Excavation by James Rollins Page B

but Henry could not place it.
    â€œWho were you, Friar de Almagro?” he mumbled as he worked. “What were you doing at that lost city? Why did the Incas mummify you?” Chewing his lower lip in concentration, Henry finished the last flourishes on his drawing, then picked the paper up and stared at it. “This will have to do.”
    He glanced to his watch. It was almost eight o’clock. He hated to call so early, but he could not wait any longer. He swiveled his chair and reached for the phone, making sure the portable fax unit was hooked in properly. Once satisfied, he dialed the number.
    The voice that answered was officious and curt. “Archbishop Kearney’s office. How may I help you?”
    â€œThis is Professor Henry Conklin. I called yesterday to inquire about gaining access to your order’s old records.”
    â€œYes, Professor Conklin. Archbishop Kearney has been awaiting your call. One moment please.”
    Henry frowned at the receptionist’s manner. He had not expected to reach the archbishop himself, but some minor clerk in their records department.
    A stern but warm voice picked up the line. “Ah, Professor Conklin, your news about the mummified priest has causedquite a stir here. We’re most interested in what you’ve learned and how we might be of help.”
    â€œThank you, but I didn’t think the matter would require disturbing Your Eminence.”
    â€œActually, I am quite intrigued. Before entering the seminary, I did a master’s thesis in European history. A chance to participate in such a study is more of an honor than a bother. So, please, tell me how we can be of assistance.”
    Henry smiled inwardly at his luck in finding a history buff among these men of the cloth. He cleared his throat. “With Your Eminence’s help and access to Church archives, I had hoped to piece together the man’s past, maybe shed light on what happened to him.”
    â€œMost certainly. My offices are fully at your disposal, for if the mummy is truly a friar of the Dominican order, then he deserves to be sanctified and interred as befits a priest. If descendants of this man still survive, I would think it fitting that the remains be returned to the family’s parish for proper burial.”
    â€œI quite agree. I’ve tried to glean as much information as I can on my own, but from here, I’ll need to access your records. So far, I’ve been able to determine the fellow’s surname—de Almagro. He was most likely a friar in the Spanish chapter of the Dominicans dating back to the 1500s. I also have a copy of the man’s family coat of arms that I’d like to fax you.”
    â€œHmm…the 1500s…for records that old, we might have to search individual abbeys’ records. It might take some time.”
    â€œI assumed so, but I thought to get started before I headed back to Peru.”
    â€œYes, and that does give me an idea where to start. I’ll forward your records to the Vatican, of course, but there is also a very old Dominican enclave in Cuzco, Peru, headed by an Abbot Ruiz, I believe. If this priest was sent on a mission to Peru, the local abbey there might have some record.”
    Henry sat up straighter in his chair, excitement fueling his tired body. Of course! He should have thought of that himself. “Excellent. Thank you, Archbishop Kearney. I suspect your help will prove invaluable in solving this mystery.”
    â€œI hope so. I’ll have my secretary give you our fax number. I’ll be awaiting your transmission.”
    â€œI’ll forward it immediately.” Henry barely paid attention while he was passed back to the receptionist and given the fax number. His mind spun on the possibilities. If Friar de Almagro had been in Peru long, surely there might even be some of the man’s letters and reports at the abbey in Cuzco. Perhaps some clue to the lost city might be