‘Then what do you suggest?’ asked Zane with a flash of anger.
‘There are Greek inscriptions by the statue of Alexander—’
‘And on this tomb also,’ Banna reported.
‘They might help us find the spring itself, or at least confirm that that’s the source down there.’
‘And help you make another big discovery,’ said Zane, cynicism now joining displeasure. ‘That’s not why we’re here.’
‘It’s why I’m here! You’ve got your mission — and I’ve got mine. It’ll be my last one, but I knew that going in. Do what you have to, but I’m going to see what we’ve actually found.’ Ignoring his glare, she rounded the tomb after Banna.
‘Eddie!’ Zane protested.
The Englishman gave him a shrug. ‘We’re here now, might as well look. And she does have a track record with this sort of thing, so…’ With that, he followed her. Zane muttered in annoyance, but went after him.
Nina joined Banna, who had shone a light over the huge statue before turning to examine the tomb. The little structure was actually set into the viaduct, steps leading down below floor level to its entrance. ‘This is the tomb of Andreas!’ the Egyptian proclaimed in excitement as he read the text inscribed above the opening. ‘If these dates are correct, then he died in 22 BCE — over three hundred years after Alexander!’
The American aimed her own flashlight at the figure atop the mausoleum. It was an old man, face gaunt, kneeling in supplication to the mighty figure facing him. ‘So that’s what a three-hundred-year-old bloke looks like?’ said Eddie. ‘He doesn’t seem a day over two hundred.’
Even Zane was impressed, however reluctantly. ‘He must have worked for every day of it to have built all this.’
‘He did not build it alone,’ Banna told him. ‘He had followers. They protected the secret of the spring after he died.’
‘Long after he died,’ said Nina, reading more of the ancient text. ‘This place wasn’t sealed until the first century AD. And the Greek farmers Kroll stole the pithos from were still guarding it in the 1940s.’
‘Talk about loyalty to the cause,’ Eddie said.
‘Andreas really did want to make finding this place a challenge worthy of Alexander.’
‘Well, we found it — does that make me Eddie the Great?’
‘Only in your head,’ she replied with a smile, illuminating the entrance. A stone sarcophagus was visible within. She descended the steps to enter the tomb.
The plain surroundings of his last resting place suggested that Andreas, a simple cook in life — at least to begin with — had remained uncomplicated until death. A scuffed and dented silver jug, a traditional Greek amphora with a single handle on its long neck, rested on top of the sarcophagus. ‘A silver vessel…’
‘What about it?’ Eddie asked as he and Banna entered.
‘The Romance said Andreas first took the spring’s water in “a silver vessel”. Maybe that’s it. He kept it his whole life.’
‘There is something else,’ said Banna, indicating a plaque upon the coffin lid. Words were carved into the polished marble.
Nina leaned closer to read them. ‘“Here lies Andreas, friend and betrayer and protector of Alexander the Great,”’ she recited. ‘Interesting phrasing… “Humble in death as in life, as should all men be who compare themselves to the king of Macedon. Remember this if you seek to take what I had denied him, and if you do not, then go in peace and live your life as it should be.”’ She stared at the plaque, thinking.
A warning shout from outside. ‘Taubman just saw the Nazis,’ warned Zane. ‘They’ve almost reached the bottom of the shaft. Nina, I need to know, now: is the water below us the spring?’ He held up the cyanide.
‘I do not think it is,’ Banna told him. ‘Look, here.’ He backed out and aimed his light at the giant statue of Alexander. Greek text was carved into the wall level with the great figure’s cupped hands. ‘It says, “He who believes himself equal to Alexander, step up and receive your reward.” The silver bowl — the spring must be there.’
More beams fixed upon the gleaming basin, revealing a feature carved into Alexander’s breast just above his hands. Silver glinted within a small opening in the stone. ‘The water must come out through that hole,’ said Eddie. ‘Jared, that’s where you need to stick your poison.’ He drew his gun. ‘Nina, you and Ubayy—’
He broke off as he saw his wife’s expression. It was one he had seen before, deep thought turning to realisation… or revelation. ‘What?’
‘Mixed messages,’ she said, almost distractedly, as she looked between the two stone figures: the great proud Alexander and his weary servant. ‘The statue of Bucephalus, the bronze fish and now Andreas’ tomb all said one thing, but Alexander himself says another…’ Another moment of musing — then her eyes widened. ‘Oh my God.’
‘What?’ Eddie demanded. The other two men also gave her questioning looks.
‘Andreas’ challenge — it’s not what we thought! I’ll explain later — if we stay alive. Right now, though, we’re all in agreement that no matter what, the Nazis can’t be allowed to leave here with the water, yes?’
‘Yes, absolutely,’ said Zane, with no hesitation.
‘Definitely,’ Eddie agreed. Banna also gave a frightened nod.
‘Good.’ Nina steeled herself before continuing. ‘Okay, so here’s what we have to do. Surrender.’
Her husband and the Mossad agent reacted as if she had spoken in Swahili. ‘You what?’ said Eddie.
‘No!’ protested Zane. ‘We’ll be handing them the spring!’
‘I know — which is why we’ve got to do it. Jared, tell Taubman to hold fire. It’s our only chance.’
‘I’m not giving myself up!’ the Israeli insisted. ‘We have to kill as many of them as we can. Eddie, you’re with me, aren’t you?’
Eddie hesitated, then stood with Nina. ‘Sorry, but no. I’m with her. To the end. Which,’ he added in a spiky tone, ‘might be very soon.’ Nina nevertheless gave him a loving smile.
Zane regarded them both with angry disbelief. ‘If you’re not going to fight, then I am!’ He called out to his comrade. ‘Taubman! Get ready to—’
‘No!’ Nina cried, breaking away from the group and running past the tomb towards the entrance. ‘Don’t shoot, hold your fire!’
‘Hey! Get back here!’ Zane shouted. ‘What’s that stupid woman doing?’
‘Oi!’ snapped Eddie. ‘Watch your mouth.’
Zane looked stung. ‘Eddie, she’s giving up our only chance to stop them! Why are you going along with her?’
‘Because she’s my wife — and because I trust her. And so should you.’ The Israeli had no reply.
Nina reached the end of the viaduct and entered the passage. Taubman turned in surprise as she ran up behind him. ‘What are you doing?’ he asked.
‘Keeping us alive — I hope. Go and wait with Jared.’ Before he could stop her, she rushed past.
Fear rising, aware that the only greeting she might get was a burst of bullets, Nina left the tunnel. She saw the lights of Rasche’s team approaching the foot of the spiral path. Higher up was a larger group; Kroll and Leitz were following them down. She summoned her full resolve as the nearer Nazis reacted to her appearance… and raised her hands, waving her flashlight above her head. ‘Don’t shoot, don’t shoot! We surrender!’
Torch beams locked on to her. ‘Do not move! Where are the others?’ Rasche shouted.
‘Through the tunnel. We’re surrendering — there are only five of us left, and we’ve got nowhere to go.’
The Nazis reached the chasm floor. Some came to her, while others held back, weapons raised. ‘If you are lying, you will die!’ Rasche growled.