Page 25 of What the River Knows

“I have the perfect man in place, and I already have agents at Aswan to assist him. He can gather whatever you need,” Sir Evelyn said.

The words set my teeth on edge. Aswan was a little too close to Philae for my comfort. I shifted, drawing out of the shadows, trying to get a better view of the Frenchman’s face. But whatever he’d said I missed it. The pair walked forward and down the steps, and ultimately climbed into a carriage. Sir Evelyn turned his head halfway, as if finally realizing they might have been overheard. It didn’t matter, he wouldn’t see me. And besides, I’d heard enough.

Sir Evelyn had a ready spy on his hands.

CAPÍTULO SEIS

Tío Ricardo slowly leaned into the plush backing of his chair, his gaze never leaving mine. It electrified me, to have his full attention, to have surprised him at all. My parents spent every waking moment with him, and I heard the stories. His indomitable temper, his unfailing work ethic, his love of Egypt. He breathed competency in every word he spoke.

In my mind, he had become a legend—one that I resented.

He was the one who had lured Mamá and Papá across the ocean like a persistent and troublesome siren. But meeting him in person as an adult, I finally understood why my parents had financially supported and helped him with every one of his excavations.

My uncle inspired their loyalty.

“You believe I’m looking for Cleopatra.” Tío Ricardo measured my expression for any signs of weakness. He probably thought I’d been lying. “What makes you think that?”

“Let’s have a proper exchange of information,” I said. “You ask a question and I’ll answer, and vice versa. I think that’s more than fair. Te parece bien?”

“I’m your guardian,” Tío Ricardo reminded me mildly. “I don’t owe you anything beyond seeing to your welfare.”

Anger pulsed red behind my vision. “You’re wrong. You owe more than that, and you know it. There’s—”

“Oh, thank God,” Mr. Hayes said as he approached the table, effectively cutting me off. I scowled at him, but it went unnoticed. “I’m starving,” hesaid as he dropped into his seat with a contented sigh and glanced at my uncle. “You were right.”

My uncle took this statement without so much as a blink. “Really? How interesting.”

“Well,youmight think so,” Mr. Hayes said. “But it means way more work for me.” He pointed a fork in my direction. “What’s she still doing here?”

I bristled. “Sheis sitting right here and can speak for herself.”

“I could hardly send her away without dinner,” Tío Ricardo said, stroking his grizzled beard. “Inez thinks that I’m looking for the last pharaoh of Egypt’s tomb.”

Mr. Hayes swung his head in my direction. A lock of auburn hair fell at an angle across his brow. “That so?”

“Let’s stop with all pretense,” I said. “I despise it, even more than I hate being lied to. I have information that you need, Tío. I’m happy to share it with you, but onlyifyou answer some of my questions.”

Mr. Hayes’s eyes flickered to my uncle.

“Agreed,” Tío Ricardo said.

Progress at last.

I pulled a fountain pen from within my purse. I always kept one on me. The golden ring might have been stolen but I’d had months to study it at length. I knew every line, every hieroglyph. I could draw it in seconds; the resting lion, falcon and feather, staff, and theshenring encircling the symbols, offering eternal protection for the person named within. My napkin would make an adequate canvas and so I unfolded it from my lap and laid it flat on the table. I quickly sketched the symbols that had been stamped onto the surface of the jewelry a thousand or more years ago. Then I laid the cloth in front of my uncle.

They both studied the cartouche and as one, very slowly, looked at me. Tío Ricardo was quietly astounded, his brows nearly reaching his hairline, while Mr. Hayes sat with a thunderous expression until it gave way to a low chuckle. His blue eyes crinkled at the corners when he laughed.

“I’ll be damned.” Mr. Hayes took a swig from his flask. My uncle’s eye twitched.

I pushed the basket of bread in Mr. Hayes’s direction. “Have some bread with your liquor.”

The corners of Mr. Hayes’s mouth deepened. He was trying not to laugh at me. I averted my attention back to my uncle.

“And where have you seen this ring?” Tío Ricardo asked in marveling tones.

“Will you answer my questions?” I asked.

Tío Ricardo reached forward and clasped my upper arm. His thumb dug into my skin, and while it didn’t hurt, it unsettled me. His face glowed with a feverish sheen. My uncle tugged my arm, drawing me closer. “¿Dónde?”

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