The Serpent’s Curse. Tony Abbott

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      “Which is very good,” Wade’s father added. “Their extensive team of investigators is fanning out across the continent.”

      “Really good!” said Darrell. “This is soooo good!”

      “From this moment on, I will be the go-between for the detectives and you,” Terence said. “Now, what did you learn at the Morgan?”

      “Maxim Grek.”

      “Serpens.”

      “Russia.”

      That’s what Wade and the others told his father and Terence. Both men countered their arguments here and there, and the kids countered back. This went on during their three-course brunch, until both men agreed that, given the evidence, they were very likely on the right track.

      “Russia,” Roald said finally. “As soon as Galina finds out, and she will find out, she’ll bring Sara to Russia, too. If we have no other leads, then Russia is a start. Don’t travel visas take several days to get?”

      Julian glanced at his father. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking? Comrade Boris?”

      Terence seemed strangely reluctant, then nodded. “I think so, yes. There is a man. A Russian fellow. His name is Boris Volkov. He’s lived in London for the past few years. I think you should fly there first and see him. He can likely be of help to you.”

      “Likely?” said Becca.

      “Volkov is a scholar of languages and a historian of Russia’s medieval period,” Terence said. “I met him when I was writing a book about the treasure the Crusaders brought back from the Middle East. He knows a lot about the Order, perhaps the Guardians, too. Whether he is an agent of one or the other, I can’t say. He’s quite cagey about what he reveals. But he may be able to help you get into Russia quickly and aid you while you’re there. Boris Volkov seems to have … connections.”

      “Well, we can’t afford—” Wade’s father began.

      Terence waved his hand to stop him. “Think no more about that. I told you, my resources are yours. Since you don’t have the authorities on your side, the Ackroyd Foundation will bankroll your continued travels. I’ll do everything in my power to help you get Sara back safely and find the relic.”

      “Awesome,” said Lily, smiling at both Ackroyds. “Thank you, again.”

      Wade’s father took a breath, then raised his eyes to the two girls. “There’s … something else,” he said. “Becca, I called your mother this morning, and Lily, your dad, about you going home or going on. You both need to call your parents, not at home, but on their cell phones.”

      Becca’s face fell. “What is it? Oh, I should have answered when I got the call last night. I didn’t want to. What’s happening—”

      Roald held up his hands. “Everyone is fine, they’re fine, and in fact Paul Ferrere has already alerted his people in Austin. But there was an incident at Maggie’s school the other day, and Lily, your father was followed home from work. Nothing happened, nothing at all, but as of this morning, both of your families have been relocated temporarily.”

      Lily held one hand over her mouth as she dug furiously for her phone.

      Becca did the same. “Maggie, Maggie, I should have answered!”

      For the next few minutes, both girls were sitting at different tables, glued to their cell phones, deep in conversation with their parents, while Terence filled in the details.

      “The stinking Order,” Darrell grumbled.

      “Dad—” Wade started.

      “I already talked to your mother,” his father said, assuring him. “She’s fine and traveling in Mexico. She doesn’t appear to be on their radar at all.”

      A weight had been lifted, but Wade realized it had been days since he had spoken with her. “I’ll call her right after this.”

      “Basically,” Terence said, “it’s best for none of you to return to Austin until we’re sure of what we are dealing with. The Order could simply be flexing its muscles. I have no doubt that whatever they are doing comes from Galina herself, but my feeling is that she won’t want to spread herself too thin with actions as intimidating as doing anything to the girls’ families. Her empire is huge. She will need to focus it.”

      Wade shared a look with Darrell, who muttered something about Galina that Wade knew he probably shouldn’t repeat. That was when his father produced a narrow silver tube from his pocket. It was the size of a fat ballpoint.

      “It’s a stun gun,” he said. “A miniature Taser. Totally legal. The investigators gave one to me.”

      “Do we each get one?” asked Darrell.

      “Absolutely not. And it’s for defense only.”

      “A little something,” said Terence. “It can be handy in tight quarters, without being a dangerous weapon.”

      Minutes later, Lily returned, wiping her cheeks. “They’re all right. Way upset, with, like, a million questions, but they don’t think I should be there right now.” She started crying again behind her hands. “I’m sorry.” Darrell put his arm around her shoulders, and she leaned into him.

      Becca came back to the table looking like a zombie, blinking tears away from her eyes, unable to sit down. “Maggie’s okay, worried like crazy. My parents, too, but they said I should stay with you. I never even thought of going home, and now I really want to, but I guess I should stay. I don’t know.”

      Lily pulled away from Darrell and put her hand on Becca’s wrist, and Becca sat. It was like that for a long while, everyone quiet, eyes down, not knowing what to say.

      Wade once more remembered his dream of the cave: Becca lying lifeless on the floor. Then the way Markus Wolff had stared at her in San Francisco. He suddenly feared that Becca might be in some particular kind of danger, but he still didn’t know how to express it. He just gazed at her, then at Lily, then at Becca again.

      Finally, dishes were removed and dessert came, and that seemed to reset things.

      “Is Boris Volkov a friend of yours?” Roald asked over a final coffee.

      “No, not a friend,” Terence said, waving a waiter over and asking for the check. “But he’s useful. Listen to what he has to say. He knows many people in Russia who may be able to help you. However, I wouldn’t entirely trust him. Boris doesn’t do anything for nothing.”

      Wade felt uneasy to hear those words. But he hoped that the mysterious Russian would shed light on the relic’s whereabouts. At the very least, the family was, as his father had hoped, moving forward.

       To Russia. To the second relic … and Sara.

      “In the meantime,” Julian said, “Dad and I will focus on finding out what we can from our side. The instant we discover anything, we’ll call you.”

      “Night or day,” Roald said, looking around at the children.

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