Page 69 of Johan. (Van Den Bosch #8)
Professor Andersson studies me for a moment before letting out a sigh. “Fine, I'll speak to them and make sure they act quickly,” he agrees, his tone resigned.
I nod, a sense of resolve settling over me. “Thank you. I'll do everything I can to make the press conference a success,” I say, my voice steady with determination.
Andersson stands, signaling the end of the meeting. “I know you will, Johan. Keep up the good work,” he says, extending his hand for a firm handshake.
As I leave the office, I feel a mix of determination and pressure. The upcoming press conference looms large, but I know I must rise to the occasion. Back in the lab, I share the news with Angela and Amelia, who respond with a mixture of excitement and concern.
“We'll make it work,” Angela says confidently. “We've faced tighter deadlines before,” she adds, her tone filled with resolve.
“Absolutely,” Amelia agrees, her eyes gleaming with determination. “Let's show the world what we've found,” she says, her enthusiasm infectious.
The team redoubles their efforts, the lab buzzing with renewed energy and focus.
Despite the challenges ahead, we are united by a common goal: to unveil the secrets of Ubar and share our remarkable discoveries with the world.
The unease from Astrid's message lingers, but I push it to the back of my mind, focusing on the task at hand. The clock is ticking, and I can only hope we’re prepared for whatever retaliation might come our way.
Finally, we turn our attention to the Star of Ubar. The scepter is the crown jewel of our discoveries, and it requires the utmost care. I gather Angela, Amelia, and Lukas around the table where the scepter rests, its intricate carvings and embedded jewels glinting under the lab's bright lights.
“Let's start with a detailed analysis of the gems,” I say, my voice steady but my mind racing with memories of Oman.
“Amelia, can you handle the carnelian and gold sections?
Lukas, help her with the spectrometer readings.
Angela, let's focus on the structural integrity and any inscriptions we might have missed.”
As we begin our meticulous examination, I can't help but recall the tense days in Oman, where keeping the scepter hidden from Ludovic and his minions was a constant challenge.
I remember the late-night shifts, the coded messages to ensure our plans weren't intercepted, and the overwhelming relief when we finally secured the scepter safely away from prying eyes.
"Look at this," Amelia says, her voice breaking my reverie. She points to a particularly elaborate section of the scepter. “These carvings are unlike any we've seen so far.”
I nod, leaning in to examine the details. "This must have held significant cultural or ceremonial importance," I murmur. “We need to document every detail precisely.”
Angela chimes in, “The craftsmanship is incredible. It must have taken years to create something this intricate.”
As we work, the hours slip by unnoticed. Each discovery, each minute detail we uncover, brings us closer to understanding the civilization of Ubar. The room is filled with a sense of purpose and unity, the earlier tension from my conversation with Andersson fading into the background.
Despite the pressure, despite the looming deadline, this is where I thrive—immersed in the work, driven by the thrill of discovery, and supported by a dedicated team. Together, we will ensure the Star of Ubar shines brightly, revealing the secrets of a long-lost civilization to the world.
Just as we finish documenting another section of the scepter, I realize I need to retrieve some notes from my office.
“I'll be right back,” I tell the team and make my way out of the lab, heading down the corridor.
As I approach my office, I stop short. Astrid is waiting at the door, her expression a mix of anger and desperation. The sight of her sends a jolt of anxiety through me, but I steel myself, ready to face whatever she has to say.
“Johan,” she begins, stepping forward. “We need to talk.”
I shake my head, keeping my voice firm. “It's over, Astrid. There’s nothing left to talk about.”
Her eyes flash with a mixture of hurt and fury. “You can't just walk away from this. I need to explain?—”
I cut her off, my patience wearing thin. “I told the council everything about Hannah's secret, and they're coming for you. This is over. Leave me and my friends alone.”
Astrid's face pales, but she doesn't move. "You think you can just ruin my life and walk away? You owe me a chance to explain.”
I take a step closer, my voice low and resolute. “I don't owe you anything. What you did was unforgivable. Now, leave.”
For a moment, she looks like she might argue, but then she takes a shaky breath and steps back. Just as she does, Professor Andersson appears at the end of the corridor, his expression stern as he takes in the scene.
“Is there a problem, Miss Goschen?" he asks, his voice calm but authoritative.
Astrid glares at him for a moment, then turns on her heel and walks away, her steps echoing down the hall. Andersson watches her go before turning to me.
“Are you alright?” he asks, concern in his eyes.
I nod, trying to shake off the lingering tension. “We need to make sure we find Ludovic and arrest him. He knows we came back a day earlier, and he knows I betrayed him.”
Andersson's expression grows even more serious. "The police are looking for him at the moment. They went to his office, but he wasn't there. They are trying to locate him.”
The gravity of the situation settles over me, but I know we can't let it derail our work. “Thank you, Professor,” I say, my resolve hardening. “We'll be ready for the press conference.”
Andersson nods, giving me a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “Good. See you later at dinner. Don’t be late. Everyone will be there to welcome you properly.”
“Sure.” I take a deep breath and head back to the lab, pushing aside the encounter with Astrid and focusing on the task at hand. One thing is sure: if they haven’t arrested Ludovic yet, that’s because he knew they were coming for him.