He looked down at the paper again. “These symbols have no business being in South America.” The professor emphasized his point by tapping the paper with his index finger.
Sean nodded with a grin. “I’ve heard that before,” he commented wryly. “I can tell you all about it. For now, we need to get you out of here.”
“Where are we going?” he asked.
“Well, that’s kind of what we were hoping you could tell us. We need to know what that sheet says. You think you can work it out?”
The professor nodded. “I already have.”
“What do you mean, you already have?” Adriana jumped in.
“I mean I know the exact location this sheet is talking about. The ancient temple of Nekhen.”
Will listened to the conversation with his ear pressed against the side door of Firth’s home. He couldn’t hear everything but he heard enough to know that his employer would not be happy.
He slid back into the shadows and waited until he heard the people in the house leave. A few minutes later, he heard car doors shutting and saw the lights of the SUV pulling out of the parking spot on the street. Will took off across the yard and hopped the little wall just in time to see the vehicle veer right and disappear around the corner.
The good news was that if Firth could figure out where to go, he knew where they would be headed next.
Chapter 7
Sean steered the SUV through the quiet streets of the Garden District, past some of the most elegant homes in the city. The sun was disappearing in the west, setting the sky on fire with a searing orange glow.
“Alright, Mr. Wyatt,” Firth began. “I’ve agreed to come with you. Now, I would like very much to know what is going on.” The professor sat in the back seat, leaning forward as he spoke.
Sean could understand the man’s agitation. He could also see why them showing up at Firth’s door and telling him someone was going to kill him seemed a little crazy. Sean made a quick left turn and aimed the vehicle towards downtown. He looked back at the professor in the rear view mirror.
“Recently, we discovered two of the four lost chambers of Akhanan.” He let the words sink in.
“I am aware of your recent discoveries,” Firth retorted. “That was one of the reasons I’d agreed to meet with you and Thomas to begin with.” It always sounded strange when people called Tommy by his real name.
Sean went on. “During the search, two professors were murdered by someone working for the Order. The men were foremost experts in ancient languages and codes, just like you.”
The new bit of information caused Firth to think for a moment. He sat back in his seat and seemed to consider the circumstances.
Sean went on. “We believe the Order is being run by a very wealthy and powerful man named Alexander Lindsey. The agency I used to work for is investigating him, but apparently, Lindsey has left the country.”
Firth absorbed the information quickly. “Do you think that this Lindsey is in Egypt?”
Adriana nodded. “Probably. We think that he is only interested in finding the fourth chamber. Now that he has the clue to the third, he is close to that goal.”
“What do you aim to do?” the professor asked.
“We have to stop him. And we have to reach the final chamber before he does,” Sean said plainly.
Firth sat quietly, contemplating everything he’d just heard. Then he shook his head. “I’m sorry. I don’t understand why you don’t just let them have the treasure. I’m sure the IAA doesn’t need the money that kind of find would provide, even if it was in the hundreds of millions.”
Sean forced a laugh. “We don’t keep much from any of our finds, Doctor. Everything is returned to the governments of the area in which the artifacts are found. The money isn’t the reason we need to stop Lindsey.”
The older man shrugged. “Then why?”
Adriana turned around and held up an old canvas with a painting of an oddly shaped tree on it. “How much do you know about the Bible, Dr. Firth?”
He grasped the painting gently and looked at the name signed at the bottom. His face washed in disbelief. The old, gray eyes glanced at her, then at Sean’s in the mirror.
“Where did you get this?” he asked in awe.
“I retrieved it in Germany. It was stolen during the war. My intentions were to steal it back and return it to the rightful owners, or to a museum. Instead, the last owner gave it to me shortly before he was killed by the Order.” Adriana’s words hung heavy in the cabin of the SUV.
Firth looked back at the painting. “I’ve never heard of this piece before. The shape of the tree is so strange, two trunks forming into one.”
He continued to stare at the canvas as Sean steered the vehicle into an underground parking garage. The professor noticed where they were. “What are we doing?”
“We need to change clothes and get our things, Doc,” Sean answered as he pulled into an empty parking space.
“I’m sorry,” Firth said, forgetting about the painting for a moment. “What does this painting have to do with the sheet you showed me earlier? And what does any of it have to do with the temples in Nekhen?”
“Actually, Professor,” Adriana interrupted, “that is what we need you to tell us.”
He raised his eyebrows at her statement. “You don’t know where you’re going and you don’t know what you’re looking for? Not a very well thought out plan, eh?”
Sean ignored the jab and shut off the ignition.
Firth shook his head slowly as he returned his gaze to the painting. “I cannot believe you have been driving around Cairo with a Van Gogh in your car.”
Chapter 8
Alexander Lindsey’s phone rang in his jacket pocket. He reached into the folds and answered it quickly.
“Is it done?” he asked.
“No,” Will’s response on the other line was not what Lindsey had wanted to hear. “Sean Wyatt and his female friend got there before I did. They’ve already left.”
“Do you know where they’re going?” Lindsey asked, concerned.
There was a moment’s pause. “They’re headed your direction. But they’re travelling by train, so you will have a few hours head start on them.”
Lindsey appeared concerned. “Take care of it,” he ordered.
“I’m already on the train, Sir. I’ve got two of the men with me. We will handle it.”
“See to it that you do.”
Lindsey hung up the phone and put it back in his jacket.
“Problems?” DeGard asked from the other side of the back seat.
Lindsey shook his head. “Nothing we need to worry about.” He changed the subject. “How much longer until we get to this place?” he asked.
He and Luc DeGard had been traveling south for nearly two hours by car. They hoped to arrive in the early morning. Behind them were two SUVs with a total of eight armed guards.
“We should be there in another seven hours,” said DeGard.
Lindsey sighed. He wished they could have taken a plane, but with all the extra men and equipment, it would have taken longer to make the arrangements to fly.
“It appears we may need to hurry once we arrive in Nekhan. Sean Wyatt has Dr. Firth, and they are on their way. So, when we get there, be sure you don’t piddle around.”
DeGard seemed to resent the comment but said nothing.
Outside the vehicle, the Nile Valley whirred by silently in the early evening darkness. Even though he was in the lead, Lindsey looked perplexed as he stared through the window. Sean Wyatt had caused enough trouble and Lindsey hoped Will could take care of him once and for all.