Jessica looked into the face of the most brutal man she had ever seen. In his hand was a grisly-looking knife and she backed up two paces. He was Central American in heritage, but this man did not attempt to bow, and his manner was in no way respectful. It wasn’t the same man who had stepped aside for her on the sidewalk earlier in the week.
“What do you want?� Jessica demanded.
“You found god statue few day ago.â€� his accent was definitely Central American, she didn’t identify the gruff dialect or his thick accent, but she remembered he too had worked at the dig.
“I don’t have it with me. Those things are at the dig. But then you know that.â€� Jessica acknowledged, watching him attempt to draw closer.
“You are one we have wait for, you are one from temple. Priest say you will come, find god statue. You Coxcox daughter come again. Left-hand Hummingbird. You will come, we will get statue of god.� his English was guttural.
“No!� Jessica shook her head. “There are Marines at the dig. You will never get in.�
“You can.â€� His smile made Jessica’s blood run cold.
“Not with you.â€� Jessica told him, he moved toward her. With her jeep at her back, Jessica leaned back and kicked the knife from his hand. Jessica braced herself with her hands on the Jeep’s hood and kicked again with her other foot catching him hard under his chin, snapping his head back so hard he fell backwards her western boots doing damage to his face. As he rose on all fours, she kicked him again in the stomach and then once more in the backside. Who ever he was, he decided to run away into the evening twilight.
Jessica called the police, and they initiated a search that turned up little. She had not expected it to. Captain Curtis showed up just after the police did, and shortly after him, Ms. Simon, full of questions.
“You should have let me drive you home, ma’am,â€� Captain Curtis scolded her.
“No problem, Captain, I handled him. I am not without my resources,� Jessica smiled, “One thing I do need to tell you about, Captain Curtis,� She paused, a bit embarrassed. “A few days ago I was in town and a Central American man who was a digger on site before you came, well, he acted very strangely. He stepped off the sidewalk and bowed to me. It struck me a bit odd at the time. Perhaps they are just after the statue I found at the dig before you came.�
“You should have told me sooner, Ms. Carter,â€� Captain Curtis scolded. “And what type of statue, Ms. Carter, something other than Egyptian?”
“At the time I didn’t think it was important, but after tonight. As for the statue, yeah, it was an Aztec Statue of the lesser god Coxcox, we found it the day the Governor visited,” Jessica shrugged. “Now that I think about it, that man was a digger until that day, and he never came back afterwards. That was before General Grill dismissed all the civilians.â€� Jessica became strangely quiet, the legend of Coxcox’s daughter coming to mind. She looked at Captain Curtis and noted that look in his eyes she had seen at the dig.
“You should have told me as well, Ms. Carter,� Ms. Simon said. “You well know there are forms that must be filled out.�
“Yes, and I will see that you get your copies.� Jessica said to the woman in a bored tone, at having her thoughts abruptly interrupted.
“If you were a little more concerned with security, this might have been avoided,� Ms. Simon bristled.
“Unless you care to move in with me, Meredith,� Jessica used her first name, knowing it irritated her, “I do not see how.�
“I can shut this dig down, you know,� Ms. Simon blustered authoritatively.
“After the Pyramid’s collapse today,â€� Jessica said in a disgusted manner, “I do not think it would matter, and no, I don’t think you have that much authority.â€�
“It collapsed?â€� Ms. Simon asked, shocked. “Why wasn’t I informed?â€�
“You know,â€� Jessica asserted, “after nearly being buried under centuries of stone and muck and possibly losing the most important dig of my career, notifying you wasn’t the first thing on my mind.â€� For the first time, the true importance of this dig came to the surface. Jessica calling on her strong will stifled the urge to deck Ms. Simon. Irritating as the investigator was, it wasn’t her fault that the Pyramid collapsed, but Jessica was sure tired of her dictatorial attitude. Unlike many women who would have dissolved in tears about the disaster, Jessica would just as well have punched someone out to release the stress. Jessica considered Ms. Simon for a moment; she was lucky, most of her frustrations over the ruined dig she had dispelled on her attacker.
“Well, if you are sure you will be okay, I’ll go back to camp,â€� Captain Curtis broke in, noticing Jessica’s tightly clinched fist, Ms. Simon was close to getting decked and didn’t know it.
“I’ll be fine, Captain, thank you. Good night,â€� Jessica thanked him. Ms. Simon, seemingly aware of Jessica’s stretched temper, got into her car and drove back to her own apartment.
Captain Curtis watched Jessica go inside her apartment. With instructions to remain unseen, Captain Curtis posted two of his Marines outside her residence to watch over her. He then went to explain these recent events to not only General Grill but to Xerxes. Both men took the news poorly. General Grill blustered and ordered tighter security. Xerxes was the more distressed, he knew how dangerous the Aztecs could be and how determined. Now he knew why they were after Jessica and was more concerned, Geb had been correct, they would sacrifice her to their pagan gods if they could.
“The man was an Aztec, you are positive?� Xerxes asked astonished.
“Definitely,� Pericles explained, and related the other event Jessica had just revealed about the man who had bowed to her earlier in the week.
“If what we suspect is true about why they want Jessica, Pericles, this could be serious.� Xerxes sounded worried. “It may be necessary, for her safety, to take her sooner than we planned.�
“I will do what I can,� Pericles said. “Xerxes, this dig was extremely important to Ms. Carter.� He related what she had said to Ms. Simon word-for-word and the tone in which it was said.
“Thanks Pericles,â€� Xerxes said. “I will keep that in mind when she is here. I’ve seen her temper, so I can imagine what the first few days are going to be like.â€�
“I thought you might want fair warning.� Pericles voiced with a smile.
“Yeah, I’ll run up the Hurricane flags,â€� Xerxes said smiling too, but worry was plain on his face and in his voice.
“I will keep you informed Xerxes,” Pericles promised and signed off.
Jessica went inside after the police had checked her apartment and went through her nightly ritual for bed. Just before she fell asleep, her secure cell phone rang.
“Hello!â€� Jessica’s voice sounded tired and distraught.
“Ms. Carter!â€� Jessica was instantly awake at the sound of Xerxes enigmatic voice. “This afternoon you found a most valuable clue.â€� The voice matched the voice of the man from Chile, Xerxes Kallias. “This clue was only meant for your eyes alone. Do not log it with the others and do not share it with anyone, especially your FBI friend, Ms. Simon. Good night Ms. Carter.â€� Tipped with amusement when he bid her good night, his voice flooded Jessica’s mind with evasive memories. She could hear the smile in his voice and see a smile on his lips in her mind, but could not quite put it all together.
“Who is this?� she demanded. A sharp tone and the phone connection went dead. Jessica did not have to ask, she knew who it was. His voice still vaguely familiar, his face etched on her mind, closing her eyes she could see his eyes staring back into her own, a satisfied smile on his sensuous lips. Jessica could still feel the touch of those lips o
n her wrist. For the first time, the touch of a man’s lips had a devastating effect on her.
She shivered “Oh yeah, try to sleep after tonight,â€� she said aloud, half tempted to throw the cell phone across the room. Instead, Jessica gingerly picked up her dirty work vest with its many pockets and took out the bizarre metal map. She washed away the muck. It was a map, a marine chart to a location eight miles off shore of Jupiter, Florida, smack dab in the middle of the Gulf Stream in possibly one hundred to two hundred feet of water. She wasn’t sure without a marine chart. She knew it wasn’t extremely deep. She looked at the map again and it was changing. Now it looked like there was another landmass where the Bahamas were, she would have to clean it more thoroughly and examine it closer. Why wouldn’t Xerxes Kallias want her to log this artifact in with the others? She asked herself, and why wouldn’t he want her to tell anyone else about it? The maps served to further her curiosity, adding to her growing theory regarding the enigmatic Pyramid and what they had found. She no longer considered Xerxes Kallias a reporter, though she wouldn’t admit otherwise to anyone else, Bruce included. She knew he was much more, but who and what were now the question. Jessica planned to call Bruce, but she would not discuss the maps with him over the phone. She decided she did not totally trust the secure cell phone either. Jessica knew she would do as the strange Xerxes Kallias asked and would not discuss the maps with Bruce at all. Events were beginning to happen quickly; she eyed the nine-millimeter pistol she wore at the dig site and the recent attack came to mind.
Another artifact crossed her mind, the Aztec statue they had found the day of the Governor’s visit. That would take a little research, but if her memory served her, the story that went with Coxcox was not a happy one. His daughter had died a rather gruesome death. Did that man mean they thought she was Coxcox’s daughter come back to life? Jessica shivered and made note of that in her laptop diary and a mental note to mention it to Bruce and General Grill.
Jessica called Bruce. “Hi!� her voice sounded nervous and he noticed immediately.
“What’s happened?â€� Bruce’s voice became anxious.
“The dig is gone,â€� Jessica’s voice quavered.
“What happened?� Bruce inquired, and she knew he had sat down abruptly.
Jessica explained and told him about the attack at her apartment.
“Did you tell them about the man who bowed to you?â€� She could hear concern in Bruce’s voice.
“Yes, and Captain Curtis wasn’t happy about it. Ms. Simon got all authoritative and threatened to shut down the dig. That was before she found out about it collapsing.â€� Jessica almost laughed when she remembered the look on Meredith’s face. “It was all I could do not to deck her.”
“I am sure Captain Curtis wasn’t happy and who cares about her. Keep your gun handy, Jessica.â€� Bruce told her. “Have you seen the latest weather report?â€�
“No, but I will as soon as I turn on the TV. “ Jessica assured him. “Is it that bad?�
“You’ll see. I’ll be back tomorrow.â€� Bruce told her, and she knew it was bad.
“Good. See you then.� Jessica hung up the phone, feeling less apprehensive knowing Bruce would be back.
She switched on the television for a weather report. Sure enough, the tropical storm they all had been watching churn up the Yucatan took a turn into the Gulf of Mexico, and became Hurricane Igraine. She was now on a direct course for Southern Florida. “President’s visit is out!â€� She grumbled aloud, and sighed, “Looks like the droughts over.â€� As if the cave-in didn’t ruin enough of the excavation this would, she thought.
Jessica called her parents in Hawaii. The call took forever to get through causing Jessica to become further convinced her phone was tapped.
“Hi Mom.� she said into the phone. Her mother knew right away that something was wrong. She always did.
“What has happened, Jessica?� she asked.
“The Pyramid collapsed.� she answered in a matter-of-fact tone.
“Well, you are talking to me, so you must be alright. Tell me the rest.�
Jessica told them the entire story. She didn’t want to worry her parents, but they were regardless of her best-bored sounding voice.
Her Dad was on an extension and was listening intently “Jessica!� Harold said firmly; Jessica knew he was proud of the way he taught her to shoot and to take care of herself. “I want you to wear that pistol at all times from now on. I feel you are in danger, honey. Where is Bruce? He should be there!� Her parents, since meeting Bruce, had become like his surrogate parents.
“He will be back here tomorrow, Dad.� Jessica explained and she knew her father wondered why a closer relationship had not developed between her and Bruce.
“Good, and tell that Captain Curtis to stay closer. If I were there, I would be with you. Perhaps we should fly home. We could be back in West Palm Beach by tomorrow afternoon.� Her father was worried, as any Dad would be.
“No, Dad, the dig is done for. There is a Hurricane headed right for us and the airport will be shut down in several hours. After the storm hits, it is all over with the dig. Then it is all academics. General Grill will take care of security.�
“Okay, but keep us informed.� Her Dad told her.
“I will. Talk to you tomorrow. Love you both. Bye.â€� Jessica didn’t tell either parent about the map or the strange calls from Xerxes Kallias. She also didn’t tell them she was activated and might be back in uniform soon.
She put the map away. Her dirty vest seemed like the best place to hide it. Who’d look there? She got into bed, one last good night’s sleep. Yet that was not to be either, once again her subconscious demanded her sleep time with unremembered dreams. Jessica woke tired and bleary eyed. ‘That’s it! No more drinking, not as much as a glass of wine,’ she swore when she looked at herself in the mirror the next morning.
Chapter Nine
Xerxes knew, though the conversation with Jessica was short and one-sided, that she was becoming more aggravated with the inexplicable situation she was right in the nexus of. Due to the predicament with Marcus and the security of Atlantis, Xerxes must first recover the artifacts before he can safely abduct Jessica. He hoped when she was in Atlantis that she would make a smooth transition, but he knew her temper and did not expect it.
Xerxes was aware from the few occasions he and Jessica had encountered one another, that the chemistry between them was powerful - compelling enough to stop them both in their stride the day they encountered each other in the shopping mall. Xerxes also knew that she would find the underworld City full of challenges and undiscovered wonders. He hoped to distract her with the rare archaeological advantages Atlantis offered, enough to keep her happy for the rest of her life. If not? Xerxes would not allow his thoughts to consider that - only her time above grew short.
From his meteorologists, Xerxes looked over the latest weather report. If left to natural weather currents, the tropical storm the upper-world named Igraine would possibly hit Lake Okeechobee. That was one possibility. Xerxes needed it to go right over the lake. He so ordered it. Xerxes planned for this contingency and stationed six of his scientific ships in the Gulf of Mexico with the equipment to do the job they were now implementing. In the next twenty-four to thirty-six hours, the hurricane would pass directly over the lake and sink the excavation Jessica worked so hard to unearth. Igraine need only be large enough to sink the ancient western sub-terrain entrance to Atlantis for all time - never again to be unearthed. That accomplished, the only steps to complete, securing the secrecy of his underworld City would be to retrieve the artifacts Jessica painstakingly unearthed and to abduct her. He felt sure she would follow the maps Pericles placed for her to find. Once she followed them, he would have her, totally. Atlantis would be secure again. Xerxes didn’t fee
l Bruce Lance knew enough to consider him a security risk. This brought his major problem to mind. Xerxes had narrowed his list of the possible traitors to one.
He knew his suspect, but he did not yet have conclusive proof. Councilor Marcus was the prime suspect. After reading Andros’ journals, Xerxes doubts were minimal - it was Marcus. Astraea had been right, Marcus was power mad, and now he was just mad. Xerxes realized how dangerous Marcus was and he didn’t doubt he had killed Astraea and later Andros and his stepmother.
Marcus’ demands that Xerxes terminate the archaeologists that had found Atlantis’ western entrance, as well as his unapproved trips to the upper-world made Xerxes suspicious, now other incidents became known. Xerxes’ proof to bring charges against Marcus was insufficient, but he was still having him watched; he had caused other problems, they just weren’t serious enough. On several other occasions, Marcus left the City without permission. Until recently, Xerxes only knew about the first two transgressions and had been lenient. Since learning about the other trips, Xerxes was allowing Marcus enough leeway to convict himself. Unbeknownst to Marcus, the Vortex Controllers who allowed him to leave without clearance were under constant surveillance also. Their arrests would be simultaneous with Marcus’. If they cooperated, they would only be imprisoned for a brief period and allowed to remain in Atlantis, but would not return to their positions as Vortex Controllers. However, even with their sworn testimony against Marcus, Xerxes could only remove him from Council. Xerxes knew he was guilty of greater treason. Marcus wanted to rule Atlantis, and he was guilty of murder. Xerxes wanted Marcus tried, convicted, and the full penalty of death on the counts of murder.
Xerxes was concerned as to who Marcus was seeing in the upper-world. The United States was also on the trail of a security leak as they called it. Should the United States Government uncover Marcus before Xerxes could prove him the traitor, he could possibly expose Atlantis. Xerxes’ other agents reported seeing him with a man who was an official for the State of Florida. Xerxes suspected this official was innocent of the character of which he was associating. What concerned him further was this person knew Jessica’s family. Ironically, Xerxes knew Marcus was unaware of this fact. Marcus knew Anthony Sutherland was professionally associated with Jessica but not that they were old family friends.
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