CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

"I'm so shocked, I don't even know what to say," said Elena. She kept staring at the books and documents, then would look at May, as if asking for help.

"You had no idea?" asked May.

"None. I swear to you, my father never spoke about things like this. Everything he did revolved around finding artifacts related to Egypt. Why wouldn't he have told me?"

"You have to realize, that for many people they don't believe these artifacts are real. Obviously, this is why the British and Egyptian governments were so secretive about the dig. They still have not released the details of everything. It would have been highly controversial for both of them and, quite possibly, could have damaged their professional credibility."

"But if they believed it was in that tunnel, why hasn't someone gone back inside?" she asked. "I mean, if the government officials knew, they would have hired others to go back in and find what they believed was there."

"I think I have an answer to that," said AJ, walking into the room. "Hi, Elena. I'm with the tech team."

"Hello," she smiled.

"Seven years ago, a dig took place on that very site, but through a different entrance. It was literally on the other side of the mound, which made it appear as if it were going in a different direction. I think they were working their way through to the other side."

"What have they found?" she asked anxiously.

"Nothing. The tunnel collapsed on the other side as well, and more than a dozen workers were killed this time. The government shut it down."

"A dozen? More men dead. For what? For some potential artifact that was never even proven to exist. We knew that tunnel was dangerous. Others had died. My father died because of that dig."

"Elena, there is information in these documents that say the articles could have been hidden in that tomb. It was a tomb made for a pharaoh but never used. That pharaoh was buried somewhere else," said May.

"I understand that it seems obvious," said Elena, "but in all the years that people have been tracing these things, they've never once mentioned that they could have come to Egypt. Israel, Italy, Tunisia, and a dozen other places but never Egypt."

"Isn't it possible, babe?" asked Major. "I mean, let's just think for a moment about what the possibilities could have been. There was no pharaoh at the time of Jesus. The Romans were in charge, but they controlled Egypt."

She paced back and forth, pushing her hair from her face. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a hair clip and twisted her hair on her head, securing it in place. May smirked at her.

"It's the humidity, not the heat," she smiled. "You'll get used to it." Elena turned and smiled at the woman, nodding her head.

"Sorry. I know it looks as though I'm frustrated, but honestly, I'm more confused than ever before. Maybe hurt. My father and I spoke about everything he was doing. Everything. I never spoke to anyone about his digs because the danger of theft was always real."

"Maybe someone knows that," said AJ. "If they knew that you and your father spoke about his work, about each of the digs, maybe they believe that you know something about this one."

"But I don't," she said, shaking her head.

"What about your mother?" asked May. "I know their relationship was fractured, but is it possible he spoke to her about this?"

"I doubt it. She wasn't interested, and while he was on a dig, he would often sleep in the area, not go home at night. I can ask her, but I know the response."

"Do you mind?" prompted Luke.

"Of course not." She pulled the speaker phone toward her, watching as it connected to the screen in front of her. It was early in the morning in Egypt, but her mother usually rose early.

"Elena! What a lovely surprise. How are you?" Major frowned, realizing that this woman had no clue her daughter was married.

"I'm well, Mother. I got married."

"Oh, that's lovely, dear. Is he Egyptian?"

"No, mother. I've moved to the United States. I'll be living and working here."

"I see. Well, it's an awful place from what I understand," she said, yawning with her tea at her lips.

"Mother, I'm here with my husband and his friends now. Try not to be rude. I'm calling about Father's last dig."

"Elena, when will you stop speaking about digs and dirt and all the other mess?"

"It's my job, Mother. I just need an answer to one question. Did Father tell you what he was working on during the last dig?"

"Good heavens, no," she laughed. "Your father never told me about his digging or what he was digging for. Truthfully, I didn't care. You're not going into that tunnel, are you?"

"No, Mother. It's closed. Permanently."

"Good. That's good. I believe it's cursed."

"What would make you think that?" asked Major. The woman stared at him. Her brows raised toward her daughter. "Apologies, ma'am. My name is Major Carson, and I've married this beautiful creature that you helped to create."

"Well," giggled her mother. She actually giggled, thought Elena. "Aren't you handsome?"

"Your daughter thinks so, and that's all I care about. What do you mean, cursed?" he asked.

"Efram told me. At your father's funeral, he said that the entire dig was cursed, but your father wouldn't listen to them. No one wanted to continue."

"Efram said that?" she frowned.

"Yes. He and others. I know you loved your father, Elena, but sometimes, he was singular in his focus and didn't listen to those around him."

"Is this Efram still alive?" asked Major.

"I believe so. He's still working digs, from what I understand. He and his wife brought their children down here a few years back, and we saw them in the marketplace. He's not changed at all."

"Thank you, Mother. Tell Ahmed that I said hello."

"Will you be visiting us soon?" she asked hesitantly.

"I'm not sure, Mother. We'll see. Goodbye." Elena hung up the phone, her hand shaking as she did. Major covered it with his big, warm paw, squeezing her fingers.

"I need to try and find Efram," said Elena.

"Let me see what I can do," said AJ, nodding at her. She stood from the table and started to leave but noticed that the others were going to follow.

"I'd just like a few moments to myself. I just need some fresh air."