Mummies & Daddies (WAYHAUGHT)

Chapter 2

Nicole shrugged at Waverly's question. "Can't say who or what this is yet. You'll need to tell me everything that happened in the order it happened, so I can start to figure this out."

Waverly half-smiled, lost for a moment in her own thoughts. "I remember you wanted to be a detective."

"This was not what I had in mind. Definitely did not have where's Wynonna as my first case. Or, Egypt for that matter."

"I'd better get dressed, or Perry will wonder where we are."

Dropping the towel without thinking, Nicole's mouth opened ever so slightly, willing her eyes to look somewhere else, unable to do so. "I...how...when did you come? Arrive, when did you get here?"

"Month ago," Waverly replied, oblivious to the fact she was naked in front of her ex-lover. "We're excavating a tomb three miles from the most famous."

"Right," Nicole said, finally able to pull her eyes away. "This is so different to Purgatory."

Waverly had managed to find matching underwear in a drawer, donning the tight shorts from the photo and a clean top. "Do you still like where you are? You know, Mission."

"Sure. I mean, it's not as interesting as here. Or, Chicago."

"Wyn said she was planning on visiting you. Said she felt guilty not keeping in contact. God, what if-"

Nicole's arms ached to hold her. "We'll find her. Wynonna's tough, and resourceful. If anyone can look after themselves it's your sister."

Waverly calmed herself. "I guess you're settled."

"I have my routine. Calamity keeps me company."

"How is she? I miss her cute little face."

"She's fine. Fatter, if that's possible."

"Perry's thinking of applying to Chicago."

"Right. And you and him."

Waverly searched Nicole's eyes. "Early days. And you?"

Nicole shrugged. "Maybe. Early days."

"I'm glad. Is she?"

"Is she what?"

"Do you still climb?"

"Not as often as I'd like. Mission isn't teaming with climbing partners."

"Chicago probably has more. The university has a climbing club."

"Does it. I'll check it out if I'm ever there."

"Perry's thinking of joining."

Nicole was about to reply, holding her tongue, picking up a leaflet from the desk, a flyer promoting a tour of the city's ancient monuments. The dining hall was relatively empty when they entered, spotting Perry seated towards the back of the area, talking with someone. "That's Professor Svane," Waverly said, picking up a tray, offering it to Nicole. "He's running the project. Perry knows him from Harvard."

"Right. Harvard. Anything else I should know about Perry?"

"He's been on the last four excavations with Robert, Professor Svane. Robert says he's one of the best researchers he's worked with."

Nicole gripped her tray. "What do we do here?"

"Oh, sorry, yes. Take whatever you want, it's free. I'll pay for your flight."

"You don't have to. It's my choice to be here."

"At least let me give half."

"Waves, it's fine. I came because I wanted to."