The Exodus Quest

II

'They've found something,' said Knox, as he drove away from the Texas Society site. 'They're hiding it from us.'

'What makes you think that?' frowned Omar.

'Didn't you notice how their hair was matted with cobwebs and dust? You only get that when you've found something underground.'

'Oh,' said Omar gloomily. 'But they're archaeologists. They wouldn't have been awarded the concession if they couldn't be trusted.'

Knox gave an eloquent snort. 'Sure! Because no one ever took baksheesh in this country. Besides, didn't you see the way that preacher glared at me?'

'It was like he knew you from somewhere,' nodded Omar. 'Have you met him before?'

'Not that I can remember. But I recognize that look. You remember Richard Mitchell, my old mentor?'

'Gaille's father?' asked Omar. 'Of course. I never got to meet him, but I heard plenty of stories.'

'I'll bet,' laughed Knox. 'You heard he was homosexual?'

Omar coloured. 'I assumed that was just malicious gossip. I mean, he was Gaille's father, after all.'

'The two aren't incompatible, you know. And just because gossip is malicious, doesn't make it wrong.'

'Oh.'

'The thing is, because I worked with him so closely, lots of people assumed I was his boy, you know. I never bothered to put them right. Let them think what they want, right? Anyway, most people in our business don't much care. But a few do. You soon get to recognize a certain look in their eye.'

'You think Peterson's like that?'

'The Bible's pretty intolerant of homosexuality,' nodded Knox. 'People try to gloss it over, but it's there all right. And some Christians exult in the opportunity to be spiteful in the name of God. That's fine, up to a point. They're entitled to their opinion. It's just, if I've learned one thing in archaeology, it's never to entrust a sensitive site to anyone who's convinced of the truth before they start. It's too easy for them to fit the evidence to their theories, rather than the other way around.'

'I'll call Cairo first thing in the morning. We'll come straight back out.'

'That will still leave them all night.'

'Then what do you suggest?'

'We go back now. We look around.'

'Are you crazy?' protested Omar. 'I'm head of the SCA in Alexandria! I can't go sneaking around archaeological sites at night. How would it look if we were caught?'

'Like you were doing your job.'

Omar's cheeks flamed, but then he sighed and bowed his head. 'I hate this kind of thing! I'm no damned good at it. Why on earth did Yusuf Abbas appoint me?'

'Maybe because he knew you wouldn't cause him any trouble,' said Knox ruthlessly.

A dark scowl flickered like a passing cloud across Omar's face. 'Very well,' he said. 'Let's do it.'