CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

"Are you guys seeing this?" asked Alistair, holding up his phone. "It's a live feed from someone with the caption ‘Princess Gone Wild.' It's her. She's standing at a hotel window naked, screaming at a man below."

"Let me see," said Leif, grabbing the phone. "That's Burkhard. Looks like that love affair is done."

"But if he's gone, are the weapons gone?" asked Ellie.

"Probably not, but it's a good point. If we can find him, we might be able to find out what is going on," said Leif.

"Finding him will be nearly impossible in this city," said Alistair. "That guy has avoided Interpol, CIA, MI5, everyone."

"I have an idea," said Hiro into comms.

"Let's hear it, brother. We're running low on ideas and time," said Leif.

"I'll put something out on the dark web specifically for him. A message. We'll see if he bites."

"Do it," said Major. "We don't have much time if her plan is to blow up the entire fucking airport and half their air force. We're coming up on the Valley of the Queens. Let's see if we can get this man to listen to us."

"Mags said he's very nice, and he's more than willing to listen to what we have to say," said Ellie.

Although they'd been to the area several times now, it stole their breath away as they approached.

"Good afternoon. We're here to see General Abdul Bakkar. My name is Eleanor Stanton."

"Yes, madam. The general is expecting you."

Knowing the way to the tomb, they maneuvered around the tourists and workers, finding a place to park. As they exited, Ellie was the last one out.

"My God, you look identical to your sister," smiled the older man. "Except for the red hair."

"Yes, well, that was necessary in case they thought I was her," smiled Ellie. She reached for his hand, and he pulled her in for a hug.

"Forgive me, but I adore your sister, and I always hug her." Ellie laughed, shaking her head. The older man smelled like pipe tobacco and spice.

"It's alright. These are my friends," she started. He held up his hand.

"It's probably best if I don't know your friends' names. Come with me," he nodded. He walked with them through the tunnels and toward several camp stools that his men had set up for them. There were glasses of tea and even fresh fruit waiting for them as if he were entertaining visitors.

"Magnolia said that this was urgent, and I needed to listen, so I'm listening."

"I'll start from the beginning," said Leif. While Leif told the story of what had happened, Major got two text messages. One was Elena telling him that she was safely in London and she already missed him. He quickly texted back.

I miss you too. I'll call when I'm home.

The second was from Hiro. Their man had taken the bait and would be calling him any moment. He waited, then his phone rang with an untraceable number.

"Hello."

"You sent a message," said the German voice.

"I'm calling about Princess Farah."

"Are you her family?" asked the man.

"No."

"She needs her family. I can't help her." Major frowned, realizing this man might have some affection for her.

"Listen, I just don't want anyone to die. Whatever she has planned, we need to stop it. You know that she's not well." He was met with silence and checked several times to be sure the phone was still connected.

"Who are you?"

"A concerned citizen," said Major.

"A concerned American citizen. I've left her employ. I'm leaving the country now."

"Just tell me what you have, what you've provided for her. I'll do the rest. We can't let these people die senselessly."

"I'm sorry. Business is business."

The call ended, and Major was ready to throw his phone against the wall. Instead, he walked back into the room, nodding at the others.

"What is she planning to do?" asked the general.

"We wish we knew," said Leif, "but we think it has something to do with going through the airport. All the air force jets will be there, along with thousands of military personnel. It would be a devastating blow."

"If we reroute the parade at this point, it would cause mass hysteria. Businesses have been waiting for this for months now. They depend on the tourism and extra dollars. Besides, it might not change anything."

"I just spoke to the man that provided her with the weapons and explosives she needed. He refused to help me. I'm sorry," said Major.

"I think all we can do is ensure that our working dogs are there, security is beefed up, and that we keep the population behind barricades. I'm not sure what else to do at this point."

"General, do we think the president would stop this?" asked Ellie.

"No. It's too important, but he might be able to speak with her family. I've met this young woman a time or two. Do you know how when you meet someone who just isn't right in the head, someone who you know is disturbed, the hairs on your arms stand up? That's what happened when I met her. I've never said this about a human before, but that woman should have been imprisoned or killed as a child."

"I feel so helpless," said Ellie. "I want to help your people and stop this woman. She's completely unhinged and not willing to budge from her plan."

"Then I would simply ask for your help in inspecting the area," said the general. "I'll arrange for special identifications for all of you. Will you help us?"

"Of course," said Leif, shaking the other man's hand.

"You know, I don't know all of it, but I know that Magnolia comes from an extraordinary family. When everything happened with her, I was worried that I would have a war on my hands with just her family members. You men look as if you could start a war," he grinned. The others smiled at the older man.

"I don't look like I could start a war?" smirked Ellie. He laughed, shaking his head.

"My dear, your beauty and that of your sister could start a thousand wars. But today, let's try for peace."