CHAPTER NINE

Pushing several tables together on the outdoor patio of the restaurant in the hotel, they ordered a variety of foods and tried to keep the conversation light-hearted, speaking of childhood memories and missing home.

"I can't wait to have some of Mama Irene's bread pudding," smiled Ellie. "It's been ages since I've had anything so divine."

"Man, it's the oyster po'boys for me," smirked Major. "With a huge side of fries and coleslaw. I can taste it now."

"I just want to float on the bayou for a while," said Garr. "Maybe find a nice girl of my own, pack a picnic lunch, and take a long boat ride. I just miss it, man. Gaspar used to talk about seeing the stars when he was stationed in other countries, and realizing that somewhere back home, they would be seeing the stars as well. Sometimes the same, sometimes different, depending on where he was. I just want that."

"Your eyes still fascinate me, Garr," smiled Ellie. "You got your father's beautiful skin, size, and wonderful lips, but your eyes are something else."

"Yeah, but they also make me stand out. It's why I wear sunglasses a lot. Brix got them as well."

"Our fathers were twins," he smirked. "Hard not to inherit something so unique as your grandmother's eyes."

"Still, it makes you both incredibly unique."

"Unique isn't always good in our line of work," frowned Brix. Ellie nodded.

"I can understand that. We all lived close to one another in Virginia. For a while, we actually roomed together and then realized because we were working for four different agencies, we probably shouldn't. Leaving my sisters was like having a limb ripped from my body. I couldn't stand it.

"We met once a week for dinner and drinks, no matter what. Unless we were deployed." She felt Leif stiffen and smiled up at him. "I know. I should have told someone. We all should have. You'd think we'd learn from our family, but then again, you'd think our family would learn as well. We're all raised by strong, intelligent, dominant men and women. It stands to reason that we're going to do something like this."

"It's true," smiled Brix. "Our parents, grandparents, all of them are examples everyone should follow. By the way, did y'all hear that we have more ghosts on the property?"

"I did," laughed Leif. "In fact, I'm looking forward to meeting them. They all seem to bring a layer of uniqueness to our home." The group chuckled.

"Yes, them and the new zoo inhabitants." Everyone stared at her. "You haven't heard. Elephant, giraffe, tigers, lion, buffalo, and a few other things I can't remember now."

"Good lord," laughed Leif. He gave a signal to the two men across the table. He'd been eyeing a group of men at the bar for some time now, but suddenly, they were standing and walking their way.

"You're Americans," said the man. He was tall and thin but walked with authority, carrying a knife at his side.

"That's right," said Major. "So are you."

"Guilty," said the man. "Tourists?"

"Old college friends reconnecting," said Leif.

"Really, what college?"

"University of California at Berkley," smiled Ellie. The man nodded, looking at the group.

"Funny, I wouldn't have pegged you all for liberal Californians."

"I didn't say we were from there," said Ellie. "I said we went to school there. We're from all over."

"You're a beautiful woman to be with seven men all by herself. Maybe you should reduce the odds." Leif started to stand, but Major held his forearm to the chair. He needed to let Ellie handle this.

"I don't need to reduce any odds, and the way you speak to a woman you don't even know tells me you're not someone I need to spend time with. I'm with my friends. Good friends. Enjoy your stay in Egypt." She was dismissing him, and by the look on his face, he wasn't ready to be dismissed.

"You never know. I might see you around."

"Enjoying the dig sites?" asked Brix. The man stared at him, then gave a smirk.

"I'm enjoying it all, man."

"So, you're American. Where are you from?" asked Forrest.

"Here and there." Forrest stared at the two men standing behind him. The other men had said nothing during the entire interaction, and he still couldn't figure out what their game was.

"And you two? Do you just hide in his pocket and not say anything unless he tells you to?" One of the men started to move toward Forrest, and he stood from his seat, casually stretching to his full height of six-feet-four. With a thick bulk of nearly two hundred and thirty pounds, the other man stopped, staring at the bigger man.

"It's all good," said the first man, pushing his friend back. "We meant nothing by the conversation. Just wanted to say hello. Let us know if you decide to leave the group, honey. Happy to take you on."

"I'm good." Ellie gripped Leif's hand below the table, and they watched as the three men left the bar and headed toward a vehicle parked downstairs. When they were gone, Leif called the bartender over.

"Are they staying at the hotel?" he asked.

"Yes, sir. They've been disruptive every night. Always bothering our guests. The manager would make them leave, but they've paid for their rooms in advance. I'm sorry to say, they're right across from the lady's room." Ellie looked at Leif, and he gave her a knowing smile.

"I'll be staying with my fiancée tonight," said Leif.

"Because your passports are American, the hotel will allow that," nodded the man. "I'll bring your desserts in a moment. On the house." Sebastian stood and started to leave the table.

"Where are you going?" asked Ellie.

"For a walk. Just want to see what I can trip over." Brix stood as well.

"I'll go with him. So he doesn't trip too far."

The two men rifled through the belongings of their neighbors, finding maps, more knives, and hidden in a closet were two rifles and two handguns. But what bothered them more than anything was the photograph of Magnolia. It was a clear photo taken somewhere on the base at Quantico.

"They thought Ellie was Mags," said Brix. Sebastian nodded.

"Look at the maps. They're trying to find something in this area. All of the major sites are circled, and they list the archaeologists in charge of them. They want something desperately, brother."

Ensuring everything was back where they left it, they exited the room. Back in the bar, the table was just being cleared, making room for their delicious desserts and Egyptian coffee.

"We need to secure her room tonight," said Sebastian, "or switch hotels."

"We can switch hotels, but I'm not sure it's going to solve anything," said Leif. "If there's a price on Mags' head, they'll want it for themselves."

"What if we gave it to them," said Ellie.

"What the fuck are you talking about?" growled Leif.

"Hear me out. What if we allow them to take me and you guys follow. Don't let them get too far ahead or to whoever wants Mags. Just hide in their trunk or something."

"What if they put you in the trunk?" frowned Major.

"I'll tell them I'm claustrophobic and will have an attack that could kill me. I have a feeling they want Mags alive for some reason."

"Ransom?" frowned Forrest.

"Could be," said Alistair, "but for what? Is someone at Quantico a part of this? Do they have something that these guys want?"

"Only one way to find out," said Ellie. "They just pulled into the parking lot again. No one else is with them. Walk me back to the room, kiss me goodnight, and for God's sake, save me."