For archaeologist and TV host Annja Creed, a late-night phone call from the NYPD means one thing: there's been a murder and the police need her expertise. The only link between a dead body and the killer is a small elephant of white jade. An artifact that's gone missing.
Once belonging to Catherine the Great of Russia, the elephant was key in a risky political gambit all those years ago. But there is another story attached to the artifact—a rumor of an ancient hidden treasure. And for a cruelly ambitious media mogul with a penchant for tomb-raiding, the elephant is nothing short of priceless.
Annja must make her move quickly, traveling across several continents with only the assistance of her extraordinary sword—purportedly the same sword wielded by Joan of Arc—and a mysterious temple monk. It's a deadly battle of wits, and one wrong move could mean game over.
and also worked as a curator for the national museum. Annja took out her tablet and tapped in Rao’s name, quickly locating several papers he’d written on Cambodian history ranging from the country’s pre-history through the Khmer Rouge. Many of those papers included a photograph of Nguyen that matched the man in the interview room. “Is he legit?” Bart peered over Annja’s shoulder as she skimmed through the papers Rao had written. “He is, if these papers are all truly his work and not part of a
wager that was going to be her destination. The cold wind raced around Annja and made her put her hands in the duster pockets. The cop squeezed the handitalker clipped to his left shoulder. “This is Sergeant Vasari outside. I got Annja Creed here for Detective McGilley.” He listened for a moment, then turned his attention to Annja. “You can go on in, Ms. Creed. They’re waiting for you.” Annja nodded. “You might want to watch yourself up there.” Vasari grimaced. “Heard this one was messy.”
TO DO WITH PLINY THE ELDER’S QUOTE ABOUT THE ELEPHANT BEING THE ONLY ANIMAL NEARLY AS SMART AS A MAN. ALEXANDER WAS TRAINED BY THE GREEKS, AND HE CONQUERED A LOT OF TERRITORY WHERE INDIAN ELEPHANTS WOULD APPEAR. MAYBE LOOK IN THOSE AREAS? OR AT ALEXANDER? greekguy@greekguy.gre Annja wrote a quick note of thanks, but knew the subject matter was too broad. She’d already thought of those possibilities. She needed something that would narrow down the hunt, give her more of a true target. She moved
recognize Nguyen Rao until the man slammed his staff into the back of the nearest man’s head. Reversing the staff, he took a two-handed grip on it and swung, connecting with the forehead of the man to the left of the first man he’d felled. The gunman’s eyes glazed and he fell backward, out on his feet. Rao’s arrival threw the capture team off guard and they tried to set themselves to address the new threat. He whirled the staff, spinning it in his hands, then knocked one man’s front foot from
and searched helplessly for any sign of Annja Creed. Many people walked along the shop-lined street. None of them were Annja Creed or her companions. Sequeira felt helpless. He’d lost. She had the Elephant, the Maze and her freedom. His phone buzzed for attention. He peered at the screen, seeing the text from Brisa. THORN HAS BREACHED THE MONKS’ COMPUTERS IN PHNOM PENH. WHEN NGUYEN TALKS TO THEM AGAIIN, AND HE WILL, WE CAN TRACK HIM. WE CAN STILL FIND THEM. Sequeira smiled, and the deep
