Ark

Chapter 37

“Now this is what I call a meal.” Bones smiled as he piled his plate high with roast chicken, steamed vegetables, and bread.

“Leave some for everyone else,” Dima said.

Down the long table packed with tourists, people stared at Bones with looks that ranged from amusement to deep concern. Maddock couldn’t blame them. If Bones didn’t slow down, the people at the far end stood a very real chance of going hungry tonight.

“Oh, sorry about that,” Bones said. “I always got fed last growing up, so I’m not used to leaving food for everyone else.” He smiled and slid the plates on down the table.

“Nothing wrong with a healthy appetite,” said a broad-shouldered man with a walrus mustache. “I’ve been known to clear a few plates myself.” He chortled and patted his ample belly. “I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that.” He filled his own plate and passed the food along. “So,” he said to Maddock, “I understand you are archaeologists.”

Maddock tensed. The fellow looked harmless enough, but who was to say? “We are.”

“Excellent. I am something of a biblical archaeologist myself, though with me it is a hobby, not a profession. Douglas Schrader. This is my wife, Alice.” He inclined his head to the woman seated on his left. Alice, a slender woman with silver-streaked brown hair, smiled. “And my daughter, Melanie.” Melanie was an attractive girl of about sixteen, with long, brown hair and big, hazel eyes. She blushed and made a little wave.

Maddock introduced himself, Bones, and Dima, using false names for each, and they all shook hands with Schrader.

“If that’s your hobby, what do you do for a living?” Bones asked

“I’m a missionary. My family and I are opening a school for orphans outside of town. We thought we would get in a little sightseeing before we open our doors. Who knows? I might even find Noah’s Ark.”

Only the years of military discipline instilled in him kept Maddock from reacting to the statement. He took a bite of chicken and chewed slowly, considering what Schrader had just said. Was it merely a coincidence? Surely if the man had ill intentions he wouldn’t be so reckless as to reveal himself to Maddock and Bones.

“Noah’s Ark?” Dima asked. “I thought that was somewhere in the Middle East. Turkey, perhaps.”

“That is what common wisdom holds,” Schrader said. He leaned across the table and lowered his voice. “I’ve made a fair study of the Noah stories, and I believe the ark might have actually landed in this region.”

“Really?” Dima cocked her head. “That sounds far-fetched.”

“Oh ho. A skeptic!” Schrader laughed. “You are hardly the first. Believe it or not, there’s an old tradition that this region is, in fact the home of Noah. Why, Mount Meru is referred to by many as ‘Noah’s Ark.’ But what people don’t know is that Mount Meru is not the same as…” He paused when his wife, a slender woman with long, silver streaked brown hair, laid a hand on his arm.

“Please, Douglas. These nice people are trying to enjoy their meal, and so are Melanie and I. None of your lectures at the dinner table.”

“It’s all right, really,” Dima said. “Actually, it sounds interesting.”

Schrader’s wife smiled. “That’s very kind and more than a bit indulgent of you, dear, but he knows better.”

Schrader made a small shrug and turned his attention to his meal. They ate in relative silence, with only an occasional bit of small talk breaking the monotony. Schrader and Alice described their plans for the school, which included housing and religious instruction.

“Most of the community has been supportive,” Alice explained, “but a small contingent opposes educating young women. Fortunately, Arusha is a modern city and such attitudes are rare.”

“I think it’s a wonderful cause,” Dima said. “And I also hope Mr. Schrader gets a chance to search for the ark.”

“I shall, first chance I get,” Schrader said around a mouthful of roast plantain. “As I was about to say earlier, I found an account that claims…”

“Nice try, dear,” Alice interrupted, her tone as soft as her eyes were sharp. “Now, please stop talking with food in your mouth.”

Schrader rolled his eyes and his daughter giggled.

When they finished eating, Alice ushered her family away quickly, much to Maddock’s disappointment. He was interested in hearing what Schrader knew, or thought he knew, about the ark. Perhaps it was nothing useful, but it wouldn’t hurt to find out. Maybe he’d have the chance later.

Bones and Dima went out for a walk, so Maddock returned to his room where he inspected the contents of the case that had been left for them at the front desk. It contained two handguns: a Walther for him and a Glock for Bones, along with ammunition and a spare magazine for each. When he was satisfied both were in good working order, he returned them to the case and slid it under his bed. He took a few minutes to examine a map of the park and sketch out a plan for the following day. They’d hit the slopes and work their way up, hoping one of the Noah Stones would react to its missing counterpart.

When he couldn’t come up with anything else to busy himself, he tried calling Angel, but couldn’t get a decent cell phone connection. Disappointed and weary, he fired off a quick text message in hopes it would get through, stretched out on the bed, and drifted off to sleep. His slumber came to an abrupt end shortly thereafter when Bones banged through the door and flipped on a bedside lamp.

“I thought you were bunking with Dima,” Maddock said, opening his eyes but not bothering to sit up. The bed was comfortable and he was stiff from the series of tunnels they’d crawled through and the many airplane rides they’d taken in the past week. He wasn’t sure which was harder on his body.

“I thought so too,” Bones grumbled. “Apparently, the hot tub thing was a test and I failed. She said if I really liked her I wouldn’t be in such a hurry.” He sat down heavily on the bed on the opposite side of the room.

“Do you like her?” Maddock asked. “I mean, for more than a hookup? You’ve been acting kind of strange around her.”

Bones scratched his head. “You know what? I think I do.” He frowned. “How do you think I ought to handle this?”

Now Maddock sat up. “Seriously? You want my advice about women?

“Yeah. I mean, you suck at picking up chicks, but you’re pretty good at holding onto them once you find one you like. Except for Jade, but you kicked her to the curb, so I guess that still counts.”

Maddock let that pass. “What is this? A teenage girls’ slumber party? I guess we could play Truth or Dare.”

“Come on, bro. When is the last time I actually liked somebody? You know, really liked her?”

Maddock groaned. Here they were in search of a potentially deadly ancient stone, the Trident was breathing down their necks, and Bones, of all people, wanted to talk about relationships.

“I don’t know,” Maddock admitted. “I just try to be myself.”

Bones sat staring at him, as if he expected more. Finally, he shook his head and flopped back onto the bed. “Maddock?” He said to the ceiling.

“Yes?”

“You suck at giving advice.”