Sheba's Gambit

by Kristine Frost

  Theo held out her hand. “Let’s go get something to eat so you can be here when she wakes up, okay?”

  The doctor followed them out of the room and gave the order to move the two women. He watched as Braden turned to look at him. He gave Braden a thumbs up as the elevator door closed.

  Three days later in the early morning, Sheba opened her eyes. Someone was holding her hand. She had a feeling that he had been holding it for a long time.

  She saw Braden’s hand clutching hers. He was fast asleep in a cot next to her bed. She turned her head. There was another woman in the hospital bed next to her, but in the darkened room she couldn’t see who it was.

  She wanted to stroke Braden’s hair, but her left arm was tied down. She jerked at it, waking Braden. “Aunt Sheba,” he cried joyfully. “You’re awake, finally.”

  Theo sat up from the couch where she had been sleeping. “Sis,” she said, “Welcome back to the land of the living. You scared the crap out of us.”

  Braden slid from his cot to her bed so he could lay his head on her shoulder. Theo walked to the open door. “She’s awake,” she called to the nurse on duty.

  The nurse hurried into the room. “Good morning,” she said. “How are you feeling?”

  “Like my head is stuffed with cotton.” Sheba said.

  “That’s normal for someone with a head injury.” The nurse said briskly. “Braden, I need to have you move so I can check your aunt.”

  He sighed. “Okay.”

  The nurse gradually raised the lights, then she checked Sheba’s blood pressure, respiration and blood flow. “Well, things are looking much better than they have been.”

  Braden looked at her. “How is Helen doing?”

  The nurse walked around her bed and checked her vital signs. Then she shook her head. She pulled the curtains that separated the two beds.

  “She’s not doing too well.” She said. “She seems to have lost the will to live.”

  Sheba looked at Braden. “What happened?”

  Braden climbed up on her bed. “Well, it was really exciting and really scary. What do you remember?” He asked.

  “I vaguely remember walking forward when Assid had you, but I don’t remember much after that.”

  “You told Assid to let me go or you were going to curse him. Helen stuck her cane between his legs. As he backed away from you, I pulled away. I guess that caused him to fall. As he fell his machine gun went off. The bullets hit the ceiling. That caused the roof to fall. A big rock landed on Breckenridge squashing him flat.” He said with relish. “Now he can’t hurt you anymore.”

  He sighed. “A bunch of rock landed on you. Marshall grabbed me and rolled us out of the way. Slater jumped on Helen but I guess she got hurt some way. I don’t know how. I was worrying about you.

  “Then your boss came in with a bunch of Marines. They took Slater and Marshall away, but Marshall got the rock off you before he would let them take him. They had a really hard time getting you and Helen through that narrow opening. They had to strap you to a board and tip the board sideways to get you out.”

  She looked down at her arms. One was wrapped in bright pink material and the other arm had an IV in one of her veins.

  “Your arm is broken and so is your leg. The leg was really bad so they did surgery on it. They also did surgery on your knee. They said they had to repair the ligalents.”

  Sheba smiled, “I think you mean ligaments.”

  “That’s what I said—ligalents. But what was weird,” Braden added, “Was that no rock landed on any of the stuff in the cave. The Sargoagus wasn’t even touched.”

  Sheba smiled. “You mean the sarcophagus.” She smiled when he glared at her. “I know,” she said. “Those are some really hard words.”

  Theo said, “You gave all of us, quite a scare. Your bosses have wanted to see you, but the doctor said he didn’t think it was wise. I went along with him. But once they know you’re awake they are going to want to talk to you. Do you feel up to it?”

  “I wish I could have something to eat first. I’m starving.”

  “Me, too, Aunt Sheba. I haven’t felt like eating, but now I do.”

  Doctor Phillips walked in. “I’m glad to see you awake. The fact that you are hungry is a great sign.”

  “Where are we?” She asked.

  “You are in a hospital in Istanbul. I’m on loan to this hospital from the Mayo Clinic”

  Sheba smiled weakly. “I’m glad you’re here. I’d hate to have a doctor that didn’t speak English.”

  Theo looked at Braden. “I’m sure that the doctor wants to examine Sheba. Let’s go get some breakfast.”

  Braden looked up at her. “Don’t you go getting in a coma while I’m gone,” he ordered.

  “I won’t.” She promised with a laugh that turned into a groan. “Doctor, my head hurts.”

  He laughed. “I’m sure it does. Having rocks land on your head is guaranteed to make your head hurt.” He pulled his stethoscope from around his neck. “Let me check you out and I’ll have the nurses bring you some food and a pain shot.”

  As he listened to her heart, she said, “Braden says that Helen is in the next bed.”

  “Yes. He insisted that you be put together so he could be with both of you. He was wearing himself out trying to be in two places at once. Your sister approved the room changes when he was so insistent. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “Of course I don’t mind. How is she doing?”

  “Not well. She has internal injuries and head injuries. Her brother tried to cover her body with his, but when he jumped on top of her, he pushed her into some sharply pointed rocks, plus she seems to have lost the will to live.”

  “What happened to her husband and brother?”

  “From what I understand, her husband was killed in the cave in. They arrested her brother.”

  “Do you think it would help her to see her brother?”

  “I’m afraid that nothing is going to help her.”

  Chapter 33

  Later that evening, there was a knock on the door. Braden walked over and opened it.

  “It’s your bosses,” he said in disgust. “I was hoping it was Marshall. I didn’t get a chance to thank him.”

  Sheba sighed. “I was hoping they would wait until tomorrow. But I guess I’d better get it over with.”

  Theo came to stand protectively by Sheba’s bed as Maitland, Nagle and Bond walked in. “How are you feeling,” Alexandra said, looking at the bandage around Sheba’s head and the bright pink cast on her arm.”

  “I have to admit that I’ve felt better.” Sheba said quietly. So quietly, that Braden climbed up on her bed and held her injured hand.

  Maitland looked from Theo standing protectively by Sheba’s bed to Braden who was glaring at him.

  Braden said, “I want to see Captain Marshall.”

  “Yes,” said Sheba. “What happened to Captain Marshall and Mr. Slater?”

  There was a noise from the other bed. “Braden, would you open the curtain,” Sheba asked.

  Braden jumped down and opened the curtain so Helen could see into their half of the room.

  She was awake for the first time since Sheba had come out of her coma. She held her hand out to Braden who quickly grabbed it. “Is Sheba all right?” She asked.

  “I’m fine,” Sheba said. “How are you feeling?”

  Helen said, “What happened to my brother? I know that Nathan is dead.”

  She looked at Maitland who said, “I’m sorry, Mrs. Breckenridge, but he’s being held at one of our marine bases here in Turkey.”

  “I’d like to see him before I--” she stopped and looked at Braden. “Before I die.”

  Braden looked horrified. “You can’t die. I won’t let you.”

  She smiled. “I’m sorry, sweetheart, but even you can’t stop that. I wouldn’t want you too. You see, the illness that took my sight is eating me up inside. Michael trying to protect me didn’t hurt me, it’s the illness. But I w
ould like to see him before I go.”

  Maitland said, “I’m afraid that’s not possible. He’s too dangerous.”

  When Helen lay back on the pillow and turned her head away, Sheba sat up and glared at him. “I think it would be a good idea to rethink that statement,” she said in a dangerous voice.

  Nagle said, “Easy, Sheba. There’s no sense in getting all worked up.”

  Sheba said ominously, “You haven’t seen worked up yet. Believe me, you’ll know when I get worked up.”

  She looked at Maitland, “I read through Breckenridge’s records that day he left me with the map. All of his records were on the laptop he carried.”

  “We have the laptop, but he wiped it.” Maitland said.

  Sheba said a trifle smugly, “I know. That means that all his records are now in my head. It’s a good thing I have a photographic memory. Those records are extensive.”

  “But being a good citizen, you are going to let us have them, right.” Maitland said. “Your country needs those records.”

  Tony Bond laughed. “Oh she’ll let you have them, all right, but you’ll have to earn them, right, Sheba?”

  She nodded grimly. “What are you going to do about Marshall going AWOL?” She asked in a sweet voice that didn’t match her face.

  “We are debating that point right now.” Maitland said. “I think he should be court marshalled, but the Marine commander says that Alexandra didn’t have any authority to order him not to go. It was his duty to go after you because he had been ordered by the President to protect you and Braden. So her order was in opposition to the order from the President and he outranks her.”

  He paused then added, “I tend to agree with Alexandra. He should have stayed behind.”

  Sheba glared at him. “I don’t think you understand. Marshall saved my life twice. He saved Braden’s life three times. He helped us find Sheba. He helped his men take out Assid’s army and believe me, you wouldn’t have wanted them running amok in the Middle East with the five million dollars that he forced Breckenridge to transfer to his account.”

  Maitland shrugged. “I still believe what I believe.”

  Sheba snapped her fingers. “Too bad,” she said. “My memory is getting worse by the second.” She closed her eyes and lay back against the pillow.

  Braden got a panicked look in his eyes. “But Aunt Sheba, you haven’t forgotten about taking me to ‘The Eye,’ have you?”

  Sheba opened her eyes. “Braden, I’d never forget that promise.” She glared at Maitland. “It’s just that I have selective memory loss. I can remember the things I want to remember.”

  For the first time in a long time, Helen looked in her direction and laughed. “Why am I not surprised?”

  Braden looked from Helen to Sheba. “Aunt Sheba, does you head hurt?”

  “No, Braden, my head doesn’t hurt. I’m too furious for it to hurt.” And if thoughts could kill, Toby Maitland would be lying dead on the floor.

  She turned to Maitland, her tone so icy that he took a step back. “You will bring Michael Slater here so that his sister can say goodbye. You will release Captain Marshall and restore him to good standing or you will get absolutely no information from me AND I will go public with all of this.”

  Maitland frowned. “You can’t do that. You’re confined to a hospital bed and I won’t let you have contact with the outside world, besides there is a chance that the hard drive isn’t too damaged. We should be able to get most of the information.”

  Theo held up her cell phone. “Too late. The President has heard everything that’s been said here. You know he and his wife are close personal friends. That’s why I got the job as assistant ambassador even though I didn’t have much experience. He would like to talk to you.” She handed the phone to him.

  As Maitland listened, his shoulders slumped. “Yes, sir. I’ll see to it right now.”

  He handed back her cell phone and pulled out his. He pushed a number and spoke into it.

  “They are bringing Michael Slater from the Marine prison right now. Captain Marshall will be coming with him. But,” he warned, “Slater will be in irons. I will not allow him to be released.” He looked at Helen. “You will have to say goodbye without him being released.”

  Helen smiled wearily. “I understand. I wouldn’t ask you to free him. I tried for years to get him to stop working for my husband, but he liked to kill and he was much too good at it.”

  An hour later, Marshall walked into the room. Slater shuffled behind him. His hands were chained to a thick metal belt at his waist. He was chained to two Marines.

  Without glancing at anyone in the room, he walked to Helen’s bedside. The marine who stood in front of him moved to the side so he could approach her. She was very white and her eyes were glassy, but her smile was beautiful. “Hi, Michael. I’m glad that Sheba forced them to let you come.”

  Awkwardly, he sat on her bed. “Is it time, love?” He asked gently.

  “Yes,” she said. “It’s time. They can’t stop the bleeding any longer. I’ll be so glad to finally be free of the pain.”

  He bent forward, his chains clanging and kissed her cheek. “Don’t worry about me, love. I’ll be all right. Just rest now.”

  She reached out and fumbling for his hand, she squeezed it gently, then closed her eyes. Her body went limp and the monitor alarms sounded loudly. Slater laid her hand back on the bed, then stepped back as the nurses rushed in.

  “She’s gone.” He said sadly. He stepped in front of the doctor. “Don’t try to resituate her. She wouldn’t want that.”

  The doctor nodded. “It wouldn’t be possible anyway, but I am sorry.” He pulled the sheet over her face.

  As the Marines started to move away from the bed, Slater looked at Sheba. “Thank you for granting her last wish.” Suddenly there was a smell of bitter almonds. He slumped to the floor.

  Marshall knelt beside him. “Cyanide. He must have had a false tooth. We checked, but we didn’t realize that he had a tooth pulled and replaced. I think this was probably the best way. Now there won’t be a sensational trial.”

  She nodded as Braden buried his face in his mother’s stomach. “He was scary, but I liked him at the end. He never let anyone hurt me.”

  When both bodies had been removed, Sheba said, “I’d like my analyst job back.”

  Nagle said, “You are getting the credit for finding Sheba’s tomb. The room you were in contains about a thousand years of the history on the Kingdom of Sheba. The Turks and every other archeological group in the world will be spending a lot of time in that cave.”

  Sheba smiled, “There are a whole series of caves. The other tunnel leads to the gold mine where the Queen of Sheba got her gold to bribe King Solomon.

  Nagle said, “You’ll be a very wealthy woman. The finder’s fee is ten percent. The Turkish government is very grateful, but if you want your job back, you’ve got it. I think the President will draft you to help Marshall take down Breckenridge’s operation. I have a feeling that every available NSA agent will be helping you.”

  Theo turned to Sheba. “I hope that you’ll convince the NSA to let you stay in England. I’d really like to have you closer than an ocean away. I know that Braden is dying to have you take him on ‘The Eye’ as well as being his show and tell again.”

  “I’m sure that can be arranged. I think we’ll both be spending months, if not years taking care of the mess Breckenridge left.” Marshall said carefully.

  Braden looked up at Marshall. “Are you going to have your car shipped here? I sure hope so. I loved that car!”

  Everyone laughed. Theo looked from Marshall to Sheba. “Come on, Braden. “I think we both need an ice cream sundae.” Theo closed the door behind them.

  Sheba looked up at the big man standing before her. Her heart began to race. He looked sad and concerned. He also looked a bit frightened. “Thank you for saving both my life and Braden’s numerous times.”

  He said, “I promised you at the begin
ning that I wouldn’t let you be hurt. You said that I shouldn’t promise what I couldn’t control.” He smiled, a bit grimly. “You were right. I couldn’t prevent you getting hurt. I’m sorry about that.”

  “Don’t,” she said gently. She looked at him with a touch of her old shyness. “You saved our lives. A few broken bones doesn’t really matter in the eternal scheme of things.”

  He stood looking at her without saying anything. She knew what he wanted to say, but she didn’t know how she felt. He had saved her life, but he had broken her heart. Trust wasn’t easy to repair.

  Finally, he said, “Sheba is there any future for the two of us?”

  “I don’t know.” She said honestly. “I don’t know how I feel. So many people dead. So much destruction. But we found Sheba. Everything is all muddled up in my head.”

  He smiled, “A concussion will do that to you.” He paused then added hopefully, “If I were to ask you for a date, what would you say?

  “I’d say yes—but only if you promise to leave your radio home.”

  “I can safely promise that!”

  .