So was Mrs. McElroy. She froze in place, hearing Joe speak like that to her for the first time.
“Sean needs my help, Helen. And honestly, I could use a little help on this one, too.”
Her eyebrows pulled together slightly, and the expression on her face was slightly disarmed. “What has Sean gotten himself into?” Helen’s southern accent was something Joe had loved about her immediately. When she was angry, it was terrifying. But right now, she seemed to have taken on genuine concern. Maybe she also appreciated being included.
Joe decided to tell her everything, thinking a little transparency might go a long way. He calmed his tone as he spoke.
“We aren’t sure, honey. But it sounds like it could be something big. That bombing we’ve been seeing on the news over in Egypt? Sean said that was a direct attack on him. Tommy is in a hospital in Greece right now. Sounds like he will be okay. Sean and Adriana are in Istanbul right now. And they need our help.”
Helen shuffled sideways over to the edge of the big leather couch and propped herself on the armrest. She seemed more worried than angry. “What is all this about?”
“A man named Alexander Lindsey, the head of a secret organization known as Golden Dawn, is also the founder and primary shareholder of a company called Biosure. They have a distribution facility in Atlanta.” Joe let out a long breath before continuing. “Sean said they might be about to send out a large shipment of bad flu shots to several countries. We need to get a sample of whatever it is he is sending out and get it to Jenny Solomon over at the CDC. She can get it analyzed and tell us whether or not there is a threat.”
Helen was having trouble understanding. “So, you are just supposed to sneak into a pharmaceutical company and grab a sample of some flu shots? How are you even going to get in?”
“I thought I could get one of the tech guys at IAA to work out the access codes. Then it would just be a matter of getting the sample.”
She shook her head. “Joe, I never told you this before, because I didn’t think I could. But you know I worked for the FBI for a few years before going into teaching.” He nodded. “Well, I worked in the electronic crimes division. One of my jobs was to hack into secure sites to test out how strong their defenses and fire walls were.” She crossed her arms as she finished.
Joe was flabbergasted. He knew she was proficient on the computer, but he had no idea she was a hacker. Helen had kept it hidden from him for the years since she’d left the bureau.
She spoke up again before he could say anything. “I could probably get you into the building. But it will be difficult to get in and out without being noticed or setting off any number of alarms. And if you are dealing with something that could be a biohazard, you’ll need to be careful.” She stopped talking for a minute. Joe could see her mind was running through other options.
“I think I have an idea,” she said finally, her face twisted with a mischievous grin.
Joe hadn’t seen this side of her. And he was shocked and surprised all in one. Still, he had reservations about involving his wife in what was turning out to be an international conspiracy.
“Helen, this could be dangerous.”
Her eyes narrowed in a broad smile. “Not with my plan. It will be like takin’ candy from a baby.”
Chapter 23
The enormous, snow-capped peak of Ararat loomed ominously up ahead. It hadn’t taken long for Lindsey’s rented helicopters to take his team and equipment out to the eastern edge of the country, near the border with Armenia.
The land was a hodgepodge of contrasting scenes. Much of it appeared to be desert, but was mingled with rich, fertile farmland, vineyards, and hillsides dotted with olive and fig trees. The plains leading up to the mountain were a picture of desolation. At least, that’s the way Lindsey saw them. He wondered how anyone made a living off the land in certain places of the world. This was certainly one of them.
There were several small shanty dwellings here and there, most likely homes of shepherds, considering one of the few signs of civilization they’d seen were the flocks of sheep and goats milling around in large groups.
DeGard pointed to an area where a small church had been erected on a hillside. It was built out of stones from a nearby hillside and topped with a tin roof. The pilot took it down in a flat area a few hundred feet away from the little structure. The second chopper followed suit and landed nearby.
A few moments later, Lindsey, DeGard, Will, and Kaba were moving across the dirt field towards the church and several large stones that appeared to some kind of monoliths. The other four mercenaries stayed back with the other chopper.
The helicopter engines had quieted down somewhat, and the group was far enough away that they could hear each other without having to yell.
“What are these?” Will asked DeGard, pointing at the odd stone that jutted up from the earth.
DeGard had done a small amount of vague research concerning the Valley of the Eight. He knew about what many called “the anchor stones.” But he wasn’t completely convinced. Supposedly, there were several large stones in the area, much like the one he was staring at currently. In ancient times, it was purported that boats used giant stones to keep them balanced in rough seas. The stones would be attached to long rods underneath the bow and would serve as a stabilizer. While DeGard had seen several such counter weights before, the fact that there were several in an area so far away from a major body of water caused him both skepticism and curiosity.
“They are anchor stones,” he answered. “At least, that is what they are said to be. I have a difficult time believing that for certain since there is no sea near this location. Nor have any ancient boats been discovered here.”
A dirty boy in shepherd’s clothes and a ragged turban stood near a wooden fence about twenty feet away. He watched the newcomers with wide eyes and mouth agape, as if they were some kind of aliens come down from the heavens.
Lindsey moved closer to the monolith. The object towered over him at seven feet high. It featured several crosses engraved on the surface.
“Who put these here?” the old man asked, pointing at the carvings.
DeGard shrugged. “No one is certain. But they are done in the style of the Templars. Many believe that this location was important to early Christians because a significant Biblical event occurred near here. Of course, it could just be superstition.”
Lindsey cast him a warning glance for a brief second. Then ran his hand across the smooth stone. He traced the outline of the largest cross reverently.
“There are several more of these anchor stones in the area,” DeGard added. “However, this one is the most prominent. Some of the others are near the town cemetery,” he pointed off to the east, “over there. And I believe there are a few more just on the other side of that hill. If the clue we discovered in Luxor was referring to a single anchor stone, this would be the one.”
“You’re sure?”
The Frenchman’s shoulders rose slightly at the question. “Monsieur, I do not know anything about this for certain. It is speculation. But if the clue from the Nekhen ruins is pointing to something in this region, I believe it is this stone.”
Lindsey examined the object for a moment then stepped around to the other side, scanning every inch of it. Will and Kaba stood back as their employer circled the monolith and returned to his original place.
He let out an exasperated sigh, and put his hands on his hips. “So, what are we supposed to look for?” DeGard shook his head and threw his hands up as if to say he was clueless.