Solomon's Gold

CHAPTER 38

They rented snorkeling gear and a zodiac from the Eilat Marina.

It was mid afternoon. The owner told them they had to be back in a few hours. He warned them not to stray south into the Gulf, or to approach either Jordan or Egypt. He recommended the coral reef nature preserve as a good spot for diving, and handed Nick several brochures about various water attractions.

The man waved at them as they headed away from the marina. The water was calm. The boat moved smoothly over the surface.

"I wonder if he'd be so friendly if he knew we were going to take his nice new boat somewhere where people might shoot at it," Lamont said.

"Anybody ever tell you you're an optimist?" Ronnie said.

"Can't say as I can remember anyone saying that."

"That figures."

"Was that an insult?" Lamont asked.

"Don't start, guys," Nick said.

Lamont was at the helm, keeping the speed low, killing time. The Israeli shoreline and the mountains behind Eilat drifted by to starboard. They neared the border between Egypt and Israel as twilight descended. They spotted a patrol boat some distance off to port. It paid no attention to them and soon disappeared.

"There's a border post coming up soon," Nick said. "Take us farther away from shore. I don't want to get spotted."

The boat was powered by a forty horsepower Mercury outboard. Lamont opened the throttle and headed away from land. When he thought they were far enough, he turned south again.

Nick consulted his GPS.

"We're more than halfway. That's Egypt to starboard. About another eight klicks and we head in."

"This is almost too easy," Ronnie said.

"Don't say that," Lamont said, "you'll jinx us."

"That's what I meant about not being an optimist."

"It does seem kind of odd," Selena said. "We haven't seen anyone out here, except for that one patrol boat. Not since we left the tourist area. Not even a fishing boat."

"I'll take what we can get," Nick said. "Maybe the gods are smiling on us."

A few minutes later, he looked again at the GPS.

"Lamont, head for shore. We're opposite of where we want to be. Keep it throttled down."

"Copy that," Lamont said.

He turned the zodiac toward Egypt. By now, the sun had set. There was still light in the sky, and the horizon was rich with deep orange, red, and purple. A pale moon was visible overhead. The frothing wake behind the boat turned luminous in the fading light.

"Pretty, isn't it," Selena said. "There must be some kind of phosphorescent life here, to light up the wake like that."

"Land coming up." Lamont pointed.

Ahead of them, a line of white surf marked the shore, glowing with the same light as their wake.

Five minutes later they were in Egypt.