The Forbidden Tomb Read Online Free PDF Page A

discovery of the tomb would be a significant historical achievement, one that would bring closure to one of the greatest mysteries of our time. And if that isn’t reason enough, allow me to remind you and your team of five million other reasons.’
    ‘I’m not talking about
our
reasons,’ Cobb explained. ‘I’m talking about
yours
. You’re not doing this for the fame – I’m certain of that. And you have more money than you could possibly spend in ten lifetimes. So why tackle one of the greatest mysteries of the ancient world if you don’t care about the glory or the reward?’
    ‘The question is moot,’ Jasmine said, her tone full of frustration. ‘People have been scouring Alexandria for clues for more than a thousand years. Historians have devoted their lives to finding the lost tomb. Every myth, every angle, every hunch, has been thoroughly exhausted by the world’s best scholars, and they have found nothing. I’m telling you, there is nothing left to pursue. No new evidence. No new leads. Heck, there aren’t even any maps of the ancient city in existence. A mission like this is pointless. It would be easier for us to visit Mars.’
    ‘That’s not true,’ Cobb assured her.
    Jasmine stood her ground. ‘Unfortunately it is true, Jack. People have been looking for the tomb for centuries, and as the only historian in the room, I can assure you—’
    He cut her off. ‘I meant the part about the maps.’
    ‘The maps? Wait – what are you saying?’
    ‘I’m saying at least one map of ancient Alexandria exists.’ Cobb turned his chair and stared at Papineau. ‘Isn’t that right, Papi?’

4
     
    Papineau was surprised by the insinuation. Confusion filled his face. He stared at Cobb, who stared right back. ‘I don’t know what you mean.’
    Cobb set his jaw, angered that his host would rather play games than admit he knew anything about the map. ‘And if I call your friend, will he give me the same story? Will he claim that we never met, that he has no idea who I am?’
    Papineau blinked rapidly. ‘My friend? Who are you talking about? Really, Jack, I’m not sure what you mean.’
    Cobb had interrogated better men than Papineau. Men who had kept their composure through unbearable stress and physical ‘coaxing’, long after Cobb had lost track of the hours. Men who had taken their secrets to their graves. Papineau was an experienced liar – that much Cobb knew for certain – but he had yet to master the craft.
    The flicker of emotion in his eyes gave him away.
    It was genuine surprise and panic.
    He honestly didn’t know what Cobb was referring to.
    It was a development that Cobb hadn’t expected, but one that he was prepared to exploit nevertheless. For now, that meant playing things close to the vest about his recent trip to Switzerland and his dinner with a well-known historian.
    Cobb chose his words carefully, giving Papineau as little as possible. ‘At least one map from ancient Alexandria still exists. I know this for a fact, because I’ve seen it.’
    Jasmine gasped – literally
gasped
– with excitement. It was the type of sound rarely heard outside of a bedroom. ‘Oh my God! Do you know what this means? It means that we can— wait! Just to clarify: you’re saying you’ve actually seen a map that was created
during
the era itself?’
    Cobb continued to study his host. ‘Yes.’
    She gasped again. ‘Where? When?’
    Papineau tried to remain calm, but his anxiety was palpable. He more than wanted to know the name of Cobb’s source – he
needed
to know.
    But Cobb wasn’t ready to let him off the hook.
    He liked having something that Papineau wanted.
    He liked being the one in control.
    Not for himself, but for the sake of his team.
    Cobb addressed Jasmine. ‘Where and when is not important, but I can assure you that it meets our needs. Furthermore, I can assure you that it is authentic.’
    ‘Can you borrow the map?’ It was less of a question and more of a plea. ‘Or,