Page 203 of Cross & Crown

“I get it,” Kelly said suddenly. “The cross is made of layers

of gold. It’s wrapped in the scrolls, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is.” Alex was solemn. “They knew the Church

would never desecrate a cross. The scrolls would be safe

until . . . well, I guess until more enlightened minds could

discover them.”

“Enlightened minds like yourself?” Nick asked.

Alex rolled her eyes. “Don’t pretend you’re after that

treasure for altruistic reasons. Please. Dr. Hunt and I were

hired by Alco Pharmaceuticals. We’re supposed to find the

ancient formulas.”

Julian scoffed at her. “A pharmaceutical company hired

treasure hunters?”

“Cancer is big money,” Alex stated almost sadly.

203

Nick loosened his hold on her arm. “Why’d you pretend

to be a professor at Boston College to give me an ID? Why

not just come in and claim JD?”

Alex met JD’s eyes. “Because he ran out on us. One night

we figured out that the trail led us to Massachusetts, and we

finished a bottle of wine in celebration. The next morning,

he was gone. I thought he was after the treasure for a rival

company, so I had to follow him quietly.”

JD met Nick’s eyes. He was breathing hard, realization

sweeping over his face. “Oh my God,” he whispered.

“JD . . .”

“It’s all true then,” JD cried. “Iama bad guy! I’m a

murderer and a thief and . . . and maybe a kidnapper! And

I betrayed people who were supposed to be my friends and

colleagues! You even said you trusted me! Jesus!”

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