It was a beautiful spring day. Annja was curious to see what it would bring. Southwood had informed them that the Genoa Mine had been sealed up by the parks commission more than fifty years earlier and he thought the chances were good that Parker’s hiding place remained untouched, all these years later.

“Are we ready, Annja?” Doug asked.

She glanced at Southwood, got a nod of agreement and said, “Ready as we’ll ever be.”

“All right, then, let’s get the show on the road.”

Annja winked at Southwood, then stepped over to where the cameraman was waiting. She took the microphone from his hand, and set herself up in the spot they had chosen, with the mountains rising in the distance behind her. The cameraman counted down and gave her the signal to begin. Annja looked directly at the camera, smiled and began talking.

“Welcome once again to Chasing History’s Monsters. Today we’re in search of a monster of a different kind, a treasure of legendary proportions and, if all goes well, we hope to share the rediscovery of this important historical find with you as it happens.”

Annja let the familiar rhythms of the show wash over her and gradually the smile she’d put on her face for theatrical purposes shifted into something more genuine. She’d worked hard to follow the clues Captain Parker had left behind and even though she knew they wouldn’t find anything, with the fruition of her quest close at hand, she couldn’t help but be excited to see it through to the end.

Annja thought about the note she’d received from Garin Braden after he’d flown back to Europe.

Thanks for the adventure! I’ll consider the gold as payment for the expense I went to in order to rescue you. Until next time.

G.

She’d been angry at first but then she realized she’d never cared about the treasure for its monetary value, only for its historical value. And she had been able to find it, even if she didn’t get to keep it or share her discovery with the rest of the world. She’d just have to add it to the list of secrets she tried to keep about herself, Roux and Garin.

But even as she struck out on the trail following Southwood toward the hidden location of the Genoa Mine, Annja couldn’t help but wonder where her next adventure might take her and what dangerous activities might be lying in wait for her there, as well.

ISBN: 978-1-4592-1600-6

CRADLE OF SOLITUDE

Special thanks and acknowledgment to

Joe Nassise for his contribution to this work.

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