“What about Jack? Did they ask about him?” Dr. Turner didn’t respond. “They did.”
“Just if I’d heard of him, or if I knew where he was.”
“They’re looking.” Teague smiled. “Good.”
“What are you after?” The fear was in his voice now.
“Finding the Infinityglass has always been the ultimate goal of Chronos, our main purpose for years. We’re closer now than we’ve ever been.” Teague had an unnatural light in her eyes as she looked at the Skroll. “Jack Landers picked up the search where Liam left off.”
“You think that all you have to do is find Jack, and he’ll be able to open the Skroll up and answer all your questions?” Dr. Turner asked.
“If we can’t find the answers on our own, I believe he can be persuaded. Especially once he discovers the Skroll is in our possession.”
“What about the Hourglass?” Dr. Turner asked.
“If they find Jack for us, they’ll be fine.” She shrugged. “This isn’t a game. Sometimes myth translates into reality.”
“What if you find the Infinityglass and it doesn’t do everything you hope it will?”
“It will.” Teague held out her hand. Dr. Turner gave her the Skroll. She placed it in the top drawer of her desk and then locked it with a small silver key. “That and so much more.”
Poe and Dr. Turner exchanged a look.
“Shall Poe and I see you safely out of the building?” Teague asked Dr. Turner.
“You have that little trust in me?” Instead of sounding offended, he seemed relieved.
“I don’t trust anyone. That’s why I’m still here.” She opened the door, and she and Poe followed Dr. Turner out.
We were perfectly still for thirty seconds after they left.
“They’re gone,” Lily said. “Far enough for us to get out safely.”
We stepped out of the closet, and the hourglass made of bones started whispering to me again. I turned away. “We need to get out of here before they come back.”
“I’m not leaving empty-handed.” She was staring at the desk drawer that held the Skroll.
“How do you plan on making that happen?”
Without another word, she dug around on top of the desk until she found a paper clip. Shoving it in the lock, she wiggled it, opened the drawer, picked up the silver case, and slid it into the waistband of her pants. She took off my flannel shirt and tied the arms around her waist.
Then she looked at me, smiled, and took off toward the hall at a full run.
Chapter 24
“Forget being quiet,” Lily huffed over her shoulder, as we flew down the hall and out the front entrance of the Pyramid and into the crowd.
I spotted what looked like a tour group close to the food stands. All wearing the same shirts, broken English touched by a French accent, and a woman holding a tiny red flag above her head.
“Slow down.” I took Lily’s elbow and pulled her to my side. I’d noticed she got a lot of stares from both men and women in general, but with the appealing addition of flushed cheeks and accentuated curves, it was attention we didn’t need. “Try to blend. We’re too conspicuous if we run.”
“Let’s get good and mixed in with this crowd first.” She pulled the sleeves tight around her waist again and tied them in two knots this time. “Do you see anyone?”
I scanned the crowd. “No sign.”
“I can’t sense them.” Lily exhaled, but her body didn’t relax. Tension pulled her shoulders together, and I reached for the base of her neck to help ease it. I stopped before I touched her and shoved my hand into my pocket.
I was losing my mind.