Crescent Moon (16 page)

Khepri sat in a squeaky chair with wheels under it, waiting outside Lieutenant Maines’ office while Michael and Justin were with him. She wished she were inside rather than sitting here, hearing indistinct, muffled shouts. Whatever was being said wasn’t good for Justin. He’d barely spoken.

Bored, she pushed her feet against the shiny floor, setting her chair spinning slowly. Around one way, then back the other way. On another full turn, the door opened. “Khepri.”

She paused and pushed off the chair, swaying slightly until the room settled.

Justin shook his head, but she saw one side of his mouth twitch.

Good. He needed to smile. The tension evident in his shoulders frightened her. His hand waved her inside, and she was careful not to brush against him or give away any sign of their intimacy, because she knew he wouldn’t want this man to guess that they’d grown close.

Juste cleared his throat. “Lieutenant Maines, this is Khepri.”

“Don’t she have a last name?”

His snide tone rankled. “I am Khepri … Amun,” she said, giving the stocky man a tight smile.

He leaned back in his chair, his gaze sliding over her. “Well, Miss Amun, seems you’re a bit of a mystery.”

Not knowing how to respond to that, she kept her face still, her gaze unblinking. “Do you have a question for me?”

His face reddened and he sat forward. “I want you to tell me everything you know about Mr. Youssef Haddara. He’s a friend of yours.”

“And this ‘everything’ you want to know serves a purpose?”

“I’m the one askin’ questions.”

“You haven’t asked one yet,” she bit out, narrowing her eyes.

His head tilted. “I can see why Boucher’s sweet on you.”

Behind her, Justin drew in a quick, sharp breath.

She lifted her chin, and her mouth tightened. “I don’t understand you. He is not honey to be poured over me.”

His small, piggy eyes got smaller as his cheeks grew redder. “I think you understand me just fine, Miss. We have robbery, a murder, and now, it looks like someone smuggled mummies into this country, filled with who knows what. Where’s Mr. Haddara?”

She blinked, surprised by the turn of the conversation and wondering if she’d heard right. He was looking for Mr. Haddara? “Smuggling is a bad thing?”

Maines gaze moved beyond her. “Chrissakes, she really that stupid?”

Justin stepped around her. “That’ll be enough.”

Maines pushed up from his chair. “You listen here,
detective
. This investigation is a fuckin’ mess. Soon as the sheik hits the ground at Lakefront airport, I’m havin’ a word with him about Haddara. Some woman from the Egyptian council for antiquities is gunnin’ for the bastard. Since you couldn’t seem to notice that the mummies that went missing were stolen, you’re gonna be off the case, and off the fuckin’ force.”

Justin stood as still as a statue, only a tic beside his eye giving away his agitation.

Anger at the man who shouted at Justin as though he was better than him boiled inside her. She glanced again at Maines, at his red cheeks, at the collar that was too tight for his fat neck …

“Time I’m through with you,” he said, stabbing his finger at Justin, “you won’t be able to find a job as a rent-a-cop at a shopping—” The odious man’s eyes widened. His face turned purple. His hands went to his collar, and he scratched at it franticly.

Justin and Michael leaped forward.

“He’s choking,” Michael said.

Justin unfolded a knife he pulled from his pocket and slipped his fingers beneath Lieutenant Maine’s collar to lift it just enough to slide the sharp edge underneath and cut his collar.

Khepri guessed she should have been ashamed at what she’d done, but she felt too much satisfaction at listening to the awful man gulp for air. Now he was beholden to Justin. Perhaps he’s treat him better.

Justin glanced up from where he knelt and aimed a scowl her way.

She pressed her lips together and shrugged. How had he guessed she was responsible?

As the two men helped Lieutenant Maines back into his chair behind his desk, she forced her face into a sympathetic mask.

Maines gulped air again. “Get over to the museum,” he said, his voice hoarse. “If he shows, I want your eyes on Haddara. He doesn’t move without trippin’ over you.”

“Yes, sir,” Michael murmured and then went straight to the door, opening it for her and waiting until Justin passed before closing it again. “Holy fuck,” he whispered as they strode quickly away. “Man, I’m glad he didn’t bite it, or this time you’d have been up on charges for sure.”

Justin aimed another glare her way.

She lifted her shoulders. “He’s not dead. Just … winded.”

His fingers slid around her wrist like a manacle, and he took long strides that forced her to skip beside him to keep pace. They skimmed through the hall, down the stairs, and out onto the street. Only they weren’t walking toward the car.

“Want me to follow?” Michael called behind them.

Justin lifted his hand to wave, but didn’t glance back. He kept walking, his strides lengthening until she was running beside him.

“You are angry,” she said, breathless now. Not from exertion, but because his anger was frightening—and oddly arousing.

He walked past the edge of the building, and then another, then jerked her to the left as he stepped into an alley. There, he pushed her up against the brick wall, his fingers biting into her waist. His face was red, his eyebrows an ominous, furrowed line.

She swallowed to wet her dry mouth. “I didn’t like the way he talked to you,” she said, forcing strength into her voice when she wanted to whimper.

His nostrils flared around a deep inhalation. “Anyone rings his neck it’s me.”

“You’re only angry because I nearly took away the pleasure you would have derived from doing it yourself.”

He looked toward the sun before staring down at her again. “Fuckin’ hell, Khepri. You can’t go around killin’ people who upset you.”

“I wasn’t going to kill him. I just wanted him to be quiet.” She sniffed and raised her chin. “I didn’t mean to do it. It just … happened.”

He shook his head. “You’re a menace.”

Her shoulders slumped. “I’m sorry. I don’t want you to mistrust m—”

His mouth covered hers, silencing the rest of what she’d wanted to say, that Maines was odious, that Justin was a far better man.

She’d expected a hard, angry kiss, but the moment he silenced her, his lips softened, moving in circles that teased her into following his motions. The already steamy air grew heavier—so did her breasts—and she leaned into him to relieve the ache.

His hand clamped the back of her head, and he tugged it back.

Glancing up, she noted the redness was gone from his cheeks, but now he wore a lambent expression, one that likely mirrored hers. “I suppose we should warn Mr. Haddara,” she said, staring at his mouth.

“Tonight’s not soon enough,” he whispered.

“To warn him or to kiss me again?”

“I like the way you think.”

A loud honk sounded, and they both turned their heads to find Michael in his vehicle, giving them both a baleful glare.

She couldn’t help it, she grinned. Being caught in such a circumstance had been unthinkable in her old role. Here, her heart felt light. Her passions lay near the surface, ready to erupt at the slightest provocation.

Justin moved away and snagged her hand, then pulled her behind him again as he approached the car.

Once he’d seated her in the back and slid into the front beside Michael, she settled back with a small smile curving her mouth.

Michael glanced at her in the mirror stuck to the center of the front window of the car. “Was that you back there?” he asked.

Justin’s partner was quick to accept her magic. She shot Justin a look, but he was staring out his window. The decision was hers how much she shared. “I have some powers. More than I was aware of before my … rebirth. I could always light a candle with my fingertips, but what happened today, that was a first.”

“That thing with the baggie at the dress shop.”

“I acted on instinct. I was as surprised as they were that it worked.”

“You some kind of witch?”

She drew a sharp breath. In her time, witches were evildoers. “No. My magic is a gift for good.”

“Because you want it to be that way?”

“I suppose,” she said, unsure now. She’s always assumed her powers came from Amun, but what of the butterflies she’d lured to play with her when she was a child? That had happened before she’d been chosen to serve as his wife and invested with powers to communicate his will. “Your world has forsaken magic for technology, and yet you accept what I say is true.”

“Sugar, I believe what I see for myself. You’re the real deal. Now, whether you’re working for the good guys … That I’ll have to wait and see.”

Again she looked at Justin. His lips were pursed. He didn’t want her to have powers, didn’t want there to be anything special about her or their circumstances, because he wanted to be the one to rush into the danger. Acknowledging her power meant he’d have to accept her role as the warrior who would have to do battle with Pharoah, and possibly the demon he might already have summoned from the
Duat
.

Minutes later, they arrived at the museum. Since she’d spent so much time there already, she breathed deep, feeling a sense of welcome. This place had the same quiet reserve as her temple. The same sense of simmering excitement, as though the antiquities it housed were held in reverence. How sad they had to lock their doors at night. How sad no one lived inside these walls to keep the treasures and the spirits surrounding them company.

She touched Justin’s arm. “I am going to the shrine.”

His eyebrows lowered, but he gave her a curt nod. “Don’t be long, or I’ll come lookin’ for you.”

She gave him a smile and walked away as he headed straight for Dr. Dorman’s offices. Turney Hall was empty. Pretty placards written in gold type had been put behind frames on the walls to tell anyone who wandered into the room what they were looking at. She went straight to the
naos
and knelt.

This time, she wasn’t gifted with a flight. However, as she sat with her eyes closed, she felt a soft caress against her hair, sliding down to her bare shoulder, then touching her cheek and mouth.

She gasped, opening her lips and felt pressure from the softest kiss. She opened her eyes, but nothing was there. “Husband,” she whispered, hoping he would answer. “I am here.”

Remembering being seated at his feet and the reassuring pat of his hand, she bent and touched her head to the floor. “I seek your wisdom, lord of the wind, father of Thebes, husband to this undeserving woman...”

I am here, Khepri, little warrior, precious wife.

Her breath stilled, and she closed her eyes, searching for him inside. “How will I know the nameless one?”

He will not betray his true nature. Trust your instinct. When you see him, you will know.

“Will you be with me?”

Outside my realm, I am weakened. But I am near. Armor yourself, with magic and with resolve.

She took a deep breath. “Husband, I have slept with a man,” she said softly. He hesitated so long, she cringed.

And are you happy?

Tears burned her closed eyes. “I am.”

Our destinies were written long before you or even I existed. Know that I am near. That I love you.

Another soft caress touched her cheek. A wisp of wind ruffled her hair. And then she was alone.

Straightening, she reached out to touch Amun’s small figure seated on his throne.

“I’m quite sure Dr. Dorman would be horrified to see you sitting so near his exhibit.”

She turned her head to find Mr. Haddara in the doorway, a half-smile on his lips.

“Do you feel nearer to your old home when you pray?”

Khepri frowned, thinking about the surprising question. “I feel, refreshed. But no closer to home. It is lost to me. Dust.”

“Does the loss sadden you?”

Her glance fell away. “I worry about my friends I left behind. Whether my servant, Aliyah, or the temple singer won the affections of the ferryman. Whether the farmers and their families continued to go hungry due to Akil’s greed. But I’m not sad to be away from there.” She looked up, catching his stare. His expression was closed. “I like it here,” she said.

“You like your detective.”

She nodded. “I do. I know it is selfish.”

One corner of his mouth curved. “Have you not earned a little happiness?”

“If I say that, then am I not admitting I expect reward when my role is to serve without regard to self?”

“You are a woman, with a woman’s heart. I think that even Amun would accept that you yearn for more.”

Her cheeks grew warm at the intimate turn of the conversation, and she clambered to her feet, brushing off her backside and straightening her clothes for something to do because she felt so awkward. “Did you hear that someone from your country is coming about the mummies?”

“We got word last night from the sheik just before he boarded a private jet to come here. He’s not concerned. The Supreme Council for Antiquities has no power, no jurisdiction or standing with your government. And the sheik has friends who will see that this never becomes a legal issue. So let them come.”

His last words were pitched low, and she shivered, seeing a hint of steel in the kind man’s gaze. Her interest in Mr. Haddara piqued. “You and the sheik are friends.”

“We are. Old friends. I am free to act on his behalf.”

“How long have you been in his employ?”

“For many years.” He smiled and tilted his head toward the entryway. “Do you wish to rejoin your detective? I am sure he is already concerned by your long absence.”

She sniffed as she drew up beside him. “He shouldn’t worry.”

“You were targeted by a bomber yesterday, of course he is going to be concerned.”

They began to walk, heading down the long corridor that led back to the foyer. “And I protected myself and those with me. Does that not tell him he shouldn’t worry?”

His dark eyes gleamed. “He is a man. You are under his protection. And he cares about you, my dear.”