Free The Decrypter: Secret of the Lost Manuscript (Calla Cress Techno Thriller Series: Book 1) by Rose Sandy

by King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon, Calla could just imagine the respect that it once drew in ancient Babylon.  They plodded past the main Processional Way leading to the Gate and swept right through.  Their pace had slowed down, perhaps a gift from Eichel noticing her amazement at the display.
    “Your first visit to the Pergamon?”
    Calla’s focus had been on the exhibitions.  She’d hardly detected the dipping of her jaw.  A little embarrassed, she closed her lips.  “Coming here always seems like the first time,” she said.
    Eichel unlocked a concealed door at the end of the gallery.  Calla had not noticed the hidden entrance, invisible to the untrained eye.  Through the door, a flurry of museum officials and police investigators sat at low tables examining notes and photographs.  Stuffy and crowded, Calla presumed it was the main surveillance room. 
    The walls were lined with flat monitors displaying every inch of the museum. 
    She recognized some of the security systems, having advised the British Museum security team on safe, unobtrusive methods of protecting displayed Italic and Etruscan antiquities.  For now, the room served as the temporary headquarters for this investigation.
    The officers acknowledged Eichel’s authoritative presence and carried on about their work. 
    Something must’ve gone on here yesterday. Calla refused to believe that a simple theft had caused the commotion as Bierman had explained. 
    Eichel ambled to an adjacent room before proceeding down a dimly lit stairway that led to a lower level. 
    She tailed him, wondering if coming here had been a good idea, but the marvel in the next room changed her mind altogether.  
    Her eyes gaped at the sight of an immense vault, the size of a high school gymnasium.  Filled to the brim, the space boasted ancient Egyptian art, sculptures from archaic Hellenistic ages, to artwork from Greek and Roman antiquity, mosaics, bronzes, jewelry and pottery. 
    One wall stored Islamic works covering the entire region of Spain to India from the eighth to the nineteenth centuries and several other precious priceless items awaiting display. 
    Calla breathed in the mesmerizing sight.  If only Allegra could see this room!
    She glanced around.  When’s he going to get to the meat of the tour?
    Rubbing her arms rigorously, she held them in an embrace for warmth.  “Listen, do you know where Allegra Driscoll is?”
    Eichel marched ahead and halted by a worktable. 
    She read the label.
     
    PRIAM
     
    The table itself was empty.
     

 
     
    CHAPTER FIVE
     
     
    1:15 A.M.
    Berlin
     
    “I wish I knew, Frau Cress.” Raimund faced her for the first time since entering the room. 
    A perplexed look crossed Calla’s face.  “Herr Eichel, I’m really worried.  I’ve not heard a word from Allegra all day.  It’s not like her not to be in touch.  We had an appointment to meet here today.”
    Eichel rested his frame against the aluminum table. 
    Calla sought to get to the point.  “The hotel informed me she ordered a limousine for the Pergamon first thing this morning.”
    Eichel peered past her, back the way they’d come.  When he was certain they were not being overheard, he motioned for Calla to sit down. 
    She sank into one of the workstation chairs. 
    “My police officers are not privy to the information I’m about to reveal.  So, I need your cooperation.”
    “How well do you know Frau Driscoll?” he asked.
    Calla shrugged her shoulders.  “We’re colleagues.  I’ve known her close to seven years.”  She thought for a few seconds.  “She’s a good friend.”
    Eichel took a seat beside her.  He studied her face and leaned forward, his voice hovering in soft tones.  “She was here.  In fact, she was the last person to be seen with Priam’s Treasure.” He took a deliberate pause.  “And, with the Deveron Manuscript.”
    “Are you saying both have gone missing?” asked Calla.
    He stood up and veered to the