King Solomon's Diamonds

22 Alter Course

“What did he say?” Nina frowned, frantically trying to find out why they were changing course in mid-flight. She nudged Sam, who was trying to listen to what Patrick was relaying to the pilot.

“Hang on, let him finish,” Sam told her, himself straining to ascertain what the reason was for the sudden change in plan. As a veteran investigative journalist, Sam had learned not to trust such rapid alterations to itineraries and therefore understood Nina’s concern.

Patrick stumbled back into the belly of the plane, regarding Sam, Nina, Adjo, and Purdue as they silently waited in anticipation for him to explain. “Nothing to worry about, people,” Patrick consoled.

“Did the Colonel order a change in course to land us in the desert for Nina’s insolence?” Sam asked. Nina sneered at him and dealt him a solid slap on the arm. “Seriously, Paddy. Why are we turning? I’m not comfortable with this.”

“Me neither, mate,” Purdue chipped in.

“Really, guys, it’s not a bad thing. I just got a patch through from one of the facilitators of the expedition, Prof. Imru,” Patrick reported.

“He was at the tribunal,” Purdue remarked. “What does he want?”

“Actually, he asked if we could help him with a… more personal matter, before we attend to the legal priorities. Apparently he got in touch with Col. Yimenu and advised him that we would be arriving a day later than planned, so that side is taken care of,” Patrick informed.

“What the hell could he possibly want from me on a personal front?” Purdue wondered aloud. The billionaire looked less than trusting about this new turn of events, and his concerns were equally present in the faces of his expedition party.

“Can we refuse?” Nina asked.

“You can,” Patrick replied. “And Sam can, but Mr. Kira and David are pretty much in the vice grip of the Archaeological Crimes people, and Prof. Imru is one of the heads of the organization.”

“So we have no choice but to assist him,” Purdue sighed, looking uncharacteristically frazzled by the twist in the plan. Patrick sat down opposite Purdue and Nina, with Sam and Adjo beside him.

“Let me explain. This is an impromptu detour, guys. From what I was told, I can pretty much assure you that it will interest you.”

“Sounds like you want us to eat all our veggies, Mom,” Sam teased, although his meaning was very sincere.

“Look, I’m not trying to sugar coat a fucking death game here, Sam,” Patrick snapped. “Don’t think I’m just accepting orders blindly or that I think you’re naïve enough for me to have to lie you into cooperating with the Archaeological Crimes Unit.” After asserting himself, the MI6 agent took a moment to calm down. “Apparently this has nothing to do with the Holy Box, or David’s plea bargain. Nothing. Prof. Imru asked if you lot could assist him in a very secretive matter that could have catastrophic repercussions on the whole world.”

Purdue decided to abandon all suspicion for now. Perhaps, he thought, he was just too curious not to. “And did he say what it is about, this secretive matter?”

Patrick shrugged. “Nothing specific I would know how to explain. He asked if we could touch down in Cairo and meet with him at the Masonic Temple in Giza. There he will explain what he called ‘an absurd request’ to see if you would be willing to help.”

“Meaning ‘have to help’, I suppose?” Purdue rectified the phrasing Patrick had so carefully woven.

“I reckon,” Patrick agreed. “But honestly, I think he is sincere about this. I mean, he would not alter the delivery of this very important religious relic just to get some attention, right?”

“Patrick, are you sure this is not some kind of ambush?” Nina asked in a low tone. Sam and Purdue looked just as worried as she did. “I would not put anything above the Black Sun or these African diplomats, you know? Stealing this relic from them seems to have ruptured a very big hemorrhoid with these lads. How do we know they do not just land us in Cairo, kill us all, and pretend we never flew to Ethiopia or something?”

“I thought I was the special agent, Dr. Gould. You exhibit more trust issues than a rat in a snake pit,” Patrick observed.

“Believe me,” Purdue jumped in, “she has reason. And so do the rest of us. Patrick, we’re trusting you to see through this if it is an ambush of sorts. We are going anyway, right? Just know that the rest of us need you to smell smoke before we get trapped in a burning house, understand?”

“I do,” Patrick replied. “And that’s why I made arrangements for some people I know from Yemen to accompany us to Cairo. They will be discreet and trail us just to make sure.”

“That sounds better,” Adjo sighed in relief.

“I agree,” Sam said. “As long as we know that external units have our whereabouts we’ll be more at ease with this.”

“Come now, Sammo,” Patrick smiled. “You didn’t think I would just buy into commands if I don’t have a back door open?”

“Will we be long, though?” Purdue asked. “I must concede that I am not too keen on taking long about this Holy Box matter. This is a chapter I would like to conclude and get back to my life, see?”

“I understand,” Patrick said. “I am taking full responsibility for the safety of this expedition. We will be back on track as soon as we have met with Prof. Imru.”

It was dark when they touched down in Cairo. Not only was it dark because it was nighttime, but it was dark all over the cities in the vicinity, making it extremely difficult to land the Super Hercules successfully on a runway lit by fire pots. Peering from the small window, Nina felt an ominous hand lock onto her, much like the onset of claustrophobia when she entered confined spaces. A choking, terrifying feeling overcame her.

“I feel like I am locked in a coffin,” she said to Sam.

He was as astonished as she was with what confronted them over Cairo, but Sam tried not to panic. “Don’t worry, love. Only people with a fear of heights should be uncomfortable right now. The power outage is probably because of a power station or something.”

The pilot looked back at them. “Please buckle in and let me concentrate. Thank you!”

Nina felt her legs buckle. For a hundred-mile radius of land beneath them the only light was that of the Hercules’ controls in the cockpit. All of Egypt was draped in pitch darkness, one of several countries plagued by an inexplicable power failure nobody could locate. Much as she did not want to reveal how petrified she was, she could not help feeling her phobia take hold of her. Not only was she in an old flying soup can with engines, but now she found that the lack of light completely simulated a closed space.

Purdue sat down next to her, seeing the quiver of her chin and hands. He put his arm around her and said nothing, something Nina found extraordinarily comforting. Adjo Kira and Sam prepared for the landing by gathering up all their gear and reading material before buckling up.

“I have to admit, Effendi, I am quite curious about this matter Prof. Imru is keen to discuss with you,” Adjo shouted over the deafening engines. Purdue smiled, knowing the excitement of his former guide quite well.

“Do you know something we don’t, dear Adjo?” Purdue asked.

“No, just that Prof. Imru is known for being a very wise man, and a king of his community. He loves ancient history and of course, archaeology, but the fact that he wants to see you is very much an honor. I just hope that this meeting is about those things he is known for. He is a very powerful man with a firm hand in history.”

“Noted,” Purdue replied. “Let us hope for the best then.”

“Masonic Temple,” Nina said. “Is he a Freemason?”

“Yes, Madam,” Adjo confirmed. “Grand Master of the Giza Lodge of Isis.”

Purdue’s eyes gleamed. “Freemasons? And they seek my help?” He looked at Patrick. “Now I am intrigued.”

Patrick smiled, satisfied that he would not have to take responsibility for a trip Purdue would have no interest in. Nina also sat back, feeling more enticed by the possibilities of the meeting. Although traditionally women were not allowed at Freemasons gatherings, she knew of many historically great men who belonged to the ancient and powerful organization whose origins had always fascinated her. As a historian, she appreciated that much of their ancient rites and secrets were the essence of history and its influence on world events.