Mummies & Daddies (WAYHAUGHT)

Chapter 17

Nicole followed Waverly along the narrow corridor of the train, the pair squeezing their way past those who had not been as fortunate in securing a seat on the long journey. Eventually finding a carriage where food was being served, Waverly queued up, Nicole heading off to find the one toilet on the train. Returning to where Waverly was still queuing, she vowed not to use the restroom again if she could help it, waiting in line until it was their turn to be served.

Lunch purchased, slowly making their way back, Wynonna was deep in conversation with the guy seated beside her. In his hand was the note from the package, Waverly staring at her sister wondering what she was doing. "Farooq here has translated the note for me," she said, followed by a smug smile directed at the pair.

Waverly waited for Nicole to take her seat nearest the window. "Well."

"It's a first payment for help provided. Says a further payment will be made when items are sold."

"Is it addressed to anyone?" Nicole asked.

"Nope. But, the sign on the envelope is the one used by a fruit exporter, Ganet Elzohor who are known for, wait for it...lemons."

"The smell," Nicole said. "You said you could smell lemons."

"Mhmm. We has ourselves a lead."

Professor Ikram sat at Robert's desk in the research complex finishing a call to her bosses at the American University in Cairo. Robert was facing her, in the same seat where Waverly had been told the investigators wanted to interview her. "Twice Robert. What's going on?"

"We're up against those who don't value our work," he replied, his eyes avoiding hers.

"I gave you extra money for security. This site is key to the university being able to continue its work."

"I recognise that," Robert replied. "I know how important this is in the Egyptology community."

"We...the university were entrusted with this sacred site. And, here we are yet again having to accept one of our own sold us out."

"Waverly was not on my radar. I thought...her résumé...nothing led me to believe-"

"Alex. You said the same about her. Two researchers, both with impeccable backgrounds, both caught stealing from sacred sites where our reputations are at stake."

"I'm at a loss too," Robert replied. "I mean, if one of the guys had done this."

Professor Ikram peered over her glasses. "A thief is a thief, regardless of their gender. If it is her she appears to have walked away with little or no consequence."

"I've tried making contact. She's not returned any of my calls."

"Do you have any idea where she is?"

Robert shook his head. "I will make enquiries. She's still in Luxor. All her belongings are in her room."

"Find her. I need to get to the bottom of this."

As the train made its way to Cairo, Farooq explained the New Valley district close to Luxor was being used to cultivate citrus fruit, many companies having established themselves in the region to take advantage of the beneficial growing conditions. Warehouses had sprouted up along the Nile, fruit transported along its route to Alexandria in the north, there to be shipped around the world. It didn't take a genius to figure out this was probably how stolen Egyptian artifacts were being smuggled out of the country.

It was late afternoon when their train pulled into Cairo, Farooq giving Waverly one of his business cards, suggesting a decent hotel not far from the station. As they waited for the other passengers to disembark Waverly's phone rang. "Let me answer," Nicole said, taking it from Waverly's shaking hand.