The Exodus Quest

II

In the darkness, it took Knox a moment to see the policeman sheltering beneath the trees, his handgun pointed slightly to one side, prepared to use it, but not yet. He was short and slight but he carried himself with calm self-assurance, so that Knox didn't even consider running. 'You're Daniel Knox,' he said.

'Yes,' agreed Knox.

'I am going to ask you some questions. Lie if you wish, that is up to you. But you'd be wise to tell the truth.'

'What questions?'

'To start with, what are you doing here?'

'Looking for a friend.'

'Who?'

'Her name's Gaille Bonnard. She was taken hostage a couple of-'

'I know who she is. But she was abducted down in Assiut. So what are you doing here?'

'I don't think it happened in Assiut,' said Knox. 'I think it happened here.'

'My name is Naguib Hussein,' said the policeman. 'My wife and I, we saw you on television one time. It was you, wasn't it? With this woman Gaille and the secretary general, announcing the discovery of Alexander's tomb?'

'Yes.'

'My wife said how nice you looked. It twists me inside when my wife says that about a man. I think that's why she says it. But their names stay with me too. So when I hear on my radio that it is Daniel Knox my colleagues are searching for, I think, ah, he is worried for his friend the woman, he has come to see if he can help.'

Knox jerked his head in the direction of the far bank. 'Have you told them that?'

'It would do little good, I assure you. My boss does not think much of me. And he's already told me once today to stop pestering him with my crazy ideas about strange goings-on in Amarna.'

'Strange goings-on?' asked Knox.

'I thought that might interest you,' smiled Naguib. He lowered his handgun, gestured along the bank. 'My car is that way,' he said. 'Perhaps we should get out of the rain and tell each other what we know.'