"Jeez, Nuri. You about gave me a heart attack. How were you able to sneak up on me like that?"
Nuri shrugged. "I only use the movements I require, no more."
"Is that an invisibility trick?"
"To the unobservant, perhaps."
Ben cocked his head. "You have a sneaky way of insulting me, you know that?"
Nuri gazed at him blandly. "I am sure I do not know what you're talking about."
"Well, you just called me unobservant, and on the plane you pleasantly insinuated that it was my waistline, not the narrow seats, that was responsible for my discomfort. Add that to the fact that you told the bellman to fetch the bags for your 'elderly friend,' and I'm starting to get a complex." Ben wrinkled his brow. "Apparently, I'm old, fat, and unobservant."
"It was not my intention to slight you in any way."
"It may not have been your intention… "
Nuri nodded. "I see. In early stages of dementia, social situations are very often misinterpreted."
"Early stages of… " Ben laughed. "You son of a bitch."
Nuri smiled. "I will be mindful of your exceedingly sensitive nature as we move forward."
"Why do I feel more insulted than ever?"
"That I cannot say."
Ben glanced behind Nuri at the man approaching them. "Okay, we're on. Ready?"
Nuri nodded and suddenly took on a regal air. "Of course."
A bearded man in khakis and a brown sports jacket approached them. "Mr. Mubarek, sorry to have kept you waiting."
Nuri smiled. "No worries. I took the opportunity to admire your fine collection."
Ben shook hands with Dr. Collier. "I'm Ralph Conners. We spoke on the phone."
"Yes, of course. We're very excited that you're considering us for such a generous donation."
Ben gestured to Nuri. "The decision, of course, is Mr. Mubarek's. I'm just assisting him in this process."
Nuri stepped forward. "My late father was a man of considerable means, and his collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts was immense. Alas, his interests are not mine, and I have no desire to keep his collection. But I wish to keep it intact in a place where it will be presented with respect."
"Of course."
Ben handed Collier a thick binder filled with pages and photographs encased in sheet protectors. "This will give you an idea what we're talking about."
Collier thumbed through a few of the pages. "This is extraordinary. This was your father's private collection?"
Nuri nodded. "He was very proud of it."
"I can see why. But you realize there may be a problem transporting these objects out of Egypt. Your country isn't fond of its treasures being taken away."
"My father never liked being told what he could do with his personal property." Nuri smiled. "And almost all of it is in a warehouse in Holland. I've been assured there will be no problems."
Collier looked through the book a moment longer. "Very impressive. Not that I'm not grateful, but why us? As you can see, our Egyptian collection is rather modest."
"You have Mr. Conners to thank for that. He suggested your institution."
Ben shrugged. "For one thing, we're confident your museum will properly showcase the collection. The Egyptian Museum in Cairo would gladly accept it, but you and I both know that most of it would always remain in storage."
Collier nodded. "I'm afraid you're right."
"Second, you have a terrific reputation for your expertise in Old Kingdom Egyptian studies. But for some reason, you have found yourself at a university museum without a notable Egyptian collection. We think this could be a good fit, don't you?"
"I do indeed." Collier closed the book. "Well, I'm definitely interested, and I believe we can give your father's collection the showcase you're looking for. What more can I tell you?"
Nuri looked at Ben, who turned to Dr. Collier. "Before making his decision, Mr. Mubarek would like to spend some time here at the museum and with you. He has a good feeling here, but he wants to make sure. You understand, don't you?"
"Of course."
"We'll be here for the next ten days or so, and Mr. Mubarek's schedule is quite uncertain. He may call you anytime during the day or night with questions or a request for a meeting at a moment's notice. Would this be acceptable to you?"
Dr. Collier thought about this. "I'll give you my cell-phone number. I do have obligations, but I can make myself available almost anytime you need me."
Nuri smiled. "Thank you. How is your schedule today and tomorrow?"
"Days I'm fairly flexible, but tomorrow night I have a professional commitment."
Nuri raised his eyebrows. "Really? I would welcome the opportunity to meet some of your colleagues."
"Oh, it's nothing like that. I occasionally do some consulting work, and an outside project has suddenly fallen into my lap. But it's nothing we can't work around." Collier reached into his pocket and produced a card. "Here. My home and cell numbers. Feel free to call anytime."
Ben took the card. "Thank you, Dr. Collier. On the phone, you promised us a personal tour. Is this a good time?"
Collier smiled. "Of course."
* * *
Twenty-five minutes later, Ben and Nuri walked along the tree-lined path outside the museum, each holding piles of pamphlets that Collier had given them during their brief tour.
"Okay," Ben said. "First, we need to know more about the special project that has suddenly come up for Collier."
"I could have pressed him further," Nuri said, "but I didn't want to arouse suspicion. I could only take this act so far. I'm not comfortable in the role."
"No, you were right to hold back." Ben thought for a moment. "We'll keep an eye on him for the next couple of days, especially tomorrow night."
"An eye? I'm pleading with you, Ben. Join the twenty-first century."
"We've been through this. I'm not a fan of tracking devices, bugs, and all that James Bond gear."
Nuri sighed. "But it works."
"Sometimes it works. If you're someone like Tavak. And sometimes it doesn't, usually just when you need it most. How often do you drop a call on your cell phone? Every day? Four or five times a week? That's no big deal. But when a tracking device drops out, you're royally screwed. I know, because it's happened to me."
"They're now much more dependable than they were back in the sixties."
"Very funny. You sound just like Tavak, trying to drag me into the future."
"The present, Ben. It's happening now all around you."
"Do Whatever you want to do, Nuri. But as far as I'm concerned, all that stuff is just backup for good old-fashioned legwork."
SIXTEEN
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
"Should we meet for dinner after we get settled?" Tavak punched the button at the elevator of the Millennium Hotel. "Providing we can hook up with Demanski. He disappeared right after we checked in."
"He knows the owner. He wanted to touch base," Allie said.
"Of course he did. Who doesn't he know?" He looked at Rachel. "Dinner?"