Another long pause, followed by a statement that almost made her drop the phone. “Then you must be Ms. Karr?”
She gasped at hearing her name from this stranger. “How did you—”
“Our group has been monitoring events in Exeter all night. Through resources across multiple authorities and agencies. While it’s not been made public, we’ve already learned the police have named you as a primary suspect in his murder. If you have the book, it’s no wonder you’ve been targeted by theConfrérie.”
She didn’t understand the last word, but Archie whispered a translation. “The Brotherhood...”
Sharyn gripped the phone. “Who are you talking about? Who is after the book?”
“That requires a very long answer, the knowledge of which is as dangerous as the text given to you. But know this. You must leave. Now. Make for London. I will give you an address.”
“If I run, I’ll look even more culpable.”
“If you stay, you’ll be killed. Even if arrested, they will get to you. TheConfrérieis older than our group, going back centuries. They are powerful, with unlimited resources and deeply rooted connections. You are not safe.”
Or anyone around me.
Sharyn pictured the burning library, the bodies left in her wake.
The speaker continued, “Your only hope is to keep moving. To get to the safehouse in London.”
Duncan interjected, “What’s so damned important about this book?”
The Frenchman scoffed, then swore, plainly irritated, likely only now realizing he was being eavesdropped upon. “How many are with you, Ms. Karr?”
Sharyn cast a look around the group. No one voiced an objection. “Five of us.”
“Five?Merde.And they all know about the book?”
“They do.”
“Do you trust them?”
After everything, despite her normally guarded nature, she had to admit the truth. “I do.”
“Then you must all make for London.”
Sharyn clutched the phone, but Duncan took her hand, again challenging the Frenchman with the same query. “First, the book? Why’s it so bloody important?”
“There’s no time—”
“Tell us... or we’ll take our chances with the police.”
A chuff of exasperation burst from the cell. “D'accord!Fine. Then first know this. What you are protecting is not abook. It’s amap.”
Sharyn glanced again to the copper-bound tome. “A map? To what?”
“To a treasure beyond all imagining. One that could change the fate of humankind. For centuries, we have been its Keepers, its guardians, carrying this torch against the darkness to come.”
Tag shifted closer. “If so, then why haven’t you secured this treasure already? Why bother with this book, or map, or whatever?”
Silence stretched to a strained edge. “Because we’ve not yet learned to fully read this map. But we are close. Until then, it must not fall into the wrong hands.”
Naomi rolled her eyes. “Then it could be total bullshit. Just a bunch of fanatics fighting over nothing.”
“Non!Back in 1939, we deciphered the book’s First Adage. This revelation led to the discovery of a huge cache of ancient gold coins found in North Africa. They were said to come from the mines of King Solomon. Many of us believe, encrypted in that glittering horde, was the location to the mine itself, possibly even other Solomonic treasures. But it came to naught.”
“Why is that?”
