by Wend Petzler
SOMEONE, ANYONE, please help me.
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Chapter Five
Ancient ruins at Thebes, September 2006
Irritated, Kate turned her baseball hat backwards, moving her hair out her line of vision. Carefully, she swept out the sand gathered in the small alcove by using a short-handled paintbrush. Yellow-haloed lights, powered by gasoline generators, were strung along the cleared corridor and into the chamber she worked in. Her back muscles burned from being hunched over for many hours. She straightened, relieving the ache. Dirty and tired, legs scraped from hidden rocks, Kate came to the quick conclusion wearing denim shorts today had been a bad idea from the start.
Disheartened, she glanced around the partially excavated chamber, knowing there was so much more needing be done. Sitting down on the sand strewn ground, she grabbed her water bottle and took a long swig. Untying the handkerchief from around her neck, she wiped the sweat gathered under her long, thick ponytail. Kate shed her long sleeved flannel shirt, exposing a white tank top underneath. Determined to keep searching for more clues left behind by a desperate man three thousand years ago, she grabbed her brush and went back to work.
Three days ago, during her and her colleagues’ exploration of the Karnak ruins, Kate accidentally tripped and fell down a hole opened by a recent earthquake. What she found was the lower apartments belonging to an undiscovered Ra temple destroyed just after the death of Amenemhet the Fourth, late Twelfth Dynasty. Kate's assigned chamber turned out to be the High Priest's personal chambers. After three days of removing debris, she found a small, wooden chest hidden in the sand. Inside it was a perfectly preserved papyrus parchment put placed there by Imtep, the High Priest. The contents bespoke of treasure hidden deep underneath the Black Pyramid, rumored to be Pharaoh Amenemhet the Third's final resting place.
Her search continued, hoping against hope to find the vital directions of the treasure's precise whereabouts. Secretly, Kate suspected the treasure was really Amenemhet the Third's burial chamber. Proving it with her research visa about to expire had become a desperate race against time. If she found the tomb and the treasure buried inside, she'd have the resources and a valid reason to renew her visa and remain in Egypt longer. As it was, the group of English archeologists Kate worked with had begun wrapping up their projects, preparing to leave the country since they'd been unable to come up with the money either.
Although she wanted to help her colleagues, Kate kept the papyrus parchment a secret from Dr. Halvorson, leader of the English expedition. She thought the man should at least be grateful to have her on his team, tired as she was of butting heads with the greedy British professor. She came from the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C., agreeing to join Halvorson's team, not knowing the man was dedicated to promoting his own career rather than finding the truth.
Kate soon learned the main reason he chose Thebes as their dig site were because of rumors of hidden burial chambers deep under the ancient city, containing treasure beyond their wildest dreams. If Halvorson ever did find an actual tomb he would exploit it for his own personal benefit and not bother finding the truth why the Temple of Ra was leveled and another built on top of it. If what she discovered led to Amenemhet III's burial chamber, Halvorson would not honor the Egyptian government's strict laws adhering to found treasure and somehow forget to declare an item here or there to make himself rich.
A crackling on her walkie-talkie alerted Kate someone was searching for her. Groaning, Kate removed it from the clip attached to her waistband and depressed the thumb pad. “Kate, here, what's up?"
"Kate?” A young man's voice piped in, his English accent precise and educated. “I need your location. Halvorson is in an apoplectic fit about not finding you where you said you'd be. We have a new investor, and Halvorson wants you to give him an update on Imtep's chambers."
Swearing under her breath, she knew exactly what Halvorson wanted—her findings to impress the man! Pressing the button down again, she replied, “Mike, I'm in Imtep's private quarters. Just inform him that I'll meet them topside in ten minutes."
"Well, I hate to tell you this, but they're already heading down in your direction. Good luck!"
"Damn!” Replacing the walkie-talkie back in the clip, she looked around her, unhappy. Resigned, she decided to keep on working. A granite block gradually emerged from the sand, taking the shape of an altar where Imtep had once prayed to his god. Running her fingers along the base, she felt something smooth and cool to the touch. Excited, Kate reached for a smaller brush in her leather kit and used the soft bristles to remove the rest of the sand from the buried object. A small, golden statue emerged. Amazed by the intricate detail of the Sun God's features, her smile broadened, having at last found something of real value.
"Kate, are you down here?” Halvorson shouted from the passageway, not far from the door leading into Imtep's chambers.
"I'm in here.” She tried to hide her annoyance at his unwelcome intrusion. Gently lifting the statue from the sand, she rose to her feet and held it up to the standing lamp, inspecting it under the bright light.
In his late fifties, gray hair, Theo Halvorson adjusted his wire-rimmed glasses when he saw the golden statue Kate held. Eager, he grabbed it from her, ignoring her look of disgust.
"We've been looking everywhere for you,” he scolded. “What else have you found in Imtep's chambers?” Examining the golden statue, trying to engage the uppity girl into telling him in front of their possible investor about her other findings.
She stared up at the bald, lean-bodied man standing beside Theo. His dark eyes glittered and a sort of mystical power emanated from him nearly as tangible as his Egyptian heritage. A genuine smile curved his thin lips and he introduced himself since Theo had neglected to.
"Dr. Martin, forgive my enthusiasm, but I could not wait to meet you. I am Sabni Jaffe.” His heavily accented voice rippled with soothing tones, attempting to put her at ease. Extending his hand to her, he made no attempt to be anything other than respectful.
Kate shook his hand warily, feeling something was very strange about the man. He glanced around the chamber, an oddly triumphant look upon his dark features. “What is your interest in the Temple of Amun Ra, Mr. Jaffe?"
"As an Egyptian, I am intrigued by the mysteries of the Ancients. May I inquire what you have found in this particular chamber?"
Halvorson stepped in eagerly, ignoring the narrowing of Kate's cerulean-violet eyes. “Please, Dr. Martin, do tell us what you've found here."
Smiling tightly at his inanity, she shrugged her shoulders noncommittal. “What I've found so far is inconclusive. We haven't completely translated the scrolls Mike and I found. But there was one entry about a chamber holding something of grave importance to the Temple of Amun Ra. Where or what is buried there, I have not discovered yet."
Jaffe studied her intently, his eyes narrowed with his next question, “But you do have a theory?"
Swallowing nervously, her mouth went dry. Kate hesitated to tell them of her suspicions. When a subtle ‘nudging’ in her mind urged her to tell him what she suspected, Kate decided there really wasn't any harm in sharing her speculation. “I believe it might be a tomb."
"What makes you think it might possibly be a tomb and whose?” Theo demanded.
"All the clues I have uncovered so far point to the lost tomb of Amenemhet the Third.” Chagrined at her outburst, Kate felt like kicking herself in the butt. Theo's beady eyes fairly glowed at the mention of finding a lost pharaoh. Mr. Jaffe's smile faded, replaced by eagerness and a look of hope.
"Are you certain you found a map leading to this tomb?” Jaffe asked her, his dark eyes ablaze in intensity.
"As I said before,” Kate replied with more caution, “I haven't found the chamber's exact location. I don't know if it lies here at Karnak or perhaps somewhere else.” When the man looked about the chamber, she noticed the tattooed symbol of Amun Ra's sacred Eye etched on the right side of his throat.
Why was the man so interested? Perhaps it's just the idea of wealth and fame it brought to everyone involved, she surmised.
"Dr. Martin, I shall have your visa and your companions’ extended so you may continue in your quest. Money is of no limit,” Jaffe offered eagerly, leading Halvorson away who nearly salivated when he heard ‘unlimited funds.'
Gathering her tools, Kate cursed her quick temper, deciding to call it quits for the day. Rising, she turned about to leave when her booted toe caught on something, causing her to trip. Catching her balance, she knelt down on the sandy floor, her fingers grazed against a raised lip, roughly a yard from the altar. Tracing the dull, worn edges with nimble fingertips, she moved inward and found an indentation in its center. Pressing downward, a faint grinding sounded. To her astonishment, a stone box rose from the floor. Kate stared at it, mistrustful, unsure if it was rigged with an ancient, anti-theft device. Using her brush, she swept away the dirt, uncovering the carved hieroglyph of a large scarab wearing the Double Crown of Egypt engraved on the stone lid.
Gritting her teeth, Kate prayed nothing sprung out at her as she used a chisel and hammer, gently breaking open the seal along the lip. Once freed, it fell away, exposing a perfectly preserved mahogany wood box inside. Lifting the box free, she read the inscription along its side, knowing deep in her heart it had been left behind by a desperate man. Was it Imtep or another priest? The symbols etched in the wood were of a different pattern, sloppier, not precise like the ones written on the papyrus parchment.
Translating it quickly in her head, she read: In the dark, he waits. Cursed for eternity, the Lost One must be found to set Egypt aright. Follow the map and find his grave. Release him from his imprisonment for all our sakes.
Removing the top cover, she carefully withdrew the object wrapped in faded linen. Unrolling the item, Kate got a surprise when a small scepter, roughly twelve inches long, dropped into her hand. At the top of the hefty, golden scepter rested a large ruby set between a crest of the sacred sun and moon. The blood red jewel winked at her in the yellowed lights as if it had a secret it wished to share. Awed by the monumental find, Kate looked back in the box and withdrew a papyrus parchment. Setting the scepter down, she carefully unfolded it. Gasping, she realized she looked upon the detailed map of the legendary Great Labyrinth rumored to have existed under the Mortuary Temple which once stood beside the Black Pyramid. Amenemhet the Third took great pride in his creation and the Temple reached fame when word spread about the intricate labyrinth underneath it. Greeks, impressed by its design, were said to have created their own and placed the great Minotaur in it to torment their enemies.
Had the underground maze survive despite the temple being destroyed by unknown enemies? She traced the blue-dotted line, following it to a chamber bearing the insignia of a crowned, red scarab above it, signifying whoever buried there of great importance. Did Amenemhet III rest inside this chamber? Why the scarab? The unusualness of the design left her with only more questions.
Picking up the scepter, she replaced it in the box. Folding the map, she tucked it into her bra, intending to keep it secret for now. Kate gathered her tools and put them in her leather kit, then donned her long sleeved shirt. Grabbing the box, Kate abandoned the room. Working her way back to the surface, giddy with her latest find, Kate felt closer than ever to finding her lost pharaoh. At last, she stepped out into the hot, acrid air of the searing desert, frowning at what greeted her. Shielding her eyes from the bright glare, Kate watched Mr. Jaffe and Theo arguing. Suddenly, the archeologist started waving his hands about, angry at whatever Jaffe said. The heated argument ended when the Egyptian spun around and strode to his black Mercedes. Watching Jaffe drive away, Kate met Theo, the troubled look upon his plump, sunburned features made her uneasy.
What transpired between him and Jaffe?
"What's wrong, Theo?"
Mopping his sweaty forehead with a white handkerchief, Theo decided to be upfront. “Mr. Jaffe has made a few, odd provisions, if he's to finance our dig. He wants all the data you have found leading you to your possible tomb. And, he wants it delivered to him by tomorrow afternoon. The other part of the deal is we are to keep our findings a secret. If we do find a sarcophagus, there will be no press or talking to the Egyptian government until he says so."
Amused, she looked askance up at the uncomfortable Englishman. “And why should we do what he asks?"
"Because we need his money to stay in Egypt, that's why."
"I'll assemble what I have, but I won't give it all up to Jaffe. The world needs to know the truth about what happened to the Temple of Amun Ra and how its destruction is connected to my tomb."
Wanting to argue, Theo held his tongue, knowing from experience not to pick an open fight with Kate Martin. He frowned when he saw the beautiful, mahogany box in her arms. “What have you there?"
Chagrined by his interest, she answered, “I found it in Imtep's chambers. I'm heading back to the hotel and will categorize it with my other findings. By the way, where is the Amun Ra statue you took from me?"
"It's in my Jeep. Don't worry, I'll enter it the books. Was there anything of value inside the box?” Eagerly reaching to take a peek inside, Theo drew back when she blocked him with her shoulder, giving him a warning look to back off. Theo silently cursed at the stingy female, even though he held a grudging respect for the American. Kate Martin was the best archeologist he had ever worked with, and if anyone could save his failing career she could with her potentially history changing discoveries.
"When I find out what it contains, then you will. I'll see you in the morning.” Walking briskly away to her rental jeep, she opened the driver's door and climbed in. Setting the box on the passenger seat, Kate reached up and retrieved a pair of black sunglasses from the visor clip and donned them. Turning the powerful engine on, she sped away from Halvorson, wishing no more interruptions with her investigations.
Kate glanced at her watch, noting it was after six, the air still scorching hot. Unscrewing the plastic lid to her bottled water, she took a long drink. Going over in her mind, she tried to remember if she'd seen any drawings or possible mention of the small scepter she found today. Rubbing her sore neck, exhaustion settled in her tired body. Looking at the sparkling waters of the Nile, her body perspiring, the thought of taking a long, cool shower sounded fantastic. She'd been up since four in the morning, getting to the ruins before sunrise and the blazing heat of day. All she wanted now was to get back to the air conditioned hotel and rest. As she drove, Kate thought back how she came to be in Egypt.
Growing up in a little town named Ronan, on the windswept plains of Montana, she dreamt of great pyramids gleaming pale gold in the hot, glaring sun of the mysterious Sahara desert. While others learned about their Native American culture or wanted to raise a family, Kate dreamt of pharaohs and pyramids. During high school, she read all she could about an ancient race of people who changed the desert into a force beyond reckoning until it met the mighty fist of the Roman Empire. Egypt influenced every culture in Europe, including an American country girl who dreamed of rare treasures beyond a small town's imagination.
Entering the metropolis of Luxor, she navigated through the busy traffic, barely missing getting hit many times. Dodging past small horses pulling heavily laden carts and children playing in the dusty streets, she drove defensively down the narrow streets to her hotel. Relieved at arriving without any accidents, she turned into the small parking lot belonging to the hotel where the archeological team was staying. Putting the gearshift into park, turning off the engine, she grabbed the box and went inside the hotel.
Having the oddest sensation of being watched, Kate glanced around the hotel lobby and caught the guilty look of a rounded, sweat-soaked man in a dirty white suit. He flipped up his newspaper up, hiding his face. Hurrying, she got into the old elevator.
"Fifth floor, please,” Kate told the white-attired attendant.
"Yes, Miss.” He closed the iron-barred gate and pushed the an
tique-styled lever forward.
Grinding of wheels, the elevator shuddered and creaked, slowly rising. When it hit the fifth floor, it jerked to a sudden halt, making Kate grab the brass railing for balance.
"Here we go, Miss, your stop.” The attendant smiled a toothless grin, opening the safety gate for her.
Smiling her gratitude, Kate hurried to her room, finding the door cracked slightly open. Hand shaking, she pushed it further, gasping. Drawers lay upended on the carpet, her clothes dumped. Papers were strung about as if whoever invaded her room had no clue what they looked for. Tightening her grip on the box in her arms, Kate fought the urge to cry at the vast amount of damage done to her research.
"Oh, my gosh! Where are my scrolls?” Placing the box on the desk, she quickly rummaged around, distraught to find them missing, including her laptop. Dejected, she took out her cell phone and dialed up Mike, trusting him to help.
"Mike?"
"Hello?” Mike heard a loud hiccup. “Kate, what's wrong?” Recognizing when Kate started hiccupping, she was way beyond upset.
Distressed by the invasion of her room and the stolen work, she tried to talk between each hard hiccup. “Someone ... stole ... everything ... from ... the Temple.” Kate tried to calm down. Although they'd never guess her password to unlock the data in her laptop, she angrily brushed her tears away, knowing it was all lost.
"What!” Mike shouted. “I'm coming. Can you lock your door?"
Glancing at the broken pieces of wood along the door latch, she gloomily shook her head. “No, they ... broke ... it."
"Don't worry. I'll call the front desk and have the manager alert the police. Hang on! I'm on my way down as we speak."
