‘This wasn’t exactly planned.’ Lourds sat up and draped the blanket across his thighs.
‘Oh, and now you’re going to be modest?’
Or protective, Lourds thought. He’d never been around Olympia when he’d had another lover. He didn’t know what to expect from her, but if this was any indication, it wasn’t going to be good.
‘This…’ Lourds searched for the right words. All those languages he knew, and he didn’t know what to say. ‘This just sort of…’
‘Oh my God,’ Cleena groaned. ‘Are you two going to just sit here and talk?’ She sat up in bed, unmindful of her nudity in front of Olympia.
‘This doesn’t concern you,’ Olympia said. ‘This is between Thomas and me.’
‘Not when I’m the one you’re going to talk about.’ Cleena pulled her hair back, used a rubber band from her wrist to put it in a ponytail, and got out of bed. ‘You know what? I don’t need this. I need sleep. You two can work out whatever it is you need to work out. But I’m going to get a few more hours of sleep.’
Even though he knew it probably wasn’t in his best interests to, Lourds couldn’t help watching Cleena. She was sleek and tawny like a cat, and her muscles bunched and rolled as she moved. She scooped up his T-shirt from the floor and pulled it on, added her panties, then grabbed a pillow and a blanket and headed out of the room.
‘She isn’t much of a morning person,’ Lourds said.
Olympia arched an eyebrow. ‘I came in this morning to offer breakfast.’
‘Breakfast would be good,’ Lourds said, wanting desperately to be amenable.
‘At this point, you can fix your own breakfast.’
‘Oh. Right. I can do that.’
‘How are you getting on with the work you’re supposed to be doing?’
‘I don’t know.’ Lourds sat up with his back to the headboard. ‘Every time I think I’m about to make a breakthrough, nothing works.’
‘Look, we’ll talk about the relationship stuff at another time. Clearly, I’m not happy.’
That was particularly clear.
‘But I can be grown up about this. We’re two adults.’
Three, actually, Lourds thought, and barely managed to restrain himself from pointing that out. It would not have been good to mention it.
‘The main thing is translating the Joy Scroll. You’ve been keeping up with the news coming out of Saudi Arabia?’
‘Yes. Somewhat. Father Gabriel keeps me apprised.’
‘Things are getting worse there. American forces are massing in the Gulf. Many people are just waiting for the vice-president to send in the troops.’
‘If they do that,’ Lourds said, ‘the Middle East is going to be torn up for years to come.’
‘I know, and when it is, it may well sweep into Istanbul and Turkey. I want my family safe, Thomas.’
‘I understand. I’m doing everything I can, Olympia.’
‘I know. I wasn’t going to say anything to you. Then I saw you there with her.’ Olympia shook her head.
At that moment, Lourds’ sat-phone rang. He was grateful for the reprieve, until he heard the voice.
‘Professor Lourds?’
Lourds had heard this voice on a number of occasions. Usually on TV. The voice was an orator’s dream.
‘Yes,’ Lourds answered.
‘I suppose you know who I am?’
‘I do.’
‘What you don’t know is that I have Cleena’s younger sister in my custody. Not here in Saudi, but in the United States. Either you come and meet me or I’ll kill her sister.’
Lourds took a slow, cautious breath. ‘All right. Where do you want to meet?’
Fear chafed Lourds as he stood in the boarding gate at the airport. Late-night travellers filled the terminal. With everything going on in the Middle East, air travel had backed up and become problematic.
Olympia stood at his side. He felt the tension rolling off her in waves.
‘You don’t have to do this, you know.’
Lourds glanced at her but didn’t allow himself to be totally distracted from the people milling round them. After everything that had gone on these past few weeks, he was totally paranoid about the men and women surrounding him.
‘I do.’ Lourds kept his voice quiet, barely audible above the air-terminal noise and PA announcements.
‘We don’t know that Webster has Cleena’s sister.’
‘Cleena says her sister is no longer where she left her in New York.’
‘How did Webster’s people find her so fast?’
‘He is the Vice-President of the United States.’ And a fallen angel. Lourds didn’t give voice to the last.
Olympia stared into his eyes. ‘This isn’t what I brought you here for, Thomas.’
Recognizing her guilt, Lourds made himself smile in spite of his fear and doubt. ‘I know that.’
‘You weren’t supposed to get hurt. You weren’t supposed to be at risk.’ Tears glinted in her eyes.
‘I don’t think any of us have any right to expect safety and security under these conditions. I mean, look at who we’ve been chasing.’
‘I know.’
‘John of Patmos foresaw this.’ Lourds gripped her shoulders. ‘He gave us the weapon we need to defeat our enemy.’
‘I’d feel better if you’d translated the Joy Scroll.’
‘I would too.’
‘I don’t mean any recrimination.’
Lourds kissed her forehead and inhaled the scent of her. ‘I know.’
‘And I can’t help feeling upset with you over Cleena.’
Wrapping her in a hug, Lourds nodded. ‘I understand.’
‘I swear, you’re like a kid in a candy store at times.’ Olympia turned her head up to his. ‘So juvenile and so selfish. But I think that’s what makes you so passionate and so good at what you do.’
‘Maybe. And it could just be a flaw.’
‘I want you to be safe.’
‘Me too.’ For a moment, Lourds clung to her and thought about the situation he was about to walk into. Everything in him screamed to run. He wasn’t a hero. But the secret of the Joy Scroll tantalized him. The symbols kept floating through his mind, constantly in motion and making different connections. Unfortunately, none of those connections were the right ones. Fear might seek to drive him away, but curiosity kept him circling the flame even more strongly than saving Cleena’s sister.
Darkness filled the airfield on the other side of the terminal window. Jets moved causing a stream of flashing lights as some took off and some landed. A fresh surge of passengers deplaned. Lourds caught movement in the glass and saw the reflection of a big man bearing down on him as he held Olympia. Lourds recognized the man instantly as one of those who had pursued them in Istanbul. Even though he wore civilian clothing, it couldn’t hide the military bearing. Lourds was pretty certain the man wasn’t carrying a weapon in the airport, but that didn’t make him any less dangerous.
‘Professor Lourds.’ The man’s voice was tight and controlled, carrying just enough to reach Lourds.
He pushed Olympia behind him. His knees quivered and he tried to ignore it. ‘I’m Lourds.’
‘Of course you are.’ The man nodded towards one of the doors. ‘We’ve got a private plane waiting.’
Lourds looked at the e-ticket in his hand. He had collected it at the front desk. ‘I guess this isn’t any good.’
‘No.’
Lourds took a deep breath.
‘Do you have the scroll, Professor?’ The man remained calm.
‘Yes.’
The hard eyes searched Lourds’. ‘I’m not going to ask for it here. My employer is going to ask for it himself. At that time, you will give it to him.’
Lourds tried to speak and couldn’t.
‘If you don’t,’ the man continued just as pleasantly, ‘I’m going to kill you. If that’s what my employer wishes. He’s not one to trifle with.’
Unable to say anything, Lourds nodded.
‘Good. I’m glad that’s clear. Now, kiss your lady friend goodbye and let’s get going.’
Olympia stepped in and hugged Lourds. Her voice when she spoke was a whisper meant only for his ears. ‘Be careful, Thomas.’