Jake Ransom and the Howling Sphinx by James Rollins Read Free Book Online

barosaurus.
    â€œWe’re setting up the Egyptian show on the fourth floor, so we have some climbing to do.” Henry hurried them along. “The main museum opens to the public inanother two hours. I wanted to give you as much private time to explore the exhibit as possible. And there’s lots to see! We’ve got artifacts dating back to the earliest Egyptian dynasties. From jeweled scarab beetles to massive sarcophagi. But the true showstopper is a tomb discovered last year. It was painstakingly taken apart to preserve it against a new highway that’s being built, then shipped here in pieces. We reassembled it on site. It’s quite dramatic.”
    Jake had to restrain himself from hurrying the man along. Instead he just cut to the heart of the matter. “Professor, I was wondering if you had any Egyptian ankhs in the exhibit.”
    â€œAnkhs? My dear boy, we have them in every shape and size. Carved out of stone, sculpted out of gold, encrusted in jewels. You name it, we’ve got it!” The professor must have caught some whiff of Jake’s excitement, because he put an arm around Jake’s shoulder. “But let me tell you, the veritable crown of the exhibit landed in our laps today. An amazing mummified specimen. I’ve never seen anything like it before.”
    Jake nodded politely, but he was more interested in searching for the ankh that matched the one inside his father’s watch. He had the timepiece hanging around his neck. Even now he felt it ticking against his breastbone, urging him onward.
    Reaching the fourth floor, Henry pointed down the hallway. “Here we are. Just up ahead.”
    The professor led them to a pair of tall doors locked and cordoned off by a red velvet rope. They skirted around the barrier, and Henry used a passkey to unlock the doors. He ushered them all inside, then closed the doors behind them.
    It was like entering an Egyptian theme park, with statues, carved obelisks, and display cases forming an elaborate maze, winding through massive sarcophagi. Beyond the standing coffins, Jake spotted a full-sized wooden riverboat made of woven reeds.
    As he watched, workmen raised the scow’s square sail. Jake pictured the boat floating down the ancient Nile. For a moment, he imagined he felt a cool river breeze.
    â€œAh,” Henry said, lifting a palm, “the air-conditioning finally kicked in. About time.”
    So maybe not a Nile breeze …
    Jake’s attention finally settled to the center of the room. Massive red sandstone walls formed a room within the greater hall.
    Henry noted his attention. “That’s the tomb I was telling you about. Truly amazing artwork inside, depicting an entire funeral procession. Why don’t we head over there first?”
    As Jake followed the others, he scanned to either side, watching for anything that matched the symbol inside his father’s watch. He saw Kady doing the same thing. Good. If they both stayed focused, they could cut their search time in half.
    â€œOh, look!” she blurted out, stopping ahead of him.
    Jake’s heart leaped to his throat. Had she already found the ankh?
    She leaned closer to one of the glass cases. “Those butterfly earrings would look perfect with my blue dress!”
    Jake groaned and pushed her forward.
So much for staying focused
.
    Ahead, Henry led the group to the rectangular tomb entrance and stopped. “Inside, we’re prepping that new mummy. I thought it was the perfect location to display such a specimen. You should really see it, then I’ll leave you to explore on your own.” He winked back at Jake. “I can tell someone is getting anxious to look around.”
    Morgan grumbled behind Jake. “Guy’s a crackpot.”
    Jake grinned and began to follow the others into the tomb, but something caught his eye near the entrance. A sign. He stopped dead. Shock and disbelief make it hard to focus. He had to read it