Abigail realized she was holding her breath.

  19

  NAPLES

  THE PRESENT DAY

  “Abigail, whose phone are you calling from? It came through as an unlisted number.”

  “Tom’s,” she said. “My phone was stolen.”

  “Stolen?”

  “I was mugged. I’m okay.”

  “What do you want to speak with me about?” Milo’s tone sounded defensive.

  Abigail hurried to reassure him. “I’ll tell you when I see you. “Whereabouts are you right now?”

  “I’m wandering around Pompeii,” he said. “Do you want to meet up later, maybe in a café?”

  “Actually, I’m on my way to Pompeii now,” Abigail told him. Knowing that Milo was in Pompeii actually made her statement truthful. She was on her way to wherever Milo was. “Whereabouts in Pompeii do you want to meet?”

  “I’ve just arrived at the House of Sallust.”

  “Fantastic. I’ll meet you there. I’m looking forward to seeing Pompeii.” Abigail hung up and handed the phone back to Riley.

  “That went well,” he said. “He didn’t ask if I was coming.”

  “If he’s a Vortex agent, he’d have to be concerned that we’re onto him.”

  Riley signaled his disagreement with a slight shake of his head. “Not necessarily. Milo would expect me, or any RHTF agent, to take him aside and rough him up a bit.”

  “And you’re not going to do that?”

  Riley chuckled. “Despite what you see on TV about agents, that isn’t my first instinct. I’ll sound him out and see what he has to say for himself.”

  “But if he’s working for Vortex, then obviously he will lie.”

  Riley simply winked at her, so Abigail consoled herself with the fact that he would know what he was doing. She was excited, at any rate, to be going to Pompeii. Her nervousness about being so close to Mount Vesuvius was fading somewhat, and she simply told herself that she would leave town post haste at the first sign of an earth tremor, no matter how inconsequential.

  When they reached Pompeii, they had to line up outside a modern building to buy tickets. “It would be much worse in summer,” Abigail told Riley. She lowered her tone and added, “Do you think Milo could be dangerous?”

  “I think everybody is dangerous until proven otherwise,” Riley said.

  Abigail breathed a sigh of relief after they bought their tickets and were in Pompeii itself. Despite it being late fall, there were still plenty of tourists milling around. Abigail pulled a map of Pompeii from her purse and consulted it. “The House of Sallust is close to the public wells, on the east side of the Via Consolare a little south of its junction with the Vico di Narcisso.”

  Abigail thought the walk delightfully fragrant, the scent of mimosa and orange blossom being carried along on the sea breeze.

  They made their way across the polygonal basalt block pavers of the Via Consolare until they reached the House of Sallust. Abigail already knew that the House of Sallust, while one of the largest houses in Pompeii, was also the one with the least decoration. It was well known for its life-size painting of the warrior Actaeon being torn apart by his dogs after he had accidentally stumbled across the goddess Diana while she was bathing on Mt. Cithaeron.

  It was in front of this painting that they found Milo. He was inspecting the remains of a tiny fountain in front of the painting.

  Milo gestured over his shoulder. “Do you wonder about the ancient Pompeians who gazed at this painting, who stood here, in this very spot?”

  “Yes,” Abigail said, while Riley said, “Not really.”

  Milo narrowed his eyes. “I didn’t know you were coming too, Tom.” To Abigail, he said, “What did you want to speak with me about?”

  It was only at that moment that Abigail realized Riley would have to blow his cover. “Why don’t we find somewhere to sit and have a chat?” Riley said.

  Milo simply shrugged and led them to the raised stone blocks of one of the shops.

  “I saw holes set in stone like this on the way here,” Riley remarked.

  “Those would be the take out establishments,” Milo said.

  Riley was shocked. “What? They surely didn’t have those in ancient times?”

  Despite the seriousness of the situation, Abigail laughed at Riley’s surprise. “There were over eighty of them in Pompeii,” she told him. “The Thermopolium was the McDonald’s of the times. They were hot food establishments, and they sold baked cheese with honey, spicy wine, dried meats, fish, lentils, nuts, and stuff like that. Of course, they would have put garum on everything.”

  Milo agreed. “The ancient Romans were into fast food too. Pompeii also had taverns—they’re not a modern invention either.”

  As they sat on the stone, Abigail looked out over the garden. She wondered what the garden at this villa would have been like in Pompeian times. She figured it might have been an unimposing garden, not one of the lush gardens in the other houses of Pompeii, given that the House of Sallust had little decoration. She wondered what sort of person had owned it and figured it might have been a single man, probably a dour individual.

  Milo clasped his hands and came straight to the point. “What’s all this about?”

  “What I have to say to you must be in the strictest confidence,” Riley said.

  Milo’s eyes shot skyward.

  Riley pushed on. “I’m a Special Agent.” He pulled his ID from his pocket and showed Milo.

  Milo chuckled. “You mean like James Bond?”

  Riley frowned. “Nothing like him, in fact. However, I’m here on a mission that could prove dangerous.”

  “Then you shouldn’t have brought Professor Spencer with you,” Milo said, his tone scolding. “And your name isn’t Tom?” He glared at Riley.

  “Abigail is actually a consultant on this mission.”

  Milo gasped. “You’re a spy too?”

  “What? No, no,” Abigail said, all at once flustered.

  Riley took charge of the conversation. “Milo, you’ll have to tell us the truth. We know you’ve been following us, and you need to tell us why.”

  Milo fidgeted. “Following you? No, of course I haven’t been following you.”

  Riley squared his shoulders. “We can do this the easy way or do this the hard way. This is the easy way. If you don’t tell me the truth now, I will have to take you into questioning.”

  Abigail knew that Riley wouldn’t take Milo to a police station for questioning. Rather, she figured he meant he might have to rough him up. She wondered if Milo knew that was what he meant. She studied Riley’s face, but he gave nothing away.

  “Are you serious? You would actually take me in for questioning? What, to a police station?”

  “No, certainly not a police station,” Riley said, his tone at once menacing. “There are members of a dangerous organization following me, and since you have been following us as well, that makes me wonder if you’re associated with them. This is a government matter.”

  “What do you want to know?”

  “I want to know why you’ve been following us.”

  Abigail could sense Riley was poised to jump on Milo if he tried anything. He had a laptop case near him but didn’t appear to have any weapons on his person. She figured Riley would have given him the once-over as soon as he arrived.

  Finally, Milo sighed. “Okay, I have been following you.” He wiped his hand over his forehead.

  “Who are you working for?”

  “Working for? I’m not working for anybody.”

  “Then why are you following us?”

  Milo covered his eyes with his left hand and let out a long sigh. “All right, I’ll tell you, but he’s going to kill me.” He looked stricken and added, “I don’t mean literally. Charles asked me to follow you.”

  “Charles?” Abigail said in shock. “Dr. Charles Fitzgerald II, the Egyptologist?”

  Milo nodded. “Charles is worried about you.”

  Abigail’s hand went to her throat. “About me? Charles is worried about me?” Abigail was shocked. Charles had abandoned them in the underground passageways of the Black Pyramid. In fact, after stealing ancient gold, he had dropped a Portcullis stone into a shaft, trapping them in the pyramid.

  “Yes, when Charles found out I was going to be your TA, he came to see me, and we had coffee together. He bound me to the utmost secrecy and said he didn’t like your new boyfriend. He said he thought your new boyfriend would place you in danger, and he wanted me to follow you around and report back to him.”

  “Let me get this straight,” Riley said. “Charles Fitzgerald, the Egyptologist, asked you to follow us?”

  Milo nodded.

  “When did this happen?”

  “Recently, as soon as I got the appointment as Abigail’s PA, like I just said.” Milo’s eyes narrowed. “Abigail, Charles said if I ever saw a man with you, that I had to follow you both closely and report back to him, so he could save you if you got into danger.” He had been looking at Abigail, and now he looked at Riley. “Charles says your relationship with Abigail could put her in danger. He asked me to keep him apprised of everything that you did.”

  Riley leaned forward. “Is Charles here, in Italy?”

  Milo shrugged. “I have no idea.”

  “And he was paying you to do this?” Riley asked.

  Milo looked affronted. “Paying me? Of course not. Charles and I are good friends. I met him when I was at a conference in England, and we often email each other. He’s been such a help to me with my research trying to identify the Israelites in Bronze Age Egypt. Charles is a lovely man,” he said firmly. “ We’ve known each other for years.”

  Abigail and Riley exchanged glances.

  20

  POMPEII 79 A.D.

  1 DAY BEFORE THE ERUPTION

  The previous night, after she returned from dinner with Gaius, Flavia quietly sent a messenger to Rufus informing him that she would go to his house in the morning and tell him what she knew about Titus’s disappearance.

  The next morning, Flavia told her mother and sisters that she was going to meet the Christians. Laelia did not want to go with her, and Flavia had guessed that would be the case.

  Flavia took the long route to the House of Rufus Trebius Valens, avoiding all places Gaius was likely to be. Her nerves were on edge, and she jumped at more than one shadow. She thought she saw Gaius many a time. I didn’t realize how many citizens in Pompeii look like Gaius, she thought, after she had ducked under an awning for the umpteenth time.

  Finally, she reached the House of Rufus Trebius Valens. Rufus at once took Flavia into a private reception room. Upon reaching the room, Flavia burst into a flood of tears. Rufus waited patiently for her to finish. Finally, her sobs subsided, and she told him the whole story, careful to cover all the details. Rufus listened silently.

  When Flavia had come to the end of her story, Rufus spoke. “So, Gaius has kidnapped Titus and imprisoned him in his private dungeons, and has threatened to kill him if you do not marry him.”

  “Yes,” Flavia said, “and Gaius has threatened to kill Titus immediately if he suspects I have told anyone else his plans. I am taking a risk telling you, but I don’t know what else to do.”

  Rufus stroked his chin slowly. “Did Gaius happen to mention a spear?” Rufus did not tell Flavia, but Gaius had already sent a messenger, stating he would swap Titus for the Spear of Destiny.

  There was only one thing for it. He would have to hide the spear somewhere else, and quickly. He ran his hand over this head. Then it came to him! The Villa of Poppaea. He was overseeing the renovating work for Poppaea’s family. What’s more, the villa was an entrance to a dread place.

  He allowed himself a small smile. That would be ideal. He had already ordered a replica spear to be made and hoped, with that, he could fool Gaius. He would send his trusted servant to hide the real spear, and he would record its whereabouts in a codex.

  21

  AMALFI COAST

  THE PRESENT DAY

  Abigail awoke suddenly. She looked at the clock on her nightstand. Two in the morning.

  “Abigail?”

  For a second, her heart pinched. Who was knocking on her hotel door so early in the morning? She slipped out of the bed, pulled on her bathrobe, and tiptoed to the door.

  “Riley?” Abigail glanced through the peephole. At once, her muscles relaxed. The man who knocked was looking down, but she saw the sandy hair with relief. She opened the door.

  Something foul smelling pressed against her nose and mouth, and she lost consciousness.

  The voice was coming from somewhere above her. Abigail’s instincts immediately told her to run, but she was tied to a chair. She could feel the ropes biting into her ankles and wrists.

  “Take it easy, Abigail. You’re okay.”

  Abigail tried to open her eyes, but they felt so heavy. She could smell damp earth, and she could hear the dripping of a faucet. Was she in a dungeon? She wished she knew.

  “Hello?” It hurt to speak. Her throat was raw and dry. A wave of nausea washed over her. “Riley?”

  “Afraid not, Abigail.”

  Abigail managed to open her eyes with some difficulty. Charles leaned over her. He pressed a hand over her forehead, perhaps checking for a fever. He smiled and sat in a chair in front of her.

  “Charles! Kidnapping me is a major offense.”

  “A necessary one, I’m afraid. Would you care for a glass of water? Perhaps gin?”

  “What am I doing here, Charles? Let me go!”

  “Very well. I see we must dispense of all civility.”

  “You knocked me out and tied me up in a basement!”

  “Don’t be crass, Abigail. This isn’t a basement.”

  “Oh, well that makes it all right!” Her voice rose to a high pitch.

  “Rather.” Charles smiled. “We do have such fun when we are together, don’t we? Tell me, where is that handsome man you are pursuing?”

  “I’m not pursuing Riley.”

  Charles winked at her. “I didn’t mention a name.”

  Abigail was furious. She doubted she was in any danger from Charles. How dare he kidnap her? How dare he tie her up in a basement?

  Abigail hoped Riley had noticed she was missing by now. What time was it? How long had she been here? The basement had no windows, so Abigail didn’t even know if it was still night.

  Charles leaned forward. For a moment he hesitated, then he said, “I need you to tell me where the Spear of Destiny is.”

  “So that’s what this is all about? I don’t know! And why did you abandon us in the Black Pyramid? That Portcullis stone could have killed us!”

  Charles sighed. “I was going to send help, but I noticed you had already gotten out.”

  Abigail needed to stall for time. Surely, Riley was on his way to rescue her. It was hard to imagine he had not noticed by now she was missing, even if she was unsure how long she had been unconscious. “I see,” she said slowly. “Well, I haven’t found the Spear of Destiny, and I doubt you’ll find it on your own.”

  “I know.” Charles leaned back in his chair. “That’s why I’ve taken you, Abigail. But I’m not so foolish as to think you will help me willingly. That’s why I plan to contact Riley and tell him I will swap the Spear of Destiny for you. Now, tell me, what did the codex say?”

  Charles is certainly well-informed. Abigail remembered somebody once saying that a successful lie is one closest to the truth. She gulped some air, and said, “The codex had missing pages. It said, ‘The Spear of Destiny is hidden in the,’ and that was at the bottom of the page. The next page was missing.”

  Charles stared at her long and hard. She returned his gaze, unblinking.

  Finally, he said, “I see. So, you must have other clues. Why did you go to the museum and then the library?”

  Abigail caught her breath. Her mind went blank. What possible lie could she invent now?

  “Would you like a gin?”

  “What?”

  “A gin to celebrate my victory.” Charles stood up. “Now, some might think celebrating a triumph before the triumph occurs is silly. On the contrary, I believe denying oneself an alcoholic beverage is sillier.”

  “I don’t drink gin.”

  Charles poured himself a gin. “I thought it might jog your memory. Now, where were we? Oh yes, why did you go to the museum and the library?”

  Abigail shifted in her chair. She had to come up with something, and fast. Charles’s tone had sounded menacing, and she didn’t really know him. For all she knew, he might be Vortex’s best assassin.

  “I suppose it won’t hurt to tell you, since we didn’t find anything.” Charles raised his eyebrows. Abigail pushed on. “We went to the museum to look in the Pompeii exhibit.”

  Charles interrupted her. “Why?”

  “Because when the codex was authenticated, they found particle matter from the 79 A.D. Vesuvius eruption on it.”

  It was a blatant lie, but Charles seemed to have bought it, as he nodded slowly. “Go on.”

  “As you know, the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli has many of the Pompeii artifacts. We went there to find anything that could help with the words in the codex.”

  Charles frowned. “That seems like a long shot.”

  “Do you have any better ideas? A broken line on a codex isn’t much to go on.”

  “And why the museum?”

  “To the papyri room, of course.” That one was easy. “But it was shut.”

  Charles drained his gin with one gulp. “And why the Basilica and the catacombs?”

  “Because Riley was suspicious of Milo Knox, my TA, and wanted to lead him astray. Riley got me to take photos in case Milo looked at my phone, which ended up stolen, anyway. And Charles, Milo tells me he’s a friend of yours.”

  Charles took a knife from the breast of his linen jacket and cut the ropes around Abigail’s wrists.