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daughters of Sobek would play and breed and receive ritual sacrifices. Like the one whose
ripped clothing, some of it still containing shreds of that unfortunate person, had accidentally
become. How was it that the sacred crocodiles knew to return to this place? Instinct, species
memory perhaps. Anyway, if one could avoid ending up like the poor fellow from the
minivan, one could make an extra pound or two by showing tourists a crocodile temple that
once more contained actual crocodiles.
Gretchen, Chimera, and the clinic staff worked all night on the two women. The Saudi
princess died at three o'clock in the morning, but Gabriella Faruk for some reason survived.
Once her system was purged of the poison, her vital signs improved, and she began to get
stronger.
The staff tried to insist that Dr. Wolfe send away Dr. Hub-bard, who after all could do nothing
for her, but Gretchen flatly refused. Although Leda Hubbard had taken no poison herself, she
lay sleeping beside her friend, holding her hand, and everyone wondered if there wasn't
something a little funny about their relationship.
But no, the wealthy Mr. McCallum stood close by, as did Dr. Wolfe's husband, and by
morning Dr. Faruk was able to sit up and take a little nourishment.
The police had taken the rather astonishing statements of all parties concerned, and, of course,
there was no doubting men of such standing as Mr. McCallum and Dr. Wolfe. They agreed
that no one else should know for the time being, and no representatives of the press should be
sent for.
Though the police had their doubts about Mike Angeles, who was known to be something of a
shady character, they finally acquiesced when he and Dr. Faruk's cousin joined some other
companions from the Agatha, later in the afternoon, after Dr. Wolfe was fairly certain
Gabriella Faruk would live. Angeles and Mohammed apparently had some urgent errand in
Cairo but, true to their word, they returned to Abydos by morning. It was very touching, the
embrace between Mike Angeles and Gabriella Faruk. Indecent of course, but such passion!
Like an American movie.
Cleopatra's Narrative:
I confess I was thrilled when I learned what Antony and his associates had done for our sake,
though I admit to some concern for the health and well-being of the sacred animals of Sobek
after ingesting such filth.
He did not wish to tell me, had promised his accomplices, one of whom was Gabriella's dear
cousin Mohammed, to keep the truth of the matter silent. But of course, the first time we
made love I persuaded him to tell me. And that was without the benefit of the wine. Antony
now sees the tactical validity of Mike Angeles' beliefs about liquor and I must say
abstention has improved even his former stellar performance in other areas.
Once I knew, of course, my sister ba knew as well, particularly as I learned the truth when we
were in close proximity to each other, finishing our Nile cruise aboard the Agatha. And, of
course, the circumstances of Antony's confession were rather stimulating, something that
always strengthens our bond.
It strengthened another bond, too.
Sir Andrew needed all of Sir Walter's literary eloquence to convince Leda to finish out the
Nile cruise and give him a chance to regain her trust.
She was very difficult to convince. "You mean to tell me that just because you're one of the
evil would-be overlords of the universe that doesn't mean you don't need love, too?" she
asked. "Puh-leeze!"
'We are not evil at least, not intentionally, though of course one's intentions may not always
produce the desired result. And I certainly am not evil. If I were, do you think I would have
decided to try the caber toss with a train case of Semtex? In this sort of thing, one cannot
always speak for everyone else involved, of course, but personally I have no desire to rule the
universe, the earth, or any particular country. I have enough control over my companies and
my books to keep me in migraine headaches, thank you. I wish only to preserve the things
and people I value in this world against those who are truly power-mad."
At this point, as I understand it, my sister ba was overcome with my own sensations as
Antony/Mike and Gabriella/I began ministering to each other's wounds.
Of course it was necessary for Leda to look very closely into Andrew's eyes to judge the truth
of his protestations. No doubt due to her own exertions on behalf of ourselves and the temple,
she became short of breath once more as she drew near to him. "You mean, not so much like
the Illuminati and more like the X-Men?"
'Yes, but without the super powers," he said. And then, thanks to us, they were irresistibly
drawn into each other's arms, for which my ba thanks the gods and Chimera, since otherwise
Leda's stubbornness might have kept them apart as neither of them wished to be.
'None at all?" she asked, pulling him down with her.
'Well, a couple perhaps," he said.
Later she asked, "Did your friends have anything to do with the amir's death, Andrew?
Because that was a shame."
'You think so? You may put your mind at rest, however. Other than supplying the
hippopotami to shake the boat up a bit, they had no part in his actual demise."
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