Relics

by K. T. Tomb

  “You are not certain of its existence then?” Isaac asked. “Your hesitation makes me wonder if perhaps you are not the man for this job.”

  Andriy scrambled for a quick response. “Actually, I’m surprised that you don’t have it already, sir,” Andriy responded.

  “Unfortunately, it isn’t among the articles of my collections,” Isaac chuckled. “But that can be fixed, Andriy, because I want you to find this box and bring it to me. This box is a crucial element in the next part of our plan and the counter-offensive. If you should be able to deliver it to me, then it will certainly be a sign of, shall we say, good faith, which will speak to your qualifications for leading that very same campaign. Are you interested in carrying out this duty?”

  Finding a box which may or may not contain the mythical spirits inside of it was not exactly the turn he hoped his career would take, but refusing to do it would probably put an end to his future; perhaps in a permanent fashion.

  “I will find the box and bring it to you, sir.” It was the only response he could make.

  “Good. You will make your way to Athens, where you will meet your contact who will assist you in locating the artifact. Everything will be provided for you when you arrive there. Is that understood?”

  “Yes, sir,” Andriy nodded sharply as he spoke. It was quite evident that the meeting was over because the Hammer turned his eyes away from him and focused on something else on the surface of his desk. At the same moment, he was being led backward out of the room by the same man who had opened the door for him earlier.

  Chapter Four

  “Pandora’s Box,” Taavi Marinos replied to the question Danna asked him.

  It was an enormous surprise to hear those words come out of his mouth. In fact, it was such a surprise, that Danna felt it necessary to clarify. “Did you say that you want me to find Pandora’s Box?”

  “That’s exactly what I said.” He looked at her with those penetrating dark eyes, which always issued a challenge to her, but said nothing more.

  “Isn’t that only a myth, similar to the one about Eve biting the apple in the Garden of Eden?” she asked. “It’s more or less just something that was made up to explain why evil exists in this world, right?”

  Taavi shrugged. “You’ve found several mythological items for me before. Why does this one surprise you?”

  Edwin, sitting beside her, had remained silent up until that moment. “Are you talking about THE Pandora’s Box? The one that holds all of the world’s calamities and, if opened, would release those said calamities upon the world?”

  Taavi glanced at Edwin patiently. He hadn’t been thrilled to have Edwin join them in their meeting, but at Danna’s insistence, he’d allowed it. To have him interrupt the conversation was a test of his cordial manner. He did not respond to the question but decided to simply move forward in the conversation.

  “The relic is not as mythological as you would think,” Taavi began. “In fact, it is my belief that such stories were allowed to flourish and engulf the box over the ages in an effort to protect it.”

  “Tell a lie enough times and it starts to become the truth?” Edwin pitched in.

  “Indeed, Mr. Douglas! Even as the idea that the box was a myth and didn’t exist was allowed to spread and proliferate, there were replicas made of it. The copies, of course, were intended to confuse and thwart would-be thieves from getting their hands on the original. Those copies, which hold a great deal of value in antiquity in and of themselves, were distributed throughout Greece to various museums. The copies were so well designed that no one can actually identify the original.

  “It is possible that the original is still undisturbed, but it is also possible that it might have been taken in any of three museum robberies, which have taken place over the past 40 years. In any case, the only way of knowing the original carries a set of consequences with it that I do not have to explain. It is better that we locate all three of the boxes and return them for safekeeping.”

  Both Danna and Edwin remained silent as Taavi pushed three folders across the desk toward Danna. Edwin could feel the tingling of his nerves making their presence known as he watched Danna cautiously open the folder on top.

  “So…what you’re telling us is Pandora’s Box does exist, the authentic one is lost amongst a number of replicas and they’ve all been hiding in plain sight in Greek museums?” Edwin summarized.

  “Precisely! But additionally, all the boxes are displayed as replicas of the mythical object…you know, just to keep the lie going.” Taavi smiled wryly as if he were sharing an inside joke with the two. Then, just as suddenly, he returned the focus to the papers on the desk.

  “These are case files from each of the three robberies. I have placed them in the order from the newest to oldest. The leads in the newest case are likely easier to track down than the other two, but also might represent repeats by whomever committed the thefts in both of the others.”

  “So, if we find the newest perpetrator, we just might find that he or she is the same culprit in the other heists,” Edwin put in. The analytical qualities involved in crunching numbers had some other applications as well.

  “Correct,” Taavi replied, seeing Edwin in a little bit different light, though still wondering exactly what had drawn him and Danna together.

  Happily married and committed to both that relationship and his career, he was still very much a man and had certainly been tempted by Danna’s beauty and vivacity, though he’d neither acted upon it, nor even allowed himself to a prolonged fantasy of what it might be like to be with her. He was forced to admit, however, that there was a twinge of jealousy as he noted how she looked at the quiet, plain man sitting next to her.

  “The latest occurred in 2012,” Taavi began again, forcing himself to remain objective and stay focused on the task at hand. “The robbery was right here in Athens at the National Greek Museum. The box was said to be among the numerous artifacts that were taken. The details in the folder will point you toward any leads the police had before giving up on the case. Some of those items, as is true in the other, older cases as well, have reappeared in various locations throughout the world; most of them in estate auctions and what not.

  “You’re already somewhat familiar with some of the artifacts that had been stolen from the museum in Corinth in 1990, since you have already recovered several of those items for me. The final case, however, is likely to be the greater challenge, but it is unique in that, where the other robberies stole a number of items, the only item taken from the Olympia Museum in 1977 was the box.”

  “So, why worry over the other two cases at all?” Danna asked. “Why not go straight to the Olympia case?”

  “Several reasons, really,” Taavi answered. “The first is rather obvious. The leads to the 2012 robbery are fresher and easier to track down. Second, we don’t know which box is the original, so we must make certain that we move them all into safe keeping. Finally, if these are repeat attempts, then it is obvious that the first two did not pan out as the thieves had planned and we might be able to actually identify which is the original box.”

  His logic made sense to both Edwin and Danna, though Danna had originally felt like it was best to start with the case with which she was already familiar. After some discussion, however, she came to realize that beginning with the newest case first would provide her with some new insights and a new perspective.

  “Miss Sharma,” Taavi said in a low, grave tone. He glanced over at Edwin as he spoke, wondering if the man who was accompanying her was really up to the danger that might be involved in the task. “This is very likely to be more dangerous than some of your previous recovery efforts.”

  “I understand,” Danna replied, already wondering if she’d made a grave error in bringing Edwin along. Was he prepared for the possible dangers and threats to his life? It was something that she would have to make clear to him, if he was going to join her. She glanced over at Edwin, who remained silent.

  “Mis
s Sharma,” Taavi began again. “I know this isn’t true of our typical arrangements, but I want you to sleep on this one, decide if you really want to take it on and then call me in the morning, understood?”

  “But I’m certain that we can handle it,” Danna replied, though not as confidently as she might have liked.

  “Nevertheless,” Taavi replied. “Consider this assignment carefully and call me tomorrow. I will not allow you to accept it any other way.”

  “As you wish,” Danna replied, rising up out of the chair and tucking the folders under her arm. Edwin rose up with her. He extended his hand to Taavi and went through the formalities of a dismissal and he and Danna left the office.

  Chapter Five

  “I see no reason why you should turn down this opportunity on account of me,” Edwin responded as he sat down and watched Danna collapse into the sofa with a heavy sigh. She had already informed him, as they were being driven back to the hotel, that she was going to turn down Taavi’s assignment.

  “How about one reason?” she replied in a quiet tone.

  “Because it’s too dangerous? You’ve already used that one,” he replied. “I’m not afraid of a little danger, love.”

  It was the same argument they’d had in the car being played out again and she was tired of it. Before she had a chance to check herself, she blurted out a response. “A paper cut or an ink smudge on your starched, white shirt doesn’t really count as danger.”

  “I see.” A hurt expression spread across his face. He muttered a response as he rose and made his way to the door of the balcony. “I suppose that you find me a weak and dull man, after all.”

  “That’s not what I meant,” Danna replied, sitting up on the sofa and calling after him before collapsing back into the sofa.

  The salty breeze coming off of the Med rushed up to meet him like the greeting of an exuberant puppy as he stepped out onto the balcony and looked out over the harbor toward the open sea. Since he’d met Danna, he’d felt boring and inadequate, especially next to the swashbuckling Indiana Jones types that certainly had a great deal more in common with the stunning beauty who had somehow stuck to him for several months.

  You’ve had a good run of it Ed, but face it; you just don’t quite measure up. The instant the thought went through his mind, he felt a profound ache in his chest. He wasn’t finished. His heart wasn’t satisfied with any decision or thought of giving up. He’d hoped for a chance to prove himself to her. He’d hoped that joining her on one of her adventures would show her that he was man enough to be by her side.

  He was going to have his chance to prove himself even if he washed out completely. At least he would be able to hold his head up and embrace the fact that he’d given it his best shot. He heard her coming through the doors of the balcony and whirled around to face her, determined that he wouldn’t go down without a fight.

  “Devil be damned of the dangers, love. I’m going on this assignment with you and that’s final.”

  Bracing himself for the coming argument, he was already thinking ahead to his next response.

  “Okay,” she responded quietly.

  “Now, I’ve been itching for a chance to be by your side in the field and…” He paused as he realized that her response hadn’t been a quarrel at all. “Did you say okay?”

  “Yes, I said okay,” she smiled. “But don’t let me get in the way of your argument if you’d like to continue it.”

  Suddenly, just like the first moment he’d met her, he couldn’t come up with a single syllable to utter. There wasn’t really any need for words anyway because in the very next moment he felt her arms wrap around him and her body pressed tightly against his.

  Well, okay, then, that settles that.

  “After coming this far with me, there was no way I was going to ask you to sit in the hotel while I chased boxes all over Europe…or worse, end up having to sightsee with Perk!”

  “Then what is it?”

  “I agreed with Taavi to think it through because I needed to place a phone call to a colleague of mine. Cash Cassidy’s had some truly unique experiences in Greece and I wanted to pick her brain a little. It turns out she’s on Lesbos at the moment on another adventure.”

  “Was she any help?”

  “Oh, definitely. I got the answers I needed, in addition to an open invitation to call her should the need arise.”

  As the irritation that had plagued him only moments before melted away, he turned her toward the balcony, keeping her in his arms and enjoying the incredible view before them; a view even more spectacular given who he was sharing it with.

  “How do you know Cash Cassidy? I’ve read a few of her books and have been rather impressed with her work.”

  “You might be surprised by the people I’ve become lucky to call colleagues over the past few years. Taavi’s assignments have given me a great deal of exposure and acclaim in the industry.”

  “What industry?” Edwin said, almost cynically.

  Danna gave him a cautionary look. “I guess you could say the archaeological industry but it’s much more as well. Relic recovery, myth-busting, adventuring.”

  “Fascinating.”

  She looked out over the sea as if to signal that they were finished with work talk; at least for the moment.

  “I’ve always loved this view,” Danna whispered. “But it’s even better when it’s shared with someone special.”

  “I was just having those exact thoughts,” Edwin responded.

  They stood gazing out upon the sea for a long moment without speaking, and then Danna spoke again. Edwin didn’t mind the interruption of the moment; her voice was like an LSO string quartet to his ears.

  “It’s amazing, really,” she sighed.

  “Of course it is, especially when you consider the history of Agamemnon’s navy setting sail with those mighty men of valor who then bring Helen back to Greece,” he replied.

  “Not that,” Danna giggled. “It’s amazing that two people from two completely different worlds could be so in sync with each other.”

  “Oh.” Again, he had no other words to add to what she had said.

  “A few moments ago, when you walked out here, it felt like my entire world had just collapsed out from under me,” she continued. “I literally felt an ache in my chest, like by sticking a knife in you, I plunged it into my own heart.”

  “You stuck a knife in me?” Edwin asked, uncertain of what she was talking about, though certainly understanding the same profound ache.

  “I might as well have, Edwin,” she said, turning toward him and gazing up at him with her large, dark eyes. “You are a strong man and a brilliant man. If anyone can think his way out of any sort of danger, it would be you.”

  “Just to be clear,” Edwin replied. “I’ve never done anything remotely comparable to this sort of thing before. I must admit that I am a bit nervous, but also excited about spreading my wings, expanding my horizons and all of those other trite clichés that surround such a new venture.”

  “You have nothing to fear,” she giggled. “You’ve got me to protect you.”

  “Well, then, let’s go find Pandora’s Box,” he responded with enthusiasm.

  “Pandora’s Box?” Perk asked as he pushed open the door to the balcony, having heard only the last sentence of the conversation. “Where is it? I’m in.”

  Edwin felt his heart plummet to the soles of his feet as Perk made his announcement. With the argument between Edwin and Danna newly settled, he wasn’t looking forward to another, especially one that was going to involve his fastidious roommate. In truth, Perk’s habit of arriving at the tail end of conversations and throwing his own pittance into the mix was beginning to wear on Edwin’s last nerve.

  He spun around to make it very clear to Percival that he was not going to accompany the two of them on the dangerous adventure when Danna surprised him again, leaving him speechless once more.

  “Sure, why not?” she sang out as though they were preparing for
some sort of lark out into the Bristol countryside.

  Chapter Six

  Though Danna was a bit skeptical about how Edwin was going to handle a brush with danger, she was pretty certain that Perk would be on the next flight back to Heathrow if someone whispered boo. There was the risk that the same might happen with Edwin, but it was a risk she was willing to take and a challenge that she’d accepted.

  From the beginning, she had sensed something inside of Edwin that went beyond his stable job and his steadfast work ethic. Not fully understanding that particular quality, she couldn’t help believing that it stemmed from some deeper reserve of strength, which, if put to the test, would reveal a powerful and resourceful cohort in the midst of the most trying of circumstances. In short, she believed that she trusted him and was ready to put that trust to the test.

  If I can get rid of Perk at the same time, that’s just another lump of sugar for my tea. She smiled at the thought of being rid of Perk, whose actual name ought to have been Pest.

  “What has you smiling?” Edwin asked as he opened the car door for her and slid in beside her.

  Thankfully, Perk had insisted on sitting up front with the driver, saying that not being able to see the road out in front of him made him nauseous.

  “Nothing,” she responded. Once inside the car, she decided to avoid further questioning by immediately jumping into business. She and Edwin had studied the case folder and had drawn a connection between items from the National Museum robbery and private collections where those items had miraculously appeared. That connection traced to a particularly shady antique dealer who, not surprisingly, had been less than cooperative with authorities. “Everyone is set in his role then?”