Death on Tour - Janice Hamrick [106]
“And one tour group owner,” he said ruefully, meeting my eyes.
“Ah.” My mouth dropped open a little as I processed this. Several things clicked into place. “That’s why you were following me … us … around. That’s what you were talking about at the hotel on Elephantine Island. I could not figure out what you were getting at.”
He nodded. “I was an idiot. As soon as Anni told me about hearing someone talking about sisters, I was sure it was the two of you. But the more I got to know you, the less sense it made. Give me a little credit, I really couldn’t see you as a murderer.”
“No, you just thought Kyla had pressured me into a life of crime.” I stifled something between a laugh and a sigh. “You know, part of the time, I actually thought you sort of liked me. And all the while, you thought I was a murderer. Or at least an accessory.”
He laughed with me. “I did like you. That’s why I was trying to get you to come clean about your life of crime.”
“Turn in my evil cousin, who’d led me astray.”
“Exactly.”
“When did you know you were wrong?”
“Well, remember I was questioning my own judgment right from the start.”
“Uh-huh.”
“But I was positive at the Valley of the Kings. I saw the knife cut on your arm. After I figured out that you’d been handed a necklace you didn’t know anything about, things started to make more sense. I looked around for anyone else who might be involved and finally took a look at Fiona and Flora. They seemed too old and senile at first glance, but they were the only other group members who were at Seti’s tomb at the right time.”
I blinked. “You mean it was Flora and Fiona who attacked me and tried to take my purse?”
“One of them at least.”
“But whoever it was knocked me down. He … or she … was strong!” I protested, indignant that he thought one of those old ladies could overpower me.
“Probably Fiona then. She’s a big woman, and she’s in surprisingly good shape. Very surprising, in fact.” He looked embarrassed.
I stared. “Wait, you mean…”
“Yup. They popped out of nowhere while I was following Mohammad. I thought they were lost and was actually trying to show them the way back to the group. I didn’t want them to blow my cover. Fiona sidled over to me with a map, and while I was pointing out where we were, she knocked me flat. Flora injected me with the morphine while I was trying to get up. I guess I’m just lucky she didn’t knife me. And even luckier that you came along before they talked Mohammad into killing me.” He took a drink of beer. “Totally humiliating.”
I grinned. “You’ll get over it. Besides, in a fair fight, my money would be on you.”
“So, you think I could take her?”
“I’m sure you could. Well, two out of three anyway.”
He gave me a mock glare, and then we both burst into laughter.
“What will happen to them, anyway?”
“The U.S. State Department found a lawyer for them and has filed dozens of protests and appeals, but so far the Egyptians haven’t budged. On the plus side, there’s enough attention and pressure from the United States to ensure that they aren’t mistreated.”
I thought about that. “I guess that’s good. Do you think they’ll send them back here?”
He shrugged. “Who knows? I’m not sure which outraged the authorities more—murder or antiquities theft. I imagine either one normally warrants the death penalty. But in this case, especially in light of their age and nationality, I think they are probably looking at long prison sentences.”
Satisfied, I sat back in my seat. The afternoon sun, still filtering warmly through the new leaves of the live oaks, was gently sinking toward the horizon. A bee hovered lazily around the pink petals of the roses in the garden, and two squirrels chased each other down the bole of a tree across a patch of grass and then up and over the back fence. Belle raised her head and uttered a fierce little growl, but she didn’t bother to get up. I was intensely aware of the man sitting next to me, long legs stretched out comfortably, the light