Atlantis Stolen (Sam Reilly Book 3) by Christopher Cartwright Read Free Book Online Page A

books, appearing to check serial numbers and dates.
After making notes, he heard the shorter of the two men say, “Okay, let’s go
get it.”
    Andrew opened up
a book called Reclaiming Land from the Sea and pretended to read it as
he watched the two men enter another room labeled Historical Artifacts.
    The shorter of
the two handed the librarian a piece of paper, presumably with the item’s
serial number. Both men were asked to provide photo identification and then
directed to sit down. 
    Andrew put his
book back and walked closer toward where Sam and Tom were now patiently
sitting, waiting for the librarian to bring out whatever it was they were
after. The second she returned and placed it on the table in front of them, the
lights above made it shine like an orange sun. He was stunned at its
appearance. He recognized the artifact immediately.  
    The Arcane
Stone
    Confused, he
recalled that the Arcane Stone had been lost for centuries.
    He watched the
two men quickly examine the stone. Then, after a quick exchange of words that
he couldn’t quite make out, the taller of the two placed the artifact in his
pocket and stood up.
    Andrew looked to the
entrance at the other end of the building. There were at least ten security
guards.
    All armed.
    Surely they
wouldn’t be so stupid as to try to steal the damn thing?
    His eyes returned
to the room they had been sitting in. They were both gone. Andrew quickly ran
to the main entrance of the artifact room.
    There he was met
by the same lady who’d retrieved the artifact for the two men.
    “Where did they
go?” he asked, urgently.
    “Where did who
go?”
    “Sam Reilly and
Tom Bower. They were examining the Arcane Stone.”
    “I’ve never heard
of those gentlemen.” She smiled helpfully and said, “But there is a Mr. Duchamp
and his associate, from the British Museum, who are examining the artifact.”
    She turned her
head to point them out, but they were no longer able to be seen.
    “I’m sorry. They
appear to have left.”
    Andrew turned
around, scanning the area, and then said, “And they took the Arcane Stone with
them. Call security. Place the archives into emergency lockdown.”
    “Who are you to
give me orders?”
    Andrew showed the
lady his ID card. She stepped back in visible fear.
    “Yes, of course,
Mr. Brandt.”

Chapter Nine
    Sam Reilly
followed Tom, who walked confidently out the front door of the artifact storage
room. Neither of them ran but to a casual observer appeared focused and moving
toward a purpose. No one would have expected them to have committed a great
theft.
    He took note of
the man in the dark suit with a blue tie. Sam thought he looked out of place
reading the history of the development of Amsterdam’s waterways. Even at a
glance, Sam thought the man appeared to be more suited to a boardroom as an
executive than an archeologist. Then he saw the distinct bulge on the side of
his coat.
    The man was
packing a weapon of some sort.
    Judging by the
shape it made, Sam was pretty confident it had a silencer attached to its barrel.
And that meant he wasn’t part of the good guys’ team. He certainly didn’t look
like any of the security personnel he’d taken note of when they entered the
building.
    Sam looked at Tom’s
face. One glance, and Sam knew they shared the same evaluation of the man. The
two quickly moved behind the next row of shelves. Without saying a word, they
began following the miles of bookshelves deeper into the heart of the National
Archives Center.
    And then the
alarm sounded.
    “Well Tom, that was
unexpected,” Sam said calmly. “Do you think you might let me know next time
before you steal an ancient relic?” 
    Tom looked
guilty. “Sorry, I figured we don’t have time to play by the rules. It was meant
to have been made of copper or something. Can’t be too valuable. I didn’t
expect them to have someone guarding it.”
    “Well, it’s done
now.” Sam picked up his phone and rang a secure