La Puerta Sagrada, San Luis Potosi, Mexico
Night had fallen by the time Lara drove back into the town. Some people came out of the town hall, and called her over. Lara switched off the engine, and climbed out. The men lead her inside, where Marika and Escarelli still sat over the laptop. Wrasse lay on a fold-out cot some way away, his leg in a brace.
Marika stood up and greeted her friend 'We knew you couldn't be much longer. But you're wet through! We should get you some dry clothes.' She shot a glance at the men, and one of them hurried off.
Lara crossed over to Wrasse 'How are you feeling?'
'Better thanks, but my leg is still quite tender. The doctor says I've pulled a few muscles as well. Where's Azucena?'
Lara smoothed his pillow 'I'm afraid Azucena didn't make it. What happened to him after I left you?'
'He stayed with me until the helicopter came, and said that he had decided to look for you. He went off up the trail, and that's the last I saw of him.'
'I expect he fell down a crevasse or something. It was treacherous going. Lots of near falls. And he wasn't a young man.' Lara said, hoping to move away from the subject.
'Yes, but he was a professional guide...'
Wrasse saw the expression on Lara's face, and decided that now was not the time for discussion about the untimely end of Senor Azucena. The men returned with some clean clothes, and Lara went into a small office to change. When she emerged, the others were crowding around the computer equipment that Marika had rigged up.
'So, what did you find?' she said, typing busily.
Lara sighed under her breath. In order to make full use of the information she had gained, she would have to tell them about the events, including Azucena's death.
'I haven't been entirely truthful. About what happened in Tlalocaxa…' she began.