Chapter 18

CHAPTER 18 That night, Amy couldn't sleep. Images collided in her head. Temples and tombs, crocodiles and lions. Ian Kabra's dark eyes and flashing smile. The squeeze of panic she'd felt in the airport as the crowd closed in. Her brother's narrow, intent face, the way he'd pushed through the crowd to get to her. The old couple, the woman looking down into her tote bag. Light glinting on the woman's silver ring. Sleep was dragging her down, and right before she slipped into it, she saw Grace's face smiling at her and saying, Trust people, but keep your money in your sock. Amy woke in the middle of the night. It wasn't as though she heard a noise. It was more that she had the memory of a noise. She fought her way up

from the luxury of sleep. Her hand fell alongside the bed, where she had a habit of resting it on the waist pack on the floor. There it was, the sharp angle of the base of the Sakhet, poking out. She started to settle back against her warm pillow again.… but keep your money in your sock. Amy reached down again and moved her fingers around the base to touch the Sakhet. Her fingers met empty air. There was no statue attached to the base. Heart hammering, Amy came fully awake. She slipped out of bed and felt along the floor. Nothing. Under the bed. Empty. The window was open. Had she left the window open? Amy ran to look out. The moon was high and full and illuminated the lawn outside like stadium lights. It was easy to see Theo, duffel in hand, hurrying along the curving path. Amy saw car headlights flash in the parking lot beyond. Amy didn't stop to think. She raised the window the rest of the way and slipped outside.

Her bare feet hit the cool dirt. She snaked through the bushes, hit the grass, and took off. Too late she realized that she'd need help. Theo was heading for that car. Could she take him down? She'd need to hit him right around the knees… She heard pounding footsteps behind her. Nellie was racing toward Theo, her face set with angry determination. Her legs flashed underneath the boxer shorts and oversize Pearl Jam T-shirt she wore to bed. She slammed into Theo in a tackle that would have gotten her thrown out of the NFL. He went down with a howl of pain. Amy sped past them and raced to the car. To her surprise, Hilary sat at the wheel, her mouth open in comical surprise at the sight of her grandson with Nellie on his chest. "What's going on, ducks?" Hilary's face was pale, but she tried to keep her voice merry. Amy reached over and turned off the engine, then pocketed the keys. "Why don't we find out," she suggested. She was surprised at her own

coolness. If you got mad enough, you didn't have to try to be brave. "Mrrrp." Amy heard the soft noise and her heart lifted. "Saladin?" She reached into the backseat and took the cat carrier. Taking a firm grip on Hilary's elbow, Amy marched her back to Theo and Nellie. Theo's face was twisted in pain. "Did you have to hit me that hard?" he howled. Nellie leaned over and hissed the words in his face. "Your arrogance just led to your demise, sucker!" Theo sat on the floor of the hotel room while Amy lifted the Sakhet from his duffel. Hilary sat primly in a chair. "I'm sure we can work this out," she said. "If Theo has done something wrong, I can take care of it." "I wouldn't be so sure," Amy said. "Could I at least have some ice for my ankle?" Theo asked plaintively. "Sure," Nellie said. She went to the ice bucket,

picked it up, and dumped the contents on Theo's head. "Thanks," Theo said. "Don't mention it," Nellie said sweetly. "Snake." "What should we do with them?" Dan asked. He'd grabbed the lamp off the table and was holding it, just in case Theo tried to get away. He'd bash him in a second if Theo gave him the chance. But Theo didn't look like he wanted to give him the chance. He looked deflated and damp. "Police, for sure," Nellie said. "Stick a fork in him, he's done," Dan agreed. "What are you talking about?" Hilary looked horrified. "Theo, what are they talking about?" "Not police," Theo begged. "Please. Stealing the statue would be a capital crime. You don't want me to go to jail, do you? I'd be there for a thousand years!" "Then some archaeologist can study you," Dan said. "You don't understand," Theo said. "You didn't

even seem to want the statue. It was just part of some silly scavenger hunt. You didn't realize what you had!" "Theo!" Hilary cried. "When you asked me to meet you here, I never thought…" Her hands flew to her mouth. "Oh, please," Nellie said. She crossed to the phone. "Look, I'm sorry, okay?" Theo continued. "But after all, you know what Egyptologists make. You study for years and years, you go down into tombs, you pore over papyrus, and what do you get for it? A job offer as some assistant curator in a museum with a salary that won't even cover the rent." Hilary buried her face in her hands. "Oh, Theo. If you'd just let me take him away, I promise… I'll make it up to you." Amy stared at her hand. "That's a nice ring, Hilary." "Thank you, dear." "When did you get to Aswan?" "Just now, ducks. Theo asked me to meet him; I had no idea why."