Celtic Empire (Dirk Pitt 25)

“He was anxious to test the water sample Pitt gave him.”

“And?” McKee leaned forward, her face a tightly wound spring.

“There’s no reason to worry, Mother. There were zero concentrations of our biological products. Richards thinks Pitt just took some water from the loch.”

“He knows something, or else he wouldn’t be here.”

“Professor Nakamura indicated that he’d received all the El Salvador water samples taken by the agriculture scientist. They were recovered from his office. Pitt is only guessing—but, I agree, he is dangerous.”

“How long are they staying?”

“Even though the seminar ends tomorrow, I extended Loren’s invitation for an extra day, along with the World Bank director. Both are new this year, and represent very influential positions. I thought we could work the two of them together.”

“Very well,” McKee said. “But keep a close eye on Mr. Pitt. If he approaches the lab again, kill him on the spot.”

“That may jeopardize our influence with his wife.”

McKee’s eyes burned with malice. “Then we’ll just have to amplify the treatment.”

The door opened, and Riki Sadler stepped in holding a cup of tea, which she presented to McKee. She sat down beside her.

“Mother, I just received a call from the NUMA pair that disrupted our tomb recovery operation in Amarna.” Riki spoke slowly and with reverence, not wishing to stir her mother’s temper.

“I thought they were dead.”

“I did as well. There was no sign of them when I left the dive site in Lake Nasser. I don’t know how they survived.”

“They proved to be quite an annoyance in Egypt.”

“When I arrived in Amarna, I didn’t realize Dr. Stanley was so close to uncovering the tomb. Their presence was unexpected.”

“Do they know anything?” McKee asked.

“They’ve uncovered the link between the Egyptian princess Meritaten and the Apium of Faras.”

McKee leaned forward with a furrowed brow. “So they know the power of the apium. I saw a photo of the tomb mural. It seemed to confirm its use as a remedy for the plague.”

“Father knew of it when he found a reference on a monument in Thebes, yet he was never able to verify its existence.”

“If this apium was a cure for the plague, then it would act as a cure for our developed agent,” Audrey said.

“The NUMA people, they must also know it’s extinct?” McKee asked.

“I think so. I just learned they believe Meritaten is buried in Ireland, in the person of Queen Scota. And they think she may have the apium in her tomb.”

“Queen Scota?” McKee said. “Is there evidence of her grave?”

“Apparently, there is a gravesite in County Kerry that has never been properly investigated.”

“You must go there and ensure nothing comes of it. Take the company jet. Leave as soon as you can, and take Gavin and Ainsley with you.” She stroked her daughter’s hair. “We are on the verge of great things. Let us be strong at this critical hour.”

“Yes, Mother.” Riki rose and left the room.

McKee watched her leave, then gazed at Audrey. They were so different, her two daughters. Riki was innately kind and naïve in the ways of the world, while Audrey suffered no such afflictions. It was Frasier’s doing, she knew.

Arriving home drunk late one night, he had staggered into one of his daughter’s bedrooms in the dark. Perhaps he was seeking Evanna, or more likely his stepdaughter, Riki, yet he fell in with Audrey. Never a word was said, but the damage was done. Audrey became a bitter shell of her former self, while Evanna rekindled the anger she had suppressed for years. No more, she had told herself, and she acted to ensure it.

McKee spoke to Audrey with worry. “Your stepsister shows uneasiness.”