The Secret of Ka Read Free Page B

vast collection of crystals. She occasionally gave me pendants to wear when she visited us in Raleigh. Since they gave me headaches, I never wore them long, but her heart was in the right place.
    It was odd how the three were so different and yet they were really close. For years they had worked different job sites all over the Middle East, but always for Becktar Corporation.
    My dad parked our Jeep, and Mrs. Steward came over and gave me a hug while Mr. Toval simply nodded hello.
    "I assume your dad has told you about our little secret," Mrs. Steward said, pointing to the cave. "Isn't it exciting?"
    "I'd be a lot more excited to see the ruins," I said.
    "Charles, check with Bill," Mr. Toval said. "Tell him your daughter's here. He's the lead archaeologist on the site today. He has the final say on who gets in."
    My father walked toward the cave entrance and disappeared. I stayed seated.
    "I thought you guys were in control," I said.
    Mrs. Steward shook her head. "We were until we told the government what we found. Technically, we own this land but we can't do whatever we want here."
    Mr. Toval studied me. "Sun bothering you, Sara?"
    "I'm all right." But no sooner had he asked than I began to sweat like a pig. It was odd, in the desert, to feel your own sweat. It usually evaporated so fast. Mrs. Steward offered me a bottle of Evian.
    "Go ahead, drink," she said.
    The bottle was glass, not plastic. It was freezing cold. I feared if I drank too much I would get cramps. I took a few gulps and began to feel dizzy. I told Mrs. Steward as much.
    "You've only been in the country a week," she said. "It takes a month to adapt to this heat. Drink more; splash some on your face."
    I obeyed her instructions, but most of the water ended up on the floor of the Jeep. My dizziness remained.
    My father was a long time returning, and when he did, he said Bill was in a bad mood and wouldn't let anyone in to see the ruins.
    "Maybe next week, Sara," my father said as he climbed in the Jeep.
    "I don't know if that's a bad thing," Mr. Toval said. "I'm afraid your daughter's showing signs of heat stroke."
    My dad was worried. "Are you sick?"
    I forced a smile. "I'm fine." I looked around for Mrs. Steward to thank her for the water, but to my surprise she had already left. I told my dad, "I can always see the ruins another day."
    We drove back to the entrance and my father called for a taxi. He told me he had to get back to work, that he was sorry he could not stay with me until the taxi arrived.
    "It's okay," I said. "I'm just glad we got to hang out together."
    "Will you be awake when I get back to the hotel?"
    "Sure." I gave him a quick hug. "I'll be waiting for you."
    My father left me at the security building, a boxlike structure with no air-conditioning. A half-hour passed and still there was no taxi. I tried calling for one. Unfortunately, everyone who answered spoke Turkish.
    I thought of asking a guard for help, but decided to call Amesh instead. He answered right away, and when I explained the situation, he acted angry.
    "Your father should have stayed with you until the taxi came."
    "I did drop by unannounced. He has work to do. Can you call me another taxi?"
    "Yeah. But it might cost seventy lira to get back to the hotel. The taxi has to drive all the way out here to get you."
    "I figured as much," I said.
    "I'll go to the gate and make sure you get off okay."
    "You don't have to do that, Amesh."
    "Sara, I don't have to do anything."
    It was then I realized he might want to see me again!
    He arrived a few minutes later, and this time he was not ashamed to be seen with me. I understood. He could not be seen returning from Istanbul with a girl while he was on the clock. But now our roles had changed. I was simply a visitor who needed help.
    His cell suddenly rang. I assumed it was the taxi company calling back to say they couldn't pick me up after all, but as I watched, his face darkened. I knew the news must be bad. He hung up and jumped on