‘Well Sir, I’m thirty-five years old. I’m a retired Major from the US army, and I’m a trained water engineer. I’m currently working under contract with a few NGOs to bring proper water supplies to villages in the Mosuli countryside.’

‘Good, good,’ said Mina’s father.

His wife picked up the phone again.

‘Hi. I’m Mina’s mother.’

‘Hi Mrs Osman.’

‘We are very happy to hear from you. Just make sure she returns safely to us, will you?’

‘Of course, Ma’am,’ said Jack.

‘We would also be happy to welcome you after the holidays in New York when Mina comes to see us’ she said, and before he could say anything, she added ‘could you pass me Mina.’

‘Yes of course, goodbye Mrs Osman.’

‘Goodbye,’ she said.

‘Mum?’ asked Mina, picking up the phone.

‘He sounds like a decent young man. Please bring him home after you’ve met his parents. Where do they live?’

‘In West Virginia,’ answered Mina.

‘Oh. That’s quite far away. When will you be back?’

‘Probably mid-January,’ Mina answered, cringing inwardly at the deception.

‘We’ll see you then. Do you need any money for the fare?’ asked her mother.

‘No mum, I’m fine. I’ve got a research grant.’

‘Wonderful! Such good news. Your father and I are very proud of you. Take good care of yourself.’

‘Yes mum. See you soon.’ She hung up, and looked guiltily at Jack.

‘Well, that went well. I feel awful!’

‘I’m not quite sure why you didn’t tell them we were going to Thailand.’

‘My parents are cool, but not that cool.’

‘They seemed easygoing to me,’ said Jack, grinning.

‘Time to look for a flight then,’ said Mina, refusing to pursue the conversation about her parents any further.

‘That’s all been taken care of my dear,’ he said smiling at her.

‘It’s the 21st today, when are we leaving?’ she asked.

‘Tomorrow. I had to change my original flight. There’s a flight tomorrow afternoon from Heathrow.’

‘I’ll get packing,’ she said, climbing up the stairs.

Daniel had observed the entire conversation, ‘You don’t waste time, do you?’ he said to Jack.

‘She’s worth it, a million times over, Dan.’ said Jack.

‘I agree. I’ve never met anyone like her… or you. I wish you both all the best.’

‘Thanks,’ said Jack.

‘Do you think Shobai’s men will return?’ Daniel asked with a slight tremor in his voice.

‘No. I don’t think so. They accomplished what they had planned. We’ll have a lot to do when we get back from Thailand. I’ll be in touch then. We need to decide which authorities to contact and how to strike a deal at the highest level to keep us all out of harm’s way, you and your father included, when Oberon Wheatley reappears.’

‘What? I thought he was also out of the picture?’ asked Daniel.

‘No. That’s what I told Mina to reassure her. She’s gone through hell because of that bastard. We’ve been out of his picture. But it won’t last.’

‘You mean, from the moment we make our findings public?’

‘Yes. He’ll come back with a vengeance. He has no idea we found the Jerusalem clay tablet.’

‘Of course. Well, don’t worry, we have oodles of time to prepare,’ said Daniel cheerfully.

‘Yes. Listen Daniel, I can’t thank you and your father enough for all your help.’

‘What are friends for?’ said Daniel, shaking Jack’s hand.

‘You’ve got yourself a friend too. Now, before we start weeping like girls, I’m going to pack up my stuff.’

Chapter 29

December 22nd. Hildersham, Mulberry Cottage

Jack got up at seven a.m. He felt irritable, having had a night of horrific nightmares about earthquakes and thousands of men and women screaming in agony. Still yawning, he threw some clothes on, made his bed — military habits die hard — and left his room. He knocked on Mina’s bedroom door but she didn’t answer. After a slight hesitation, he pushed the door open and went in. He sat on her bed, and waited until she opened her eyes. She was as beautiful asleep as she was awake. He brushed a strand of hair from her face, and caressed her cheek. She woke up, gently. ‘Jack?’ She murmured. He smiled. She looked at him, blinking her eyes, as if to make sure he wasn’t a figment of her imagination. When she was quite satisfied it was Jack, she put her warm arms around him, and pulled him down by her side and curled up facing him. They kissed gingerly at first, and then more tenderly. For a moment Jack felt like tossing all his worries to the wind and losing himself in Mina’s arms, but he stirred away from her embrace and sat up again.

‘Sorry. Mina. It’s not you. I’m worried.’ He ran a hand over his weary face.

‘Why? You look tired, Jack. Did you manage to get hold of your mother and sister last night to let them know you’re bringing a guest?’

‘No. They weren’t in. I’ll leave a message at their hotel, telling them we’re on our way.’

‘I’m sure they’re fine. Don’t worry,’ she said.

‘They’ve never travelled before. Of course I worry.’

‘What flight did you find?’ she asked, changing the subject.

‘I managed to get two seats with Thai Airways, but the flight was overbooked. We might be on standby today and tomorrow.’