“I’m not. Kyran will show up when it’s convenient. He’s probably here now, actually. Waiting to pounce.”

“How do you know?” I look around, but my instincts don’t detect another presence.

“Everyone has a tell.”

“What’s mine?”

“That’s top-secret information.” He grins. “But I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”

I frown. “What about Chloe?”

“What about Chloe? She’s the least of my worries. My only problem is the one standing next to me.”

My cheeks get hot. “Where do you think she is?” I ask, hoping he assumes I’m flushed from running.

“Probably trying to steal the Crown Jewels or something. That Enigma machine couldn’t have broken the riddle—who knows what she decoded.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t help her.”

He turns to face me. “That would be cheating, Ellie, and I always play by the rules.”

“Somehow I doubt that.”

“You should get to know me before you jump to conclusions.”

“Why? Do you really care what I think of you?”

“Maybe.” His eyes flash.

A surge of energy bolts through me, sending goose bumps up my arms. “What do we do now?” Unnerved by my reaction, I refocus on the challenge.

“Ladies first.” He steps backward, his right hand gesturing that the case is all mine.

“You’re going to let me steal it?” It’s a trick.

“Just being polite.”

“Make me do all the work so you can tackle me and steal it from me later?”

He laughs. “Believe me. I have no desire to tackle you.”

Refusing to dignify him with a response, I square my shoulders. “Stand back.”

Giving me a wide berth, he folds his arms over his chest.

I unhook my water canteen from my belt, hoping it will be similar in weight to the battery. Removing the lock kit from my pocket, I work on the cabinet screws. The case pops open easily, and I hold the alarm pins in place with the knife I keep strapped to my arm, carefully using the canteen to nudge the battery forward with my left hand. When the battery is about to fall, I let go of the canteen and catch it. Battery in hand, I leave the canteen in its place and reset the scene. Releasing the pins, I close and relock the glass case.

The museum is silent. I don’t know what I was expecting—bells, whistles…something signifying victory, but nothing happens.

Still watching me, Garrett presses his lips together in a smug smile. “Are the battery components still inside the jar?” he asks.

Could Kyran have beaten us here, stolen the elements, and replaced the jar? My heart thudding, I open the lid and exhale relief when I find the battery, still intact. But in addition to the copper cylinder inside, there’s another scroll. Another clue.

Nothing stays hidden forever; everything wants to be found.

“What does it say?” Garrett asks.