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relics from this period at the Egyptian Museum where I am interning. And this profile is very similar to other carvings of the Queen.”
    “Told you it was real,” Gannon said with a smirk.
    Serene leaned over the table, looking us each in the eyes.
    “This is probably a good time to tell you,” she said quietly. “There are a couple scholars who believe that Cleopatra went to her tomb with a powerful secret.”
    We all leaned in closer, gripped with curiosity.
    “Not many people know this. It’s kept top secret. I only know by accident. I was waiting outside Dr. Aziz’s office one morning when he happened to be discussing it on the phone. He didn’t know I was outside his door, and I don’t want him to know. If this information got out, every archeologist in the world, not to mention every tomb robber, would soon be in Egypt digging up the desert. That’s why you have to promise that you won’t tell anyone.”
    “I promise,” I said.
    “I won’t tell a soul,” James said. “Cross my heart and hope to die.”
    “I won’t either,” Gannon said. “Your secret is safe with me.”
    “Do you know the story of the famous Library of Alexandria?” Serene asked.
    “Yes,” I said. “It was the greatest library in the ancient world. When Julius Caesar invaded Alexandria, he accidently set it on fire and destroyed all the material in the library.”
    “Not all,” Serene said. “When Cleopatra learned the library was on fire, she sent several men from her army to save the most sacred texts. Luckily, they were successful. They brought these scrolls back to Cleopatra and she hid them from the Romans.”
    “What was in them?” James asked.
    “Information that had been passed down among Egypt’s Royal Historians for thousands of years. It’s believed they explain some of ancient Egypt’s greatest mysteries.”
    “Like what?” I asked.
    “Like how the pyramids were actually built, the meaning behind their geometric dimensions, the significance of the Great Sphinx, and information on ancient curses, among other things.”
    “You’re kidding?” James said.
    “I’m just telling you what I heard,” Serene said.
    “Do the scrolls say anything about aliens?” Gannon asked.
    I’ve come to expect off-the-wall comments from Gannon, but occasionally they are so far-fetched, even I’m taken by surprise.
    “Aliens?” I said. “Really, Gannon?”
    “I’m just asking. Some people believe extra-terrestrials played a part in building the pyramids. I’m not saying it’s true, but you never know. The scrolls might say something about it.”
    “You sure do keep an open mind, don’t you?” James said.
    “Too open,” I said.
    “I don’t know the exact contents of the scrolls,” Serene said. “Just what I heard from Dr. Aziz, which is all speculation, really. Only Cleopatra knew. It was said that secrets contained in the scrolls were so powerful that Cleopatra ordered men loyal to her to bury them in her tomb at the time of her death and never tell anyone of their location. She was afraid that if the Romans took possession of the scrolls, they would be able to use the knowledge to expand their power and become an unbeatable force.”
    “This is incredible,” I said.
    “If it’s true,” James added.
    “Just imagine,” I continued. “Dr. Aziz said uncovering Cleopatra’s tomb would be one of the greatest finds of the century. But to discover Cleopatra and the secret scrolls … that would be one of the greatest discoveries of all time!”
    “Without question,” Serene agreed.
    I doubt I’ll sleep much tonight. My mind is racing with thoughts of being part of the team that makes this discovery. I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but I’m already picturing us on a world-wide museum tour. I can see it now. Stops in Tokyo and Los Angeles and Paris. Speaking in front of huge crowds. Cleopatra’s treasures displayed all around us, as we provide answers to mysteries that have remained unsolved