Page 135 (1/2)

"My hat is off to Adgesting that the treasure be put into an international fund to help rid the world of poverty and disease was an act of genius"

"The alternative would have been years of legal wrangling with no winners Who were the owners? The descendants of the Phoenicians? The Romans? The Mexicans? The Guatemalans?"

"Or Christopher Columbus" Nina shook her head "Ironic, isn't it? Like Halcon, his obsession with gold killed him"

"He wasn't in very good health even before he set sail, according to the autopsy He e At least this way he's become more famous than ever, whether he deserved it or not Besides, I owe Chris one If not for his obsessions we ht not have met"

Taking Austin's hand in hers, Nina said, "If he only kneould co his body and the treasure will be the greatest archaeological project in history, with nations and govern I can't wait to start work He's done ether than he ever did in life Too bad his legacy as the discoverer of America will be flawed"

"It doesn't seem to matter I've seen the plans for the lavish to for his body in Washington and San Salvador, too"

"No one's suggested putting up a monument for those nameless Phoenicians and Africans ere the first to set foot in the New World," Nina said

"Maybe they weren't the first"

She arched an eyebrow "I beg your pardon Do you have evidence to support that possibility Professor Austin?"

"Maybe I took another look at the boat carvings Do you re from a diamond-shaped object?"

"Yes I thought it od of some kind"

"I caed to get a bird'seye viehen they were laying out the pointers to the jaws of Kukulcan I think they used huge kites"

"Flying Maya! That's a novel theory Where would they have learned to do that?"

They were interrupted by the buzzing of Austin's cell phone He dug it out of his waterproof pack and put it to his ear His frown changed to a smile when he heard the voice on the line He talked for a fewup

"That was Angelo Donatelli calling from the hospital," he said "He'll be out in a few days"