Page 120 (1/2)

ey appeared in the Pueblo de los Muertos with a highlevel State Department official and played on our patriotism"

"Miles and I were asked to identify and photograph Huascar's treasure after you found it," explained Shannon "They came to us because of my expertise in Andean culture and artifacts, Miles's reputation as a photographer, and mostly because of our recent involvement with you and NUMA"

"And you volunteered," Pitt surmised

Rodgers replied "When the Custolers we round art dealers who are also searching for the treasure, we started packing"

"The Zolars?"

Rodgers nodded "The possibility weDoc Miller's murderer quickly overcame any reluctance to become involved"

"Wait a minute," said Giordino "The Zolars are involved with Amaru and the Solpemachaco?"

Rodgers nodded again "You weren't told? No one informed you that the Solpemachaco and the Zolar family are one and the same?"

"I guess soot," Giordino said caustically He and Pitt looked at each other as understanding dawned Each read the other's reed not to mention their unexpected run-in with Doc Miller's imposter

"Were you briefed on the instructions we deciphered on the quipu?" Pitt asked Shannon, changing the subject

Shannon nodded "I was given a full translation"

"By whom?"

"The courier who hand-delivered it was an FBI agent"

Pitt stared at Gunn and then Giordino with deceptive calton didn't issue press kits about the search to the news hts to Hollywood"

"If word leaks out," said Giordino, "every treasure hunter between here and the polar icecaps will swarm into the Gulf like fleas after a hemophiliac St Bernard"