All Chapters of Just for two weeks: Chapter 101 - Chapter 110

In an alley very close to the Solemn church, Scott Beardsley pulled the Jaguar stretched limousine to a stop behind a row of industrial waste bins. Killing the engine, he checked the area. Deserted. He got out of the car, walked toward the rear, and climbed back into the limo's main cabin where the monk was. Sensing Beardsley's presence, the monk in the back emerged from a spiritual-like trance, his eyes looking more curious than fearful. All evening Beardsley had been impressed with this trussed man's ability to stay calm. After some initial struggles in the Porsche, the monk seemed to have accepted his plight and handed over his fate to a higher power. Loosening his bow tie, Beardsley unbuttoned his high, starched, wing-tipped collar and felt as if he could breathe for the first time in decades. He went to the limousine's wet bar, where he poured himself vodka. He drank it in a single swallow and followed it with a second glass. Searching the bar, Beardsley found a standard s

Beardsley was stunned. "And you know the tombs' whereabouts?""Of course. Later, I will tell you. For the moment, you must act quickly. If others figure out the true location of the tomb and leave the church before you take the cryptex, we could lose everything."Beardsley didn't give a damn about the cryptex and its contents, except the Teacher refused to pay him until it was found. Beardsley every time thought of the money he would soon have. He had pictured the beach town he saw on TV. Where he planned to live out his days basking in the sun and letting others serve him for a change.Now, however, in the church, in which Jimmy threatened to break the Archstone, Beardsley's future was at risk. Unable to bear the thought of coming this close only to lose everything, he made the decision to take bold action. The gun in his hand was a concealable small- caliber, but it would be seriously deadly at close range.Stepping from the shadows, Beardsley marched into the circular chamber and a

Jimmy felt completely spent as he and McEwan hurled a turnstile at the church tube station and dashed deep into the grimy labyrinth of tunnels and platforms. The guilt ripped through him. Beardsley's involvement had been a shock, and yet it made sense. Whoever was on the quest with them had recruited someone on the inside. Throughout history, those who held knowledge of the Archstone had always been magnets for thieves and scholars alike. The fact that Rodriguez had been a target all along should have made Jimmy feel less guilty about being involved. It did not.Jimmy followed McEwan to Western District and the circle line platform, where she hurried to pay a phone to call the police, despite Beardsley's warning to the contrary. Jimmy sat on a grungy bench nearby, feeling remorseful."The best way to help Albert," McEwan reiterated as she dialed, "is to involve the London authorities immediately. Trust me."Jimmy had not initially agreed with this idea, but as they had hatched their

Jimmy still felt shaken as he and McEwan came from the rain and entered the library. The primary research room was as Rodriguez had described it - a dramatic octagonal chamber dominated by an enormous round table with twelve flat-screen computer workstations. On the far side of the room, a reference librarian was just pouring a pot of tea and settling in for the day of work. "Good morning," she said in a beautiful British accent, leaving the tea and walking over. "May I help you?""Thank you, yes please," Jimmy replied. "My name is-""Jimmy Davis." She gave a pleasant smile. "I know who you are."For instance, he feared Romano had put him on English television as well, but the librarian's smile suggested otherwise. Jimmy had not gotten used to these moments of unexpected celebrity. Then again, if anyone on earth were going to recognize his face, it would be a Librium in a religious studies reference facility."Anita Istredd," the librarian said, offering her hand. She had a friend

Jimmy had not gotten his eyes off the computer screen since the search began. He was starting to get worried.Anita Istredd was in the adjoining room, preparing hot drinks. Jimmy and Sophie had inquired unwisely if there might be some coffee brewing alongside the tea Istredd had offered, and from the sound of the microwave beeps in the next room, Jimmy suspected their request was about to be rewarded with instant Nescafe.Finally, the computer pinged happily."Sounds like you got another," Istredd called from the next room. "What does it say?"Jimmy looked at the screen, disappointed.They sat patiently in front of the screen and waited through two more dubious returns. When the computer pinged again, nothing interesting happened.Istredd peeked back in the doorway, holding a packet of instant coffee. "You don't want the full text," Istredd called. "Click on the hypertext title. The computer will display your keyword hits along with mono prelogs and triple post logs for context."Jim