Epilogue

The aftermath of our ridiculous, death-defying adventure proved almost as incredible as the journey itself.

Back in Cairo, the thieves made a deal with the FBI. They spilled the beans on their entire operation in exchange for reduced sentences. Turns out, they were part of a much larger art smuggling ring run by the Mafia. And the mastermind behind it all? None other than Vincent Tamburello, the museum’s head of security and, as it turned out, a Mafia capo. His plan to use the stolen artifacts to fund his criminal empire collapsed, just like the tunnel.

With Tamburello behind bars, the stolen artifacts were returned to the museum, where the exhibit reopened to rave reviews. The scandal, far from harming the museum’s reputation, actually increased public interest. People lined up to see the Vase of Hathor and the Jewel of Isis—relics that had almost been lost to history.

For our part in recovering the artifacts, Jack, Bambi, and I received generous monetary rewards, which were enough to change all our lives. I was also given my job back—plus a promotion. The money allowed me to transfer my parents to a much nicer and better equipped assisted living facility, and I even started looking at houses in a small town outside New York City. Something quiet and peaceful, where I could escape the chaos of the city but still commute to work.

A few weeks later, we returned Snickers to Zayed, who had returned from his epic Lord of the Rings tour in New Zealand. His shop was now filled with hobbit memorabilia and framed posters of Gandalf. I couldn’t help but notice the spark between him and Bambi as they bonded over their shared love for Middle-earth. Snickers seemed just as thrilled as I was, chattering happily as he hopped between their shoulders.

Jack, ever the pragmatic adventurer, had news of his own. “I’ve been thinking of starting my own private security firm,” he told me as we strolled through the bustling Cairo market. “Maybe have my headquarters located back in the States. Perhaps New York. What would you think of that?”

I smiled, trying not to show how fast my heart was racing. “I think I’d like that very much.”

Jack grinned and leaned in, his lips barely brushing mine as the warm Cairo breeze swirled around us. “Here’s to new adventures,” he whispered just before he passionately kissed me.