, hoping to call their
bluff. He wrote, As soon as I pick up the jade
jar and it's confirmed, and you release my brother
and confirm he's released, I'll tell you the
exact location of the cenote where I found the
golden mask. Please text back confirming you
agree. David waited for a moment and inside the
text's response, say, agree. Wow, that was fast,
David thought to himself. So, David waited another
few minutes and then walked through the front
doors of the Grand Museum and directly over to
the reception desk. He immediately saw the black
bag just sitting there with the note attached.
He then politely asked the receptionist if he
could look at the note. He looked at the note,
then showed the receptionist his photo ID with
his name and picked up the bag. The bag was heavy
for its size and seemed to feel correct. However,
David was not the one who discovered and studied
this artifact. Miranda was that person and she
was somewhere among the tourists standing by.
David also noticed that the zippers were zip
-tied, so the only way to unzip the bag and look
inside was to cut the zip ties. He assumed this
was done to keep prying eyes from doing so. He
reached into his side pants pocket, out of habit,
to grab his favorite small folding pocket knife,
the one he takes with him just about everywhere,
and nothing. It wasn't there. Then he remembers
that he left it back in Mexico City because they
flew to Merida instead of driving. Hmm. He thinks
to himself and asks the receptionist for a pair
of scissors. Maria is getting antsy. She knows
that the cartel member, the one that drove them
to Chichen Itza, is waiting for a location of
a cenote. She feels a sense of relief that they
can finally hand over the guy they have had to
keep quiet and alive and who's been stuck in
the trunk for almost three hours. She doesn't
want this guy to die. After all, he was their
getaway driver after Carlos and Renata stole
the artifacts from the big gala a few nights
back. He was also much more friendly than the
jerk cartel member who has been giving them commands
all day, mostly to do what they're told. Maria
turns around in the car and says to Renata, who
is half asleep in the backseat of the car and
says, shouldn't be much longer now. We are just
waiting for the location of the cenote. We think
the guy's brother, the guy in the trunk, his
brother just picked up the black bag from the
reception desk. Now, hopefully he won't open
it right now. Gosh, I hope so, Maria, Renata
says with a tired slur. We've been waiting forever
in this hot car. Maria then responds, yeah, I'm
ready to get out of this heat. Imagine how the
guy in the trunk feels. All of a sudden, the
cartel member looks over at Maria, gives her
a thumbs up, and tells her to get rid of the
guy in the trunk. He also tells her and Renata
to get out, and they will have to find their
own way back to Mexico City. He gives Maria some
cash and then tells her to hurry so he can leave.
Maria then tells Renata to get out of the car
and to help her get the guy out of the trunk.
The driver pops the trunk and Maria looks into
the trunk at the guy who is just laying there,
not moving. Both Aunt Maria and Renanta are now
standing over the back of the trunk, lid open
and looking at the guy just laying there. Renanta
then asks, is he dead? Maria responds, I don't
know. Then she says, pour some water on his face
from your water bottle. Maybe he just passed
out. As soon as Renanta poured some water onto
the guy's face and head, he bolted up in a sitting
position and asked where he was. It startled
Renata so much she let out a faint scream and
stepped back a few steps and then said, Oh, thank
God goodness. We thought you were dead. The man
shook his head, not really knowing what to say
next. Maria then said, Get out of the trunk.
You're free. Go over to the Grand Museum. You
can get some food and water over there. Maria
then points at a large building close to them
and then says, Those are the main doors. You
can go on over there. The man climbs out of the
trunk and starts walking slowly toward the ground
museum building some 100 yards away. Maria then
looks at Renata and says, Thankfully, we are
parked in the shady part back here. Otherwise,
I'm not sure that guy who would have made it
another hour in the trunk. At that moment, the
cartel member who is still sitting in the driver's
seat yells out the window and tells Maria to
shut the trunk. Maria complies and shuts the
trunk lid. All of a sudden, the car takes off,
leaving Maria and her niece, Renata, just standing
there all by themselves. David, knowing that
his brother probably could not last much longer,
finally texts the number again and tells the
person on the other side that the golden mask
was found in the cenote at the bottom inside
of El Castillo. David also knew that it was only
a matter of time before the other cartel member,
the lookout, and the younger one that they had
left in the pyramid were going to reconnect with
the guy on the other side of this unknown number
and probably find out that one of their own had
probably drowned in the cenote and that he and
his group had escaped. So David took the gamble,
even though he had not been able to get the zip
ties cut from the black bag and look inside.
Hawthorne, who was still mingling around close
to where Tommy was, started noticing some museum
security guards walking through the food court
and market area in the direction of the reception
desk, where David was still standing. Tommy walked
closer to where Hawthorne is standing, next to
a small t -shirt vendor display, and then says,
James, are you seeing this? Those guys are headed
towards David. Almost at the same moment, Miranda
shows up next to Tommy and Hawthorne, not really
caring if they are seen together, and then says,
do you think they are after David? Hawthorne
then says, I'm curious about that guy. He then
softly points at the loner sitting by himself
who keeps looking up towards David and then back
down at his phone. The tall, thin guy is acting
nervous and anxious about something. Hawthorne
continues, from this distance it appears there
is a tattoo on his wrist, though it's hard to
make out what it is. However, Lily said it was
a cross with two dots above it, which would match
with Ava's photo proof. Miranda steps forward
a bit closer to try and see if she can get a
better look at the tattoo on the guy's wrist.
She notices that he receives a text, stops playing
his video game, answers the text, and then looks
up towards David, and then texts back. Hmm, interesting.
Miranda thinks to herself. She looks back at
both Prof. Tommy and Professor Hawthorne to see
if they noticed the same thing. They must have
as they were both moving closer to where she
was now standing. The security guards, now four
of them, were walking very slowly. Miranda could
tell that their attention was not on David. She
felt a sense of relief. She noticed their attention
was now on the guy playing on his phone. Tommy
says softly to Harbon and Miranda as he watches
the same thing unfolding. Well, Maybe our little
park ranger friend is coming through for us now.
Those security guards look serious, even though
they can only carry stun guns. Hawthorne replies,
let's hang back and see what happens. All of
a sudden, they see David a short distance away
from where the guy is on his phone, sitting at
the table looking up and walking toward another
guy coming at him. Hawthorne, Tommy, and Miranda
see David give the guy a big hug and then say
a bunch of stuff to him. None of them could make
out what David was saying, but knew that the
other guy had to be David's brother by the reaction
they were witnessing. At this same time, Hawthorne,
Tommy, and Miranda were also watching what was
going on with the security guards and the mysterious
guy at the table Lily had alerted them to. The
three of them were like spectators watching two
scenes play out a mere 30 feet away as tourists
and vendors walked about oblivious to the upcoming
action that was about to happen. The security
guards were closer now to the guy who was still
sitting down at the table looking down at his
phone. There was one table, a few chairs, and
two tourists between the four security guards
and him. All of a sudden, the man at the table
stopped his game and glanced up toward David.
And then it happened. Carlos was tired of playing
his video game and was tired of babysitting this
black bag which had the rock in it. He was still
convinced that the plan with the rock was not
going to work. These people were way smarter
than that. He had come to a place where he really
didn't care anymore at this point. He was just
hoping to get their final payout from their heist
back in Mexico City. He hadn't been paying much
attention to the reception desk area after texting
his aunt Maria. His aunt watched him to wait
there and confirmed two things before he was
able to leave and come join them outside further
down the road where she had secured them a taxi
ride back to Merida. First, he needed to see
if the guy who picked up the black bag was able
to get inside of it, which, as Carlos could tell,
he hadn't been able to cut through the zip ties
on the zipper yet. Then, second, Carlos needed
to watch and see if the guy they had put in the
trunk of their car was going to walk in through
the main doors and connect with the guy holding
the black bag. As soon as the second thing happened,
he could leave, hopefully unnoticed. Carlos had
a secret he was proud of, and he was hoping his
aunt and sister would be proud of him as well.
There were two identical old gym bags in the
back of the car on the floor. When Carlos and
Renata had swapped out the rock for the jade
jar, They put the jade jar in one of the old
gym bags and Carlos had put some other rocks
in the other old gym bag. Well, when Carlos got
out of the car to go stake out the reception
desk in the museum, he grabbed the old gym bag
with the jade jar and took it with him. He left
the other old gym bag in the back seat on the
floor, the one with the rocks in it. Renata didn't
even see him doing all of that. He was pretty
proud to have fooled all of them. Hawthorne,
Tommy, and Miranda were nervously watching both
scenes in front of them. They were bystanders
just standing there and waiting for something
to happen. What were the security guards going
to do with the guy at the table? How was David
and his brother going to react? All of a sudden,
the thin, tall guy who was just sitting at the
table playing on his phone stands up abruptly
and looks towards where David and his brother
are standing and talking. The table guy then
bends over, grabs something, maybe a bag, from
the chair that was sitting next to him. The bag
he grabbed was out of sight, so it was a bit
alarming for him to stand up quickly and grab
the bag, almost in a threatening way. This all
happened in a quick set of movements, which triggered
Miranda into defense mode. All she saw was this
stranger bend over and either reach into an old
bag or grab the bag. This made her think of the
worst possibility. Before she knew what had happened
and why, she yelled out, David! She said it loud
enough that most of the tourists and shop owners
in close proximity to her, Professor Hawthorne,
and Prof. Tommy all stopped and looked over at
her. So did David and his brother, some distance
away. So did the tall and skinny Mexican guy
who was now standing up straight and looking
directly at her, as if to say, who are you? Hawthorne
watched as David and his brother stood still
while looking over at Miranda, then over at a
guy Miranda was pointing at. The guy was holding
an old, worn -out sports bag in one hand. and
his cell phone in the other. Hawthorne then noticed
that the guy then turned his attention away from
Miranda, turned his head slightly more to the
left, and was then staring directly into the
eyes of the museum security guards, all four
of them. Most of the people around their general
location were now sitting or standing still and
waiting and watching to see if a confrontation
was about to erupt between the security guards
and the guy whose attention they were on. Carlos
felt trapped, a little nervous and unsure of
what he should do. There were four security guards
looking at him. Carlos knew he could take them
all on at one time if he had to and win. He was
confident in his ability to fight. He was skinny
and tall, but he was scrappy. He'd been in street
fights before and usually came out on top because
his opponents would underestimate his survival
ability. So he stood there waiting for the four
losers to make the first move. He slowly slipped
his mobile phone in his pocket and then gripped
the old gym bag even tighter. Carlos yells out
to the security guys, are you guys just going
to stand there? Then, without hesitation, one
of the security guards pulls out a non -lethal
taser. That's when Carlos, who had been tased
before, decides not to hang around any longer.
He pushes the table he'd been sitting at towards
all four of the guards, grabs a chair, and throws
it at them, and then turns around and sprints
towards the front main doors. Carlos knows that
if he can get outside, he can probably outrun
them, meet up with Maria and Renata, and then
get away. David watches as the security guards
lunge forward, stumble around the table and chairs,
but cannot get to the guy they were standing
by fast enough before he was running toward the
front main doors his brother had just walked
in through. This kid, the one the security guards
were now trying to run after, was fast. David
knew that there was no security guards who were
going to catch him. Three of the guards were
overweight and were already starting to show
signs of fatigue. And the fourth guard looked
to be in his late 50s or early 60s. As the tall
skinny guy ran past David and his brother David
saw, clear as day, the tattoo on the guy's wrist.
As the security guys were now getting closer
to where David was standing, Looking disheveled
and fatigued already, they returned and ran after
the guy right out the front doors. Miranda, Hawthorne,
and Tommy fast walked toward the front main doors
and watched as David ran after the guy through
the parking lot and then chased him onto a small
patch of sand and grass, which was close to the
museum's property line. They all watched as David
caught up with the guy and then tackled him,
football style, onto the grassy area just off
the side of the parking lot. The four security
guards were not far behind, huffing and puffing
as they approached the two men. who were now
struggling together on the ground. At that point,
Miranda started running toward them, with Professor
Haldor and Professor Tommy falling behind her.
They all watched as two of the four security
guards got closer to where David and this other
guy were, still wrestling together on the ground.
The two guards had their tasers out and pointing
at the two men on the ground rolling and then
pulled the triggers. Four darts with wires streamed
out from the two guns. One struck David and the
other three darts and wires struck the guy David
was trying to subdue. The thin, tall guy David
had in a headlock immediately went stiff, bit
his tongue, and then went limp as the vaults
from the stun incapacitated him. David, kneeling
down and holding the guy he was chasing in the
sleeper headlock, felt the shock of both stun
guns as well. He fell to the ground right next
to the other guy who was completely unconscious.
David did not lose consciousness. As David lay
there, he looked over at the other guy whose
eyes were closed and laying there, right next
to him. He was breathing heavily and had a pleasant
look on his face, like he just fell asleep for
his afternoon siesta. David watched as the security
guards who had just tased them were now zip -tying
the unconscious guy's hands and feet. David then
sat up, trying to shake off the fact that he
was just unintentionally tased, notices Miranda,
Professor Hawthorne, and Prof. Tommy arriving
on the scene and asking if he was okay. As Miranda,
Tommy, and David were talking with the security
guards, all four of them were now on the scene.
Hawthorne picked up the old sports bag that the
guy had dropped when David tackled him. The object
in the bag was heavy, so Hawthorne opened the
bag, and what do you know? To his surprise, there
in the old smelly sports bag was the jade jar.
Hawthorne quickly zipped the bag back up just
as the provincial police showed up in one of
their trucks with lights flashing. Hawthorne
slowly retreats from the scene, bag in hand,
and stands a short distance away. He watches
as the provincial police question the security
guards, then David, then Miranda, and Tommy.
By this time, the guy who David had tackled,
they'd come to find out later that his name was
Carlos Emanuel Rodriguez. Well, he was somewhat
awake now and talking. Hawthorne watched as he
was put in the back of the police truck to wait.
One of the police officers pulled out a utility
knife from the truck and then cut the zip ties
on the black bag that was sitting on the ground
where David had dropped it right before tackling
the guy. The police officer reached into the
bag, pulled out a heavy object, wrapped a newspaper,
looked at it, then removed the newspaper to reveal
just rock. Hawthorne thought to himself as he
looked down at the old sports bag he was carrying
and then said to himself, well, luck has looked
down on us twice today. And the secret Mayan
treasure location? Renanta exhales and yawns
and then asks, Aunt Maria, how much longer do
we have to wait? She says this as she leans against
the side of the taxi. She and her aunt have been
waiting for well over 30 minutes for Carlos to
meet them there so they can all get a ride back
to Maria. Maria looks up at Renata. She too is
getting a little frustrated and irritated that
Carlos hasn't met them yet. Maria answers Renata,
he'll be here, we just need to wait. No sooner
did she say this when they see a police truck
coming toward them on the road, obviously leaving
the park. It all happened in slow motion. As
Maria and Renata watch the police truck drive
by, they smile at the two police officers sitting
in the cab and notice that there's someone sitting
in the back bed of the truck. Maria and Renata
lock eyes with the person as the truck drives
by. It's Carlos. It had been about 30 minutes
or so since the provincial police had left with
their suspect in custody, Carlos Emanuel Rodriguez.
He also had known associates with the same last
name, family members who were also wanted. David,
who had had a long conversation with the two
police officers, found out that Carlos and two
of his family members were wanted in at least
two other Mexican states for similar crimes,
theft, assault and battery, and other petty crimes.
Carlos also matched the description of the guy
in Ava's photo. Hawthorne was as surprised as
Tommy, David, and Miranda were that this Carlos
character actually had the jade jar on him when
he was caught. Not a very smart criminal to say
the least. David and Miranda were all now sitting
with Ava, Lily, and the students inside the Grand
Museum's food court area. Hawthorne and Tommy
took turns explaining to the rest of the students
what had happened earlier that day. Hawthorne
also explained that he had contacted Professor
Amanda Chase so that as soon as all the students
returned to Mexico City, they were going to head
directly home, back to Coloma. Prof. Chase would
be helping sort out those details for him. Miranda,
who was only partially listening, could hardly
contain her... excitement after Hawthorne passed
her the old smelly sports bag that Carlos had
dropped after David tackled him earlier. She
couldn't believe that the jade jar, the artifact
that she had painstakingly searched for and discovered
so many months ago, was now back in her hands
once again. She put the old gym bag, which held
the very rare and valuable jade jar artifact,
into the black bag. She did this carefully and
out of sight of anyone else. The only people
who knew that they had recovered the Jade Jar
artifact was Professor Hawthorne, Prof. Tommy,
David, and Miranda. Carlos knew as well, but
he was of little concern now. In fact, he was
probably sitting in a dirty holding cell awaiting
transfer back to Mexico City. Miranda thought
to herself, I need to convince Prof. Tommy the
Jade Jar should be returned back to the location
it came from, back to the people it belongs to,
the people of Calakmul. I don't want to make
the same mistake twice by handing it over to
some official at a museum or some politician.
It's already caused too much trouble. Miranda
recalls one of the village leaders near Calakmul
had warned her and her team many months ago as
they were leaving their excavation site near
Calakmul that the jade jar, if it truly was a
personal belonging of Pakal the Great, that it
would eventually find its way back home, back
to Calakmul at some point in the future. She
then thought to herself, well, the future is
now, and maybe I'm the way it gets back to its
rightful place, since I was the one who took
it from its original place so many months ago.
Miranda finds Prof. Tommy, speaks to him privately,
out of the earshot of the others, and explains
to him her plan to take the jade jar back to
Klokmul. And, to her surprise, Prof. Tommy agreed
wholeheartedly. The only issue she may face in
the near future was what she would tell Anthony
Garcia, the museum's curator, when she saw him
again back in Mexico City. She'll cross that
bridge when she comes to it. After his brief
discussion with Miranda, Tommy asked around among
the students to see if they were all ready to
head back to Morita, or if they still wanted
to see anything else locally at Chichen Itza.
He thought it was sounding. We're ready to go
back to a hotel in Morita, answered from all
the students in the group. They took that as,
let's call it a day. As the group, and there
were 15 of them now, including David's brother,
got back on the bus, Hawthorne made it a point
to sit close to both Ava and Lily. They had about
an hour and a half bus ride back to Merida, which
was more than enough time for the three of them
to make a travel plan for the students. Hawthorne
explained that Prof. Amanda was helping make
the arrangements and that Lily was going to help
accompany the students back to Coloma while Hawthorne
stayed at least one or two more days longer to
meet with several of the university officials
and to try to see Anthony again now that he was
discharged from the hospital. Ava speaks up and
says, Reuters has okayed me to keep working down
here in Mexico for at least a week or more. They
basically told me to just do your thing and bring
us back a story we can use in Circulate. And
well, I've got a really good one started thanks
to the last few events that has happened to us
down here. Lily then says, when we get back to
Mexico City, I can help the girls get packed
and ready. And I think Joseph could be put in
charge of making sure the boys are ready. I think
he's the more responsible one out of their group.
Thanks for your help with this, Lily. Hawthorne
responds, I appreciate you taking leadership
over the students today. I'm sure you're ready
to get back to some sort of normal routine. For
sure, Lily responds. I'm just super happy I didn't
have to go inside that pyramid. Ava jumps in.
Yeah, some of the passageways were quite tight
and cramped. Thank goodness Sierra wasn't here
with us either. She definitely would have freaked
out. Both Ava and Lily laugh as they go down
memory lane for a few minutes about their previous
adventure together back in El Dorado County,
California. Meanwhile, Miranda and David are
able to debrief with each other about the day
and the stressful and exciting things that had
just happened. Miranda was talking through a
plan with David of how she could return the jade
jar back to the provincial leaders who oversee
the ancient sites of Calakmul. She tells David
as they sit together on the bus, I really just
want to return this important artifact back to
its rightful people. I want to do it quietly,
without the fanfare of the media or public. Yeah,
I totally understand, David replies. He then
says, My contract with the university and the
museum ends after tomorrow, so I'd be willing
to help make that happen. Return the jay jar
back to Kalakmul, if you'd like. That would mean
a lot to me, and I'd love to have company on
that trip, Miranda responds. She then asks, what
about the golden mask and the secret chamber
you discovered in the pyramid? What are your
thoughts? As David gestures toward his brother,
who's sound asleep in the seats next to them,
he says, I need to figure out what to do about
my brother's involvement in the heist at the
gala event. He was the getaway driver for that
guy Carlos and his associates. At this point,
I feel like he's already paid his dues by...
I'd like to convince him to straighten up and
join me in my small business, maybe work off
his social debt to the public. I could use the
help with planning and logistics when I take
contract jobs. David continues. And you ask about
the golden mask. Well, I'd rather just be done
with that thing. It's only brought me headaches.
David pauses for a moment then adds, well, not
everything has been a headache. I mean, it did
allow us to meet, which has been a positive thing
I'd like to continue. Miranda smiles, shakes
her head in agreement and then says, I wonder
if your brother has any information that may
help the authorities recover the golden mask.
It would be great if the secret treasure room
in the pyramid stayed a secret and the golden
mask could be returned as well. Miranda then
throws out an idea to David and says, what if
this was our mission, our next chapter, you and
I together. We return both artifacts back to
their rightful places where we originally found
them. Well, of course, we'd need to recover the
golden mask as well. I like that. David replies
and then says, I think we have our work cut out
for us, though, in trying to figure out how to
get the golden mask back. But maybe my brother
knows something about it. Let's ask him when
we get back to the hotel in Merida. A few minutes
later, Hawthorne noticed that the bus had started
to slow down, so he looked forward a few seats
where Tommy was sitting right behind the driver
and asked, Is everything okay up there, Tommy?
By this time, everybody on the bus had noticed
the bus was now slowing down and was looking
out the windows. Tommy answers back, Everything's
fine. Our driver is stopping for this broken
down on the side of the road. It looks like the
taxi driver got two passengers as well, standing
off the side of the road. Tommy continues. As
the bus rolls, he'll stop right behind the broken
down taxi car. It's a typical courtesy for public
transport drivers to help each other out like
this. Also, there are no services along the stretch
of the highway for another 40 plus kilometer
before we reach Murata. Tommy gets out of the
bus and talks with the taxi driver for a few
minutes and then gets back on the bus. The two
passengers that were waiting with the taxi follow
Tommy into the bus and set up down front. near
the bus door. Tommy looks back at Hawthorne and
then says the taxi driver is going to save the
way with his car. He said a mechanic friend of
his is on his way to help. However, it was going
to be another hour or so. Anyway, I offered to
give his stranded passenger a ride to Merida
since that's where we're both headed. They've
been out here waiting for the past 30 minutes
or so. Professor Hawthorne noticed that the two
female passengers that followed Tommy onto the
bus kept their heads and eyes down. making it
a point not to look at anyone in the group, especially
toward the back of the bus. He thought to himself,
well, maybe they're just a little embarrassed.
He also felt bad for them since he too has been
in their shoes in the past, broken down on the
side of the road with no way to fix the car.
And in that type of situation, you are having
to rely on the kindness of strangers. Most of
the students were not paying much attention now
and were now back to doing whatever they were
doing right before the bus stopped to help. Ava
and Lily were back to talking and looking at
Lily's photos on her phone, and Miranda and David
had not paid much attention to the entire stop
as they kept talking and laughing through the
entire ordeal. As the two female passengers got
situated in their seats, a few rows up from where
the majority of the group were seated, Hawthorne
noticed that the younger one was clutching what
looked like a sports bag. The sports bag looked
similar to the one he had just recovered back
at Chichen Itza. The guy who was arrested was
carrying a similar bag right before he dropped
it as he was tackled by David and then tased
by the security guards. He tried to put it out
of his mind, but it was bothering him for some
reason. He thought to himself, hmm, what are
the odds that two different people on the same
day, hours apart from each other, would be carrying
the same type of bag close to the same location?
As the bus was pulling back out into the highway,
having left the taxi driver and his broken down
car on the side of the road, David noticed that
his brother, who had been quite sound asleep,
started to wake up. His brother had been laying
down the seats next to David and Miranda. In
the other row, David's brother sat up, rubbed
his head, and looked around the bus and asked
David where they were. David responded by telling
him they were on their way back to Merida. Now
that his brother was awake, having survived being
locked in a hot trunk for several hours, David
started asking him a lot of questions about how
and why he got involved in this scheme to steal
the artifacts of the gala event the other night.
David's brother was not really in the mood to
talk about it at the moment and was feeling a
little embarrassed he was being scolded around
other people. But his brother did respond by
telling David that all he was hired to do was
to drive three people from Mexico City to Merida
in the middle of the night. He then added that
he had no idea that the three people who drove
to Merida that night had just robbed the gala
event at the museum in Mexico City. He then also
told David that he has tried to stay clear of
work like this the last year or so, but for some
reason, the person who hired him really wanted
him to do it and it paid really well. Miranda
overheard David laying into his brother about
the whole situation that he had gotten himself
into. Miranda felt a bit embarrassed for David's
younger brother as David's voice kept getting
a little louder with each sentence. She also
felt a little sympathy for the kid. Well, I guess
he's not really a kid. Miranda was guessing that
David's younger brother was maybe a few years
younger than her. As she continued to listen
to David give his younger brother a lecture about
his life and the direction it had taken, she
secretly wanted David to forgive him and show
him some mercy. However, Miranda knew it was
not her place to give David any family relationship
advice since she did not know the entire backstory
between the two brothers. She also had family
members she needed to forgive. So she sat there,
tried not to listen and looked out the window
of the bus. Still on the bus ride back to Miranda
with maybe another 20 to 30 minutes to go. Tommy
noticed that the two new female passengers were
being very quiet and reserved. He thought that
it was a little odd since they were getting a
free ride back to Merida. The two ladies were
keeping to themselves and staying quiet. So Tommy,
who was sitting in the seat directly across the
two passengers, looked over at them and said,
I didn't really introduce myself earlier, but
my name is Thomas Flores. You can call me Tommy.
And we're a university group from Mexico. And
he then asked, So, How did you like Chichen Itza?
I mean, assuming that's where you were coming
from, since that's the only traffic on this road
between Merida and the ancient site. Is that
your first time visiting? Tommy was genuinely
curious and trying to make small talk as he assumed
there were day tourists from either cities of
Merida or somewhere else close by. Renanta turned
her head away from the man who was now sitting
closer to them and just stared at her aunt awkwardly.
Renanta was not sure how to answer the guy, so
she just stared at her aunt and hoped that man
would just slide back over further in his seat
and be quiet. Maria, a little annoyed about her
niece's lack of ability to act normal, answered
Tommy's question for them and responded, Yes,
that's right. I wanted to take my niece to see
the Chitzen Itza since she's never been there
before and my apologies as she's really shy.
That's okay. Tommy replies. Maria nods her head
in agreement at Tommy's comments and smiles.
She's also hoping her subtle nonverbal expressions
communicate that she doesn't really want to talk
and would rather just be left alone. Renata whispers
to Maria. what are we going to do when we get
to marita maria answers quietly so as not to
elicit any type of reaction from tommy who's
now talking with the driver she says we are going
to have to lay low until we get that final payout
from the big boss give us up i mean i don't think
he will but maybe the big boss can help him renonta
then replies i grabbed this old gym bag from
the other car at least we still have the thing
Maybe we can still use it to our advantage. Renata
was still thinking that the jade jar was in this
old sports bag she was carrying. However, she
did not know that she actually was just carrying
around the bag with some rocks in it. She and
her Aunt Maria had no idea that the jade jar
was actually in a different bag and resting at
the feet of one of the other passengers who was
sitting toward the bag. Mario looks over at Tommy,
making sure he's not paying much attention to
their side conversation and quietly responds,
Yeah, I noticed you were carrying that thing.
Just pretend like it's your day bag and try not
to draw attention to it. These tourists don't
have a clue anyway. Professor Hawthorne, still
trying to shake the weird unsettling feeling
he had about their two new passengers, got up
from his seat and moved back one row to where
David and Miranda were sitting. David had stopped
lecturing his brother by this time and was just
sitting there with Miranda next to him in the
window seat. As Professor Hawthorne sat down,
David asked, what brings you back here? Hawthorne
answers, apologies for interrupting, but I feel
something is off with our two passengers. It's
just a feeling I have. The younger one of the
two has a similar, maybe even the same type of
sports bag that the guy you helped apprehend
was carrying. Should I be alarmed by this fact?
At that moment, Hawthorne noticed David's brother
slumped down in his seat, hiding behind the back
of the seat in front of him. David saw his brother's
reaction too and knew immediately that there
was a connection between his brother, the two
female passengers they picked up, and Carlos,
the guy the police had already arrested. Miranda
was also paying attention to this new information,
but not wanting to raise any suspicion on the
part of the two new passengers sitting at the
front of the bus, she pretended to have a nonchalant
conversation with Professor Hawthorne, smiling
and even laughing periodically. She looked over
at David, who was now having a very quiet conversation
with his brother, who was still slumped down
in his seat, not wanting to be seen. David looks
back up at Hawthorne after telling his brother
to stay out of sight and then says softly, My
brother says these are the other two he drove
from Mexico City to Merida, and they're related
to Carlos. He said the younger one is Carlos'
sister. Her name is Renata. And the older one
is their aunt, and her name is Maria. Miranda
responds and says quietly, Wow, what luck is
this? Looks like we found our thieves from the
gala. And they have all come right to us in a
weird way. David replies and says, I'm not the
type of person who believes in superstitions.
But there are people who believe that if you
steal Mayan treasure, you will be cursed until
the treasure is returned. Miranda smiles a bit
and says, Well, I'm starting to believe that
superstition may be true. This family of thieves
have surely found some bad luck today getting
on our bus, of all things. Hawthorne then asks,
So what's the plan? We'll be arriving in Merida
in the next 20 minutes or so, and we can't let
these two get away. David, rising his phone up
to his ear, then replies and says, I'm already
on it. putting a call in with the contact of
mine in the police department in Mexico City.
He'll be able to call ahead and have several
plain -clothed officers waiting. David then continues,
we need to know where our new passengers want
to be dropped off so I can relay the message
on. So, the sooner we find this out, the better.
It will give my guy more time to get his guys
mobilized for the rest and pickup. Hawthorne
then said, I'm on it, and then sends a quick
text to Tommy, who's sitting up front by the
two new passengers. Tommy receives a text message,
looks at his phone, then looks at his watch,
and then looks over at Maria and Renetta, who
are just sitting there silent. Tommy then says,
excuse me. He continues, we're about 15 minutes
away from Moretta, and our bus will be dropping
my group and I off downtown where our hotel is
located. We'd be happy to drop you off somewhere
else. I think the main bus depot is located downtown
somewhere. Maria, not having thought that far
ahead yet, responded and then said, Yeah, the
main bus depot is just fine. Thank you. Renata
then whispers to Maria, Then we can get a ride
back to Mexico City, right? Yep, that's the plan.
Now just follow my lead, don't talk too much,
and keep a low profile and we'll be on our way.
And hopefully we'll be able to get your brother
back. Maria responds quietly to Renata. At that
same moment, Tommy sends three words text message
back to Hawthorne. that reads, Main Bus Depot.
Tommy, not really understanding why Hawthorne
wanted to know the drop -off location of the
two passengers, didn't ask him a question, but
just said that, and then continued talking with
the bus driver where they had left off a few
minutes. That's the way Tommy was. He had the
ability to connect with just about everybody,
from a random bus driver to a career criminal.
He could talk to just about anyone without a
problem. As the bus entered Merida City Limits
and was now winding its way through the city
streets slowly, Hawthorne asked David, Is everything
set up? David answered, I think the pickup team
will be ready by the time we get there. They
had to scramble to get a few officers assigned.
We can drop off our two guests at the bus depot
as normal and then be on our way. David, Miranda
says as she interrupts, what about the golden
mask? The two people who know where it is are
sitting on our bus right now. You have a good
point, David answers. At that moment, and after
hearing Miranda say that, Hawthorne offered up
an idea. He said, David, this is a long shot,
but I have a really crazy idea. Hawthorne knew
that if these two passengers were arrested and
taken into custody now, there was probably no
chance the gold mask would ever be recovered.
He assumed it was either hiding somewhere or
they had already handed it over to their boss,
whoever that may be. At least at this point,
they still had a chance to talk with them. or
negotiate with them. David responded, Okay, what's
your idea? Hawthorne offers up his idea quickly
as they were only a few minutes from the bus
depot where they would let their two passengers
off. Hawthorne makes it quick and says, After
we drop our two passengers off at the bus depot,
we drive around the street corner and drop you
off, Miranda and your brother. You all follow
them into the bus depot. David, you make contact
with them inside the bus depot, hopefully before
the plane closed, please get to them first. Then
if you can talk with them really quick, try to
strike a deal. As soon as the police swarm and
apprehend them, Miranda and your brother join
you. Before the police haul them off, you need
to tell the two ladies that if they tell you
where the golden mask is located or who has it
now, that your brother will testify that they
both helped save his life and got him released
from the cartel. This should get him a reduced
prison sentence. Or something. Or at least I
hope so. And David and Miranda, since you are
both somewhat of local celebrities in Mexico,
your word will mean a lot more to them than anyone
else's. Hawthorne then asks, what do you think?
We'll do it, David responds. Yeah, I'm in, Miranda
says. We can then catch a ride back to the hotel
later, David says. A few minutes later, the bus
pulls in and parks in the main parking area at
Merida's main bus depot. The doors open and the
two passengers up front exit rather quickly without
looking back. However, Hawthorne did notice the
older one say something to Tommy and the driver
as she got off last. The bus then exits the parking
lot and turns on a side street as it has to go
around the block in order to go back the same
direction they had just came from. The group's
hotel is a mere 10 minutes away. As soon as the
bus turns a corner, Hawthorne gets up and walks
to the front of the bus and asks the bus driver
to stop temporarily. The bus stops next to the
curb and Hawthorne watches as David, Miranda,
and David's brother get off the bus. Hawthorne
saw some confusion on the faces of several students
and Ava and Lily, as well as Tommy's, so Professor
Hawthorne, not wanting to explain all the details
of what those three were going to do, he said,
they're going to do an errand and then meet us
all back at our hotel later. Hopefully that's
okay. That brief answer was sufficient to ease
curiosities. No one else had any more questions.
They all went back to doing whatever they were
doing before they stopped, and then the bus moved
on. David, with Miranda and David's brother following,
all entered the main bus depot terminal looking
for the two female passengers. David says, let's
stick together. Keep your eyes open. I bet they
were trying to buy a ticket back to Mexico City.
Yep. There they are, over by that ticket window,
Miranda replies. She then says, as soon as they
turn around, we can approach them and ask them.
So the three move closer to the ticket window
and wait for the transaction to be finished between
the bus ticket clerk and the two female passengers.
As they are waiting for the right moment to confront
the two, David says, my brother says that their
names are Maria, the older one, and Renata is
her niece, the younger one. At that moment, Maria
and Renata turn around and start walking away
from the ticket window, with tickets in hand.
David's brother, unnoticed, walks out from behind
Maria, who's holding the tickets, and grabs her
hand and rips the ticket out of her hand. David
watches as both Maria and Renata turn around
quickly and seem to be startled a bit as they're
looking directly at the guy they let go back
at Chichen Itza earlier in the day. David steps
in between the two ladies and his brother and
then says, you have one minute, maybe two minute
talks because the local police grab you. Tell
me where the golden mask is and we'll help you.
Maria snaps back. I know you. How'd you get here?
She then looks at David and Miranda and says,
I know you too. I've seen you both on TV getting
an award for quote unquote finding those artifacts.
You are both thieves too. The only difference
between what you did and what I did was you were
able to figure out how to do it legally. Miranda
steps up and then says as she nods her head as
if to try to convince Maria of the truth she
is about to say. You did help this guy. Miranda
then points to David's brother and continues.
We can tell the police that you helped rescue
this guy. We can sign a statement for you saying
that you helped this guy. We may be able to help
your nephew and your brother Carlos as well.
Tell us where the golden mask is and we'll help
you. At that moment, five plainclothes police
officers with badges hanging around the necks
approach from different directions. Within seconds,
Maria and Renata are handcuffed and are started
to be shuffled down towards the exit. Miranda
follows, with David right behind. Miranda continues
to talk as they are making their way out of the
exit toward a police van parked outside. Maria,
help us out and we can help you out. Miranda
could tell that Maria wanted to say something,
but she looked conflicted and confused. Renanta
then yells out as they are being shoved into
a van through the door. It's at a safe house
outside Merida on a route 180 near Hacienda,
Tibet. At that moment, the van door slams shut
and the Viant drives off. Miranda turns toward
David and asks, did you get that? Yes, a safe
house off route 180 near Hacienda, Tibet. Well,
that narrows it down a bit. Miranda then says,
David, where's your brother? Part 9. The Safe
House As the group returned to their hotel in
Merida and got settled back into their different
hotel rooms after a long day, Hawthorne waited
down on the main floor for David, Miranda, and
David's brother to return from their little side
errand. He knew his idea was a long shot. The
idea of David and Miranda getting the location
of the gold mask from the two bus passengers
before the police arrested them and hauled them
off. He also knew that if David and Miranda did
not get the location of the golden mask, they
would miss their chance of recovering it and
returning it to its rightful place once again.
The rightful place being the secret and sacred
Mayan treasure room inside El Castillo where
David had originally discovered it. Hawthorne
didn't consider himself superstitious, but he
did wonder if there was any merit to the idea
that whoever held the golden mask would find
bad luck. or be cursed in some way, until it
was returned to the place it was found. There
had just been a lot of unusual and weird things
happening over the last half week, things that
were related to the gold mask and the jade jar.
Maybe the legends are true. The legends of the
Yucatan, as Hawthorne remembered, were rooted
in ancient Mayan culture and regional folklore,
where sacred artifacts were believed to not just
hold historical value, but spiritual power as
well. According to the legends, artifacts that
were gifts to powerful leaders or were crafted
by the high priests were meant to remain in their
ceremonial resting place to maintain harmony
between the human world and the spiritual world.
When these artifacts were stolen, the balance
was broken. Misfortune and unrest followed every
new possessor, as if the artifacts carried a
curse for anyone who dared to claim that it was
theirs. The legend serves as a warning passed
down through generations that some treasures
belong to the earth and disturbing them invites
consequences. It's a tale of reverence and consequence
and the unseen power of history that still echoes
across the Yucatan Peninsula. Hawthorne had long
ago rejected the notion and practice of finders
keepers when it came to antiquities and artifacts.
The practice of if you find it. you get to keep
it, was unethical and in some cases immoral.
Yet this practice was still being employed by
private treasure hunters, freelance archaeologists,
and of course grave robbers. Hawthorne despised
the intentions of these groups. They were greedy
and they lacked ethical and moral standards.
This was just another example that power and
money made people do dumb and stupid things,
and usually at the expense of others. The three
criminals who were picked up and arrested today
found that out, and the cartel member who lost
his life in the cenote for a few old coins found
that out as well. As Hawthorne looks down at
his watch, checking the time, David and Miranda
enter the hotel's front doors and walk over to
where Hawthorne is seated. As David approaches
Professor Hawthorne, he says, Well, we have good
news and bad news. What do you want to hear first?
Hawthorne thinks for a moment and then replies,
I'd like to hear the bad news first since I can
end my day with the good news. Miranda adds,
I like that logic. David, give him the bad news
first and then the good news. David continues,
we have a potential location of where the golden
mask is hiding and according to my GPS, it's
about 20 minutes from here. Hawthorne then says,
okay, what's the bad news then? My brother disappeared
while we were at the bus depot. He must have
just slipped away into the crowd when we were
busy talking with our two passengers, who, by
the way, were promptly arrested a few minutes
after they had purchased their bus tickets back
to Mexico City. David continues, We were able
to get a potential location of where they hid
the golden mask from the younger one. So. So.
Timing is everything right now, David adds. My
brother is very resourceful and he could very
well be planning to go get the golden mask for
himself now. I'm going to book a taxi to take
us to the location right now. I know it's late,
but we need to try to recover that mask before
anybody else does, even my brother. Miranda says,
I'm going with you. Me too, Hawthorne said. You
could use the help once we get there. Having
three of us, we could split up and look for the
thing. It'll probably be dark once we get there,
so we'll need to keep that in mind as well. Hawthorne
watches as David goes to the front desk clerk
of the hotel and asks her to call a local taxi
for hire for the three of them. He overhears
David telling the clerk to inform the taxi driver
they need to go to Hacienda Tabek off Route 180.
About 10 minutes later, the taxi arrived at the
hotel. Hawthorne, David, and Miranda got into
the taxi, then confirmed with the driver their
destination. Hawthorne overheard the driver tell
David, who was sitting in the passenger seat
up front, that the name Tebek comes from the
Mayan language meaning the place of oak trees.
The driver seemed to know a lot about the place
as he was giving David a lot of information.
Hawthorne could pick up most of it in Spanish,
and what he didn't understand Miranda would translate
for him. The driver explained that Tebek was
a small port town that had less than 500 people
still living there. Some of the residents produced
eggs and honey, which they took to Merida to
sell in the markets and supermarkets. The quality
of the eggs and honey were well known in the
area. Tourists would sometimes venture out that
way and visit the old estate of Hacienda Tebeck.
This estate or plantation included a larger two
-level sprawling structure, an old church, and
several other older plantation outbuildings.
As Hawthorne was listening, he thought to himself,
searching for the mask might take longer than
what we had expected. With about 10 minutes to
go before reaching the town of Tebek, they exited
Route 180, southwest of Merida, and got onto
an old, rough, and bumpy road. Great, Miranda
said quietly. I hope we don't get car sick on
this road. David heard her say this and then
responded, you and me both. He then continued,
I know nothing about this place. I assume we
can get onto the property of the Hacienda? David
said this as sort of a question and statement
at the same time, hoping the driver would know.
The sun had already started to go down and it
was dusk. The evening's light would be dimming
soon and David knew they would be searching much
of the sprawling area in the dark, which wasn't
ideal. However, timing was everything right now.
As the car was bouncing closer and closer to
the front gate of the Hacienda estate in Quebec,
the headlights of the taxi illuminated the front
gate to the sprawling estate. The gate was wide
open and the grass was overgrown, well, in the
places that there was still grass. Most of the
open area was either dirt or weeds. The estate
did not live up to its name, and there only seemed
to be two or three oak trees still standing on
the property, or at least that's what they could
see from the car. Hawthorne overheard the taxi
driver say something about the plantation and
that it was not really a priority of the townspeople
to keep up with the maintenance of the grounds
or buildings anymore. The taxi came to a stop
right outside the front gate and the driver asked
if he should wait for them. David responded with
a yes and then said something about him and his
friends not being there that long. So the taxi
driver positioned the car facing back out the
way they came in so when the three of them, Hawthorne,
David, and Miranda, came back, They could then
leave immediately without having to turn around.
Hawthorne noticed the driver do this after they
had gotten out of the car and thought to himself,
I like the way this guy thinks. He positions
himself as ready. There was still enough light
outside for the three of them to walk through
the property without having to use their phone
lights yet. As the three of them were walking
towards the first building, which was on the
left side of the property, Miranda asked Professor
Hawthorne, What did you tell Prof. Tommy before
we left? Hawthorne replied, Well, to be honest
with you, nothing. He then continues, He's an
early to bed kind of guy and well, I didn't want
to bother him as he went right to his room when
we got back to the hotel and told all of us goodnight
as he got in the elevator. Also, I think we can
be in and out of here in less than 30 minutes.
What I could tell from the internet is that most
of the outbuildings don't provide enough cover
and are in very poor condition to want to hide
something as valuable as the mask. So if I was
to guess, we should look closely at the old church
and then the large main two -story Hacienda building.
David answered back as they were approaching
the front door of the old church and said, Those
are my thoughts exactly. We can rule out this
church building first, search it quickly, and
spend most of our time in the main building across
the way. Miranda immediately walked up to the
front church building doors as David was still
talking and yanked on them to open them and nothing.
They were locked up tight, would not even budge.
Miranda then said, maybe there's a back entrance
that's open? She then proceeded to walk around
the side of the old building towards the back
as David and Hawthorne were following and talking
to each other. Miranda was fine to take the lead.
She actually liked it. In a very male -dominated
culture, she often liked to bend the cultural
norms in this way. Most people her age and younger
didn't have a problem with gender roles changing.
but the older generation sure did. As she rounded
the corner of the back of the church building,
she had gotten lost in a few of her own thoughts
about how her desire to lead and be in charge
often got her in trouble. She was also thankful
this aspect of her did not bother David one bit.
He had actually told her that that was one of
the things that he appreciated about her. Miranda
stopped for a moment, woke up from her daydream,
and then grabbed the old wood latch on the back
door of the church and nothing. It was locked
as well. David walked up to the side of Miranda
with his phone light on and pointed on the latch
and door threshold to see if any of the dirt
and dust had been disturbed. He then said, I
don't think this door has been open for some
time. The front doors were the same way. The
dirt and dust had not been disturbed. Let's not
waste any more time here and head straight over
to the main Hacienda building. Hawthorne replies,
yeah, probably a good assessment. Maybe once
we gain entry to the other building we can divide
and conquer since the building has multiple rooms
on both the first and second floors. As the team
walks across the flat and open middle dirt area
of the estate, they notice that there are multiple
car tracks in the dirt. They don't think much
about it, but it does indicate that people had
been there recently. They reach the other larger
building structure which has two levels and looks
like an old style hacienda. or long plantation
house. The building footprint is a U -shape.
Two wings of the hacienda flank the center section
and create a courtyard area, which at some point
in the time had a beautiful outdoor stone water
feature and small pool. Much of the stone water
feature structure was still there, but there
was no water, only weeds and dirt. The building's
ground floor had a long outdoor patio, which
ran the length of each of the sections. The patio
had numerous arches which fit the classic Mexican
plantation architectural style from its time
period. As the three of them entered into the
courtyard, the daylight was almost gone by now.
Hawthorne suggested that he go up and search
the second level of the building while Miranda
and David searched the ground level. Then, if
either of them found something, a clue, or the
actual golden mask itself, they were to meet
back down in the courtyard and then head back
to the waiting taxi car. They agreed and split
ways, now armed with their phone lights and the
determination to get in and get out as quickly
as possible. David and Miranda stuck together
and walked through the main arch area into the
center building, first looking down the long
porch area. The outdoor porch area was in poor
condition. Broken old wood furniture and dirt
covered sections of the concrete floor. Nothing
to see there. So the two tried the front main
door and, to their surprise, it was unlocked.
David opened the door, and he and Miranda then
stepped inside. Miranda looked at David and then
said, Let's start in the central building first,
then we can move to the side areas after that.
Maybe they were lazy and stashed the mask here.
We could only be so fortunate, David replied.
Then he said, By the way, what do you do with
the J -jar? As Miranda and David start searching
the numerous empty rooms in the main center building
on the ground floor, Miranda tells David what
she did with the J -Jarge. She says, That makes
sense, David replies. He then says, By this time,
it was dark outside, only some light from the
half moon. Inside the hacienda, it was quite
dark, so David and Miranda were using their phone
lights to search each room. As David and Miranda
search the third room, right wing, David then
says, I wonder if the professor is having any
better luck than us. Hawthorne was having the
same results as David and Miranda. Each room
he searched was practically empty, besides the
occasional broken piece of furniture and graffiti
on the wall. Professor Hawthorne was moving quicker
than David and Miranda. He was already searching
the final wing on the second level, which was
right above where David and Miranda were searching,
down below him on the ground level. After another
few minutes, Hawthorne had canvassed the entire
second level and was empty -handed. There was
virtually nothing in the old building on the
second level. The taxi driver was right. The
professor thought to himself, the local townspeople
have really neglected this old historical site.
Hawthorne came to the end of the second wing
and found a flight of stairs that led back down
to the ground floor. He knew that these stairs
would take him back down to the ground floor
in which he could then exit the hacienda and
go back out into the courtyard and wait for David
and Miranda. So he took the stairs down to the
ground floor. turned the corner and ran right
into David and Miranda, who were just about to
enter the last room on the ground floor in that
wing. Miranda got startled as she walked towards
the last room and then almost ran into Professor
Hawthorne as he turned the corner coming out
of the stairwell. Hawthorne was standing right
in front of Miranda with his face all lit up
by Miranda's phone light. Miranda jumps and says,
Whoa, Professor, you startled me. Sorry about
that. Any luck on the second floor? No, nothing,
the professor responds. He then asks, What about
you guys? David replies as he walks through the
middle of Hawthorne and Miranda and into the
final room in this part of the Hacienda. He says,
let me check this final room and then we can
all check the other wing on the ground level.
David walks into the room and quickly scans the
room with his phone light, pointing it at each
wall and around the floor. Bingo, David says.
David looks down and sees a clearly outlined
square section of the old wooden floor. He could
tell it had been moved and put back recently
because the dirt and dust on the floor had been
disturbed. It did not have a handle and was set
flush with the level of other floorboards. David
reaches into his pocket to pull out his always
-goes -with -me pocket knife and then remembers
that he had to leave it back in Mexico City because
they flew by commercial airplane to Merida instead
of driving. By that time, Hawthorne and Miranda
were standing over the same section of the floor
looking down. Yep, Miranda says, that looks like
a trap door. And it looks like it's been used
recently, Hawthorne adds. David then says, we
need to find something to pry it open. Help me
look around here somewhere. The three of them
then walk around the larger corner room looking
for anything they could use to pry open the square
wooden floor section to see what was inside.
As Miranda is walking slowly with her phone light
over by the back wall of the room, she then says,
um, guys, what are the odds of us finding an
old crowbar? Hawthorne was the first to respond.
Well, I'd have to say about zero, but by the
sound of your voice, I'm guessing that is exactly
what you found over there. Miranda turns around
and faces both David and Hawthorne with an old
crowbar in her hands and says, I think these
artifacts really want to be returned to their
rightful place, and something or someone is helping
us. David then says, what? Where did you find
that? Miranda replies, it was just laying over
there in the back corner of the room next to
this old wooden chair. Miranda walks over to
David who's now standing over the what looks
like a trap door in the floor and hands him the
crowbar. All three of them watch as David pries
the old wooden square section of the floor up
with the crowbar. Miranda, along with Hawthorne,
hold their phone lights over David as he works
to get the floor section up and then moves it
out of the way. The hole in the floor is just
large enough to fit a small person into it. Miranda
knows it's got to be her since both Hawthorne
and David are much broader than her. She says,
watch out guys. Let me shine the light into the
hole. It's not very deep, maybe four feet, maybe
less, but it does extend outward. I think it's
a crawl space under this room. Miranda, without
hesitation, then drops herself down straight
into the crawl space and says, I'll be right
back. David, along with Hawthorne, just stand
there, hovering above the now -open trapdoor
entrance. They are both just looking down to
the hole in the floor with their phone lights
on, hoping Miranda doesn't run into any snakes
or rodents. All of a sudden, they hear a dragging
sound and see Miranda's face look directly up
toward both David and Professor Hawthorne. Miranda
then says, Here, help me with this. It's heavy.
She then lifts up one side of a larger black
bag towards David and Hawthorne, who grab it
and hoist it up and out of the hole in the floor.
Miranda then grabs David's hand as he helps her
get back out of the crawlspace. Miranda brushes
off her clothes from the dirt and cobwebs, and
then says with a smile, Well, Professor, what's
in the bag? When David was helping Miranda back
out of the small crawlspace, Hawthorne unzipped
the bag and pulled open the sides to reveal an
object wrapped in a large beach towel. Of all
things, a beach towel that said, Welcome to Cancun.
As David and Miranda watched, Hawthorne carefully
pulled the beach towel sides off the object and
behold, the golden mask of Chichen Itza stared
right back at them, gleaming in the phone lights,
almost glowing. All three of them stood there
quietly just for a moment and looked at it. Hawthorne
broke the silence and said, That sure is a magnificent
piece of history. I think it's time we get out
of here. David then said, my thoughts exactly.
It sure looks a lot better now than where I found
it in the pyramid. The museum did a great job
cleaning and polishing it. Yeah, it's almost
mesmerizing in a way. The mask seems to communicate
to you when you are looking at it. I've never
seen anything like it and up close like this.
David reached down, wrapped the beach towel back
around the mask, and then zipped up the black
bag and said, I'll carry this out. Let's hope
the taxi is still out there waiting for us. Hawthorne
opened the side door, which led out to the courtyard.
They stopped for a moment to get their bearings
as the place was completely dark now. Hawthorne
then said, the old church is up ahead on the
right, so we'll need to walk back across the
open dirt and weedy area toward the front gate
where we entered. The front gate area is maybe
a good 60 yards away in front of us. The professor
started walking with Miranda and David behind
him. Hawthorne knew the bag had to be heavy as
he heard Miranda and David talking about it behind
him. He also heard them making a plan to return
the mask to El Castillo, the pyramid at first
light, before the main grounds of Chichen Itza
opened to the tourists for that day. Hawthorne
knew, as David did and Miranda did, that the
quicker they could return the mask to its rightful
place, the better. As the three approached the
front gate, they saw that the taxi was still
there, parked in the same location. The driver
was sitting up front in the driver's seat, sound
asleep. Hawthorne opened the front passenger's
door. which awoke the driver. He sat straight
up and then asked if it was time to go back to
Merida. Miranda and David got in the back seat
and put the large heavy black bag between them
on the seat. They were determined not to let
it out of their sight now that they had recovered
it. Miranda could not believe that they had recovered
both artifacts on the same day. As the taxi driver
turned on the car, Miranda looked at David and
said, the legends have to be true. David replies
softly so as not to allow the driver to hear
and says, Well, we're only half done with our
mission. As David and Miranda were talking, Hawthorne
and the driver, looking out the front windshield,
noticed headlights moving toward them on the
same bumpy dirt road they had come in on about
30 minutes earlier. Hawthorne knew this wasn't
a normal thing, especially this late at night,
past dark. Hacienda Tebeck was not a tourist
hotspot, plus the small town of Tebeck seemed
to close up and shut down every night around
dusk. It wasn't really a happening place. So
this could possibly mean one of two things. Either
this was David's brother coming to retrieve the
mask, or it was the cartel. Either way, it would
be good to avoid either one. Hawthorne reached
over and stopped the taxi driver from turning
on his headlights. Hawthorne was thankful the
taxi car was an older vehicle, the kind where
you had to manually turn on the headlights instead
of them automatically turning on. By this time,
David and Miranda had noticed as well. David,
having the same thoughts as the professor, asked
the taxi driver in Spanish to move his car out
of sight. Miranda could hear the urgency in David's
request and then added, please hurry. The taxi
driver, without hesitation, pulled the car forward
a bit, put it in reverse, and then backed up
into some tall weeds off the side of the gate,
making sure the front of the car was hidden from
view. The weeds were tall enough to conceal most
of the car. The darkness helped, so with their
luck, this other car coming down the road would
drive right by them as they entered into the
Hacienda property. As the car got closer, they
couldn't see very well because of the tall weeds
and brush, but they could hear it getting closer
and closer. Hawthorne and the others could also
see through the weeds that the headlights of
the car were now shining brighter and brighter
on the front gate area, which was a mere 25 yards
away from where they were parked. Hawthorne looked
over at the driver who was just sitting there
in silence, looking straight ahead with a concerned
look on his face. Hawthorne noticed the man pull
the sun visor down, look at a photo, probably
of his family, and then make a cross gesture,
forehead to chest, then shoulder to shoulder.
Hawthorne knew the guy was a bit nervous. They
waited there for what seemed like forever, then
finally a truck, which they had thought was a
car, drove by at a high rate of speed through
the main gate and toward the courtyard of the
hacienda. As soon as the pickup truck had passed,
David said to the driver, Vamos, vamos. The driver
knew enough not to draw attention to themselves
leaving, so he kept the headlights off and slowly
drove the car forward, out onto the dirt road.
He pushed gently on the gas pedal, hoping the
sound of the engine would be very soft. David
reminded the driver not to touch the brakes either,
as doing so would light up the back of the car's
brake lights, which would surely be seen by the
other vehicle, which was now parked in the Hacienda's
courtyard. Lights on and music blaring. Both
Miranda and David were faced in towards each
other and were looking out the back window at
the truck now parked at the hacienda. The taxi
they were in was slowly moving and that's the
way they needed to be moving until they made
it back out to the highway. Miranda knew if they
could go undetected, then they would be in the
clear. As the taxi got further and further away
from the hacienda's property, the truck got smaller
and smaller. Miranda and David noticed that four
or five guys had gotten out of the truck and
two of them had what looked like assault weapons,
long guns. David nudged Miranda and said quietly,
that's not my brother. Those are cartel members
and they are going to be mad as soon as they
find their little treasure is gone. All of a
sudden, they hear a faint rat -a -tat -tat -tat
-tat -tat echo into the night. David squints
and looks toward the Hacienda property again,
which is further away now. He notices, what seems
like, one of the guys pointing his gun into the
sky and squeezing off rounds into the sky. Hawthorne,
the driver, and Miranda all hear the gunshots
echoing off in the distance. Hawthorne turns
in his seat and looks out the back of the car
where they had just come from and asks, What
do you think? Are they shooting into the air
because they're mad their treasure is gone? Or
are they signaling to more of their cronies?
Neither David nor Miranda knew the answer to
Hawthorne's question. So, they just sat there
in silence looking out the back window of the
car into the dark, making sure there was no one
following them. However, David overheard the
driver tell Hawthorne that the cartel members
are signaling other potential cartel members
in this area by firing their guns into the air
using a certain trigger pattern. Miranda looked
down at her phone GPS and said, another five
minutes on this old road and then we'll be back
on main route 180 heading back to Merida. Another
burst of gunfire could be heard from a distance
behind them, along with tracer bullets streaming
straight up into the air like bottle rockets
in the night. Wow, Miranda thought to herself
nervously. Just another five minutes and we'll
be back on the main highway and headed towards
safety. Part 10, The Return Now back at their
hotel in Merida, Hawthorne along with David and
Miranda get out of the taxi. They feel a sense
of relief. The past few hours had been stressful,
yet exciting. They had found the golden mask
hidden in a crawlspace at the not -so -famous
Hacienda Tebeck, which the cartel uses from time
to time. Their faithful and resourceful taxi
driver proved to be a valuable ally in their
silent and stealthy escape from the gun -toting
and trigger -happy cartel members. However, it
was only a matter of time before word spread
of their group's presence in Merida. The city
of Merida was known as a safe and cartel -free
city, but this could be a different situation
for them. The Mexican media had kept David and
Miranda's story front and center for many months,
not just the story of the artifact discoveries,
but their personal story of becoming close. The
media and public were more fascinated about their
growing relationship than the artifacts themselves.
They had been portrayed and branded by the media
as Mexico's very own modern -day Indiana Jones
couple, and the public loved it. David and Miranda's
presence in Merida did not go unnoticed. There
were already several videos posted online of
them, a few from their time at Chichen Itza earlier
in that day, and a longer video of them at the
bus depot in Merida as they had confronted Maria
and her niece Renata. Not wanting to get caught
up in more media coverage in Merida, Which could
attract even more attention, David told Hawthorne
that he and Miranda were going to have the taxi
driver take them back down to Chichen Itza that
night. There was a small private locally owned
hostel close to the park. They would stay there
and then at first light would gain access back
to El Castillo to return the mask. Then, if they
were successful, they would travel together down
to Calakmo and return the J -Jar together. Neither
one of them wanted to return to Mexico City without
first returning the artifacts they had taken
months ago. The legends of the Yucatan seem to
be true. Unfortunate events and bad luck would
follow those who possessed the artifacts until
they had been returned to their rightful resting
place. Hawthorne waits in the lobby of the hotel
while Miranda goes back up to her room to retrieve
the bag that the jade jar was in. David was pacing
back and forth in the lobby, waiting as well.
The large black bag containing the golden mask
was resting on a chair next to him. Hawthorne
could tell that David was anxious about getting
back on the road and far away from Merida as
possible before daybreak. The cartel would be
looking for the people who stole back both the
jade jar and the golden mask. Professor Hawthorne
secretly wished he could be part of the trip
to return both artifacts, but he knew this was
an adventure that David and Miranda needed to
do together, without anyone else. Hawthorne watched
as Miranda entered the lobby. Having fetched
the jade jar from her and Ava's room, all three
of them were silent. Hawthorne nodded his head
at both Miranda and David, gave them a thumbs
up, and then watched as they got back into the
waiting taxi. It then drove off into the night.
It was early morning and Prof. Amanda picked
up her phone and tapped the green connect button.
She anxiously rubbed her forehead while she waited
for Professor Hawthorne to answer his phone.
She had stayed up late last night in an effort
to confirm the group's return plane tickets from
Mexico City back to Sacramento. She was also
coordinating the group's bus ride from the Sacramento
airport back to El Dorado College. She knew the
trip had been quite eventful as she had gotten
periodic text updates from Professor Hawthorne
each time there was a deviation in the original
schedule and plan. Prop Amanda had also been
practicing her public relations skills as she
communicated with the students' parents about
how the trip had been going. She had also reassured
the parents of the students who were on the trip
that everyone was safe and sound and would be
coming home soon. All of a sudden, Amanda's phone
connected and she saw Professor Hawthorne's face
staring back at her. He was smiling even though
his eyes looked tired. Amanda then said, Professor
Hawthorne, it's good to finally talk face to
face. Well, at least virtually. Regarding your
texts from earlier yesterday, I was able to rebook
all the students, including Lily, on an earlier
flight tomorrow out of Mexico City back to Sacramento.
Then, for your return ticket, I was able to get
you on the same flight, but just one day later,
as you had requested. Also, I understand Ava
will be handling her own booking, as she is going
to stay down there and work on her stories. So,
the students will be back here in Coloma in a
little over 24 hours, and you about 48 hours.
I'm sure you're all ready to get back. As the
professor holds back a yawn, he replies, Thank
you so much. You're the best. He continues, as
you can tell, I haven't had my morning coffee
yet, and it was quite the long day yesterday.
I will be able to fill you in with all the details
when I get back. It's been quite a trip. On this
end of things, we're flying out of Merida, where
we're at right now, back to Mexico City in about
two hours. We should be back on UNAM's campus
by early afternoon today. Yeah, I want to hear
all about it. It sounds like you may be busy
this summer writing another book. I mean, these
weird and I might say amazing things just keep
happening to you, Amanda replies. Well, I don't
want to make this a habit, you know, finding
myself in the middle of, well, whatever this
is called, weird or amazing. The professor continues,
I'm getting too old for this. Amanda laughs a
bit and then says, well, you can send me next
time. I'll be happy to join your little adventures.
She continues, text me or call me if anything
needs changed on my end. I've got to go and get
ready for my classes today. See you soon. The
flight back to Mexico City from Rita was uneventful.
A Yunnan bus picked them up at the airport and
then took them back to the dorms they were staying
in on campus. The students were quiet the entire
trip back. Maybe they were tired or just ready
to get back to Coloma. Either way, Hawthorne
welcomed the peace and quiet. He was also thankful
for Lily's leadership with the students. She
had really stepped up on this trip and it showed.
Because the students only had one more night
in Mexico City before their return flight back
to California the next morning, Hawthorne let
them have free time on campus for their final
afternoon and evening. However, they did have
to be back in their dorms by 10 p .m. They had
an early flight the next morning and he didn't
want any of them to be missing it. Professor
Hawthorne wanted to see Anthony Garcia one more
time before he left, so he coordinated with Tommy
to meet up after the students had left the next
morning. Then Hawthorne and Tommy would go see
Anthony together again, but this wouldn't happen
until the next day. So Hawthorne had some free
time, which got him thinking about a few missing
pieces to the heist puzzle. He still had unanswered
questions that bothered him, so he picked up
his phone and sent a text to Ava. Ava, back at
the dorm having some free time of her own and
trying to get caught up with some work, got a
text from Professor Hawthorne which read, Are
you free? If so, let's meet up in the student
center at the cafe and chat. I've got some ideas
to run by you and about some things that don't
seem to add up. Let me know. Thanks. Ava texts
back and it reads, sure, I can meet you in about
an hour. That's okay. I know what you mean. There
are a few things I'm confused about still with
this entire situation. I've got a call scheduled
with a mutual friend first. See you in an hour.
Ava had already scheduled a call with her source
at the FBI, Agent Carson. She and Hawthorne met
Agent Carson. A few years back, he helped make
some high -profile arrests back in Coloma. He
was an ideal agent, reliable, honest, and helpful.
Since the El Dorado incident and investigation,
he had been promoted to special agent in charge,
and he had told Ava that if she ever needed anything,
to just contact him and he'd be happy to help.
So she did. She got on a call with Agent Carson
and for the next 45 minutes plus was able to
get some very valuable information that might
help fill in the gaps and answer some more questions
about what was going on with the cartels, gangs,
and some of the bigger players in Mexico City,
including dirty politicians and business tycoons.
Of course, none of what they talked about could
be published officially because it was off the
record, but Eva did learn some new details she
and Hawthorne could discuss. After a lengthy
conversation with Agent Carson, Ava headed over
to the cafe at the Student Union to meet up with
Hawthorne with some new revelations to share.
Hawthorne had taken it upon himself to order
two Italian sodas and some nachos prior to Ava
arriving at the cafe. He was reviewing some of
the past few days' events in his head and trying
to think about some of the things that didn't
seem to add up. He wasn't trying to play detective,
but there were some things that were bothering
him, so he thought he'd talk through them with
Ava. And with her experience and connections,
maybe some of the questions could be answered,
or at least investigated. So as he sat there
munching on some nachos and fresh salsa, Ava
came in and sat down. Hawthorne then said, I
know you've got a few tight deadlines you're
trying to meet this week, but maybe we can talk
through some of the things about the last few
days that seem not to add up. Yep, I've always
got deadlines, but the series of stories I'm
working on related to the heist the other day,
the arrests of the three gang members, and the
cartel's involvement with wanting to artifacts
are on top of my agenda. She replies, and then
adds, you go first, and then maybe my conversation
with Agent Carson will help piece some of this
together. Hawthorne then throws out some questions
to see if Ava has any thoughts to add. He then
says, So we know there's a bigger player in the
game, bigger than the three family members who've
been arrested already, and I don't think it's
just the cartel. I think Carlos, his aunt and
sister, and the cartel are just middlemen. So
who's the bigger player? The one who ordered
the heist of the artifacts in the first place?
That's my first question. Hawthorne then adds,
my next questions are, how did the thieves gain
access to the museum the night of the gala? The
security was really tight that night, so who
helped them? Are the police still investigating
that or do they think that they have their culprits
already? And finally, is this all connected to
the public controversy surrounding the big oil
company and the local indigenous landowners around
Calakmul where the Jajar was found? Hawthorne
watches as Ava nods her head in agreement with
all his questions and then he adds one more and
says, And finally, do you believe in the legends?
You have to admit, a lot of weird things have
happened since those artifacts were removed from
their resting place. Ava, having waited until
Hawthorne finished with his last question, takes
a sip out of her drink and then says, Yeah, I've
had some of those same questions circling around
my head for the last two days, she continues.
I just got off a call with Agent Carson, off
the record, of course, right before I came over
here to meet you. And here are some of the things
he told me. You ready for this? Hawthorne now
with a mouthful of chips and salsa nodded his
head yes and motioned with his hands to go on.
Ava continues, Agent Carson revealed that there's
a connection between the large oil company, a
prominent politician, and a higher -up person
at the museum where the artifacts were stolen.
He also said that the FBI is aware of the criminal
activity but has no jurisdiction. They were only
able to share intelligence with their counterparts
in Mexico City. The Federal Investigative Agency
when asked, which hasn't happened very much.
Ava then adds, our conversation was a lot longer
than this, but this is essentially what Agent
Carson could tell me. He didn't have names, but
said there is electronic proof that backs up
these connections. Okay, good, Hawthorne replies.
So we're not going crazy thinking that there's
a larger thing going on here. He then says, maybe
the Mexican feds are working on the leads and
connections as we speak. But corruption can run
deep here, and they are content with the arrest
of Carlos, his sister, and his aunt. Case closed.
Yeah, either way, I've still got some work to
do. So says my editor and my own curiosity, Ava
says. I'm going to spend the day tomorrow visiting
some of the local newspapers and trying to meet
with some of the reporters. Maybe I can uncover
some non -published intel they'll want to share
with me about some of these revelations. Good
idea, Hawthorne says. Tommy and I are going to
go see Anthony tomorrow after we see the students
and Lily off at the airport. He's back from the
hospital and at home resting. Maybe he's got
some information that could help. Ava will quickly
finish her drink and some nachos before getting
up and then says, Okay, I've got a call with
my editor in an hour and I've got to move out
of the dorm room and check into the hotel before
that call. Not sure I'll see you again before
you head back to Coloma. If not, safe travels.
Let's keep in touch and see how this thing pans
out. Just like old times again. Yep, just like
old times again. Hoffman replies and then waves
at Ava as she leaves the cafe and then exits
the Student Union building. The following day,
after accompanying the students and Lily to the
airport for their flight back to Sacramento,
then on to Coloma, Hawthorne, along with Tommy,
go visit Anthony Garcia at his home in the suburbs
of one of Mexico City's most affluent neighborhoods.
By this time, it's late morning and Tommy drove
since it was only the two of them. As Tommy drove
the car through the main gate to Anthony's property
and then up the long driveway, Hawthorne said,
wow, working for the museum sure has its perks.
Hawthorne also eyed the three very nice vehicles
parked in the driveway, a newer model Mercedes,
a mean -looking sports car, and a black Land
Rover SUV. Hawthorne looked over at Tommy, shaking
his head without saying a word. Tommy parked
his car carefully next to the very expensive
Aston Martin Vanquish Coupe, a beautiful piece
of British engineering and design. Tommy had
seen this model before, and a model of the car
being advertised at one of the luxury... car
dealers in Mexico City over the past few months.
Some call it a sports car and some call it a
sporty sedan. Either way, it was cool. The car
was brand new. It was a deep red color and it
looked mean, cool and fast. Basically, the envy
of any car enthusiast. Tommy knew this car was
the talk of the town, at least among those who
could afford it, which wasn't him. Cars like
this cost upward of 500 ,000 USD fully loaded.
At least that's what the dealers were selling
them for. It's definitely what makes a statement
when it's on the road. Like, get out of my way,
I'm the new kid on the block, and I'm rich and
fast. Tommy curses under his breath, looks over
Hawthorne and says, looks like our friend Anthony
has a side hustle that pays really, really well.
Hmm, my thoughts exactly, Hawthorne replies.
As Hawthorne and Tommy get out of their car and
start walking up toward the front door, the front
door opens abruptly and two guys walk out rather
quickly. They seem to be in a hurry and angry.
They pass by Hawthorne and Tommy, not giving
them a hello or even a quick glance. They get
into the black SUV and drive off. Hawthorne then
asks Tommy as they approach the open front door,
You did tell Anthony we were coming for a visit
today, right? Tommy stopped and looked over at
Hawthorne and then replied, I knew there was
something I was forgetting to do yesterday. Tommy
looks up at the open front door and then says,
Maybe we should leave. What if Anthony isn't
even here? So you've never been here before?
Hawthorne asked Tommy. No, I haven't. This is
my first time after all these years knowing Anthony.
I've had no reason to come before as most of
our interactions have either been at the museum
or at the university. Tommy responds. As Tommy
and Hawthorne are still standing there, looking
at the front open door. Tommy adds, those two
guys that just left in the SUV, well, I don't
like to profile people, but they did look a little
suspicious. Suspicious how, Hawthorne responds.
Well, it's a common knowledge that cartel members
like to flaunt their design clothing, accessories,
and vehicles. At least in Mexico, they do. And
the police don't do anything about it. And those
two guys that just left were decked out in designer
clothing and had very expensive watches. Tommy
replied. At that moment, both Hawthorne and Tommy
looked up at the open front door and there stood
Anthony, just standing there and staring back
at them. Hawthorne didn't know what to say, so
he just blurted out, Hey there, we wanted to
come see how you were feeling. Sorry we didn't
contact you ahead of time. However, that was
our intention to do so. Just one of us forgot.
Anthony paused for a moment, then said, Hmm.
I really wish you had contacted me first before
coming here. You put me in a very difficult position
now. Why is that? Tommy responded. However, both
Tommy and Hawthorne secretly knew why Anthony
had said that. And both Tommy and Hawthorne knew
something was wrong with the entire situation.
We'd be happy to come back at a more convenient
time later today, Hawthorne then added. I leave
tomorrow to head back to the U .S. and I wanted
to see how you were doing. At that moment, two
different men came out the front door, passing
on either side of Anthony, and walked straight
forward toward Hawthorne and Tommy. These two
men were armed, their guns holstered in their
belts. They looked serious and not friendly.
One of the men was wearing a cowboy hat and wearing
designer cowboy boots, and the other guy was
wearing a designer Gucci jacket and sporting
an L .A. Dodgers baseball hat that still had
the sales tag hanging from it. Oh, Anthony, Tommy
said, shaking his head. He then looked over at
Harpon and said quietly, You may miss your flight
tomorrow, Professor. As Hawthorne sat on the
clean, white, and very large, comfortable sofa
in one of the many sitting rooms in Anthony's
big house, Hawthorne was feeling a little anxious
as to what Anthony was going to do with them.
Things finally made sense, Hawthorne thought.
Anthony was the inside guy. But was he the big
boss? This was the larger question now. Hawthorne
felt that Anthony was just one of the many middlemen
getting paid off somehow by the real shot callers
at the top. Maybe Anthony was just under the
top guy, or two rungs down. Either way, the two
very nicely dressed cartel members were taking
orders from Anthony. Hawthorne knew the cartels
could be cruel and he was starting to think of
worst case scenarios now that he and Tommy had
accidentally stumbled into the middle of Anthony's
secret life. As far as Hawthorne could tell,
the only people on the property were him, Tommy,
the nicely dressed cowboy and baseball player,
and Anthony who was in the other room on the
phone. Both Hawthorne and Tommy stayed quiet,
just sitting there. Neither one of them wanted
to escalate the situation by asking a stupid
question or making a dumb statement. So they
just sat there looking at the other two guys,
who were looking back at them. Anthony got off
the phone, slammed it to the ground, breaking
it, and then walked back into the living room
where Professor Hawthorne and Professor Tommy
were sitting. He just looked at both of them
for a few seconds and said, Well, I'm in a really
bad situation here. He then said, My boss wants
you gone, but I like you guys. Both of you. So
there are two ways this can go down. You want
to hear them? Chou. Tommy says with a very disappointing
tone. Anthony replies and says, either I cut
you both in this deal or you keep your mouth
shut. Take the money and go about your daily
lives as normal. Or my very unforgiving boss
makes you disappear. And believe me, they are
good at making people disappear. Anthony goes
on and adds, if you take the deal, which I hope
you do, just know that if you don't keep your
end of the bargain, not only are you at risk,
but you put your family at... risk as well. They're
good at finding you and they're good at finding
your family members. They've been doing this
for a long time now and they're good at it. Tommy
speaks up first and then says, well, my friend,
I think there's a third option you didn't mention.
Please enlighten me, Anthony replies. You turn
yourself in and let us go, Tommy says. Anthony
laughs and then responds, I don't think so. You're
living in a different world, my friend. Anthony
then says, just take the money, the deal. Walk
away and go live your life and keep your mouth
shut. Tommy then asked, So you faked your injury
at the museum event the other night? Anthony
paused for a moment, then answered, Well, that
was a bit of a mishap on my guys. They weren't
supposed to hit me that hard. Either way, it
made everything that much more believable. Hawthorne
then says, Yep, it was believable. Hawthorne
then continues and says, Back to the money thing.
So how much money are you talking about? I mean,
paying someone off sure has suited you from what
we can tell. So how much money are you offering
us? Hawthorne knew that at the end of the day,
money talked and it was usually a matter of how
much. Hawthorne wanted to change the subject
and talk about the how much, as it would probably
and hopefully diffuse the situation a bit. Maybe
give Anthony the idea he and Tommy were serious
about the offer. Hawthorne then says, I'm not
sure about Tommy here, but I'd be interested
in this deal. I, for one, value my life and the
lives of my family members, and I'm pretty good
at keeping secrets. I mean, I assume you're not
going to take Tommy's suggestion about turning
yourself in. Anthony smells a bit then says,
Alright, what about you, Tommy? We've known each
other for some time now, and the quote -unquote
amount would be larger than what I would normally
offer to the local politician and police chief.
So, what say you, Tommy? Tommy knew Hawthorne
well enough to know that Hawthorne was just stalling
and trying to get Anthony in a lighter mood by
agreeing to take the deal. However, Tommy knew
that his next word needed to be careful and measured
so as to sound convincing enough to buy some
more time. Tommy also knew, as did Hawthorne,
that taking a pay -off now had no guarantee of
their future safety or the safety of their family
members. The cartel never kept that word and
Tommy assumed that Anthony and Anthony's boss
had no intention of keeping their words either.
It wasn't the idea of if these guys would come
after them sometime in the future, but it was
more like... When would these guys come after
them? Tommy knew that even if they did take the
money and felt that they had made a deal that
he and Hawthorne would be disposed of before
the end of the week, maybe even by the end of
the day. So it was a loose, loose situation he
and Hawthorne was in. Yeah, I took the deal too.
I know you're not a killer, Anthony, so I want
a lot of money. Our payoff needs to be significant
enough so me and my friend here can afford a
car, a house, just like you have. Hawthorne listened
to Tommy's response and thought to himself, wow,
that was a pretty bold ask. Hawthorne liked Tommy's
bold stance, so he nodded his head in agreement
to what Tommy had just said. Hawthorne then said,
yeah, that's just about right. Anthony put on
a fake smile and said, wait here, I'll be right
back. As soon as Anthony left the room, Hawthorne
noticed some movement out the back window located
behind the two guys guarding him and Tommy. Hawthorne
could tell it was a person or maybe several people
moving around the trees and bushes in the backyard.
They were there for a brief second and then they
were gone. Hawthorne knew he couldn't alert Tommy
about what he was seeing in the backyard as both
guys guarding them, the cowboy and Mr. Baseball,
were just sitting there staring at them. So Hawthorne
looked up at the cowboy, smiled and said, I like
your boots. Is that ostrich? The guy smiled back
and nodded his head yes. Hawthorne was unsure
if the guy actually understood what he was saying
or was just being polite. Cool, Hawthorne said.
He continued. I've got a pair of Stetson Caymans
back home. You know, John B. Stetson boots. Each
pair is made by hand. I've had them for years.
They get more comfortable the more I wear them.
They make quality cowboy hats as well. You look
like the kind of guy who'd appreciate a nice
quality cowboy hat as well. Stetson hats are
all made by hand too. Great craftsmanship. The
guy smiled again and nodded his head. Hawthorne
was trying to keep the guy's attention away from
what was going on in the backyard. Tommy had
known James Hawthorne long enough to understand
that James was trying to keep the Cowboys' attention
by talking about something he'd appreciate. So
Tommy joined in on the game, looked up at Mr.
Baseball in the Gucci jacket and asked, Have
you ever been to a Dodgers game in Los Angeles?
The guy, surprised by Tommy's question in English,
just nodded his head, no, and looked down at
the marble floor. Tommy couldn't tell if he was
embarrassed by the question or didn't understand
English. Either way, Tommy was going to give
him some more info about baseball. Well, my friend
James here took me to Dodgers game a long, long
time ago. We sat up high in the stadium, ate
hot dogs, drank Cokes, and sang the classic American
baseball song when it came on the loudspeaker.
You know, the sound that goes like... At that
moment, Hawthorne joined in with Tommy and they
both sang... Take me out to the ball game. Take
me out with the crowd. Buy me some peanuts and
Cracker Jack. I don't care if I ever get back.
At that moment, there were several loud bangs
outside. Then the back door, which led to the
living room, where they were all sitting, burst
open. Within seconds, the room was full of six
elite Mexican SWAT team members, guns drawn and
shouting commands in Spanish and English. The
cowboy and Mr. Baseball had no time to react.
They were both thrown to the floor, knees jammed
in their backs, and then zip -tied all in one
motion. It was almost magical to watch a well
-trained SWAT team in action. Hawthorne thought
to himself as he witnessed it all happen in front
of him. Thank goodness there wasn't a gunfight.
The other SWAT team, another six -member team,
the team who had come in through the front entrance,
cleared the rest of the property. Hawthorne and
Tommy stayed put on the big white sofa in the
living room. They hadn't moved. They really couldn't
move as one SWAT team member had stood by them,
watching them the entire time, making sure they
didn't get in the way or didn't get hurt. The
entire house and property was a crime scene and
Hawthorne knew that he and Tommy wouldn't be
allowed to just wander around the property now
that they were free. All of a sudden Hawthorne
heard a familiar voice coming around the corner
from the kitchen area. Anthony had not known
what hit him. One moment he's on the phone. His
other phone. The one that he hadn't broken yet.
With the big boss. Then seconds later he's grabbed,
taken down to the floor, zip tied, and hooded.
The tackle to the floor didn't hurt. No, it was
the tight zip ties around his wrist that hurt
the most. Then everything went dark as two guys
in all black pulled him up to his knees, then
put a black hood over his head. They picked him
up to his feet. Then directed him to start walking.
Anthony yelled out, Wait a minute! You have no
idea what you're doing? Do you know who I work
for? There was no answer from the SWAT team captain.
Hawthorne watched as the hooded and zip -tied
Anthony was manhandled and pushed out the front
door of the house, presumably to the police SWAT
van where the other two guys had been taken.
The house went eerily quiet as each of the remaining
SWAT team members exited, all but one member
who shouted, All clear! who was now accompanied
by two plainclothes officers wearing badges on
their belts. One of the plainclothes officers
looked at both Hawthorne and Tommy and told them
that they were free to go and that they'd be
in touch. As Hawthorne and Tommy walked out the
front door out of the house toward Tommy's parked
car, which was still parked next to the very
nice and expensive Austin Martin Vanquish, Hawthorne
looked at Tommy and asked, How in the world did
you remember that baseball song? I mean, that
one surprised me, man. As they both stood there.
looking at the Aston Martin before getting into
Tommy's car. Tommy answers, hollering and says,
I don't know how I remember that song. I guess
maybe because it was such a memorable experience
for me. I mean, that was my first time ever seeing
an American baseball game, live and in person
and in all places. The famous Dodger Stadium,
the details are hard to forget. I think I sang
a song a hundred times on my way home after seeing
that game with you. Hawthorne smiled at Tommy's
comment, opened the passenger side door on Tommy's
car, and then said, I guess I'll be making my
flight home tomorrow morning after all. Hawthorne
then asks a question as Tommy backs up the car
and then drives past two SWAT team vans and several
federal police cars. Hawthorne says, If the legends
are true about bad luck following those who stole
the artifacts, do you think the opposite is true?
Good luck will follow those who are helping return
the artifacts? Tommy looks over at Hawthorne.
for a moment as he turns the corner out of the
driver and onto the main road and says, I'd sure
like to think so after what just happened back
there. Tommy and Hawthorne then both look out
the front windshield, put their sunglasses on,
and drove off. A few days later, Hawthorne is
back in his office at the college in Coloma.
He's sitting there just looking at his email
inbox. He's wondering where he should start.
So many emails to go through, he thinks to himself.
Hawthorne scrolls a bit through the email inbox
and sees an email from Ava, dated yesterday.
He clicks it, opens it, and then reads. Hey there,
professor. Glad you made it back safe and sound.
Sounds like you and Tommy had quite the incident
at Anthony's place. I had several conversations
with Tommy since you left, and he's filled me
in on some of the details you learned about Mr.
Garcia. I mean Anthony Garcia. Pretty wild and
disappointing. Anyway, I thought you'd find this
fascinating, as I have done some extensive digging
into Mr. Garcia's life. Anthony, along with Silva's
family members, own shares in the large oil company,
the same oil company that is vying for that now
-illegal contract in the Calakmul region in the
south of Yucatan, where the J -Jar was found.
Also, I received a random text from Miranda and
she said that David and her had been successful
at returning the gold mask back to its original
resting place. She also mentioned that she and
David had a meeting set up with several village
leaders around Calakmul to discuss the return
of the jay jar. So that looks super promising.
And one more thing, and sorry this email is really
long. I was the one who tipped off the Mexican
feds to Anthony's involvements. I didn't know
or if they were going to raid his place, but
they did tell me that they were going to act
on my intelligence. My FBI source, you know,
Agent Carson, gave me the information about Mr.
Garcia and several of his family members holding
lucrative board seats and owning a lot of shares
in the oil company. Anyway, I thought you'd find
this information interesting and hope it answers
some more of your questions. Okay, see you again
soon. Your always investigating friend, Ava.
After reading the email, Hawthorne packs up his
bag, takes the stairs down to the first floor
instead of the elevator, exits the front main
building doors, gets in his car and drives off.
He calls his wife while driving home, hands free
of course. Mrs. Hawthorne had just returned home
from one of the many early summer conference
events held in Coloma. She was one of the guest
speakers. Her phone rings. She sees that it's
James. She answers and says, are you done at
work yet? She doesn't wait for an answer and
then says, the college semester is over. You're
back from your Mexico trip and my conference
is over. I think it's time to celebrate a bit.
I booked us a table at the new restaurant in
town. You know, the one that your friend Ethan
just bought and renovated. I hear he hired the
best chef in the county. She heard James mumble
something back, which sounded like, sure, that
sounds like fun. She then says, oh and by the
way, it's okay if you want to write another book
this summer, but on one condition. The next time
you have an adventure, I'm coming with you. Thank
you for listening. Legends of the Yucatan is
available in book form as a downloadable PDF
from our website or in paperback version on Amazon
.com. Just visit studentsincorporated .com to
find out more.