And then someone said, “Drop it now, soldier.”
Dracup let out his breath. Farrell was standing by the fountain, his automatic trained on Rutter’s head. Rutter turned. “What –?”
Farrell stood his ground. “Who’s your commanding officer, Rutter?”
“Major Mortimer. And he ain’t here.”
“Right. And who directed this operation on his behalf?”
Rutter sighed. “Mr freakin’ Potzner. And he’s dead.”
“Right again. And I’m his number two. That means I’m in command.”
Rutter looked at Cruickshank, then back to Farrell. “But you told us to –”
“I know what I told you. I’m countermanding that order.”
Cruickshank chewed gum and shrugged.
Farrell’s voice was hard, insistent. “Put it down, and walk away.”
Rutter lowered his rifle, spat on the ground and strolled nonchalantly towards the fountain.
Dracup released his grip on Natasha’s arm and sat heavily on the step, relief flooding through him. “Nice timing, Farrell,” he said. “We missed you.”
“Looks like you did just fine on your own.” Farrell ruffled Natasha’s hair. Then his face became serious. “You’ve met Jassim?” The agent pointed to the portico.
Dracup suddenly became aware that the portico was crowded with Korumak – quietly standing, observing. A figure detached itself and walked into the open: Jassim.
Dracup felt a hand on his arm. Moran was opening his rucksack. The DCI reached into the bag and to Dracup’s astonishment eased out the Lalibelian sceptre, Omega. “I think you’ll need this.”
Dracup took it from him in wonder. “Where on earth… how did you –”
Moran gave a knowing smile. “From the same source as the map.”
Dracup put the pieces together. “Malcolm... It was him. In Lalibela.”
“Yes. He was employed by Kadesh. But my guess is he wanted a better deal, followed Mukannishum – and you – to Lalibela, bribed or bamboozled the priests and made off with the goods.”
Dracup was stunned. “To blackmail Kadesh for the return of Omega?”
Moran nodded. “Exactly. A risky game, given what we know about Kadesh. But it fits. When you’ve been in this business as long as I have, you learn not to prejudge people. Especially those on the sidelines.”
On the sidelines. Dracup thought of Malcolm’s pudgy face, his white hand on Yvonne’s shoulder. He felt sick. Another thought occurred to him. “You had Omega all the time – you could have let me know – in the chamber.”
“And give Kadesh what he wanted?” Moran’s eyebrows arched.
“It would have spared me a few grey hairs.”
Moran grinned. “I knew you’d come up with something. Go on,” the detective prompted. “He’s waiting.”
Dracup released Natasha’s hand and approached Jassim.
“I’m pleased to see you again,” Dracup said.
Jassim bowed. “Change has come upon us, Professor Dracup. But it is a manageable change. I apologise for the hardship you have endured. It is not the Korumak way.”
“I understand that you played no part in this.” He took the man’s hand in his. “I’m sorry for your loss – after everything.” He groped for words, failed to find anything adequate. “I didn’t… I hadn’t expected –” He gave up.
Jassim’s eyes wrinkled. “Our loss is –” He swept his arm around the expanse, pointing with his staff. “Only this. There are alternatives, where we shall continue, as God has ordained.”
Dracup thought of the chamber, the sarcophagus enveloped in flames. He frowned. “But I –”
“Do not understand? No.” Jassim smiled. “You must come. Quickly. There is little time. Very little time, according to Mr Farrell.”
“Come on ’Tash.” Dracup took his daughter’s hand and followed Jassim to the portico. The Korumak, those who had remained with Jassim, parted to let them through. He felt their warmth, hands on his arm as he passed, a squeeze of the hand for Natasha. Her friends.
A group were standing together, slightly apart from the others, at the far end of the portico. Beside them on the paved surface was an object Dracup immediately associated with something he had seen before in Ethiopia: an Ark – not a Noachian Ark, but a container, like the fabled Ark of the Covenant. Two poles ran along its length to facilitate transport. But the central box was not chest-shaped; it was longer and shallower. Dracup’s heart began to hammer slowly and forcefully.
Surely not?