Harry was as bored as she was and kept fussing around the fireplace and opening his backpack and rummaging through it.

"What are you doing?" CJ asked, annoyed.

"I'm just looking for more shells for the rifle."

"They got plenty in the other room to go with that rifle over there."

He walked away from the fire and into the back room. CJ rushed over to the fireplace, took a small black satchel out of her backpack, and hid it behind the otter on the fireplace mantel, hoping Harry wouldn't see it. And then she stepped outside to look around and check on the weather. The trees blocked out the sun, but it was certain that the blue sky had turned red. To her right, the ground sloped down and then rose steeply in the same direction.

The cabin actually sat on the side of the mountain. The snow-covered road leading to the cabin was part of the terrain as it dropped off steeply toward the north. To the south, she saw the mountains veiled in falling snow. A plane traveled out of the southern storm toward her. She turned and went back into the cabin.

Harry walked over to the fireplace and set his drink on the mantel. CJ watched him intently and as he drew near the backpacks, she went quickly to stop him, but he was reaching for the shillelagh. She stopped suddenly and sighed. Still, he would not move from that spot.

He turned to see her and asked her what she wanted. "You look like the sword of Damocles is hanging over you." She looked up, and he chuckled. "You look nervous as if you expect something to happen."

She turned away, stumbling for words to say. "No, no. I'm okay. Well, it's just that it stopped snowing, and the weather is clearing up and all. You look a little better, ya feel it?"

Harry looked down at his leg as if he had to see it to talk about it. He lifted his knee and dangled his leg back and forth a little. "Yeah, seems to be getting better. You sure are a good nurse." He put his foot back down and pretended to fall. "You're worried about Skinny finding us, is that it?

"Oh no, no."

But Harry stayed where he was this time and stood very close to the otter. He put his drink down, and it moved.

CJ could not help hiding her tension. She knew he suspected something. She moved her hands as if she were trying to move him away, like a puppeteer.

He turned around and nudged the otter again with his elbow.

She stiffened.

"You're hiding something here."

"No," she said releasing a long sigh and shook her head, "No. Uh, uh. Why don't you come over here and sit with me." She threw open her blue-velvet robe to entice him.

He turned around, lifted the Otter, and saw the leather bag. "What is this? Look CJ. Look at what I just found."

She tried to take it, but it was useless.

Harry tossed it up in the air and caught it.

"Sounds jingly."

She protested, but he ignored her, holding her off as he made his way for the bar. He opened the bag and spilled its contents. Out came dozens of precious stones—some tiny and some large—all very expensive. He sifted the stones on the counter, examining them briefly. He noticed one of the stones carved in the shape of an Inca god.

"What the hell is this CJ?" His face turned crimson, and he held some of the gems in his hand and looked at her. "These are worth a fortune. Where did you get these?"

She stumbled on her words, not sure what to say.

"Come on CJ, I'm on your side. Did you steal these from Skinny?"

She nodded, unable to say anything.

He looked at the stones. They seemed familiar, but were they? "The last time I saw anything like this was in Chile. I mean I never thought I would see their likes again."

"Yeah," she said. "They're his. He won't miss them. He's got plenty."

"Are you kidding? This is worth a fortune. These gold coins alone could buy and sell a small country." He examined them more closely. "I recognize these stones. These belong to me, to my expedition. To Nancy." He put them back in the bag and put the bag back where he found it.

She went for it, but he stopped her. "They'll be fine there," he said keeping her away from the bag.

Harry told CJ about how he and the others found them in Chile and how he was certain that these were the same stones.

"Dago died while we searched for the tomb where these came from. Some sort of fever. Have you heard of Montezuma's revenge? No?

"In Mexico when you visit, and drink the water, most everyone gets diarrhea. Montezuma was the King of Mexico City when the Spanish came and destroyed their civilization for the gold and gems they possessed. So, legend has it he takes revenge through diarrhea."

She stared blankly at him as if he was speaking Greek to her. "Am I going to get diarrhea?"

"Never mind. These gems cost the life of Dago and my wife, Nancy. Do you want to tell me what's going on?"