Chapter 6

As expected, the resort town of Mondsee was crowded, which was both a blessing and a curse for the group within the damaged car.

"We need to be inconspicuous," Indiana muttered.

"There's a small spot between that building and the forest over there," the Captain gestured to his right. "We can hide the car and go the rest of the way on foot."

"I assume that's the church?" Indiana pointed to the dual yellow steeples towering over the courtyard.

Maria nodded. "The monastery is right next to it, although I imagine we would want to go into the catacombs."

The professor looked over at her. "Can you help us get in?"

Her eyes widened. "I can try, sir."

"Indiana," he said, smiling kindly.

Georg's jaw tightened; the calm he'd felt in the car evaporating as once again, they were putting themselves in peril. He looked at Maria, who gazed back with determination. The idea of her in any additional jeopardy left an unsettled feeling in his stomach, but they were past going back now.

"I'd like to help protect the ring, Captain," she said, reminding them both why they'd gotten involved in the first place.

"They don't know where we're going," Indiana offered.

"How did they know where we were in Salzburg?" the Captain countered.

The other exhaled loudly. "They're on foot. That gives us time to search. They shouldn't know about the note we found next to the tomb."

"Who are they, exactly?" Georg asked.

Indiana shook his head. "Old friends."

Maria's eyes widened and she looked over at the Captain. He gave her a half-glance and met the American's eyes. "I'm afraid that's not enough of an explanation. They've shot at us and chased us."

Indiana sighed. "They're fortune hunters. I first met them when I was a kid back in Utah. We've been chasing each other for twenty years now. They take priceless artifacts that should either be in museums or in their original placements. One of my hobbies is stealing those artifacts back from them to assure they're properly taken care of."

The Captain's eyes narrowed. "You don't sell those artifacts to museums?"

Indiana laughed. "Whatever money I make goes into expeditions to find more for preservation."

"So you're trying to help?" Maria asked.

Indiana met her eyes. "I try."

The couple looked at each other again. Maria appeared to be satisfied in the explanation, and Georg could see there was no stopping her. She wanted to accompany this stranger and possibly put herself in more peril. Georg would be lying if he said he wasn't intrigued by these events, but his stronger acclimation was to keep an eye on his impulsive governess.

Indiana studied them for a moment. "I'm sorry to have involved you," he said softly.

Maria smiled at him. "We'll have a story to tell the children when we return," she said as if there was no doubt of the day's outcome.

"Children? Oh, that's right, you're the governess," Indiana said, and he looked even more apologetic. "There really shouldn't be any more danger. Like I said, they don't know where we are and they're on foot."

Georg looked at Maria again. "I hope you're right, professor."

The group exited the car and walked into the open square. Sunlight poured over the resort town, and the brightly colored buildings were vivid against the cloudless sky. The scent of cinnamon and coffee floated over the air and a pleasant cacophony of hundreds of people created a sense of serenity that almost lulled the trio into feeling at ease.

"Pretty spot," Indiana commented.

"Many people from Salzburg come out here to relax," the Captain supplied, grateful for his calm demeanor. He hoped his constant glances up and down the streets weren't too obvious, and he was sure to keep Maria close at his side. They made their way towards the church, which seemed quieter.

"I think it would be best if we did not involve anyone this time," Indiana suggested.

Maria gasped. "Oh! Father Gärtner! We don't know if he's safe!"

The Captain squeezed her shoulder. She turned quickly, her cheeks slightly flushed with worry. "I believe he'll be fine," he said quietly. There wasn't anything else for them to do at the moment, and she nodded. They approached the impressive façade of Pfarrkirche St Michael. The abundance of natural light brightened the Baroque architecture. The nave was marked with a half-dozen side altars that led to the main sanctuary, elevated by a dozen steps and blocked by an altar rail. Every sound echoed in the cavernous space, and the spiced scent of incense lingered in the air. A sense of being in another realm momentarily distracted Georg.

"Good, there are some people inside," Indiana said, his voice hushed.

Blessing themselves with holy water, Maria and the Captain turned. "Why good?" Maria asked.

"We won't look suspicious if there are other people around."

"And where are we going?" the Captain asked.

A half-smile crossed their friend's face. "I don't know. We'll know it when we see it."

Maria shot a worried look at the Captain.

"Catacombs?" she guessed.

Indiana nodded. "That would be my guess."

Georg was looking at the various altars. "Perhaps not," he said and produced the piece of paper they'd found at St. Mary's. "We're at the Archangel upon the moon's waters." He flipped the paper around. "After He wept."

Maria's eyes widened. "Lazarus!"

Indiana's expression brightened. "Yeah… that could be it." He looked around. "Let's see if we can find something with Lazarus." Removing his hat, he took a step into the sanctuary, and then turned around. "Have you two ever considered archeology? You make a good team."

Maria's cheeks turned red, and Gerog's hand twitched at his side. Indiana winked and then led the group in their investigation. Mindful not to draw attention, it was helpful they seemed nothing more than pilgrims or tourists. The chilly air quickly warmed as they examined the elaborate structures.

"These Baroque artists didn't care for subtlety," Indiana muttered as they walked by a depiction of Pentecost. The art was dramatic and encased in a meticulously carved wood altar, gold leaf columns reaching high above. Flowers were placed in every available spot, and Georg could see an enclosed space filled with at least one reliquary.

"There!"

He and Indiana followed where Maria was pointing. Another side-altar, just as ornately designed, a painting showed the raising of Lazarous from the grave. The warm colors of God in Heaven drifted beautifully to the pale, previously lifeless form of Lazarus as the shocked crowd gathered around.

"Christ wept at Lazarus's death, and then He raised him from the grave," Maria said, looking excited.

Indiana's smile was wide and hopeful. He took a couple of steps toward the altar, but Maria held his arm. "What are you going to do?" she asked.

Placing his hat on the closest pew, Indiana took another step closer. "I can play the ignorant American tourist with the best of them," he said and proceeded to practically stand on the altar itself.

Maria and Georg glanced around the church, praying no one was really paying attention to them.

"Would it be in the reliquary?" Georg, gesturing to the small compartment similar to the space in the Pentecost altar.

"Maybe, but I'm hoping it's just wedged somewhere that's visible if you know it's there…" Indiana said, surveying closely.

Maria took a step closer herself, hoping this was the worst of their intrusion. She approached one of the figures framing the piece, staring intently. Georg did the same on the other side, wondering if he'd magically know what it was he was looking for if he saw it.

"I think…"

Once again, both men turned to see Maria pointing at the folds in a statue's robe. "There," she whispered. Sure enough, there was a dull silver object wedged between two folds.

Indiana beamed. "That's it!"

Casting a quick glance around, he climbed atop the low base of the altar. Maria looked at the Captain who squeezed her hand. But they needn't worry about the art's fate; Indiana returned quickly.

"It was barely in there," he said, looking back up to assure himself nothing had been damaged. He held up their prize. The same size as its replacement in Salzburg, it was a simple silver band with a tiny vine around the outside. In its center was an unpolished red gem, not looking terribly impressive.

"St. Erentrude," Indiana said with a satisfied grin. "You have a keen eye, Fräulein."

"She has to," the Captain said, impressed. "She seems to be aware of every trick my children play on her."

"It just took one pine cone to make me learn that lesson," Maria retorted. Georg smiled in remembrance, and Indiana gave them a double look before giving Maria the ring.

"Your foundress' ring, Fräulein," he said.

Reverently, she accepted and studied it. "Why would anyone care enough to take something like this?"

Indiana shrugged. "It might be worth more as part of a larger collection," he suggested. "There is a market for medieval artifacts."

The Captain looked around. "Who do you think took it and hid it here?"

"Perhaps Father Gärtner or another priest at St. Mary's," Indiana suggested. "We need to go back and alert the authorities that fortune hunters are prowling around the area, and return you to your children."

Maria offered the ring back to him. "I have no pockets or anything to keep it safe," she said.

Dr. Jones waved it away and gestured to the Captain. "It would be safest with either of you," he said.

Accepting it from her, he smiled gently as he put it in his inner suit pocket. "Well protected," he said. She smiled prettily and nodded.

With a final glance around the small yet majestic sanctuary, the trio departed and walked through the small square. The afternoon sun had started to descend, creating longer shadows to stretch before them, and the crowd had thinned as people went either home or to restaurants for dinner.

Georg felt a surreal sense of calm starting to etch its way into his mind, as well as fatigue. It had been a most unconventional day, and the possibility that it was nearly over left him exhausted. He thought of his children, and how they would react knowing their father and governess had been shot at and then in a car chase while searching for treasures.

"Well, I think we can start heading back," Indiana said slowly. "I'd like to accompany you to the Salzburg police to assure they know the severity of the situation."

Pulled back into the moment, Georg nodded. "I think an international front would be the most productive."

"Dr – Indiana, where will you go after this?" Maria asked.

"I have a tip that our friends also have business in Portugal," he answered. "For the last twenty years, I've been looking for the cross of Coronado, and I think I finally have a lead."

"Well, I meant for tonight," she clarified, smiling. "Surely you aren't leaving Salzburg so soon. Please join us for dinner." She paused, staring at something ahead of them.

Georg's attention was diverted to their new friend, who was adjusting his hat as they walked along. "I believe the children will be quite fascinated with our tale and in meeting you," he said, somehow not wanting to part ways with this person who was unlike anyone he'd ever encountered before. If today's events were any indication, the stories Indiana could tell would be riveting.

Dr. Jones nodded, but Georg could see some discomfort at the idea of meeting children. "I promise they will not shoot at you, my friend."

Indiana still looked dubious, but he smiled. "I get you shot at and you're offering me dinner?"

Georg saw Maria falling behind out of the corner of his eye but he turned back to his other companion. "Well, truthfully, I am curious to learn about your profession."

Indiana grinned. "It's not usually like this."

"The fact that you carry weapons with you indicates otherwise," Georg countered.

"It's always good to be cautious," Indiana answered as they approached the alley where their stolen car sat.

"We'll have to see about the car's owners," Georg muttered.

Indiana stopped short, his arm colliding with Georg's chest to halt the Captain. Startled, Georg looked up and the light mood that had fallen over him burned away. Surrounding "their" car and looking considerably less cordial than they had earlier, the quartet of men stood, and they were not alone. In the center was their leader, clutching Maria close and pointing a gun to her temple.

A/N: I've updated the next few chapters to my original idea