The Exodus Quest

III

Augustin and Farooq were learning precisely nothing from Peterson's archaeology students, crew-cut clones with morons-for-Jesus smiles who all just happened to have exactly the same story to tell. 'And your name is?' Farooq asked the latest arrival.

'Green, sir. Michael Green.' He glanced around at Peterson, standing over his shoulder, as though he needed to check he'd got his own name right.

'And you saw this intruder too?'

'Yes, sir.'

'Tell me about it.'

'Well, sir. It was kind of dark, you know. I don't know that I can-'

Farooq's mobile began to ring. He sighed and raised an eyebrow at Augustin. 'I need to answer this,' he grunted. 'You want to take his statement?'

'Sure,' said Augustin, stifling a yawn. He nodded at the young man as Farooq wandered off. 'Go on.'

'I was just saying, I don't know that I can add much to what the others told you.'

'Try. What was this intruder doing?'

'I'm sorry, sir?'

'Was he standing, kneeling, crawling? Was he coming towards you? Going away? What was he wearing? How tall was he? What colour hair? Did he realize you'd spotted him?'

'Ah.' A touch of colour flamed Michael's cheeks. He glanced at Peterson once more. 'It's difficult to remember, exactly,' he said. 'It all happened so quickly.'

'You must have some recollection.'

Peterson stepped forward. 'Is it really wise to bully witnesses into telling you things they didn't see?'

'I want to make sure he isn't forgetting anything.'

'Are you forgetting anything, Michael?' asked Peterson.

'No, sir.'

'There you go, Doctor Pascal. He's not forgetting anything.'

'Good news,' announced Farooq, finishing his phone call, coming back to join them. 'My men have found Knox.'

Augustin's heart skipped a beat. 'What?'

'Do you know the thing I hate most in this world, Doctor Pascal?' he asked. 'Being taken for a fool. All those people at the Supreme Council this morning. Do you know what they told me? They told me, if I wanted to find Knox, I should talk to you, Augustin Pascal. Pascal will know, they said. He and Knox are best friends. But when I ask you about Knox, you tell me nothing about this great friendship of yours. Not one word. You think I'm an idiot? Is that what you think?'

'Oh, Christ! You speak French.'

Farooq's right hook knocked Augustin clean onto his backside. 'And that's for calling my mother a fat sow,' he said.