Alyssa gasped, suddenly remembering the image of the flight attendant in the luggage closet. “Kaya,” she said and gently pushed Paul to arm’s length. “My God, Paul, I think he killed her.” Alyssa realized she was shaking uncontrollably.
“Please sit down, Miss Morgan,” Renley said. “I will return in a moment.”
Five minutes later, the aisle between the two suites was crowded with flight attendants, the air marshal, and the captain. Gavriel, still unconscious, was strapped into the flight crew jump seat, his slumped body held upright by the four-point harness. His wrists were handcuffed to the metal bars behind the backrest. His face, now a bloody mask, drooped onto his chest, a lake of blood mixed with port staining his shirt.
“That’s correct. I have never seen this man in my life,” Alyssa answered the captain’s question, darting a glance at the jump seat.
The dark-skinned pilot studied her, his chin jutting out, making his hard jawline appear even more stern. He raised his eyebrows, unable to absorb the events just described to him.
“That bastard killed my flight attendant,” he spat with barely contained rage, “just so he could rob you?” He sounded like he would rather sit in the cockpit troubleshooting two engine failures and a broken rudder than face this scenario.
“Captain, we are all as stunned about what happened as you are.” Renley jumped in. “The death of your flight attendant is devastating. Miss Morgan and Mr. Matthews are fortunate to be alive.”
The pilot closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. When he opened them again, his voice was calmer, and he was once again in complete control.
“Since this incident does not constitute an immediate threat or medical emergency, we are not required to divert the flight. We shall continue to Cairo. Per protocol, what happened here does not leave this compartment until everybody is off the plane,” he said to the flight attendants then glanced at the air marshal, who nodded in agreement. He sighed, exasperated, “I can’t imagine the media circus this will create.”
The captain took another deep breath and stared at the killer’s limp body. “And somebody see to that piece of trash and put some bandages around his head before he bleeds all over my floor.” He spun and stalked back to the cockpit.
As the flight crew dispersed, the air marshal turned to Alyssa, Paul and Renley. “I shall have the Egyptian authorities meet us upon arrival. Please remain in your suites until they have taken your statements.” He scrutinized them wordlessly for several seconds. “Do you have any questions?” When nobody responded, he nodded curtly and left, returning to his seat.
Alyssa stood motionlessly, hugging her shoulders. She swallowed hard, struggling to contain the wave of nausea that was building in the pit of her stomach. After a several long moments, she faced Renley. “Thank you,” she said, the earlier contempt in her voice replaced by gratitude. “I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t shown up when you did.”
Paul extended his hand to Renley. “I am in your debt,” he said as Renley grasped it.
Renley reached into the pocket of his jacket. He pulled out a card and handed it to Alyssa. “If you change your mind, you can reach me at this number.” He turned and disappeared behind the privacy partition of his suite.
Alyssa closed their door and sagged against it. “How did they find us here?” She stared at Paul. “If Renley is telling the truth, maybe he can help us?”
Paul pulled a face. “He’s a toff. I don’t trust anything about their kind,” he said. “We don’t know what he’ll do once he gets what he’s after. At least as long as we have something he wants, he’s predictable.”
Alyssa stood silently, chewing at her bottom lip, watching the dark sky outside of the small windows. Finally, she sighed and nodded slowly.
“I’m sure you’re right,” she said.
16 Cairo International Airport
He looks like I feel, Alyssa thought, spotting Kamal across the arrivals terminal. Her head was still spinning from the two hour-long grilling she and Paul got from the Egyptian police and the Meridian Airlines security officers. Can you say Spanish Inquisition?
She shook off the thought and waved at Kamal. His usual crisp clothes were beat and wrinkled, his chin covered with salt-and-pepper stubble that matched his unkempt hair. Despite the dark circles under his eyes, he flashed a tired grin when he saw her.
“Welcome back,” he said, embracing her affectionately.
Alyssa returned the hug. “It’s good to see you again.” The pressure behind her eyeballs made her attempted smile feel more like a grimace.
“Kamal, this is Paul Matthews,” she said. “Paul, meet Dr. Kamal Khanna.”
The men shook hands.
“Is everything ok?” Kamal asked. “Your flight landed three hours ago.”
Alyssa’s tired smile wilted completely. “Kade isn’t the only one they’re after,” she replied. She glanced at Paul and hesitated, bracing herself for Kamal’s reaction to her next words. “We were attacked on the plane.”
“What?” Kamal’s expression shifted in a heartbeat, the tired look wiped from his eyes. “Are you—?”
She held up her hand. “Later… I will explain everything later.” She took a deep breath. “Kade first. What happened at the hospital?”
Kamal’s face tightened as he seemed to consider pressing her then slowly relaxed. He shook his head. “I wish we had an answer. The police have launched a full investigation, but so far, nothing.”
“I want to see him,” Alyssa said.
“Alyssa, you know that—” Kamal started.
“Kamal,” she cut in. “We barely made it here.” She rubbed her temples, slowly losing the struggle with the pounding inside them. “Please… I know you can make it happen.”
He looked at her for several moments. “Let’s get you into the car.” He sighed. “I’ll make some calls.”
They exited the terminal and strode toward Kamal’s white Mercedes Benz parked at the curb. The driver opened the doors and took their bags.
As Alyssa stepped into the car, she spotted Renley strolling up to a silver Rolls Royce limousine. He glanced briefly at her and nodded before disappearing inside.
“Nice ride.” Kamal said catching the exchange. “New friend?”
“Everyone starts out as a friend,” Alyssa replied, eyeing the car as it drove off. “Until they prove otherwise.”
Alyssa’s teeth tugged at her cracked lower lip as she moved timidly toward the hospital bed, covered by a clear plastic canopy. She cringed when she saw the man lying in it. Her father’s face was ashen and his cheeks hollow. Each shallow breath left a trail of condensation on the inside of the oxygen mask covering his mouth. His eyes were closed and he looked like he was sleeping.
She tiptoed closer, not wanting to wake him, but he stirred and slowly opened his eyes. He turned his head to her and she saw his dark brown eyes twinkle with recognition.
“Ally…”
Alyssa flinched at the sound. She was expecting his usual Southern drawl with an air of hardness, a measure of cool superiority. Instead, his voice seemed weak and vulnerable.
Dad…
“Kade…” The word came out as a whisper.
“Hey… don’t you worry.” His lips attempted a smile. “Heaven won’t have me, and Hell is afraid I’ll take over.” His weak laugh turned into a wheezing cough. When the spasm stopped, he was breathing hard. He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. Steadying himself, he fixed on Alyssa with a glassy stare.
“Ally, we found it,” He struggled with each word, but his gaze remained locked on her. “You should have been there… I mean…” He took a deep breath. “I’m so glad you’re safe.”
“We got it,” she whispered. “We got the crystal.”
His eyes widened at her words.
She looked at Paul. “I couldn’t have done it without him.”
Kade smiled weakly and strained to nod.
Paul gave an awkward wave. He looked to Alyssa and
cleared his throat. “I should give you some time alone.”
Alyssa faced her dad as Paul left the room. “There’s more,” she said. “So much more.”
She leaned as close to him as the plastic between them allowed. “You were right, Kade. All this time. The Hall of Records, the origin of the Sphinx… The crystal you found, it stores thoughts, memories.” She struggled, not knowing where to start. Her eyes prickled with tears as the experiences of the past few days threatened to overwhelm her.
Her father stared at her, newfound strength in his eyes.
“Tell me everything,” he said.
Paul trudged along the corridor to the lounge when he heard Kamal’s muffled voice around the corner. The other man’s hushed tone made him slow down and strain his ears.
“…yes, I understand,” he heard Kamal say. “The girl is the highest priority.”
Paul’s skin tingled as he rounded the corner just in time to see Kamal disconnect the call. Kamal’s posture stiffened when he spotted Paul.
“Paul!” he said. “I thought you were with Alyssa and her dad.”
“I reckoned they’d welcome some alone time,” Paul replied, keeping his voice flat. “Can you point me to the cafeteria? I’d love a cup of Egyptian coffee.”
Kamal laughed. “You’ve come to the right place. The cafeteria at the El Aini has the finest coffee in the city!”
“Splendid,” Paul said, the tight-lipped smile evaporating from his face as he turned.
Alyssa watched her father as he struggled to absorb everything she told him, dozens of questions lingering in his eyes.
“I know what’s making you sick,” she continued. “It’s a biological weapon made by Thoth.”
“Thoth, the Scribe?” He swallowed, his face knotting with the pain and effort. He took a slow breath, as if to gather all of his remaining energy.
“In all these years… since I’ve started dragging you with me all over the world, I know I haven’t been the father I should have been… the father you needed.” He looked at her through glassy eyes, his breathing slow and shallow. “I’m so sorry.”
Alyssa drew back. “Why are you saying this?”
“Ally… I don’t think I’ll—”
“Stop, Kade. Don’t even—” Her stomach twisted.
“Please, Ally… just listen.” Another agonizing pause. “To find the Hall… it was always your mom’s dream.”
“But you were always the one…” she said, puzzled.
“It was her passion, Ally.” His lips curved into a weak smile. “She tried hiding it from your grandfather, of course.”
“Why would she do that?”
“He didn’t think it was safe.” Kade face caved. “He was right.” He took another slow breath. “The night we lost your mom, she was following a lead… by the time I got there, it was too late.”
“Grandpa must have known! But he still blamed you for her death!”
“Losing his daughter completely destroyed him. His scorn toward me kept him alive… helped him survive the pain.”
Alyssa stared at him and shook her head. “All these years… Why did you keep this from me?”
“I didn’t want you running off, chasing Anja’s ghosts.” He lifted his head. “But you deserve the truth.”
Alyssa stood silently, her breath caught in her chest.
“That night,” his words came out slowly between labored breaths, “she found something… she…”
“Kade!”
He took another slow breath. “The hall, all the digs, everything I’ve done… it was all to find out what happened to her.” His eyelids fluttered, mothlike. For a fleeting instant he was somewhere else.
“Kade?” Alyssa tried to keep her voice from trembling. Her stomach sank deeper with his every wheezing breath.
His eyes slowly lost focus. “The dig… the suits…” He spoke haltingly now, the words individually formed and separated by a perceptible pause. “They weren’t working properly.”
“What?”
“The filters…” He worked hard for each syllable. “They were deactivated.” He took a deep breath, shuddering as he fought off a cough.
“Why would anyone do that?”
“It had to be someone close… very close. Someone with access.” His voice began to fade again, his breathing turning to slow, rattling gasps.
“I don’t understand. Who?”
He locked his gaze on her as his eyes began to grow distant. “They will stop at nothing…” he whispered.
“Who?”
He swallowed. His mouth opened again, but his voice failed him.
“Kade?”
He stared into an empty space between them before his face closed in a grimace.
“Dad?”
Alyssa didn’t feel the nurse pull her away from the bed or see the team of physicians swarming into the room and surrounding her dad’s bed.
Panic rose in her chest, sharp and hot. Alyssa’s hands began to tremble. The empty feeling in the pit of her stomach was as abrupt as it was intense. First Mom… now…
She turned and ran to the bed.
“Daddy!”
The nurse rushed after her and pulled her back again. Alyssa’s eyes filled with tears as she let the nurse guide her out of the room to Paul and Kamal.
Paul approached her and reached out, then stopped, suddenly uncertain what to do next. He looked at her, his soft eyes in contrast to his tight posture. “He will pull through,” he said gently.
She stared at him for several seconds, ignoring the heat behind her eyelids. She nodded softly then slumped into him and buried her head into his shoulder. He hesitated for a moment then wrapped his arms around her tightly. They stood, embraced in silence, as Kamal watched the medical team inside Kade’s room.
“Alyssa,” Kamal said softly after a minute. Alyssa looked up and broke the embrace, surprised at the effort it took to step away from Paul. He kept his hands on her an instant longer and gave her a wavering smile.
Kamal pointed at an older physician who stepped out of the room. The physician’s face was a mask as he approached them.
“Alyssa, this is Dr. Ahmed Farag,” Kamal said. “Dr. Farag is the attending physician in charge of your father’s care. You met during our video call.”
Alyssa looked at the physician, suddenly embarrassed. “I’m sorry about… during the video call… I know you’re doing everything you can.”
Dr. Farag extended his hand to Alyssa. “Please, Miss Morgan. Do not give it another thought.” His English was flawless. “I am glad to meet you in person.”
“Thank you—for everything,” Alyssa managed to reply.
“Unfortunately, it seems the disease has continued to progress.” He scrubbed his hand over his face, as if trying to wash away the frustration. “Despite all our efforts, his condition remains a mystery. Instead of finding answers, we uncover more questions.” He moved to a computer terminal and beckoned them to follow.
He brought up two images on the display. “We compared Dr. Morgan’s blood samples taken on the day he arrived to samples taken earlier today. Whatever pathogen is causing his illness appears to be modifying its structure. It is also causing an autoimmune reaction in his body.”
“What does this all mean?” Alyssa asked.
Farag sighed. “I’m truly sorry, but I’m afraid it’s just a matter of time before we run out of options.”
Alyssa remained silent for several seconds. She glanced from Farag to Kamal. Finally, she said, “I’m sorry, this is a lot to take in. Can you please drive us home?”
Kamal peered at her, lips pressed flat. He responded with only the slightest hint of hesitation. “Of course, Alyssa. The car is waiting downstairs.”
17 El Maadi Condominiums, Cairo
Paul surveyed the spacious, elegantly-decorated living room of the condominium. He strolled to the floor-to-ceiling windows and took in the panorama of the city skyline before turning to Alyssa, nodding approvingly.
&n
bsp; “Ritzy digs,” he said and fell back into the white camelback sofa with a sigh.
Alyssa dropped into the plushy chair across from him. She swung both legs over one armrest and arched her back against the other one until she heard the familiar pop-pop-pop of her vertebrae. Sighing, she took out her cell phone and tossed it on the coffee table then reached into the other pocket and held up the card Renley handed her. Renley’s name and a single telephone number were embossed in an elegant black font on a snow-white background. She studied it for several moments before slipping it back into her pocket.
“You don’t trust him,” Paul said. It was more a statement than a question.
“Who?”
“Renley.”
Alyssa looked at him, her silence an answer.
“What about Kamal?” Paul asked.
“He’s one of my dad’s best friends,” she said. Her shoulders sagged. “I don’t know who to trust anymore.”
Paul took a deep breath as if to say something then hesitated. He shook off the thought.
“What is it?” Alyssa asked.
“At the hospital. I thought I heard…” He stopped. “I’m sure it’s nothing.”
Alyssa stared out of the window as she replayed the conversation with her father in her head. “All these years, I’ve blamed him for what happened to my mom.” She shook her head. “Why didn’t he tell me what really happened?”
Suddenly she sat up, her jaw set. “We have to get inside.”
“Uh… Please tell me you’re not thinking of the same inside that I think you’re thinking of,” Paul said.
Alyssa looked at him wordlessly, teeth tugging at her bottom lip.
“Okay, then.” Paul stared at her. “You are thinking of that inside.” He turned away and curled his arms over his head. “Are you completely insane?” He whirled. “Your dad came from that inside! And now he is infected with—”
Heir of Ra (Blood of Ra Book One) Page 14