Lady of Heaven by Le Veque Kathryn

Author:Le Veque, Kathryn [Le Veque, Kathryn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing
Published: 2012-09-07T07:00:00+00:00

November 8, 1923

The journey down the Nile to Luxor has been one of the most wonderful journeys of my life. Louis and William stayed to the room but I was able to speak with many fascinating travelers as they headed south. There was even a couple from Russia! Mr. Sula has been very gracious in explaining Egyptian customs and history. Tomorrow Luxor!

~FS

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

The Blue River antiquities shop was open but no one seemed to be around. Beni stood in the front of the shop, calling for the merchant but, after several minutes of no results, moved into the back of the shop where he found a bell and started ringing. That seemed to bring a response.

A man with a manicured beard and flowing white robes came in from the rear of the shop, his dark eyes focused intently on Beni.

“Salaam,” Allahaba greeted.

Beni bowed. “Salaam,” he replied.

Having just come from a very emotional scene upstairs with Fanny and Morgan, Allahaba’s patience wasn’t at its best. He was still swept up in the family reunion ninety years in the making. He focused on the thin, older man.

“What may I help you with?” he asked tolerantly.

Beni sensed that the man was rushed, or impatient, or both, and he didn’t want their meeting to start out on the wrong foot. Alia would punish him greatly if he didn’t return with some information about the man and why Fox Henredon met with him. Alia had even concocted a story for Beni to relay to see what the man’s reaction would be, a cover story that would sound somewhat plausible coming from a museum representative. So Beni took a stab at it.

“My name is Kasim and I work for the Cairo Museum,” he said. “We suspect that a very valuable artifact is being marketed around to local dealers and we wanted to inform you so that you may be on the look-out.”

Allahaba’s brow furrowed. “What kind of artifact?”

Beni shook his head. “We’re not sure, but we have reason to believe it’s very valuable.” His gaze lingered on the man, watching for a reaction. “We believe that it has something to do with Khmsh ʼŞābʻ Mn ʼĀbl, or Five Fingers of the Ape, which is an ancient burial ground for early Middle Kingdom soldiers near the second cataract. We have information that alludes to treasure hunters or vandals who have illegally excavated in this protected area and perhaps might be attempting to sell the artifacts to reputable dealers.”

Allahaba shook his head, waving him off even before he finished his sentence. “My sources are licensed through the Supreme Council for Antiquities,” he said shortly. “I would not jeopardize my business so.”

Beni nodded in agreement. “I understand completely,” he said. “Still, there are rumors about. One of the vandals is alleged to be British, so be vigilant. You haven’t met with any British treasure hunters over the past few weeks, have you? Has someone tried to sell you something?”

It was a leading, transparent question and not very well couched.

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