Chapter 2

Chapter Two

-Rosalyn-

Friday, November 18

I had just packed my last things in my suitcase when I heard a beep, I looked down at my communicator watch, as I turned up the volume I heard Abby’s panicked  voice on the other end, saying that the artifact had been stolen.

Only then did I realize I had forgotten to tell Abby the the day before that I had taken it home with me.  Quickly I told her before she panicked too much.

I knew Abby, she would probably blame herself for letting it get stolen. She was relieved that I had it, it was a close call.

I made sure once more that I had everything I needed to take along to Greenland, said goodbye to my family, and then headed for the door.

I was excited, I have always wanted to go to Greenland and now I had a chance.

I walked to the bus stop and waited for the next bus to arrive.

I checked the schedule, “11:45 A.M.” It was going to arrive.

I checked my watch. “Only 5 minutes till I leave” I said to myself. Today was a beautiful day, the sun was shining and the birds were singing.

Finally the bus arrived, I walked up the stairs, said where I wanted to go and then paid for passage. The bus was fairly large with numerous comfortable looking fabric seats lining the sides.

There were only a couple people scattered throughout the bus so I had a large selection. Walking to the back of the bus I sat beside a window.

My flight is scheduled for 1:30 P.M. and it takes 1 ½ hours to get to the airport, so I sat back and relaxed.

Just as the bus was about to leave, when two rough looking men jumped on, paid for passage and sat down a seat in front of me.

I didn’t think anything of their sudden jump on. I figured they had just been a little late, so I continued looking out the window.

As the bus left the station however the two men started a hushed conversation. Although I tried not to at first, I couldn’t help but overhear.

“You think we’ll make it on time, Antonio?” asked the younger looking of the two.

“Of course we will, I am never late for anything!” the man Antonio retorted. “Why do ya ask? Are ya nervous?”

“Of course not! Its going to be way easy following them two treasure hunters around Greenland.” he defended himself.

“We ain’t gonna follow them remember? We’s just gonna do the real crimes, you know stealing and such, so the bosses get off the hook skot free if they’s caught.  Now stop talking, someone might overhear.” Antonio replied ending the conversation.

Soon they were both snoring away as if they hadn’t a care in the world.  

Obviously these crooks were talking about Abby and myself.

‘So there are people after the artifact after all’ I thought to myself. ‘They even have a boss, or bosses as they said.’

I would tell Abby as soon as I got to the airport.

As I looked out the window I thought of how exciting it would be to have another mystery to solve, but we can’t do it without the help of God.

“Lord, please protect Abby and me as we travel.” I prayed. “And protect us from people who want to steal the artifact for their own glory and not for yours.” I don’t know why people would want to steal a religious artifact that nobody believes in anymore.

Soon I dozed off, it seemed like only a couple of minutes but it was really and hour when I was awakened by squealing brakes. I had arrived at my destination. I quickly gathered my suitcase and an extra jacket, I will probably need it in Greenland where it is cold most of the time.

The men in the seat ahead of me were still sleeping when I got up to get off the bus. I smiled to myself, ‘maybe they will be late after all!’

It felt good to stretch my legs.

The airport was busy so I had to weave my way between all the people, I quickly found a not so busy place where I could call Abby on my watch.

“Abby? I have arrived at the airport, where would you happen to be?” I whispered so as not to draw attention.

“Rosy! Yes, where would I happen to be, I hardly know myself!” She replied with a laugh. “Where are you?”

I checked my surroundings, I was standing near some waiting couches, just beyond them was a Chinese restaurant.

“I am at a chinese restaurant.” I replied, wondering how many of them there were in a big airport like this.

“Hmm, we should have picked a place to meet before we came.”

Yes, we should have, I realized now but we can’t wish for something that’s too late to change.

Finally we agreed to meet near the security check place. I quickly started walking, we had no time to lose or we would be late for our flight.

It was hard work getting through all the people, some leaving and some entering. Finally I got to where Abby and I planned to meet.

She wasn’t there yet so I waited patiently, checked my watch, “It’s almost 1:00 already.” I said to myself.

I sat down on a bench close by and waited. Finally Abby arrived panting hard.

“Sorry I took so long, Rose, I was further away from here then I thought I was.”

I chuckled “I thought you stopped for lunch and a nap!” I joked.

“Well….. It was tempting,” she replied as she plopped down beside me on the bench. “I did stop to pick up a snack for us to share though!”

She broke a delicious looking pastry in half and gave me a piece, I must admit it was really good.

“We better get through security before we are too late.” Abby said sensibly.

Quickly we gathered our things and headed for the line up. Our suitcases were light enough to be carry on’s, so we would get to keep them with us on the jet. This suited me just fine since I didn’t want to let the artifact, which is in my bag, out of my sight.

Soon we were walking up the plank into the jet. As we walked to our seats in the back I looked at all the faces to see if Antonio and his partner were on the same jet, didn’t see them, but there were still more people boarding.

We found our seats and sat down, Abby got the window, and I sat beside her.

Only then did I tell her in a hushed voice, all the while watching all the people coming on board, about what I had overheard on the bus.