She paused a moment. “This could work. What do you think?” She turned the map toward Ollie.
“It’s not perfect,” he said as he leaned in to take a closer glance, “but it may do. Spread it out on the table.”
Maggie cleared everything from the table and Emma spread the map out. She smoothed the chart with her hand. Maggie handed her the first ankh. “Okay,” Emma said, “this one went here.” Emma placed the ankh on top of the corresponding curve in the Nile River.
“What’s the next one look like?” Ollie inquired.
Maggie held one out. They scanned the topography, trying to match the terrain.
“Here?” Emma asked, pointing to a region in the northeast corner of the map.
“No, those peaks are shaped differently. The ones on the map are triangular, but on the ankh, they are more square.”
“Ah, yeah, you’re right,” Emma conceded.
“Down here!” Ollie exclaimed, pointing to a region in the southeast.
“Yes, yes, I think you’re right!” Emma burst out. They laid the ankh on the corresponding section of the map.
“One more to go!” Maggie exclaimed. She held it out. “I bet it goes here.” Maggie hovered it over an area on the map. “This would make all the circles touch.”
“You’re right, Maggie,” Ollie answered. “The terrain matches.”
Maggie set it down on the map. “We did it!”
“Now, what does it mean?” Emma questioned.
As Emma posed the question, the door burst open. “Progress report,” Bryson demanded.
Ollie pushed in front of the two women. “We used the topographical map you provided to match the shapes on the top of each ankh. They match with features on the map. We believe this is the way the ankhs were supposed to be used to locate the library.”
“So, where is the location?”
A satisfied smile crossed Maggie’s face. “Right here!” She jabbed at the portion of the map enclosed by the three ankhs.
“How certain are you?”
“Well…” Emma began.
“Certain,” Maggie assured him, interrupting Emma. “Nothing else makes sense. It has to be here.”
Bryson scanned the group, searching for any indication of disingenuousness. He snatched a pencil from Maggie’s hand and marked the area on the map. “You’d better be correct. It’s your lives if you’re not.”
“The location makes sense,” Ollie chimed in.
“How so, professor?” Bryson questioned.
Emma nodded in agreement. “It’s near the Valley of the Kings,” she stated.
Bryson nodded and opened the padded bag that held the ankhs when they arrived. As he began to load them into the compartment, a commotion sounded from the other room.
“We’ve got trouble!” a voice shouted in.
Bryson snapped his head toward the room. “That’s our cue.” He swung the bag’s strap over his arm. Two other men rushed into the room. “What’s going on out there?”
“Couple of uninvited guests on their way up,” one said. “Looks like Taylor.”
“Henry?!” Maggie gasped.
“That man is like a cat, he never runs out of lives,” Bryson growled. “Where is Mr. Richards?”
“Already evac-ed to the chopper and waiting.”
Bryson nodded. “Grab the professor and the blonde and let’s get out of here.” Bryson balled up the map and shoved it into his pocket before he seized Maggie’s arm. “Let’s go, Ms. Edwards.”
“Ow!” Maggie protested as he shoved her from the room behind Ollie and Emma. The two men forced Ollie and Emma through the penthouse and into the hall. Maggie and Bryson lagged behind as he secured the zipper to close the padded carrying bag.
When they entered the hall, Maggie caught sight of the second of the two men shoving Emma into the stairwell leading to the roof. A shout from behind her caught her attention. She spun to face the opposite direction, searching for the source.
Bryson tightened his grip on her arm, dragging her back a step. He pointed a weapon grabbed from his waistband and fired multiple times. A figure darted into the stairwell. Maggie spotted the barrel of a handgun peak around the wall.
“Wouldn’t try it, Taylor. I’m using your precious girlfriend as a shield!” Bryson shouted. He shoved Maggie in front of him.
“Henry!” Maggie called.
Bryson clamped his hand over her mouth, garbling any other message she attempted to shout. “Come out, Taylor. Show yourself.”
Maggie tried to warn Henry, but she couldn’t get anything out. Henry stepped from the stairway; his arms raised. “Let her go, Bryson,” he bargained.
“Sorry, Taylor, she’s good insurance. You hardly are in the position to make any demands. Now, if you don’t mind, Ms. Edwards and I have a rather important date.”
Bryson began to drag Maggie backward toward the stairs leading to the roof. As they started to move, Maggie grasped the hand clasped over her mouth. Instead of pushing it away, she held it to her face, opening her mouth and biting down hard on Bryson’s fingers.
“Ow!” he screamed. “You little bitch!”
He pulled his hand away as Maggie stomped on his instep. He cried out in pain as he lifted his hurt foot. Maggie swung her elbow into his gut, doubling him over. Henry used the diversion to close the distance between them. With one upper cut, he sent Bryson sprawling onto the floor. Bryson’s head snapped back as he fell backward. His arms and legs flailed as he struggled to maintain his balance. The bag he carried flew from his body, smacking into the wall.
Stunned, Bryson rolled on the floor struggling to regain his composure. Henry pressed his ear. “Right, copy, we’re evac-ing now.” Henry grabbed Maggie’s hand and pulled her toward the stairwell. “Let’s go, Maggie.”
“Wait!” Maggie exclaimed, tugging her arm back. “Emma and Uncle Ollie are still with them!”
“We can’t go after them, Maggie,” Henry argued. “Tarik said the chopper’s about to take off. We’ll never make it past the stairwell.”
Maggie bit her lower lip. She glanced between Henry and the stairway leading to the roof. After a second, she nodded. “Promise we’ll get them back,” she said as she darted toward the wall.
“I promise, princess, now let’s go.”
Maggie scooped up the bag from the floor and flung it over her head and across her body. “Okay,” Maggie answered.
They raced to the stairway as Bryson began to recover. He raised his head, staring after them before he lifted his weapon and blindly fired three shots. Bullets buzzed by them, ricocheting off the walls near them.
Henry placed himself between Maggie and Bryson and returned fire as he shoved Maggie into the stairway. “Go!” he shouted.
Maggie barreled down the stairs with Henry behind her. They hit the second landing, rounding to the next set of stairs as Bryson burst into the stairway above them. He leaned over the railing, glaring at them.
“Keep going, Maggie,” Henry urged as she glanced up at him. He pointed his weapon at them and fired. The bullet clanged against the metal railing next to her. Maggie recoiled, shrinking to the other side of the stairs. She leaned against the wall as she scrambled down.
Her ears rang as Henry fired back before following. Maggie rounded to the last set of steps. She sprinted down them two at a time, hitting the landing hard and pushing through the door into the building’s lobby.
“Car’s to the left, silver BMW.” Maggie nodded as she rushed to the door. She exited into the hot evening air. Maggie spotted the car and dashed to it. She dove inside, pulling her door shut and locking it as Henry slid behind the wheel. He fired the engine as Maggie belted in.
Bryson emerged from the building and scanned the area. His eyes narrowed as he spotted them in the nearby car. He leveled his gun. Henry threw the car into drive. “Hold on, princess.” He gunned the engine.
Chapter 24
Maggie’s grip on her seat stiffened, every muscle tense. She braced her
self against the roof of the car. “I hate it when you say that,” she breathed.
They shot down the street and past Bryson, who fired twice more. The bullets peppered the car. Maggie glanced backward as they continued driving. Bryson jumped on a sport motorcycle. He shoved the helmet from the handlebars onto his head. Within seconds, he lifted the kickstand and sped after them.
“He’s following us,” Maggie stated.
Henry glanced in the rearview mirror. He made a quick turn onto a side street. Bryson had no trouble following, gaining on them easily. “We’re out. Got a bit of trouble here. Bryson’s following us,” Henry announced. There was a momentary pause before he answered, “Right, I’ll try to get there.”
Maggie kept her eyes on the motorcycle as it approached them. “Uh, if you’re all finished chitchatting, he’s gaining on us and fast,” Maggie informed Henry.
“I’m trying to lose him, princess,” Henry promised. He swerved onto another side street. Bryson’s motorcycle took the bend with ease.
“Still on us,” Maggie warned. Henry tromped on the accelerator, urging more power and speed from the engine.
Henry swung left onto a larger street with more traffic. He merged with the other cars to a cacophony of horns as other drivers slammed on their brakes or swerved to avoid them. Bryson’s motorcycle shot from the side street and wove through the snarled traffic.
Henry approached the traffic in front of them. He zigzagged past cars. Bryson followed with ease. As they approached two side-by-side cars, Henry swerved into oncoming traffic. Headlights blinded Maggie as they sped toward the approaching traffic.
“Oh, I really hate driving with you,” Maggie lamented as she slid down in the seat, squeezing her eyes shut.
“We haven’t even done anything dangerous yet, princess,” Henry quipped.
Maggie felt the car veer back into the proper lane. She popped her eyes open. “Where’s he at?” Henry questioned.
Maggie scanned behind them. “I don’t see him. Maybe we lost him!”
“Doubt it,” Henry replied.
“I don’t…”
“Maggie, look out!” Henry shouted.
Maggie spun in her seat. She glanced out her window, shocked to find Bryson’s motorcycle next to them. He pulled his weapon from his waistband as he kept pace with them.
Maggie witnessed his actions. She unlocked her door and flung it open. It smacked him square in the leg closest to her. Maggie pulled the door shut as Bryson wobbled on the motorcycle, falling back a few feet behind them.
“Good job, princess,” Henry said.
“Not good enough,” Maggie answered. “He’s still on us, coming up fast again.”
They zoomed through a red light. Cars screeched to a halt, trying to miss them as they rocketed through. The sound of metal on metal reached Maggie’s ears. She glanced behind them to find two cars with crumpled hoods. Bryson looped around the entanglement and continued toward them.
“Oh, great!” Maggie lamented.
“What is it?”
“Cops!” Maggie announced. Blue lights flashed behind them, joining the chase. Within seconds, a second car raced toward them from the opposite direction. As they passed it, it swung around to follow them. “Maybe this will get Bryson off our tail.”
“Doubt it.”
“Will you stop saying that?”
“We’re trying, mate,” Henry said. “Got cops on our tail.” He paused. “Will do.”
“Will do what?” Maggie questioned.
“Don’t ask,” Henry responded.
“Ugh,” Maggie groaned.
Henry continued down the road. Cars scattered as their high-speed chase caravan approached. Ahead, a red traffic signal stopped traffic. Brake lights lit the now darkening skies. Henry swung into the opposite lane. He flew past the stopped cars and into the intersection. Bryson followed. The police cars slowed but still pursued them.
As Henry entered the intersection, he turned the wheel and pulled the emergency brake. The car skidded sideways, rotating to face the direction they came. Maggie braced herself against the roof, squeezing her eyes shut as they spun. Her stomach turned as they completed their half-loop. When they ceased their spin, they faced the single headlight of Bryson’s approaching motorcycle, followed by two sets of flashing blue lights.
Henry slammed the accelerator, speeding toward Bryson. He deftly swung around them and skidded into a half-circle, his knee scraping against the pavement. Within seconds, he was vertical again and pursuing them.
The two police vehicles attempted to block their way. Henry did not flinch. He plowed through the space between them. The car jolted as they smacked into one car, clipping its front bumper and spinning it sideways.
Bryson wove through the space between the cars and continued on toward them. “One problem solved,” Maggie answered as she watched the two police cars fall behind as they attempted to reorient their cars to follow.
“Good,” Henry replied. “And now for problem number two.”
Maggie ducked as a bullet cracked their back window. Henry swore under his breath. He swung the car off the main road. After two quick turns, they found themselves on a side street with the single headlight still trailing them. “Come on, come on, you bastard,” Henry urged.
“We want to lose him, Henry, not have him catch up!” Maggie said.
“Nearly there, mate, ten seconds,” Henry said. “Maggie, how far back is he?”
Maggie used the mirror to spot him. “Fifty feet.”
“Five seconds, he’s fifty feet behind me and closing.”
They streaked down the road, rocketing toward the next street ahead. As they passed another side street, headlights glared into Maggie’s window. Another car barreled toward them. The sound of squealing tires reached Maggie’s ears as the car skidded sideways. It fishtailed onto the road they drove.
The other car emerged just as Bryson’s motorcycle passed the street. As they swung onto the road, the rear end of the car struck Bryson. Maggie spotted his flailing form fly from the bike. The motorcycle teetered and collapsed, skittering across the pavement before coming to a rest. Bryson’s body hit the pavement hard and rolled to a stop yards away from the scrapped bike.
Maggie sucked in air as she witnessed the accident occur. The car responsible raced toward them, pulling next to them. From behind the wheel, Tarik saluted to Henry, who returned the gesture. Tarik sped ahead, pulling in front of them.
They wound through the city streets, led by Tarik. After twenty minutes, Tarik eased his car next to the curb. Henry did the same. Tarik jumped from the car and approached them. Maggie and Henry climbed from their bullet-ridden vehicle.
“You’ve ruined the paint job, my friend,” Tarik teased.
“Sorry about that, mate, couldn’t be helped.”
“Maggie, it’s good to see you,” Tarik said as he embraced her. “I’m sorry we weren’t able to get Ollie and Emma.”
Maggie offered a tight-lipped smile. “Yeah,” she answered. “Yeah, I’m sorry, too.”
“And I’m sorry you had to drive with this maniac again,” Tarik said with a grin, lightening the mood.
The statement elicited a chuckle from Maggie. “Hey, at least this maniac got her here without a scratch,” Henry responded.
“Too bad the same can’t be said for the car.”
Maggie glanced around, running her fingers through her hair. “Where are Charlie and Piper? Please tell me they are safe.”
“They’re completely fine, princess,” Henry assured her.
“Yes, staying with Sefu,” Tarik mentioned. “Come, let’s get to his place. I’m sure you are exhausted.”
“Yes,” Maggie admitted. “Though I’m more interested in finding Uncle Ollie and Emma.”
They navigated the streets on foot to Sefu’s safe house. Tarik led them through the apartment building’s front door and up two flights of stairs. They wound through the halls before Tarik pushed through a door. Inside, a group of men
leapt from their seats at a large round table. Tarik waved his hands, a wide grin on his face. He spoke in a language unfamiliar to Maggie. Whatever he said immediately relaxed the others in the room. They burst into laughter and one clapped him on the back. Henry shook hands with a few of them. Maggie recognized Sefu, the man who provided their camels when they traveled into the desert in search of Cleopatra’s tomb.
Piper vaulted from her seat in the corner and raced to Maggie. “Maggie!” she exclaimed. “Thank God you’re okay!” She flung her arms around Maggie’s neck. Charlie approached them from his seat near Piper.
“Piper!” Maggie answered. “Oh, I feel the same way.” Maggie stepped back and reached for Henry’s hand. She wrapped her arm around Charlie in a half hug. “When I saw that explosion at the camp, I…” Maggie’s voice trailed off as she recalled the moment she believed her friends had been killed. A tear rolled down her cheek, and she sniffled.
“We were far enough away that it only caused some minor injuries,” Henry assured her as he squeezed her hand.
Maggie sighed and nodded. Charlie squeezed her shoulders. “Yeah, chicky,” Charlie added, “I’m far too wily to get blown to bits by some two-bit Brit poser.”
Maggie smiled through her tears. “I know that,” she answered. “I was worried for Henry.”
“Don’t worry, chicky. I took good care of lover boy for you.”
Maggie burst into a giggle. She wiped her tears away. “I’m sure you did. Now we just need to get Emma and Uncle Ollie back.”
“That’d be easier if we knew where they were going,” Henry said.
Tarik joined them, leaving Sefu and his friends at the table. “Do we have any idea where they are going?”
“Probably to the library location,” Maggie replied.
“Library location? How did they figure it out?” Henry inquired.
“We found the third ankh,” Maggie explained. “Emma and I, when we were stuck in the tomb.”
“Yeah, speaking of, what happened there? How d’you get out? How d’you end up with those thugs?” Piper rapid fired questions. She sank into the armchair she’d occupied when Maggie entered the room.
Secret of the Ankhs: A Maggie Edwards Adventure (Maggie Edwards Adventures Book 2) Page 27
