Heart of the Gods by Valerie Douglas Page B

time.”
    “Yes,” he said, “but with different accounts, we can triangulate, narrow it down.”
    With a new direction in which to look―an error of cubits translating into miles of distance―he could do some plotting, some triangulation. Perhaps define an entirely new search area, away from Karl Brunner―and his male/female bias.
    He could have kissed her and almost did but once again caught himself, too aware of eyes on them.
    There was a knock at the door, which, after their incident in the souk, was closed and locked for once.
    Looking at them all, worriedly, Komi said, “I will get it, Professor…”
    His expression nervous, unsettled, his speech even more halting, Komi returned quickly. His tone was hesitant, careful.
    “There is a policeman here,” he whispered, “An Inspector Hassan.”
    “It’s all right, Komi,” Ky said, laying a hand on his shoulder as he went by. “Don’t worry.”
    An act that was difficult for Komi. He came from Togo, a country ruled by a dictator not known for his patience. A policeman at the door was not a good sign.
    Ky glanced at Raissa.
    She nodded, snatching up the abaya to disappear into the bathroom.
    The man waiting inside the door was Egyptian, of medium height but solidly built, his face square, stolid, his eyes dark, still and watchful.
    “Inspector Hassan?” Ky said, quietly. “My apologies, come in, please.”
    The Inspector nodded. “Thank you.”
    He looked at Ky as he followed him into the central part of the room, his face impassive.
    “Can I get you anything, Inspector?” Ky said, “There is coffee, not American style but Turkish…?”
    Slowly, the Inspector shook his head.
    “You should know that there has been a complaint,” he said, “over an incident in the souk a few hours ago.”
    “Were there damages?” Ky asked. “If so, although we didn’t start the fight I’ll be glad to pay for anything that was damaged.”
    With a shrug, the Inspector said, “There were no damages,” as he wandered the room, looking at everything. Looking for something. “At least none that we have heard, there is only the…disturbance…and that was enough.”
    Ky waited, his eyes on the Inspector. His chest tightened at the finality in the Inspector’s words, his phrasing.
    There was more to it than that and he knew it, he could see it in the Inspector’s eyes.
    Not that it mattered.
    “You are being asked to leave…”
    The words struck Ky like a blow…leave? Just when they were getting close… His heart sank.
    “Leave? Why,” Ky demanded, forcing his voice to remain even. “We were the ones who were attacked. Not them.”
    The Inspector’s face was impassive. “You are a provocation. No charges will be filed if you go. Quietly.”
    “Charges,” Ky asked. “What charges?”
    The man looked at him. “Does it matter? You would be jailed until it is settled. It will take some time to fight them.”
    Jailed.
    It was clear the Inspector wouldn’t be moved.
    “Who can I talk to about this?”
    The black eyes met his. “There is no one. I was sent to tell you what the decision was. But you may try if you like.”
    “How soon?”
    The Inspector looked at him. “Immediately. By noon tomorrow at the latest.”
    “Noon!” Ky protested.
    It was impossible. They’d have to pack up everything overnight.
    Someone wanted him off the site and out of town.
    Well, he knew someone he could talk to about that but he’d have to fly to Cairo to do it.
    In the meantime, the site was open.
    The site he’d found.
    Everyone was staring, astonished and appalled.
    “Tomorrow?” Komi protested. “We can’t be ready by tomorrow...”
    The inspector looked at him. “Anything you don’t take with you will be confiscated.”
    Raissa’s could only stand in the other room listening in shock, her throat tight. In the morning they would all be gone. It was over… She was surprised by how much the idea pained her. She wouldn’t see them again―Ryan with his wry