The Empress's Tomb (39 page)

The principal paused and gave me a meaningful look.

“Unfortunately, the message also claimed that the servant slipped a small statue of herself on horseback into the tomb, but it doesn't appear to be among the Empress's possessions. It's a shame. It would add a great deal of credibility to the story.”

I thought of the discovery that had kicked off the entire adventure. I'd almost forgotten about the clay statue of a woman on horseback that I'd hidden behind the clothes in my closet. The Empress's servant had served her well, and the time had come to reunite them. “I know where the statue is,” I confessed. “Tell Mr. Hunt I'll have it to him tomorrow.”

“I thought you might be able to shed some light on the mystery.” The old woman chuckled. “And perhaps a few other mysteries as well?”

“Ananka!” Mr. Dedly called from the steps of the synagogue. “There you are. They're ready to start!”

•     •     •

Cameras began to flash as I entered the synagogue. At the front of the temple, Adam Gunderson from News Channel Three was testing his microphone.

“Here she is, the girl of the hour, Ananka Fishbein,” Mr. Dedly announced. Since he'd read my essay, I'd become Mr. Dedly's favorite student. He'd even invited me to serve as his assistant on an archaeological dig downtown. An ancient cesspool had been uncovered near Wall Street, and there were bound to be some fascinating treasures hidden in its depths.

Gunderson regarded me suspiciously. “Have we met before?” he asked.

“I don't think so.” I flashed an appropriately girlish smile. “Why don't we get started? I have another engagement this afternoon.”

“Good afternoon, Janice. I'm here on the Lower East Side of Manhattan with a little good news for a change. This has already been a banner year for fourteen-year-old girls, and now comes word that another teenager has made a remarkable discovery.

“Ananka Fishbein, an honors student at the Atalanta School for Girls, has led archaeologists to a long-forgotten stop on the Underground Railroad beneath Bialystoker Synagogue. The subterranean
room is perfectly preserved, with ten beds and an escape tunnel that leads to the East River. It's an important piece of American history and a powerful example of the lengths to which people will go to secure their freedom.

“Tell me, Miss Fishbein, how did a girl your age manage to make a discovery that's been eluding the experts for years?”

“A girl my age?”
I repeated, almost choking on the words. I saw my parents laughing, and if it hadn't been for the cameras, I would have taught him a lesson or two.
“Well, Mr. Gunderson, if you read the right things, you can find almost anything …”

•     •     •

Closed for Renovations,
announced the sign on the door of the Golden Lotus. But inside, Oona's nail salon was hopping with activity. The Irregulars, Verushka, Mrs. Fei, and Iris had gathered to bid a fond farewell to three of our new friends.

Luz and DeeDee saw me through the window and let me in. “Hey there, superstar,” DeeDee said. “Saw you on Channel Three.”

“I'm glad to hear that
some
young people are still watching the news these days,” I joked.

“I'd rather
make
it than
watch
it,” Luz boasted.

“How are you going to to make news if your mom won't let you out of her sight?” DeeDee teased. Oona had
convinced Mr. Hunt to send letters to all of our parents explaining our disappearance and praising our contribution to the art world. Luz's mother had framed the note, but still couldn't bear to leave her daughter alone for more than five minutes. I was surprised to see that she hadn't invited herself to the party.

“She's getting better.” Luz sighed. “She only followed me to the bathroom twice yesterday.”

“Ananka!” Kaspar called from across the room. “I've got something for you.”

He and Betty were huddled by the pedicure stations, enjoying their last few hours together. In the morning, Kaspar would be on a train to his new school. He had already assured Betty that he'd see her every weekend, but she was still looking a little forlorn. I said my hellos to the others and walked over to see them.

“What is it?” I asked as he held out a package wrapped in newspaper.

“A little thank-you present. For helping me find a home.”

I tore off the paper. Inside was a painting of Bialystoker Synagogue. I tilted the frame to the left and a giant squirrel magically appeared on the building's roof.

“Thank you. It's beautiful,” I told him. “And very unusual.”

“I have one for Principal Wickham as well, if you wouldn't mind delivering it. Hopefully she'll find this one cheerful enough to hang on her wall.”

“I think she'll be thrilled to display a painting by an artist of your stature.”

Kaspar laughed. “If you want to see what real artists are capable of, have a look in Oona's office.”

•     •     •

I wasn't even halfway down the hall when I heard the sound of Iris and Oona bickering.

“What's up?” I asked as I pushed through the door. “I thought you guys were all buddy-buddy these days.”

“We are. Take a look.” Oona pointed to the mural that Yu and Siu Fah were touching up. They had both stayed behind when their friends returned to Taiwan so they could finish their gift to Oona. Now that the mural was finally complete, they'd be leaving first thing in the morning. “I asked them to add Iris to the painting.”

The lifelike image of the Irregulars battling the rats of the Shadow City took up most of the wall. The six older members wore dignified expressions and crisp, black uniforms with our
i
logo displayed on the front. Iris, however, was dressed in the same frilly purple frock she'd worn to the gala. I couldn't help but laugh.

“Yeah, yeah, very funny,” sniffed Iris. “Why can't I have a uniform, too?”

“ ‘Cause that's how I want to remember you,” Oona explained. “You were wearing that dress when you saved my life.”

“Don't make me regret it, Wong,” the little girl huffed.

“What, now that you're all grown up you can't take a joke?” Oona asked. She spoke in Hakka and Yu grinned. Reaching up to the mural, he peeled off a strip of paper that had been fixed to the wall, revealing a slightly different
painting beneath. Iris's purple dress disappeared. The image now showed all seven Irregulars in flashy black uniforms. “Better?” Oona asked with a wink.

“It's perfect!” Iris bounced up and down with excitement.

While Iris admired her portrait, Yu and Siu Fah stepped forward to shake my hand. As Yu spoke, Oona translated.

“He wants me to tell you that you did a wonderful thing. The hidden room should belong to everyone. It shows how hard people are willing to fight for their freedom.” Siu Fah's head bobbed in agreement.

Oona said something in Hakka, and all three laughed.

“What was that?” I asked.

“I asked if they had time to draw a halo over your head,” Oona replied. “And maybe make your mouth a little bigger, too.”

•     •     •

Kiki covered one of the manicure tables with a tablecloth, and Verushka and Mrs. Fei set out three squirrelshaped cakes.

“Hey! Everyone get over here,” Oona ordered. “I have a few things to say before we start chowing down. First of all, I'd like to thank Kaspar, Yu, and Siu Fah for helping us put my father behind bars, where he belongs. We're really going to miss you all. And I've got to say, it was kind of nice having a couple of boys around for a change.”

Betty sniffled behind me as Oona translated her sentiments for Yu and Siu Fah.

“Second, I'd like to announce the opening of two more Golden Lotus nail salons. And to introduce my new
business partner—my esteemed grandmother, Mrs. Fei.” The old woman beside her beamed. “Seems a lot of people are free now that Lester Liu's locked away, and they all need jobs. So I figure it's time to expand the empire.”

“And will you be recording your clients' conversations at the new salons, too?” DeeDee asked.

“Absolutely! What's wrong with a little Robin Hood action?” Oona asked. “Speaking of which, I've got one more piece of business to take care of.” She ran to her office and returned with a plain cardboard box, which she handed to Verushka. “I heard that rat Dr. Pritchard cost a fortune. Maybe this will help.”

Verushka opened the box, and a tear slipped down her cheek. She reached inside and pulled out a fistful of diamond jewelry. I recognized several of the presents that Oona had received from her father.

Verushka planted a kiss on Oona's cheek. “Thank you,” she said. “We will repay you very soon.”

“Don't bother—it's all yours,” Oona insisted. “Buy whatever you need now, and keep the rest for an emergency. You and Kiki seem to have them on a regular basis. But next time, maybe you'll
tell us?”

“We will,” Verushka agreed. She turned to Kiki and nodded solemnly. “It is time,” she said.

Kiki stepped forward to address the group. “The money may come in handy sooner than you think. Verushka and I have made a decision. We can't keep hiding anymore. We have to deal with Livia once and for all.”

“What do you have in mind?” Oona asked warily.

“It'll be in the newspapers tomorrow,” Kiki announced. “I'm claiming the throne of Pokrovia.”

Also by Kirsten Miller

KIKI STRIKE
Inside the Shadow City

Copyright © 2007 by Kirsten Miller

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

First published in the United States of America in October 2007
by Bloomsbury Books for Young Readers
E-book edition published in April 2011
www.bloomsburyteens.com

For information about permission to reproduce selections from this book, write to
Permissions, Bloomsbury BFYR, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10010

The Library of Congress has cataloged the hardcover edition as follows:
Miller, Kirsten.

Kiki Strike: the Empress's tomb / by Kirsten Miller.—1st U.S. ed.
p. cm.

Summary: Fourteen-year-olds Ananka Fishbein, Kiki Strike, and the other Irregulars encounter a Chinese mummy, a ghost, trained squirrels, and old enemies as they try to stop an art forgery ring and safeguard the secret streets hidden beneath New York City.

ISBN-13: 978-1-59990-047-6 • ISBN-10: 1-59990-047-5 (hardcover)

[1. Underground areas—Fiction. 2. Crime—Fiction. 3. Identity—Fiction. 4. New York (N.Y.)—Fiction.] I. Title.

PZ7.M6223Kit 2007       [Fic]—dc22     2007012000

ISBN 978-1-59990-796-3 (e-book)