"They have a reason. We don't want to damage the artifacts in the back if they skid off the road." He focused his glasses on the front seat of the approaching truck. "Yes, there she is in the passenger seat. Emily Hudson. She's smiling and talking to the man next to her. What's his name? Levy. No sexual relationship, but they're friends of long standing. And her attitude toward him leads me to believe our reports are accurate."

"They're going to see it soon," Borg said. "We should be ready."

"I'm ready." Staunton said. "I'm always ready." He put the binoculars down. "Stop worrying, Borg."

"We can't delay that escort any longer. They're going to be right on top of us within thirty minutes."

"Thirty minutes can be a long time. I've prepared everything. It will all go well."

"Sure." Borg clenched his hand on the stock of the rifle. Staunton had ice water running through his veins. The bastard was always cool and certain of everything. "Do you think she has it in that truck?"

"I hope she does." He smiled. "It will be so much easier for her if it's there."

"FOR PETE'S SAKE, WILL YOU turn off Bruce Springsteen?" Joel asked. "You played him all the way here. I need a break."

"You're never satisfied." She started searching her iPod. "I'd think you'd appreciate the difference between The Boss and Casablanca. 'Born in the U.S.A.' is definitely not sentimental."

"But he goes both ways. 'Dancing in the Dark' is a little too- what the shit!" He jammed on the brakes. "It's Al's truck!"

Emily's eyes widened in horror. "My God."

The truck was turned over and artifacts were strewn all over the gravel road and bordering ditches.

"I don't see Al or Don." Joel opened the door. "Where the hell are they?"

"No!" Emily grabbed his arm. "Don't get out of the truck. Get us out of here."

"No way. I have to find-"

"You know what we're supposed to do when we run into anything unusual. We'll come back as soon as we run into the escort. This could be a trap."