Free The Atlantis Stone by Alex Lukeman

where things were cheap?"
    "Come to think of it, no."
    Ronnie took a package of nuts from the rack. He opened the door of the refrigerator and took out a Coke.
    "I'll have one of those," Nick said. 
    Ronnie tossed him a can. Nick popped the tab and the soda sprayed out over him.
    "Damn it, Ronnie."
    Selena smothered a laugh. "When do we head out to the ruins?"
    "Tomorrow morning. I was thinking around eight."
    "Cool. We'll have time for breakfast," Ronnie said.
    That night Nick and Selena lay in bed. A gentle breeze that smelled of seaweed and saltwater came through the open windows on the balcony. A silvery moon cast soft light into the darkened room.
    Selena lay with her head on Nick's shoulder, her arm stretched across his chest.
    "It's almost like a vacation," she said.
    "When was the last time we had a vacation?"
    "That's easy. We haven't. Every time we try, something happens and we get called back."
    "When this mission is over, we have to take time off. I'm getting burned out."
    "Me too." After a moment she said, "Do you think what we do makes a difference in the long run?"
    "The way our so-called world leaders run things? I doubt it. I'll settle for the short term."
    "I'm starting to wonder if it's worth it," Selena said.
    "Thinking about what we do reminds me of a song."
    "Which one?"
    " The Thrill is Gone . B.B. King."
    "He was singing about a lover, not a job."
    "Whatever."
    Nick turned on his side to face her.
    "I'll tell you one thing."
    "What's that?"
    He kissed her. "When I look at you, the thrill is definitely not gone."
    They didn't talk much after that.
     

CHAPTER 18
     
     
    Vysotsky summoned Valentina. Coming into his office, she saw a half empty glass of vodka on his desk. This early in the morning it meant trouble.
    "Valentina. You are looking lovely, as usual. Sit."
    Vysotsky gestured at a chair near his desk. She sat.
    "It will interest you to know the FSB has taken an interest in your sister."
    "My sister? She is in Russia?"
    "No. She's in Egypt. Volkov has sent people after her."
    "Why?"
    "She has a map he wants. Volkov sent three of his agents to America in an attempt to get it. His operatives underestimated your sister's skills."
    "She killed them?"
    "She did. Now he has a problem. She will be on full alert but it's not enough to make Volkov back off. Sending agents to Egypt means he's determined to get the information from her any way he can."
    Valentina affected indifference. "What has this got to do with me?"
    "Oh, please, Valentina. Don't pretend you don't care, I know you too well. Your sister is important to you. You demonstrated that in Vienna and Germany."
    "She is our enemy. I can't help our blood relationship. I admit, I think about her sometimes."
    "That is only natural. If I thought the situation in any way compromised your loyalty, we would not be having this kind of conversation."
    The unspoken threat was clear.
    Vysotsky continued. "I will be truthful with you. I don't know why this map is important to Volkov but I will not let him have it. I am sending you to Egypt. Try to find out why she is there."
    "What if Volkov's men do something stupid?"
    "Do not intervene unless it can't be avoided. However, Volkov must not have an opportunity to question her."
    "Am I authorized to use lethal force?"
    "Did I say that? Use your best judgment."
    He's covering his ass, in case somebody is listening. But he's not covering mine.
    "Understood."
    "Harker's people are staying at a hotel on the Mediterranean coast. You are leaving this afternoon. Do you want backup?"
    "You know I work better on my own."
    "I thought you would say that."
    Vysotsky opened a drawer, took out a flat package and pushed it across the desk at her. He ticked off the contents on his fingers.
    "Your tickets and hotel reservation. Location of the hotel where the Americans are staying. A car reservation at the airport. Money, Egyptian and American. Your passport."
    "Who am I supposed to be?"
    "You are a representative of a