The Mummy (Ramses the Damned 1)

This was comfortable enough. The afternoon sun came through the old garden and through the back door, and the place was hot, but not unbearable, as it had been locked up for a long time. A damp musky odor of spices and hemp hung in the air.

Julie took off the Arab headdress, and shook out her hair. She had not pinned it up because of the headdress, and now she loosened the ribbon that kept it tied at the back of her neck.

"I don't believe you killed that woman," she said immediately, looking up at Ramses as he sat across from her.

Like a sheikh he looked in the desert robes, his face partially in shadow, the candle glinting in his eyes.

Samir sat down quietly to her left.

"I didn't kill the woman," Ramses said to her. "But I am responsible for the woman's death. And I need your help, both of you. I need someone's help. And I need your forgiveness. The time has come for me to tell you everything."

"Sire, I have a message for you," Samir said, "which I must give you at once."

"What message?" Julie asked. Why hadn't Samir told her of this?

"Is it from the gods, Samir? Are they calling me to account? I have no time for less important messages. I must tell you what has happened, what I've done."

"It's from the Earl of Rutherford, sire. He accosted me at the hotel. He looked like a madman; he said that I must tell you that he has her."

Ramses was obviously stunned. He glared at Samir almost murderously.

Julie could not bear this.

Samir removed something from under his robe and gave it to Ramses. It was a glass vial, such as those she'd seen among the alabaster jars in the collection.

Ramses looked at this, but he didn't move to touch it. Samir went to speak again, but Ramses gestured for quiet. His face was so heavily disfigured with emotion that he scarce looked like himself.

"Tell me what this means!" Julie said, unable to stop herself.

"He followed me to the museum," Ramses whispered. He stared at the empty vial.

"But what are you talking about? What happened at the museum?"

"Sire, he says that the sun has helped her. That the medicine in the vial helped her, but that she needs more of it. She is damaged, inside and out. She has killed three times. She is mad. He keeps her safe in hiding, he wants a meeting with you. He has given me the time and place."

For a moment, Ramses said nothing. Then he rose from the table and headed towards the door.

"No, stop!" Julie cried out, rushing towards him.

Samir was also on his feet.

"Sire, if you try to find him sooner, you may be apprehended. The hotel is surrounded. Wait till he leaves and goes to this place for the meeting. It is the only safe thing to do!"

Ramses was clearly stymied. Reluctantly, he turned, looking past Julie with dull, crazed eyes. He moved back sluggishly to the chair and sat down.

Julie wiped her tears with her handkerchief and took her chair again.

"Where and when?" Ramses asked.

"Seven tonight. The Babylon, it's a French night club. I know it. I can take you there."

"I cannot wait until then!"

"Ramses, tell us what all this means. How can we help you if we don't know?"

"Sire, Julie is right. Take us into your trust now. Allow us to assist in this. If you are captured again by the police ..."

Ramses waved it away in disgust. His face was working silently with emotion.