Addison Black and The Eye of Bastet

~ Addison Black and The Eye of Bastet ~
by MJ

Disclaimer... See Part 1

Any comments please send them to… mj_poet@hotmail.com

Part 2

Chapter 6

Cairo International Airport was its usual busy self for a Friday morning. Brimming with a high number of tourists, Addison and Skyler found they had to weave their way through the arriving passengers. To Addison, it appeared there were many children with families and she presumed it must have been a package family tour.

Not having to follow the standard methods of arrival, Skyler led Addison towards the Customs office. This was where they had arranged to meet with a representative from the Egyptian police. Having been to Cairo's airport twice before she knew its layout from memory. During a delay, due to staff grievances, Skyler spent almost two days stuck in the airport. Although, at the time, it had felt like a lifetime in hell, the upside was her detailed knowledge of the site.

Passing a black, electronic arrivals board, Skyler looked around her. "It's this way," she said, taking a left turn. She could see the Customs office straight ahead, a sign clearly stating the fact in both English and Arabic. A tall, dark haired man, wearing a pressed white suit, stood to the right of the office. Though he was inside the airport he still wore tortoise-shell sunglasses. A cigarette hung limply from his lips, grey smoke circulating around his head. He stood with both hands in his trouser pockets... watching and waiting.

"Do you think that's our guy?" Skyler asked.

Addison ran her tongue over her front teeth in thought. "The only thing that would make that answer any clearer would be a sign over his head saying 'Cops wait here'!" Addison approached the officer first. "Sergeant Aladdin Valtex?"

"Yes?" Sergeant Valtex pulled off his sunglasses. "Inspectors Tidwell and Black?" he asked in a thick accent.

"Addison Black," the agent replied, shaking his hand. "And this is my associate, Inspector Skyler Tidwell."

Taking Skyler's hand, Aladdin kissed it. "I didn't realised I'd be meeting two women."

Skyler pulled her hand away awkwardly. "Sergeant Valtex, we're here officially to assist investigations into the murders of Karlyn Sanderson and her team. Do you really…"

"You will have to forgive my gender stereotyping. I wasn't expecting women. Your names led me to think otherwise. Forgive me... although I speak your language very well, names can be a little confusing at times." Aladdin checked his surroundings. "We have a helicopter waiting to take us to Luxor airport. Until the pilot returns, to say it's been refuelled and is ready to go, we can sit here. Would you like a drink?"

"No thank you," replied Skyler as she sat on a wooden bench opposite the Customs office. Aladdin moved to sit beside her but Addison got there first, effectively blocking his approach. She folded her arms and looked up at Sergeant Valtex with a smile.

"So, Sergeant, has there been any leads in the investigation since yesterday?"

Aladdin sat down on a bench opposite the two women. "No. It's not that we haven't collected any evidence, the problem is it all leads to nothing… so far." Aladdin's visual assessment moved to Skyler and Addison's belongings; both women appeared to be carrying only one piece of luggage each. "Excuse my thoughtlessness; do you need to collect your cases? I see you have only one pack each."

"We have everything we need," Addison replied. The agent knew it wouldn't seem like a lot. Although the backpacks were of average size they did contain all necessary equipment, a change of clothing and a laptop with satellite connection to Headquarters. All information to be sent and received was available with only a few taps of the fingers.

Addison often wondered how they would have managed without the high-tech equipment they so took for granted. It seemed, to her, everywhere one looked a new technological breakthrough was being made which would 'revolutionise' everyday lives. There was one fact of which Addison remained certain. With each new gadget or gizmo that was introduced onto the market, it took away certain responsibilities. The agent was convinced the human race would get lazier as the years passed. Addison vowed she would never let that happen to her the day she caught herself considering buying an electric potato peeler. She wasn't going to fall into that trap. One thought, however, did bother her… what would happen if we lost the everyday electronic aids and devices, of which we depend on so heavily, in today's society?

"Ah, here he is now," Aladdin said as he looked out across the airport. Addison and Skyler turned in the direction of his gaze, seeing the pilot hold a thumb up with a nod of satisfaction. "All is set. Are you ready, Inspector Black? Inspector Tidwell?"

Skyler gave Addison a questioning look and after receiving a positive nod from her partner, turned back to Aladdin. "We're ready, Sergeant."

"That is good." The three rose and Aladdin led the way through the bustle of arriving passengers and out into the warm, dry air. "The helipad is this way," he said, turning to the right.

Addison looked above them, seeing a beautifully clear, blue sky. Not a single cloud marred the expanse of cerulean blue. Though the combined sounds of the airport made it incredibly noisy, Addison could identify the sound of their helicopter. She saw it in the distance. It seemed almost a blur with the mix of rapidly rotating blades, whirling in anticipation, and the temperature of the sun causing the ground to ripple as its waves of heat flowed over its surface.

The helicopter's pilot sat ready and waiting to take off. The closer they got to the aircraft, the stronger the force of its propellers and the louder it became. Both women instinctively ducked as they approached, strong gusts whipping the hair around their heads frantically.

"This will drop us off five miles from your hotel," Aladdin shouted. They climbed into the helicopter, Sergeant Valtex in the front, Addison and Skyler in the back. Once seatbelts were fastened and headphones were in place the aircraft rose into the air. Aladdin spoke over the internal communication system. "I'll take you to your hotel first. You can get booked into your rooms. Then we'll head down to the station and after that on to the campsite. Does that sound okay?" Aladdin turned in his seat and looked at Skyler in question.

"That sounds perfect, Sergeant Valtex. Thank you for being so accommodating."

Aladdin smiled, thick laughter lines creasing around his eyes. "It is my pleasure, Inspector Tidwell."

With her forehead pressed against the helicopter's window, Addison took in the sights below them. The vibrations from the aircraft's engine rattled against her forehead but she didn't pull away, not wanting to miss what she may not get another chance to see in the near future. Suddenly seeing a particular monument that caught her attention, Addison pulled her mobile phone from her inside pocket. Holding it up and using the phone's built in camera, she captured the sight. She looked over at Skyler, finding the doctor grinning at her in amusement. Addison shrugged but smiled all the same.

"Inspector Tidwell," Aladdin called, still twisted around in his seat. "How is it a woman, obviously from the United States of America and with a background in archaeology, ended up working for Scotland Yard?"

"Oh it's a long story."

"But an interesting one I am sure." Aladdin paused for a moment in thought before saying, "Maybe you can tell me more some time?"

Suddenly feeling like she was being backed into a corner, Skyler looked back to Addison. The agent still gazed out of the window but the smile upon her lips proved she was indeed listening to everything being said. Skyler turned back to Aladdin. "That is a nice offer, Sergeant Valtex, but I think we will be too busy to socialise!"

"You take no time to rest?"

"Well yes but…" Skyler paused as Aladdin's smile took on a measure of hopefulness. "Possibly... we'll see."

Aladdin nodded and turned back around to face the front. Rolling her eyes, Skyler shook her head. She looked again at Addison, finding the agent watching her with a wide grin of amusement. Holding up her thumb she mouthed the words, 'You're in there!' ignoring Skyler's deathly glare in return.

Skyler looked out of her own window. Although she already knew she could say very little about her work to Aladdin, she did wonder how much she could explain and what exactly he did know. Skyler made a mental note to speak with Addison about that as soon as they had a moment of spare time.

Working for M.I.5. Special Operations, Skyler was aware just how clandestine the organisation was. Many people introduced to them had absolutely no idea who they were dealing with. Most agents held other jobs as a cover. Skyler had been given a position, at London University, as a professor of both Anthropology and Archaeology. It was a specific job that didn't require her to work every day but it did act as a cover for her position in society. She gave between two to three lectures a week, when able, and still had time to fit in her other responsibilities. Skyler simply hoped she could keep up with her different personas. It was a challenge, however, along with every thing else, that Skyler relished facing.

The majority of the flight was taken in silence, as both women gazed out at the sights below them. There was a large amount of desert plain dotted sporadically with small villages, lone travellers on camels or horseback and ancient monuments and ruins. The irresistible urge to explore filled Skyler. She wanted to immerse herself in the culture below them; to run her hands over relics built thousands of years ago. Her anticipation grew. She had little time to study the stone tablet scans and intended to do so in greater detail as soon as she was able.

When the helicopter finally landed in Luxor both women were glad the greatest part of their travelling was over. It had been a seven-hour plane journey to Cairo but at least they had gotten some sleep during the flight. Still, travelling was a tiresome chore and Skyler, particularly, was glad it was over.

Stepping from the helicopter Aladdin led them away from the aircraft and towards a car park. A navy blue car, which appeared no more than five years old, was one of the few occupants in the parking lot.

"I'll take you to your hotel first. I've booked you both a room at the King Tut Hotel. I hope you don't mind the fact it is a typical tourist hotel. It is hard to find any other around here." Aladdin pulled a set of keys from his pocket and opened his car.

Once the trio were inside and the car on the road, Addison said, "It'll just be myself accompanying you to the crime scene, Sergeant Valtex; Inspector Tidwell will be working on evidence of her own pertaining to the stolen artefacts."

"Oh, she will?" Aladdin sounded slightly disappointed.

"Yes, there's work I need to be doing myself." Skyler couldn't help but be amused by the mischievous smirk Addison portrayed. Skyler had taken the back seat in the Peugeot, leaving the front for Addison. Not that she would have been given much choice in the matter. Addison had every intention of taking the front seat! It was blatantly obvious to Skyler that the agent was determined not to allow Aladdin to get too comfortable with any ideas involving the two of them. At least it was to the doctor.

The drive took a little over forty minutes and just as Skyler's eyelids were beginning to drift closed, they arrived at the hotel. Aladdin pulled into the small parking facility of the King Tut Hotel. It was a single level building, simple in appearance and most obviously a single star establishment. Its most noticeable feature was a roof terrace with deckchairs and tables. There didn't appear to be anybody on the terrace. Addison wasn't surprised. It was the middle of summer and the heat was unbearably hot.

"I know this hotel is not like the larger tourist spots but my brother, Jamil, owns it and he's a good man. Many tourists from the United Kingdom stay here... mostly students and backpackers. His prices are fair but the service, for what he offers, is second to none."

The trio exited the car and Aladdin led the way towards the hotel's main entrance. The lobby was not much more than a long hallway with a set of stairs, which Addison presumed led to the roof terrace. Four corridors branched off from the main hallway allowing access to guests' rooms; a larger corridor by the front desk led to a small bar and communal area.

Jamil stood behind the desk and his brother greeted him in Arabic before reverting back to English. "Jamil, these are Inspectors Black and Tidwell, from Scotland Yard. They are here to help me on a case."

The portly Egyptian fellow, wearing a black shirt outlined in large white flowers, held out his hand, shaking first Skyler and then Addison in greeting. "A pleasure to meet you. Welcome to my hotel. My brother had me reserve two rooms for V.I.P.s from England. Anything I can do for you, please ask. I heard about the deaths of the archaeologist. It is sad news. I hope you can work together to capture the killers."

"That's our aim," said Addison. She held out her hand as Jamil passed her a silver key. He then handed Skyler her room key.

"If you take the first turning left you will find your rooms. The doors are facing each other, numbers Three and Four.

"Thank you, Jamil," replied Skyler. She looked sideways to where Addison and Aladdin stood. "Well I might as well go to my room and start working on some information I have. Inspector Black, I presume you will be going with Sergeant Valtex to the scene of the crime?"

Addison looked at Aladdin, and after receiving a nod, responded by saying, "Yes. I'll be gone no more than three to four hours." The agent paused a second as she took a moment to silently convey her assurance to Skyler. "I'll have my mobile if you discover anything relevant to the 'case'."

Skyler acknowledged Addison's words with a simple bow of her head. "I'll meet you later then, Inspector."

Delivering a quick smile, Addison turned to leave but Aladdin stood his ground. "Inspector Tidwell... when we get back, maybe we could meet for that drink?"

"Oh… um…sure," Skyler smiled as she said, "As long as I haven't already fallen asleep from all this travelling!"

"Excellent." Aladdin began to back out of the hotel lobby. "Maybe I'll see you later, Inspector."

"Okay," replied Skyler, casting a hesitant look in Addison's direction. The agent stood in the doorway, hands upon hips with one eyebrow arched to mid forehead. Skyler shrugged but her look turned to one of questioning as she spotted the glint of mischievous malevolence in Addison's eyes.

"Are you ready, Inspector Black?"

"Yep, lets go," Addison replied and followed Aladdin back towards his car. They entered the vehicle in silence and as the Sergeant pulled out onto the road Addison could see the sideways glance he kept casting in her direction. She chose to ignore it and wait for Aladdin to say whatever it was on his mind.

Addison looked out of her window. There were few cars on the road; she presumed that would change once the working day ended and people started leaving for home. There was still an hour to go before that happened. Realising they were entering the centre of town, Addison spied a greater number of people. There was a large amount of tourists who were clearly identifiable in many ways, the least of which being the cameras hanging around their necks. To a small extent Addison felt almost envious of those people. She was in a land she had so longed to see; yet she was working. A chance to explore on a recreational basis was highly unlikely.

"Inspector Black," Aladdin said, disturbing the agent's thoughts.

"Hmm?"

"Inspector Tidwell…"

"Uh huh?" said Addison, her mischievous spark returning.

"She seems like a nice woman."

Addison nodded her head, playing along with Aladdin. "Yes she is. She has been my partner now for a while and I can say, with all certainty, that she is a very nice person."

"Is she married?"

"Skyler?"

"Yes."

"No, no she's not married."

"Ah… really." Aladdin thought for a moment more as he turned his car to the right. The police station was in sight. "And she is not in a relationship?"

"Actually, Sergeant, she is in a relationship. Pretty serious from what I'm aware."

"Oh." Again Aladdin lost himself in thought for several moments. He steered his car into the police station garage. "You know him?"

Addison drummed her fingers upon her knee. "You mean do I know her partner? Sure… and not somebody I'd want to mess with… if you know what I mean." The agent couldn't resist the urge to play. "Not so much a jealous type, but not a person you would want to make angry." Addison grinned. "A real stud too."

"Oh." Aladdin said nothing more. Turning off the engine, he pulled his keys from the ignition and opened his car door. "I have to get some things from my office and then we can go to the crime scene."

Grinning widely, Addison followed Aladdin into the police station.

*********

Skyler entered her room, noticing immediately how sparsely decorated it was. The shape of the room was in the form of a letter 'L'. The floor was basic terracotta tile and the walls were a recently painted white. There was no en-suite bathroom, only two single beds, a dresser, wardrobe and lamp. It was, however, clean and tidy. Upon the wall was one picture frame. It hung between the two beds and was a beautifully hand painted portrait of the pharaoh Tutankhamun, on papyrus.

Skyler walked further into the room, dropping her backpack on one of the two matching beds. The bedspreads were a simple oat colour with flecks of red. It was all very basic but she liked the simplicity. The doctor pulled off her jerkin and dropped it on a bed, followed by her shoulder harness and holster. She then unbuttoned her shirt and pulled that long sleeved garment off as well. That too was discarded upon the spare bed.

It was hot, incredibly so. The room had no air conditioning that Skyler could see, but she opened a window and, as hoped, felt a slight breeze filter into the room. It wasn't overly cool but it was enough to ease the temperature, if only by a couple of degrees.

Moving side to side in order to work out the kinks in her back, Skyler made her way towards the remaining bed. She opened her backpack and pulled out the scans Doctor Leeds had given her. Then she took out a pen and a large pad of ruled paper. Stretching out across her bed, lying upon her stomach, she stared down at the first tablet scan and, to the best of her knowledge, began to decipher the map.

Skyler was a dedicated worker, a fact that remained constant due to her thorough enjoyment and interest in whatever she was tackling. As a child her mind had been described as a 'sponge', soaking up as much knowledge as she could. There seemed to be no limit to what Skyler was willing to learn, the most obscure of such being a week of night classes in origami. While using her mind she had a tendency to fiddle with her hands. Skyler decided it was better to be creative than roll pieces of paper and flick them across a room!

Forty-five minutes passed before Skyler realised. She was halfway through the third tablet when she decided she needed to get a drink. Knowing there was no refreshment in the room, Skyler resolved it was time to remedy that fact. Dropping her pen, the blonde doctor rolled off her bed and placed her shirt back on. Without fastening the buttons, Skyler went in search of liquid refreshment.

Exiting her room Skyler turned back towards the lobby and front desk. She found it empty. Following the hallway beside the desk, Skyler started to hear voices. She turned into what was a large sitting area but found it empty. The voices, however, came from a television by the wall. An English news channel was showing, obviously for the many English tourists the hotel received. Turning, Skyler walked back toward the lobby where she spied the set of stairs. Presuming they led to the roof terrace, Skyler ascended the steps in curiosity. She stepped out onto the hotel's roof, instantly feeling the heat of the Egyptian sun. She took a breath of warm, dry air and turned around in a three hundred and sixty degree circle, taking in the view around it. The positioning was spectacular and afforded her a wonderful view of the land. Maybe I'll continue to work out here, she thought as she moved back down the steps to obtain her papers.

*********

Finding herself standing on the edge of Karlyn Sanderson's campsite, Addison scanned the vicinity. Although the area had been cordoned off by red tape, a man had been placed on site to maintain security. The bodies had obviously been removed but everything else was exactly as it had been found.

Aladdin approached Addison. "It is okay to enter and look around." Addison simply nodded and ducked under the tape. Her vision was initially drawn to the many areas of blood stained sand. She stepped closer to one area in particular. The imprint of a human head was still visible in the blood soaked ground.

"Where were the bodies taken?" Addison asked.

"They are in the morgue at the nearest hospital. You are free to view them if you wish. I can call ahead to give you access."

"Maybe," the agent replied. She continued to walk a careful line around the site. Bullet casings littered the ground. In the middle of the area were the cinders of a once roaring fire. There was still a twig, holding a golden marshmallow, beside the ashes. Empty bottles of champagne lay in the sand, two of them smashed due to the shower of bullets. Glasses, too, lay over the ground, abandoned in the disarray of terror.

"Can you give me a full copy of the crime scene report?"

Aladdin pulled his hands out of his pockets, holding a packet of cigarettes. He took one out of the packet and lit it with a red lighter. "I'll do that before you go back to the hotel."

"Thanks, Sergeant Valtex." Addison walked over to the side of the tent where Karlyn Sanderson had been gunned down. She continued to walk around it, following a trail of heavyset footprints. They stretched along the back of three tents before turning around the side of the fourth and leading inside. "This was Karlyn Sanderson's, right?"

"Yes, where the theft took place." Aladdin followed Addison into the tent. Everything was as its late owner had left it. A hairbrush lay upon an unmade camp bed; many articles of clothing were bundled in a pile by the side of a table. Addison approached the table and ran her fingers over the empty surface.

"As this was Doctor Sanderson's tent I presume this was the place the artefacts were stolen. I think they must have been statues or amulets."

A frown crossed Addison's features. "You don't know?" she asked in surprise.

"The university has not sent us a list of the stolen artefacts yet. We know scans of the pieces were taken and sent to them so we should receive images soon." Aladdin pointed to a computer. "As you can see, it is no use trying to get the images from the computer as it was completely destroyed." Addison noticed numerous bullet holes in the computer and all hardware. It was almost indistinguishable. Whoever these people were, they certainly wanted to destroy any evidence of what it was they had taken.

"So the university didn't give you any indication of what the items were? Whom did you speak to?"

"It was a Doctor Leeds, and no we haven't received a list of what the artefacts are yet. It should come soon. The government has a vested interest in everything that is unearthed. After so many thefts in the past, they have to be."

"I suppose you are right and they have a point. I mean, it is all part of your heritage and history of your country." Addison made her way out of the tent. She was aware that a huge majority of Ancient Egypt's treasures of had been stolen from the tombs of the Pharaohs, even by the authorities themselves.

Aladdin nodded as he followed. "Do you know what they were, Inspector Black?"

The agent was slightly unsure how to answer that question. She wanted to know why the university seemed reluctant to pass on the information. "I know it included some tablets; the writing on them was in hieroglyphics. I have no idea what they said though."

"Thieves have always been a problem. So many tombs have been robbed, the treasures taken and sold to the highest bidder. My brother's hotel… it used to be the home of a wealthy landowner here in Thebes. He was suspected of a crime and when his house was searched they found treasures taken from the Valley of the Kings."

"Interesting," Addison commented. She stood in the middle of the campsite and looked around her. There was something curious about the area but she couldn't ascertain what it was. Crime fighting was not her niche in Special Operations; she was a soldier through and through. However, Addison knew she trusted Mark Blithe and never found reason to question him; if he wanted her on the assignment then he knew she would be able to undertake the needs of the mission. Nevertheless, the fact remained that there was something about the campsite that didn't seem to make sense. Addison didn't know what it was but she was determined to find out. She decided to do another walk around and hoped whatever it was that bothered her, would reveal itself. The evening was approaching and Addison wanted to make sure she got as much information from the site before the sun started its descent in the sky.

Chapter 7

A soft knocking echoed around the walls of Skyler's room. When they went unanswered the knocks grew louder. Addison stood behind the door. She held her ear towards the barrier and listened. She heard nothing. Reaching into her trousers, cargo pocket, Addison pulled out a small mechanical device. It was the size of a matchbox and held a specific function… to pick locks. Holding it against the keyhole, Addison manipulated a small retractable prong and eased it inside. With a simple push and twist the door was unlocked. Taking one last look to make sure nobody had seen her actions and felt the need to question her, Addison walked into Skyler's room.

Closing the door behind her, Addison stepped further into the room. She heard more than felt something crunch under her boot. Looking to the floor she found it was littered with little paper sculptures. Birds and ducks, aeroplanes and flowers, a wide variety of three-dimensional shapes lay around her. With a smile Addison bent down and picked up a bird; she twisted the paper animal around her fingers, taking in its design. Rising back to her feet, Addison looked around the corner of Skyler's room. She found her fast asleep upon one of the beds. The doctor was still dressed and wore her boots, though one leg hung off the bed. Skyler had one arm laying over her eyes and the other resting upon her stomach. Placing her own backpack beside Skyler's, Addison approached the bed. For a short moment she simply gazed at the sleeping blonde. She had waited months to see her again and as soon as they did meet up they are sent on a mission together. Addison decided she was in two minds about that. Half of her felt she would have preferred it if Skyler were not there so she didn't feel the constant desire to lean over and take her 'partner' in her arms and kiss her senseless. The other half of her relished any and all time spent with her. Closing her eyes, Addison chanted to hers self, strictly platonic while on a mission... Mark made that a ground rule and for all intent and purposes, they had to abide by them. Re-opening her eyes, Addison reined in her emotions. Leaning over, she tapped the beak of the bird against Skyler's nose.

"Sky, Sky wake up," she called. Addison knew it wasn't going to be easy. She had learned, very early, that Skyler was incredibly difficult to wake up. There was one method, however, which was fail safe. Pulling Skyler's arm away from her eyes, Addison took a deep breath. "SKYLER TIDWELL," she bellowed.

Body stiffening, Skyler grasped the bed sheets beneath her as she gasped and opened her eyes. Focussing on her surroundings, her eyes drifted to Addison. The agent stood, bent over her, with a curious expression.

"You awake?"

"Awake?" Taking the pillow from under her head, Skyler swung it around, making a solid connection with Addison's head. "I'll give you 'awake'." She swung again, knocking Addison backwards and onto the spare bed. "Don't you know you're not supposed to wake a sleeping person like that?"

Addison grinned and said, "No, I think that's a sleep 'walking' person."

Skyler's pillow made another descent over Addison but the agent caught it. "Same difference, Addison. I dreamed I was walking!" Her eyes narrowed but the mirth behind them began to sparkle through. "You are an evil woman, Addison Black."

"Thank you."

Skyler rolled her eyes. "That actually wasn't a compliment."

Addison sat back on her bed, leaning on one hand. "So… it seems somebody has been in deep contemplation." She twirled the bird in her hand, moving it up and down. "Does it have a name?"

"Maybe," Skyler replied evasively. She sat down on the bed opposite Addison. "So, how did it go at the camp site?" Looking to her side, Skyler picked up the sheets of paper she had translated the tablets upon. Arranging them into a neat pile she placed them upon her knees. It had taken her just over two and a half hours but Skyler had completed deciphering each tablet.

Pulling a grey folder from her pack, Addison handed it to Skyler. "That's the crime scene report. I want you to look over it with me because something doesn't seem right. I just don't know what it is. Anyway… I had a look around. It was, without a doubt, a planned and highly organised attack. They knew what they were doing and they seemed to have advanced knowledge of the campsite." Leaning forwards Addison picked a paper plane from the tiled floor. She threw it across the room, watching it glide onto a wide, imitation wood, dressing table. "How did it go with the translations?"

Skyler frowned. "It seemed to get more confusing. It was hard to translate because there was no obvious structure. It was almost like I had to read outside the constructed norm of logic that was followed to originally translate hieroglyphics from the 'Rosetta Stone'. They really were riddles. Now that it is complete, I see the patterns and I think I can fully comprehend the meanings but I'm going to have to be in the vicinity to follow the directions."

"Where do we have to go to do that?"

Skyler turned to her translations of the second tablet. She ran her finger down her neatly sculpted handwriting. "I'm ninety-nine percent positive it's… well…" Skyler frowned. "It's this passage here." She read out a particular portion of the translation. " 'Where he built his tomb, where Selket gave him life, where he served his King immortality'. Basically it leads me to believe we have to go to Saqqara."

"Saqqara is further up in the northern part of Egypt, right? Who was Selket?"

Nodding the blonde said, "Yes it's northern Egypt. Selket was a scorpion headed goddess, said to protect women during childbirth. Addison, if there are others looking for his tomb then I think I need to get going now."

Addison crossed her legs. "Sky, if there are others looking for this tomb it might not be safe to go there alone." Letting out a frustrated sigh, Addison turned her body to the side and lay upon her back. Her head was just short of reaching the pillow. "What's so damn important about some mention of a key that could mean bugger all anyway? Do you get the feeling there's something we've not been told about this? Considering he'd just lost valued members of staff, not to mention students, Doctor Leeds still seemed determined the discovery of the tomb be put on as high a priority as discovering the killers."

Skyler shook her head. "I wouldn't necessarily pay much attention to that. I've known worse than him during my academic career. You'd be surprised how many of these guys put things like this ahead of their own families even." Skyler placed her translations into a folder. "At the end of the day it all comes down to money; who has it, how they can get it and what they have to accomplish in order to do that. They aren't necessarily bad people, per se, they are just far too focussed on the find, the success and the rewards of beating others to the prize. Grants are what keeps many universities going."

"Yeah?" Addison wasn't impressed. "Well that's bollocks." At Skyler's chuckle, Addison continued saying, "I'd rather catch the people who did this."

"I know," replied Skyler in understanding.

"I'm not getting messed up in their politics, bureaucracy and down right competitiveness."

Skyler was silent for long moments as she noted the change in Addison's mood. Her lighthearted banter of moments before had disappeared and in its place a serious expression and underlying anger emerged. "What's wrong?"

Lacing her fingers under her head, Addison looked up at the ceiling. She didn't reply for a long time but just as Skyler was about to ask again the agent spoke. "You know, I've seen a lot. As a soldier you get to see things that no person should ever have to witness. It's not always to do with what the evil man is capable of but the lengths we have to go to in order to put a stop to it." Addison smiled wryly. "You know the one thing that really terrified me?"

"What?"

"It was after a battle during the first Gulf War. It had been a long night of bombing and firefights. We didn't have a single casualty but the enemy hadn't been so lucky. I walked into that village, vehicles still burning... body parts lying strewn over the ground, the scent of burning flesh in the air... and I felt nothing." Addison looked over at Skyler. "That sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach wasn't there, like it had been times before. It scared me to think, that to some extent, I had become desensitised to the carnage around me."

"But you hadn't," Skyler stated.

Addison shook her head. "No… because I felt it here." The agent placed her right hand over her heart. "This is where it hurt."

Rising from her own bed Skyler moved to sit beside Addison. She placed her hand over the agent's. "And you realised that was the difference. It wasn't something to be scared of because it's your heart which drives you to fight and put an end to the evil around us." Skyler paused and traced her fingers over Addison's hand. "So your heart wont hurt anymore."

Addison turned her hand around and entwined her fingers with Skyler's. "And I hate to think there are people in this world who put petty, materialistic bullshit over life."

"I understand, Addison, but we have to follow orders… we are working for the good guys."

The agent grinned. "I know and I will follow orders… this is just the first time I've ever had somebody here with me to bitch about these things to."

Skyler smiled back but her eyes remained serious. "That was the first time you have ever spoken about your time in the Marines to me."

Addison shrugged, although what Skyler said was true. She didn't talk about those times very much. Though there were many good moments and friends she would never forget, that could also be said for the times she wished she could forget. Addison lifted Skyler's hand and studied the blonde's fingers. "So you want to help me figure out what the hell it is about this crime scene, and its report, which has me scratching my head?"

"That could just be lice, Addison."

"Oh funny!" Addison chuckled as she rose to a sitting position. "And so could this!" She reached out and tickled Skyler's ribs.

"NO… okay, okay." Skyler squirmed away from Addison's fingers. Secretly, however, she relished her touch but knew their working relationship had to remain as such… no matter how much she desired more. Being alone together was harder than she anticipated. Skyler shook her head. "Let's read the reports."

Picking up the folders of information, which had fallen onto the floor during their banter, Addison pulled out three smaller files. She began handing them to Skyler. "These are the complete set of photographs, the second file is a crime scene report and the last document is the coroner's report. Not too shocking, obviously, they all died from multiple gunshot wounds."

"Okay!" Skyler rose with purpose. Unclipping the file of photos she began laying them out upon her bed. When she was finished the entire area was covered by the macabre shots. They began studying the crime scene in greater detail. Questions were asked and answers verified through the provided information. Every element of the event was probed, neither woman leaving a scrap of information unquestioned. One, and then two hours passed, as they worked. It was a quarter to midnight when Skyler finally seemed to spot the missing piece of the puzzle.

Addison strode back and forth through the room, mindlessly talking the details through her head, when something she said caught Skyler's attention. "What? Hold on," she interrupted. "What was that last thing you just said?"

"When?"

"Just now."

Addison thought for a moment as she recalled the last words that passed her hips. "All twelve of them were killed in less than a minute?"

"Yes!" Skyler looked down at the photographs. She began removing the shots taken outside the campsite and when she was finished, what she had left were all the interior photographs of each tent. She placed them side by side and looked down upon each picture. "Read out the list of victims."

"Okay." Addison shuffled the sheets of paper in her hand to find the information in question. "Well there was Karlyn Sanderson, Dean Dodson, Clare Allen, Sal Weston, Vicki Lloyd, Loaron Vasco, Amber Taylane, Ryia Smith, Doris Shaw, Peter Burberry, Benjamin Brown and Witherstone Hastrius."

Skyler's hand glided over the photographs. She began to tap the pictures and Addison moved closer to see what she was doing.

"Karlyn Sanderson had her own tent… this one." Skyler tapped the first picture. "The others shared… six tents… two beds in each… that makes twelve beds not including Doctor Sanderson."

"Thirteen." Addison shook her head. "Maybe one was a spare bed."

"Do any of these beds look like they weren't in use?" Both women scanned the photographs. "Each bed is fully made with sheets and blankets. A spare bed wouldn't have that. Space is always a commodity utilised to its fullest. A camp bed would not be there unless it was in use. It would be a waste of space."

Dropping the reports upon the bed Addison said, "That's it. There's somebody missing. Somebody else was working at the site that the University didn't know about."

"So it seems," Skyler replied. "Now we have to find out who that was."

*********

Inside a lavishly plush, five star hotel in Cairo, Jerome Yashiln sat at a wide, oak desk. Before him lay the five stone tablets indicating the map to Imhotep's tomb. Scratching blunt fingers through his short, grey beard he stared down at the tablets with a deep frown.

In an adjoining room, William Bryson lay upon a king-size bed. With one arm behind his head, he watched a television intently, as he tried to ward off his approaching slumber. Unfortunately for him, with nothing of interest to watch past midnight, he was fighting a losing battle. With every passing moment his eyelids felt heavier and heavier. The comfortable feather pillows and ivory satin sheets were far too relaxing. From the suites sitting room, however, he heard the door open and close. Forcing his eyes open the Geologist sprang to his feet and strode into the primary room. "Where the hell have you been?"

Standing between two broad bodyguards stood his partner. The young man pulled a well-worn, navy baseball cap off his head revealing his white hair. "Out taking a walk. In case you haven't noticed, my skin doesn't fart too well in direct sunlight. It isn't a lot of fun being cooped up inside all day and I wanted some fresh air."

"You could have let me know."

"Worried?" the young man asked, slipping blue tinted glasses from his nose.

"No." William looked to his left where Jerome YaShiln sat in silence. Though he appeared to be deep in thought, studying the tablets, he was in fact, listening to everything the men were saying. William addressed the old man. "Have you finished the translations yet?"

"No… not yet," Jerome replied.

"What's taking so long?" The young man with pink eyes dropped his sunglasses onto a leather couch and approached the desk. "You are supposed to be the best linguist and translator in Egypt."

"This is like nothing I have ever tried to translate before. I can only make out portions of the script and that means nothing unless the entire map is put together. There's only one sentence that I am able to comprehend the meaning behind."

"And that is?"

" 'Where he built his tomb, where Selket gave him life, where he served his King immortality'. I believe that means the tomb is in Saqqara. This does make sense as it was also around the place of Imhotep's birth and where he built Djoser the first pyramid."

William sighed; this news was less than pleasing to him. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a packet of cigarettes, taking one from the box and placing it between his lips. "I was hoping to be further along in our plans by now." He lit his cigarette and took a long pull of smoke into his lungs. Looking back to his business partner he inclined his head towards the bedroom. "I want to speak with you for a minute... privately." The young man nodded in agreement and they disappeared into William's bedroom.

"What?"

"I don't like this. We're not moving at a fast enough pace for my liking."

"We'll be out of here in time… as planned."

"We better be." William took another pull from his cigarette, grey smoke escaping past his lips as he said, "At least we have back up plan B!"

*********

Addison awoke to the sound of insistent knocking upon the hotel room door. Yawning as she realised she had fallen asleep fully clothed, Addison looked to the bed beside her. Skyler was still fast asleep, she herself fully dressed. Growling at the unwanted visitor knocking on Skyler's door at… she checked her watch… ten to seven in the morning; Addison rose to her feet. There was no reason to rush; the noise wouldn't succeed in waking Skyler.

"Okay… damn it!" Addison pulled the door open. Standing before her was Aladdin Valtex. "Sergeant, you are up early!"

"You're dressed, that is good. I thought as much when you were not in your own room." Sergeant Valtex walked straight past Addison and into Skyler's room. He stopped in his tracks when he spotted Skyler still asleep upon her bed. "Oh!"

"Long night." Taking Aladdin's arm Addison led him out of Skyler's room and into the passageway. She pulled the door to, but didn't shut it. "We were up late last night working on the reports and…"

"That is what I came here for," Aladdin interrupted. "I was anxious to know how you got on and what you found. I know it is a little early but when my mind is on a case I don't sleep so much."

Addison decided Sergeant Valtex was far too chipper for the present time of morning. "Yes we did discover something that might well be pertinent to the case."

"Very good!"

Addison simply nodded.

"What is it?" Aladdin pushed curiously.

"Oh… We have twelve murders… twelve bodies… yet the camp site shows all evidence of there being thirteen people living and working there."

"There is a person unaccounted for?"

Leaning against the doorframe Addison said, "We need to speak to everybody who came into contact with the team; whether it was simply in passing, business related or even in the pursuit of supplies... we need to speak to them all and as quickly as possible if we are to discover who arranged the thefts."

"We might be running out of time."

Addison turned, in surprise, to see Skyler standing in the doorway. "You're awake."

The blonde nodded. "I had my alarm set for seven."

"Alarm?" Addison asked, not recalling hearing anything.

"Yes." Skyler lifted her wrist, showing Addison her watch. "Sam designed it for me when he discovered I have a slight problem waking up in the morning. Instead of a siren it delivers a sharp pulse to the skin."

"Like an electric shock?" Aladdin asked.

Skyler shook her head. "No, not quite. It's more like a sharp chain of pulses; I suppose it does feel slightly like an electric shock but there is no electricity running through it. It's specially set to a level that will wake me from sleep."

"What's that, a stampeding rhino?"

The blonde narrowed her eyes. "Inspector Black, what were we discussing?"

Addison smiled but reverted back to the subject at hand. "The missing member from the archaeology team and how we can discover who that was."

Aladdin asked, "Are you thinking there is a possibility this person might be involved with the thefts and murders?"

"I certainly wouldn't rule it out but primarily you just need to question him or her." Addison looked over her shoulder at Skyler. "Inspector Tidwell, while we are looking into that I would like you to follow another line of enquiry pertaining to the stolen artefacts."

"You have information on that?"

Addison shook her head. "No, but we have a few people we would like to question and such. You know… put out a few feelers." Addison made eye contact with Skyler. "In Saqqara."

"Ah," Skyler nodded in understanding. "Well I better go and start getting my things ready."

Addison watched Skyler leave and then addressed Aladdin. "Sergeant Valtex, if you don't mind waiting, Inspector Tidwell and I need to get ready. I wonder if you wouldn't mind preparing Inspector Tidwell some transportation to Saqqara. Then when we are ready she can leave while you and I make a few enquiries about the archaeology team."

"Of course, yes."

"We'll be no more than half an hour." Addison walked back into the room, closing the door behind her. Skyler stood waiting for her.

"How come you changed your mind about me going to Saqqara?"

Addison unbuttoned her shirt, letting it slip from her shoulders. There was just enough time for them to both take showers before they had to leave. "Because you need to start looking for the tomb. That was your assignment after all. Besides, I really don't expect to be long with these enquiries, so hopefully I'll be there with you by the end of the day." Addison continued removing her clothes until she stood naked in front of Skyler. The blonde's eyes moved straight to Addison's side and the scar from the bullet Antonia Bakersfield had fired into her stomach. The wound was soon covered as Addison wrapped a towel around her body. Skyler drew her eyes back to Addison's face as the agent said, "And the sooner this assignment is out of the way…" she left the remainder of her words unspoken but the meaning was clear.

Skyler nodded and, pausing for a moment to allow her mind to focus, she licked her lips. "I suppose you want me to locate but not enter the tomb, if I find it before you arrive?"

"That would be preferable, yes." Addison was ready to leave the room for her shower but didn't yet move. "Be careful, Sky. I know you need to work on this as soon as possible but if there are others out there… just keep a low profile."

Skyler unclipped her belt as she said, "I can do that, Addison, don't worry. It'll be cool."

"I know… it's just that…" Addison stopped herself from saying anymore.

"I'll be careful if you will."

"I'm always careful," Addison boasted.

With a smile the doctor said, "Then hurry up and do what you need to do, then come to Saqqara and I'll be waiting... as patiently as I can, considering what I am looking for!"

The agent nodded. "Deal." Holding out her hand she took Skyler's and shook it. Before letting go, however, she lifted the hand to her lips and kissed it softly with a wink. Skyler blinked in pleasant surprise as Addison sauntered out of the room. She could just hear the agent mutter, "I know this is a one star hotel but please let them have a shower massage!"

Skyler lost herself in laughter.

Chapter 8

The Queen of the Nile was a typical tourist establishment. As soon as Addison entered, she easily spotted English and American holidaymakers. The majority were students and backpackers. They sat in groups discussing what they had seen and had yet to see. The bar itself was a large, two storey building; the second floor used as a nightclub for those who enjoyed the dance scene. However, the ground floor of The Queen of the Nile was very traditionally decorated as a classic sightseer's inn. Wrought iron table frames with marble tabletops were scattered around the room. Placed in arched alcoves, upon the wall, were moulded plastic depictions of Egyptian gods and goddesses, painted in highly decorative colours. Rectangular windows ran along the length of three walls, providing an abundance of natural light.

Aladdin, who had entered before Addison, scanned the bar. He was looking for one person in particular. His search stopped as he spotted the woman in question. "Inspector Black, that woman sitting at the bar over there…"

"The redhead on the left or the brunette on the right talking to the bartender?"

"The brunette on the right," Aladdin replied. "That's Pili's daughter. She runs the general supply store for her father in the evenings."

Taking a closer look at the young woman, Addison noted she must have been no more than twenty years old. She had long, brown hair stretching down the length of her back and wore a simple pair of light, denim jeans and a pink t-shirt. Aladdin knew which store had been supplying Karlyn Sanderson's team. He had spoken to the owner, Pili, before Addison was ready, but the old man informed him that Doctor Sanderson's team always traded in the evenings. That meant his best chance for information was to speak with his daughter, Aziza. Knowing the young woman was dating the bartender of the Queen of the Nile, Aladdin drove there as soon as he and Addison had seen Skyler onto her flight to Saqqara.

Addison followed Aladdin as he approached Aziza. She was thankful he called to her in English and glad this was a place heavy with tourists, for it meant many of the services, including shops and restaurants, catered for their market by speaking other languages. Although Addison could speak many languages, this wasn't one of them. The agent smiled to herself as she acknowledged the fact that if she were like Skyler, she would have mastered Arabic by now.

"Miss Aziza," Aladdin called, receiving a welcoming smile from the young woman. "Your father said we would find you here this morning." Aladdin stopped beside Aziza as Addison reached them. This is Inspector Black from Scotland Yard in England."

Aziza held out her hand. "Pleased to meet you, Inspector Black. This is my boyfriend, Mosi." She introduced the bartender to Addison.

The agent shook thin svelte man's hand, noting his non-Egyptian looking features. She presumed he must have either moved to Egypt as a child or was only half Egyptian. "Hi, Mosi," she said.

"Inspector Black," replied Mosi in greeting. "Can I get you a drink?"

"Not for me," said Aladdin.

Addison, however, readily agreed. "Yeah, I'll have a tonic water please. It's as hot as f... hell out there!"

Aziza smiled at Addison's slip. "You get used to it." She turned back to Aladdin. "So, why has my father sent you here? I'm thinking it is to do with the murder of the archaeologists?"

"Does anybody not know about this?" asked Addison.

Mosi handed Addison her glass of tonic water. "Word spreads quickly here among the locals. We like to keep up with the news." The agent pulled a handful of notes from her pocket, but Mosi put up his hand in refusal. "This is on me, Inspector."

"Oh, well thanks, Mosi." Addison took a long drink of the refreshing bubbly liquid. It soothed her parched throat. The dry air had the ability to make one thirsty very quickly and Addison felt the effects of that.

Aladdin continued his questioning of Aziza. "Your father told us you dealt with their supplies."

"Yes, once or twice a week they came into the shop."

"Who used to come in?" Addison asked as she placed her glass down upon the bar top. She leaned against the marble slab of its surface, feeling slightly more refreshed than moments before. Air conditioning hummed above, blessing her with the welcome relief of cooling air.

Aziza thought for a moment. "I only saw Doctor Sanderson one time. Ben told me she was the head of their team. Ben used to come in most of the time. He was more my age so we tended to talk when he visited. Sometimes he came with a nice lady called Doris. She was an archaeologist too. Ben was a student. The last two times he came in he had Doctor Bryson with him."

"Doctor Bryson?" Addison's face remained neutral but inside the cogs of her mind began turning. This name certainly wasn't on her team list or the name of any of the deceased. She looked to Aladdin with an air of suspicion.

"Yes, Doctor Bryson was a new member of the team. Ben said his first … um… vocation was Geology but he was an archaeologist too. He was nice… friendly."

"Do you know his first name?"

"William."

Aladdin took a step closer to Aziza. "Are you sure Ben said he was part of the team?"

"Yes." Aziza appeared slightly put out that she was being questioned on facts of which she knew she was certain. "I can even remember what he bought... the sound of his voice. His accent was like Inspector Black's, but he spoke faster so it was sometimes harder to understand everything he said." She smiled. "I had to ask him to repeat words again. He smoked a brand of cigarettes only we stock... Henson Lights. He bought many packs."

Running a hand through her black hair, Addison asked, "Could you work with an artist to give us a visual impression of Doctor Bryson?"

"We don't have one," Aladdin said under his breath to Addison.

"Great," the agent muttered. "Okay… did he have any distinguishing features? Something we can recognise or identify him by? When was the last time you remember seeing him?"

"I don't know, it had to have been over a month ago now."

Mosi returned to the right side of the bar after serving two customers. He had been listening, as best he could, to Addison and Aladdin's line of questioning. "Excuse me… I saw him the night of the murders."

Three heads spun around in his direction. "You did?" Aziza asked with a noticeable frown as she wondered when her boyfriend had seen the doctor. He had been with her that night.

Mosi nodded, though he seemed slightly uncomfortable with his admission. Addison noticed this but pressed on with her questions "Where did you see him, Mosi? We need to know everything that happened the night of the murders. It is important if we are to catch who did this. I am sure you understand that."

"Um…" Mosi looked at Aziza uncomfortably. Addison noticed the expressions that passed between them and shook her head impatiently.

"Look, we don't need to know what you were doing. We just want to know about Doctor Bryson. Where did you see him?"

"In the store.

Addison looked at Aziza and then back to Mosi. "What time was this?"

"Early evening. Aziza had gone into the back for… something." The blush that covered Aziza's cheeks told Addison she really didn't need to know what the reason behind her brief departure from the till was about. "He came in while I was looking after the shop. He was in for no more than six or maybe seven minutes."

Aladdin turned his full attention upon Mosi. "What did he buy?"

"He bought some bottles of champagne, the best Pili had in stock. It was a high price and he tried to haggle with me, but I threw in a pack of cigars and we made a deal."

"What did he say? Did he talk about anything while in the shop?"

"Talk about anything? He never stopped!" Mosi laughed as he recalled Doctor Bryson's behaviour. "He was talking about a great find they had made and how magnificent it was. He used the word 'priceless'. He told two other people who were in the shop at the same time. He was really happy. It is hard to believe he was killed not long after I had seen him."

"Hmm," Addison responded, not giving any facts of the case away. "Do you know the people he spoke to in the store?"

"No… they were tourists. I don't recall them."

Addison folded her arms, her brown eyes wandering as she thought. "Do you recall anything about him? Any distinguishing features that come to mind?"

Mosi shook his head and leaned against the bar. "He looked like any other ordinary Englishman. There was nothing about him that I can remember." Mosi continued to think. "He wore a fedora. It had a red scarf tied around it. Oh, and his fingers were yellow on both hands. It looked like he was a chain smoker who used both sets of fingers to hold a cigarette. Does that make sense?" he asked, receiving a nod from Addison in return.

From the other side of the bar somebody had pushed a coin into the jukebox. The room was suddenly filled with music. Addison decided she'd had enough. "Okay, thank you Mosi, Aziza. If there are any more questions Sergeant Valtex will be back. Thank you for your time."

"No problem, Inspector Black." Mosi bowed his head slightly. "My pleasure to help any way I can."

With a nod Addison began to exit the bar; Aladdin followed, unsure of her sudden departure. He felt there had to be more questions that needed asking. "Is there a problem, Inspector?"

"No." Addison released one arm from her backpack. "Sergeant, I feel there isn't much more I can do. I have every faith you can handle the investigation from here. I would like to get to Saqqara as soon as possible to help Inspector Tidwell with her enquiries."

"If that is your wish. As soon as the helicopter gets back you can leave for Saqqara."

"Excellent." Addison looked around her. She spotted a public convenience on the opposite side of the road. "I'll meet you at the car; I need a slash."

Aladdin frowned in confusion. "A…?"

Addison pointed with her thumb over her shoulder. "The bathroom." Receiving a look of understanding and acknowledgement, Addison turned, jogged across the road and into the small, rectangular building. After checking that each of the three stalls was empty, Addison walked back to the entrance. Closing the door firmly she pulled a metal bolt across, locking herself inside.

Reaching into an inside pocket she pulled out her mobile phone. She began to dial in a specific code, which granted her access to a secure line within Special Operations. The phone rang for three seconds before it was answered.

"Addison," Danny Sleet said. "I've just paged Mark, he is on his way. How's it in Egypt, you lucky bugger?" Danny was a research officer. He rarely left Headquarters.

"Dan, it's as hot as a sumo wrestler's jock strap. How's that for a definition?"

"Disturbing… thanks." Danny was silent and Addison heard the distant sound of another voice enter the room. "Mark's here, Addison, hold on one moment." There was a pause followed by a static click as Addison was put onto a speakerphone.

"Addison," Mark said. "What's the report?"

The agent held her head against the door as she heard approaching footsteps. They passed her by. "Mark, we've discovered there was another member of the archaeology team not listed. He must have joined the group half way through the dig. We have definite sightings of him with team members and being introduced as such… yet his name isn't on the list of the deceased. I believe this is our first lead into the crime."

"Excellent… who are we looking for?"

"It's a Doctor Bryson, William Bryson. He's a geologist and archaeologist. He has an English accent so we are looking for somebody national."

"Okay, Danny is on it."

"Addison," Danny called. "Do you have a description?"

"Negative… sorry, Dan, that's all I have so far." Addison walked over to a sink. Turning on a cold tap she cupped a handful of water and let it trickle down her back. The cool droplets felt wonderful against her heated skin. "The only thing I can say for sure is this guy is a smoker."

"How's Skyler getting on with the tablet translations?"

"Great, Mark. She has them complete and is in Saqqara now. I'm about to join her."

"Okay, Addison, keep me posted."

"Will do." Addison hung up the phone. She placed it back in her inside pocket and then wiped her wet hand down her shirt. She knew she had to get back out to Sergeant Valtex. Unlocking the bathroom door she walked out into the sunshine, spotting Aladdin waiting in his car, the engine running. She jogged across the road and climbed into the passenger seat. "Sorry about that… must have been the foreign food." The agent patted her stomach.

"Oh… um… no problem," stammered Aladdin. He pulled away from the curb and into the steady stream of traffic.

Addison grinned at his flustered expression. She was going to miss playing with this guy.

*********

Skyler arrived in Saqqara to find a taxi ready and waiting for her. She boarded the vehicle, requesting to be taken straight to Djoser's pyramid. That, not really surprisingly to Skyler, was the first point on the map. The ride took just over fifteen minutes. Skyler found her anticipation growing as each moment passed. She drummed her fingers upon her thighs, keeping her eyes upon the scenery outside. Skyler had never seen Djoser's pyramid before and so her excitement was immense. The blonde's hand wandered over to the side where her backpack lay upon the seat. She couldn't wait to begin.

Thoughts flitted through the doctor's mind until she recalled the possible danger surrounding the location of the tomb. This was a serious situation. Although Skyler wanted very much to work in the field, she wasn't sure she wanted the possible dangers which accompanied it. Training wasn't an issue; the doctor had been instructed in the arts of self-defence and weaponry. Still, the fact remained Skyler was part of the brains side of the operation and not the brawn.

Recalling the photographic images of Karlyn Sanderson's slaughtered team, Skyler pulled the Taser from her shoulder holster. After checking its function and her supply of cartridges, she took the Browning pistol from her ankle. The clip was full and the safety on. Skyler knew she was ready to begin locating the tomb.

In an effort to fit in and appear like any other tourist, she had made several purchases before she left for Saqqara. The blonde bought a camera, hanging it around her neck. A baseball cap was her next purchase, followed by a handful of badges depicting Egyptian themes. She stuck them on her backpack. To the outside eye Skyler looked like a simple student backpacker. It was perfect.

Pulling up along a desert road, the taxi came to a halt. Paying her driver, Skyler opened the car door and stepped out into the dry Egyptian air. As the white car drove off Skyler placed on her navy baseball cap and dark sunglasses. Camera already hanging around her neck, the doctor began to follow dusty signs towards the first ever Egyptian pyramid. She hadn't walked for more than a minute when her phone began to ring.

"Hey, how are things?" Skyler answered, her caller I.D. already telling her it was Addison.

"Got the data I need. I'm on my way to you as we speak."

"Already? Damn that was quick!"

"I'm a fast worker, baby." Addison chuckled throatily down the phone. "I'll be with you in about two hours tops."

Skyler looked around and gained her bearings. She took a pathway leading to the right and followed another sign towards Djoser's pyramid. "Are you contacting me when you arrive?"

"Negative," Addison responded. "I'll contact H.Q. and ask for an E.P.R. I'll be there before you know it." An E.P.R. stood for Exact Positioning Reference, which was taken using the chip located in each agent's shoulder.

"Okay." The doctor looked at a small group of young men who stood around a map. They held it out between them, studying their location. She suddenly found herself becoming suspicious of everybody else around her. What if any one of those groups was on the hunt for Imhotep's tomb as well? What if they were behind the murders of Karlyn Sanderson and her team?

When one of the men looked up, Skyler took the camera, hanging around her neck and, using one hand, captured a distant image of the pyramid.

"Sky?" Addison called, wondering why the blonde had gone silent.

"Sorry, I'm here. Just blending with the tourists. I was taking a picture."

Addison understood what Skyler was doing. Her own motto while on a mission was 'if in doubt, suspect everybody'! "Many people around?" she asked.

Skyler checked around her again. There were quite a few people in her vicinity. There were families with children, young travellers and older, touring couples. Skyler looked upon each person with a measure of suspicion. "There's enough," she said. A child chose that moment to run past her, laughing in defiance as an agitated parent took chase, scooping the toddler into his arms and scolding the misbehaving little girl. "Thank God these directions lead me away from any crowds." Skyler could hear the sound of an aircraft as Addison reached the airfield.

"Definitely wouldn't do to have civilians around," Addison commented. "Okay, Sky, I'm about to meet the chopper. I'll see you soon, okay?"

"Okay, Addison, bye for now." Hanging up the phone Skyler placed it back in her pocket. Looking out ahead she saw the desert coming further into her line of sight. The scene was set and she was ready to begin. Little did she or Addison know to what their quest would eventually lead.

Chapter 9

Cruising at a moderate pace past Cairo's antiquities warehouses, a navy mini-van drove past its main entrance and towards the eastern side of the compound. Though still with plenty of daylight, the side of the building was shadowed by adjacent structures and storage facilities grouped around the vicinity. The van passed a wide, brick structure with rolling metal doors and turned left. It entered a narrow jetty, overgrown with weeds. Sand and gravel crunched under the weight of the old, worn tyres, balding through much use and little care. The van turned again and stopped behind another, much newer, red van.

As the engine died, William Bryson climbed out of the passenger seat. He stood by the door and scanned around the area. There wasn't anybody in sight and to him that was perfect. He smiled wickedly. From the driver's side a smartly dressed Egyptian man, wearing a two-piece navy suit, emerged. His black hair, well groomed and combed back, was entirely different from his unkempt, overgrown moustache.

"Are you ready, Boss?"

"Yes, Zavren, get the canister from the back, will you?"

Zavren nodded and moved around the battered, navy van. Opening the doors, his expression didn't alter an inch as his eyes took in the sight before him. There, lying in a pool of congealing blood, lay Professor Jerome YaShiln. Then again, it might have been more accurate to say what was left of Professor YaShiln. His head and hands had been removed and were no longer with his body. All that remained was his mutilated trunk, arms and legs. The overpowering, metallic stench of blood filled the back of the vehicle.

Paying little attention to the body, Zavren reached into the compartment and pulled out a large, red jerry can. It was half full with a thick, pungent liquid that slopped around the sides of its container as it moved. Zavren closed the van doors and walked around the vehicle, back to William Bryson. The geologist eyed Zavren as he approached. Pushing a hand into his pocket, Bryson retrieved a small, gold petrol lighter. He tossed it to Zavren and the henchman caught it with his free hand.

"I've been very pleased with your work, Zavren. You've shown… fortitude," he said referring to the methodical way in which he had removed the head and hands from Professor YaShiln's body. William had watched on in morbid fascinating.

Zavren said nothing. He held up the jerry can in question. William gave a simple nod and opened the passenger door of the stolen van. He took a large duffel bag from the foot-well. "Wouldn't do to leave these here now would it? There is no point in removing the parts of identification if we leave them behind." He closed the door and made his way towards the second vehicle. "Give as much of a trail off as you can, Zavren; I want enough time to drive away."

"Will do, Boss," Zavren replied as he opened the van doors and unscrewed the cap. He began pouring petrol over the decapitated body. The clear, pungent liquid blended with congealed blood, turning the petrol a translucent pink. When half of the petrol had been poured over the body he began to trail the remaining fuel away from the van, towards their second vehicle.

"Come on, Zavren, don't take too long. Just light the trail and lets get out of here before the thing goes up. I want that corpse incinerated."

As the last of the fuel ran from the plastic container, Zavren tossed it back over to the now abandoned vehicle. Lifting his knee he struck the lighter across his leg. It lit instantly.

Inside the second vehicle William Bryson started its engine. He reached over and opened the passenger door. "Zavren!"

The smartly dressed man climbed inside their van. Shutting the door he left his arm hanging out of the window. He looked out onto the ground and just as William began to drive, he tossed the flaming lighter onto the trail of petrol. Within an instant the little flame ignited into a roaring inferno. It ate away at the fuel, greedily travelling along the petrol, around to the back of the discarded vehicle and hastily inside. Professor YaShiln's body was engulfed in flames as William drove away and disappeared around a sharp corner to a narrow road. He kept the vehicle at a reasonable pace, not too fast but not too slow. It was just enough to make as swift a departure as possible, without drawing any unwanted attention.

Looking in his rear-view mirror the geologist saw billowing smoke rising from behind the storage complex. His eyes flitted from the road to the mirror as he waited. It took less than a minute before he heard it, the almighty sound of an exploding vehicle erupting with a full tank of petrol. He smiled when he saw flames reach high into the sky. He could almost feel the intense, fuel induced heat.

Zavren looked out through his side window. He could almost smell the acrid stench of thick, black smoke. Other cars upon the road slowed down in shock and surprise as they witnessed the fireball in the distance. William followed suit, cautious enough not to draw any attention by acting any different.

"Where to now, Boss?"

William's hands gripped the steering wheel in thought. "That answer is quite simple, Zavren. Either you choose to work with us, comply and deliver what we ask of you... or you end up with a similar fate as the professor there. Am I making myself clear?"

"Yes."

"Your loyalty is with us now, Zavren. I can make you a very wealthy man."

Zavren was unfazed by Doctor Bryson's threats. He had made his decision. "I look forward to working for you, Boss." He looked back out of the window. "Where to now?"

William put his foot down, accelerating their speed. "When Plan A fails, always have a back up. It's time for Plan B. We have to meet Mr Hawthorn in Saqqara."

*********

Agent Skyler Tidwell stood on the threshold of the Djoser's pyramid complex. She looked around with a feeling of awe as she gazed upon the ruins. Though many areas of the site had fallen with age she was still able to visualise what it would have looked like over five thousand years ago. Its magnificence and beauty endured through time like an unceasing echo of splendour.

With other tourists in the area, Skyler was still able to blend in with the milling public. Looking as inconspicuous as possible was necessary considering what she was doing. The blonde doctor pulled several sheets of paper from her backpack. Unfolding the map translations, she looked down at the beginning of tablet three. This was where her search of the complex started.

Skyler stood by the edge of Heb-Sed Court. She studied her map, which was hidden by a tourist information hand out. It had been given to her as she approached the complex. Skyler took it only as a cover for her translations. She watched the other sightseers around her. There were fewer children than she had expected, but to her that was a blessing. It wasn't that she didn't like children, the very opposite in fact. It was the simple fact that not even she knew what was going to happen; the less people around, the better. To her left Skyler saw a group of five students. She easily detected the scent of cannabis. Skyler wondered how these people managed to find a dealer, no matter where they were!

Bringing her mind back to the matter at hand, Skyler began moving closer to the complex. Before her she found a long pathway bordered by broken columns on either side. They had long since fallen over time but her mind was able to conjure a magnificent picture of their once overwhelming glory. She walked closer to the pathway, noting a sign which informed her she was heading towards the south tomb chamber. Skyler knew she was heading in the right direction. The map indicated she would find her next clue, on where to open the entrance to Imhotep's tomb, on the inscriptions depicting Djoser. It was said to be a wall carving in the south tomb chamber. Skyler followed the directions passed Heb-Sed court and towards a square passageway. Tapping her foot into the sand she took one final reading of the map before entering. She turned right, as indicated. The Doctor walked though a narrow passageway; the musty scent of dirt was strong and enhanced by the heat of the ever-glowing orb. Skyler made her way towards the far wall and found what is was she was looking for. A carved image of Djoser was upon a neutral, stone wall. Artificial lights, placed within the chamber, provided enough visual clarity for Skyler to have a perfect view of the depiction.

Skyler approached the image in awe. She ran her fingers over the picture. She never failed to be honoured by what she discovered through her archaeological work. People, great people, who had lived upon the earth hundreds and thousands of years before she was even born, were able to leave a reminder of their presence. To Skyler, it gave their existence meaning and recognition. It made her appreciate just how lucky each and every single person on this planet really was. The nano-existence of life may be over far too quickly, but actions and words can span many lifetimes. Skyler was humbled by that simple acknowledgement.

Reining in her thoughts, Skyler stepped back from the carved image. She looked down at her map as she tried to figure out the next portion of the directions.

"Standing and counting," Skyler read out with a frown as she repeated the words. "The middle of odd is the key?" She scratched her head. "Let the feline goddess guide you. How many are her number?" Looking back at the depiction, Skyler noticed a cat's head upon the carving. "How many cats?" she said. Skyler began counting them. "One…" Her eyes scanned over the wall. "Two…" She continued to search, moving her index finger over the warm stone. "Three…" Skyler crouched lower. Her search found no more symbols of the cat. "Three," she repeated. "Three it appears, so three it must be." Shifting her backpack to a more comfortable position, Skyler left the tomb.

*********

Addison's helicopter landed at the precise destination where it had dropped off Skyler only a few hours before. As if an exact replay of the chopper's last arrival, a taxi, arranged by Aladdin Valtex, was ready and waiting for Addison. The agent boarded her cab took a swift journey to the destination it had taken Skyler only an hour before. Being as though it was the same driver, he dropped her off at the same location.

Securing the pack on her back, Addison read the sign before her, indicating the position of the Djoser's pyramid complex. She set off. As she got closer to the complex Addison felt the vibrations as much as she heard her mobile telephone ring. She answered the call, "Hello?"

"Addison, it's Mark here."

"Mark, I was just about to call you. I need an E.P.R. on Skyler. I'm about to meet up with her."

"Will do, Addison, but in a moment. I have news regarding Professor Bryson."

Addison took a pair of black, tinted sunglasses from her pocket. She placed them on as she continued her pace. "Okay, good. What do you have for me?"

"We did some digging; it wasn't hard to find information. Doctor William Bryson is an Archaeologist and Geologist who teaches at Clyde University in Wales. After discovering this we got in touch with the local police force and asked them to enquire in reference to his whereabouts. Basically I wanted them to see what they could find out about him."

"And?"

"They sent two officers to the university and two to his home address. The university said they hadn't heard from him since he left to advise a Doctor Karlyn Sanderson on a dig in Thebes."

"Well this only echoes what we already know," commented Addison.

"At first, yes," said Mark. "Until the other officers arrived at his home address."

"What did they find?"

"They found Doctor Bryson."

Addison was confused. "He went back home?"

"He never left." Mark paused to take a breath. "They found his body in a chest freezer."

Addison stopped walking. She stood stock-still.

"From what they have detected so far, it seems the doctor's body has been in there for over two months. Piles of unopened mail lay as evidence to that. They won't be able to get a true cause of death until the body thaws enough for them to do any kind of forensic slicing and dicing, but it is clear to say…"

"It was murder," Addison finished for Mark. Scratching the back of her head, a heavy sigh passed between the agent's lips. "So we have some crazy person running around here pretending to be a dead guy. He obviously killed Bryson so he could get to Egypt and take his place in the discovery of this… this… bloody hell, Mark, I still have no idea what it is we are really looking for." Addison resumed walking. "This is obviously about more than a dead guy's tomb and whoever this person is, he knows a hell of a lot more than all of us put together!"

"Enough that he feels it is worth killing for."

"So do you have any indication of who the real William Bryson had been seeing socially or professionally before he disappeared?"

"The police are looking into all this as we speak, Addison."

"Good, can you get back to me as soon as you discover anything? Whoever he is, he's working with a backing much larger than we anticipated." As Addison saw another sign for Djoser's pyramid, her thoughts returned to Skyler. "Mark, can you give me that E.P.R. on Skyler?"

"Danny," General Blithe called, "Give me an E.P.R on S.O.112, please."

Addison waited, hearing nothing but Mark's breathing as Danny ran an Exact Positioning Reference on Skyler. She heard Danny call out to Mark and then Mark relayed the information back to her. "She's in Saqqara, at the site of Djoser's pyramid, heading in a northerly direction."

"Thanks, Mark." Addison disconnected the line. She dropped the phone back in her pocket and checked her watch. Addison realised her time was fast running out. A notice board indicated that admittance to the complex ended at five o'clock. The area was closed for the night from six. It was ten minutes to six now. She needed to get in there and find Skyler.

Increasing her pace, Addison's mind started working overtime. First of all she needed to find a way into the complex. Even from her distance she could see a high wire fence surrounding the area. Protection from vandals and thieves was all good and well, but when she wanted to get in, it wouldn't be enough to keep Addison Black out. The coils of barbwire on top of the fence would only serve to be more of an interesting challenge.

Meanwhile, inside the complex, Skyler stood with her back against a tomb wall. A man had just walked around informing people the site was closing for the evening. All visitors had to leave which meant only one thing, Skyler had to hide. She knew the entrance to Imhotep's tomb was inside the complex somewhere? She simply had to find it. Maybe it would be better under the cover of dusk.

Saqqara was a large burial site. There were hundreds of tombs in the area, if not thousands, and many of them had yet to be excavated. When Skyler first realised Imhotep's tomb was at Saqqara she felt a sense of dread. She wondered how she was supposed to locate what would be the definition of a needle in a haystack. That would definitely have been the case if she were unable to fully decipher the tablets.

Peering around a corner, Skyler watched a complex employee walk a group of tourists back to the main gates. She believed those must have been the final people to leave the area. Skyler suddenly wondered whether they had any night patrols!

Hearing a set of footsteps shuffle though the sandy ground, Skyler slid across to the other side of the tomb wall. She looked cautiously around the corner and spied an elderly woman walking in her direction. It was the woman Skyler paid when she had gained entrance into the complex. "Hell," she muttered and looked around, she needed to hide before she was spotted.

Standing between two crypts, Skyler judged their heights. Figuring the one to her left was small enough to climb upon yet tall enough to remain out of sight, she rubbed her hands together in preparation. This is where the month of wall climbing would finally come in handy. The blonde reached for a jutting brick, pulling her body up as her feet found purchase of other rugged stones. The wall was only nine feet tall and within ten seconds Skyler was scaling the top of the tombs. As soon as she reached its pinnacle she lay down flat against the roof.

Propping her head on her chin, Skyler could just make out the top of the woman's head. She watched her pass, circle the crypts and make her way back to the main gate. Skyler sighed in relief. Raising her head only several inches off the roof afforded her a wider view of the complex. She scanned the area, wondering how long it would take the complex employees to leave. She didn't relish the thought of remaining upon the top of the tomb any longer than absolutely necessary. Although it was early evening, the sun was still hot enough to burn down over her.

Fidgeting uncomfortably upon the stone structure, Skyler slid her body across the roof. The move enhanced her view to the right and she managed to catch sight of something familiar yet inconspicuous.

Skyler spied Addison moving stealthily among the stone ruins. Although she felt a certain amount of relief when she spotted the agent, Skyler remained in position. She watched as Addison wove her way around the complex. The agent was vigilant, highly aware of her surroundings. Skyler waited, knowing that from her position, Addison would soon make it over. She wondered whether Addison had registered her position already. Though the complex admissions clerk clearly hadn't, the blonde knew Addison was highly in tune with nature. She had spent many months at a time in the jungle and had developed a higher sense of awareness for the elements of Mother Nature.

Addison moved closer. She reached the Heb-Sed Court and wove her way around a set of three tombs. She was approaching Skyler when she stopped. A frown creased her brow. "Skyler?" she called.

Skyler emerged from her position, hugging the roof of the tomb. "I'm up here."

"What are you…?" Addison looked around. "Oh yes… I see. How long have you been up there?"

"Ten minutes I guess. I saw you coming so waited here. I figured I'd have an easier chance searching here if I didn't have an audience."

"Apart from him!" Addison's eyes rose above Skyler to the sky. The blonde looked up and almost gasped in shock. "I think he has designs on you for dinner. I'd get down from there before he gets tired of waiting for you to take your final breath and comes in for a peck of sexy blonde behind!"

Turning from the circling vulture, Skyler shifted forwards, twisted her body around and rolled off the roof. She landed feet first, but didn't manage to keep her balance. Addison caught her before she hit the ground.

"Easy there, I'm sure Mister Vulture gets the message."

Skyler wrapped her arms around Addison, indulging in a moment of guilty pleasure. "I know, but maybe I'm just glad to have you with me again."

Addison smiled as she placed her lips upon Skyler's head. The soft material of her baseball cap was smooth against her cheek. "I'm not going to snitch." The agent closed her eyes. "I miss this, Skyler. I miss this closeness with you."

"Me too." Skyler hugged Addison tighter before regrettably letting go. "Did you find out about the thirteenth person at the camp site?"

"I got a name… checked it out. He was a university professor in Wales. He apparently left the university for a sabbatical to work here, but ended up taking a detour before he arrived."

"What do you mean?"

"The police found him in the deep freeze. Somebody killed him and took on his identity to come out here."

Rolling her tongue around the inside of her cheek Skyler said, "So in other words we're back to square one?"

"Not quite. We have a lead to work with... H.Q and the Clyde police force are working on it now. As for us… we get to go exploring." Addison wiggled her eyebrows. "Can I be Indiana Jones?"

"Not if you want to catch my attention and besides, I'm quite fond of Addison Black myself."

Addison beamed. "Her I can do." Straightening her back, boosting her small height advantage over Skyler by an extra centimetre, Addison quirked her upper lip. "Come on, woman. Lets go dig up a tomb." Refraining from rolling her eyes, Skyler followed Addison as the agent strutted off. She stopped suddenly and turned back to Skyler. "Where are we supposed to be going anyway?"

"This way, Stud!" Skyler said as she turned northwards. "I need to find the statues in the East Court. If I'm interpreting and understanding all these directions accurately, there should be three of them."

Catching Skyler up so she could walk beside her, Addison looked down at the tourist map in the blonde's hands. "Looks like it's just to the right of here."

"Yeah." Skyler led the way to a wide wall. It had crumbled around the sides but the main area was still fully standing. In front of the wall, and standing on a narrow curb, stood three statues. The first statue was crudely carved in the shape of what Addison believed to be a pharaoh. It was much the same type of statue as the second one, but that had a lot more detail. The face and body were much more distinguishable. The third stone carving was smaller and broken. Addison was unable to tell what it was or might have been.

"What do we have to do?" Addison asked as she studied the statues. She ran her hands over the outlined face of the first statue. "They're not that spectacular looking, are they?"

Skyler looked up from her translations. "What… were you expecting a sphinx? My guess is they were put here for a specific purpose."

"Which was?" The blonde didn't answer at first. She continued to read her translations. "Sky, what purpose?"

Reaching out, Skyler placed two fingers on the middle statue's face, putting one finger upon each eye. Placing her other hand behind the statue, she felt around. After locating what she was searching for Skyler said, "This." She pushed her fingers into the eyes and button at the back. A loud rumbling sounded around them and the ground became unstable. Feeling their foundations begin to shake, Addison grabbed Skyler, pulling her to the right in a swift movement. They fell into the sand as the ground, which had been underneath them, suddenly caved in. A cloud of sand and dust rose into the air; both women covered their faces from the fall out.

"Holy Mother of…" Addison coughed, wafting her hands around them. She released another cough. "What on earth was that?"

Skyler stood upon her knees, holding her shirt over her mouth and nose. She squinted through the settling dust. "I think we just found our entrance."

"What?"

Reaching into her backpack Skyler pulled out a kinetic torch. She shook it rapidly for fifteen seconds before turning it on and crawling over to where they had just been standing. In its place was a wide, dark shaft. She directed the torch's beam into the underground cavern. "Surprise, surprise."

Addison crawled over to Skyler. "Bugger me!" She leaned forwards into the hole and followed the shaft of light. "It's a passage way. Did you know it was right here?"

"The tablets hinted, but I had no idea we were standing right above it." Skyler coughed and shook her head, releasing grains of sand from her hair.

"Those Ancient Egyptians were sneaky buggers." Addison took her own torch from her backpack. She shook it and turned it on, directing her beam beside Skyler's to give them a wider view of the interior of the exposed entrance. "Inside?"

Skyler grinned and moved backwards. "Ladies first.

"Now I get called a lady!" Addison flipped over and dropped into the cavern. Shining her torch upon the wall she found a length of hieroglyphics. "Abandon all hope, you who enter here."

"Oh brother!" Skyler slid into the cavern beside Addison. "You've seen too many scary movies." She shook her head. "Come on, Indiana, let's make history!"

End of part 2

Continued in Part 3

MJ's scrolls
MJ's scrolls co-authored with Cephalgia. (2nd page)
The Athenaeum's Scroll Archive