‘In a holograph suite … programmed by my brother, that cocksucker! But wait, the Guardian’s starship—how can you deny that?’

‘Who’s denying it? An ancient alien spaceship was excavated from Mexico. From what I’m told, it’s been buried for at least ten thousand years. Is it one of the greatest, if not the greatest discovery in man’s brief history? Absolutely. Does its existence have anything to do with your late father? Probably, since he was the one who discovered it.’

‘Then you don’t believe Jake and I are destined to board that ship and leave orbit in four days?’

‘In that ship?’ Dr. Snyder snorts a half laugh. ‘Listen, Dr. Mohr believes in this Mayan nonsense as much as Jacob, but even he’ll tell you those engines haven’t been fired in thousands of years, and trust me, it’s not like NASA hasn’t been trying. The only way that old clunker’s leaving orbit is if we strap it to one of our new Mars transports and tow her into space.’

A huge smile breaks across Immanuel’s face, tears of relief flooding his eyes. ‘Doc, I could kiss you.’

‘Save it for your mother. She’s the one who needs it.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Jake may be a cold fish when it comes to his feelings, but your mother’s torn up inside. Imagine spending twenty years of your life, holding on to the slimmest of hopes that the only person you’ve ever loved, a man who disappeared before your very eyes, might still be alive. It’s like telling the wife of a POW not to move on with her life because her missing husband might return. Look at the life your mother’s led. Isolated from the public, unable to see one son, the other in a world all his own, with no social life of her own to speak of. Not knowing what to think about Mick’s death, your mother’s refused to allow herself to get involved in another relationship, to say nothing about how she’s made herself available to Jacob’s every whim.’

‘It’s always been like that. I’m guessing Jake has her convinced we’re flying off to Xibalba in four days.’

‘Which means in four days he’ll suddenly be confronted by the reality of his own psychosis, and it’s going to tear him apart. Your mother knows what’s coming, and it scares her to death.’

Manny pinches away tears. ‘Where is she? I want to see her.’

Soft pink sand.

A tranquil lagoon, its small, soothing waves lapping at their ankles.

Dominique is holding Mick’s hand. She stares lovingly at his tan face, the golden rays of the setting sun dancing in his ebony eyes.

‘Mother?’

Mick looks at her with a sad smile. ‘You have to go.’

‘Mother, can we talk?’

Dominique removes the virtual-reality headgear, squinting into the hallway light.