“Confiscated would be the more correct formulation, Monsieur. And in consultation with the UN, UNESCO, the Vatican and the G8 countries, I have now obtained permission to keep that money for Blue Shield.”
Tom, Hellen and Cloutard looked at each other. One could almost hear their jaws drop.
“What? The whole 50 million?” Hellen said.
Hellen’s mother nodded. Just then, the door opened and Vittoria Arcano came in, her right arm still in a sling. Her smile at Tom lasted just a little too long, which did not please Hellen at all.
“Signorina Arcano has drawn up the contracts. They are very generous.”
Cloutard flipped through the pages. “Vraiment généreux,” he said.
“Maybe if you are paid well enough, you won’t have to go breaking into museums or cleaning out strangers’ bank accounts,” Theresia said pointedly to Cloutard.
Hellen was still not thrilled, but neither was she blind to the opportunities her mother’s offer opened up. This was like the Holy Grail of archaeological research: virtually bottomless funds and free rein to go in search of humankind’s greatest myths. She hated to admit it, but it sounded tempting.
Hellen’s mother still had a stern eye on Cloutard. “Monsieur, I tell you this. If you want to be part of this team, then you will have to stick to the rules.”
“He will. I’ll make him,” said Tom, and he whacked Cloutard between his shoulder blades harder than necessary, then hugged him.
“What has become of Ossana since we handed her over to the authorities in Ethiopia?” Cloutard asked, wanting to change the subject.
“Ossana is to be extradited to the United States. She must have a lot of useful information about AF, and considering the Americans’ interrogation methods, she’ll no doubt be telling them this and that before long,” Hellen’s mother said coolly.
Cloutard grimaced. As much as he wanted revenge on Ossana, he was no fan of waterboarding or other “enhanced interrogation” techniques. He sympathized with her.
“So Ossana’s out of the picture,” said Tom. “But I have the feeling we’ll cross paths with Noah again.”
Hellen nodded. “He was obsessed. He’s not about to give up.”
“Back to business.” Hellen’s mother drew their attention to the folders Vittoria had brought in. “You can sleep on it, of course,” she said casually.
“But not too long,” Vittoria added. “The first assignment is already lined up.” She drummed her fingernails meaningfully against the cover of another file.
Tom, Hellen and Cloutard looked at each other. Then, together, they nodded. Each signed the contract in front of them, and Vittoria handed them the file with their first mission.
* * *
— THE END —
OF „THE LIBRARY OF THE KINGS“
Tom Wagner will return in:
„THE INVISIBLE CITY“
The Tom Wagner Series
THE STONE OF DESTINY
(Tom Wagner Prequel)
A dark secret of the Habsburg Empire. A treasure believed to be lost long time ago. A breathless hunt into the past.
The thriller "The Stone of Destiny" leads Tom Wagner and Hellen de Mey into the dark past of the Habsburgs and to a treasure that seems to have been lost for a long time.
The breathless hunt goes through half of Europe and the surprise at the end is not missing: A conspiracy that began in the last days of the First World War reaches up to the present day!
Free Download!
Click here or open link:
https://robertsmaclay.com/start-free
* * *
THE SACRED WEAPON
(A Tom Wagner Adventure 1)
A demonic plan. A mysterious power. An extraordinary team.
The Notre Dame fire, the theft of the Shroud of Turin and a terrorist attack on the legendary Meteora monasteries are just the beginning. Fear has gripped Europe.
Stolen relics, a mysterious power with a demonic plan and allies with questionable allegiances: Tom Wagner is in a race against time, trying to prevent a disaster that could tear Europe down to its foundations. And there’s no one he can trust…
Click here or open link:
https://robertsmaclay.com/tw1
* * *
THE LIBRARY OF THE KINGS
(A Tom Wagner Adventure 2)
Hidden wisdom. A relic of unbelievable power. A race against time.
Ancient legends, devilish plans, startling plot twists, breathtaking action and a dash of humor: Library of the Kings is gripping entertainment – a Hollywood blockbuster in book form.
When clues to the long-lost Library of Alexandria surface, ex-Cobra officer Tom Wagner and archaeologist Hellen de Mey aren’t the only ones on the hunt for its vanished secrets. A sinister power is plotting in the background, and nothing is as it seems. And the dark secret hidden in the Library threatens all of humanity.
Click here or open link:
https://robertsmaclay.com/tw2
* * *
THE INVISIBLE CITY
(A Tom Wagner Adventure 3)
A vanished civilization. A diabolical trap. A mystical treasure.
Tom Wagner, archaeologist Hellen de Mey and gentleman crook Francois Cloutard are about to embark on their first official assignment from Blue Shield – but when Tom receives an urgent call from the Vatican, things start to move quickly:
With the help of the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, they discover clues to an age-old myth: the Russian Atlantis. And a murderous race to find an ancient, long-lost relic leads them from Cuba to the Russian hinterlands.
What mystical treasure lies buried beneath Nizhny Novgorod? Who laid the evil trap? And what does it all have to do with Tom’s grandfather?
Coming February 2021
* * *
THE GOLDEN PATH
(A Tom Wagner Adventure 4)
The greatest treasure of mankind. An international intrigue. A cruel revelation.
Now a special unit for Blue Shield, Tom and his team are on a search for the legendary El Dorado. But, as usual, things don’t go as planned.
The team gets separated and is – literally – forced to fight a battle on multiple fronts: Hellen and Cloutard make discoveries that overturn the familiar story of El Dorado’s gold.
Meanwhile, the President of the United States has tasked Tom with keeping a dangerous substance out of the hands of terrorists.
Coming May 2021
https://robertsmaclay.com/tw4
THE ROUND TABLE CHRONICLE
(A Tom Wagner Adventure 5)
The first secret society of mankind. Artifacts of inestimable power. A race you cannot win.
The events turn upside down: Tom Wagner is missing. Hellen's father has turned up and a hot lead is waiting for the Blue Shield team: The legendary Chronicle of the Round Table.
What does the Chronicles of the Round Table of King Arthur say? Must the history around Avalon and Camelot be rewritten? Where is Tom and who is pulling the strings?
Coming Fall 2021
https://robertsmaclay.com/tw5
Thrilled Reader Reviews
"Suspense and entertainment! I’ve read a lot of books like this one; some better, some worse. This is one of the best books in this genre I’ve ever read. I’m really looking forward to a good sequel. "
* * *
"I just couldn’t put this book down. Full of surprising plot twists, humor, and action! "
* * *
"An explosive combination of Robert Langdon, James Bond & Indiana Jones"
* * *
"Good build-up of tension; I was always wondering what happens next. Toward the end, where the story gets more and more complex and constantly changes scenes, I was on the edge of my seat"
* * *
"Great! I read all three books in one sitting. Dan Brown better watch his back."
* * *
"The best thing about it is the basic premise, a story with historical background knowledge scat
tered throughout the book–never too much at one time and always supporting the plot"
* * *
"Entertaining and action-packed! The carefully thought-out story has a clear plotline, but there are a couple of unexpected twists as well. I really enjoyed it. The sections of the book are tailored to maximize the suspense, they don’t waste any time with unimportant details. The chapters are short and compact–perfect for a half-hour commute or at night before turning out the lights. Recommended to all lovers of the genre and anyone interested in getting to know it better. I’ll definitely read the sequel."
* * *
"Anyone who likes reading Dan Brown, James Rollins and Preston & Child needs to get this book."
* * *
"An exciting build-up, interesting and historically significant settings, surprising plot twists in the right places.”
About the Authors
Roberts & Maclay
Roberts & Maclay have known each other for over 25 years, are good friends and have worked together on various projects.
The fact that they are now also writing thrillers together is less coincidence than fate. Talking shop about films, TV series and suspense novels has always been one of their favorite pastimes.
* * *
M.C. Roberts is the pen name of an successful entrepreneur and blogger. Adventure stories have always been his passion: after recording a number of superhero audiobooks on his father’s old tape recorder as a six-year-old, he postponed his dream of writing novels for almost 40 years, and worked as a marketing director, editor-in-chief, DJ, opera critic, communication coach, blogger, online marketer and author of trade books…but in the end, the call of adventure was too strong to ignore.
* * *
R.F. Maclay is the pen name of an outstanding graphic designer and advertising filmmaker. His international career began as an electrician’s apprentice, but he quickly realized that he was destined to work creatively. His family and friends were skeptical at first…but now, 20 years later, the passionate, self-taught graphic designer and filmmaker has delighted record labels, brand-name products and tech companies with his work, as well as making a name for himself as a commercial filmmaker and illustrator. He’s also a walking encyclopedia of film and television series.
www.RobertsMaclay.com
The Library of the Kings: A Tom Wagner Adventure Page 23
