The Anubis Plague полностью

There would be no firearms here. There was no need. If they got caught, Zahra wasn’t about to shoot her way out of custody. The only means of self-defense would be her SOG knife. It was currently strapped to her right thigh, right where her Glock typically sat. Vincenzo also carried a knife, but he carried one for a very different reason, especially when he went on dives.

“There are sharks.”

“What kind?” Zahra had asked.

“Many varieties, including great whites.”

Zahra sighed. “Just wonderful.”

“Do not fear, Signorina. They are rarely ever spotted. We should be safe.”

Should be? Zahra shoved the statement aside. “First of all, I never said I was scared. Secondly, great whites aren’t what Hollywood says they are. They hardly ever attack people unless they get confused or startled.” Vincenzo seemed pleased with Zahra’s confidence, and her knowledge. “Bull sharks,” she shuddered, “those are the real nasties.”

“Quite true,” Vincenzo nodded. “Luckily, we don’t have them here.”

That Zahra didn’t know, and quite frankly, it was good to hear. She didn’t like the ocean. She wasn’t a fan of open water — period. Not knowing what swam directly below your kicking feet was nerve-wracking. Even a large, freshwater body bothered her deeply. It didn’t mean that Zahra wasn’t an accomplished diver. She just loathed doing it.

“I’ve been meaning to ask… Why are we doing this in broad daylight?”

Zahra figured they would have to wait until nightfall but hadn’t pushed the point since she needed to leave as soon as possible. If Vincenzo was confident that they could pull this off, even though it would account to theft, then Zahra was willing to give it a go. The wreck was a protected site. Just touching it could land them in serious trouble with Italian authorities. Not even the nice people of Levanzo could turn a blind eye to it.

With his mask resting high on his forehead, Vincenzo threw his tank over one shoulder and collected his fins. Zahra stopped him.

“Okay, time to cut to the chase. What the hell am I doing out here? What does this wreck hold that is so important to you?”

Vincenzo had been very vague, and for good reason. If their roles were reversed, Zahra wouldn’t have spilled the beans too early, either. Say she refused to help him, now she was a liability and knew of his plan.

“It is not for me.”

“Who is it for?”

“A couple months ago, a man came to Levanzo — a man of great wealth. He said he was interested in the ship, but not for its historical value. He—”

“He wants its cargo,” Zahra finished.

“Precisely.”

“What is its cargo?”

Vincenzo almost looked embarrassed to divulge what he was holding back. But he did. “Wine.”

“Wine? You’re kidding me, right?”

He shook his head. “No. This man — he said his name was Giorgio, though I am not sure if it is his real name, or not. He offered me a great sum of money per amphora recovered.”

Amphorae were terracotta containers used by ancient Greeks and Romans to hold various types of liquid — in this case — wine. They were tall with oval bodies and had two handles while also sporting a narrow neck. If the ones here were still properly sealed after hundreds of years of being submerged, then it was very likely that there would be liquid inside, though it wouldn’t be drinkable wine. The contents would be closer to vinegar by now. It didn’t make them any less valuable to the right people.

Whoever Giorgio was, he was obviously a collector with too much money. Stuff like this would prove to be more as a status symbol than anything else. Then again, he wouldn’t be able to share it with anyone without bringing unwanted attention to himself. The wine jars would do nothing more than stroke his ego.

“How much did he offer?” Zahra asked, her interest piqued.

Vincenzo’s eyes dipped to the earth, and he nonchalantly kicked at a small loose rock with his foot. “One million euros each.”

Zahra nearly choked on her own air. “Holy shit…”

“Yes, that was my reaction as well.”

Something still didn’t add up. “Why wait until now to go after them?”

He tipped his head backward to the land behind him. “‘Levanzo’ is the problem. Everybody knows everybody. I was frightened to ask anyone here for help. What if they decide to turn me in to the authorities? I would lose everything!”

Zahra put the rest together. “So, in walks an outsider with the means and ability to get the job done, and you pounced on the opportunity to change your life.”

“Precisely, yes. I had to wait for the right person. You, Signorina, are that person. I knew it from the first time I laid eyes on you.” His eyes traced a line up and down her tight, hot pink form. “And it just so happens that the excavation crew is gone for a few days while their main pump is being repaired. Luck is truly on our—”

“Hey!” she interrupted. “I’m not your ex. Ogle me again, and I’ll drown you.”

He swallowed and laughed nervously. “Yes, well, shall we?”