Four Ways to Pharaoh Khufu (14 page)

Chapter 21

WolfStraße 57, Berlin, Germany

Thursday, September 21

10:15 a.m.

A
nna opened the bathroom door, leaned against the doorway and struck a pose. Michael was bewildered. The woman he saw in front of his eyes was not the same woman who had walked into the bathroom. Pushing off the doorway, Anna sashayed down the hallway, striking another pose at the end of her imaginary catwalk. Employing a British accent she asked, “What do you think?”

Michael was stunned, not sure where to look first. Anna had transformed from a sophisticated, professional woman into a genuine Goth clubber. Her stunning appearance started at the floor with tall, strappy black boots, torn fish net stockings and a red pinstripe mini skirt with a spiked belt encircling her waist. She sported a black leather jacket, ornamented with dozens of zippers placed in different directions. Her face was made up white with black lips and raccoon-like decorative eye makeup. He hoped her various piercings were not real but stuck to her skin with adhesive. She wore a wig, the long jet-black hair parted down the middle.

If he had crossed paths with her on the street, Michael would never have believed this gothic, creepy-looking teenager was indeed the charming, suave Anna he knew. He realized his jaw had dropped at some point. “Wow.”

“Thank you,” a smile flirted across her face. “Don’t worry!” She laughed heartily, “It’s a Halloween costume.”

“Then, I’m safe,” visible relief showed on his face.

“So, back to our plan,” Anna’s tone became serious. “The tribesman will have no idea who I am. And besides,” she narrowed her eyes as she cast a menacing glance out the window, “My country, my rules.”

“It’s your show.”

“I think this will be safer with you,” Anna handed him the bag of fake papyruses.

Michael nodded and put the bag into his jacket’s inner pocket. A slight chill ran across his chest, as the bag was still ice cold.

They walked out the door, down the three flights of stairs and into the building’s lobby. Anna went directly to a window facing der Kaffeefreund and peeked outside. Turning, she whispered, “Stay here, I’ll be right back.” Michael nodded as she opened the door. In just a few moments she had crossed over the street and disappeared behind der Kaffeefreund’s door.

Michael paced a bit while waiting. He checked his watch and sighed: six minutes.
What is taking so long?
Time stood still. Two minutes later he checked his watch again. Having completely exhausted his patience, he decided to find her. Opening the door, he attempted to casually walk down the street, holding his knife discreetly by his side. His heart and his pace quickened and quickened.

As he neared the café door, Anna came flying out of it. She grabbed onto his jacket, her face almost colliding with his. Grabbing his hand, she started pulling him down the street. “This way!” she ordered frantically, dashing into a small grocery store.

They hid behind a wood produce bin, still breathing heavily from their desperate sprint. Breathless, Anna blurted, “Watch over there!”

“What happened?” Michael whispered frantically, keeping his attention on the window and unconsciously gripping his army knife.

The door to der Kaffeefreund was opening. “They’re coming out!” Anna whispered back.

“They?” Michael hoped she had used the wrong pronoun in the excitement. “I thought there was only one.” He grimaced as the tribesman and another Middle Eastern man exited the café and walked into the middle of the street. They were looking up and down the street.

“I know that guy,” Anna suddenly announced, her grip tightening on the bin in front of her.

“Yeah, me too, remember?” Michael looked at Anna strangely. “That’s the guy I saw in Egypt. He was at the airport.”

“No, not him,” Anna replied weakly.

“What do you mean
not him
?” Michael gave her a quizzical look. “That’s the same guy. I’m good with faces.”

“I meant that I know the
other
guy.”

“Really?”

“Yes, his name is Seth,” Anna lowered her head and spoke under her breath, “He is twenty-eight years old, speaks German and Arabic fluently, likes Turkish food, dances well and has a fear of heights.”

“Well, nice to meet you Ms. Sherlock Holmes,” Michael stared at Anna. “Your detective skills are impeccable!”

Anna muffled a laugh, “Actually he was my boyfriend up until five days ago.”

An older gentleman appeared, speaking politely in German, “Excuse me, can I help you find something?”

Anna looked up, smiled sweetly at the grocer and replied in German, “Hans, it’s me, Anna!”

The grocer looked stunned and then burst into laughter. “Oh! Anna! What is going on? Do you need some help?”

“Actually, yes, please. I just broke up with that guy out there and I don’t want him to see me. Would you mind if my cousin and I hid here until he left? He makes me nervous.” Anna’s puppy dog eyes were in full force as she looked up at the grocer’s familiar face.

The grocer’s eyes grew understanding. He walked over to the front window to get a closer look. He turned, “No problem. I have a back room where you and your cousin can sit comfortably until they leave.”

Michael looked at Anna curiously as they stood up and moved to the back of the little grocery store. He did not understand what they were saying, but was happy to assume the man was trying to help them.

“So, this is your cousin?” Hans chatted familiarly with Anna as he took them to the back storeroom.

“Yes, this is Michael, he’s from America. I’m so sorry, but he doesn’t speak a bit of German. Thank you, thank you so much Mr. Schneider. I can explain it to you later.”

With a small flourish, Mr. Schneider ushered them into a small, dark storeroom and pulled on the overhead light bulb. “I will let you know when they have cleared out,” he promised with a smile as he shut the door behind him.

Michael stood in the little room, amazed at their good fortune. Now that they were alone and could talk, Anna knew it was time to confess. Sitting down, Anna took a deep breath and started from the beginning.

She recounted her short-lived romance with Seth, the strange meetings with his Egyptian friends, his sudden disappearance, the late-night visit by his so-called wife Layla, and finally Seth’s strange phone call about meeting at the restaurant that was closed for renovations. A few tears kept interrupting her, as it struck her how kind and protective Michael, a complete stranger, had been to her. It was if an emissary from her dear father sat next to her. Michael remained quiet throughout her entire story and was deep in thought when she finished.

“Well, now we know that the tribesman knows about the package,” he said. “You may not want to hear this, but I think Seth was dating you in order to get what he was really after.”

“That’s probably true,” Anna said softly as she dropped her watering eyes to gaze at the floor.

“I’m thinking that because he didn’t succeed, the tribesman was sent here for reinforcement, assuming he’s their henchman.”

Just then, the door opened and an older, blonde woman appeared with a basket on her arm. She smiled at Michael as she wrapped Anna in a hug. Reaching inside her basket she pulled out some freshly baked pretzels wrapped in a worn dishtowel and placed them on a nearby crate. Their heavenly scent filled the tiny room. Michael said, “
Danke
” as he picked one up and began tearing into the treat. Anna and the woman spoke rapidly in German. The woman turned to Michael and spoke in heavily accented English, “Welcome to Germany.” She waved good-bye and exited the door the same way she had entered.

Anna sat down with a pretzel, “That was Mrs. Schneider. I’ve shopped here for a few years. She has daughters my age and understood what was going on.” A small smile played across her face. “She thought I was clever to disguise myself to see if he was with another woman.” She popped another piece of the large, warm pretzel into her mouth. “Oh! These pretzels are delicious! They are such wonderful people.” She paused to finish eating. Looking up at Michael, her face started to crumple, “I can’t believe I was so naïve.”

“That’s all right,” Michael soothed, gently taking her free hand between his hands. “You had no reason to suspect him.” He paused to collect his thoughts. “There could be more of them that we haven’t seen yet. So, we have to act quickly if we don’t want them to get their hands on this package,” he said, firmly pressing a hand against his jacket pocket, making sure it was still there. “How did they recognize you in that outfit?”

“Not me,” Anna looked at Michael, “you.”

“Huh?”

“They saw you through the window.”

“Oh. What were they talking about?”

“They were speaking in Arabic, but it sounded like they were quarreling about something. They had a map of Berlin. Then Seth went up to the bartender and asked for directions.”

Just then the door opened and the kindly grocer entered with his smile. “Those two men just got into a black Volvo and took off. I don’t think either of them saw you,” he reassured her, patting her arm.

“Thank you so much! You and Mrs. Schneider are so kind. And I need to get this outfit off! Thank you for the delicious pretzels,” Anna gushed happily.

Waving good-bye to their protectors, they hustled out of the grocery store and into the street to Anna’s apartment. Even though they knew all was clear, they could not help but look around cautiously.

Anna stopped short. “Wait for me here!” She grinned before turning to jog back to der Kaffeefreund. Michael was stunned.
Now what?
Minutes ticked by before she reappeared. “Are you out of your mind?”

“I asked the barista how often those two came by,” she replied with a shrug.

“And?”

“Well, Seth has been hanging around for the past three days.”

“That’s disturbing. So, it’s safe to assume they’ve been staking out your apartment. I’m glad you went to your friend’s house instead of your apartment.”

Anna interjected tersely, “They know what hotel you are staying in.”

“What?”

“Seth asked the barista for directions to it.”

“Wow, they seem to know everything,” he sighed deeply.

“It doesn’t make any sense,” Anna shook her head as they walked back to her apartment building. Michael looked at her oddly. “OK, they know what hotel you are staying in, so? That doesn’t prove they’re criminals. You know, maybe it has nothing to do with my father, you being here in Germany or anything else related to Egypt!” she bowed her head as if doubting her own words.

“So, what do you think happened to your apartment?” Michael raised his voice in frustration. “A simple break-in?”

“Yeah!” Anna locked eyes with Michael. “A simple break-in!”

“You can’t be serious! Come on, they’re after your father’s package and you know it!”

“I’m just so confused. I just saw my boyfriend Seth with the tribesman from Egypt. I … I just can’t wrap my mind around it.” She stopped and closed her eyes for a moment. “Ok, what do you suggest we do, then? I’m still in shock about Seth knowing the Egyptian tribesman.”

“I think the best course of action would be to analyze these papyruses. They might contain some hidden information or clues.”

“How?”

“We need to find an expert on Egyptology. There must be something we don’t see,” he paused before adding, “yet.”

Anna gave Michael a determined look. “I think I know the right person. And luckily for us, he is here in Berlin.” Her mouth twitched, “Of course, I need to change back into myself first.” They both started laughing at that.

After they climbed the three flights of stairs and unlocked her apartment door, Anna headed straight for the bathroom. Michael waited for her on the couch again. About ten minutes later, Anna strode out into the living room looking like her normal self.

“Damn it,” she patted down her pants pockets. “I left my cellphone at der Kaffeefreund. Don’t go anywhere,” she said before disappearing out the front door, “I’ll be right back.”

Michael remained sitting on the couch, astonished, still amused by her transformations.

Chapter 22

Berlin, Germany

Thursday, September 21

11:45 a.m.

“I
have nothing to say to you, Seth,” Anna’s angry words seemed small and ineffective as she stared in frustration out the tinted window of Seth’s black Volvo. She realized her words were futile at this point. The rainfall outside grew heavier. Her stomach twisted as she pondered how she had gotten herself dragged into this dangerous game, the meaning of which she could not comprehend.

Moments earlier she had been compelled by the mad tribesman and his sharp knife to get inside the tactically parked Volvo. In the minutes before his surprise assault, she was blithely crossing the street as the rain clouds began to open up again into another storm. Nearing the der Kaffeefreund café to retrieve her cell phone, her eyes and mind were focused on avoiding the small puddles collecting near the sidewalk. The tribesman silently appeared out of nowhere and discreetly grabbed her. Anna almost screamed before realizing he was pressing a sharp metal blade against her stomach. Its enormous size stunned her.

The developing rainstorm had sent everybody scrambling for shelter. Even if she screamed, she doubted anyone would hear her and come to her rescue. Instinctively she realized that by screaming she would find her death right there on the empty street, ironically only a few feet away from the safety of her home. Still in his grasp, Anna glanced up at her window, hoping Michael might be watching. Unfortunately the window remained dark, her white curtains framing its emptiness.

When her attacker gestured for her to get inside the Volvo with its running engine, Anna resisted, knowing that if she was inside the vehicle it would be far worse than remaining outside, where the tribesman would at least have to keep his weapon concealed. Inside the car, he would have the luxury and freedom to use it in any way he so desired. Her attacker knew she was stalling and pressed the blade painfully.

At that moment the driver’s side window slowly opened, revealing a familiar face: her ex-boyfriend, Seth, his face grim and demanding. He gestured sharply for her to get inside the car. Surprised, Anna obeyed, seeing his presence as an improvement. As soon as she got into the car, the tribesman had shut her door firmly, opened up the back door and taken the seat behind her. Seth had promptly stomped on the accelerator pedal, steered the car into the steady rain filling the empty street and taken a sharp left into an alleyway.

Michael was not only oblivious to the dramatic scene unfolding in the street below, but also getting weary of relaxing on her couch with nothing to do. He glanced at his watch and shaking his head, slowly stood and walked over to the window. As he neared, the Volvo was making a sharp left turn, escaping Michael’s casual glance. He stood observing the rain’s powerful escalation. With only a few passing vehicles below and a lightning storm off in the distance, Michael sighed when he saw nothing of interest. Michael collapsed onto the sofa, wondering how long a female’s perspective of “be right back” really took. He imagined her laughing and chatting away with the barista inside the warm
der Kaffeefreund
café as the rain poured noisily outside.

The Volvo drove two blocks away, stopped abruptly and pulled off the road. Seth turned and barked something in Arabic to his partner-in-crime. To Anna’s profound surprise, the tribesman unquestioningly obeyed by opening the door and stepping into the rain that pounded the car.

“I did not want to lie to you,” Seth stared firmly at Anna who was trying her best to ignore his once adored countenance by staring blankly in front of her. “But if I had told you the truth,” he continued “it would have scared you away and exposed me to unwarranted risk.”

“No, you pretty much used me,” Anna snapped angrily. “I thought you were in love with me, but your whole elaborate scheme was to get closer to me in order to get the information you needed. Isn’t that right?”

“It wasn’t in my power. If I hadn’t complied, the tribe would have killed me,” he paused for a moment. “The tribe did me a favor in the past, and I was in their debt.”

“So, what do you want with me? I need to know the whole truth.”

“Unfortunately, you were set up. It’s not your fault. The tribe wanted to get to your father. To them, you were just a way to get back what belonged to them in the first place,” he replied matter-of-factly.

“And then they killed my father in cold blood because he did not have any more value?”

“I can assure you that I had no part in killing your father. Trust me, I was shocked by the news.” Seth studied Anna’s expression. “The tribe gave him a chance to return the object that belonged to the tribe, but he refused.”

“I do not know anything about that,” Anna replied angrily.

“I believe you. Your father was not one who would trust anybody with his plans,” he paused for effect, “even his own daughter.”

“So why did you just kidnap me?” Although tense and afraid, she was sure Seth and the tribesman did not intend to kill her: at least not yet. It occurred to her that she needed to play along. “What do you want from me?”

“Every day lots of people disappear … without a trace.”

“Is that a threat?” Anna retorted angrily. “I don’t know anything about my father,” she protested before adding in a more desperate tone, “I haven’t been in contact with him for a couple of years. Look, I don’t know anything.”

“The tribe made a mistake and left their most prized possession out in the open. The ancient artifact disappeared with all traces pointing to your father. The tribe tried to negotiate with him in vain. Everything could have been different, but your father wouldn’t cooperate with the tribe and, thus, predetermined his fate. So, as long as you cooperate and help the tribe to retrieve the artifact, nothing bad will happen to you or your new American friend.”

Anna stared at him in disbelief. She got to keep her life if she helped some foreign tribe find their trinket? Suddenly, she understood with absolute clarity the full terror of her situation.

“Yes, we know about the American,” said Seth spitefully, misunderstanding her reaction.

Anna sighed deeply. She did not know anything about this tribe, but realized she was being forced into signing a contract with Satan himself. While her deal might appear beneficial for the time being, her value would drop dramatically in the end, when she would most certainly pay with her life. Clenching her jaw to keep her fear from dripping out of her mouth, Anna inquired quietly, “So, you want me to work for you and find this ancient artifact that I know nothing about?”

“Not for me––but together with me!” Seth exclaimed with a widening smile. Anna forced a smile to her face. “I'm just a small link in this chain. If you cooperate, the tribe will give you another chance at life.” Seth leaned forward, his eyes piercing Anna’s. His voice dropped menacingly, “You can pretend you are safe, but the truth of the matter is that the tribe can eliminate you like that,” Seth snapped his fingers in front of her eyes, causing Anna’s breath to catch in her throat.

He paused and sat back, studying Anna’s expression intently. He wanted to give her time to digest all of what he had said and for the reality of her situation to sink in fully. Contemplative, she remained silent while succeeding at keeping her face calm. The situation seemed so strange and out of place. The Seth she had known from before this moment in time was full of fun and enthusiasm. But now, in front of her, he had morphed into an entirely different person: menacing and deadly.

“Come on Anna, your father was never there for you. And what did he do? He literally dragged you into trouble by stealing an artifact that belonged to the tribe?”

“My dad didn’t steal anything!” she objected forcefully. “He is not a thief!” She choked back a sob before suddenly asking, “What kind of artifact are you talking about anyway?”

“I can’t tell you that and don’t ask me again,” Seth chuckled, although there was no mirth in his eyes as they drilled into her.

“If you can’t tell me, and I can’t ask you, then how am I going to help you?” The entire issue was becoming more absurd and impossible.

Thunder struck nearby as the raindrops dropped bigger and heavier onto the car windows. Anna could not help but think about the tribesman who was patiently waiting in the pouring rain for the outcome of their conversation. Seth stared out the window, and began meticulously planning her unfortunate fate.

Although the whole predicament of her present situation bewildered Anna, she desperately racked her brain for a way out.
What should I do?
Then a bright flash of insight struck her. All she had to do was
pretend
. It would be foolish for her to try to escape, but as she realized with dawning hope, pretending to go along with them until she had an opportunity to escape was her best option for survival.

Back at the apartment, Michael had no idea what had happened to Anna. After pacing back and forth inside her living room and constantly checking the time, he searched her desk drawers and found some tape. He taped over the front door’s latch mechanism to prevent it from automatically locking itself as he shut it and walked down the stairs.

Once out of the pouring rain and inside the warm and cozy cafe, the barista politely informed him that Anna had indeed left her cellphone but had never come back for it. Bewildered as to where she might have gone or what could have happened, Michael asked the barista to call the police. Shaking his head, the barista calmly replied that the police would not even respond, as Anna had not been missing for more than twenty-four hours. In fact, the barista tried to assure him, Anna had probably seen one of her friends, gotten carried away and lost track of the time. While Michael doubted this, he nodded in agreement. He politely thanked the barista and pocketed Anna’s cell phone. Putting his hood up over his head, Michael exited the café and stepped into the pounding rain.

Lingering by the café’s empty tables and chairs, he rapidly scanned the street, looking for any clues. The street, however, was deserted with the exception of several passing vehicles; none of which were Volvos. Michael stood on the sidewalk in front of the der Kaffeefreund for a few more minutes before heading back up to Anna’s apartment, hoping that he was overreacting to her disappearance. After all, the Volvo was long gone before she left the apartment to go back to the café for her phone. Maybe the barista was right.
Women: can’t live with them, can’t live without them
, he thought as he untaped and relocked the apartment’s door. Shedding his soaked jacket in the entryway, he decided to simply stand and observe the neighborhood from the window.

Meanwhile, inside the Volvo parked several blocks around the corner, Seth had lost almost all hope of ascertaining anything of worth from his victim. He taciturnly informed Anna that the man standing outside the vehicle was a ruthless killer from the Medjay tribe who harbored no pity toward his victims. Having said that, Seth signaled the drenched Medjay to enter the vehicle. Upon his entry, the Medjay and Seth exchanged monosyllabic phrases, none of which Anna could understand, not even what language they were speaking. The Medjay tribesman made certain that Anna saw him stare her down with an evil, predatory look that gave her no doubt that he had anything but the worst animosity for her.

Anna was feeling physically and emotionally drained. She leaned against the door, folded her arms and closed her eyes. While the raindrops outside were sleep inducing, thoughts of her father dying a terrible death at the hands of the ruthless killer sitting behind her kept her firmly awake.

“You wouldn’t dare try to run away from us now, would you?” asked Seth as he noticed her moving closer to the door.

She opened her eyes partway and looked sideways at him. He gave her a false smile.

“I have nowhere to go,” she gloomily responded, feeling her heart start to tremble.
I do not want to die.
She watched the raindrops run together on the window she was leaning against. “I did get a package from my father recently. I will give that to you.”

“OK, now we’re talking,” he sounded genuinely cheerful.

“The American has the package. If you let me go I will bring it to you. I have no interest in it as it’s completely useless and meaningless to me.”

Seth leaned forward, locked eyes with her and spoke menacingly, “If I do decide to let you go, don’t even think about calling the police.” He paused for effect, “we will find you. My partner, the Medjay, will kill both of you before you can even squeal.” Seth sat back in his seat, “I hope you understand that this is a one-time deal: you bring the package and you will never see us again. I promise.”

“Yes, I’ll bring you the package,” she replied meekly. “I have no interest in it.”

Seth exchanged several foreign phrases with his Medjay counterpart, turned on the engine and drove back to Anna’s apartment. As he parked in front of Anna’s building he turned to her, “We’ll be waiting around the corner,” he warned, flipping the switch to unlock the car doors. “Don’t be stupid.”