Page 59 of Johan. (Van Den Bosch #8)

“I see your excavation went well,” Loki remarks, inspecting the artifacts with an aloof air. He moves with deliberate slowness, his gaze intense as he examines each piece.

Before I can say a word, Ludovic steps in. “Indeed. We’ve got wonderful jewels, golden coins, and so much more from the ancient city of Ubar. You know these pieces are invaluable—Ubar no longer exists, making these artifacts irreplaceable. At auction, their worth would skyrocket.”

Loki’s team begins to confirm the authenticity of each artifact.

They work with quiet efficiency, using tools and instruments to examine the pieces closely.

Loki then sits down at a low coffee table, signaling for everyone else to join him.

Ludovic and I take our seats, and the air thickens with tension.

Loki leans back, his eyes scanning the room with a mixture of satisfaction and impatience. "These artifacts," he begins, gesturing towards the table, "are indeed remarkable. But let's talk numbers.”

Ludovic smiles, leaning forward slightly. “Of course. Given their provenance and the fact that Ubar no longer exists…we’re looking at a starting bid of three million.”

Loki raises an eyebrow, a small smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "Three million? That's steep, even for pieces of this caliber. I was thinking more along the lines of two million.”

Ludovic chuckles softly, shaking his head. "Loki, you know as well as I do that these artifacts are worth every penny. At auction, they could easily fetch five million or more. Three million is a fair price considering their historical significance and condition.”

Loki's gaze shifts to the artifacts, his fingers drumming lightly on the armrest of his chair. He studies them intently as if weighing their worth against his own inner calculations. “Two point five million, and that's my final offer.”

Ludovic leans back, his eyes meeting Loki's. He lets the silence stretch, creating a moment of palpable tension. “Two point eight million, and we'll call it a deal. These pieces are exceptional, and you won't find their like again.”

Loki sighs, then nods slowly. "Two point eight it is, then.

" He signals to one of his assistants, who hands him a checkbook.

Loki writes the check with a flourish, his pen moving swiftly and confidently.

He tears it off and hands it over to Ludovic.

"Next time we meet, I want to see the Star of Ubar. Nothing more, nothing less.”

Ludovic smiles, pocketing the check. “Patience, my friend. We shall find it soon.”

Loki stands, his demeanor cool and commanding. “I hope so. Clients aren’t as patient as we wish." He turns to his team, who begin packing the artifacts into hard cases with practiced precision, each movement careful and deliberate.

As they prepare to leave, Loki glances at me. His eyes, though hidden behind the tinted glasses, seem to assess me thoroughly. “Keep up the good work, Johan. We'll need your expertise to find the Star.”

I nod, trying to mask my unease. “Thank you.”

Ludovic and I watch as Loki and his team leave the room, the tension finally beginning to dissipate.

I sit there, stunned and livid. I can’t believe I just witnessed Ludovic selling historical artifacts to what seems to be a treasure hunter instead of having them displayed in a museum.

Amelia had always been right about Ludovic's true intentions.

Now, more than ever, I understand the urgency and importance of finding the Star of Ubar.

I need to find it before anyone else does, and when I do, I will finally get the revenge I deserve.

After selling the jewelry to Loki, the exchange wrapped in shadows and whispered promises, Ludovic and I head to The Savoy Hotel.

As we sit in the back of the car, the city lights blur past, and I struggle to process everything that just happened.

I witnessed a criminal activity unfold right under my eyes—artifacts meant for museums, sold in secret to an underground market dealer.

The weight of what I've seen is almost suffocating.

Ludovic leans back in his seat, looking entirely at ease, as if he hadn't just orchestrated an illegal transaction.

I, on the other hand, feel the tension coiling in my muscles, my mind replaying every detail.

The dimly lit room, the glint of the gold bracelets and jeweled necklace as they exchanged hands, Loki's calculating gaze—each memory is sharp and jarring.

Ludovic's smooth negotiation, his blend of charm and menace, was unsettling.

The ease with which he operated in this dark world left me feeling both awed and horrified.

“Fancy a drink?” Ludovic asks as we pull up to The Savoy, his tone casual, betraying none of the night's tension.

I shake my head, feigning fatigue. “I’m too jet-lagged. I’d rather sleep.”

He studies me for a moment, then nods. “Alright. Get some rest. Good night.”

“Good night,” I reply, turning towards the elevator. The ride up feels interminable, my mind racing with everything I need to do. When I finally reach my room, I waste no time.

Inside, I lock the door and immediately begin transferring the photos, videos, and voice recordings to my phone. Each file is a piece of the puzzle, the proof we need to bring Ludovic down. Once they’re all uploaded, I send them to Hannah with a brief message: Got the proof. Urgent.

Almost instantly, my phone rings. It’s Hannah.

“Johan, what is all this?” she asks, her voice a mixture of confusion and concern.

“These are the proofs we need to arrest Ludovic for his crimes,” I explain, my voice steady. “You need to talk to Dean Pembroke first thing in the morning. Tell Pembroke to call me. Ludovic is completely roasted.”

She’s silent for a moment, absorbing the gravity of what I’ve just said. I can almost hear her mind racing through the possibilities and implications. “Tell me about the library and the meeting with this dealer,” she finally says, her voice more controlled now, but still tinged with worry.

I take a deep breath, recounting the events slowly.

“The library was like something out of a spy novel. Ludovic led me through a secret passage hidden behind a bookcase. It was filled with ancient texts and artifacts, all meticulously organized. He explained that this was the heart of our operation, where we’d finalize our plans. ”

Hannah listens intently, the occasional sound of her breathing the only indication she’s still on the line. “And the meeting with Loki?” she prompts.

“That was the real eye-opener,” I continue.

“We met in a dimly lit room, and Ludovic conducted the transaction with a level of smoothness that was chilling. He handed over the gold bracelets and the jeweled necklace, all while maintaining this facade of calm professionalism. It was like watching a master at work, but knowing it was all illegal.”

There’s a pause, and then Hannah speaks again, her voice firm. “Johan, I want to see you. Where are you staying?”

“It’s not safe, Hannah,” I protest, the urgency in my voice clear.

“What’s your room number?” she persists, desperation creeping into her tone. “I can be discreet.”

“As much as I want to see you, I’m serious when I tell you it’s not safe. Ludovic is sleeping in the same hotel. If he recognizes you…” I trail off, the potential consequences flashing through my mind.

“Fine,” she says, and I can almost see her biting her lip in frustration. “I’ll show the evidence to the Dean tomorrow morning and ask him to call you right away.”

“Thank you, Hannah,” I say softly, feeling a pang of guilt for putting her in this position. “I love you.”

“I love you more,” she replies, her voice warm despite the situation.

There’s a moment of silence, a shared understanding of the gravity of our situation before she hangs up.

I sit on the edge of the bed, the weight of the day pressing down on me.

The enormity of what’s to come is daunting, but there’s a sliver of hope now, a chance to bring Ludovic to justice and finally be free.

I lie back, letting the exhaustion take over, knowing that tomorrow will be another battle.

But for now, at least, I’ve made the first move in this dangerous game.