The Paul & Jenny Stories Pt. 14g: Back to Egypt Part 07
Copyright 2000 by Paul. All rights reserved. All events and charters are fictitious.
* * * * *
"Is their anybody there?"
I called a second time.
Jenny held my hand as we listened for a response. The silence was total inside these high walls. We walked through the archway and along by the side of the water feature until we reached the main building. It was cool and the air scented with the smell of flowers. I suddenly felt very tired, as if I needed to sit down and rest. I looked at Jenny. She looked strained.
"You look tired," I said, stifling a yawn, "Do you want to sit down?"
I knew I did. It was becoming hard to think.
Jenny suddenly headed towards the master bedroom and nursery. I followed slowly. My feet felt like lead. I could hear a sound. Like a baby crying.
I entered the nursery. Jenny was kneeling over the prostate body of Lee-Anne.
"I think she's just asleep," she said, standing up and hurrying to the cots.
"Where's Cleo?"
I didn't know. I wasn't sure I knew who I was.
"What's wrong with you," she suddenly snapped at me.
"Very tired." I managed to say.
"Let's get out of here, quickly."
Carrying the baby in one arm she grabbed my hand and pulled me outside, back to the main gates. My head seemed to clear with every step away from the building we took. The dust and heat came almost as a relief. She handed me little Jerez and said.
"Wait here while I go and see what I can do for Lee-Anne."
"But." I started to protest.
"No time."
And she was gone.
Jerez started crying. I moved him around a bit but he wouldn't shut up.
"That's not how to hold a baby."
A voice from behind me said. I turned and looked into the face of the red headed American from the Hotel. A taxi was parked behind her.
"Here. Let me hold him."
She held out her hands. I was only too pleased to hand him over.
"This is the home of Jerez El Mctomb?" She asked, rocking the now silent baby in her arms.
"That's right. He's not in at the moment."
I looked back towards the house. Jenny was coming towards me supporting Lee-Anne. I went to help. The feeling of great tiredness returned as I approached them.
"Stay outside, Paul," Jenny called, "I can manage."
I stopped where I was until they reached me then gave what assistance I could. As with myself Lee-Anne seemed to become stronger with each step she took away from the building. We were outside in the street and Lee-Anne reached out for her baby.
"Where's Cleo?" she asked, frantically looking around, "where is she?"
"There was only Jerez there," Jenny said in a soft voice, "we couldn't see Cleo.
What happened?"
"I don't know," she replied, hugging Jerez to her as if afraid he might suddenly disappear. I was in the nursery and I suddenly felt very tired. The next thing I remember you were helping me to my feet."
"I felt the same in there." I said.
"What about you?" I asked Jenny.
"I felt something, something strange. I cannot describe it. Somebody was calling me." She wore a puzzled look.
"But not tired?"
"No. Not that. Anything but."
"This is very strange." The red head said.
We all looked at her.
"My name is Michelle by the way. Michelle Stewart
"Hallo," I said holding out my hand to shake hers then indicating the others, " this is Lee-Anne with little Jerez, this is Jenny Fletcher and I am Paul Wagstaffe."
She nodded as if the information was what she had expected to hear.
"What do we do next?" I asked in general.
Just then a group of people appeared around the end of the street and walked towards us. Two uniformed policemen; two other men in European suits; two in cooks whites and three girls.
They stopped when they reached us and they all stared sheepishly at the ground.
"Where have you been?" Lee-Anne snapped at them. "Somebody has taken Cleo. Well? Come on."
"We do not know." One of the men in a suit lifted his head and replied. "We all just seemed to find each other in the market. None of us remember going there."
"Can you get a message to Jerez, I mean the Commissioner. He needs to know what has happened. We need him here."
She turned to me.
"Can I come to your Hotel with you?" She asked. "I don't want to go back in there. Not without Jerez."
Michelle's taxi was still waiting so we piled into it. Jenny sitting on my lap. Michelle in the middle with her thigh pressed tight against mine with Lee-Anne on the far side cradling little Jerez.
As we passed reception in the hotel I was called to the desk.
"We have a telephone call for you, Sir."
The receptionist said indicating the phone at the end of the desk. I picked it up and said, "hallo."
"Mr Wagstaffe? Mr Paul Wagstaffe."
I recognised the voice.
"Herr Kesler. It's been a long time. How is Hans?"
"He's enjoying himself with your friend. What's her name again? Ah yes. Linda. A most attractive young woman."
"What are you doing to her."
"Personally nothing. But there are others here who need you to help undo the damage caused by El Mctomb last year."
"What about the baby?"
"She can go as soon as you and your girlfriend arrive."
"What do you want with her?"
"Again, I wish nothing. Apparently there is one here who wants or needs her. Do not underestimate him. I have seen things recently that defy all logical explanation. You are to be on the steps of the main museum in one hour. If you are not there then he promises that he will send something to collect you. I believe he will. Just the two of you alone. The baby will then be delivered to your hotel by Taxi. Do not involve the police. He is watching you now through a mirror. Hurry. He grows impatient."
"We're not coming." I finally found the words.
"I really do think you should re-consider."
The line went dead. The others were holding the lift for me and we took it up to the floor mine and Jenny's rooms were on.
Once inside I told them what had been said.
"He will send something." Jenny said slowly, with conviction.
"If we lock the door and pile the furniture against it we will be safe at least until Jerez gets here." I tried to sound confident.
"He won't send people." Jenny had a far away look in her eyes.