Curse of the Pharaoh: A Brock Stone Adventure

“It is known,” she said simply. “Let’s find what we’ve come for and get out of here.”

“You have a prior engagement?” Stone asked.

“I’ve been known to schedule a midnight rendezvous.” Her eyes fell. “I don’t like it down here. I don’t want to stay any longer than necessary.”

At the end of the room opposite the stone altar, a body lay in an alcove. It was a man with wavy black hair and a long nose. His clothing was late nineteenth century. A spark of recognition flared in Stone’s mind.

“He is remarkably well preserved,” Rose said. “How?”

“I don’t know, but I can tell you who he is. Remy Pascal, an explorer and amateur archaeologist who disappeared about thirty years ago on an expedition in Egypt.”

“He’s holding something in his hands. Don’t look.” Rose moved between Stone and the corpse, leaned down, and pried Pascal’s hands open. “It’s a leather pouch.” She picked up the pouch, opened it, and peered inside. Her eyes sparkled. “This is it!”

“Let me see,” Stone said.

“No!” She clutched the pouch to her chest. “I was told to avoid showing it to you if at all possible. It is for your own safety. The fewer people who know about it the better, I suppose. That doesn’t bode well for me.” She forced a laugh.

Stone couldn’t find the words. Rose had no idea she was a loose end. As soon as she showed him a way out, he would have to deal with her. The catacombs would be as good a place as any to do it. No one to see or hear, no need to hide the body. He was ashamed by the clinical manner in which he assessed the situation. But he had no choice.

“If those are your orders,” Stone said.

“Thank you. I was hoping it wouldn’t be a problem. I don’t like this any more than you do.”

“You don’t know the half of it.”

Rose was in an all-fired hurry to get out of the underground. She took so many twists and turns Stone wondered if she was trying to get rid of him. After a while, nothing looked familiar to him.

“Are you taking us a different way out?”

“Yes. We came a long way. I know somewhere closer we can get to the street.”

“Where will we end up?” Stone looked up as if he could see through the ceiling.

“Among the life-giving waters.” Rose abruptly stopped and knelt. “You go ahead. I need to tighten my shoelaces. As slow as you are, you could use a head start.”

“I can’t deny it.” Stone chuckled, moved farther down the tunnel.

And then his foot sank into the ground. He had only a moment to realize he had stepped on some sort of trigger before an iron grate slammed down behind him. On the other side, Rose was running away.

“Rose!”

“I had no choice!” she shouted.

And then the ceiling collapsed.

21 The Chase

Stone took off in hot pursuit of the big Indian. Alex’s long legs allowed him to keep close behind. Stone could see the back of Hawk’s head as he ducked in and out of the light traffic on the street. They dodged camel riders, men pulling carts, and a few confused tourists, and emerged into an open-air market.

The street was lined with colorful tents and awnings. Vendors loudly hawked their wares. Shady-looking youths lurked in the shadows, looking for potential marks to pickpocket. Hawk skirted a cart laden with fruit and disappeared among the tents that lined the street.

“Where did he go?” Alex asked.

Stone spotted a man in a flowing robe duck behind a vendor’s cart. The robe was not long enough to hide his cowboy boots. Stone grinned. “Wait here where he can see you. Keep looking around. Try to appear confused.”

“Not a problem,” Alex said.

Stone melted into the crowd, worked his way down the street, and circled back from the opposite direction. He saw Hawk kneeling down watching Alex. He moved on silent feet until he was a few feet behind the Indian.

“We mean you no harm.”

Hawk snapped his head around. His jaw dropped. “You are the first white man to ever sneak up on me.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment. And whatever you do, don’t reach for a weapon. I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Think you can?” Hawk grinned as he slowly rose to his feet.

“Let’s not find out. I want to hire you for a job. I only chased you because I didn’t want you to get away before we could talk.”

Hawk looked at him cagily. “I’m not for sale.”

“Good thing I only want to rent you.”

Hawk laughed. “Funny man. Who do you work for?”

“Myself.”

“I’m not interested.” Hawk folded his arms, glared at Stone.

“Are you sure you don’t want to get out of town right about now? I imagine the law will be hot on your heels.”

“The law isn’t the problem. I’m not guilty and I know who to bribe if it comes to that.”

“You’ll need money for that, and you left a pile of it lying on the floor back in the bar.” Stone patted the wad of bills in his pocket.

Hawk nodded. “Let’s talk, but not here.”

Stone followed him to a stall where carpets and tapestries were sold. Hawk said something to the merchant, then turned to Stone.

“Give him two pounds.”

Stone handed over two bills. The man smiled, bobbed his head, then handed one of the bills to Indian, who tucked it into his pocket.

“What was that?” Stone asked.