“I only see a little man making a vulgar display of wealth.”

Razov's serpent's eyes went flat. He cut another piece of duct tape and slapped it over Dodson's mouth, then he picked up the crown and climbed up the stairs. At the top, he paused. “You must have read Poe's 'The Cask of Amontillado.' Where the victim is sealed up forever? Perhaps someday your bones will be found. I leave you here in place of the crown. I'm afraid I must dispose of your housekeeper.” He stepped through the closet door and into the hallway.

His hands were both full with the crown, so he didn't close the secret panel in the back of the closet. He would deposit the crown in the back of the car, come back and seal Dodson off for eternity, then kill the housekeeper and dispose of her body in the river.

As Razov carried his burden toward the back of the house, he heard a rap at the front door. He froze.

Zavala's voice called out. “Lord Dodson. Are you home?” Then the knock again, louder this time. Razov turned and headed for the kitchen.

Dodson had left the door unlocked when he went out to see if the wind was blowing. Zavala and Austin stepped inside, guns in their hands. Zavala called out again. They made their way down the hall and stopped at the open closet where light streamed from the secret chamber. They exchanged glances, then Austin stepped inside, Bowen at ready, and descended the stairs while Zavala covered his back.

Austin saw Lord Dodson sitting on the floor and peeled the tape from the Englishman's mouth. “Are you all right?”

“Yes, I'm fine. Go after Razov - he has the crown.” Austin used his Buck knife to cut the tape binding Dodson's hands and feet, and they climbed from the cellar. Dodson smiled when he saw Joe. “A pleasure to see you again, Mr. Zavala.”

“Nice to be back, Lord Dodson. This is my partner; Kurt Austin.”

“I'm very pleased to meet you, Mr. Austin.”

“The back door is open,” Zavala said. “He must have gone that way.”

Dodson looked worried. “My housekeeper. Have you seen her?”

“If you're talking about the large and very angry lady we found tied up in the backseat of a rental car, she's fine,” Austin said. “We sent her for the police.”

“Thank you,” Dodson said. “Razov may try for the river when he finds his car is gone. There's a boat there he may use in an attempt to escape.”

Zavala started for the back door.

“Wait,” Dodson said. “I know a better way. Come with me.”