The Lost Metal Library (An Ancient Quest Mystery Book 2)

by Rai Aren

  Sofia was quiet. She took a sip of Coke.

  “I like to think I’m good for the local economy,” Rick said, smiling, trying to warm things up with Sofia.

  She took another sip, lost in thought.

  After they finished the food, Sofia and Luis thanked him for the meal.

  Rick took their plates away and dropped them in the sink, along with his other dirty dishes.

  He came back and sat down across from them. “Why don’t you tell me what’s going on? What did those guys want with you?”

  Luis fished the folded piece of paper out of his pocket. It was the one he’d taken back from the men attacking him. He held it up. “This is a police report I got about our padre. He’s missing.”

  “Missing?” Rick asked, frowning. He leaned forward. “What happened?”

  “We think he was abducted,” Luis said.

  Sofia shook her head. “We know he was abducted, and it was probably by the same men who attacked Luis tonight.”

  “Whoa,” Rick replied. “Why was your father taken? Who are these goons?”

  Sofia sighed. “He was accusing a foreign company of trying to steal artifacts...”

  Rick cut her off. “Hang on, I’ve heard of this.” He rifled through the newspapers on his coffee table. He found the article he was looking for. “Sofia Torres. Wait, is that you?”

  “Si,” she replied. “You read my article?”

  He nodded eagerly. “I wondered if you were related to him. Diego Torres. That’s your dad?”

  “Si,” she replied.

  “I’m sorry to hear that.” Rick did a quick scan of the article. “Do the police have any leads?”

  She shook her head. “No, not so far.”

  He turned to Luis. “What did those guys want from you?”

  “They’d read Sofia’s article,” he answered. “Somehow they figured out I was her brother. They were looking for her. They were trying to get me to tell them where she was. They searched me to see if I had anything that would lead them to her.”

  “I was driving around at the time,” she interjected, “following up on some leads.”

  “I guess that was lucky timing on your part,” Rick said.

  She nodded, looking down. “Guess so.”

  “What about calling the police now?”

  Sofia shook her head. “We’ve already done that. We talked to them when our father went missing. They weren’t much help.”

  Luis nodded his agreement, looking somber.

  “Is there anyone else you’d like to call? Someone who can help?”

  Sofia shook her head. “Not at the moment. I’m not sure what to do.”

  “Where’s your mom?” Rick asked.

  Luis looked down.

  Sofia tensed. “She died when we were kids. An undiagnosed heart defect.”

  Rick could’ve kicked himself for asking the question. The last thing he wanted was to make these two feel any worse, after the night they’d had.

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” he replied. “I lost my mom, too. Cancer. I was a teen. It’s pretty rough.”

  Luis nodded, but didn’t say anything. He just stared at the floor.

  “Si,” she said sadly, “it is.”

  Rick changed the subject. “What do you know of the circumstances around your dad going missing? Your article said it’s been about three days?”

  “Si,” she replied. “Four days, now. His truck was found abandoned on a road near a village outside the city. On the front seat, there was a map opened to the region of the Tayos Caves system. He left behind a thermos of coffee, his jacket, and work boots in the truck. His cell phone seems to be turned off...”

  Luis cut in, “He would’ve told us if he was going to head out into the jungle. He wouldn’t just leave us without saying a word.”

  “Besides, he’s not that foolish to go wandering into the jungle alone,” Sofia added.

  Just then, Rick remembered something else. “Luis, before we escaped from those two goons in the alleyway, you went back to get something else out of one of their pockets. You said it might be important. What was it?”

  Luis nodded and took it out of his pocket. “It’s an old compass of some kind. I’ve never seen it before.” He handed it to Rick.

  Rick took it. He was surprised by its weight. It was much heavier than it looked. It was a magnetic-needle compass that looked decades old. The compass rose was ornate, with the colors of indigo, bronze, and gold artfully arranged in its center star pattern. Similarly colored, but more faint, wavy lines emanated out from the central image. The compass was a tarnished, golden color, scratched in places, with a series of strange symbols inscribed in a Fibonacci spiral pattern around the back of it. He held it up and moved it around, but the needles stood still, pointing north and south on the intricate compass rose, no matter what direction he pointed it at.

  “Guess it’s broken,” he said, frowning.

  “That’s what I thought, but those guys were very motivated to find out if I knew anything about it. If I’d ever seen it before. Did it have some kind of significance? How did it work?” Luis shrugged his shoulders. “So, I thought I should take it.”

  “Good idea,” Rick said. He looked at it a little more closely. “Hmmm, interesting.” He didn’t recognize any of the symbols. He handed it to Sofia. “Do these markings mean anything to you?”

  She took it, examining the details inscribed on it. “No, I haven’t seen anything like them either. They look ancient.”

  “Well, it’s beautiful,” Rick said. “Looks valuable, too. Better hang onto it, keep it safe.”

  Sofia nodded and handed it back to Luis.

  He put it back in his pocket.

  Rick tried to make sense of the few clues they had, wondering how any of this could help locate their father, but he was stumped at the moment.

  Sofia leaned forward, elbows on knees, with her fingers pressed against her temples.

  Rick could see she was deep in thought. Trying to figure out what to do next, he thought. He had an idea, but he was sure she wasn’t going to like it. He wasn’t certain what he was getting himself into, but if there was one thing he was good at, it was acting on instinct. And his instincts were telling him loud and clear what needed to happen next.

  CHAPTER 5

  Rick cleared his throat. “Look, I know you folks don’t know me, but I hope I’ve shown you so far that you can trust me.”

  They looked at him with curious expressions, waiting for him to continue.

  “I think it’s best if you both stay here tonight. It’s late. Luis is injured and those two goons are out there looking for the both of you. They’re not going to be happy about what happened tonight, even less so when they realize you stole that compass from them.”

  Luis swallowed hard.

  Rick continued, “Plus, I think we’ve all had enough excitement for one night.”

  Silence.

  “What do you say?” Rick asked, with a friendly grin on his face.

  Luis looked over at his sister. “He’s right.”

  She pursed her lips, but didn’t answer right away.

  Rick understood her reluctance to trust him, but at this point he was sure this was what needed to happen. These two weren’t safe.

  “We can all brainstorm what to do about finding your father,” Rick suggested, as he ran his hands through his hair. “You two will want some privacy to talk and to get some rest, so you can have my bedroom. I’ll crash on the sofa.”

  Luis nodded eagerly. It was clear he didn’t want to leave. “Sofia, por favor, let’s stay.”

  She smiled softly at her brother and gently touched his uninjured cheek. “Si, it’s not safe for us to go home tonight, not with what they did to you.”

  “And they’re looking for you, too, don’t forget,” Rick added.

  She sighed heavily. “You’re right. But are you sure we’re not imposing?”

  He shook his head. “Not at all. In fact, I’d be pr
etty worried if you two left. Having you here is the only way I’ll rest easy tonight.”

  Sofia considered his words as she looked into his green eyes, which exuded warmth, humor and had a sprinkle of adventure in them. As much as she wasn’t one to trust people easily, and didn’t want to trust him, he had a way of putting her at ease. He was easy-going, quick to laugh, and a little disarming. She was trying hard to dislike him, but something about him wouldn’t let her.

  “Bien,” she said, finally, letting a small smile escape her lips. “We will stay. Gracias.” At that moment, she felt a great sense of relief.

  Luis beamed and hugged his sister.

  “Alrighty then,” Rick said, clapping his hands together. “I’m going to prep the bedroom for you both and get you some fresh towels and t-shirts to change into, if you’d like. Help yourselves to anything in the kitchen. Mi casa, su casa.”

  Rick busied himself with tidying his bedroom, putting his clothes away, changing the sheets, and getting them towels, t-shirts, and basic toiletries. He didn’t have a lot, but they’d have to make do with what he had. He felt a little embarrassed at the rather messy state of his modest apartment, but then again, he hadn’t been expecting guests, let alone overnight ones.

  He came back.

  Sofia and Luis were talking in whispered tones in Spanish.

  “Am I interrupting?”

  “No,” Sofia said. “We’re just trying to figure out what to do about finding our padre.”

  “Of course,” he said, sitting back down. He thought for a moment, trying to understand what might be at work here. “Your article also mentioned the Tayos Caves system. Are these the famous Crespi tablets your father thought this company was after?”

  Sofia looked surprised. “Si, we think so. Por qué?”

  Rick leaned back in his chair. “I know of them. My father was a big admirer of Neil Armstrong. His expedition here back in the 70’s is actually why I’m here. My dad inspired me, in a way, to come here.”

  Sofia and Luis were familiar with the famed expedition.

  Sofia was curious about Rick’s motivation. “How so?”

  Rick cleared his throat. “Well, I’ve been interested in archaeology as far back as I can remember. My dad and I weren’t close, but one thing we did share was an admiration for Neil Armstrong. His extraordinary accomplishments as an astronaut captured our imaginations.”

  Sofia and Luis were listening.

  “Beyond that, Armstrong’s expedition to the Tayos Caves has always fascinated me. I guess, I had hoped that if I could do what that expedition didn’t achieve—find the Lost Metal Library—that somehow I could finally feel I’d earned my father’s respect.” Rick glanced down at his lap.

  Luis noticed the past tense Rick had used. “Your father, is he...” Luis’ voice trailed off.

  Rick looked up and nodded, understanding what he was asking. “Yeah, he passed away. It’s been almost two years now.”

  “Lo siento,” Luis said in a quiet voice.

  “I’m sorry to hear that, too,” Sofia added.

  “Gracias,” Rick replied, averting his eyes. “I guess I’m still trying to earn his respect, even though he’s gone. That’s why I’m here, in Cuenca.”

  “We are always trying to make our parents proud,” Sofia offered. “It doesn’t change in death. We keep trying.” Her thoughts ventured to her mother. She missed her so much still. That longing for connection never went away. “Mi madre, she is always on my mind.”

  Luis squeezed her hand. “Mine, too.”

  Sofia smiled sadly and squeezed his hand back.

  Luis turned his attention back to Rick. “You wish to do something important, something en memoria de tu padre.”

  Rick gave him a soft smile. “Yes, more than anything. In his memory and to feel as though I could do something that would’ve gained his approval, as silly as that might sound.”

  “It’s not silly,” Sofia replied, “our parents are our whole world when we’re young. Where else, who else, in our lives has that kind of impact on us?”

  Rick shifted in his chair, letting out a long breath. This was the first time he’d shared these feelings with someone and felt truly understood. He’d kept things pretty bottled up since his dad died. In fact, the way she phrased her response helped him understand it even better himself. He felt a wave of relief wash over him.

  “Gracias,” he said, with a nod.

  Feeling introspective, Rick got up to get them all some water and polvorones, a sweet almond cookie he’d found at a local bakery, and to process his thoughts.

  They sat around for a while, eating the soft, sugar-coated cookies, and reflecting on the night’s unexpected turn of events.

  Finally, they all grew quiet. It was getting quite late.

  What a night, Rick thought. He was looking forward to getting some shut-eye and coming at their problems with fresh eyes tomorrow. He didn’t know what they were going to do, but he hoped something would come to mind.

  Feeling exhausted, they were all about to turn in for the night when Sofia’s cell phone suddenly buzzed. “Hang on,” she said, “I want to take this.”

  It was a number she didn’t recognize, but as a journalist, she always picked up her calls, especially this kind, no matter the hour. Those often produced useful, newsworthy tips.

  She grabbed her bag, then walked to the kitchen to speak privately. She sat down at the kitchen table and fished out her notebook and pen.

  At first, she spoke in hushed tones in Spanish, then her voice started rising in alarm.

  Rick and Luis watched as she furiously scribbled down notes.

  She hung up the phone. She turned to face them. “You’re not going to believe this.”

  CHAPTER 6

  “That was someone with information related to my article,” Sofia said, wide-eyed. She looked to Luis. “He thinks he might know where Papa is being held.”

  “What?” Luis asked, jumping up from the sofa.

  Rick stood up as well, surprised at the sudden turn of events.

  She nodded. “He also knows about the Tayos Caves system and Ares Worldwide. He said that he must speak with us urgently. His name is Javier and he wants to meet in person.”

  “Hang on, could this be some kind of trap?” Rick asked. “To draw you out?”

  “Oh,” Luis muttered, his hopefulness deflating. He hadn’t thought of that.

  Sofia shook her head. “It didn’t sound like it to me. He said he has three friends who’ve gone missing as well, just a couple of days ago in fact, and that he was attacked the same night they went missing.” She looked at Luis, and put a hand on his shoulder. “Very similar to what happened to you. He’s hoping we can help each other.”

  “Why were he and his friends attacked?” Rick asked.

  “For the same reason as Luis, for information. They wanted access to the metal library. They believe it’s hidden somewhere in the Tayos Caves system and they thought he could tell them.”

  “Why did those goons think he could help them with that?” Rick pressed.

  Sofia shook her head. “I didn’t get that far in the conversation.”

  Rick frowned. “Still, it could be a trap, don’t you think?” he asked, worried about this late night turn of events with a stranger stepping into the mix.

  Sofia pursed her lips as she thought for a moment. “You know, it was his voice. He sounded just as desperate, exhausted, and scared as we are.”

  “Well, where is your father being held?” Rick asked.

  “He didn’t want to say, over the phone,” Sofia replied.

  Rick raised his eyebrows. “Kinda suspicious, don’t you think?”

  “I understand what you’re saying,” Sofia said, holding up her hand, “but as a journalist you develop an instinct for people and situations. Something about the way he spoke, the fear that was clearly in his voice, told me I can trust what he’s saying. At least to an extent.”

  She paused, giving Rick a funny
look.

  “What?” he asked.

  “I hope you don’t mind, but I asked him to come here to speak with us. He doesn’t know whose place this is. He’ll probably assume it’s mine.”

  “Oh, right,” he said, being momentarily caught off-guard. But then he quickly realized that he would’ve suggested it, if she hadn’t. “Smart thinking. He won’t be expecting me here.”

  “Gracias,” she said, feeling relieved.

  Luis stepped closer to his sister. “Are you sure this is wise? He could be dangerous.”

  She shook her head. “I’m not sure of anything at this point, but we have to do something to find Papa. This is our only lead.”

  “A leap of faith?” Rick offered.

  She smiled, her eyes conveying deep worry mixed with relief at being understood. “Si. If there is any possibility he can help, I have to try.”

  Rick thought for a moment. “I have an idea. As a precaution, I’ll go outside and watch the entrance to the building. If I see what looks like a couple of goons arrive, I’ll text you and tell you not to answer the door. Ok?”

  She nodded her head eagerly. “Buena idea.”

  “I’ll call the police if I think there’s gonna be trouble,” Rick added. “If not, I’ll come up on his heels to the front door.”

  “Gracias,” she said, her shoulders dropping, feeling a tiny bit less distressed.

  Rick nodded and they quickly exchanged cell phone numbers.

  “Alright, I’ll head outside.” Before he left, he turned around. “Is it just me or does it feel like the heat’s getting turned up pretty fast around here?”

  Sofia sighed. “Si.”

  Luis said, “Ten cuidado.”

  Rick smiled. “I promise, I’ll be careful.” He left.

  He hurried down the stairs and out his building’s back door. He sneaked through the parking lot, around the building, crossed a side street, and then darted across the road to another apartment building. He took up a position behind a fence, with a decent view of his building’s entryway. Then, he waited.

  Less than half an hour later, he spotted a rusted, moss-green colored Ford F150 pickup truck with a crew cab drive by, slowing in front of his building, then park about a block away. A couple of minutes later, a slender young man got out of the truck, looked around, and darted over to Rick’s three-story walk-up apartment building. He stepped into the lit entryway. He wasn’t very tall, maybe 5’4”, with short-cropped black hair, and he seemed nervous as heck. He furtively looked around behind him, then pressed one of the buttons.