The Atlantis Stone by Nick Hawkes

Author:Nick Hawkes [Hawkes, Nick]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780648110347
Publisher: Hawkesflight Media
Published: 2019-05-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Benjamin, Felicity, and Archie looked through the cyclone fence cordoning off the renovation site. Two young men and a woman were on their knees with tiny trowels and brushes, scraping away the debris covering a stone floor.

“I can see it from here,” said Felicity, bobbing up and down. “See, it’s the big stone on the bottom of the buttress of the retaining wall—right where the curator said it would be.”

Benjamin put out a hand to steady her. “Umm. It might be good if you could appear a little more chilled.”

Felicity stopped bouncing, gripped the cyclone fence, and whispered, “But we won’t be able to get in.”

Benjamin could hear the desperation in her voice. He turned to Archie and raised a questioning eyebrow.

Archie murmured, “We probably can.” He turned away and asked conversationally, “Ben, which of those guys on the floor is the boss?”

Benjamin flicked his eyes over them and turned casually back. “None of them. They’re laughing occasionally and two are flirting—they’re big kids out on an excursion.”

“Then we need to act now, before the boss comes back.”

Benjamin nodded. “Can we pretend we’re sweeping the retaining wall to ensure that there are no old water pipes that may cause problems?”

Archie nodded. “Perfect. But we need props.” He turned to Felicity. “Flick, there’s a stationery shop around the corner which has printing facilities. Can you print off a sheet headed ‘Cagliari Water Authority’ and put it on a clipboard? You’ll be able to buy one there.”

Felicity’s mouth dropped open. Benjamin prompted her gently, “Time is probably of the essence.”

Felicity nodded, squared her shoulders, and walked off.

“Archie, we need to talk.” Benjamin pointed to a low stone parapet beside some steps. After they sat down on it, he said, “I’m not too sure of the right course of action if we discover there’s a hidden cavity in that rock. Felicity intends to tell the local authorities about it…and hope they will extract the treaty from the old elephant and make it available for the public to see.” He shrugged. “The trouble is, I don’t have faith that bureaucrats will be that accommodating. It’s too uncertain. We could do all this sleuthing and still not end up with a document that would stop Khayef pursuing their ambitions and their killing.”

Archie swung the backpack off his shoulders and pulled out the scanner. “You aren’t suggesting we should engage in anything scurrilous are you?” He grinned. “Because if you are, you’re starting to take to this cloak and dagger stuff rather too well.”

Benjamin didn’t smile. “What are our options? I can tell you now, Felicity won’t countenance anything dodgy.”

Archie sniffed. “Yeah, I know. But the reality is, this isn’t just an archaeological adventure. As you say, lives are at stake—yours in particular. If you’re going to survive this business, you’re going to have to use tactics that are appropriate against people who kill.” He looked at Benjamin candidly with his pale blue eyes. “That can take you into some pretty gray areas.”

Benjamin nodded. “Options?”

“Only one.

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