‘Wait,’ said Tye, pushing her way past Jonah and Motti to challenge the strangers. ‘Where did you spring from?’
‘Our helicopter touched down nearby,’ said the man to Maya’s right in the same accentless English.
Tye realised now that she could hear the whirr of the rotors stealing in over the hissing rush of the waves on the sand. ‘And what do you mean, “attend” to Coldhardt?’
‘He has bought our services,’ said the man simply. ‘Like his father before him.’
‘Heidel did reach us, but badly wounded,’ said the other man, to Maya’s left. ‘He could not be saved. And yet, now it seems we may yet save his son.’
‘Save him from what?’ Con demanded.
‘From the fate that awaits him,’ said Maya. ‘Heidel passed to him a genetic disorder. As he grows older, so it grows stronger … a condition that conventional medicine cannot cure.’
‘And so he turned to … unconventional medicine.’ Jonah glanced at Tye. ‘The occult kind?’
‘And made deals.’ Tye shuddered. ‘Sold his soul …’
‘Or believes he did,’ Jonah said firmly.
The first man smiled. ‘Now the Bloodline Cipher has been decrypted, many new approaches will become possible. A solution to Coldhardt’s predicament may yet be found.’
‘He never told us …’ Con swallowed. ‘He never said that he was so ill.’
‘That is why I decided to come with you after you broke into Blackland’s place in search of the manuscript,’ Maya explained. ‘When I learned Coldhardt was involved … It was a chance to study him up close – the son of the father we could not get through to.’
Jonah looked at her. ‘A different kind of bloodline cipher.’
‘If you like,’ said Maya. She put her hand to the tattoo on her chest ruefully. ‘Coldhardt’s cameras at the safe house allowed him to glimpse this, our symbol. He suspected then I was no ordinary university student, I think. That, together with my knowledge of Nomen Oblitum … Well. He soon grasped the possibilities I represented. Once you had left for Zamboanga, he approached me.’
‘And now it is time to begin his treatment,’ said the man on the left. ‘Payment has been agreed and made – three-fifths of his total wealth and assets, so that we may further fund our exploration into the ancient sciences.’
‘With discoveries such as this still waiting to be unearthed, the work may never cease. Coldhardt’s wealth will enable us to achieve much …’ The first man inclined his head, and his birthmark fell further into shadow. ‘Of course, as business assets, the five of you count as a part of that wealth …’
Tye swapped an uneasy look with Jonah, tensed herself for trouble. ‘Meaning?’
‘Meaning Coldhardt would not strike the deal until you’d been captured by Saitou and his associates.’ Maya smiled wanly. ‘Technically you were no longer his assets and exempt from inclusion in the deal.’
Con’s eyes held the kind of brightness she usually reserved for piles of cash. ‘Then that’s why he sent us out there?’
‘Son of a bitch,’ said Motti quietly. ‘The old man wouldn’t sell us after all.’
‘He gives you this.’ The first man handed Tye some sheets of folded paper.
‘Why?’ she said, taking it. ‘Why not give it to us himself?’
‘Because it is time to part now,’ said Maya softly, turning and leading the way from the cave.
‘Now hang on a sec,’ said Jonah angrily, ‘you can’t just turn your back on us!’
‘We can waste no more time,’ said the first man.
‘You have the boat. Take Patch to heal in Zamboanga.’ Maya paused. ‘When the time comes for you to renew your acquaintance with Coldhardt, rest assured you will be found.’
‘But – at least – I mean …’ Con was staring round in confusion. ‘Why can’t we see him now?’
‘Because he has already left,’ said Maya, leaving the cave. ‘And now we must follow.’
Tye ran out after them with Jonah, Con and Motti just behind. She saw the speedboat was now empty. A helicopter was disappearing into the distance, while another had landed further along the tiny strip of beach.
‘Wait!’ Con yelled as Maya and her companions crossed quickly to the copter, braving the rotor wash and climbing on board. ‘You can’t just …’
‘Go,’ whispered Jonah, as the copter took off into the faultless blue sky. The wind had dropped, and all was calm again.
‘Coldhardt split,’ said Motti, incredulous. ‘Just like that.’
Tears were rolling down Con’s cheeks as she stared after the copters. ‘Never even said goodbye.’
Tye took her hand. ‘That’s because he’s coming back.’
Con tried to nod bravely but the sobs were already coming. Tye gave her a hug, and Motti came over, clumsily grabbing them both. Jonah piled in to the sweaty, snot-stained embrace, and for a long while they just clung together on the empty beach, until the tears stopped coming and their shaky breaths evened out, like the slow wash of the sea on the shore beside them.
And then Patch’s voice floated out from inside the cave. ‘You sods gonna leave me in here all day or what?’