“How I treated you. I let your relationship with my daughter, and its unfortunate demise, destroy our relationship. I should have been able to separate the two, but unfortunately, I couldn’t. My daughter was hurting, and you were already dating someone else. I protected my daughter, rather than my daughter and my apprentice.” He sighed. “The heart is a foolish organ, is it not?”
Ampheres grunted. “You won’t get any argument from me.” He lowered his eyes. “How is, umm, your daughter?”
“She is well. She married, as I’m sure you know, and has two children of her own. It is a good match, a better match than I fear you two would have made, as are you and your wife.”
Ampheres’ eyes widened and he leaped to his feet. “My wife and children! I have to go get them!”
Gadeiros raised a hand, urging him back into his seat. “Why?”
“They’re in danger! If the Enforcers are after me—”
“They are after you, not your family. We are a civilized society. The worst that may happen is that they are taken in for questioning, then released this evening. They’ve done nothing wrong, and the law knows that.”
Ampheres dropped into his seat. “But they’ll be worried.” He shook his head. “I have to make sure they’re okay.”
Gadeiros leaned forward and patted Ampheres’ knee. “Not to worry, my friend. My people have already moved to secure them. You shall be with them shortly.”
Ampheres’ hammering heart continued to pound, not calmed by Gadeiros’ assurances. “I don’t understand. What is going on here?”
Gadeiros sighed. “The end of the world, if your findings, and mine, are to be trusted.”
Ampheres took several deep breaths, trying to calm his heart. “I still don’t understand. What is going on? Why have you brought me here? Why have you taken my family?”
Gadeiros smiled gently at someone behind Ampheres.
“He’s trying to save your life, silly.”
Ampheres leaped to his feet, his eyes wide as he turned to stare at the first woman he had ever loved. “Leukippe! I, umm, I—” He sighed, his shoulders slumping, his chin dropping to his chest. “I have no idea what to say.”
Leukippe, as beautiful as ever, stepped closer, placing a hand on his chest, patting him gently. “‘Hello’ might be a good start.”
He lifted his chin slightly, staring into her eyes, his heart slamming once again, this time with a shame he hadn’t felt in years. “I think ‘sorry’ might be better.”
She smiled then suddenly thrust into his arms. He returned the hug, then felt her push away slightly, and he let go. “It’s so good to see you.” She gently smacked him on the cheek. “That’s for being a foolish boy.”
He smiled, his cheeks flushing. “I deserved much worse.”
She tapped his chest. “And believe me, ten years ago you would have gotten a good thrashing, I assure you. But you were right, we weren’t right for each other. We were both in the relationship for the wrong reasons. Though it was painful, we both ended up where we should have.”
He smiled, relieved. “I’m happy to hear you say that. I’ve felt horrible all these years for what I had done. I’m pleased to hear you have made a wonderful life for yourself. Children, I hear?”
“Yes. They’re already on the boat, with my husband, but I wanted to be here to see you when you arrived, just in case you tried anything foolish like refusing to come with us.”
Ampheres’ eyes narrowed. “I don’t understand.” He turned toward Gadeiros. “You still haven’t told me why I’m here.”
“I brought you here to save your life, and to save Atlantis.”
22
Aldeia das Adegas Hotel
Sao Roque, Azores
Present Day
Reading sat on the edge of his bed, waiting for his son to finish a ridiculously long shower, taking the time to make some calls. He was on hold, listening to some Muzak, when Laura’s travel agent Mary, came back on the line.
“Sorry for the wait, Mr. Reading, but I’ve just confirmed that their charter departed over two hours ago.”
Reading suppressed a curse. “Are you sure? They were supposed to meet us here earlier today.”
“I know, that’s what’s odd. I made your flight arrangements as well, and Mrs. Palmer was quite clear that you and your son were joining them. That’s why I had you on hold for so long. I’ve reconfirmed with the pilot himself that the Actons, along with two guests, were on board, with a last-minute flight to Portugal. Beja Airport, to be specific.”
Reading frowned. “Portugal? Why the bloody hell would they go there?”
“I’m sure I don’t know. Should we, umm, be concerned?”
“Where is their plane now?”
“Still there.”
“I’ll need the pilot’s number.”
“I don’t think I can give you that.”
“Don’t think of me as a customer asking, think of me as Interpol Agent Hugh Reading asking.”
“Oh, umm, I forgot what you did, sorry. Okay, I’ll get that number and call you back right away.”
“Thank you.” Reading ended the call just as the shower turned off. He stared at himself in the reflection of the television for a few moments, unhappy with what he saw.
You’re getting too damned old for this.
He sighed, his entire body feeling the years it continued to pile on, and his shoulders sagged as a wave of self-pity swept over him.
Keep it together, you old bastard. Your friends are depending on you.
And he had no doubt they were. There was absolutely no way they would leave the country without at least sending a message, and he had reconfirmed that not only were there none left at the front desk, but there were no emails, voicemails, or text messages anywhere. They had left with no notice whatsoever.
He tweaked upon a thought that caused his jaw to drop slightly. They hadn’t left the country. The Azores were an autonomous region of Portugal, so any flight would be treated as domestic if it landed in Portugal. That meant less security at the airport, which if they were being held captive, would mean less chance of his friends seeking help.
He needed to track them, and he needed to track them fast, before they were moved. He could use his Interpol resources, but they might take too long. There was only one person he knew who wouldn’t be affected by red tape, because red tape simply didn’t apply to him. He pulled out his phone and sent the message.
Now he had to hope it was received in time.
23
EQ Hotel & Casino
Shanghai, China
CIA Special Agent Dylan Kane gazed with appreciation, and a bit of guilt, at the bevy of beauties parading past him, his host, Zhang Qi, a Chinese arms dealer, commenting on each one’s sexual proclivities and unique talents, all, Kane was sure, in the lead up to having him pick which one—or ones—he wanted to spend the night with.
It wasn’t so long ago that this wouldn’t have bothered him in the slightest. In fact, it might have excited him, but now that he was in a serious relationship, he found it difficult.
Which is why serious relationships are discouraged.
He had never been in love before, except perhaps for some teenage hormonal infatuations that were mistaken for love, but now that he was, he kept picturing his girlfriend, Lee Fang, hugging her pillow and sobbing at finding out that he had been unfaithful.
Yet that wasn’t the reality.
He had already been forced to be unfaithful as part of the job, and it had eaten him up inside until she had finally confronted him, demanding to know what was wrong. He had told her, and she had been fine with it. Perhaps no other woman would have, but with her having been Chinese Special Forces, she understood the business, and didn’t fault him for it.
He wasn’t sure he’d be so forgiving.
He loved Fang with all his heart, so much so it was painful to be away from her, yet most days that was the case. As a covert operative, assigned to mostly work in Asia, he
was rarely home—there was almost always a mission.
Like tonight.
Zhang was a known arms dealer, selling advanced Chinese weaponry on the black market to people who shouldn’t possess such things. Kane, using his cover as an insurance investigator for Shaw’s of London, was here to investigate an insurance claim placed by the notorious criminal for the theft of his $50 million yacht.
A yacht Kane had a team steal a week ago.
In reality, he was here to steal the proof of what Zhang had been up to, so it could be passed on to the Chinese, who would shut down his network selling pilfered military assets.
Zhang had insisted on pleasure before business, Kane was sure in an attempt to make him more willing to rule in his host’s favor, after doubts were raised with respect to the insurance claim. The night of booze, drugs, and hookers was drawing to an end, with Zhang shitfaced, and Kane pretending to be. He was drunk—you could only spill so many drinks without it becoming suspicious—but he had avoided the drugs, except for a few joints that had made the rounds.
A finger was raised, and the women that had been parading in a circle for the past half hour, stopped. Zhang leaned toward Kane. “Choose.”
Kane feigned ignorance. “Excuse me?”
“Choose. Which one do you want to take back to your room?”
Kane’s eyes widened slightly, then a smile spread across his face. “Only one?”
Zhang roared with laughter, tossing his head back and slapping Kane on the back, his entourage of heavily armed guards joining in. “I like you, my friend!” Zhang waved at the women, all of whom had smiles plastered on their faces, some seemingly genuine, some forced. “Pick as many as you want.”
Kane chuckled, shaking his head. “I’m afraid I’m not as much of a man as you are. I’ll limit myself to one, thanks.” Kane had already chosen which one he wanted, but for a very different reason than Zhang was expecting. He searched the group for the one whose eyes had betrayed her, the one who seemed the saddest of the bunch, who clearly didn’t want to be here.
He found her, her artificial smile heartbreaking. He pointed. “Her.”
The woman trembled, the smile breaking for a moment.
“She’s yours!” Zhang shoved him forward. “Now go! Have some fun, and we’ll talk business in the morning!”
Kane stood, pretending to wobble slightly, eliciting more laughter from his host, then approached the poor girl, taking her arm and leading her to the elevator, hoots and hollers following them. They boarded the elevator and he hit the button for the penthouse level, no expense spared by his host. “What’s your name?”
“Tien.”
“A pleasure to meet you. I’m Dylan.”
“I-I know.”
He smiled at her, but made no attempt to even touch her with a comforting pat on the shoulder. The doors opened and he led her to his suite, holding the door open for her. She stepped inside and headed for the bedroom without hesitation, apparently having been here before.
“Wait.”
She turned, her eyes wide with the fear of having upset him, something he was sure would result in some sort of punishment for her should Zhang find out. “Did I, umm, do something wrong?”
He smiled gently, shaking his head. “Not at all.” He sat on the back of a couch facing the floor to ceiling windows providing an impressive view of the city below. “Can I confess something to you, Tien?”
Her shoulders rolled inward. “Umm, yes?”
“I have a girlfriend.”
Her eyes widened, but she said nothing.
“So, if you don’t mind, how about we just order some food, watch some television, then go to sleep?”
Her jaw dropped. “You mean no jiggy-jiggy?”
His smiled broadened. “No jiggy-jiggy. Just two friends watching a movie and enjoying a meal.”
Her shoulders slumped and an audible sigh escaped. “I-I think I’d like that.”
Kane stood. “Great! Let me get changed into something more comfortable, and why don’t you, as well?” He motioned toward her revealing outfit that looked a little too tight in several key areas. “There are robes in the bathroom if you want.”
She nodded. “Okay.”
Kane headed for his bedroom as Tien went to the second bathroom. He stripped out of his suit, moaning with relief as he removed his shoes then tie. As much as he liked dressing up in the monkey suit, he preferred sandals, shorts, and a loose shirt whenever possible. He changed, and as he was about to rejoin Tien, a mild electric shock pulsed from his watch and into his wrist.
He cursed.
He stepped onto the balcony, leaning against the far left edge where there was a blind spot in the camera coverage identified earlier by part of his support team posing as a cleaning crew. He pressed a coded sequence into the buttons on the side of his CIA-issue watch, then read the message that scrolled across.
Not again!
It was from Interpol Agent Hugh Reading, which could mean only one thing. The professors were in trouble yet again. He chuckled, shaking his head.
It’s a wonder those two are still alive.
He fished out his phone and made an encrypted call to his former Archaeology Professor’s friend.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Agent Reading, this is Dylan. How are you?”
“How do you bloody well think I am?” Kane smiled. “Those two have gone and done it again. It looks like they’ve been kidnapped and taken to Portugal.”
Kane’s eyes narrowed. “Kidnapped? How so?”
“They were supposed to meet us at the airport, but they never showed. I questioned their dive equipment supplier, and he said he saw them leaving with two men. I confirmed with Laura’s travel agent that the plane, with them and the two men, left unexpectedly, and landed at some small airport in Portugal.”
Kane pursed his lips. “Portugal? Why there I wonder?”
“They were in the Azores, so I’m guessing because it would be a domestic flight, so fewer questions.”
Kane’s head bobbed with this little tidbit of essential information. “Okay, that makes perfect sense. What do you want from me?”
“I’m heading to Portugal now with my son. I’ll contact my office, but I need to know where they went, and fast. No red tape and intergovernmental liaising crap delaying things.”
Kane grinned. “Then I think I’ve got your man. Expect a call shortly.”
24
Leroux/White Residence, Fairfax Towers
Falls Church, Virginia
CIA Analyst Supervisor Chris Leroux leaned back on the couch, enjoying the show. His girlfriend and first real love, CIA Agent Sherrie White, was parading to and from the bedroom as she tried on different outfits, trying to find something that his mother would be pleased with.
“How about this one?”
Leroux took the time to let his eyes roam her body from toes to nose, then nodded. “Perfect.”
She frowned. “You said that about the last one.”
He shook his head. “No, I said that about the last six. Stop worrying. Now that they know what you and Dylan do, you’re gold. You saved their lives.”
She beamed. “I guess I did do that, didn’t I?” She disappeared again, then strode out naked save a hat perched atop her head rather than covering any naughty bits. “Ya think I could get away with a birthday suit?”
Leroux felt a soldier rising to attention. “I think my father would probably like it.”
Her eyes widened. “Eww!” She eyed his shorts. “Well, I know someone who likes it.”
He adjusted himself. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“No?” She sashayed forward, licking her lips. “Are you sure you don’t know anyone who likes what they see?”
Leroux groaned as she leaned forward, the girls on full display. “I think I might have an idea or two.”
“Two? Kinky!”
Leroux’s phone demanded his attention on the couch beside him, but Sherrie paid
it no mind, continuing her show, full mast achieved. He glanced at the call display and groaned again. “It’s Dylan.”
Sherrie stopped, hands suddenly on her hips as she looked around. “His timing is way too suspicious.”
Leroux rolled his eyes. “Tell me about it.” He grabbed the phone and swiped his thumb. “Hey, Dylan.”
“Hey, buddy, am I interrupting anything good?”
Sherrie bent over and kissed her fingers then smacked her ass. “Did you see that, Dylan?”
“Huh?”
“Sherrie’s convinced you’ve got cameras here.”
“Of course I do, but don’t tell her.”
Leroux tensed. “Umm…”
Kane laughed. “Oh God, I wish I could see your face. Wait, I can!” More laughter. “Just kidding, buddy. No cameras, but if Sherrie wants me to see something, just take some pictures.”
“Yeah, that’s not gonna happen.”
“Ooh, must be good ones then.”
Sherrie dropped to her knees in front of him, giving him a sly look.
She’s so awesomely bad!
“I’m kind of in the middle of something. What do you need?”
“Can’t a friend just call his buddy?”
“A buddy would realize when to call back later.”
“Definitely something good. Fine, the professors are in trouble again. Agent Reading just called me. It looks like they’ve been kidnapped by two men and taken to Portugal from the Azores. I’ve sent all the details to your encrypted email. Can you give them a hand?”
His fly was unzipped. “Sure, I’ll get the team on it.” Something was gripped. “Gotta go!”
“You dog, you!”
25
Professor Gadeiros’ Residence
Atlantis
Before the fall
“Please tell me you’ve figured out a way to stop it!”
Professor Gadeiros stared at him, his expression reminding him of years ago, when Ampheres asked naïve questions of his teacher. He finally spoke. “I fear Poseidon himself couldn’t save us, even if he were willing.”
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