Tomb of Zeus (Atlantis) by Christopher David Petersen

Author:Christopher David Petersen [Petersen, Christopher David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-05-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter: 6

Javi and Helena sat on an old weather-beaten bench and stared out on the horizon watching for the fifty-foot dive boat they hoped would return with a crystal globe. Almost imperceptible, a white craft appeared as a faint dot, nearly hidden from view in the endless stretch of waves and white caps. As it neared, its distinct shape left little doubt to the boat’s identity.

Javi looked down at his watch. His face held a puzzled expression, then quickly changed to excited.

“They’re early… as in almost three hours early,” he said, with guarded enthusiasm. “I don’t want to jinx my words with too much optimism, but I think they might have found the crystal.”

Both leaped to their feet in anticipation.

“You know, it could just be mechanical trouble too,” Helena said, trying not to raise their hopes too high. “The seas are pretty rough. Could be something broke loose and they needed to come back for repairs.”

“Could be,” Javi replied simply.

As the boat rolled into the harbor, they watched several men moving around the deck, preparing for tie down. Javi’s scan grew more intense.

“Where the heck is Jack?” he said in disappointed tone. “Dammit, if they had found the crystal, he’d be standing at the front of the ship, cheering at the top of his lungs.” Turning to Helena, he continued, “I’m betting you’re right. Probably a mechanical failure. Jack being the consummate engineer, he’s probably below deck trying to fix it as we speak.”

The boat slowly drifted dockside and the men leaped from it with ropes, securing it to the pylons. As Frank stepped from the wheelhouse, he looked to Helena and nodded cryptically. Instantly, her heart beat faster. Her mind raced with excitement. But something about Frank’s gesture nagged at her logic. As she thought about the clues before her, her face lost all expression.

“Oh no,” she muttered to herself.

“What’s that?” Javi asked, unsure what he heard.

“Nothing,” Helena shot back quickly. “I was just clearing my throat.”

Although the day was dark and overcast, foretelling of a storm that was on its way, the temperatures were balmy: seventy-five to eighty degrees. As Frank and several of his men stepped off the boat, all were wearing windbreaker jackets. Javi noticed the strange sight.

“Is it just me or is it really that cold out,” he commented.

Helena ignored the statement. She already knew the answer.

Walking purposefully toward Javi and Helena, Frank’s face was cold and callous. He stared at Javi menacingly as he approached. Mere feet from the two, he stopped. Six men surrounded them.

“Mr. Arista, I trust you’re a reasonable man,” Frank started, his voice low and controlled. “These men are all armed. I want to be perfectly clear with my next statement: any sudden moves, any shouts, any signals to passerby’s and you’ll suffer grave consequences. Do you understand my words?”

Javi stared back in confusion. Frank opened his jacket and flashed a quick view of his handgun strapped to his shoulder.

“Mr. Arista, do you understand my words?” he repeated.

Reality quickly set in.

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