Her cell phone rang. “Hello?â€� Her voice revealed her tiredness.
“Jessica?” It was Bruce. “You sound terrible. We still on for Okeechobee?” he asked.
“I was just getting ready to leave now,” Jessica assured him. She did not comment on how tired she was.
“Jess, you aren’t fooling me, are you? I didn’t sleep much last night thinking you might be pulling a joke.”
“Bruce, have you ever known me to joke about something like this?” Jessica said in a serious tone. “And you aren’t the only one who didn’t sleep well. I am still having bad dreams.”
“You still have’n that same dream?” Bruce queried.
“Yep, and now it ends with me looking down into the first chamber of the Pyramid,” Jessica told him.
“You dreamed you got it open?” Bruce asked.
“No Bruce, I forgot I didn’t tell you,” she laughed halfheartedly, “I did get it open. I’ll explain when you get down here. Are you in the air?”
“You bet! I’ll see you at the airport,” Bruce told her, and broke the connection.
Jessica dressed today for a proper dig and quickly loaded her excavation tools into her Jeep. She grabbed a bagel on the way out the door and headed to Okeechobee, her bike on the rack. When she went, so did the bike. It was her stress relief and the levy was a great ride. She knew Bruce would bring his too.
Her phone rang again, forty minutes later, just as she pulled into the small airport outside Okeechobee, “Hello?”
“Where are you, Jessica?â€� Bruce asked.
“Hi Bruce, I am at the field now. I see you, I’ll be waiting. Bye,” Jessica watched as he touched down in his twin engine Beach Craft. She waited until he shut down his engines and secured his plane to greet him.
“Hi Jessica,” Bruce gathered Jessica into a warm embrace, and held her close a fraction longer than she liked. “I still don’t believe you!” he told her, his lips close to her ear, his breath warm on her neck. Bruce drew back with a grin, but didn’t release her until he kissed her lips. Jessica wanted to keep their relationship platonic, he didn’t, he wanted a more intimate relationship with Jessica and would pursue that; however, not to the point it would endanger their friendship.
“That’s fine, you will. Get in,” she told him with a laugh and drew away unmoved by his amorous embrace. He threw his luggage in her jeep and hung his bike on the rack with hers.
Bruce knew that to Jessica, he was like a brother, she trusted him with her life. They had known each other for several years, been on digs together, and shared many an adventures, but not a bed - yet. He hoped sharing such a discovery as this was a portent to be, might change that. If it was half of what she theorized, he hoped it would bring them much closer. Bruce had lost his heart to Jessica the first time he had met her on a dig in Egypt. He had made her mad, and found she had a temper - and what a temper. He loved a woman with fire and that went with the rest of her, she exuded passion, but she didn’t seem to know that. However, Bruce knew she had never been to bed with a man, and was still a virgin. She loved her science and as gorgeous as she was, she could say “No” with a forceful, physical emphasis. He climbed in her jeep for the drive out to the lake.
On the drive out to the marina, Jessica explained in detail the events of the previous day. Halfway there, Bruce started asking questions. “Why did you call the state in so soon? You know how much of Mel Fisher’s find they took and the legal battle he had on his hands just to keep what he did with the Atochia.”
“Bruce, you know what this is going to be like and it is on land, well surrounded by land. We are going to need Skip’s help, and we are going to need more security and money. If the state does not back us, I don’t know who will. Private investors would be worse, and you know that,” Jessica versed her opinion.
“Maybe the University will give us a grant,” Bruce said halfheartedly.
“Maybe, but then you know the senior Professors are going to take over and take credit for anything found. Moreover, I don’t want to share. Do you?” Jessica asked with a quizzical smile.
“Not if it’s what you say it is. At least it’s Anthony and you know him. Can you really trust him? I mean, no offense, I’ve met him and he is nice enough…” Bruce shrugged.
“I’ve always found him true to his word,” Jessica said with confidence as they turned into the marina. She got out of her jeep, went into the rental office, and returned a moment later with the key to their airboat. They loaded their gear, and soon were through the locks. Okeechobee, even in drought, is a beautiful lake, and on a clear, steamy, late May morning, they headed west toward the lump of mud.
Conversation was not possible on the ride out because of the noise from the airboat. Jessica tapped Bruce’s shoulder, pointed at the lump of mud, then noticed how fixated he became on the shape. A moment later, she drew his attention to the two sheriff’s deputies parked on the levy, who were watching them through binoculars.
Jessica failed to notice the two fishermen also watching them from their bass boat. Today they had anchored in a different position on the lake. Jessica eased the boat up to the Pyramid where she had cleaned the muck off the day before. In the early morning light, the markings were clear.
Bruce examined the markings for a while and gently removed additional grime to read more of the ancient symbols. The chamber was still open and the water level had dropped another half inch. He gingerly peered down inside the dark chamber, all the mists had cleared and vented now. At last, he turned to look at Jessica with an astounded look on his face.
“My God, Jessica what have you found?” Bruce asked in amazement.
“Now do you believe me?” Jessica smiled, but her smile held a certain amount of apprehension. “Did you translate the cartouche?”
“Yes, I did, this isn’t an ordinary Pyramid. It isn’t a tomb,” Bruce shook his head, “Now I know why you called Anthony. Jessica this is extremely important, we need a lot more security than those two deputies.”
Jessica’s phone rang, “Hello?”
“Good morning, Jessica,” Anthony’s usual cheery voice greeted her.
“And to you, Skip. I didn’t expect to hear from you so soon, but I am glad to. I hope you are going to come down here soon,” Jessica prompted.
“I’ve some time this morning, after that I’m booked for a week solid. That is why I called this early. If you can see me this morning, I will jump in the helicopter and fly down. If it was anyone else I wouldn’t bother but if you say you’ve found something important…”
“Good, come down as soon as you can get here. If it helps, Bruce is here, he agrees with my theory which means it is incredibly important,” Jessica’s voice had become calm, deliberate, and professional.
“Okay,” Anthony assured her, “I’ll be in the helicopter in half in hour and in Okeechobee in two hours. Where do you want to meet me?”
“Can you land on the levy three and half miles south of Buckhead Ridge Marina? I think you’ll be able to see us and the two sheriff’s cars parked on top of the levy,” Jessica told him.
“Sure, I’ll meet you there,” Anthony told her. “Will you be able to show this, well, whatever it is, to me?”
“Of course, I’ll pick you up in the airboat,” Jessica laughed.
“An airboat?” Anthony said with some trepidation in his voice.
“See you when you get here,” Jessica clicked her phone off and laughed.
“He’ll be here in about two and half hours. Let’s see if we can clean this lump of mud up a little and make it more presentable,” They both laughed and carefully started to work.
Time became irrelevant to the two young scientists hard at work on the trail of a historical breakthrough. Neither Jessica nor Bruce noticed almost three hours had passed since their friend who worked for the State of Florida had called until the sound of a helicopter broke the sounds of nature around them. Both shaded their eyes with their muddy hands then quickly washed
them off in the shallow water around the airboat. Jessica watched as the helicopter prepared to land near the two sheriffs’ deputies on the levy and she started the boat up and headed for shore.
“Hi Skip!” Jessica yelled over the noise of the two machines as she jumped onto the grassy edge of the down side of the levy and climbed up the bank.
“Leave it to you!” Anthony laughed and gave her a bear hug. Anthony was like an uncle to Jessica. She had known him all her life, a close family friend she had the privilege to call by his nickname of Skip. Bruce and he knew each other because of Jessica and they shook hands.
“Sorry for the mud,” Bruce apologized.
“Ah don’t worry about that. I’ve had worse on them,” Anthony laughed, and referred to his younger years when he was a Wastewater Plant Operator. They all laughed. Since Jessica had somewhat warned him about an airboat ride, he had changed into more rugged clothes than his usual suit. Before they boarded the airboat, Jessica pointed out the Pyramid and Anthony could clearly see the object and the shape. His face grew strangely somber and an enigmatic look came into his eyes. “How did that go all these years and no one ever noticed it?â€� He asked, curious marvel in his voice.
“I wondered that myself.” Jessica considered the peculiar demeanor that had overtaken her friend.
Bruce took over the airboat’s helm and gently nudged it up to the Pyramid while Jessica secured it to a log stuck in the muck. He killed the engine so they could explain the significance of the find to Anthony.
“To find a Step Pyramid in this location will make history, but to find an Egyptian Pyramid here will cause bedlam. Not only in archaeology, but in history, Skip,” Jessica explained. “These markings and the now open chamber are significant because they will prove the Pyramid is not only an Egyptian Pyramid but will eventually prove what dynasty it is from and that it isn’t a tomb, but this,” and Jessica indicated the Cartouche she had first translated before she had called him, “means it is an entrance. Skip, this will prove the Egyptians came to the New World long before the Vikings or Columbus.â€� He seemed to absorb it all, but as long as Jessica had known Skip, she had never seen him so apprehensive. Jessica looked to Bruce, she trusted Skip, but there was something here scaring him.
“Skip, what do you think about all this?â€� Jessica waved her hand around, watching him carefully.
“Jessica, I think you have just secured your and Bruce’s careers. I think your find will influence history the way most archaeologists only dream about,” Anthony paused and scanned the lake and he too did not take notice of the fishermen. “But, Jessica, I am afraid for you both. There are going to be people who will want to discredit you, and well, do worse,” he looked to each of them. “I am going to assign the most security to this as the Governor will allow me to. And for safety’s sake I think we should keep this as secretive as possible,” Anthony took out his cell phone and punched in a number, it went directly to the Governor.
“Hey Craig,” he said to the State’s Chief Officer, obviously on close terms with the man, “I told you I was flying down to Okeechobee this morning,” he paused and listened to what Craig was saying.
“Right, well it is important and I would say we will need some serious security.” Anthony told him. He listened again, and Jessica and Bruce exchanged glances. “Thanks, I’ll explain the entire situation when I get back. Okay, I’ll tell them and set it up,” he disconnected the transmission. Anthony then handed Jessica the cell phone. “This is a secure phone. Call me on it at anytime or use it to call your parents if you need to. From now on, you will have twenty-four hour security and anything else you need.â€� Anthony gave her a credit card. “This will be for expenses. Please be frugal, only what is necessary until we can set up the proper budget. I will have to account for every penny to the budget committee, but from what I expect this dig will more than pay for itself. You both are now the official scientists on this dig and are on the state’s payroll. I’ll have your salaries sent to you.” he smiled. “You won’t be rich but you will eat,” Anthony laughed. “I know the real money will come from the commercial endorsements later when you can publish your findings.
Okay, one of you get me back to the levy. The Governor is waiting to hear about all of this,” Anthony looked around and smiled. “Oh, and the Governor would like to tour your dig when you have it set up and a little more underway. Jessica, Bruce, we don’t want the press to get wind of this,” Anthony told them, expressing again his concern about security.
“Sure, Skip.” Jessica agreed and Bruce nodded his agreement. “Let me know when you want to set his visit up. It should take about two weeks to get everything looking like a professional dig. Oh, Skip, we don’t want the press here either.”
“Okay, I would like to hear from you at least every other day and a written report for the Environmental Protection Agency in a few days would be good.” Anthony added to the list of requirements.
“That won’t be a problem. I’ll have one drafted and an outline of our intent for you before the Governor’s visit.” Jessica told him. “You have my e-mail addy, so send me the address where the report should go.”
Anthony kissed Jessica’s cheek and shook Bruce’s hand before the short hop back to the levy on the airboat. He watched Jessica where she stood on the little island of moderately dry grass around the Pyramid and remembered her as a child. Her success made him proud and happy, as any father would be. He also found, with her parents away, his protective instincts toward her had surfaced. Perhaps it was because his wife was expecting.
His instincts warned him of the strange Professor of Archaeology from Chile who had unobtrusively butted into his life almost a year ago. Once the news on this dig made the headlines that slimy character would attempt to pressure him for information about this dig he was sure. As the professor had with other state matters, he used faked but damaging documents contrived to blackmail him. However, the documents and photographs appeared authentic enough to be impossible to repudiate, and it put Anthony in a position to do what this man’s requested. So far, his demands had not related to anything serious, and Anthony was sure the man was crazy anyway. He kept talking cryptically about revealing the location of a Lost City. His biggest concern was to seek the Government’s attention to this City without compromising his identity. When he learned about this dig, he would want to be involved Anthony was sure. No way would he involve Jessica with that man. She was like his daughter and with her parents away, he would protect her any way he could. With a last wave, Anthony stepped off the Airboat and into the helicopter and was gone.
Bruce watched Jessica as he returned to the Pyramid. She stood with an inscrutable expression on her hand-shaded face and watched the helicopter lift off headed back to Tallahassee. He admired her tall muscular figure silhouetted by the morning sun and when she turned to him with an expectant smile, Bruce caught his breath, again taken by her beauty. When the airboat bumped the Pyramid, Jessica tied off the airboat and Bruce hopped down from the pilot’s chair as Jessica stepped back onto the airboat.
“You know, Bruce,” she commented watching the helicopter disappear “I’ve known Skip all of my life and there is something not quite right with him.”
“Maybe it’s married life and his wife expecting a baby,” Bruce offered by way of explanation. “I noticed he didn’t act like himself either.”
“No I don’t think that was it. Something else is bothering him. He’s scared, and this,” she indicated their find, “just made him more afraid, and you know, he isn’t afraid for himself. He’s afraid for us.”
“I think you’re right. I wonder what it is,” Bruce pondered.
“I don’t know, but it didn’t seem to keep him from doing what he thinks is right.” Jessica commented.
“Yeah, you’re right there. What’s first?” Bruce looked at Jessica.
“Lunch. I’m starved,” Jessica said “And while we are in town, we can arrange for a construction crew to clear ar
ound the Pyramid and lay some scaffolding so we aren’t working in thigh deep muck. I suspect our Pyramid goes a lot deeper than the ten feet or so that is showing.”
“Before that, we best get our Deputy friends to increase our security,” Bruce nodded at the levy where a small crowd had gathered.
Jessica had also noticed the crowd and had attributed the observed sensation to the emergent throng. She had failed to notice the careful vigilance of the fishermen who sat anchored on the lake.
The two Atlantian anglers, however kept careful records of the activities that went on around the Pyramid. When Bruce and Jessica left their site and headed the airboat back to the marina, a full report went via the satellite uplink to High Lord Xerxes.
Their report did not surprise Xerxes. He was not pleased to see another man’s appearance in the picture that could complicate his plans. He immediately arranged to find out who Bruce Lance was and what relationship he held to Jessica. He hoped it was strictly professional. Over the years, he had watched Jessica closely and did not know of a steady boyfriend or of a possible fiancé. The fact that this man appeared after she found the Pyramid led him to believe he was an associate. Either way if the newcomer found out too much, he would have to make a decision regarding his fate as well.
Xerxes expected notification of the State of Florida official that was inevitable. He knew this would get tricky and it seemed his estimation was correct until he could place his agents in as security on the dig. Now it was time to notify his Council, even now they were taking their seats below in the Council Chambers, Marcus last as always.
“Ladies and Sirs,” Xerxes addressed his Council, “I have an updated report on the upper-world excavation in Lake Okeechobee. Ms. Carter definitely has recognized the lump of mud as a Pyramid. She has called in an associate and notified a State of Florida official, their laws require this, and I did include this possibility in my plan.”
His Council murmured their agreement, Marcus sat sullen, quiet and ignored by the others. He was not a popular Councilman, though he did not realize this, in his mind he was highly thought of.
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