Page 64 of Johan. (Van Den Bosch #8)

Johan

The night is cloaked in secrecy as we gather in our clandestine tent, far from the excavation site where prying eyes can’t reach us.

The air is thick with anticipation and a hint of tension.

I look around at my companions—Amelia, Angela, and Lukas—each of them a vital part of this intricate plan.

The tent, dimly lit by a single lantern, casts long shadows that dance across the canvas walls.

It's been two weeks since Rachid ordered his friend to create the replica of the Star of Ubar. The waiting has been excruciating, each day filled with uncertainty and hope. Tonight, we are finally going to see the fruits of our patience and planning.

I can feel the weight of the moment pressing down on us, the air around us filled with a tense silence. My mind races with thoughts of the upcoming journey and the crucial steps that lie ahead.

The flap of the tent rustles, breaking the silence.

We all turn our heads as Rachid steps inside, carrying a hard-shell case.

His face is serious, eyes reflecting the gravity of the situation.

He places the case gently on the makeshift table in the center of the tent and looks at each of us, a silent question in his eyes.

"We're ready," I say, my voice steady but charged with anticipation.

Rachid nods and unfastens the latches of the case. As the lid opens, the replica of the Star of Ubar comes into view. The craftsmanship is impeccable, every detail painstakingly replicated to match the original. We all lean in, examining it closely, the reality of our plan settling in.

"It's perfect," Amelia whispers, her eyes wide with awe. "Rachid, you did an incredible job."

Rachid nods, a small smile playing on his lips. "It took a lot of effort, but it’s done.”

I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of the upcoming task.

“Tomorrow, I'll present this replica to Ludovic.

The idea is to make him believe it's the real Star of Ubar. If we succeed, it might force him to go to Loki in London again to validate its authenticity. That will give us the time we need to pack all the artifacts, including the true Star of Ubar, and meet with the council.”

Angela leans in, her expression serious. "What if Ludovic suspects something? What if he doesn't leave?"

“We have to take that risk," Lukas says firmly. “We don’t have another choice.”

Rachid speaks up, his voice calm. “I've already approached the Oman government. They are ready to provide us with a private jet to evacuate the site and go straight to the UK. We just need to ensure Ludovic is out of the way long enough for us to move.”

Amelia reaches out, placing a hand on my arm. "Good luck, Johan. We’re close to defeating Ludovic. Just one more push.”

I nod, feeling the solidarity and strength of our group. "We can do this. We have to.”

We spend the next hour going over the finer details of our plan, ensuring every step is clear and everyone knows their role. The tension in the tent is palpable, but beneath it lies a current of determination. We know what’s at stake and what needs to be done.

As the meeting wraps up, we stand in a circle, a silent pact among us. Tomorrow will be a pivotal day, one that could change everything. We leave the tent quietly, each of us slipping back into the shadows, preparing for the tasks that await us at dawn.

The next day dawns bright and clear, the desert sun casting long shadows over the excavation site.

I stand waiting, the replica of the Star of Ubar carefully hidden until the right moment.

The air is crisp and cool in the early morning, the kind of tranquility that comes before a storm.

My heart pounds in my chest as I see Ludovic approaching, summoned by my urgent message.

Ludovic strides over with a purposeful gait, his curiosity evident in the intensity of his gaze. The usual authoritative air he carries is softened by the slight frown of concentration on his face. "Johan, you called for me?" he asks, his voice clipped with impatience.

"Yes, Ludovic. I think you'll want to see this," I say, leading him to the site where I’ve set up the reveal. Each step feels heavy with anticipation, the crunch of sand underfoot marking the rhythm of my racing heart.

When Ludovic sees the replica of the Star of Ubar, his eyes widen in disbelief.

He reaches out with a trembling hand, almost reverent as he takes it from its resting place.

The weight of the scepter seems to anchor him in the moment, and he turns it over in his hands, scrutinizing every detail.

"Where did you find it?" he asks, his voice almost a whisper, as if speaking louder might break the spell.

"It was in this tomb, hidden behind the corpse," I reply, pointing to the excavated area that now lies empty, a silent witness to our ruse.

Ludovic removes his hat, wiping the sweat from his forehead with a gesture that speaks of both respect and the pressure of the moment. "Very well, let's get a closer look at it in the tent."

We walk to the tent, the atmosphere thick with anticipation and the muffled sounds of the camp waking up around us.

Inside, the tent is dimly lit, the soft glow of lanterns casting long shadows on the canvas walls.

Ludovic places the scepter on a table covered with maps and notes, leaning in to examine it under the magnifying glass he always carries.

"It does look like the Star of Ubar. My gosh, the details, the jewels... The gold... Could it be true?" His voice is filled with a mix of excitement and incredulity, his fingers tracing the intricate designs as if to confirm their authenticity through touch.

"I think so," I say, nodding. "At least according to the description of the scepter, it looks like it."

Without hesitation, Ludovic pulls out his phone and dials Loki's number. The tension in the tent grows palpable as he waits for the connection. "Loki, I have incredible news. We've found what appears to be the Star of Ubar, filled with rare jewels, dedicated craftsmanship, and gold."

I can hear Loki's excited voice even from where I stand. Ludovic listens intently, his eyes narrowing in concentration. "Yes, I'll fly to London tomorrow so we can examine it together. If it's the real one, this is the main piece your clients want for the auction."

Hanging up, Ludovic turns to me, his eyes gleaming with ambition and something resembling gratitude.

“I'll be flying to London tomorrow to meet Loki.

While I'm gone, I need you to keep an eye on the site and ensure nothing goes missing.

Especially watch that Rachid. Make sure he doesn't bring anything back to Muscat with him.”

I nod solemnly. "You can count on me, Ludovic. I'll keep everything secure."

“Good,” Ludovic says, leaning closer, the scent of his expensive cologne mixing with the earthy smell of the tent. “I don't know how long I'll be gone. It depends on whether the bidding war is set up for this week, too. If it is, I'll stay over. I'll keep you in touch.”

He straightens up, a rare smile playing on his lips. “Thank you, Johan, for your dedication and loyalty. I won't forget you.”

As Ludovic begins packing his things, still marveling at the replica, I leave the tent, a wave of relief washing over me. The plan has worked.

I make my way back to the excavation site where Rachid and Lukas are waiting, trying to appear casual.

The sun is now higher in the sky, casting a golden hue over the dig site.

The workers move with purpose, unaware of the true significance of our findings.

When I'm sure no one else is around, I lean in and discreetly say, “It worked. He called Loki straight away.”

Rachid's eyes light up with relief and excitement, a rare smile breaking his usual stoic demeanor. “Excellent. We need to move fast once he's gone.”

Lukas nods in agreement, his expression determined. “We'll get everything ready. This is our chance.”

As we stand there, the sun beginning to set over the horizon, I feel a renewed sense of purpose. We are close to defeating Ludovic and ensuring the artifacts are preserved and respected. Tomorrow, the real plan begins.