Necropolis

least, not anything that he noticed.
    Very soon, we will leave Nazca. I really want to see England again.
    And now I'm going to bed.
    Richard is worried that Scar turning up is the start of a new phase. The Old Ones have left us alone, but now they'll have been alerted. If they were planning a move against us, this is the time when they'll make it.
    But I don't care. There are five of us, and that means that soon this whole thing will be over. We'll get together and do whatever it takes to bring it all to an end. After that, I'll go back to school. I'll take my exams. I'll have an ordinary life.
    That's all I want. I can hardly wait.
    SEVEN
    Last Night in Nazca
    Twenty-four hours after the fax had arrived, Professor Chambers organized a dinner. It was her way of saying good-bye. The following day, Matt, Richard, Pedro, Jamie, and Scott would be leaving for England — the professor had arranged passports for all of them — and at last she would have the house to herself.
    Joanna Chambers had spent most of her life in Peru, studying the Incas, the ancient Moche and Chimu tribes and, of course, the Nazca Lines. She was an expert on a dozen different subjects, a qualified pilot, a good shot with a rifle or a handgun, and a terrible cook. Fortunately, the meal had been prepared by the local help: creole soup, followed by lomo saltado — a dish made with grilled beef, onions, and rice.
    There were two jugs of pisco sour, a frothing, white drink made from grape brandy, lemon, and egg white — it tasted much better than it looked.
    Richard Cole was sitting at the head of the table. He had changed in the past few months. His hair had been bleached by the sun and he had grown it so that it fell in long strands over his collar. He had a permanent desert tan, and although he didn't quite have a beard, he looked rough and unshaven. Tonight, he had changed into jeans and a white linen shirt. Normally he slouched around in shorts and sandals, and if the house had been nearer the sea, he might easily have been mistaken for a surfer. He started every morning with a five-mile run. He was keeping himself in shape.
    Scott and Jamie Tyler were sitting on one side of the table, together as usual. Matt and Pedro were on the other. There was one empty seat, and someone had placed the article with the picture of Scarlett Adams on the table in front of it, as if she were there in spirit.
    All six of them were in a good mood. The food had been excellent, and the drink had helped. Upstairs, their suitcases were packed and ready in the various rooms. Professor Chambers waited until the food had been cleared away, then tapped a fork against her glass and rose to her feet. Matt had never seen her wearing a dress, and tonight was no exception. She had put on a crumpled safari suit and there was a small bunch of flowers in her buttonhole.
    "We ought to go to bed," she began. 'You have a long journey to make tomorrow — but I just want to wish you bon voyage. I can't say I'm too sorry that you're finally on your way…" There were protests around the table, and she held up a hand for silence. "It's been impossible to get any work done with all your infernal noise, football games out on the front lawn, four boys clumping up and down the stairs, and all the rest of it.
    "But I will miss you. I've enjoyed having you here. That's the truth of it. And although it's wonderful that Scar has finally turned up, I can't help wondering what lies ahead of you." She stopped for a moment. "I feel a bit like a mother sending my sons off to war. I can only hope that one day I'll see you again. I can only hope that you'll come back safe."
    She lifted her glass.
    "Anyway, here's a toast to all five of you. The Five, I should say. Look after yourselves. Beat the Old Ones. Do what you have to do. And now let's get some hot chocolate and have a final game of perudo.
    You have an early start."
    Later that night, Richard and Matt found themselves standing on the veranda outside the main room. It was a beautiful night with a full moon, an inky sky, and stars everywhere. Matt could hear classical music coming from inside the house. Professor Chambers had an old-fashioned radio that she liked to listen to while she worked. Scott and Jamie were sharing a room on the first floor. Pedro was probably watching TV.
    "I can't believe we're going home," Matt said.
    "England." Richard gazed into the darkness as if he could see it on the horizon. "Do you have any idea what happens