“Seriously? That’s what this is about? Atlantis? It’s a myth, for Christ’s sake, Daedalus. Fiction created by Plato to create a learning parable. It’s not real.”
Daedalus took on a contemplative expression. “There are those who maintain that, yes. But it’s also true that there are stories with elements of falsehood that happen to be true on the whole.”
“I’m not really in the mood for an academic discussion.”
“That’s too bad. Perhaps once you realize that your freedom depends on it, you’ll change your mind.” Daedalus turned on a heel on began to walk toward the door.
“Where are you going?”
“To find more stimulating conversation. Maybe I’ll check back on you in a few days to see if you’re more amenable.”
Maddy froze in her bonds. She simply could not imagine being left alone here for days, even with food and water, and she had no idea whether that would be available. She was about to say something that would let him know, okay, she would cooperate, when another man walked into the room. He glanced quickly at her, avoiding eye contact, before addressing Daedalus and then handing him a tablet with something on the screen that was obviously of pressing concern.
Daedalus nodded and the messenger left, leaving the tablet with his boss. Daedalus walked over to Maddy and showed her the screen. “What does this mean to you?” he asked without preamble.
Maddy caught her breath upon looking at the photograph. It was Hunt and Jayden in an outdoor setting in front of a bush. But it was what Hunt held in his hands that was undoubtedly the centerpiece of the image.
“Carter’s holding Anubis,” Maddy said. “The Egyptian god of the underworld.”
Daedalus nodded. “Yes, I am familiar with the basic mythology behind Anubis. But tell me, Dr. Chambers, what does Anubis mean in the context of Atlantis? And more importantly, where are your friends?”
Maddy did not hesitate with her answer. “I don’t know where they are. But I can speak to your first question.”
“Let’s start with that.”
Maddy forced herself to maintain her composure and not lose her temper with this career criminal mastermind. “Atlantis itself, as recorded by Plato, was a drowned city. Its citizens were supposedly punished for allowing their avarice to get the better of them, for letting their morals slip. So God flooded the city. The ancient Egyptians might have regarded the entire city — if they knew where it was or thought they did — as one giant submerged tomb. Therefore, there would be a lot of dead people to guard. So Anubis could be associated with Atlantis in that way.”
Maddy held Daedalus’ gaze to indicate she had finished making her point.
At length, Daedalus nodded slowly. “Yes, I had considered that. But assuming you don’t actually know where your friends are…” He looked at her skeptically as he said this. “…where might you expect to find Anubis artifacts related to Atlantis — in what part of the world? Egypt, I suppose?”
Maddy gave what passed for a shrug in her binds. “That’s the obvious one, both symbolically and because that’s where they just were — by the way, where am I? Am I still in Egypt?”
Daedalus nodded but didn’t elaborate. She went on.
“But we didn’t find any Anubis artifacts at the great pyramid, not to mention I have to say, what I can see of that photograph doesn’t really look like Egypt.” She stared again at the image on the tablet, the rangy cyan bush and scrubby, sloping terrain visible in what little background there was to see behind Hunt and Jayden.
Daedalus took on a contemplative face, an expression that put out an aura of reasonableness that Maddy knew was as fake as a curio shop mummy in Cairo that lured customers in the door. “Where does it look like to you that could also be a resting place for Atlantis-related Anubis artifacts?”
Maddy’s voice hardened. “I don’t know off the top of my head. I would need to do some research, with an Internet-connected computer.”
Daedalus nodded very slowly “Perhaps that might be arranged. For I am somewhat puzzled as to how your friends were able to locate what appears to be a genuine artifact — of course, it does not escape me that it could be a fake in an attempt to gain my attention — related to Atlantis in so short a time. Actually,” he added before Maddy could say anything, “this would be the second Atlantis-related artifact those two have recovered, after the bronze head in the pyramid.”
“Carter has a history degree and has always taken an interest in archaeology and historical items. Not to mention that it was my team and LiDAR research that led to the discovery of the bronze head, if in fact it is related to Atlantis.”
Daedalus shot her a thin smile. “Yes, I suppose you are due credit as well. That is after all, why I had your dig site under surveillance and why I want you here with me, by my side.” Maddy visibly cringed at the mention of being at the egomaniac’s side, but he continued on unfazed. “Nevertheless, Mr. Hunt’s lucky streak seems to go beyond what most men are blessed with. Perhaps he should try his luck in Vegas. At any rate, I would be amenable to providing you with more comfortable working conditions in return for your cooperation. Is that something you would agree to?”
“Yes.” Not much of a decision to make there, Maddy thought.
Daedalus grinned broadly, though the smile did not reach his dark brown eyes. “Excellent. I shall prepare your work area. My associate will be down shortly to escort you.” He turned on a heel and began walking out the door.
“Daedalus?” Maddy called. He stopped and turned around.
“Yes, Dr. Chambers?”
“Do you plan to kill me after I help you?”
The founder of Treasure, Inc. stared at her, his eyes boring into hers until she wanted to look away. She held his gaze, though, demanding an answer while showing him that she was no fool. Then he broke into what he no doubt hoped was a convincing smile, but in fact Maddy found it otherwise.
“Of course not, doctor. Is that any way to do business? I think you will find that I am a reasonable man. Perhaps, after we complete our job here, you would even consider coming to work for my organization. You would have unparalleled resources and access to technology to aid in your research and excavations.”
“Let’s not get crazy. One thing at a time, Daedalus. But above all I would need to feel like I’m not working for a hardened criminal. Right now, you’re asking me to give up the location of my friends. If I do that, and then anything bad happens to them, I would of course never dream of cooperating with you.”
Daedalus made a clucking sound while shaking his head. “I can assure you that no harm will come to them. My interest in them extends only as far as the trail of artifacts that leads to Atlantis. That is all. For now, I must go. I will see you soon.”
Then he turned and walked away into a dimly lit hallway, disappearing from sight.
Chapter 13
Hunt and Jayden occupied a table with an umbrella over it in the middle of a busy outdoor café.
“Any message yet?” Jayden asked as Hunt checked his smartphone for the tenth time in as many minutes.
Hunt shook his head. “Seems Daedalus isn’t taking the bait yet.”
Jayden set his Super Bock beer down on the table with a clack. “Maybe he’s not into dog-men. Just doesn’t do it for him.”