Torrent by David Meyer Read Free Book Online Page A

cracked.
    My neck twisted as his fist slammed into my jaw. I dropped the gun and fell to a knee.
    "Now, you must be—" Crowley cocked his head and I saw an earpiece lodged in his ear. "What was that?"
    Breathing rapidly, I gathered some strength.
    "But he's carrying … listen to me, Emily. We can't take—"
    I sprang to my feet. My left arm circled his waist. He gasped as my shoulder smashed into his belly.
    He swung his fist at me. I grabbed it. Pushed it into the air.
    Grunting loudly, he tried to spin away. But I held on tight and dragged him to the ground. He went for a knife. I grabbed my machete.
    Uneasily, we stared at each other. Then a faint whisper emanated from his earpiece. Moments later, he shoved the knife back into his belt. "You can keep your weapons. We're done … for now."
    "Not quite." I swung my free fist. It crashed into his stomach and he inhaled sharply. "Now, we're done."
    He took a few breaths. His eyes glinted dangerously. "This isn't over."
    "I'm not going anywhere."
    His gaze hardened. Then he took a few steps back and walked away.
    Graham hobbled to my side. "What the hell was that?"
    I picked up my gun. "I think we're about to find out."
    The chopper door opened again. A woman emerged. She was a few inches shorter than me. Her dirty blonde hair was tied tightly behind her head. Her shoulders were shapely and symmetrical.
    She wore black leggings, which showcased her toned legs. A long sleeve white shirt, topped off by a short sleeve black shirt, covered her torso. Underneath her clothes, her body looked ultra-tight. A trail runner perhaps? Definitely an athlete.
    She hopped to the ground with ease. As she walked toward me, I saw she had a tiny nose and big brown eyes, which gave her a pixie-like look. "Hello, Cyclone."
    It was the old I know your name and you don't know mine trick. I'd used it once or twice myself. "Call me Cy."
    "I'm Emily Foxx." She spoke fast and easy, with no sign of an accent. "I'm the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Arclyon Corporation."
    "Doesn't ring a bell."
    "I'd be surprised if it did."
    "Well, I don't care who you are. This is an archaeological site and your little machine here," I nodded at the helicopter, "threatens the integrity of the dig."
    Her eyes flitted to the collapsed tomb. "Integrity, huh?"
    "This site is under the jurisdiction of the INAH," Graham said. "Unless you've got permission to be here, you'll have to leave."
    "I've got permission. After all, this is my dig."
    I arched an eyebrow.
    "You look skeptical."
    "That's because I am." I nodded at Miranda. "It's her site."
    "She might be in charge of it. But she works for me."
    I glanced at Miranda.
    "Remember that diary I mentioned?" Miranda said. "Well, she owns it."
    "Hope's diary has been passed down in my family for years," Emily said. "I got it when I was a little girl. I used to read it every night and wonder if this place really existed."
    I recovered quickly from my initial shock. "Well, now you know."
    She smiled lightly.
    I glanced at Miranda. "So, how do you fit into this picture? Wait. Let me guess. The INAH is stingy over dig sites, especially with outsiders. That's why Mexico's got hundreds of unearthed ruins. Everyone knows where to find them, but no one's allowed to dig them up. The two of you came to an arrangement. She agreed to fund the excavation. You agreed to get it past the INAH as well as manage it."
    "You're close," Miranda replied. "But I only agreed to work for her after she reached an agreement with the INAH."
    I swiveled toward Emily. "They gave you access?"
    "They usually do for friends of the Presidente de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos ," she replied.
    "You know President Bustamante?"
    "I dined with him last night at Los Pinos ."
    Los Pinos was Mexico's version of the White House. I gave Emily a close look. She didn't seem like the political type. Nor did she appear especially wealthy. Her clothes were stylish but not expensive. She didn't wear jewelry. And her