Page 63 of Johan. (Van Den Bosch #8)

Johan

Under the vast canopy of stars in the heart of the desert, I gather Amelia, Angela, Lukas, and Rachid in a clandestine meeting.

The air is cool and still, the only sounds being the faint whispers of the wind and the distant calls of nocturnal creatures.

Inside our dimly lit tent, the flickering lantern casts dancing shadows on the canvas walls, creating an atmosphere of both intimacy and urgency.

We sit in a tight circle, our faces illuminated by the warm glow of the lantern. I can see the determination in everyone’s eyes, mirroring my own resolve. This is a risky plan, but it’s our best shot.

“Alright, everyone,” I begin, my voice barely above a whisper to maintain the secrecy of our conversation. “We need to get Ludovic out of the way to transport the Star to Cambridge without his interference.”

Amelia, her face thoughtful, leans forward, her eyes reflecting the flickering light. “What’s the plan? How do we do that?”

I glance around at each of them, feeling the weight of their expectations. Lukas rubs his chin, deep in thought, his brows furrowed. “Maybe we can send him on a wild goose chase. Make him believe there’s a more valuable artifact somewhere else?”

Angela shakes her head slowly, her auburn hair catching the light. “He’s too smart for that. He’ll know something is up if we suddenly direct him away from here.”

Rachid sits back, his eyes narrowing as he contemplates. “What if we create a diversion? Something that demands his immediate attention away from the site, like a staged conflict or an emergency?”

I consider this, the idea rolling over in my mind, but quickly realize the flaws. “It’s too risky. If he gets suspicious, he might not leave at all.”

The tent falls into a heavy silence, the weight of our dilemma pressing down on us.

The lantern’s flame flickers, casting erratic shadows on the canvas.

The tension is palpable, each of us lost in thought, searching for the perfect solution.

Then, a thought strikes me—a bold and cunning idea.

I look up, meeting each of their eyes in turn, the plan forming clearly in my mind.

“What if we create a fake relic?” I suggest, my voice steady despite the excitement bubbling inside me. “Something that looks so convincing Ludovic will believe he has the real Star in his hands.”

Amelia’s eyes widen with realization, her hand covering her mouth for a moment before she speaks. “So that he'll rush back to London to start a bidding war?”

“Exactly,” I say, feeling a spark of hope igniting. “If he thinks he has the genuine article, he’ll want to meet with Loki immediately. His greed will drive him to make sure he gets the highest price possible.”

Lukas, always the meticulous planner, leans in, his fingers tapping on his knee. “But how do we ensure the fake is convincing enough?”

Rachid leans forward, confidence clear in his voice. “I know a master jeweler who has a workshop in a nearby town who can create a perfect replica. We just need to provide the specifications and a bit of time.”

The tension in the tent eases slightly as hope replaces uncertainty.

“Alright,” I say, gathering my thoughts.

"Amelia, you’ll work on gathering detailed images and measurements of the star.

Rachid, you’ll coordinate with the jeweler and oversee the creation of the replica.

Ludovic has never seen the true star, so please, the importance is to make something that would make it plausible. ”

Amelia nods, her fingers already itching to start the detailed work. "I can get the specs ready by tomorrow morning.”

Rachid smiles confidently, the first sign of relief we've seen tonight. "I'll handle the jeweler. He owes me a favor.”

We spend the next few hours meticulously planning every detail.

The lantern burns low, casting a dimmer light as we work.

Amelia gathers high-resolution images and precise measurements of the Star of Ubar, ensuring the replica will be indistinguishable from the original.

Rachid makes discreet trips to the nearby town, coordinating with the jeweler and ensuring every facet of the fake star is perfect.

The night deepens, and the stars outside the tent blaze in a brilliant display, oblivious to our scheming.

By the time we finalize our plan, the first light of dawn begins to touch the horizon, painting the sky with shades of pink and gold.

Exhausted but resolute, we share a final look of determination.

"This has to work," I say, my voice filled with the weight of our mission. "We can't let Ludovic get in the way.”

With a final nod, we disperse, each of us carrying the burden of our plan but also the hope of its success.

As I step out of the tent, the cool morning air fills my lungs, and I feel a sense of cautious optimism.

The path ahead is fraught with risk, but together, we can outmaneuver Ludovic and secure the Star of Ubar for Cambridge.

The next day at the excavation, the sun is already beating down on us, casting long shadows over the ruins. We work diligently, but my mind is occupied with our plan. Rachid approaches me, his expression serious.

“Johan,” he begins quietly, glancing around to make sure no one is listening. “I spoke to my friend. He says he might need between three and four weeks to complete the replica.”

I feel a surge of distress. Time is not on our side. “Rachid, we need it in a maximum of two weeks. Can you convince him to expedite the process? Work during the weekend? Tell him we can pay more, but we need the work done quicker. And no one else can know about this.”

Rachid nods, understanding the urgency. “I'll talk to him again. He owes me a favor, and I'll make sure he understands how crucial this is.”

As Rachid leaves, Lukas approaches, noticing my tense demeanor. “Everything okay?” he asks.

I update him quickly, explaining the situation with the replica. Lukas listens intently, his brow furrowing with concern.

“Where are we going to hide the Star of Ubar for two weeks?” he asks, his voice low.

I glance around, making sure no one else is within earshot. “We need a secure and inconspicuous place. Somewhere no one would think to look.”

Lukas nods, deep in thought. “What about one of the old storage tents? The ones we use for less significant finds and supplies? We could create a false bottom in one of the crates.”

I consider this, the idea taking shape in my mind. “That could work. We need to make sure it's well-guarded but also not attract too much attention.”

Lukas leans closer, lowering his voice even further. “We should also rotate the guards frequently to avoid suspicion. Only those we trust completely can know about this."

I nod, feeling a bit more reassured. “Let's get started on that today. We need to move quickly.”

We spend the rest of the day discreetly preparing the hiding spot.

With the help of a few trusted team members, we create a false bottom in one of the large storage crates, padding it carefully to avoid any damage to the Star of Ubar.

The crate is then placed among other innocuous supplies, blending seamlessly into the background.

As the sun sets, casting a golden hue over the desert, I feel a mixture of anxiety and determination. The next two weeks will be critical, and every moment counts. We have to keep Ludovic in the dark and ensure our plan goes off without a hitch.

It’s a quiet Friday evening, and I sit on the bed in my tent, the dim glow of a lamp illuminating the space as I type up my report.

My fingers move across the keyboard, the sound a rhythmic accompaniment to the distant murmurs of the camp.

But the silence is promptly interrupted by a knock on the door.

I look up, surprised by the unexpected visitor.

“Come in,” I call, and the door swings open to reveal Ludovic, his face a mixture of irritation and weariness.

He steps inside, looking around the well-appointed tent before fixing his gaze on me. “Johan,” he says, his voice carrying a hint of frustration, “I'm taking a plane to the Six Senses for the weekend. I'm tired of Salalah. Need something different.”

I close my laptop and sit back, giving him my full attention. “Sounds like a good idea,” I reply, keeping my tone neutral.

Ludovic sighs, running a hand through his hair.

“You have no idea. This week has been awful. The mattress in my tent is killing my back, and don't even get me started on the lack of a proper AC. Plus, these damn bugs won’t leave me alone,” he says, swatting at an invisible fly for emphasis.

“I need some real comfort for a change.”

I nod, understanding his complaints. “I can imagine.”

He steps closer, folding his arms. “Why don't you come with me? It’d be good to have some company.”

I shake my head, offering a polite smile. “Thanks for the offer, but I've got a lot of work to catch up on here. You go ahead and have a good time.”

He nods, perhaps slightly disappointed, but too exhausted to argue. “Alright then. Don't work too hard,” he says with a faint smile before turning to leave.

“Enjoy your trip,” I call after him, watching as he exits the tent. The door closes behind him with a soft click, and I return to my report, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. With Ludovic gone for the weekend, we have a valuable opportunity.

The next day, as the sun reaches its zenith, I meet Rachid for lunch in the mess tent. The air is filled with the aroma of freshly cooked food, and the chatter of our colleagues provides a lively backdrop. The tent is bustling with activity, but our conversation remains low and discreet.

“How's the replica coming along?” I ask, keeping my voice low.

Rachid glances around to ensure no one is listening, then pulls out his phone. “See for yourself,” he says, showing me a video. The footage reveals his friend meticulously working on the replica of the Star of Ubar, each detail being carefully crafted.

I watch intently, noting the precision and skill. “Looks like he's doing a great job,” I say, feeling a surge of hope.

Rachid nods, a confident smile on his face. “It will be ready soon. We're on track.”

Satisfied, I lean back in my chair, allowing myself a rare moment of relaxation. “Good. I can’t wait for this asshole to be behind bars.”