Rakitaki: A Jonas Quartermain Adventure by Lee Alexander

Author:Lee Alexander [Alexander, Lee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-07-01T22:00:00+00:00

27

Outside the police station, a black Lincoln Town Car with limo-dark windows idled. It looked pristine, a stark comparison to every other vehicle in Cairo. Davion opened the rear passenger side door, ushering him in. After a small hesitation, he sat in the rear seat.

The interior of the car was dark and cool. Jonas’ bag was inside, along with Calhoun in the other seat. The professor looked tired, more worn down than any other point in Jonas’ memory. His skin looked sallow and gray. When he met his Professor’s eyes, the man just shook his head sadly. Davion closed the door then moved around the car and took the driver seat. A moment later the engine rumbled to life and they entered traffic. Something about the car kept others far away. It was the smoothest ride Jonas had experienced in Egypt.

He looked at Calhoun and asked “Professor, what are you doing here?”

“Mister Jenkins called and informed me you had been arrested. He worked some magic for us. More specifically, for you. You owe him your thanks,” Calhoun said gruffly.

“Magic? What are you talking about?”

He shook his head, disappointed. “You’re going home, Jonas.”

“What? No! I can’t go, there’s still so much to do at the dig site!”

He looked at Jonas. His voice took on a harder edge. “Paperwork and busywork that clearly bores you. Enough to get arrested with a bag of drugs they’d put you away for life for.”

“It wasn’t mine,” Jonas said lamely.

“Save it, Quartermain. I thought better of you. As it stands, be thankful we’re sending you home under the guise of an illness.” He sighed. “You’re not being deported, at least not officially.”

“That can’t be!” Jonas’ hands were clenched and he hit them on the seat.

“It’s true,” said Davion. “I did what I could for you. Be thankful there won’t be anything done about it, legally speaking.”

“Dammit,” Jonas swore. They rode in silence until the car pulled up at the airport. Davion got out with Jonas, but Calhoun remained in the car.

“Just six more days, Quartermain. Just six,” Calhoun said through the open door. He held Jonas’ bag out.

Jonas didn’t reply. He didn’t throw a fit, or scream, or cry. He just accepted the bag and closed the door. Davion walked with him into the terminal, retrieved his ticket from the counter, and walked to the gate.

They stared at the gathered people for a moment before Davion turned to him. “You hungry, kid?”

“I’m not a kid, I’m 20,” Jonas replied sullenly.

“Fine, are you hungry, old man?”

The little nonsensical jab got through the gathering layer of doubt and shame. Jonas cracked a half smile.

“Yeah, I think I could do with a bite to eat.” He took a deep breath to calm himself. “What’s good here?”

“Nothing, this is an airport,” Davion said with a laugh. “Still, it’ll be edible. Ever had shawarma?”

Jonas nodded, mouth already drooling at the thought of the meal. They walked to a cart in the middle of the walkway. A large grill had two spits rotating above it, one with chicken and the other with lamb.

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