The Ape Who Guards the Balance - Elizabeth Peters [97]
“Bravely spoken, Mother.” Ramses sounded amused, though his countenance did not display that emotion or any other. “However, I trust you won’t object to taking a few precautions.”
“Such as?”
“The same precautions Mrs. Vandergelt suggested. Guards, several of them, here at the house by night and by day. None of us is to go anywhere alone, or with only one other person. Keep your eyes open and trust no one.”
“That applies to you and David as well,” said Emerson, studying him keenly. “You are coming with us tomorrow, to the Valley.”
“Yes, sir.”
Emerson had not expected such ready agreement. His stern face relaxed into a smile. “You’ll enjoy it, my boy. We have cleared the entrance to tomb Five, and Ayrton has found a cache of storage jars!”
“Indeed. That is exciting news, sir.”
“Yes. You know the terrain.” Emerson pushed his plate away and took a handful of fruit from the bowl. “Here is number Five, this fig is the entrance to Ramses the Sixth. . . .”
Not even a threat of murder can distract Emerson indefinitely from the joy of excavation. I did not object when he poured a pile of sugar onto the table and demonstrated the approximate location of Ned Ayrton’s find. His superb self-confidence had restored mine. I felt ashamed of myself for yielding, however briefly, to weakness. And how foolish had been that earlier fantasy of discord! We were utterly devoted to one another. Brothers could not be closer than Ramses and David.
From Manuscript H
Sitting on the window ledge he waited for a long time, watching the slits of light that showed through the shuttered window of his parents’ room. They must be arguing. Nothing surprising about that. It would end as it always did, but it was taking them devilish long tonight.
The courtyard lay quiet under the moon. His father had brushed aside his mother’s suggestion that it be lighted, and he was in full agreement. The best possible solution was not to deter invaders but to catch them in the act. It wasn’t likely that anything of that sort would happen, though. “They” wouldn’t risk entering the house when there were easier ways.
A few of the precautions he had suggested had been taken. There were bars on the outer windows now, those of his—formerly Nefret’s—room and of his parents’. They could be removed, but not without making a lot of noise. The gates were barred and the glow of a cigarette in one corner betokened the presence of Mustafa, Daoud’s second son.
Finally the slits of light at his parents’ window disappeared. He waited a little longer before lowering his feet to the ground.
Nefret was still awake. She was not alone. The voices were soft, he couldn’t make out the words. Was she talking to the damned cat? Somehow he didn’t think so.
Eavesdropping was a despicable habit. But, as he had once told his mother, cursed useful. I oughtn’t do this, he thought, as he put his ear against the panel.
“You should tell him, David. It isn’t fair not to.”
“I know.” David’s voice was so low he could barely make out the words. “I’ve tried, but—”
He was not consciously aware of pressing the latch. The door seemed to open by itself. They were sitting side by side on the bed. Nefret’s arm was around David, and he had covered his face with his hands.
David lowered his hands. “Ramses!”
“Excuse me.” He stepped back. “I didn’t know you were here.”
“We were just about to go looking for you,” Nefret said, jumping up. “Come in and close the door.”
“No. I apologize for intruding. I’ll go.”
“What’s the matter?” Nefret asked. “Is your hand bothering you?”
“No, not at all. I—”
“Close the damned door.”
She did it for him and pushed him into the nearest chair. “I want to dress your hand again. David, get me a basin of water, will you?”
She cut through the cloth and guided his hand into the water. A green stain spread out, and Nefret eased the bandage off. “Amazing,” she murmured. “The confounded stuff does seem to be effective. The swelling has gone down.”
“It looks horrible,” David said in a smothered voice.
“That’s because it’s green,” Nefret explained.