The Exodus Quest

FIFTY-FIVE
I

The storm was finally raining itself out as the truck arrived at the end of the Royal Wadi road and parked next to Khaled's truck. Naguib jumped down. The place was still awash with water; all around them was the sound of it trickling and splashing down the hillsides.

Tarek tapped his arm, pointed up at the cliff-top. 'See that?'

Naguib squinted. The cloud-cover was just beginning to disperse, and one or two stars were peeking through, enough to show the silhouette of the wadi cliffs. He shook his head. 'See what?'

'A man. He ducked down. He's hoping we haven't seen him.'

'Can you get us up there?'

Tarek nodded. He led them close to the base of the cliff to avoid making easy targets of themselves, then east along the wadi. It was Mahmoud who made the grisly discovery of one of Khaled's men lying spread-eagled on the wet rocks. Naguib knelt down. A single glance was all it took to know it was too late for this one. They climbed the side of the wadi, the light growing stronger all the time. 'Spread out,' murmured Tarek as they reached the top.

'And if we meet anyone?' muttered a voice.

'Order them to surrender,' said Naguib.

'And if they won't?'

'You've got a gun, haven't you?' said Tarek.