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“Elena, when will you stop speaking about digs and dirt and all the other mess?”

“It’s my job, Mother. I just need an answer to one question. Did Father tell you what he was working on during the last dig?”

“Good heavens, no,” she laughed. “Your father never told me about his digging or what he was digging for. Truthfully, I didn’t care. You’re not going into that tunnel, are you?”

“No, Mother. It’s closed. Permanently.”

“Good. That’s good. I believe it’s cursed.”

“What would make you think that?” asked Major. The woman stared at him. Her brows raised toward her daughter. “Apologies, ma’am. My name is Major Carson, and I’ve married this beautiful creature that you helped to create.”

“Well,” giggled her mother. She actually giggled, thought Elena. “Aren’t you handsome?”

“Your daughter thinks so, and that’s all I care about. What do you mean, cursed?” he asked.

“Efram told me. At your father’s funeral, he said that the entire dig was cursed, but your father wouldn’t listen to them. No one wanted to continue.”

“Efram said that?” she frowned.

“Yes. He and others. I know you loved your father, Elena, but sometimes, he was singular in his focus and didn’t listen to those around him.”

“Is this Efram still alive?” asked Major.

“I believe so. He’s still working digs, from what I understand. He and his wife brought their children down here a few years back, and we saw them in the marketplace. He’s not changed at all.”

“Thank you, Mother. Tell Ahmed that I said hello.”

“Will you be visiting us soon?” she asked hesitantly.

“I’m not sure, Mother. We’ll see. Goodbye.” Elena hung up the phone, her hand shaking as she did. Major covered it with his big, warm paw, squeezing her fingers.

“I need to try and find Efram,” said Elena.

“Let me see what I can do,” said AJ, nodding at her. She stood from the table and started to leave but noticed that the others were going to follow.

“I’d just like a few moments to myself. I just need some fresh air.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

“Hello, Elena,” smiled the handsome older man.

“Oh, hello, Mr. Matthew,” she said, nodding at him with a smile.

“Just Matthew, honey. How are you?”

“Honestly? Confused. I mean, I’m fine physically, the baby is fine, I’m fine. I’m perfectly happy in my marriage. It’s just that I learned something about my father’s last dig that has me utterly dumbfounded.”

“I see. Not what you expected?” he smirked, waving her toward one of the stone benches.

“I’m afraid not. My entire life, my father only spoke of the ancient treasures of Egypt. Pharaohs and their queens. Death masks and lost treasures. It’s all he ever spoke about. Then today, I learned that his last dig had nothing to do with any of those things.”

“Are you certain of that?”

“Y-yes. I mean, I think I am.”

“What was he searching for?” asked Matthew.

“Holy relics. Christian holy relics,” she repeated.

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