CHAPTER THIRTEEN

"Elena? What if I were to tell you that our DNA testing might be able to tell you conclusively what the heritage of this woman might be?" said Ellie.

"I would say that's wonderful, but the wheels of the Egyptian Antiquities Council move very, very slowly. It would have to be put before a committee. The committee would have to vote on it, then the committee would send it to the council, and so on and so on."

"That's incredibly frustrating," said Alistair. "We have a way to either prove or disprove this woman's claim, and they won't take it."

"They won't take it for that very reason," said Elena as they stepped into the sunlight. "This is unprecedented, and we wouldn't know what to do if she were able to prove her connection. Can you imagine? Millions of Egyptians would line up to see if they were related to Tutankhamun, or Ramses, or any of the other pharaohs. They would all claim they have a right to the riches and wealth.

"For this woman, we're assuming that we even have enough proof of the DNA belonging to Cleopatra or Nefertiti. One of our most respected and controversial archaeologists claims to have found Nefertiti's tomb. But many others refute that and believe it's all lies. DNA testing might prove it, and it might not.

"This is a very hot button for our culture and our country. Some of these archaeologists believe that they're some sort of fortune hunter, Indiana Jones in the desert sort of thing. They lie about the age of artifacts. They make up stories, then retract them when it works for them. People lose their jobs over these things."

She stared off out the window of the van, looking at the pyramids as they passed them. It was magnificent to think anything could have been constructed in this way without mechanical help.

"Elena? Did you lose your job?" asked Ellie, reaching for the other woman's hand.

"I am no longer allowed to dig on a site. At least for the time being," she frowned. "Someone used me as a pawn to pass along fake information, and I was young and stupid. Thomas and May were by my side during it all. They both knew what had happened and knew the man that did it to me. I was foolish and shouldn't have taken what he gave me at face value. I've been banned for five years."

"That's insane! What about a lawyer?" Elena laughed, shaking her head.

"This is Egypt, not New York City. It's alright. I love my job at the museum, and it gives me the opportunity to examine these finds in great detail and to teach. I've learned a lot these last few years."

"But what you really want to do is dig in the dirt," smirked Major.

"Yes, Major. More than anything."

"I think we should buy you dinner," said Leif. "You've been very helpful to us."

"Thank you. I think I'd like that. It beats going back to my one-room apartment and having leftovers," she smirked. "I know a wonderful place with amazing views. I'll show you."

Directing them through the horrendous traffic, the team of men was suddenly on high alert. Too many cars, too many people, too many possible tangos. This was making their spidey-senses go on high alert, and they were getting uncomfortable.

Elena noticed that Major was rubbing his hands on his knees, staring out the window. She reached over, covering his hand with her own. She smiled up at him.

"We're almost there," she whispered.

He simply nodded at her, staring at the delicate ring on her middle finger. It was a beautiful, antiqued gold, with a black onyx scarab on top.

"It's beautiful," he said, staring at her ring.

"My father gave it to me," she smiled. "Scarabs were worn by women of all classes in ancient Egypt. If you were lower classes, it would be made from paste. If you were upper classes, it could be made of jade or ruby, even diamond."

"What was the most desired?" asked Major.

"Lapis lazuli. Blue was desired by all people. It was expensive to make clothing or paint in blue, so if you had anything blue, you were considered very wealthy. But I like my onyx. My father thought it was special, so I do as well."

Major grinned at her, her hand still lying on top of his own. She smiled back, then moved her hand to her lap.

"Up ahead. Just park with the valet," she said. Inside, she requested a table near the water and was immediately led to a long, teakwood table with lush, cushioned blue velvet chairs. Major smiled, pointing at the seats.

"Blue."

"Blue," she laughed. "I love this spot. I think about Cleopatra's barge coming down the Nile, all the history, the people who died and suffered all for the will of a pharaoh. Slaves in that time never saw a way out, never saw an opportunity to do anything except be a slave. Many resigned themselves to the fact that they would be house slaves, maids, and such. They even trained their own children to be in the same honorable profession. Very few young men left unless they joined the military. Very few women lived past the age of thirty. It makes me sad and excited all at the same time. I just want to know more."

When the waiter came, Elena ordered for everyone, choosing traditional foods that she felt certain they would all eat. Much of it was meat, so she knew the men would be happy. But they were surprised at the amount of fresh fruits, warm bread, and sweets.

"That was wonderful," said Garr, patting his belly like an old man. "I think I've gained ten pounds."

"I doubt that any of you ever gain any weight," smiled Elena.

Ellie found it interesting that she'd chosen to sit near Major, and he seemed more than happy with that decision. Leif held her hand below the table, careful not to display too much affection in the open-air public restaurant.

"What do you suggest we do about this problem, Elena?" asked Leif. "We don't know who this woman is or why she wanted Ellie's sister, but since they look alike, we're concerned that someone else might take her or one of the others."

"The woman has never come forward," said Elena, "so I can't help you with her name. What hotel was your sister staying at in Cairo?"

"The Four Seasons on the Nile," said Ellie.

"Interesting," frowned Elena. "That hotel is directly across the Nile from the embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and there is a significant museum just across the bridge. Did she visit the museum by chance?"

"I don't know, but I can ask her." Ellie texted her sister, waiting to get a response. It was several moments later that she replied that she had visited the museum the day before. It was one of her favorites. Elena nodded, then glanced casually around the restaurant.

"We're being watched," she said behind her napkin, dipping her head low beside Major. "Table in the corner, three men."

"I think it's time to go," said Leif.

He put a handful of cash on the table, and Elena nodded, letting him know that it was more than enough. It was easy enough to lose their followers, but the team was fairly certain that a tracker had been placed on the van.

Parking at the museum, Elena had them pile into her small SUV and drove out of the employee parking lot with them.

"I'll let you have my vehicle," she said. "I'll just go home."

"I don't think that's a good idea," said Leif. "You've been seen with us now, and someone wants us, Ellie, or you, badly."

"I can't go with you," she said, shaking her head.

"Husband? Kids? Cat?" asked Brix. She shook her head. "Then you need to come with us. This isn't make-believe, Elena. This is someone willing to kidnap to get what they want."

"Can I pick up some things from my home?"

"Of course," said Leif.

She pulled through a small alleyway, immediately making the hairs on the back of Major's neck stand up. This was a nightmare waiting to happen. Major and Brix followed her upstairs to find that she wasn't exaggerating when she said it was a one-room apartment.

The sofa pulled out into a bed, and there was an ancient television sitting on a milk crate. The refrigerator was like something from a 1950's movie, a hotplate on the counter.

"Obviously, I don't entertain much," she smiled. Major grinned at her.

"Neither do I," he said. Brix just stared at the two, shaking his head.

Looking around the room to be sure she didn't leave anything important, she turned toward the men with her one small duffel bag and smiled. They waited, then realized that was it.

"That's all?" frowned Brix.

"I don't have much. I have two suits I wear to work when I have to. Everything else is pretty casual. I don't have a lot of disposable income. I'm not like a lot of my girlfriends from boarding school, where I can take Daddy's credit card to the Champs Elysee and buy a new handbag for ten or fifteen grand. I wouldn't want that anyway," she said.

Major took the bag from her, then waited for Brix to open the door and secure the hallway. He held his hand behind his back, signaling to Major.

Major pulled Elena back toward the small water closet, pushing her inside and gently closing the door. He held a finger to his lips, and she stared up at him, not saying a word. They could hear Brix speaking in the hallway but couldn't understand his words.

Elena was pressed against Major's chest, sweat dripping down her neck to the sweet folds of her cleavage. Major grabbed a towel from the shelf and gently patted her face and neck. As his fingertips touched her flesh, she held his hand there, just staring at him.

"All clear," came Brix's voice. Major reluctantly opened the door and stepped out, allowing Elena to come out as well. "Must have been hot as shit in there. You're both flushed."

"It's always hot in here," said Elena, looking away from the man. "I only have two small fans, no air conditioning."

"Well, good news. Our hotel is completely air conditioned. Ellie called ahead and secured a room for you under an alias. One of us will stay in the room with you, just to be safe."

"O-oh," she stammered. "How will that work?"

"I'll stay with you," said Major. "I'll sleep on the floor, just to be sure no one tries to get into the room." Nodding, she followed Brix down the stairs and could hear Major behind her. How was she going to make it through the night with this man in her bedroom?

"Everything okay?" asked Leif.

"Just a nosey neighbor. We're good to go," smiled Brix. Major nodded as well, not saying anything. He looked at Elena and waited.

"Yes. Good to go."