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Using the tip of her fingernail, Jasmine flicked the edge of the stone.
The black sapphire flipped up, revealing a tiny compartment filled with a fine white powder.
Jasmine shot a glance toward Dmytro.
Dmytro’s lips curled. “Do not worry. It is not poison. It will only make a man sleep. Deeply. He will not wake until morning.”
Jasmine slid the ring onto the ring finger of her left hand.
“My source tells me that anyone entering the Demopoulos’s home must pass through a metal detector.” Dmytro handed a knife and sheath to Jasmine and another to Ace. “These knives are made of ceramic materials and will not set off the metal detector.”
“Thank you, Dmytro,” Jasmine said. “I was considering my high heels as weapons, but this is easier to handle.”
“Athanasios has a gallery containing his collection of art and artifacts. My source suspects the scroll will be on display there. From what he said, the gallery has a security system. If the alarms are set off, the security team is mobilized, and a pair of rottweilers are released automatically from their kennels to patrol the grounds.” Dmytro’s eyes narrowed as they met Jasmine’s. “They are trained to kill.”
Jasmine’s heart skipped several beats. “Do you have some of this sleeping medicine I could throw at the dogs as they leap for my throat?”
Dmytro shook his head. “All I can do is caution you to do your best not to set off the alarms. The other alternative is to leave in a vehicle, not on foot. The fence surrounding the compound is eight feet high and made of concrete blocks topped with concertina wire. Going over the fence will prove difficult.”
Jasmine snorted. “And everything up to that point will be easy?”
The Ukrainian shook his head. “Athanasios had all the security put in place after his predecessor’s assassination in the streets of Athens. Up to now, no one has tried to breach his compound.”
Jasmine laughed shakily. “Let me guess. As much as your source has described, he must have helped install that security system. Did he have any tips or tricks for breaching the gallery without setting off the alarms?”
Dmytro’s lips tipped upward. “He did.” The man paused for effect.
Jasmine waited patiently, knowing the Ukrainian had an occasional flare for the dramatic.
“There is a secret panel hidden behind a replica of the ancient Greek painting of the Birth of Venus,” he said, his lips curling. “You have to enter a code to disengage the alarms in the room. Athanasios wanted to be able to enter the gallery whenever he liked.”
“I don’t suppose your friend gave you the code?” Ace asked.
Dmytro’s hands spread out. “What else are friends for?” He leaned close and whispered, “The code is 1485,” he said. “The year the original Birth of Venus was completed. Though Demopoulos is now the leader of the Greek underground crime organization, he has always been interested in art and archeological treasures.” Dmytro’s eyes narrowed to slits. “Thus, his desire to claim the copper scroll you so conveniently removed from the Jordanian Museum.”
Jasmine sighed. “So, you know.”
“There are no secrets among the Greeks,” he said.
Jasmine crossed her arms over her chest. “If that’s the case, perhaps you know who is holding Eli hostage.” She held her breath, praying her friend could tap into his network to locate one small boy being held hostage.
The Ukrainian ex-pat shook his head, a shadow descending over his face. “He must not be Greek. However, I am working on that information. I will let you know what I learn.”
Jasmine let go of the breath she’d been holding. She hadn’t expected Dmytro to know where Eli was being held. He’d have told her immediately.
“Okay, then.” Jasmine lifted her chin and squared her shoulders. “We will succeed. As they say in the movies...failure is not an option. Eli’s life depends on it.”
Though she put on a strong front, inside, Jasmine was terrified. Not of being caught by the Greek crime boss or mauled by killer dogs. She was afraid they wouldn’t find the scroll. And if they did, she feared they wouldn’t get back out with it to make the exchange. If they died trying, what would happen to Eli?
She looked across at her friend. “We will succeed,” she repeated.
Dmytro reached out to take her hand. “Should something happen, and you don’t make it out, I will do everything in my power to find and free Eli. He will be cared for.” He squeezed her hand. “I have complete faith in you and Ace. I am too old to raise a small boy the way his father could, but I would do my best.”
Tears welled in Jasmine’s eyes. Though the Ukrainian dealt in illegal activities, Jasmine trusted him with her son’s life. “Thank you, Dmytro.”
He gave her a single nod. “Be safe, Moya lyubov.” He turned to Ace and held out his hand. “Jasmine is a good woman. Do right by her and the boy.”
Ace shook the man’s hand. “I will.”
