Stone

by Linda Mooney

  Garenth stared at his hands where they lay in his lap. “Did you tell those men about the mother idol?”

  “I told them that the intruder broke into the museum and stole several artifacts. I didn’t tell them you recovered them, and that I have them safely hidden away.”

  “But the man who shot me while I obtained them—”

  “Would have told the police that a creature that looked like a gargoyle took them. But I doubt he said anything at all. That would also implicate the person you took them from of theft.”

  “Someone knows I took back the mother idol.”

  “Someone knows a gargoyle took back the mother idol. That gargoyle no longer exists.”

  They heard a sound coming from outside the room. There was a scuffle of some sort going on down the hallway. A moment later, Garenth saw Brielle come from the other direction. She glanced through the clear wall as she walked by, along with another uniformed guard.

  He sat up straighter. She appeared as if she’d been crying.

  “What’s wrong?” Kelling questioned.

  “Brielle. She is weeping.”

  The older man gave a nod. “She probably knows now that you’re going to be sent to detention and deported.”

  Garenth turned to the man. “I need to let you know I have feelings for her. She has become very precious to me.”

  “I’ve gathered as much,” Kelling softly admitted. “I believe she has developed feelings for you, too.”

  Garenth continued to stare out through the clear walls, hoping to catch another glimpse of her. “Where are they taking her?”

  “Probably back to her apartment.”

  “She will not have to face any punishment for her actions?”

  “Garenth, she was the victim. We don’t punish victims in this era.”

  Garenth tried to swallow, but a large lump in his throat made it impossible. He started to ask if he would see her again, when the inevitable truth reared its ugly head. “I will not be given the chance to tell her goodbye, will I?”

  “No,” Kelling whispered. “And this may be the last time we get to speak before they take you away. But listen to me, Garenth. Listen carefully. First off, do not fight them. Do not do anything to make the police or immigration officials angry. Do you understand?”

  “Yes.”

  “Also, I am in the process of trying to get you a work visa. Brielle and I have already gone out on a limb and told them you worked for me. We just need to make that official.”

  Garenth cast him a dubious look. “Work for you? How?”

  Kelling grinned. “You have the knowledge of ages in your head. You come from a time that we only know a smattering about. You could be instrumental in revealing information about ancient Egypt that we never realized existed. You are a learned man, correct?”

  “I am not a prophet or a cleric, but I can read and write, yes. I can also read maps and diagrams.”

  “That’s what I thought. And that’s why you would be an invaluable member of my team. Would you be willing to take on that assignment?”

  “This would be a job?”

  “Yes. It would be a paying job.”

  He glanced out the clear wall. “Would I be able to see Brielle again?”

  This time Kelling gently squeezed his shoulder. “I don’t know. I can’t promise anything. But I’m going to do my best to petition in your favor so you can return to the States.”

  Heaving a loud sigh, Garenth clasped his hands together. “I will pray to the gods for their benevolence. I cannot see them giving me this new life without just consequence. Yes, Kelling. I will gladly help you in learning of my time.”

  Another man appeared in the doorway and spoke to Kelling. Behind him were two uniformed guards, but their uniforms were different from the ones the other men wore.

  Kelling got to his feet and turned to Garenth. “It’s time for me to go. I’ll be heading back to Egypt tomorrow. I don’t know what they’ll have you do when you return. But when you can, if you can, go to the digs outside of the Valley of the Kings. Find a man named Irmine Causeway. He also works for me.” The professor grinned. “He’ll be waiting for you. Tell him who you are and why you’re there. Then, later, tell me how he reacted.”

  Garenth gave a nod, and the professor was led out of the room. Once the man was gone, he sat back down and bowed his head.

  What would happen to him in the days and weeks to come was not important. What concerned him more was the fact that he would not be there for Brielle should anything happen to her. He tried not to think about her being attacked again, or being injured. It was a scenario that made him physically ill if he dwelled on it.

  I must spend these next few days thinking about my future. Going back to the land of my birth. My new job. My next purpose in life. That, and learning this language, so that if the gods deem I should ever see Brielle again, I can speak to her in her own tongue.

  It was a vow he swore he would fulfill even if he never accomplished another thing. That, and the promise he would never stop loving the woman whose life meant more to him than his own.

  Chapter 33

  Transfer

  She heard her cell phone go off, but to be brutally honest, she didn’t give a damn about answering it. Trying to ignore it the best she could, she continued to work on the report that should have been on the acting curator’s desk two days ago.

  A ping told her she had a voice memo. Good. I’ll listen to whatever babbling you left when I’m done here.

  The phone went off again.

  “Oh, Jesus.” It was going to be one of those days. Another dark, gray, dismal twenty-four hours in a long line of equally dismal days. Ever since that intruder forced her into her apartment, and Garenth put out his lights, her existence seemed to have gone downhill.

  Tears rose in her eyes. Grabbing a tissue from the box on her desk, she dabbed at them and sniffed. She had to stop pining like this. She had to go on with her life. This relentless worrying about Garenth…

  More tears came, damn it. She shouldn’t have brought him up, but in the short time they’d known each other, he had become a part of her. His strength, his bravery, his caring—everything about him had touched her heart, and she’d never really understood how much her life had changed until he was gone.

  We never got to say goodbye.

  That was the hardest part, the loss of one last kiss. One final hug. Once the police were finished questioning her, she’d been taken back to her apartment.

  The last time she’d seen him was for that too brief moment when their eyes locked through the glass partition at the police station. She’d recognized the worry in his face, and knew he was concerned more for her safety and wellbeing than he was for his own.

  Her uncle had been released soon afterwards, and returned to his dig in Egypt. A few weeks later, Garenth was released to the authorities there in Cairo, and Kelling accepted sponsorship of him. In the months that passed, he would email her updates as to Garenth’s status, letting her know of the pitfalls of trying to get the man a work visa, even a temporary one.

  “But, by all counts, Brie, it doesn’t look good. I can hire him on as a worker, but as for the proper paperwork…”

  “I understand. Thank you for trying.”

  “To these people, he has no history, no background, no family members, no birth certificate. Nothing.”

  “Is he okay, though? Is he doing okay?”

  “Yeah. He’s making it. He’s learning English and adjusting pretty well to twenty-first century life, considering. Don’t worry, sweetie. I’m making sure he’ll never want for anything.”

  The phone pinged a second time. Curiosity nagged her, and she finally reached for the cell to see who’d been calling. Was it the same person both times?

  Her eyes widened to discover it was.

  Her uncle.

  “Oh God, please don’t let it be bad news,” she softly prayed as she hit the call back button. It was answered after the first ring.


  “Brie! How’s my girl?”

  “Uncle Chet, is everything all right? I’m sorry I missed your calls. I’m in the middle of trying to get this report finished for Gilbertson.”

  The man chuckled. “Everything’s fine. Sorry if I upset you. Since you mentioned Gilbertson, what’s the latest news on Moring?”

  “The grand jury indicted her Tuesday on several charges, including appropriation by theft and the selling of cultural artifacts. I’ll send you the link.”

  “Have the police or ICE mentioned who she was obtaining them for?”

  “No, but I suspect it may only be a matter of time before she or that guy who stole them rags on their buyer. Oh, and while I’m thinking of it, the lab results came back from those swabbings I took from the vial.”

  “And?”

  “Inconclusive. The contents appear to be plant-based, but there’s nothing in the database to identify which plants. They’re assuming the plants that were used to concoct the potion may now be extinct. I spoke to Johnstone, and he said they’ll continue to pursue it during their off time because they like enigmas.”

  Kelling grunted. “Well, it was worth a try.”

  She bit her lower lip. She wanted to ask him about Garenth, but forced herself to remain silent. Her uncle rarely called just to chit-chat, much less try repeatedly to reach her and leave voicemails. “What’s up with you? Where’s the fire?” she teased.

  “I called because I have a job offer for you, but it’ll require you to give up your position there at the museum.”

  She was immediately intrigued. “What do you mean?”

  “Well, the last time we talked, you told me how different things were over there. You mentioned how much more stressful the situation was under the acting curator.”

  Brielle softly groaned. “You have no idea.”

  “So I’m offering you a position here. With me.”

  “In Egypt?”

  “I’m needing someone who can label, sort, and file, and do it correctly. And, more importantly, someone I can trust.” He snorted. “Since that’s pretty much what you do there, I thought I’d offer you the job first.”

  “I thought that was Arnie’s job.”

  “This dig is getting to be a bigger project than anyone expected, so I’ve put him in the field with Irmine. What do you say, Brie? Willing to pull up stakes and settle elsewhere? If I remember correctly, back when you were in high school, you mentioned that one day you wanted to travel to foreign lands with me.”

  “And I still do!” she gasped. “Yes! Yes, I want the job. I need to give notice—”

  “No time for that. Check your email. Your flight information is there. Your plane leaves at six-ten, so you need to hurry home and pack your passport, your toothbrush, and a bottle of sunscreen.”

  “Today?”

  Kelling laughed. “There’s no time to dawdle. Don’t worry about giving notice or alerting your landlord. I’ll take care of the details.”

  “How many days will I be gone? How many days do I need to pack for?”

  “That’s entirely up to you,” he replied enigmatically. “Have a safe trip, and I’ll see you when you arrive.”

  Brielle wasted no time and gathered together the few personal items and mementoes she wanted to keep. She sent her report as it was to the curator, then powered down her computer before heading for the main lab.

  Cassidy was the only person inside, but that was okay. The woman was the only person she was close enough to that she’d care to give a final farewell.

  Cassidy squinted in surprise at the expression Brielle wore. “What’s with you? Did the sun finally come out after all these months?”

  “I just quit my job. I’m heading tonight for Egypt to work with my uncle.”

  “What? No! Right now?”

  Brielle gave the woman a warm hug. “I don’t know how long I’ll be gone. I’m sending Gilbertson my letter of resignation and recommending you for the position. Hope that’s okay.”

  “Well, yeah, but…”

  They hugged again, and this time neither of them tried to hide their tears.

  “I’m going to miss you, Brie,” Cassidy confessed. “Are you keeping your apartment?”

  “Yeah, but I don’t know when I’ll be back. But, yeah.”

  “Let me know the next time you hit town, you hear?”

  “I will. Promise.”

  A final hug, and Brielle hurried away.

  Funny, but handing over her key card, and knowing it was the final time, had absolutely no emotional effect on her. She was headed for Egypt where, if she was lucky, she might get to see Garenth again.

  And if she was blessed, he would remember her…and more.

  Chapter 34

  Tongue

  Three months. Actually, it had been nearly four months since she’d last seen Garenth. She wondered if he’d changed any since then, when she remembered what her uncle had told her.

  He’s learning English.

  That made her smile as she stared out the airplane’s window. She’d managed to get a little sleep, but for the most part she was too wound up to get any decent rest during the long flight. She didn’t know what excited her more—the possibility of seeing Garenth again, or starting this new adventure in her life. Who am I trying to kid. I just hope he remembers me.

  There was no telling what she could expect when she arrived. She’d have to take things slowly. This wasn’t just a new job. It was in a country that was totally foreign to her. Its food, its people, its language and customs—all of which she’d have to take in slowly and carefully so as not to cause many major gaffes in etiquette.

  The flight attendant came over the PA and spoke to the passengers in Arabic before repeating it in English. “Ladies and gentlemen, we are approaching Cairo International Airport. The captain has turned on the fasten seat belts sign. Please stow away all articles prior to landing. Return your seats to their upright condition, and lock your tray tables. We will be landing shortly.”

  Brielle glanced at the monitor on the back of the seat in front of her. She’d left on a Tuesday evening and was arriving on Wednesday. They were originally due to land around six-fifteen PM. Given the short delay they’d had leaving Riyadh, it would be closer to six forty-five, but that was okay. She had no idea when it would get dark. At least she’d get to see some of the city and people before night fell.

  The passengers gave a smattering of applause as the aircraft landed safely, and they taxied to the terminal. She waited for those most in a hurry to exit the plane before retrieving her carry-on from the overhead compartment and making her way through the jet bridge.

  She made her way to baggage pickup, keeping her eyes open for her uncle. Before she reached the carousel, she saw him standing near a rack of luggage carts. His arms were crossed over his chest. But what caught her attention was the shit-eating grin on his face. When she approached, he held out his arms to welcome her.

  “’Ahlaan bik, Brielle. That’s ‘welcome’ in the local dialect.”

  She laughed and dropped her carry-on before wrapping her arms around him, parking her chin on the man’s shoulder. She opened her eyes to pull away when she saw the man standing a few feet away. At first she didn’t recognize him until his direct gaze caught hers and drew her into those dark brown eyes.

  That expression was the same exact one she’d seen on his face nearly four months ago. Worried. Concerned.

  Her heart nearly stopped in her chest, and she gasped. Straightening, she was barely aware of her uncle pulling away from her, leaving her to face this strange yet familiar man.

  Garenth slowly walked up to her. Like her uncle, he was sweaty and dirty, proving they’d come directly from the dig without stopping to clean up first. If anything, he’d become more muscular from working directly at the site. It was the black hair that had thrown her off.

  “Hello, Brielle. Welcome to my land.” His English was heavily accented but understandable.

  “
Your English is good.”

  “I told myself I would learn your tongue. I will keep learning until I am good.”

  She giggled softly and reached up to first touch the black waves on his head, then trailed her fingers to feel the silky short hairs of his beard and moustache. “You have hair.” She smiled and touched his brow. “You have eyebrows and lashes.”

  “I have hair all over now,” he told her with an impish grin. The smile dropped suddenly, and his countenance grew serious. “I am happy you came to work here.”

  She searched his face. There was no denying the fact that he’d missed her. However, once again, he wasn’t going to ask her if she’d missed him as well. Just like that night long ago when her world, her emotions, and her heart had stood on the precipice, and she’d had to decide whether or not to make love with him, he was holding back now in the same manner. She would make that ultimate decision whether or not there could be a future for them together.

  “I didn’t come here just to work for my uncle, Garenth. I came here to see you. To be with you,” she confessed. “I’ve missed you. I’ve missed you very, very much.”

  He didn’t move, didn’t make any overt gestures toward her. Yet it was clear he wanted to touch her, even if it was only to take her by the arms.

  Well, if he needed her to take the first step…

  She closed the distance between them and threw her arms around his waist. Garenth made a little sound as he enveloped her within his strong embrace. She could hear his heart pounding where her ear was pressed against his strong chest. A kiss touched her forehead. Before she could lift her face, his hand took her chin and tilted her head to make her look up at him. She started to speak when his mouth came down over hers, and he possessed her once more with a mind-numbing kiss.

  The world melted away. She had no idea if anyone saw them, or if they approved or disapproved. She didn’t care. All that mattered was that Garenth wanted her back.