Drake Sisters 03 - Oceans of Fire

Romanovs were driven to the chosen burial site. It was a spot just north of Ekaterinburg. That particular area was mostly swamp, peat bogs and abandoned mine shafts. The guards stripped the bodies and all valuables were taken. Through accounts from those present we know that several pounds of diamonds were found on the bodies. Several versions of the story related that the empress was wearing or had the necklace on her person and it was removed by one of the guards, but the necklace was never turned over to the government. If it was found on the family, it was taken and kept in hiding.”
    “Where has it been all this time?” Abigail asked. Her voice was tight, her throat constricted and raw.
    She kept her gaze forward, not wanting to look at him and see knowledge in his eyes. He knew her too well, knew there was nothing casual about her reaction to him.
    “Good question. Before I get too excited, I want to have it authenticated.”
    Abigail stopped so abruptly Joley nearly ran into her. “I can’t tell whether this is a cave-in or whether I’ve hit a wall and the entrance to Kate’s set of stairs is somewhere close.” She shone the light across the rock wall.
    Joley shivered. “Find it fast, Abbey.”
    Aleksandr rested his hand briefly on Joley’s shoulder. “It’s here, no doubt about it,” he said with absolute conviction.
    “How do you know?” Joley asked.
    It was Abigail who answered. “Because someone is using the caves below and these stairs to smuggle something into the country. Probably whatever Aleksandr and his partner were trailing. That means there has to be a way to the surface.”
    “She’s right, Joley,” Aleksandr agreed. “Just a few more minutes and we’ll be out of here.”
    “Do you think whoever shot at us is still there?”
    Abigail laughed. “You’ve got a hopeful note in your voice. You’re not going to get the chance to shoot anybody. I’m sure Jonas is already on the scene and the gunman is long gone. Hannah and Elle probably drove him away with the seagulls.”
    “Well, that just sucks. I haven’t had my morning tea and I was driven into the icy cold sea and crammed underground with tons of rocks over my head. Vengeance is the only solution that is going to make me feel any better.”
    “Why hasn’t anyone recruited you yet?” Aleksandr asked. “There, Abbey. The break is right there. See how the rock has that enormous crack? It isn’t natural. Step back in case it has some sort of trap.”
    “I’d make a great Interpol agent,” Joley said. “I’m so anonymous.” She managed a quick grin at her sister.

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    “Actually Joley would make an excellent agent,” Abbey said with pride. “She’s cool under fire and she’s very good at martial arts. She thinks on her feet and even when something is difficult for her, like this, she still does it.” She stepped back, crowding close to her sister as she ran her fingers along the top and bottom of the crack. “There’s a catch here.“
    “Let me get it,” Aleksandr ordered.
    “There’s no room,” Abigail pointed out. “We can’t switch positions in here.” Her fingers found a pin holding the weighted slab in place. The moment she pulled it, the door began to swing open, creaking and groaning as it did so. She heard Joley catch her breath and reached back to take her hand. “Almost to Kate’s mill, Joley,” she promised.
    “More rock over my head. It’s kind of like a tomb.” Joley shuddered. “Let’s just hurry fast.”
    “Wait, Abbey, don’t go in,” Aleksandr warned. “I’ll go first.”
    “We came in through the stairs leading down to the sea from the mill,” Abigail said. “Don’t you think if someone was going to set a trap they’d have done it by now?”
    “The optimum place is right where you’re about to step.” His voice had turned from a rich mellow tone to steel. “They can’t rig the staircase in the mill because your sister or someone working there legitimately might get hurt and there would be an investigation. A diver might discover the cave and try to go up the stairs to see how far they lead up the cliff. It’s only this area they need to protect. This is their escape route and the route to the main highway where they can easily transport whatever they’ve brought into the country.”
    Abigail immediately flattened herself against the wall. “Joley, can you make yourself really