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They arrived back in Deir el-Medina just as the sun was dipping behind the Theban Hills. Amun Ra, his crossing of the sky now complete, was about to begin his nightly passage through the Underworld, but this time, he would have some company, at least for the first few hundred feet of the journey. Dr. Zahi, eager to see the newly discovered tomb for himself, had insisted on going directly there from Dendera, and in a move that came as a surprise to no one who knew him, had agreed to allow Max Riddle to accompany him inside to record the moment for posterity. Maddock suspected that Riddle would have preferred to have Nora leading the tour of the tomb, for reasons other than her obvious expertise as the actual discoverer, but knew well enough not to challenge Zahi’s authority. Nora, too, seemed to understand that this would be Zahi’s show, and hung back with Maddock and Bones as the production crew moved into the descending passage that led down to the tomb’s rear entrance.
“Do you think they’ll be able to track down all the treasure Fayed stole?” Maddock asked Nora, as they waited their turn.
“If I know Zahi, he will pressure the prosecutors to offer leniency in exchange for cooperation.”
The video footage from Uma’s camera had been sufficiently damning to warrant Fayed’s immediate arrest. Maddock guessed they would be asked to testify against the man at some future date, and he wasn’t looking forward to having to explain some of the things they had done trying to stop Fayed’s mad scheme but, for the moment at least, no one seemed interested in holding them accountable.
“Well that’s a bunch of crap,” Bones said. “That assclown wasn’t just a tomb robber. He was planning mass murder.”
“Recovering the cultural treasure of Egypt is far more important than taking the proverbial pound of flesh.” She gave a weary sigh. “Of course, even if we get it all back, the damage has been done. The site is no longer pristine. We’ve missed our chance to examine the artifacts in situ.”
“Well aren’t you just a ray of sunshine,” Maddock retorted with a chuckle.
Nora managed a wan smile. “You’re right of course. This is an amazing discovery. And it’s all thanks to you two.” She gave him a sidelong glance. I guess you finished the job you came here to do. What’s next for you?”
“Finished?” Maddock replied. “By my reckoning, we explored less than a third of the passage. Who’s to say that’s the only tomb down there.”
Nora clearly had not considered this, and an eager gleam appeared in her eyes. “It’s possible,” she said, nodding. “And you would do that? Stay and continued the survey?”
“I hate leaving a job half-done. Or rather one-third done. Besides, we have to go back in to recover Uma’s computer. I hope Fayed didn’t send anyone back to get rid of Uma and the rest of our gear.”
Bones let out a menacing growl, “If that bastard did something to Uma, he won’t live long enough to beg for leniency.”
Uma wasn’t exactly where Bones had left her, but she was close. One of the production assistants had relocated the little submersible to the passage just outside the empty canopic chamber. Bones knelt and performed a quick start-up inspection.
The crew had moved on to the burial chamber. Maddock could hear Zahi expostulating about the history of the two little-known historical figures who had ruled Egypt in the brief interval between Akhenaten and Tutankhamun.
“Everything looks okay,” Bones reported. “We’ll need to get a new SD card and charge the batteries, but I think she’s good to go.”
“Then the rest of our stuff is probably still there at the entrance,” said Maddock. “We’ll have to get our tanks refilled, and maybe rent a compressor and a scooter. First thing tomorrow, we’ll have to drive to the coast and find a dive shop.”
“I can take you,” Nora said, then after a moment’s consideration, added, “I hope Fayed didn’t do anything to my car.”
“If he did, we’ll just steal one of his,” Bones promised, and then laughed at Nora’s horrified expression. “That takes care of tomorrow, but what are we gonna do until then?”
“I was thinking sleep might be nice,” Maddock said.
“Sleep? Dude, there’s plenty of time to sleep when we’re dead.” He turned to Nora. “So what is there to do in this town?”
Nora opened her mouth to answer, but then closed it again and frowned. “I think we’ve already done it all.”
“Well, crap,” Bones said, laughing. “You know, we wouldn’t be having this problem if we’d gone to the other Luxor.”
Maddock just shook his head.
If you enjoyed Destination-Luxor, try Outpost, book one of the Elementals trilogy!
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