"I don't understand. What the bloody hell's happened?"
"Cairo was rocked by an explosion twenty minutes ago, that's what's happened. It's taken out a mosque and a load of houses. It's not nuclear, but it's made one hell of a mess."
Bill Tolley looked at his watch. "Are you sure about the timing? Perhaps the people at the Institute already knew about it, and were having me on."
"It's too recent for that."
"So how the hell did they do it?" Tolley asked.
"I don't care how they did it, Bill, but they obviously knew it was coming. This is the big one. You won't be able to move at the Institute of Egyptologists for the boys tomorrow. They say you used to be good. Don't let me down."
The Lodge, Institute of Egyptologists, England
"I'VE JUST been listening to the late news on my radio." Panya had knocked before coming tentatively into the small living room. She sounded frightened.
Sam pulled the blanket round him for modesty. "I wasn't asleep. Turn the light on."
"It's Dr. Wynne's prophecy." Panya's eyes looked wide.
"On the news?"
"The al-Sûfiya mosque in Cairo has been blown up. It wouldn't have got such immediate coverage if the press weren't watching Egypt so closely."
Sam decided that to someone as religious as Panya, a bit of correct prophecy shouldn't come as a great surprise, but he wouldn't say it. "So much for Olsen saying the prophecy was all a deception."
Panya sat down on edge of his bed and gripped his foot where it poked out from under the blanket. "It's where we were going to hold our Unity service. I have to phone Cardinal Fitz."
"If he's already in Cairo I should think he knows. He probably heard it. When did it happen?"
"A couple of hours ago. Midnight Cairo time."
"Were any of your group there?"
"There's no information yet. The service wasn't going to be till tomorrow evening. Such a beautiful building. And this is only the beginning of the prophecy."
"What comes next?"
Panya continued to hold his foot tightly. "The light in the sky."
"The light that will bring the people of the Hebrews to their knees and prescribe a new age of peace? We'd better go outside and start looking."
"It's serious, Sam. I know you think I don't have a great sense of humor, but this isn't anything to joke about."
He reached out and took hold of Panya's hand. "What can we do?"
"We need the rest of the prophecy. Somewhere they've got it all, in a red binder decorated with hieroglyphics."
"You can't steal it."
"We could use the photocopier in the office. I know it's risky, but there's something detestable in this revelation."
"Detestable? You use some old-fashioned words for a young woman. And you're not walking into the Institute after midnight on your own. Not with those two old men about. Give me a couple of minutes and I'll go with you."
Chapter 35
INTERNATIONAL NEWS BUREAU
Italy has agreed that NATO fighter and bomber aircraft can be deployed from airfields in the south of the country. Peace groups from Europe and the United States of America marched through Rome this evening, protesting at the rapid build-up of firepower in the Mediterranean. A UN spokesperson repeated an earlier statement that the UN's role is one of peace keeping, and it has no reason to see either Israel or Egypt as the aggressor in this increasingly worsening crisis. Meanwhile, a mystery explosion rocked the center of Cairo at midnight local time. There is no word yet of casualties, but a historic mosque is reported to have been destroyed. The police are blaming terrorists for the blast.
Chapter 36
Cairo, Egypt
NAYRA SAT on the floor, trembling in the darkness. The effects of the alcohol had been bad enough; the shock wave from the explosion had been catastrophic. For what seemed like hours she had lain with the sheets wrapped around her naked body, moaning to herself. It was a form of mourning, but the subject of the grief she was unable to identify.
It had sounded like a bomb. There would be people dead in the streets. Slowly her thoughts began to become coherent. There was only one important bomb: the nuclear warhead. There was also the mosque. She had helped place the explosives... Great God the Almighty!
She sat on the floor, resting her back against the mattress on the bed. The fall had bruised her head, and her body felt used and disgusting. Had Ahmed set the fuses to the wrong time? Was it some terrible miscalculation, or had he deliberately set the charges off? Was Ahmed now dead, vaporized by his own handiwork?
Too many questions; and her head hurt even more. She could hear people outside her window shouting in the darkness.
She pulled herself onto the bed and looked down at her body. Why had she allowed Ahmed to do this to her?
She would sleep until it was light, but Ahmed would not be back. Ahmed was not to be trusted. The biggest question of all had now been answered. Her head began to clear. Ahmed had set the fuses early to avoid killing the religious fanatics.
She felt angry as she understood just how devious Ahmed could be. The man would now be on his way to Beni Mazar to disarm the nuclear warhead. He had no need of her keys, for he would surely have a set of his own.
Ahmed must be stopped. The Lebanese agent was a traitor to the cause.
Chapter 37
Institute of Egyptologists, England
"THIS IS getting to be a habit." Sam paused in the Institute hallway.
Panya caught his arm in the darkness. "I can hear Dr. Wynne talking in his study. Tolley's gone, but Mr. Grant is staying the night. It's nearly one o'clock. You'd think they'd be in bed by now."
"Let's start by looking in the Hall of Aten." Sam walked across the floor, keeping clear of the laser beam bouncing off the polished boards. It was only there for dramatic effect, but it could be dangerous. "Over there." The red binder had been placed on the low table under the Egyptian relief.
Someone came into the hallway. Sam and Panya moved quickly, slipping out of sight behind the heavy curtain over one of the large windows.
"I still think we should wait until tomorrow," they heard Dr. Wynne saying anxiously.
The man with him sounded American. "Tolley promised his report will be front page in the Morning Herald. All the attention in the world will be focused on this Institute tomorrow. We couldn't have asked for better luck."
"He wanted an exclusive, but I refused."
The American spoke again. "You did the right thing, Gresley my friend. The last thing you want is an exclusive. We need as many papers and news channels as possible over the next few days."
"It had to happen." Dr. Wynne sounded excited. "The world will long remember these momentous days, and the name of the Institute will be held in respect by all mankind."
Not much of what was being said made sense to Sam. The American would be Mr. Grant, the man Panya had told him about. Bill Tolley must have moved pretty smartly to get his interview in the morning edition.
The prophecy. He could see the ornate red binder on the table, just waiting to be taken. Dr. Wynne had left the main light on in the Hall of Aten. The oppressive room seemed to be filled with a strange atmosphere. Sam realized he'd never been sensitive to the mood of a room before now. Sinister would be a good description of the surroundings. Panya had her arm round his waist, which made him feel better.
He waited until they heard the two men go upstairs and went to the table. "I've got the prophecy," he said. "Where's the photocopier?"
"In Dr. Wynne's office, but if he comes downstairs again he'll hear it. We'll have to copy it out by hand."
"It's only a few pages in a ring binder. Where's the fax machine?"
"You're inspired," said Panya, nodding vigorously. "We can fax it straight to Cardinal Fitz. We'll use the one in the small office at the back. No one will hear us there."
Sam went to the door and listened.
Chapter 38
Cairo, Egypt
THE SUN ROSE as a
massive orange ball over the chaotic skyline of Cairo and the Maqattam Hills, its unsteady outline a promise of a fine November day. Nayra drank fruit juice while she straightened her hair. There was no rush. Let Ahmed get to Beni Mazar and switch off the warhead. She could get there quickly and reset the timer as soon as he had gone.
The sun seemed to shrink in size as it rose higher in the sky, its light turning from orange to scorching white. The disc of the sun, the bright god of the sky. Ten o'clock and time to set out for the drive south. She still felt heavy in the head, and she hurt inside from Ahmed's crudeness, but a two hour journey in her Cherokee Jeep would be possible without too much discomfort. She felt for the keys of the warhead, deep in the pocket of her jeans. Doubts now began to run through her head. Ahmed had not attempted to remove the keys when he left. He had even said something about coming back.
Ahmed was a good man: a kind man at times. A man with a conscience. In a moment of drunken carelessness he had once hinted he was an outworker for the CIA. The man was a boaster, but there might be a germ of truth in his bragging under the influence of drink. Not that CIA men were known for having a conscience.
She noticed a newspaper seller waving his wares at passers by, and switched on the car radio for news on the explosion that had roared through the narrow streets last night. The local radio reporter was interviewing an eyewitness to the eruption of the al-Sûfiya mosque and the surrounding square.
She found the traffic unusually heavy as she crossed the green waters of the Nile on the el-Giza Bridge, accelerating gently to swing south onto the dual carriageway in her Cherokee. She had expected the whole of Cairo to be at home, stuck in front of their radios and televisions.
The sun beat in through the wide window. The radio report was followed by further news, not totally unconnected with the shattering event of last night. She pulled down the sun visor and increased the amount of fresh air coming through the blower. Other countries, already hostile to Egypt, had some predictable but viciously unpleasant things to say.
Aswan 956 Kilometers
The sign always brought home the realities of long-distance travel to the tourists sitting goggle-eyed in their air-conditioned coaches. 956 kilometers, with a short break after 765 kilometers for them to have a hurried look round Luxor. No wonder most of the tourists flew or took the train: it gave them more time to be enclosed in the security of their air-conditioned hotels. The traffic sign made today's two hour journey to Beni Mazar seem like a short hop in comparison.
"In Cairo religious extremists of various groups are being rounded up for questioning. The police are looking..."
Nayra waited for the coach to slow down, to let her in, but the driver obviously had no intention of letting a battered Jeep go past.
"Cardinal Fitz of the Unity Through Faith Croup, who is staying in Cairo for a meeting that had been planned for this evening at the al-Sûfiya mosque, was one of the first foreigners to comment. He expressed his sincere condolences to all the families of the dead and injured in the surrounding houses. He announced that he is determined the meeting will still take place this week, and he is urgently trying to find an alternative date and venue. In England, the Archbishop of Canterbury says he believes that levelheaded believers of all faiths will ..."
The coach fell back slightly and Nayra took advantage of the upward gradient to slip in front. There would be more coaches ahead, with the same obstinate drivers, and lines of private cars clogging the highway, but she could be in Beni Mazar soon after noon. If Ahmed had been messing about with the warhead he would regret it.
"A man seen loitering outside the mosque shortly before the explosion is suspected of being part of the plot. In view of the severity of the explosion, identity of the bodies will take some time, and police are asking anyone who witnessed the man..."
Ahmed!
Ahmed had gone back to disarm the explosives and made a terrible mistake. The Cherokee pounded its way up the Nile highway, its huge tires sweeping the vehicle forward with a powerful roar. The noise on the sandy tarmac became monotonous, and only the cut and thrust with coach and truck drivers enabled Nayra to keep awake. And a much larger number of private cars than usual. Yesterday had been a bad day.
"In England a group of historians studying the ancient writings of the pharaohs claim to have predicted..."
She switched off the radio. She had one task to perform and then she would be free of all obligations: check the switch on the warhead and keep away from Cairo. A brisk north easterly breeze blew across the Nile today. She would reset the warhead and keep going south to Aswan. With eight hundred kilometers between herself, and the midnight explosion that would take place tomorrow in Beni Mazar, she wanted to be well clear of the fall-out.
Chapter 39
INTERNATIONAL NEWS BUREAU
Rumors are today sweeping through Jerusalem that the Israeli military is planning a preemptive nuclear strike against Egypt. While many Israeli citizens are supportive of strong action, the doves in the cabinet have called for a public denial of such an intention. The role of the United States Air Force in the Egyptian Red Sea base at Râs Banâs near Berenice is under question by several Arab countries. Analysts say the fragile treaties of the past that allowed NATO forces into Egyptian military sites may be torn up as the United States aircraft carrier Constellation prepares to enter the Mediterranean to get close to the Egyptian coastline.
Chapter 40
London, England
ENDERMANN sat back in the best armchair that the lounge at the London West End hotel could offer. Two senior foreign correspondents representing America's most powerful newspapers, and two correspondents from the more serious British broadsheets had joined him nearly an hour ago for an unofficial press briefing.
"You guys are always pushing me for comments you can quote." Endermann laughed, helping himself to a plain biscuit from the white china plate. "More coffee, anyone?"
One of the Englishman held out his cup. "The Institute of Egyptologists here seems to be predicting these events pretty well. Do you know anything about them?"
Endermann filled the cup from the insulated jug. "They do seem to have a handle on a few events."
"So are we to believe them?"
"Gentlemen." Endermann put on an embarrassed smile. "If you think they know the future, I suggest you pay them a visit. You might even be able to publish tomorrow's news today."
The men laughed at the joke, but he seemed to have aroused interest.
"A lot of rumors are flying around the press about nuclear warheads," said one of the Americans. "There doesn't seem to be any point of origin, but they have a ring of authenticity. I know you're not with the United States government, but you always seem to have an ear in Washington and Langley. Straight out, does Egypt have a nuclear capability?"
"Hold it." Endermann shook his head. "You can't expect me to comment on that."
"We won't be using your name as the source," said the reporter from the British press. "But you're involved with the security services."
"I don't work for them. I just listen."
"We've contacted the Pentagon. They have no comment, but someone hinted at the possibility, and you've been showing us those satellite photos that 'happened to come your way.'"
"I've told you, I don't work for the government. How can I tell you what the Pentagon can't?"
"Can't, or won't?"
"Look, I'm having more coffee." Endermann took his time pouring his second cup. Thank God he'd not sent Spaxley loose on this lot. He wouldn't have them eating out his hand like this. He looked at all four selected correspondents in turn.
They said nothing.
He smiled in weary resignation, running through his carefully rehearsed performance. "I could be in serious trouble for speaking to you guys. Let me just say this. There are certain areas of Israel that U.S. military intelligence is keeping a close watch on."
"Nuclear?" asked one of the British correspondents.
Endermann sa
id nothing. It was the way to play this one.
"Care to tell us where?" both Americans asked in unison.
Endermann shook his head. "No more questions." He raised a finger. "And definitely no quotes attributable to me. But I'll say this: the Pentagon reckons that if Israel uses her nuclear capability, she's finished."
*
Beni Suef, Egypt
NAYRA DREW the hot Cherokee into the shelter of a gas station and filled the tank. Just over halfway to Beni Mazar, and already an hour and a half gone. The journey was slow but accident free so far. It seemed that lots of Cairenes were going south for safety. Well, they would need to go a lot further south than Beni Mazar!
"You want oil, missee?"
Nayra shook her head and strolled over to the small stand offering fruit and vegetables. The morning papers shouted headlines of murder and destruction. There would be nothing in the papers that she hadn't already heard on the radio.
"Very bad news, missee. You come from Cairo?"
Nayra ignored the young Arab's question and paid cash for the fuel. The sun beat down from high above her head as she walked back to the Cherokee. Aten, the disc of the sun. It was stupid, but the thought of Aten had become obsessive. All the way up the Nile the sun had shone in her eyes, leading the way to Beni Mazar. She banged the door shut. The rest of the journey should take just over the hour.
Drive to Beni Mazar, check that Ahmed had not disarmed the warhead, then get south to Aswan for safety. Ahmed had promised her immunity, but no one could be trusted in this business. She once thought she could trust Ahmed, but the only person she could depend on was herself. She felt no bitterness in this observation, and recognized the idea was not a new one.
She pressed her foot hard on the gas pedal. Trusting in your own abilities was the only sure way to stay alive. The pain inside merely confirmed the time-worn precept: never trust a man.
Chapter 41
Institute of Egyptologists, England
GRESLEY WYNNE had not dared believe that he could have so much influence over a group of reporters. Until this morning his experience with reporters was that they were mostly disrespectful in their attitude to the prophecies. The Second Partner had given him a herbal capsule twenty minutes before entering the crowded Hall of Aten, and it had helped steady his nerves. The Second Partner had been into special remedies for a long time, but had rarely offered them to others. Denby Rawlins' initial offer had been an injection of a safe herbal extract. He'd declined. No jab with a needle could be totally safe.
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