Three Weeks Later
Alexandria, Virginia
3:47 P.M.
Adrian walked arm in arm with her mother through the cemetery.
It was a lovely day: the sky a pristine blue, the leaves of the surrounding trees sporting a vibrant green color. It ironically seemed as if the days were always lovely whenever she or her mother visited her father’s headstone.
“Adrian,” her mother hissed suddenly. “Look.”
Adrian instinctively stiffened, following her mother’s gaze through the trees. She relaxed, though annoyance skittered through her.
It was just another photographer.
After the explosive discovery of Cleopatra’s tomb and treasure, Adrian, Nick, Julien and Sebastian had catapulted into an odd sort of fame with reporters wanting to interview them. Though Julien hadn’t been physically with them when they discovered the treasure, Adrian and the others had been quick to give him the credit he deserved.
Julien, already popular, had welcomed the attention. The last time they’d spoken, he’d told her that his following had exploded by leaps and bounds; he’d even been offered his own archaeological show on a history channel in both the United Kingdom and the States.
As for Adrian, Nick, and Sebastian, they had kept low profiles. Sebastian had granted interviews to scholarly outfits only, while Adrian and Nick had declined all interviews . . . which seemed to make journalists even more curious about them. That meant sneaky photographers who’d occasionally pop up out of nowhere to snap shots of the “renegade” former FBI agent who’d made the discovery of a lifetime.
She just wanted to know when her fifteen minutes of fame would be over already.
In the aftermath of the discovery, the artifacts Yara had stolen were returned, and a team of excavators, archaeologists and historians were carefully combing over every inch of Cleopatra’s heavily guarded tomb, which had become a tourist attraction.
Adrian, Nick, Sebastian and Julien had gotten to be present as guests of honor when Cleopatra’s mummified form was unveiled, which was both thrilling and surreal. The ancient queen had been delicate and petite. It amazed her that such a physically small woman had cast such a large shadow in both her time and throughout history.
Sebastian and Julien had been flying back and forth to India to help consult; Sebastian could barely contain his excitement whenever he told her of the progress the team was making.
While Adrian was happy with how everything had turned out, ever since she’d returned to the States, a restlessness had tugged at her. She’d once convinced herself that she was content with her life and career in academia, but after her rescue of Sebastian and pursuit of Cleopatra’s treasure, she realized just how much she’d missed the thrill of investigation and discovery, the joy of saving lives. Though she’d returned to her lecturer position at NYU, she craved more adventure . . . another thrilling mystery to solve.
When they reached her father’s headstone, Adrian placed down the flowers they’d brought, reaching out to take her mother’s hand. They’d reluctantly purchased a headstone several years ago and had a memorial service, though it never felt right without her father’s remains. Still, it had provided them with a small bit of closure.
“He would have been proud of you, honey,” her mother said. “I know it.”
Adrian just smiled, squeezing her hand. “I hope so.”
As they made their way back to her mother’s car, she stiffened when she saw a male figure hovering by it, angry at the thought of it being that pesky photographer.
But as they drew closer, a ripple of delight went through her when she saw who it was. Nick.
Her mother, who had always adored Nick, brightened, moving forward to embrace him.
“Nick! It’s so good to see you,” she said. “We were just going back to the house for dinner. Why don’t you join us?”
“I’d love to,” Nick said, his gaze flicking to Adrian. “But if you don’t mind, I’d like to have a brief word with your daughter alone first. I can give her a ride.”
“Of course,” her mother said, beaming. “I’ll see you both at the house.”
Nick and Adrian waited as her mother got into her car and drove off.
Adrian turned to face him, surprised at the depths of her joy at seeing him. They’d kept in touch sporadically since returning from India, with their friendship seeming to hang in the balance. Adrian had made more of an effort to keep in touch, but Nick hadn’t been as responsive. She told herself it would take time to get back to the place they’d been . . . if they could ever get there. Still, his distance had hurt.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch as much,” he said, seeming as he always did to read her mind. “I’ve been brought in on a new case.”
“Oh,” Adrian replied, envious at the knowledge that Nick was taking on another investigation. “In art crimes?”
“Sort of,” he replied cryptically. “It’s in the UK, so I've been flying back and forth. Briggs put me on the case, but it's looking to be more complex than I thought. Briggs told me I could bring in anyone I wanted to consult. Your name may have come up.”
Adrian’s heart picked up its pace, anticipation flooding her. Nick sensed her growing delight, giving her a grin that enhanced his handsome features.
“How about it, West?” he asked. “Want to go on another adventure?”
The adventure continues in Book Two, THE EXCALIBUR DECEPTION. Start reading now!