The safe house was only two streets away, but the distant police sirens sent chills of fear through his body. He sensed that he was already too late.

Dale floored the accelerator and spun the car sideways into the one-way street. He straightened the steering wheel and screeched to a halt directly in front of the small, nondescript brick house. Two police cars were already in attendance and he noted a body bag on the front lawn. His heart leapt into his throat as he clambered from the car and ran through the neat garden to the first officer he could find.

'My name is General Dale Bright. I'm looking for the woman who lives here.'

'I'm not sure, Sir. We only received the report of gunshots half an hour ago and there are two bodies, both of whom are women. You'll have to speak to the boss,' gestured the young man as he pointed to a bald-headed officer busy writing a report.

Dale approached the officer of African American descent with trepidation but introduced himself with outward confidence and a strong handshake. He learnt many years ago that respect got him a lot further in life then insensitivity and rudeness.

The man replied by acknowledging him with a return handshake.

'I'm looking for the woman who lives here,' Dale repeated.

'We have two women, but we have yet to determine which one is the owner of the home. Perhaps you can help us with the identification.'

'Yes of course,' replied Dale. Years in the army had hardened him to the often gruesome nature of death, but it was not something he enjoyed. Seeing the passing of others reminded him of his own mortality and he took his hat off to doctors, forensic scientists and all those who dealt with the dead on a daily basis. It was not a job he could do.

'Both women were shot dead by a sniper. The one inside was targeted through the open kitchen window and this one appeared to have stepped outside to collect the paper. The officer walked over to the body bag and unzipped the side.

Dale blinked and gazed at the sightless eyes. The woman was approximately forty years of age with blonde hair and blue eyes. She was slightly overweight and sported purple facial bruises from an old injury. Most importantly, she was not Reynata. He breathed a sigh of relief although he felt a moment of guilt for not mourning the loss of an innocent soul.

'It's not her,' Dale muttered as he stood up from the blood-stained lush grass.

'The other woman's in the kitchen,' said the officer as Dale moved towards the front door 'It's not pretty in there!' he yelled as Dale acknowledged his warning with a wave.

Dale stepped into the old house. A mix of lavender and freshly baked cake permeated the walls, leaving him with a sense of familiarity and dread. He did not know how he would cope if she was dead.

He moved slowly down the tiny hall and turned right into the small lounge. As usual, the house was spotless. Reynata was house proud and despite her second-hand furniture and time worn flooring, she had made this place her home. It was friendly and welcoming, adorned with fresh flowers and samples of her fine needlework. Dale picked up an embroidered pillow and placed it nonchalantly back into the position on the couch he was so used to seeing it in.

With foreboding and a racing pulse, Dale stepped into the pale green kitchen. The awning window was shattered and blood was dotted across the walls and over the fresh butter cake that lay in slices on the central island bench. The body was crumpled sideways on the floor, attended to by a crime scene investigator who had turned her face up so they could prepare the body for removal.

Dale used the fridge to lean against. His legs were on the verge of collapse and nerves coursed through his body. The woman was not Reynata, leaving him relieved but with one question: where was she?

He knew that this was a safe house and the dead women must have been caught in the crossfire as a case of mistaken identity, but it was also unlike Reynata to run. She would never flee for her life and leave the house or her friends unattended. Adding further fuel to the fire was the small Chrysler in the driveway, set of keys and black purse near the sink. He automatically concluded she had been taken and it did not take much for him to work out by whom.

He had to ring someone ... but whom. Reynata was in protective custody and his involvement with her would surely be questioned. He was in a quandary, a feeling that did not sit well with him. He was used to getting immediate answers to his questions.

Dale wandered outside at the same time the senior officer approached him.

'Any luck?'

'No. It appears that the home owner is missing,' replied Dale.

'Look, I don't know if it is related, but five minutes ago I overheard a call on the radio about a woman found sitting in the gutter only two streets from here. She was dazed and unresponsive. The ambulance officers were unable to get an intelligent word out of her and have taken her to the Seton Medical Centre.'

Dale had to get there immediately. If it was Reynata, she would need him.

'Thank you!' he shouted to the officer as he raced for his car.

'It's at 1201 West 38th Street,' the senior officer replied.

Dale waved and started the ignition. The vehicle roared to life and Dale raced to the medical centre. If it was Reynata, he feared what condition he would find her in. A relapse would devastate her psyche and possibly undo all of the progress she had made over the last twenty years.

The short ten minute drive to the hospital seemed exceedingly lengthy, added by the lack of car parking. Dale was so frustrated that he used his status to pass the queue and walk straight to the counter. He could feel the eyes of the waiting patients boring angrily into his back and in any other circumstance, he would have taken his place in the line ... but not today.

The attending nurse gave him directions which Dale followed exactly, arriving at the ward in less than a minute. He approached bed number one with hesitation, fearful of what he would find. If it was not Reynata, he would have to start at the beginning. If it was her, would she recognise him? Was she hurt? There was only one way for him to find out. He pulled the curtain aside and stepped into the small cubicle.

The woman lay on the bed with her back facing him. He did not need to see her face to know that it was Reynata. The glorious dark brown hair that she used to hide the scars on her shoulders lay limp on the pillow. Her slender but tall figure was slumped in resignation under the cotton sheets and her left hand with the missing fingers was visible on the bed in front of her.

He was just about to approach when an elderly, grey-haired nurse entered the room.

'Sorry to interrupt. I was just about to change her drip.'

'Not at all. Can you tell me about her condition?' asked Dale.

'I was not here when they brought her in, but it seems that she was involved in some sort of altercation. There are bruises to her wrists and welts on her arms and face. She has not responded to any stimuli and has not eaten anything since her arrival. Technically speaking, she does not require the drip, but we are worried about dehydration.'

'She has not said a word since her arrival?' questioned Dale.

'None, but she is carrying many horrific scars. We were wondering if her current status has anything to do with her old wounds,' replied the nurse as she unhooked the saline bag and replaced it with a new one.

'I don't know,' replied Dale honestly as he moved around to the front of the bed.

Reynata's eyes were open, but she had a vacant, glazed expression. Dale was overwhelmed with a sinking feeling of guilt and sadness. He had not been there when she needed him most. He took her fingerless hand and stroked it gently, smiling at the nurse when she left the room. The nurse gave him an expression of sympathy.

'I'm sorry, Reynata. I was not with you when you needed me.'

'You're a right royal bastard,' she whispered in return.

Dale was taken aback with shock. He could not believe what he had heard. She was looking at him with bright focused eyes and a total clarity.

'What ... how?'

She gestured to him to come closer. Dale complied.

'I'm only joking. I'm not upset with you. I knew you would come for me,' she whispered in a voice so low that no one else could hear her.

'After my friends were shot and I was kidnapped, I knew immediately what had happened. Ahaw had found me. There was no way in hell that I was going to let them take me back to that place, so I fought. I fought for my life like you had taught me, Dale. After freeing my hands, I took the small can of mace you told me to keep in my pocket and I sprayed it in their faces. The driver slammed his foot on the brakes and I jumped from the car. I could hear an ambulance come around the corner at which time my kidnappers took off and I lay in the gutter, pretending to be injured. My ruse worked and they stopped for me instead of heading to my home. I knew if I could stay quiet until you came, no one would discover my identity and I would be safe. We need to get out of here before they find out where I am.'

Dale sighed audibly. Reynata was a smart and strong woman. It was what he loved about her.

'Okay, but I think it's time you told me why they want you so badly. I know that you remember Reynata and I have been patient. For twenty years, I have waited for you to come to me, to confide in me as I have in you.'

'I know, but it is painful and we all have our secrets. You have not told me that one enigma that rules your life,' accused Reynata as Dale hung his head. What she said was true. Dale's own life had been ruled by the ghost of his past that he had never revealed to anyone, not even to his own daughter who it affected most.

'I need time, Dale. For so long, I have pushed the memories to the back of my mind that I fear unlocking them. It's like being afraid of the dark and knowing that you have to open the door to step out into it. The thought fills me with dread.'

Dale lowered his eyes in empathy until he came up with an idea hypnosis. It could be the answer they needed. Yes, it could work.

Dale grabbed Reynata's clothes from the end of the bed and helped her to dress. He was keen to get her out before a nurse arrived and starting asking questions.

As the hospital was understaffed, no one had the time of day to stop and question two able-bodied people strolling down the hall. Their exit was unimpeded, but Dale took care to ensure they did not remain in the open for long. He had no idea who was watching them, his fears confirmed when he discovered the tyres of his vehicle had been slashed.

They had found him.

In the moment between knowledge and action, Dale heard a shot ring out. His years of military training came to the fore and he grabbed Reynata, shoving her onto the concrete more harshly than he had intended. The bullet rammed at full velocity into the post behind them, missing their heads by a few inches. Whipping his gun from its holster, Dale fired back while gesturing Reynata to move backwards. When he had first entered the underground car park he had noted that a Ford sedan had an open driver's side window. It was parked two spaces from his vehicle and could possibly provide them with an opportunity to escape.

Two more shots rang out to the right of their position and Dale stood up to return fire. He was ineffective with the shots being returned almost instantaneously. They were closing in and much to his chagrin, Dale had not been able to determine their position.

Reynata continued to edge along the ground until she had reached the front tyres of the sedan and knelt up on Dale's prompting to open the door. She quickly crawled into the front seat, followed immediately by Dale who fired a couple of shots in succession to deter their pursuers.

Although he was not an expert in the field of vehicle theft, Dale had seen a few of his mates hot-wire cars in his youth. He sincerely hoped his memory held true, but much to his delight, the car still had keys in the ignition. He sighed in relief and started it immediately.

Amongst rapid fire, Dale managed to accelerate out of the car park and towards the exit ramp. He noted two men trying to leap towards the back of the vehicle in an attempt to shoot them, their misfire shattering the rear window and right tail-light of the car. Glass sprayed throughout the interior, but the headrests acted as a shield from the flying shards. Dale kept driving.

Desperation overcame him and he drove at breakneck speed toward the local church. It might seem like an odd choice, but he knew the pastor well and he could ensure their protection. He had his suspicions that the sect had infiltrated all areas of the community and in light of the events over the last couple of hours, he felt that his beliefs were confirmed. He no longer knew who he could trust, particularly in an alien city.

'I know this is to do with my knowledge of Ahaw, but I don't understand why they are chasing me,' asked Reynata.

'That's what I want to find out. I understand your distress, but it has become a life and death situation for both of us and a group of archaeologists in Tikal.'

'Archaeologists in Tikal?'

'Yes ... it's a long story, but the dig in Tikal has uncovered a mystery involving the symbol tattooed on your neck. We have a group of very important archaeologists trapped underground in a shaft and it seems that the emblem is the key to freeing them. Unfortunately time is fast running out and we have no more than forty-eight hours.'

'Why don't you get the government involved? Surely they could get them out.'

'It's not as simple as that, Reynata. We have our suspicions that the group you lived with is widespread and have infiltrated various areas of the community. We strongly believe that they are making and selling high-grade cocaine and netting themselves a fortune. If this is correct then you may be the only one who can testify against them.'

Reynata looked at Dale with a horrified expression.

'So, I need to recall the trauma I suffered to help you uncover the identity of these men and save the archaeologists.'

'It would assist but it's not necessary,' said Dale, trying to ease the pressure on her but knowing full well that any information she could provide may prove to be vital. 'My daughter is helping to uncover the secret of the symbol and is making good progress. We are hopeful she will make a breakthrough in time to save the archaeologists and I have my best men trying to expose the ring of criminals.'

'But it would help,' pressed Reynata.

Dale nodded reluctantly, knowing the pain it would cause her.

'The priest we are going to see is also a trained hypnotherapist,' said Dale, revealing his reason for choosing the church.

Reynata frowned and Dale could see the fear on her face.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

Gillian watched as the dense Guatemalan jungle came into view. From above it looked like a glorious green carpet that would be gentle underfoot and soft to touch, but Gillian knew that looks could be deceiving. The jungle was home to numerous snakes, scorpions, tarantulas, bats, jaguars, crocodiles, monkeys and small cats. It was a beautiful place but deadly to those who entered unprepared.

She cringed involuntarily as she tried to imagine what Fred must be going through in the damp darkness of the death trap. He would be terrified, although Gillian knew his pride would not allow him to admit his fears to any of his fellow occupants. She had no doubt he would be brave to the very end, but her concern was with her feelings about him or lack of. The frantic pace of the last day and a half had been all consuming, but it had crossed her mind that she should have been petrified for Fred's safety. She was not and this worried her.

Adam placed his hand gently on her shoulder.

'We'll save them,' offered Adam, misinterpreting her deliberation for angst.

'Yes ... I have every confidence that we'll succeed, but Georgio has just confirmed that the rope holding the lift is continuing to stretch.

'I know, but they are safe for the moment and we can't spend our time contemplating forthcoming events. We need to focus all of our efforts on helping them escape,' said Adam.

Gillian smiled. Adam was attempting to provide comfort and she appreciated his endeavours.

'Five minutes!' yelled Georgio as he motioned to the ground below. They had begun their descent into Uaxactun.

Adam slid open the door of the helicopter, inundating the cabin with humid jungle air that replicated the condition of a sauna. She had to blink momentarily to gain perspective and gratefully took hold of Adam's hand to steady her loss of balance.

Adam winked at her for showing her first sign of weakness.

Gillian scowled in jest but followed him past the slowing rotor blades to the adjacent jungle.

Georgio had landed in the middle of the Plaza of Ceremonial Buildings which boasted the only expanse of open space. Built in the early classic period, it consisted of the main pyramid, Structure E-V11-B or better known as the Pyramid of the Masks and three further pyramids to the east. Used for astronomical studies, the pyramids were perfectly aligned to measure the solstice and equinox between the eastern stairway of the Pyramid of the Masks and the other three pyramids.

'Grouse, Mate. What a place!' exclaimed Adam as he viewed the overgrown city, his mouth agape in awe.

'I almost forgot that you hadn't been outside of your home town before,' laughed Gillian as she placed her hand under Adam's chin and shut his mouth for him.

Adam laughed. 'I'm an adventure virgin. Anything remotely interesting is exciting for me, but seriously, this place is amazing. To imagine that this city was once home to hundreds of people is kind of eerie. It's a little like a treasure hunt, discovering the lifestyle of a forgotten society.'

'A man after my own heart,' joked Gillian, the lightness of her comment overriding a serious undertone. Adam gazed at her. Did her comments mean more than she had intended? He hoped so.

With the howler monkeys screeching in the background, Adam followed Gillian to the Pyramid of the Masks. It was a short structure with a stairway and a number of masks on each of the four faces. It was in remarkably good condition for its age due to the protection of the outer pyramid built by a later ruler in the late classic period. This had preserved the original building which had been discovered by chance when the crumbling outer walls had posed a safety risk for tourists.

Gillian watched Dale run his hands over the brickwork in deliberation.

'It's hard to imagine that the ancient Mayans fashioned these with such precision. It reminds me of the Egyptian Pyramids, leading me to wonder if they were somehow related,' said Dale.

'That's a common misconception. In reality the Great Pyramid of Giza was built in the 13th century BC long before the Mayans even existed. The Egyptians were masters of their time and their buildings far more advanced. The difference though lies in the use of the pyramids. The Egyptians built theirs as tombs whilst the Mayans used theirs for religious, ceremonial and astronomical purposes. The Mayans were also the first to design the corbelled arch and had the original working calendar predicting the earth's rotation with surprising accuracy. Unlike the 365 days spread throughout our twelve months, the Mayans had eighteen months made up of twenty days each. The remaining five were called the 'Wayeb' and were considered the dead or dangerous days. It was considered extremely unlucky to be born on any of those five days,' said Gillian as they approached the base of the pyramid depicted in Adam's painting.

'I didn't realise they were so advanced,' whistled Adam in disbelief as he gazed admiringly at the stones of the pyramid. 'In my painting, this pyramid is adorned with amazingly bright murals and shimmering stones.'

'Yes. The Mayans were also experts in plaster. They plastered and painted the interior and exterior of all of their buildings with the most important receiving extensive decoration. This pyramid would have been no exception,' responded Gillian.

'I'm unsure which side of the pyramid the priest was sitting at, but it was heavily treed behind the building and quite open at the fore. I would think that he was standing in the plaza as we are now,' concluded Adam.

'Then the mask you referred to must be this one,' said Gillian as she touched the rough facial features of the raised deity that sat proud amid the crumbling remains of the surrounding stairs.