Chapter 3

Indiana Jones broke all records racing home. It was already dark when he arrived. The autumn air had a cool chill to it. He stormed through the front door and looked around. The house appeared to be untouched and empty. He walked down the center hallway to the kitchen and found it empty as well. But there was a pot simmering on low on the stove. He did not see Margaret, the housekeeper.

He jumped when he heard something upstairs. It sounded like someone had dropped something. He quietly went to his office and unlocked his bottom desk drawer. From the drawer he pulled out his loaded revolver and made his way up the back stairs cautiously.

The hallway was dark, except for the bedroom at the end of the hall. Indiana could hear someone searching through the closet. He peered with care into the room and did not see anyone. The person was evidently in the walk-in closet. He pointed his gun at the closet door and said in a powerful voice, "Whoever you are, come out with your hands up." Both hands on his gun, he waited for the perpetrator to come out. He was not expecting to see who he did. It was his daughter, apparently home from school on a weekend visit.

"Sheesh, Dad. You definitely have to much caffeine in your diet." Alexandra said. "What's up with you? Paranoia is not a good color on you."

"Alex! What in God's name are you doing here?" Her father demanded.

The young woman looked at her father as though he had lost his head, "Well, last time I looked this is my bedroom and has been since I've been four years old." She continued to unpack her weekend bag, "My brother is certainly right, you've lost it."

Indy put his gun away and ran his hand over his face, "It's not that Sweetheart, I just wasn't expecting you. I didn't see your car."

"It's out there. I parked on the street. Margaret ran to the store to pick up some things for dinner," His daughter told him. "By the way, do we know anyone in Germany?"

Her father frowned, "Germany?"

Alex pulled a small package out of her bag, "This was sent to me at school, its postmarked from Berlin. I don't recognize the name or understand the note attached." She handed her father the package.

For the second time today, Indiana Jones was shocked. It was the missing pages. Also included was a note,

La plus chère Alexandra,

Gardez le travail de votre parent. Leur legs. Donnez-le s'il vous plaît à votre père. Il comprendra. Dieu Bénit.

Mme. Ammelie Kilburne

Dearest Alexandra,

Please guard your parent's work. Their legacy. Give this to your father, he will understand.

God Bless.

Mrs. Ammelie Kilburne

"Pretty bizarre, isn't it?" His daughter asked. "I looked at the pages, they are fascinating, but what does it have to do with you and mom?"

Not answering her, he shoved the package into his pocket, "Alexandra, listen carefully. You are to get in your car and drive back to school. No, go to your grandfather's. Don't tell anyone where you are." His voice had an edge of panic to it.

Confused, his daughter asked, "What? I just got here. What's going on? And where is my brother?"

She folded her arms over her chest and looked at her father with interest.

"I don't know?" He finally said.

"But something is wrong?" She asked apprehensively.

Taking a deep sigh, her father answered truthfully, "Yes, Honey. Very wrong."

Stepping forward she took her father's hand, "Well, I'm not a little girl anymore. I suggest you tell me everything."

A half hour later they were seated at the kitchen table. Margaret piddled around the kitchen, visibly upset. She had worked for the Jones family for almost twenty years and before that she worked for Mrs. Jones's family. She loved the children as if they were her own. Her only son had been a soldier in the war and had been killed.

Margaret came with Elizabeth to the States when Elizabeth married the famous archeologist in a whirlwind courtship in 1938. They met at the University of London where Elizabeth Talbot was finishing up her masters degree and Indy was a guest speaker. She was an archeologist too, but she also had another passion. She was a decipher. Which meant she broke enemy codes for her government.

She was fervent about her work and convinced Indiana to take a job teaching at the University of London while she continued to serve her country. They moved into a flat in London. It was not long before she was pregnant with Alexandra who was born July of 1939. Her mother dubbed her "Daddy's birthday present."

But by the of summer the entire world changed. Germany invaded Poland, and a couple of days later, Britain declared war on Germany. Along with France, Australia, and New Zealand. Indiana knew what the Nazis were capable of and decided it was time to get his family out of the war zone and to the United States where they would be safe. His wife agreed and the small family settled into a quiet life near Barnett College.

"So these pages are research that you and mom did?" Alexandra asked.

"Yes, I came up with this theory in the early 30's and pieced information together over the years. I was not able to pursue my theory due to other," Indy hesitated looking for the correct word, "activities during that time."

"So whoever grabbed Zack, wants you to finish what you started?"

"It appears so, Sweetie." Her father said.

Alexandra pushed her tea mug away, "Well, I need to go pack again."

This relieved her father, "Then your going to Princeton to stay with your grandfather."

"No, Dad. I'm coming with you."