“Yeah, he survived, and he’s back in the fold now,” Matt said. “I worked on a job with him recently in Crete.”

“So, that was him?” She laughed softly for a moment, before becoming serious again. “Does he ever…ask about me?”

Matt stared forward for a moment, not sure how to answer.

“Ack, forget I asked. Stupid question.” Her voice had a bitter edge.

Matt trudged on beside her for another few minutes before looking around at the landscape. “Must get lonely out here with nothing to do but save us poor dumb Americans.”

“It’s becoming a habit.” She pulled the material away from her face and reached down for a canteen on her hip. She took a sip, then replaced it. “My search for the source of the sinkholes was proving fruitless. They’re happening now all over the world – but you know this.”

Matt nodded. “The land is sinking globally and anyone who goes down into one of the pits never comes back up…or is found. We’re also seeing people disappear who are simply in proximity to the pits.”

She nodded. “Our scientists have tracked anomalies on the surface – strange things that came out of the holes. They usually return, but when we follow them in, we find nothing. It’s solid rock down there. And even the deepest caves only descend a mile.” She grunted. “We have both seen strange things in our lives, Professor. I fear we are about to see them again.”

From behind them Andy cleared his throat, then pushed the bike up between them.

Adira grinned. “You like my bike?”

“I love it, and it only started getting really heavy about five miles back.” He jiggled his eyebrows at Matt. “Still love to have a ride.” He waited, but Adira didn’t respond.

Matt looked over his shoulder at Tania and she flicked him a worried look. He turned back to Andy. “My turn, buddy.” He grabbed the handlebars.

Andy straightened his back and stretched. “Thanks.” He walked beside Adira. “I couldn’t help overhearing you mention about things disappearing into the pits. I lost my friend in Iowa, and I think something was in the soil…something big.”

“Did you see it?” Adira asked.

“Yes, no…sort of. The cave collapsed on us,” Andy said. “Looks like we’re all coming at this from different angles.”

“Blind men and the elephant again,” Matt added.

“Except one of the blind men is now a mysterious and beautiful Israeli agent.” He turned and winked at Matt.

Matt groaned and slowed down, letting Andy weave his magic. He watched as he flashed her toothy grins and delivered a non-stop monologue. Eventually she stopped and leaned in close to him. Her expression was rock-hard as she spoke directly into his face.

Andy nodded, and Adira increased her pace, leaving him behind.

Matt caught up. “Trouble in paradise, Romeo?”

“My heart is broken.” Andy snorted softly, his mouth turning down. “She said I was a little boy, and compared to the men she has loved, I am a bug.”