Chapter 17

“Before you even ask, she’s fine,” Derek said into the phone. He knew Yousef would be calling when his plane landed and that his first question would be about Maddie’s safety. “She’s safe and sitting in her hotel room. How about you? Did you have any trouble?”

“I don’t know,” Yousef said. “It was too easy. What if they are following me? It always makes me nervous to travel with my Iranian passport. They wanted to know why I didn’t have any luggage.”

“Relax. There’s no need to worry.”

“Someone must be looking for me. They were at Sophie’s apartment before I left. I know.” Yousef was breathing heavily. If he wasn’t being followed, it was a miracle. He inspired suspicion.

“You thought they were at Sophie’s before you left, Joey,” Derek said. “You thought there was a bomb. But nothing happened, right?”

“I know someone was there,” Yousef answered.

“Now look,” Derek calmed him. “Have you picked up the package I left you?”

“I came to a quiet place to call before I caught a taxi,” Yousef said. “I didn’t want to make a call where anyone might hear me.”

“That’s very smart of you, Joey,” Derek continued to soothe and encourage him. “But you don’t have anything to worry about now. You can check into your hotel, pick up the package, and deliver it to my associates. It’s time to throw a monkey wrench into the works. We’ll have a little diversion in Alexandria and they’ll have to go investigate it while we get to the real treasure. It’s close now, Joey. This is what you wanted all along, isn’t it? You wanted to find the treasure your father died searching for. It’s all going according to plan. I’ll send you the coordinates soon as they move and you can meet us.”