Read Online Keepers of the Lost Garden (The Lost Garden Trilogy Book 2) by K.T. Tomb - Free Book Online Page A

you knew all along that you would be killed. Then why did you even take my money and agree to everything?”
    “Look at the trucks, Alexey. What do you see?”
    Alexey looked at the trucks. “I see an army.”
    “I see something different. I see each and every man inside of those trucks. They will be killed as well if they return with me. Instead, they will each get a decent share of the money that you gave us. They are deserters. If any of them survive, they will leave Iran and never return. Those with families have already relocated their loved ones.”
    “Why do you get to play the martyr?”
    “I don’t get to do it, Alexey. I have to do it. If I go back, then the Iranian army will be satisfied with just me. I am the leader of men and my execution will serve as an example to the people of Iran of what will happen if you betray the government.”
    “What about your family? I’ll bet you already got them out of the country!”
    “Yes, Alexey. My family is safely away with my portion of the money.”
    Alexey grinned victoriously. “Do you see now, Colonel Sharif? Your sacrifice is nothing of the kind! Look at you! Your body is weak and you can’t even stand! You know that you are going to die soon anyway, so you decide to go out as a martyr! A martyr who will be remembered forever!”
    Sharif smiled. “Tell me you wouldn’t want to go out the same way.”
    Alexey took out the pages with the special item information from the folder. He folded them and put them in his pocket.
    “I don’t need adulation.”
    “I don’t need to be remembered.”
    “After this, I will be immortal.”

 
    Chapter Eight
     
    For years, industrial pollution had hung over the skies of Tabriz, Iran. It was a constant reminder of the price of progress.
    Evan Knight, Jessima IL Eve, and Geronimo Bismark walked slowly through the always busy Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex. Reminiscent of the ancient Arabian marketplaces, the bazaar featured vendors of all kinds joined together under the arched roof.
    Geronimo and Knight stopped themselves from acting like wide-eyed tourists at the sights and sounds of the Iranian Bazaar.
    They weren’t here on a vacation.
    Within the bazaar were smaller bazaars designated for specific items. They sought the Amir Bazaar, which housed dealers in gold and jewelry.
    Jess led them straight to the vendor, Yousef Omidi. Yousef was an older man who apparently had an extreme fondness for fried food. The only thing that kept their eyes from staring at his girth was the fact that his thick beard contained remnants from several past meals. As Knight’s team approached with Jess in the lead, Yousef reached into his beard, pulled out a small piece of meat and ate it.
    His eyes scanned the trio as his half-smile never moved. “Americans?”
    Jess looked concerned. “Yes. Americans. We discussed this…”
    Before Jess could utter another word, Yousef jumped up with a speed that contradicted his size and placed a greasy finger over her lips.
    Jess pulled back in disgust as she wiped her mouth.
    Yousef’s smile grew as his eyes darted to each person. “Yes. I see you have an eye for the rare jewels. I do not keep the extremely scarce items here. Too many unsavory characters, you know. I hope you checked into the hotel that I suggested. Some places will search your belongings when you leave. They love tourists!”
    Jess nodded. Knight and Geronimo remained silent as they exchanged glances.
    This was Jess’s show now.
    Yousef waved for them to follow him as he went deeper into his ornate vending area. When they arrived at Yousef’s storage room, he pulled some old tapestries down from one wall. There was a seam in the shape of a doorway embedded into the wall. He held one finger to his lips as he pushed on the upper left and right corners of the seam at the same time.
    The solid stone slab moved easily inward to reveal a secret passage lit by several strings of Christmas lights strung carelessly down the