-
CHAPTER
4
MATTHEW HADN’T BEEN THIS UNSURE SINCE… Actually, he’d never been this unsure. The more he thought about asking Cal to come on the trip, the worse an idea it became. Sure, they’d scraped through brushes with death on past quests, but what had happened to Sophie last time had changed Cal. And Matthew got it—he really did. Sophie had been held hostage, her life had been threatened, and she’d almost been raped. That was a lot of emotional garbage to work through. Matthew had put going on expeditions on hold for himself because it wouldn’t be the same without Cal, and he knew Cal wouldn’t be joining him. They had drifted apart over the past months, too, with Cal sticking close to home and only partaking in “safe” recreation. But this opportunity was too big for Matthew to turn his back on.
He got into his Jeep Patriot, turned the ignition, and waited for the AC to kick in.
“Call Cal,” he commanded the vehicle’s hands-free system.
The line rang over the speakers.
“Matt?” Cal answered, sounding surprised by Matthew’s calling.
“How are you, man?”
“Good.” Cal drew out the word. “Is everything all right? Aren’t you in Alaska?”
“I was, but I’m back now.”
“Great. Let’s get together tonight. You can come over and have dinner with me and Sophie. Say about seven?”
Matthew was hoping for sooner than tonight, but good things couldn’t be rushed—or something to that effect. And maybe by the time seven o’clock came around, he’d have a way of making his offer irresistible. “That works.”
“But hey,” Cal said, “why did you actually call? I doubt it was to get invited over for dinner.”
Matthew was searching for a way to say that he had something to talk about without coming right out and saying it, but he had nada.
“Matt?”
He’d obviously remained silent a little too long. Maybe he should just come out with it. “There’s something I need to talk to you about.”
Cal’s end went quiet now.
“It’s important,” Matthew added.
“And it’s about some expedition,” Cal deadpanned.
“It’s about saving the world.” Maybe if he presented it this way, his friend would use the time from now until this evening to think things through.
“Yeah, so an expedition. Well, don’t you dare say a word about it around Sophie.” Cal’s breathing came over the line.
“I don’t want to upset either of you.” Maybe he should have just let this be. Bring Robyn along but leave Cal out of this one. But he wanted his best friend with him, and Cal had been so melancholy the last few times Matthew had seen him. Cal used to have a fondness for risk-taking, too, and he’d loved going on expeditions. “I just know how much fun you used to have—”
“Used to, Matt. We barely got out of the last one alive. And what about Sophie? I can’t put her through—” Cal stopped talking. “See you at seven?”
“Yeah.”
Cal hung up, and Matthew’s gut churned. It had been self-serving to call Cal. He should have left Cal out of this. Maybe he should just accept that going on expeditions with Cal was a thing of the past. But there was something in Cal’s reaction that Matthew couldn’t help but cling to: Don’t you dare say a word about it around Sophie. It made Matthew think Cal was curious. And as closed off as Cal’s last comment might have been, Matthew was having a hard time accepting that his friend’s love for adventure was gone.
Someone honked a horn, yanking him from his thoughts. He looked in his rearview mirror to see a BMW sedan. The male driver was gesturing emphatically to prompt Matthew out of his parking spot.
For that, a part of him felt inclined to stay there with his engine running for just a while longer, but he had things to take care of and a trip to prepare for. He pulled out of the space, crawling along, while the BMW driver screamed and waved his fists. Did the guy have any idea how crazy he looked?
Matthew tossed out a smile and a wave once he’d cleared the spot, and the driver gave him the finger. Matthew laughed and shook his head.
And people think Canadians all are sweet and easygoing.
Matthew merged into traffic and headed home. He’d make the necessary phone calls from there and get started on packing. Nothing like moving out of one suitcase and into another, but this was the life he’d chosen. He didn’t regret any of it for a moment.
Okay, maybe he regretted one thing: Robyn. But he had to believe someday, when the time was right, they’d find their way back to each other. She’d looked so beautiful when he’d shown up at her office—her tan Latina skin, her chocolate eyes, and long dark hair. The way she’d tucked a strand of hair behind an ear and held eye contact with him while she did so. It all drove him mad, but in a good, deliciously torturous way.
But for now, he had to accept that things between them had to remain platonic. And if he had a choice of friendship or nothing, the decision was an easy one. God, he hoped that she’d be able to maneuver her schedule and come to Egypt. But he also understood how important her work at the museum was to her. Still, the way she had lit up at the mention of Egypt… He’d noticed it right away but had carried on anyhow.
He pulled into the estate’s driveway in what felt like no time. But his mind had been busy. He parked his vehicle, went inside the house, and headed straight for his room. While he walked, he pulled out his phone and selected the airline charter service from his contact list.
“Good morning. This is Blue Skies. Charlene speaking.” Her professional tone carried a reserved friendliness.
“Charlene, this is Matthew Connor. I’ll need a plane for tomorrow morning at eight o’clock please.” While that surely seemed like a tight turnaround to most people, Blue Skies had always accommodated his last-minute flight needs.
“Sure, Mr. Connor. To what destination?”
“Cairo, Egypt.”
“One minute, please, while I check plane availability.” Charlene put him on hold, and soft music came over the line. It stopped a few seconds later when Charlene returned. “Thank you for holding. I can go ahead and book a plane for you now.”
“That would be wonderful.” They said that when things were meant to be, circumstances came together effortlessly. So far, it seemed to be true.
“How many passengers?” she asked.
Good question, was what he thought, but he was nothing if not optimistic. “Three.” Besides, if Robyn and Cal weren’t coming, it would be easy enough for them to change the passenger manifest.
“Very well. I will require the information for all the passengers.”
He reached his bedroom and entered, walked over to the wall of windows, and looked out at the tennis court.
Charlene continued. “For each, that includes name, gender, date of birth, nationality, country of residence, travel documentation, i.e., passport and number.”
He could provide everything for himself, Robyn, and Cal, except their passport numbers. Daniel surely had all this information stored away somewhere, but that didn’t help him right now. And to go to Daniel would rouse his suspicions about why his friends would be accompanying him to Egypt to explore a pharaoh’s tomb. He pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Mr. Connor?” Charlene prompted.
He might just have to wait until he had confirmation that Robyn and Cal were going and get their information directly from them. “How long would it take to adjust the manifest in the morning?”
“It shouldn’t take the pilot long, but please keep in mind that a manifest has to be finalized one hour before takeoff.”
He let out a deep breath. He’d have to get their answers tonight; otherwise, it could affect the flight schedule. But an hour gave him wiggle room if one or both of them were still on the fence about going. “All right, that should be fine.”
“What should be fine, Mr. Connor?”
“What I meant is just put me down as reserving the plane, and I’ll provide the passenger list in the morning before seven.”
“Please do so no later than six to give the pilot time,” she started. “Will you be a passenger on this flight, Mr. Connor?”
“I will be.”
“I will make a note of that,” she said.
“Do you have all my information, then?”
“Yes, it’s on file.” There was a slight pause on her end of the line. “Your plane is booked for tomorrow morning at eight. Please arrive no later than six if you will be providing other passengers’ information at that time.”
“Actually, do you have Cal Myers’s and Robyn Garcia’s info on file, as well?” It stood to reason if they had his, since Cal and Robyn normally traveled with him, they might have theirs already, as well.
“Let me check for you.” Only a few seconds passed. She had him confirm their dates of birth, and then she said, “I do have their information. Are they the other passengers?”
He hesitated. There was some saying about counting your chickens before they hatched. But, surely, he could convince them. A stab of conscience had him remaining silent.
“Mr. Connor?”
“Ah, I’m not sure yet.”
“No problem. As I mentioned, if anyone else will be joining you, just have their information to us no later than six.” She paused. “Is there anything else I can help you with, Mr. Connor?”
“No, that will be all.”
“Thank you, and have a good day.”
“You too.” He hung up.
Time would tell if Robyn or Cal were coming. He sure hoped they would be, but regardless, booking the plane could be checked off his list. He also didn’t need to worry about Egyptian work visas for the three of them. Alex had e-mailed him on his way to see Robyn, saying that she’d take care of the matter. When he’d called Alex back, he’d run with the assumption that they’d jump at this opportunity, but so far, it seemed he may have gotten carried away. Then again, it was too soon to say. For one, he’d sprung it on Robyn, and she said she’d think about it. For two, Cal hadn’t fully shot him down. He seemed more concerned about Sophie hearing about it than finding out what Matthew had to say.
So for now, he’d hold positive thoughts that his friends would be joining him. And while he did that, he had better start packing. It was one thing to toss items together for a recreational trip and quite another to prepare for hitting the desert for an actual dig. He had to ensure that he had his backpack, a tent, flares, flashlights, a couple hats, his clothing, a canteen, and far more gear than his mind could inventory right now. Often he’d take a gun with him, too, but given that Egypt was experiencing a period of civil unrest, it might be best to leave that item at home. He just hoped he wouldn’t need it.
You have reached the end of the sample. For purchase options, visit: