SHE SAW THEY LEFT the hotel and headed to the Archaeological Museum. She recognized the master immediately, which didn't surprise her at all. It was clear he knew Gregory Evans, so she made the connection with the architect friend of his who went by the name of Umbert Monroe. They must have been the same person.
Her hand gripped the short-barreled firearm firmly, pressing the barrel against the back of the agent's neck, reminding him that she wouldn't hesitate to shoot at his slightest movement. She glanced sideways at Antônia. She looked devastated. The fact that she'd misjudged her was slowly destroying her emotionally.
Nothing he had told her about the Ark satisfied her as much as watching it fail.
You thought you were very important... you are, aren't you? Sephy thought with deep contempt.
A strong odor of blood and gunpowder accelerated her heartbeat. She glanced to her right. The corpse beside her remained in the same position and would remain so for some time. Throwing him out of the car was a possibility, but that would give Eric time, who would seize any distraction to surprise her. She was certain he hid a gun somewhere, perhaps under the seat.
— Who is the man accompanying you? — Antonia asked, hoping the young German woman would be able to tell him.
— His name is The Master, and he's the Grand Master of the order that hired me to kill the paleographer and the auction house director. I believe, however, that his real name is Umbert Monroe, my supposed father, whom you were going to free from his kidnappers. —
He couldn't help it: he started laughing.
— So it was you! — the cryptographer concluded through gritted teeth, realizing the truth, then raising her irritated voice and saying, — And here I thought you were a fragile, frightened young woman, when it was all just a farce!
— Don't be grumpy. It's very common... — There was a touch of vanity in her voice. — My greatest strategy is to appear innocent. They never expect death to have a girl's face.
— And what do you plan to do with us?
There was no response. The German woman remained silent, unwilling to continue speaking, but she was certain of one thing: she had to get rid of the agent as soon as possible. Not surprisingly, she had been trained to resolve incidents that could jeopardize her mission. This meant she would eliminate the girl if there was even the slightest possibility. She had to put an end to this latent threat.