“What the hell are you going on about?”
“We may have been stopped from stealing a few trinkets from museums. We may be on our way to prison. It doesn't matter. None of that matters. All you are doing is giving us even more of a spotlight, even more of a pedestal to stand on. This arrest...all of this...will just make our message so much louder than ever. They’ll hear why we did this. They will hear about a better Rome, a return to a greater Rome. Look.” Monica turned to one of the police man standing by her. “Our sword has probably already pierced this one's head, hasn't it? He can hear what I'm saying...and he doesn't just hear it...he understands it. Isn't that right?”
The policeman looked away and Monica's ugly grin grew twice as large.
“See? All you've done is helped us, given us a microphone. You can keep your rusty old sword. Ours is much sharper than Caesar's could ever be.”
“You can keep spreading your message while you rot,” Nina said. “See how much it was worth it then.”
The unmasked Miss Caligula was taken away. Her two accomplices followed close behind her. Both of the men looked much less enthusiastic about the prospect of imprisonment than Monica did. They clearly weren't as confident that their message had been spread as Monica was.
16
THE ODD MAN'S REQUEST
“I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask for the sword.”
Nina froze. She couldn't believe what just came out of Amaro's mouth. He’d no right to request that of her or her team. He hadn't put in the work like they had. He just showed up and looked at some crime scenes and made a few arrests. Otherwise, he’d nothing to do with the search for Caesar's sword. His only connection was hearing about it from Nina, something she now really regretted.
“That's not going to happen,” Nina warned. “You’re not getting the sword.”
Inspector Amaro just displayed that thin, knowing smile, like he’d already calculated how this conversation was going to end. Yet he was in for a rude awakening because no amount of clever manipulation or the power of law enforcement was going to convince Nina to hand the sword over to him.
“That was never part of any agreement that we made. I got you the Third Triumvirate. That's more than enough of a prize to bring back to your superiors, don't you think?”
“It's curious that you suddenly care about the arrangements we made,” Inspector Amaro said tiredly. “Considering the lengths you went to get out of it. You literally leaped from a moving vehicle to get away from our protection. You’re right, our initial deal had nothing to do with us getting the sword of Caesar in the end...but that deal also included us being allowed to provide you with an escort for the remainder of your search. You politely and very gently declined our protection when you threw yourself from my car...so that deal we made...means nothing.”
The detective kept that same passive oddness that he always exuded. There wasn't any real spite in his voice: he was just saying everything as if it was already decided, but she wouldn't let him convince her of the same. It wasn't decided—not even close. Yes, she’d run away from Inspector Amaro's police escort but that shouldn't mean that she should surrender the sword.
Elijah still held the sword, standing awkwardly between Nina and Inspector Amaro. He straightened his glasses, like he was trying to see a way out of this, but it wasn't quite clear to him. Inspector Amaro took a step toward Elijah and held out an open hand to take the sword.
“Mr. Dane, you called us to come get you out of this mess. We did that, without any hesitation despite how determined Dr. Gould was to refuse our help before. We came anyway, and because of that, we saved all of your lives. The least your group could do in return is give Caesar's sword over to us.”
“Was this your plan from the start?” Nina blurted out angrily. “You heard about what I was after, so you decided to force your 'police protection' on us so you could be close by whenever we did find the sword. You wanted to ride our coattails straight to the sword so you could take it for yourself.”
“It belongs here in Rome, not with...whatever this dysfunctional little group of yours is...”
“The Order of the Black Sun.” Nina said the name before she even realized it, and she spoke the words so strongly that it seemed to hit the inspector like a brick wall. “The Order of the Black Sun found this sword and the Order of the Black Sun will be the ones to decide what to with it.” She held out her hand to Elijah. “I’ll be the one to decide what to do with it.”
Elijah handed the blade over to her, but looked uncomfortable about it. He was still worried that she was going to give it over the Palazza Nuovo rather than take it back home to be stored away in the deep vaults like the rest of their relics. She hadn't quite decided on that part yet, but she knew for certain that she wasn't going to willingly hand it over to the police.
“The Order of the Black Sun,” Inspector Amaro repeated the words, looking up at the sky. He pulled out his little note pad and scribbled down some notes. He spoke again, not looking up from his doodling. “And what exactly is the Order of the Black Sun?”
“None of your business,” Nina said. “All you need to know is that we're not going to let you choose what happens to this sword.”
She felt more powerful than she ever had before. Her words had real strength behind them now because everything she proclaimed was backed by the secret society that used to be her enemy. That power she used to fear was now tucked away in her pocket, ready to be used when necessary.
“I could have you arrested...” Inspector Amaro said halfheartedly, still entirely focused on the notes he was taking.
August balked, barely able to stand from the injuries he sustained from Mr. Commodus. “Arrested for what? Refusing police protection or for calling the police to stop a crime?”
“For attempting to leave with evidence,” Inspector Amaro said, just briefly glancing up from his notes. “Or for trespassing in this Colosseum, stealing something from its property.”
“You’re not going to do that,” Nina insisted, shaking her head. She wasn't so sure of that, but she was hoping that she was calling his bluff.
Inspector Amaro smiled, genuinely this time, and took down one last note before closing his little notebook. “You're right. I'm not going to do that.”
Nina couldn't hide her surprise and her friends looked just as perplexed. Inspector Amaro was a very peculiar man, who seemed like a genius in one moment and then a nutcase in the next. It was astounding that he had risen so high in the ranks of the Italian police. It really must have been his deductive skills because it certainly wasn't for anything else. He was very observant, scarily so, and Nina already regretted letting the Order of the Black Sun's name slip in front of him. He’d probably locked it away in his mind, and already had hundreds of theories in the last thirty seconds.
If she could see what he’d written in that notebook, it was probably all of his thoughts on what that name could mean. Unfortunately, he tucked the notebook away in his jacket and held out a hand to shake.
“I must apologize, Dr. Gould. I was a bit abrasive there, wasn't I? Usually I’m quite good about refraining from much rudeness, but I let my excitement get the better of me. You’re right. You found the sword, so you should get to decide what to do with it. Take it for yourself, put it in a museum, or give it over to us as evidence...it's your choice. I shouldn’t try to take that from you.”
“What the hell is this?” August asked. “Why the change of heart?”
“Mankind is a fickle species, Mr. Williams,” Amaro said. “Opinions can change like a light switch. Arguments can convert people's thoughts, show them another way. I see now that you and...whatever the Order of the Black Sun is...deserve the sword. You were right about getting us the Third Triumvirate. That's more than enough of a win. Thank you.”
He shook each of their hands and Nina felt so uncomfortable. He was more than odd, she wondered about his mental condition. It was unnerving how quickly he’d changed his mind on the subject and
just presented the sword. She half-expected him to suddenly order their arrests.
“It was a pleasure meeting you all, especially you, Dr. Gould. If you ever find yourselves back in Rome and in need of some assistance, don't be afraid to give us a call. Who knows? You may even want some police protection next time.”
“We'll have to see about that, inspector...” Nina said plainly. “I doubt it.”
“Please, call me Don.” It was the same request he had made before, and despite having known him for a little bit longer, none of them had any intention of calling him that. It just made them all uncomfortable.
With that, Inspector Amaro laced his fingers together and trotted away toward the police vehicles.
“What’s wrong with that guy?” Riley asked.
“I don't know...” Nina said honestly.
She really didn't, and she probably never would.
17
DR. GOULD'S DECISION
Nina looked at her team with immense pride. They’d all been so helpful to work with on this expedition. She never thought she’d ever think so positively about members of the Order of the Black Sun, but the order was so much different now than it had been. The secret society's members were good people, not just good at their jobs.
Riley had kept them smiling, even in the worst moments of the search. Even asleep, with a knife hovering over her, Riley had managed to make Nina smile just by her sheer obliviousness to the danger around her. She was young and inexperienced but was able to get things done during a crisis. Her cheekiness wasn't a hindrance, it was a help to her and to her teammates. The strong point of being an optimist was that they wouldn't give up even when danger lurked. Riley always had hope so was always able to laugh.
August had proven to be more than just muscles. Nina knew he was trustworthy, but she didn't realize that he was so thoughtful and determined where the sword was. Something as simple as reading up on their prize showed that he wasn't satisfied just being the brute force that was sometimes needed. He wanted to be more of a help than that and he’d proven that he could be. She remembered him as a quiet, hulking figure when he was working for Julian and was one of the guards keeping her as a prisoner. He’d already come so far since then and all it took was a change of management, better people to mentor and motivate him.
Then there was Elijah—stubborn, all-knowing, cold Elijah. He hadn't wanted to be part of the search for the sword. He just wanted to be the one to receive it and store it away somewhere safe, deep in the Black Sun's vaults. He didn't want to be out risking his life, he didn't want to be taking part in a big fight in a Colosseum, and he was understandably not very useful. Still, his knowledge had been a great help and his willingness to call the police when they needed backup had been a lifesaver. Nina could put up with his prickliness if he kept his resourcefulness.
She hoped that she hadn't been a bad leader. She knew she wasn't Purdue. She didn't have that unyielding stubbornness and refusal to surrender that Purdue always had. She wasn't always sure of what she was doing when it came to things that couldn't be found in history books. The more practical, current things were challenging for her, especially when it came to logistics right in front of her face and trying to kill her.
She surprised herself that she was able to overcome some of the obstacles that had been thrown her way; things that she never expected to address. She thought the search for the sword of Caesar would be relatively simple, that it would just be a matter of figuring out where it was, then going to find it. She expected maybe some challenges with the location maybe, but never so much resistance from other factors.
The Third Triumvirate, on one hand. They weren't as threatening as the Order of the Black Sun used to be, but they’d come close to killing her quite a few times, and had opportunities where they’d simply chosen not to end her life. She was lucky to have beaten them.
“Are we heading home now?” Riley asked. “I'm exhausted. I think I'm going to tell Purdue that I need at least a three-months break before I'm sent out again.”
Nina smirked. “I just have a few stops I need to make first.”
ODION probably never expected to see Nina again, yet there she was, standing in front of him. Despite being blindfolded when she was brought to Odion's warehouse, Nina hadn't been blindfolded when they had run away from him with the slab. She remembered the general location well enough to return on her own.
There were at least twice as many, maybe even three times as many, guards positioned throughout the warehouse room. Odion's crew had understandably beefed up security since Nina's last visit. Frankly, they probably owed her some gratitude for showing them that their priceless heirlooms of Egypt weren't as secure as they’d believed.
Odion didn't look pleased to see her—not one bit. He’d every right to be angry. He’d been weary of her at first but had trusted her and her team enough to show them the hiding place of some of the most sought after relics that Egypt had, all on the condition that they weren't interested in any of them and only cared about Caesar's sword. She’d thought that she could stay true to that. Regrettably, she broke that agreement when she took the stone slab but only because it would help lead to the sword of Caesar—and it had. In her mind, it was all worth it even if it meant feeling a bit guilty about breaking her word with the Egyptian collector.
“Brave of you to come back here. If I were you, I would’ve never shown my face in these lands ever again. You came under the banner of friendship and understanding but that was nothing but a dirty lie. You took from us, just like all the rest have taken from us. You said you’d no interest in our property, and yet, you stole it all the same.”
“I didn't steal it,” Nina said calmly.
She wanted to argue her reasoning more with him, explain the whole situation that made the mess but he didn't look like he’d be willing to listen anytime soon. Making it a heated argument wouldn't do anyone any good. This whole thing was a big enough catastrophe as it was. Hell, they might even kill her for what she did to them—but she knew that when she made the choice to return.
“More lies,” Odion hissed, rising from his chair and walking toward her. “I watched you take that slab and run away with it. I followed you all the way to that airfield. You did all of that, took what was mine without asking permission. In your language, and in all languages, that’s considered stealing. You’re nothing but a lying thief, just like every other outsider that has come to Egypt.”
Odion came up close, putting himself right in her face but he didn't see what she was holding behind her back. She brought it around and plopped it down into Odion's arms. It was the slab that she’d taken from that very room.
Odion froze, staring down at what was in his grasp. He probably never expected to see that rock again, but there it was, back with him like it’d never been taken.
“I told you that I didn't steal it,” Nina said. “I just borrowed it for a little while. It was actually an incredibly big help so thank you for that. Really. Thank you.”
Odion was bewildered, looking over the tablet in his hands. He was inspecting it closely like he expected to find that it was nothing more than a fake.
“I didn't want to take it,” Nina continued. “But it was the only way to get me closer to finding the sword. I had to make a hard decision to go back on my word. It's not something I usually do, but there wasn't much of a choice at the time. I really am sorry. Seriously.”
Odion took a step back away from her and still looked over the piece of rock that had been returned to him. “So that's it then? This is supposed to be some sad attempt at a peace offering? You brought it back, but the deed is already done. The act of thievery has already been completed. It doesn’t matter that you gave it back later. That makes no difference. You steal from me, then come back with an apology and expect everything to be settled. That’s not how we operate. That’s not how the world works. That’s not how anything works. Some people in Egypt would take your hand for stealing from them. Perhaps we should
take yours just to remind you to never do it again?”
She could see how serious he was. He really was contemplating mutilating her as a punishment, to remind her to never dare cross him again.
Nina waved her right hand around a bit. “I’d very much like to keep my hand, thanks. So if you’d refrain from dismembering me, that would be brilliant...and I'm not here just to give the slab back. That was the right thing to do, but there’s another reason.”
“Tell me then.”
“There are other ways to maybe rectify this whole situation that I started. I brought one possibility with me, actually.”
Odion laughed in disbelief but also looked slightly intrigued. He put the stone slab back where it belonged among the other treasures and then sat back in his chair. He waved her forward and then leaned back, ready to listen to whatever it was she had to say. He didn't look convinced that it was going to be worth his time, though. She’d have to change that.
“Go on then,” Odion prodded. “What else have you brought me? What magic remedy will make all of this better?”
“An invitation,” Nina said. “An invitation to join a group dedicated to the preservation and protection of historical artifacts from across the globe.” She waved her hand toward the pieces of Egyptian history that lined the warehouse. “Obviously, the safeguarding of these relics is of paramount importance to you. I understand that more than you know and that's why I completely understand why you were so angry when I took the slab.”
“Am so angry,” Odion corrected. “I’m still quite incensed about it.”
“Why are so pissed?” Nina said. “The group I was with...it's just a fraction of the actual size of the people who I work with. Historians, curators, and all other kinds of people from all different parts of the world. We’ve connections and resources that go beyond most official organizations. If you join us, we can get you some place much bigger and more fitting to guard your items than this. Our deep vaults house some of the most famous artifacts to ever exist. It's impossible to break into.”
Operation Rubicon Page 16
