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Chapter 71
“One for all and all for one”
Two days later:
Hall Place Manor night and midmorning:
After Midnight:
Anna sat ramrod straight in her bed. Her pulse was racing, her body was covered in cold sweat. She had been hit by Anck-Sun-Amun´s brutal kick against her head. Her right hand shot to her left brow. Astonished she looked at her palm: no blood! But she had just fought against the Egyptian. She had been hit brutally several times.
The black-haired Villainess had mocked her “Who kicked who´s ass b*tch?” Only slowly her pulse returned to normal, and even slower she realized where she was: She was not in the British Museum, she was in her bedroom at Hall Place Manor. It had not been the first nightmare that night.
The Russian had relived the murder of Tatiana Nikolajeva, how Nofret had slung the G-String of her Lord-Dunn-Raven around her former teacher’s throat and strangled her with brutal force. The desperate attempts of the old woman to free herself, how her eyes had bulged out of her sockets, the gurgling noises – and finally silence, Anna had felt so helpless. It was always the same dream.
Another one recurring dream: The vault, Anna tied to the chair. Hayley had to let go and the iron balls had smashed her right hand. The searing pain always woke her up …
The Russian looked at her watch: Three o´clock, the heart of night. She threw her damp covers aside and got up, tapped into her bathroom. Anna eyed herself critical in the mirror: the bright cold light was merciless: The dark smudges under her eyes were unmistakable. She would have to make an effort to cover them. She showered long and hot. Anna dressed: black Yoga pants, a sports bra a maroon shirt and a matching fleece jacket. Two pairs of black woollen socks on her feet:
The violinist grabbed her violin case, closed the door behind her and stepped out on the corridor. All was silent. She listened for a moment – turned left and went down to the library. She wouldn´t be able to go back to sleep anyway ….
Hall place manor, midmorning, Anna´s quarters:
To muster the energy for their morning run with Chris had been challenging. The blonde had asked no questions but the Russian knew though her best friend had known exactly what was going on.
Chris had given her space not asked any awkward questions Anna did not want to answer presently, the Russian was grateful for that “When you want to talk Anna, I am there” she had just said “I know” the Russian nodded. No more words were necessary.
Minutes later she took another look in the mirror and was pleased with the result. Evie and Amanda would present their findings and a summary of the translation they had made. The Russian pulled herself upright closed the bath room door and left for the conference room.
The Conference Room:
Evie stood at the head of the large table and looked around: Kirsty and Hayley were having a whispered conversation. The American and the Briton was a beautiful pair – and something had changed since they had returned from their trip down memory lane to Norfolk. They seemed to have bonded even more, and out of sudden a picture crossed Evie´s mind: Kirsty and Hayley before the altar, all in White …
Anna was typing on her smartphone, but the Russian looked distracted, and tired. Chris and Sophie were obviously in high spirits: they were chatting amiably. The Black Lady looked intently at Anna, and then she turned her gaze at Evie. The Canadian had obviously arrived at the same conclusion: The Russian had had a bad night obviously. Sarah McKenzie had enough experience to recognize the signs. During the hunt Anna had gone through a lot:
First the encounter with Anck-Sun-Amun at the British Museum, then their next confrontation only days ago, but the Canadian knew one thing too: Anna was resilient and she had friends at her side which would to anything for her – and the Russian had her violin, and her music.
“Hey guys” Kate entered the Conference Room. She had had to make some calls. Evie looked around, then to Amanda and nodded “Let us begin!” “Excuse me” Sybil interrupted “There is a courier at the gates. He said he has a delivery for ´Grand Duchesse Anna Alexandrovna Romanova´ - which he had to hand over personally”
Chris and Anna exchanged a look, Anna nodded and raised “Kirsty and Hayley and Kate! You will accompany her!” The pianist turned to Sybil “Tell the courier Anna will expect him at the main entrance!”
At the main entrance:
John Malcolm worked for one very posh very exclusive courier service. His job today: To deliver a package for a certain “Grand Duchesse Anna Alexandrovna Romanova” – in person. He scoffed “a bloody aristocrat, probably an old hag!” What impressed him? The Security measures at Hall Place Manor were extensive:
He had spotted several cameras on the walls, two alone at the gate. The Gate swung wide open, almost noiselessly. Malcolm followed the gravelled pathway which led to the main entrance, where he was supposed to hand over the delivery.
He was a bit nervous as he stood before the massive wooden door. He pressed the door-bell, in form of a lion-head. Noiselessly it swung open. The courier stepped over the threshold, into the vast entry hall: Four women awaited him.
They formed a half circle. In its centre stood a very tall woman clad entirely in black: a black turtleneck, black trousers, black ankle boots, her dark mane in a ponytail. Two things stood out: a silver cross around her neck – and the bright red fresh scar above her left brow in the shape of a lightning bold, in a stark contrast to her pale complexion.
She was flanked by a blonde and an auburn haired woman on her left and a brunette with amazing cheekbones on the right. All three wore her shoulder holsters openly. John Malcolm recognized this manoeuver as what it was - he had served in the armed forces, a show of force. The blonde was carrying a metal box, he noticed.
He cleared his throat “I have a delivery for the – he hesitated – Grand Duchesse Anna Alexandrovna Romanova!” “That´s me” the Woman in black smiled. “I am sorry Madam but regulations state, that you must identify yourself before I can hand this delivery over” The Grand Duchesse seemed slightly amused “I don´t think my good looks are enough” Anna chuckled.
“I am afraid not, regulations state that I need a document that confirms your identity or a person who can vouch for you” Malcom held his ground. The black haired woman and the brunette exchanged a look. The latter nodded “Right then” the Russian stated, smiling “I think we can clear this up quite easily” she took her smartphone and dialled.
The person on the other line took the call “Hello James” and a warm smile crossed the Russian´s features “We need someone in official capacity who can vouch for me” The Russian listened then turned to Malcolm and gave him the phone “A friend of mine likes to have a word with you” A bit hesitantly the courier took the phone and listened to the person on the other side:
“Yes Sir!, yes, I understand!” John handed the phone back to the woman in black “Thank you James! I will call you later!” and a warm smile crossed her features. The Russian put her phone away and turned to the courier again “After we have cleared this up, would you give the delivery to Hayley please?” She nodded at the tall blonde with piercing blue eyes who had opened the heavily padded box. Malcolm put the package in the box.
The Russian smiled at him “Thank you that will be all” The courier took this as his cue to take his leave. For the rest of the day John Malcom racked his brain what had transpired at Hall Place Manor.
But he would never learn, he had a story to tell though at the pub this evening.
The Conference Room later:
Hayley handed Sybil the heavily padded box over. The tech wizard exchanged a look with Evie obviously they had talked about what to do next: “We will scan the package first” the Egyptologist explained.
A few minutes later they looked expectantly at the large screen – “That is strange” Evie raised her eyebrows “What?” the Black Lady inquired “There is a wooden box inside the package – but this box is heavily shielded, the scanner does not penetrate” the Egyptologist explained. “Then we will do it the old fashioned way” the thief explained … Minutes later the assembled team looked in awe at the wooden box.
It was beautifully made: Highly polished dark wood. Evie inspected the box - she frowned as she looked at the upper side. There were several hieroglyphs, cartouches “What is it Evie?” Anna sounded impatient “These are the same Hieroglyphs as on the box which contained the first scroll we discovered!”
Carefully the Egyptologist lifted the lid of the box and gasped. What did she saw? In the box laid several items: A papyrus scroll, a diadem and a pectoral. Carefully she retrieved the scroll. It was sealed and Evie inspected, assisted by Amanda, the seal “Professor” Amanda sounded slightly hoarse “it is the same seal!” “The same seal, as that of the first scroll!” Evie confirmed.
With utmost Evie removed the diadem and the pectoral from the box “I see wonderful things” the Egyptologist quoted “What?” Chris inquired “The quality of these jewels is extraordinary – we have to check this – but I go out on a limb here – these are originals no copies – those were made for Pharaoh´s court – going out on a limb? New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty!” Evie´s exaltation was palpable “We bow before the searing logic of your intellect Professor” The Dark Lady teased her.
“Right” Anna interrupted “but what about the scroll?” Assisted by Amanda Evie cut the string that sealed the scroll: With utmost care she unrolled the Papyrus “This is not antique” she stated “highest quality, but newly made” gently she stroke above its surface “This scripture was written by a professional scribe” Evie thought aloud.
She read the script, frowned and read it again, read it a third time. Then she gave the scroll to Amanda “Do you read what I read?” Her assistant read a first time, then a second time. Amanda nodded, I guess I do. The two Egyptologists exchanged a look then looked at Anna.
“What is it?” Anna quipped “my death warrant?” “No”, Evie hesitated slightly “On the contrary, this is a love poem. I have to translate it verbatim later, but this is the summary: The writer adores and loves you Anna. He wants to make you his Great Royal Bride!”
The Russian felt all eyes resting on her. She blushed “That must be a bad joke”, her apprehension clearly visible. Evie shook her head “I doubt that Anna, the writer quotes one of the oldest and most famous love poems ever written in ancient Egypt. And judging by the tone, the vocabulary, the phraseology this is written by someone who is familiar with the language in a way, I haven´t seen ever before.
This is pure instinct, but to me this letter feels as if it has been written by an old Egyptian himself”
Anna was still shell shocked, this could not be, but then she remembered something. Someone had called her his Great Royal Bride before. Was that possible? Several weeks ago: What had he said? Anna racked her brain:
“My dear Anna, you would have been the crown jewel at Pharaoh´s court, you remind me very much of Queen Nefertari – at my court you would be my great royal wife” Al Mansour complimented her.
This had to be a coincidence. This just could not be –Anna resolutely shoved the thought aside. This was a coincidence, the Russian decided. The thought alone was just too monstrous.
Chris had watched her friend intently “Anna what is it? Something is on your mind!” The Russian looked her best friend in the eye “Nothing, Chris, a thought crossed my mind” Anna demurred. The blonde knew that look: The violinist had decided to keep her thoughts to herself.
“Amanda and I will analyse the letter and the jewels, I think, tomorrow we can give you a first assessment” Evie interrupted them “Our preliminary report on the scrolls will have to wait till tomorrow – this is more important. We need to know more about the letter and the jewels as fast as possible “If you be so kind to leave us alone?”
By now Chris and her friends were used to this sort of curt dismissal. The Egyptologist could be rather bossy at times, mostly when it came to her area of expertise.
When the others had left Evie and Amanda turned their attention to the scroll. As usual Sybil had stayed to assist with the instruments.
In the Library:
Chris had taken Kate and Anna aside and commandeered the library. When they had sat down, the blonde looked her best friend directly in the eye “I didn´t want to push you in front of the others Anna, but I know you: What did you not tell us?”
Anna was on the verge of speaking but the pianist interrupted her, not unkindly though “Speak your mind Anna you know in the past bad stuff happened when we did not talk to each other right?” The Russian still said nothing “Chris is right Anna!” Kate seconded the blonde “In there? You remembered something – what is so bad, that you don´t want to tell us?”
Anna looked at Chris then at Kate and sighed “Right …. but this might be pure coincidence you know ….” The blonde smiled “Just tell us and let us judge that” “Fine” Anna nodded “You remember back in New York, the evening when the Egyptian bitch” Anna breathed in deeply “attacked us, or better, before she crashed the party Hiram al Mansour said something, he made me a compliment” the Russian blushed “he said something like “My dear Anna, you would have been the crown jewel at Pharaoh´s court, you remind me very much of Queen Nefertari – at my court you would be my great royal wife” Anna looked expectantly at her friends.
Kate and Chris exchanged a look “Right I remember” the detective nodded and smiled “Back then you liked the compliment” she teased her friend “You even blushed a bit, if I remember correctly” The Russian stared at the brunette “That was back then” she stated curtly “We know” Chris chimed in “where your heart lies nowadays” “People learn you know” Anna fired back.
The blonde grew serious again “You are right Anna, this could be just a coincidence that Al Mansour used this phrase does not proof anything ….” Chris fell silent “Personally I do not believe in circumstances” Kate added “You are right Chris: this phrase does not proof anything – but I don´t think we shouldn´t ignore it either”
“What do you mean?” Anna inquired, her body language signalled she was intrigued, Chris too looked attentively at the detective “What I mean is this” the brunette continued “Think about this conclusion: if this is not a coincidence this could mean that “Hiram al Mansour and the writer of this letter are the same person” Chris concluded “But think about the implications” Anna said “This would mean …” “That Hiram is behind all that and that what we witnessed that night at Rachel´s Penthouse was staged” Kate finished the sentence.
“But why?” Anna still struggled with the implications as it seemed. Chris looked thoughtfully in the fire for a moment “The logical conclusion would be this: If, and I stress “if”, this was a ploy from the beginning it would give Hiram al Mansour the perfect excuse: He was kidnapped in front of us. He played even the Hero, you remember?” Kate nodded, I do “ Anna nodded too, but said nothing. Chris thought back to that moment, only a few weeks ago at Rachel´s apartment:
What had the High Priestess said?
“My master has the burning desire to speak with you Hiram, you have been a very naughty boy of late” the woman chided him “so you will accompany us …. as for the others … “ she turned to Chris and her friends “Kill them all!”
Hiram rose from his chair “There is no need to kill them Anck-Sun-Amun! I will come with you, I will do your bidding but spare their lives, they are innocent in this I implore you!”
The stared at each other for a long moment, the air crackled with tension, then the villainess chuckled “Always the knight in shining armour … ready to rescue a damsel in distress” she added mockingly “So be it Hiram – but if you don´t follow my orders to the letter …” The Egyptian let her last words ominously hanging in the air.
Kate broke the silence “If this is true: What is the end game? Why going to all this trouble?”
Anna cleared her throat “We could ask Sybil, if she could dig deeper in Al Mansours past, really deep – if anything comes up, which would corroborate this theory – and I still have trouble to believe that”
“We definitely have to find out more about that cult, the Daughters of Isis” Chris concluded “and we have to see if Evie and Amanda can tell us more about this mystical weapon “The Sunray of Amon-Ra”
Anna huffed “You know what I find really creepy?” Kate and Chris looked expectantly at her “You will tell us” Chris smiled “That someone is obsessed with me as von Winterfeldt was with you Chris” The Russian shuddered.
“Well, you know, how that ended for the bastard!” Chris grinned “This time I might not just sever his hand but go straight for the head!” her smile became grim “If anybody tries to harm you Anna, he has to get past me” “And me” Kate added sincerely.
Anna blushed deeply “Thank you” The blonde smiled “You are there for us, we are there for you Anna it is as simple as that” Even if her tone was light, the Russian knew with utter surety, that Chris would sacrifice herself for her, for anybody she held dear without any hesitation “You would go “One for all. All for one” for me?” she teased her friend good-naturedly “Yes I would” Chris replied simply.
The ensuing silence was not of the uncomfortable sort. On the contrary: There was a silent understanding which needed no verbal confirmation, so strong was the bond between the three women. Time would tell though, if this band would be tested.
Chris had to smile “What are you smiling about?” Anna inquired “A passage of Shakespeare just sprung to mind” the blonde explained “You all know Henry V?” Anna smiled at her “The speech of St. Crispin´s day?” Chris returned the smile “You simply know me to well, yes, you are right, this speech”
Kate chimed in and quoted from memory the verses Shakespeare wrote so many centuries ago:
“This day is call'd the feast of Crispian.
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam'd,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say "To-morrow is Saint Crispian."
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,
And say "These wounds I had on Crispin's day."
Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember, with advantages,
What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,
Familiar in his mouth as household words—
Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester—
Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb'red.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be rememberèd—
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition”
When Kate had ended, neither woman spoke a word.
Finally Chris rose “Let us drink to that” she went to the cabinet and filled three goblets with a golden liquid, put them on a tablet and went to her friends. Each woman took a goblet, they looked each other in the eye, Chris raised hers and toasted “To the happy few!”
“To the happy few!” Anna and Kate returned and they drained their goblets.