The Deadly Curse of Toco-Rey by Frank Peretti Page B

“Which could be why Kachi-Tochetin found it so appropriate.”
    Jay had been pondering something for several moments, and now he finally got the chance to ask, “But Dr. Basehart, if this is Brad Frederick, then who’s buried in the grave back at the Corys’ camp?”
    For just an instant, Dr. Basehart seemed stumped by the question. “I forgot. There were four in the Cory party. We buried the three we found in the camp. This one, Mr. Frederick, met his terrible fate here in the ruins.” Dr. Basehart rose to his feet ceremoniously. “But now he, too, will be buried in a proper grave. We will see to that.”
    Jacob Cooper was quite edgy. “But first we have to find Lila, before she ends up”—he shot a glance toward the skeleton at their feet—“like this.”
    Jay swallowed. The thought was too horrible to imagine. “Man, let’s go.”
    â€œTomás and Juan will help you search,” said Dr. Basehart, not even looking at his men to see if they approved of their assignment. “Carlos will accompany me back to the lab. I’m going to analyze this sample to see if I can isolate the toxin. We’ll have to hope I can find an antidote in time.”
    â€œWe’ll find Lila,” said Dr. Cooper with grave determination, “and we’ll bring her to you.”
    They were startled by another long, mournful wail deep within the ruins.
    â€œThat’s Lila,” said Jay excitedly. “She’s not too far away.”
    â€œGood luck,” said Dr. Basehart, heading back toward the compound.
    Dr. Cooper instructed Tomás, “You and Juan circle that way; Jay and I will go this way. We’ll try to keep Lila between us until we can narrow down her location.”
    They split up and headed into the jungle, moving slowly, cautiously. They kept an eye open for snakes and yellow carvies while keeping an ear open for any other sounds from Lila.
    After they had gone some distance, Dr. Cooper stopped and motioned for Jay to hold up. They listened a moment. There was no sound.
    And then there was. Another long, mournful wail.
    â€œDad,” Jay whispered in concern, “that wasn’t Lila.”
    Jacob Cooper nodded, then whispered, “Which means Armond Basehart has some explaining to do.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œHe worked with the Cory party until they were killed. He had the video, he knew them by name, and now he’s asking us to believe that he buried three of them and forgot about the other two.”
    â€œTwo?”
    â€œBrad Frederick . . . and now this other scream we’ve been hearing.” Dr. Cooper listened a moment, but there was no other sound. “It’s a human being in anguish, just like Lila. If you ask me, I think it’s another one of the Cory party.”
    Jay wrinkled his nose. “So there were five people on the Cory team?”
    â€œWe don’t know. But I’m bothered that Dr. Basehart doesn’t seem to remember.”
    Jay asked, “If two of them went crazy like Lila, why would he try to hide that from us?”
    Dr. Cooper sighed with disgust. “Greed. He’s so intent on finding the treasure that he doesn’t want us concerning ourselves with the Corys.”
    Jay thought it over, then nodded. “Yeah. If we thought the Corys were still alive, we’d be trying to help them instead of searching for the treasure.”
    â€œExactly. I don’t think a man like Armond Basehart has time for such moral considerations. And I don’t think he was planning on us finding that skeleton—or hearing these screams.”
    â€œSo what really happened? Were the Corys attacked by the Kachakas or did they go crazy from contact with slug slime, or was it both, or what?”
    â€œI think Armond Basehart knows but isn’t telling. And now I’m wondering if he really has claustrophobia. It could be he’s—”
    A