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

the slab, Kady let out a loud groan. Her eyes met Jake’s, then rolled back into her head. The shock must have been too much for her.
    Before Jake could react, she swooned to the floor. Uncle Edward barely caught her before she crashed headlong into one of the display cabinets.
    On his knees, Edward cradled her. “Katherine, are you okay?”
    She nodded, blushing, holding herself up with one hand. “Sorry. It’s just so … so disgusting.”
    â€œOh, my dear,” Henry said. “I’m sorry. What was I thinking? Of course it’s too gruesome for the faint of heart.”
    Kady placed a hand to her forehead. “I could use a glass of water.”
    Henry turned. “There’s a drinking fountain by the stairs.”
    â€œI’ll get it,” Morgan said, and headed off.
    Irritated and plainly embarrassed, Kady waved everyone aside. “I need some air. A moment to collect myself.”
    Henry looked stricken and mortified. “Certainly. I have matters to attend to anyway. Again, I’m so sorry.”
    He ushered out the workers with him.
    Kady watched them leave. “Uncle Edward, I feel so stupid.” She pointed after the professor. “Please go after him. Tell him I’ll be fine. Otherwise I’ll feel terrible.”
    â€œI understand.” Edward rose to his feet. “Jake, why don’t you come with me? Give your sister some privacy.”
    â€œJake, wait!” Kady said. “You have an extra energy bar, don’t you?”
    He nodded as Edward left.
    Jake hurried back to her side, fumbling in his pocket for a granola bar. He offered it to her.
    She knocked his arm away. “Those things are disgusting.”
    â€œThen why did you—?”
    Kady hurried to her feet. “To get everyone out of here, Brainiac.”
    Now it was Jake’s turn to feel stupid. Kady had faked the entire thing so they could talk. He should have known.
    â€œWhat is a grakyl doing here?” she asked, staring down at the monster. “What does it mean?”
    â€œI don’t know. But did you notice the sign out front? The name of the exhibit sponsor. Bledsworth Sundries and Industries. They funded this tomb
and
sent thatmummy. If Morgan was telling the truth about the corporation keeping tabs on us, then they also knew we’d be here today.”
    â€œWhat are you saying?” Kady asked.
    Jake ran everything through his head and came to only one conclusion. He was suddenly all too conscious of the ticking watch against his chest.
    â€œIf someone wanted to steal Dad’s watch, a good way to get it out of hiding might be to stage a robbery attempt. Scared by the burglary, we’d be forced to take it from its hiding place and keep it with us for safekeeping.”
    Kady looked sick—and she wasn’t faking it this time. “Which is exactly what we did.”
    He nodded. “After that, all our enemy would have to do is to lure us somewhere. Set up a trap.”
    Jake stared at the four walls of the tomb. The chamber seemed to go darker as his fears grew.
    â€œWe have to get out of here,” Kady said.
    â€œBut the ankh is here. I swear I can almost feel it.”
    â€œNever mind that. We can come back later. The professor said this mummy was heading back to Egypt next week. Let’s wait until then. The ankh should still be here.”
    Kady headed around the slab toward the exit.
    Jake recognized her logic, but his heart railed against it. Still, he followed her. She was right. They needed to get out of here. Jake joined his sister at the exit. He gave onelast glance back into the dark tomb.
    That’s when he spotted it.
    He froze like a statue.
    On the far side of the slab, his eyes caught on a glint of gold. He’d missed it before, his attention drawn too quickly to the altar and its macabre offering.
    He stared into the display cabinet across the room. The object rested on the middle shelf. A