Page 128 of Sands of Sirocco
Thank God he’s alive.
She wanted to run to him, free him from the ropes.The grenade in her hand, the only thing keeping her safe, felt more slippery than ever.
Osborne had forced him to step onto three rickety wooden crates, and Noah appeared to be completely still.What would happen if he fell off those crates?
Ginger’s eyes followed the rope behind his head.
A fall would mean Noah’s arms would go over his head—backward.
She let out a choked cry.His shoulders would dislocate, the tendons tear.Her palms ached intensely.“Let him go.”Her voice sounded hoarse from the strain.
Osborne came out of the shadows.“Get the concession first.Once you have Benson, I have no assurance that you’ll give it to me.”
“I will.”Ginger’s voice shook.She met Noah’s eyes.His pupils were large in the dim light, his lids unblinking.Having him so close by but unable to reach him or help him made her feel weak.
Then he saw the grenade in her hand.His brows furrowed, sudden understanding dawning in his eyes.
With a callous shrug, Osborne inspected her.“Call me a skeptic.You know what a kick to those crates will do to Benson.Just because you may have the advantage now, it doesn’t mean I’ll leave him unharmed if you don’t keep your side of the agreement.Let’s take care of first things first, Lady Virginia.Mrs.Hanover gets the concession, then I release Benson.”
Sarah released a slow, tense breath beside her.“I need a torch.”
Osborne handed one to Sarah.She drifted it around the space, trying to find her way.She directed the light down a path.“That way.”
“I’m going,” Osborne said.“I don’t trust either of you.”
“You stay here.”Ginger’s voice was calm and in control.Osborne couldn’t know how sweat had broken out on her back, or how her hand ached from gripping the grenade.“But you can send one of your men if you’re worried.”
Osborne’s hands clenched.“Only if she gives me any weapons she has.”
Ginger and Sarah’s eyes met.Would Sarah feel safe walking alone with one of Osborne’s men and no way to protect herself?
Sarah seemed to understand Ginger’s questioning look.She pulled her gun out of its holster, then turned over a knife.Osborne smirked.“Don’t think of trying to be heroic, Mrs.Hanover.My men are under strict orders.If they suspect even the slightest betrayal, they will put a bullet in Benson’s head.”
“And then Ginger will throw the grenade,” Sarah remarked dryly, clearly unimpressed by Osborne’s threats.He scowled at Sarah and Ginger felt a flare of pride at her poise.
Sarah went down a stone path.The longer Ginger held the grenade, the more she wanted to shift it in her hand, relieve the pressure of the lever pushing into her palm.The ring attached to the pin remained on her other forefinger, and she squeezed the pin into her fist.
Please hurry, Sarah.
After a few minutes, Sarah returned, her face troubled.
“Well?”Osborne stepped toward her.“Where is it?Did you find it?”
“I found this.”Sarah showed him a small broken Egyptian figurine.“In a crevice right where the cipher said to look.”She muttered a swear word and stared at it in confusion.
Ginger bit the insides of her cheeks to keep her expression even.Sarah was so convincing that she nearly believed her.
Osborne snatched the figurine.“This is all you found?”He lifted the figurine toward Sarah.“What is this?”His voice was a snarl of anger.
“It appears to be another clue.”A shadow crossed Sarah’s face.“Two summers ago, Paul and I worked at an excavation near the Pyramid of Djoser, just south of here.The statue of Ramesses II was discovered there at the Great Temple of Ptah, broken in six pieces over a hundred years ago.This appears to be just the head of the statue.”Her eyes glimmered.“My guess is that Paul hid the paperwork for the concession under the head of the statue in Memphis.”
Ginger held her breath.Would Osborne believe it?She didn’t dare look at Noah for fear that her reactions would be less controlled if she did.
A few beats passed.Osborne’s men had steadily moved back while they’d been speaking, more than likely afraid of the grenade.
Sweat beaded on Peter Osborne’s tired, dusty face.“Then you’re telling me it’s not here?”
“We came for another clue, apparently.Archeologists have an interesting sense of humor.”Sarah smiled.
