The Antarean Odyssey by Inge Blanton

Author:Inge Blanton [Blanton, Inge]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-10-30T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 13

The afternoon was so dark that it could have been night, the air heavy, foreboding a storm. Jonathan, unaware of the gloom, sat motionless in quiet contemplation by his window, reviewing the past week, which had been one of the most frustrating times he cared to remember.

After returning from America, he had gone to Europe to meet with friends and acquaintances, telling them about the cartel and its aims. What he met was disbelief or a complacent attitude. Running his hands through his hair, he grunted. They didn’t seem to mind that it could mean the decline of the US dollar in importance, and the Euro, being in ascendance, could even change the world order. But then again, he couldn’t tell them about the Altruscans.

His hand accidentally brushed the London Times lying in his lap. It was folded back to an article about the rediscovery of the Matisse. His name was prominently mentioned. This, he hoped, would serve to explain why he had spent so much time in America. It still troubled him that Vance Conway had watched him at the Boyer party, and then had turned up in the restaurant stalking Mike Norton.

His musing was suddenly interrupted by the doorbell. With a slight frown, Jonathan put the paper down, and went to answer the door. It was the afternoon post and there was a letter from Greystone.

“Well, how about that? Haven’t seen one of these in a long time. Wonder what’s brewing there? “he mumbled to himself, as he opened the envelope. “Hmmm,” he hummed as he read, wagging his head. It was an invitation to a party, a formal one, on Friday, seven o’clock, at Greystone.

* * * *

On Friday, promptly at seven o’clock, Jonathan presented himself at Greystone, and was ushered in by butler Bentley.

“Good evening, Sir. Nice to see you again,” Bentley said, and divested Jonathan of his coat and hat. “You are to go to the library first. Lord Easterly and the Lady are expecting you there.”

As another guest was arriving just then, Jonathan waved him off with, “Thank you, Bentley. I know my way.” Jonathan went to the library, a large room with three, tall, curved windows giving a view of the garden. The walls were lined with bookcases containing many old volumes, some of them ancient editions. As Jonathan entered, Tom Easterly and Mildred greeted him. Suddenly, a big booming voice rang out, “Jonathan, my friend, how very nice to see you again.”

Startled, Jonathan looked at the man coming from behind Tom, and broke into a broad grin. There was a happy memory from years past coming toward him. “Achmed!” he exclaimed. After embracing and kissing him in Mid-Eastern fashion, he held him at arm’s length, and said, “What bloody good fortune brings you here?” He had known Achmed Salim as a boy, and the word “bloody” had been his favorite expression.

Achmed laughed, “I see you have not forgotten. Why is it such a long time since you have visited Cairo? Has your Arabic grown rusty?”

“No, Achmed.

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