Epilogue

With the new auto safely tucked away in a parking structure, Max and lara dined together. After the meal, they decided to stroll London in the anonymity that the night afforded.

"You never told me where all those little doo-dads were leading you..."

"Well, it turns out that the final coordinates are somewhere in Colorado..."

"Back where this whole thing started?"

"Yes."

"Where?"

"I know the coordinates, but the area is owned by the United States Government and I can get no further information."

"Top Secret stuff..."

"Yes. I suppose that I will look into it one of these days, but I have an appointment in Egypt after all of the festivities here are concluded."

"What's the prize?"

"An amulet depicting the Egyptian God Horus."

"Sounds like fun."

"You don't want to come along, do you?"

"No thanks, I think I might spend a little time on that second book. It's amazing, sitting in front of my computer is a lot less stressful than mucking around some jungle...or urban battlefield...or desert."

"It was pleasant having a partner, but I think I'm ready to work alone again."

Max slowed his pace and produced a DV cassette from his leather purse.

"What is that?"

"Well, this is a tape, but you're a clever one - you already got that."

"Quite."

"What this really is...atonement. I'd been planning to destroy this thing since we got back from Russia, but I just couldn't find a moment that was quite dramatic enough. For the record, I am not doing this because of the book deal or the car - though it seems like it now..."

With that, Max hurled the tape into the river.

"Are you going to tell me what it contained?"

"No, not for a long time. Trust me, we can laugh about it a long time from now."

"How long is a long time?"

"Old and gray Lara, old and gray..."