Garrett’s bandage sported fresh blood, his leg throbbing as he climbed in the driver’s seat of his beat up car.
“We should get that checked out,” Liberty said.
Garrett shook his head. “We’re going to end this hunt today. There’s no time to see a doctor.”
“We at least need to get you some antibiotic and a proper bandage.”
His cell rang. Liberty latched her seatbelt as Garrett flipped open his phone.
“Corey, are you all right?”
“You remember that summer, Garrett. I know you do.”
Garrett’s throat tightened, the painting in his studio haunting him. “I remember.”
“You saw the girl. You know she’s real.”
Garrett cleared his throat, his hand sweaty on the phone. “I saw something up there that day, but I don’t know that I can ever explain it.”
“Why didn’t you stand up for me?”
Garrett switched the phone to the opposite ear. “Because the girl is all I ever saw, Corey. The rest was in your imagination.”
“But it wasn’t, Garrett. It was all as real as the girl. These things I’m seeing now, the Aztecs, they’re as real as that girl.”
“Where are you, Corey?”
“With her.”
“Who?”
“Her name’s Zyanya.”
“The girl we saw when we were kids?”
“Will you stand up for me now?” Corey asked.
Garrett nodded. “Yes, Corey. What do you need?”
“The flute.”
The camera bag sat on Liberty’s lap. He motioned to the pocket. “You want the flute?”
Liberty frowned and mouthed, “Why?”
“Zyanya wants the flute. The rest of the treasure is ours if we just deliver the flute.”
“What about Maddy?” Garrett asked.
“We have her. She’s safe.”
“She’s okay then?”
Corey didn’t respond.
“Corey, is Maddy okay?”
“I saw her, Garrett. She looks like she’s sleeping.”
Garrett swallowed hard.
“Zyanya will give her back when she has the flute.”
He pushed his fingers through his filthy hair. “Where do we meet?”
“Kolob.”
Walter had been right. “When?”
“One hour.”
Garrett checked his watch. “Where do I go once I’m in the park?”
Corey spoke to someone in the background briefly before returning to the phone. “You’ve seen the last page of the codex?”
“I don’t have it, Corey.”
“But you’ve seen it?”
“Yes, I’ve seen it.”
“There’s a symbol, repeated on the codex over and over. Watch for it when you enter the park.”
“Okay.”
“You know what I’m talking about?”
“Yes.” He remembered the towering shapes, like triangles one after another.
“And bring it with you. We can’t find it without the page.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
“One more thing,” Corey said. “Is Liberty with you?”
Garrett hesitated. “Yes.”
“Good. Bring her with you.”
“Why?”
“Just bring her.”
“I don’t want her getting hurt. You have to tell me why first.”
“Zyanya wants to meet her,” he said before disconnecting.
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