Mummies & Daddies (WAYHAUGHT)

Chapter 33

As the plane made its approach into Luxor airport Waverly tapped Nicole's arm. "Darling, we're here. Wow, I'm nervous."

Nicole opened her eyes, bright sunlight causing her to close them again. "Did you pack the highest factor sunscreen? Remember my forehead the last time."

"Of course. The sun isn't kind to your colouring."

Twisting the wedding ring on her finger Waverly smiled to herself, the final part of a very long, very bumpy journey about to play out. Married for three years, her PhD completed, she now was a lecturer at the University of Chicago, Nicole a police officer in the city, on her way to becoming a detective. They had a charming house, in a quiet neighbourhood, one to which Calamity gave her full approval, Wynonna a regular visitor, enjoying the buzz of the cosmopolitan city, and the fact she had free food and a bed whenever she needed a break from Purgatory.

She declined to come with them to Luxor, explaining a kidnapping and warehouse staycation was enough for one lifetime. Checking into the Winter Palace hotel Waverly couldn't resist sending her sister a photo of their suite, complete with the chocolates left on their pillows. Heading down to dinner they passed the couch where Max once held court with his various clients, remembering the moment he pulled a gun on them, the hotel staff carrying on as if it was an everyday occurrence. In his place was an elderly gentleman reading a local newspaper, the front of which displayed a black and white photo of the entrance to Ankhesenamun's tomb.

Waverly elbowed Nicole's arm, the man realising he was the focus of their attention, smiling up at them both. Waverly held out her hand as she approached. "Dr Hawass, it's an honour to meet you finally."

The gentleman shuffled off the couch to stand in their presence. "Who are you?"

"Dr Waverly Earp," her cheeks burning. "Egyptologist at the University of Chicago."

"Ah, Dr Earp, I hear of you. We owe thanks for tomb."

"That's why we're here," she continued, "for the official opening."

"It is a wonder. A true wonder. Much colour. Much work to repair."

Waverly fought back the tears, squeezing Nicole's hand. To think she was in Luxor about to meet her queen for the first time, while meeting the world renowned Egyptologist Dr Hawass. Here with her wife, who chose to come to her rescue all those years ago, who chose to fight for her, because that's who she was, that's who Nicole was. Her hero, her protector, the one who allowed her to fly, the person who believed her, never once doubting her innocence.

And, what of the others? Svane confessed to his part in the Gardners' enterprise, allowing him to walk free. Not that he got off lightly, losing his teaching position at the University of Cairo, his reputation in tatters, his wife leaving him given he no longer could support the lavish lifestyle she enjoyed while he was sending dirty money home.

The FBI used his full confession to arrest Rosita, who in turn grassed on her family, Mercedes marched out of her plush Seattle office one morning to a waiting cop car, their lucrative side business effectively ended. Mercedes was right, Rosita's arrogance and sloppiness, particularly when it came to the fake necklace bringing everything crashing down. Tucker had gifted her the duplicate as a token of his secret affection, making his relationship with Alex all the creepier. But then, it always was a matter of possession over love with the Gardners. On hearing of his sister's fate Tucker fled to a country without an extradition treaty with the States, while Alex was eventually cleared of all charges, keeping in contact with Waverly.

As for the business of stealing, it was an interest two of the Gardner children inherited from their father, their sister Beth escaping the family through marriage. Mercedes and Tucker came to understand their father's love for prize pieces outweighed any love for them, his own private collection hidden away in his mansion. They courted him by following him, learning what the market wanted, learning how to satisfy collectors hungry to get their greedy little hands on the best pieces.