The Romanov Ransom

Because he and Remi sponsored so many educational and archaeological ventures through the Fargo Foundation, the charitable organization that they had founded, he sometimes lost track of who they were funding. In this case, though, being a World War II history buff, he distinctly recalled the young men and their project, a documentary on the ratline a system of escape routes used by the Nazis and Fascists who fled Europe after the war. Even so, it took him a moment to bring up their names. Karl and Brand. I remember. Why?

Their uncle hasn t been able to get in touch with them for a couple of days. He s worried. Especially after getting an odd message on his voice mail.

Any idea what it was?

Something about them finding a lost plane in Morocco, and people were after them. He can t get any help from the authorities, because the boys didn t register with the consulate, and no one seems to know where they are. I told him that you might be able to pull some strings and get someone to look into it. I know you and Remi have a date tonight, but

Your family s our family, he said, grabbing his backpack from the ground and slinging it over his shoulder. Have our plane ready to go. As soon as Remi and I get home, we ll pack and head to the airport.

Sam and Remi Fargo were not the usual multimillionaires content to rest on the laurels of good business decisions that had netted them more money than they could spend in several lifetimes. Sam had earned an engineering degree from Caltech, spent seven years at DARPA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, then left to start his own company, where he d made a fortune developing a number of inventions used by the military and intelligence agencies. Remi, an anthropologist and historian with a focus on ancient trade routes, graduated from Boston College. Her background came in handy during the pursuit of their particular passion, searching for lost treasures around the wo