by K C West
“Oh, yuck. You’re kidding, aren’t you?” PJ screwed up her nose.
“I’m afraid not.”
“How come we even have flushing toilets out here?” I asked.
“This used to be a park of some kind, so that was here waiting for us. It needed a bit of work, but it’s okay now.”
Pup, meanwhile, had staked out his corner of our cheerful abode and lay with his head on his front paws watching us.
“Sandy, my man,” I said, “this beats the hell of what we had in the Superstitions.”
*
After he left, we started unpacking. Kim noticed several new things in my daypack, among them, a book on yoga. “I didn’t know you were into that.”
“Susanna suggested I try some asanas and meditation to relieve stress. She told me that massage is also good for relaxation.” I searched her face for disapproval or concern. Her expression was merely thoughtful, and she took time to study and touch a few of the items I had laid out.
“Scented candles. Lotion. A spiral college-rule notebook with a red cover.”
“Not just a notebook, that’s my discovery journal.”
“Sorry, discovery journal. What will you do with that?”
“Now, don’t laugh. I’m supposed to write in it every day and even try some poetry.”
Kim’s face softened. “I don’t think it’s funny, though it sounds difficult. If Dr. Armstrong thinks it will help you, I’m all for it.” She put her arm around my waist and drew me close. “And you know how I love massages.”
“I don’t suppose you’d try some yoga with me? Right now, I can’t decide if the best time would be first thing in the morning or last thing at night.”
“First thing in the morning, I should think.” She loosened her grip, and I turned to face her. “I’d be happy to try any of it with you. It never hurts to improve one’s flexibility.”
I gave her a hug. Thanks to my therapy sessions with Dr. Fleming, I could now welcome Kim’s closeness without fear or panic. After what had been a frustratingly long time, we’d become intimate again, and while it wasn’t quite our usual, passionate liaison, it had been enjoyable for me and, I hoped for Kim, too. She had assured me that we would be fine with practice. I knew that her continued gentle support would make it so. I believed in her, and she made it clear she believed in me.
As I gazed into her eyes, I noticed that the tiny lines at the corners seemed more pronounced today, or maybe I was just now noticing them. I reached up and stroked her cheek. “You look tired.”
She took my hand and kissed my palm. “So do you.”
“This has been a long and exciting journey,” I said, “and coming so soon after our return from Wales… I guess we haven’t regained our stamina yet.”
“And it’s only just beginning. From his initial data, it appears that Sandy has a major project on his hands.”
I detected a gleam in Kim’s dark eyes. She was as eager as I was to learn the details of the expedition.
“What do you think of the photos? It could be as big as the Palace at Knossos on Crete.”
“It’s too soon to tell, and we shouldn’t jump the gun. However, there have been rumors of major ruins near Eresos. And it’s possible that Skala Eresou is built over ancient Eresos.”
“That’s exciting.”
“There are rumors, too, of other ruins in the area. Maybe Sandy has stumbled onto one of those.”
“What do you think, Kimmy?”
“I think we shouldn’t get carried away. We don’t know anything yet.”
“But Sandy thinks he knows.”
Still embracing me, Kim rested her chin on top of my head. “It’s going to take time, with a little luck and lots of hard work thrown in.” She tightened her grip. “In the meantime, we have this cheerful place in which to make ourselves at home.”
I looked around and failed to visualize it in such a positive light. Though comfortable about recapturing so much of our relationship, I was not as enthusiastic about our temporary home. “Kimmy, get real. It’s a tent.”
“Ah, but it’s a lovely, big blue tent.”
“Isn’t that peachy?”
She kissed the top of my head as I leaned my cheek against her chest. Her shirt held the faint scent of fabric softener and spices, so familiar and so comforting. I inhaled her essence, and my anxiety eased, replaced by an overpowering love for this woman who enfolded me in her protective embrace.
“What is it?” She tilted my chin upward, flicking a stray tear from my cheek.
“It’s not important.” I sniffed, feeling like an ingrate. “I guess I had visions of a secluded villa with a balcony overlooking the Aegean, that’s all. Oh yes, and with bathroom facilities on the premises.”
Kim’s fingers massaged my back and neck, and I felt the stirring of arousal. It probably wasn’t the best time for that.
“Skala Eresou isn’t that far away, my love,” Kim said. Her hands ventured under my shirt and continued roaming across my lower back. “I’m sure Sandy will allow us a weekend off now and again, for exploring.”
“He’d better.” I leaned into her, relishing her soothing touch. “That’s where Sappho was born. Did you know that?”
“Mmm.”
Right now, an ancient poet was the farthest thing from my mind. My hands got busy under her shirt, tickling the sensitive skin just under her bra. I heard her quick intake of breath. “But what do we do when we need to be close before the weekend?” I unhooked her bra, and our breathing grew more labored.
“Sandy has placed his tent and ours a bit farther way from the rest of the camp.”
“How perceptive of you to have noticed that.”
She gave my neck several kisses. Nimble fingers made short work of the hooks on my bra. I was breathing through my mouth now, pulling her down onto the bed. We let our tongues tease and tangle freely as our desire mounted.
My hands cupped her breasts, and her mouth opened wider, allowing for deeper kissing. She gasped in delight and slid her hands to my chest. Liquid fire filled my lower abdomen.
“It may be a tent,” she whispered against my ear, “but it’s all ours.” We sank back on the mattress. “And what we do in the privacy of our own place…”
“Hey, Doc! PJ!” The cry came from outside the tent. “You in there?”
“…can be interrupted in a heartbeat,” I finished as we hastily broke apart and rearranged our clothing.
“Just a second,” I called out. From past experience, Sandy knew better than to enter uninvited.
“We’ll be right there.” Kim lowered her voice to a husky whisper. “Just as soon as we get our breathing back to normal.”
I fanned my flushed face. “He’ll never know.”
“Right. Your face is red, your eyes are still smoldering, and you’re breathing rapidly. He won’t have a clue.”
“It’s your fault.” I’d been trying unsuccessfully to fasten my bra. I stopped wriggling and turned my back to Kim. “Hook this, please. And hurry.”
“Hold still, you’re all twisted.” She had just pulled my shirt back down when Sandy poked his head through the tent flap.
*
In the few seconds it took Sandy to call to us from outside the tent and then enter when we gave the all clear, PJ and I had a chance to take a deep breath or two and quiet our libidos.
“Are you two busy?” Sandy asked.
“Not any more,” PJ said, keeping her head down, avoiding eye contact.
“Not really,” I assured him and then tried to explain the delay in letting him enter the tent. “We were just taking a short nap after the trip. We were in our undies and had to get dressed. What can we do for you?”
“I’d like for you to meet some of the crew.” Sandy glanced at his watch. “How about we meet in my tent in an hour? Irini will be here, too, and I’d like you to join us for lunch.”
“Sounds great.” I glanced at PJ.
“You’re getting ahead of me,” she said. �
�Who’s Irini?”
“A special friend,” I told her.
“Oh.” She shot me a questioning look before turning to stare at him, watching his cheeks redden. “Ohhh.”
I leaned closer to PJ and whispered, “I’ll explain everything soon.”
She put her hands on her hips. “Seems to me, there’s a whole lot of explaining to be done. For instance, how come Dad knew all about this, but didn’t let us in on what you were doing?”
I motioned for Sandy to sit down on one of the folding chairs. I flopped down cross-legged onto the bed, and PJ joined me there, her face still flushed. I wondered if mine, too, showed the remnants of passion.
“He swore me to secrecy,” Sandy said. “I had no choice.”
“Why, for goodness sake?” PJ looked at me, her eyes spitting sparks. “He’s going to get a piece of my mind.”
“Don’t be too hard on him,” I told her. “I’m sure your father had a good reason.”
“He wanted to surprise you,” Sandy said. “He wanted you to see for yourselves how big a discovery this is. He’s funding the whole operation, at least the Curtis Foundation is. What’s more, he’s so excited about it that he’s going to take over as project manager.”
“He’s what?”
“Easy, honey. Let him explain.”
“What it means is that I’m not going to have to worry about the Greek government or local authorities. We won’t have to worry about the political aspects of the operation.” He stroked his mustache. “We’re not going to want for supplies or financial help, either. All we have to do is the archeological work we were trained to do and uncover what’s hidden beneath our feet.”
“I love my father,” PJ said, folding her arms across her chest, “but I’m not sure I want him hovering over me while I’m working.”
“That’s just it, he won’t be doing that. He’ll have his job, and we’ll have ours. We’re a team, working together in this operation. It’s as simple as that.”
“I guess - if you say so.”
“Okay, Sandy,” I said, getting up off the bed. “Let’s go meet your people and find out what’s going on around here.”
Chapter 5
Half a dozen Greek graduate students were assembled in Sandy’s tent when we arrived there. The tent was as big as ours and furnished in much the same manner, with a double sleeping pad rolled up neatly in one corner. What looked like two sleeping bags zipped together were rolled up on top of it.
Sandy gave us a quick tour, pointing out charts neatly displayed on a lightweight, folding easel, a table with a desktop computer which was for project use only, a laptop for his use, and stacks of project-related papers, sketches, and photographs.
I noted that all the students spoke perfect English. There were four men and two women. Dorian, Tiffany, and Gregor were archaeologists, Alexander specialized in Ancient Forensic studies, Niklas was the team photographer, and Selena was a paleo-archaeologist. From their enthusiastic greetings and specific questions, I learned that they were all familiar with our Amazon work.
Even though they set up chairs for PJ and me, the students seemed to prefer sitting on the floor.
“It’s time,” Sandy said, “to bring you up to speed on what’s happening here.”
“You’d think it was a big state secret or something,” PJ said.
“Settle down,” I whispered.
“But I can’t stand all this mystery.”
Ever since her experiences in Wales, PJ had been short of patience, especially with herself. I learned rather quickly to ignore her outbursts, because she soon got over them. I didn’t really see the point of all the secrecy either, though Frederick must have had his reasons, and Sandy, dependent on the foundation for funding, went along with his wishes. I would have done the same. I had in Arizona, when I learned I had to take his daughter on as my assistant. Thinking back to those tumultuous first days brought happy memories. Breaking PJ in to the expedition’s routine was rather like taming a tiger. Sandy’s voice penetrated my thoughts, bringing me back to the present.
“Okay. Here’s the story,” Sandy said. “Kim, PJ, I know you’re familiar with the Myth of the Minotaur - the Cretan Labyrinth, because you’ve sent me links and information whenever I’ve asked for data.”
We nodded.
“What we have here is something far greater than all the myths or factual sites, greater even than Knossos. We think that beneath our feet is a labyrinth of gigantic proportions. We have reason to believe that it was at one time hidden under a fortress or palace.”
PJ gasped.
I held my breath.
He looked at each one of us in turn. “History does not tell us that there ever was such a structure on this spot, but my research, the photographs, and everything else points to a labyrinth buried beneath the rubble of another structure or structures. It could be an ancient village or a palace that was built on top of an even older ruin. The labyrinth might possibly have been a buried fortification. We don’t know yet what we’re going to find.”
I stood up. “You’re sure of what you’re seeing in those aerial photos?”
“I am.”
“Is it possible that the impressions shown in the pictures could be misinterpreted?” He opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off with one more question. “Could they be of natural origin?”
“Yes,” PJ added, “how can you be so sure?”
“Look at the charts.” Sandy stepped over to the easel. “If you look at the circular design of the impressions, you’ll see that there’s nothing in the natural world that would be so precise. It has to be a man-made structure. It just has to be.”
“What about water run-off, old stream beds, or ditches?”
“Dr. Blair,” he said, addressing me formally, “streams meander according to the lay of the land. The pattern here is not random. It’s too even, too orderly.”
“You mentioned when you met us at the airport,” PJ said gently, “that you always felt there was something here, but you admit that there isn’t a lot of factual research to back you up.”
“I know, but I’ve been reading some of Lester Malloy’s book on Sappho.”
“Malloy’s book is hardly scientific,” PJ said. “He’s been known to take liberties with data in the past.”
Sandy pushed some papers to one side and perched himself precariously on the corner of the table, keeping one foot firmly on the floor. “He’s collected as much real data as anyone can on the subject of Sappho. We know she was born near here, at ancient Eresos. From piecing together scraps of her life story, Malloy determined that she lived quite well. Possibly in a palace, or at least in the home of a wealthy merchant.”
“But did Malloy’s book convince you beyond any doubt?” I worried that he had ventured too far from scientific principles, but there were those enticing photographs, as well as Frederick’s enthusiasm.
“Her ultimate joy was here. This is the place. I know it in my heart. Malloy quoted Sappho as referring to beautiful gardens and a citadel.”
“I can’t believe that you’ve based your thoughts and theories on such incomplete information.” I regretted the words as soon as they left my mouth, but he appeared to take no offense at my comment.
“And you think she lived right here, on this very spot.” I felt that PJ’s words were more statement than question.
He turned to her, shaking his head. “No. What I’m saying is that she could have lived here, in a place like this. Not enough of her life is known for us to be specific.”
But is it specific enough to risk your professional reputation? What are you thinking? I was afraid he was making a big mistake. He shouldn’t gamble his future on fragmentary data. That sort of speculation had ruined the careers of many respected scientists, and made crackpots of otherwise intelligent archaeologists, some whom I knew personally. Before the women were discovered in those caves in Arizona, many of my contemporaries scoffed at my ideas, too. I didn’t want that to happen to him.
But what about Frederick? Sandy must have convinced him that this was no ordinary project. He said it was Frederick who had suggested the partnership. Frederick was an extremely wealthy man, an astute business tycoon. He would not back a project without a thorough investigation. Sandy couldn’t have convinced him just by quoting Malloy, so I had to trust Sandy’s belief in the project and Frederick’s intuition.
“Our teams of local laborers and students have been working around the clock and are this close.” Sandy gestured with forefinger and thumb. “When we break through, and that will be any day now, we’ll make our discovery… at least, I hope we will. Then, it’ll be pure archaeology from then on, and it will be big.”
Sandy was enthusiastically convincing. I gave him that. I could tell he totally believed in the project.
*
When the meeting broke up, Kim and I shook hands with each of the students, assuring them that we’d meet later for some informal discussions. While Kim and Sandy discussed further proton magnetometer probing of the area in question, I took a moment to survey the private corners of the huge tent. It was bigger than ours because it doubled as the expedition’s office. Sandy’s private quarters were toward the back and were furnished like ours with a double bed pad and two sleeping bags zipped together. He was sleeping with someone. I couldn’t wait to tell Kim. Maybe it was this Irini person.
Pup stood up and wandered over to the tent entrance and sniffed the air, giving a soft whine and a whimper.
“What’s the matter, fella?” I bent down to scratch behind his ears. The most divine scent of baked goods wafted through the opening, and a beautiful, dark-haired young woman appeared, dressed in jeans and a colorful T-shirt. The fabulous aroma came from the large basket of breads and pastries that she carried.
“Hello.” I pulled Pup to one side so she could enter the tent.
She looked confused until she saw Sandy talking with Kim and she relaxed. “Kherete, hello,” she said, extending her hand to me. “And welcome to Greece. You must be Dr. Curtis.”
