Page 46 of Forever a Thief

We both press our ears to it, and an eerie crying sound seems to come from within.

“I don’t understand.”

“I found two references in the pages Voss had copied. The first mention’s a peacock’s weeping tail. The second is a well-known line where the Cheshire Cat talks about how everyone in Wonderland is mad. But the word mad was changed to sad: ‘...we’re all sad here. I’m sad. You’re sad.’ Then Alice asks how he knows she’s sad, and he responds ‘you wouldn’t be weeping if you weren’t.’” Savvy lifts her opposite hand and knocks on the post. “Some people think this column is hollow.”

Finally, the pieces come together. Hollow! A perfect hiding place. “You’re brilliant, chérie!” I declare as Addie and Brighton appear.

“What’s going on?” Addie asks. “Do you really know where it is?”

“Savvy thinks it’s inside this column,” I tell them.

Brighton’s head drops back, studying the top which connects to the brick ceiling. “How are we supposed to get inside? It looks sealed tight.”

“I think our best bet is to drill through,” Addie muses.

“Where the hell are we going to get a drill?” I ask, feeling panic setting in.

“This is why you work with a team, Laurent.” Addie pats my shoulder and calls out, “Hey, Diamond Man, bring your gear over here.”

Ryder hustles over and, for the first time, I notice the backpack he’s wearing. “What do you need, Boss?”

“Need you to drill a hole through the bottom of this pillar and see if there’s a sapphire necklace hidden inside.” Addie touches Savannah’s arm. “Hang in there.”

Ryder immediately squats, sliding the pack off his shoulders. But instead of opening it, he studies the intricate designs on the pole. Brow furrowed in concentration, he runs his hand over a raised “eye” and pulls on it.

“What’re you doing?” I ask.

“I don’t think whoever hid this wanted anyone to actually deface or destroy an ancient ruin. Know what I mean?” He drops down on his belly. “Maybe…” His voice trails off as he starts trying different notches, attempting to twist them off.

All at once, we know exactly what he means, and everyone starts trying to turn the “eyes.” The column is covered in them, but if we can find the right one, then we can reach inside. With five of us working fast, it’s not long before we find it.

“Jackpot.” Ryder grins up at us, holding the bottom-most eye in his hand. “It twisted right off. Now let’s see what all the fuss is about. Who’d like to stick their hand inside and do the honors?”

“Go ahead,” Brighton says.

“Need a smaller hand than mine to do the job. Ladies?”

“I’ll do it,” Savannah offers and lowers down to the ground beside Ryder. Leaning forward, she slides her hand through the opening, and I’m holding my breath. If The Heart of Azure is in there, then all of this will finally be over. We’ll trade the sapphire for the antidote, and Savvy will be fine.

As she shoves her arm inside up to her elbow, I kneel down next to her and lay my hand on her shoulder. Moment of truth. No matter what happens, I want her to know I’m right here by her side.

“Anything?” I ask, ready to tear this whole damn column down with my bare hands.

“Ohmygod,” she whispers, then slowly pulls her hand out to reveal a velvet bag.

“Open it, chérie,” I urge her.

Everyone hovers over us as she loosens the drawstrings. She flips the opened bag, and the famed diamond and sapphire necklace slithers right into her waiting palm. I can’t believe my eyes. It’s the fucking Heart of Azure. While the twelve-year-old in me is enthralled, the man in me is ready to barter for Savvy’s life.

Not wasting a second, I help Savannah up. As she hands the necklace to me, I don’t miss the way she wobbles, clutching my arm. “I’ve got you,” I tell her as we start back to the others.

“Well?” Voss demands, still a pompous prick, even with a gun pointed at his face. “Did you find it?”

I lift the arm not wrapped around Savannah’s waist, and dangle The Heart of Azure in front of him like a piece of cheese. Let’s just hope this rat takes the bait.

When he reaches for it, I jerk it out of his reach. “The antidote.”

“It’s back at my apartment, locked up in the safe.”