They’d vanished.
Chapter 20
Joe McElroy — affectionately known as Mac to his friends — waited nervously next to the water’s edge of Lac Léman. In the day, the crystal-clear water allowed an observer to see several feet down. It was one of the few places on Earth where pollution — it seemed — hadn’t penetrated.
A chilly breeze rolled in across the water, sending rippling waves crashing against the rocks at Mac’s feet. The cool air brushed through his thick brown-and-gray beard. He ran a hand through his matching hair and felt a tingle shoot through his spine from the sudden burst of wind. He pulled his jacket zipper up a couple of inches to keep warm.
“Do you usually walk alone by the lake at midnight?” a familiar voice asked from a cluster of trees fifteen yards away.
Startled, Mac spun around in the direction he’d heard the voice. A pistol in his right hand stayed by his hip. He didn’t need to raise it. No threat came with the sound of that voice.
“Not a good idea to scare a man with a gun in his hand, Sean,” Mac said, narrowing his beady eyes.
Sean stepped out of the shadows and had a quick look around. “I thought it might be better to get your attention while I had some cover, you know, in case your trigger finger was a little itchy.”
Mac stuffed the weapon into his belt and tugged the jacket over to conceal it. He shook his head dramatically as Sean approached. He put his arms out wide and enveloped his friend with a big hug. After slapping him on the back twice, Mac let go and shook Sean by the shoulder.
“I gotta say, Sean, you sure are a sight for sore eyes.”
“You, too, Mac. It’s good to see you. Although I’m sorry for the trouble.”
“Pfft. Trouble?” Mac blew it off. “I appreciate the warning, but it’s probably best those guys who came after us didn’t come toe to toe with the missus. She’s got a mean streak in her, and that government training of hers makes her a killer.”
“I know a thing or two about that,” Sean said.
“The training or her mean streak?”
Sean chuckled. “Both.” He looked around, still uneasy about the setting.
“Relax,” Mac said. “Helen and I already scoped it out. Plus, she’s on a rooftop somewhere watching us. She’ll keep an eye on things.”
“That makes me feel a little better. You’re sure you weren’t followed?”
“Pretty sure. One of the nice things about that hotel in Bellevaux was there was only one parking lot and one way in at night. We watched them approach from a second-floor room we rented under a fake name, thinking they would look us up in the registry. Once they were in the building, we waited by the stairwell and listened for them to pass, figuring they’d take the stairs as opposed to the elevators.
“Sure enough, they ran by in a hurry and once we heard the door above close, we snuck out down the stairs, made it to our car, and got the heck out of there.”
“Impressive,” Sean said. “I was worried you might not get the message. Still, cutting it a little close, weren’t you?”
“We didn’t have cell service out there at the dig site. When we got back from the day’s activities, the first thing we did was take a shower and get into some clean clothes. Didn’t check our messages until after.”
“Lucky you did.”
Mac snorted. “You got that right. And lucky you warned us. You saved our skin, Sean. Thanks.”
Sean rolled his shoulders. “Don’t mention it. So tell me more about this thing you found at the dig site.”
“In good time, my friend. Where’s your crew?”
Sean’s lips creased on one corner. “Not far. They’re waiting in the car about a block from here.”
“Perfect. Come back to our place and we’ll show you what we’ve got.”
Sean led the way back to the car where Tommy and the other two were anxiously waiting. When Tommy saw Sean and Mac approaching, he got out and greeted his bearded friend with a big hug.
Adriana walked around the front of the car and stood next to Sean while June took a position next to Tommy.
“Adriana Villa,” Mac said with a broad smile. “It sure is nice to see you again.” He stepped over and gave her a hug, then a kiss on both cheeks as was customary in some Spanish cultures.
“It’s good to see you, too, Mac,” she said. Her eyes gleamed, matching the grin on her face.
Mac turned to June and embraced her tightly. “You must be June Holiday,” Mac said.
June returned the hug and put on her happiest expression. “And you must be Mac,” she said.
Mac let her go and took a step back, putting his hands on his hips. “I gotta say, Tommy sure has told me a lot about you.”
Sean and Adriana glanced at each other with the same questioning look.
“But he couldn’t do you justice. You’re prettier than he said, and he said a lot.” Mac chuckled.
“So you told Mac about June, but not us?” Sean said, pretending to be offended.
“I couldn’t help it. Helen bugged me so long about…” He let his voice trail off.
“About what?” June said, her bright blue eyes staring right through him.
“Nothing. Say, it would probably be best if we get out of plain sight here.”
“Good call,” Mac agreed before June could continue her pursuit of the previous conversation. “Our place isn’t far from here. Just a short drive. We rented a chalet on the side of the mountain over there.” He pointed off toward a dark shadow a mile away. “If anyone decides to join us, we’ll see them coming.”
Fifteen minutes later, the group walked into the chalet. Mac closed and locked the door behind them while his guests set their bags down on the round wooden table near the entrance.
The chalet’s interior was almost entirely made from wood, designed to look more like a log cabin. The walls and floor were constructed out of a yellowish-amber variety, while the kitchen cabinets were deep red with gray granite countertops. The front of the chalet featured three massive central windows with one more on either side, angling out to the flat façade. The lights of the city burned in the valley below, and the moonlight rippled on the surface of the lake. Big leather couches occupied the sitting area. A fireplace crackled off to the left.
“Figured the fire would be a nice touch,” Mac said. “I know it’s not winter, but a fire in the hearth always makes things feel a little better.”
“Where’s Helen?” Tommy asked. “I thought she was going to meet us here.”
“Somebody had to watch over the lot of you while you were down in the valley.” The woman’s voice came from one of the hallways that ran to the back of the chalet.
A second later, a middle-aged woman with deep auburn hair and a tanned, freckled face appeared in the doorway next to the stairs.
“There she is!” Sean exclaimed.
“Almost feels like a family reunion in here,” she said with a thick Southern twang.
Helen and Joe had been living about forty minutes north of Atlanta in the small town of Cartersville. Joe worked as a park ranger for years until he and Helen joined up with Tommy’s IAA. Helen’s past was still mired in secrecy. All anyone knew was that she worked for the government — and in a similar capacity to Sean’s job with Axis.
No one bothered her about it, figuring some things were better left secret.
After another round of hugs and introductions, Helen stood with her hands on her hips, staring at June. “I have to say, Tommy, she sure is pretty. And I love those freckles on your nose and cheeks.”
June blushed. “Thanks.”
Sean saved June further embarrassment by getting the group on task quickly. “So where’s this codex you guys found at the dig site?” he asked. “I’m interested to see what’s on it.”