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“There’s no way,” said Fred in a decidedly American accent.

“There is absolutely no way that I wouldn’t have seen that or known what it was.

I’m not a fool. I’m a German who understands my history and especially the atrocities that my own people have committed.

If I had seen any of that, I would have reported it. ”

“Calm down, Fred. We don’t think you hid it or had anything to do with it being there, but everything seems to point to the fact that someone believes that you saw these items being brought into the site or out of the site,” said Luke.

“I’m sorry I can’t be more help, but I was the lowest man on the totem pole there. I had not done a dig before. I knew nothing. I worked closely with a man and woman. I believe they were husband and wife. But we started early in the mornings, and we would leave around six or so in the evenings.

“I was usually so tired, I’d go back to my small apartment, shower, watch a movie or read a book, and go to bed. I never went out unless it was to pick up food or go to the market.”

“Were there any new people at the site the last few weeks that you were there?” asked Leo. Tillie was sitting beside him, holding his hand.

“There were a lot of people there. The government was making sure that nothing was done without their approval, and there were always two members of the national antiquities division. They were very nice, but they watched you like a hawk.”

“Do you think they knew something?” asked Tillie.

“I’m just not sure. I mean, I had no clue anything was happening. I just didn’t really speak to anyone other than the team I was working with during the day. I can give you their names, but they were all archaeological students or professors who worked full-time for the government.”

“Fred, while you were in Botswana, did Jewel ever try to approach you for more than friendship?” asked Tillie. Fred blushed, looking down and then back up.

“Yes,” he nodded. “I refused because she was so much younger than me, and quite honestly, she just wasn’t attractive to me.” Leo looked at him, then the others around the table.

“Fred? This does not matter to any man or woman here. I’m asking out of curiosity and for context. Are you gay?” asked Leo. Fred said nothing, just looking down at his plate of food.

“Fred, we don’t care,” smiled Tillie, reaching for his hand. “I’ve always liked you. Whether you like men or women doesn’t matter to me. But why hide it?”

“Why? My father is old school, upper crust,” he said, chuckling to himself. “He wants me to have a family. To take a wife and start spitting out children. I’m nearly fifty. You would have thought he’d figure out that I don’t want to do that.”

“Do you not like children?” asked Sophia Ann, seated with Eric.

“Oh. No, I didn’t mean that. I love kids. I just don’t like the way you have to go about getting them.” Sophia Ann laughed, shaking her head.

“Fred, you could always adopt or do a surrogate.”

“A surrogate,” he whispered. “I’ve never thought of that.”

“Do you have someone special in your life?” asked Tillie.

“No. No one. I’ve been very careful with my private life. No midnight trysts. No paid escorts. No back-alley clubs. I didn’t want to bring shame to my family.”

“Listen, brother. I don’t know your father intimately, but he seemed like a fair man to me,” said Luke. “I’m going to bet he’d understand if you told him. He just wants his son to be happy.”

Fred looked away and nodded. He’d hoped, prayed that his father would accept him. He’d tried so many times to tell him that he preferred the company of men to women, but he just couldn’t bring himself to do it.

“He’s right, you know,” said the voice behind them.

Fred turned to see his father standing next to Matthew Robicheaux.

“Mr. Robicheaux was kind enough to send a plane for me. A rather unique airplane, I might add. Frederick. What on earth would ever make you believe I could love you less because of who you choose to love?”

“I don’t know. I just didn’t want to disappoint you. I didn’t want you ashamed of me.”

“Ashamed? Frederick, our country needs to move quickly into the future, and having one of their own royalty representing a huge part of our population would be monumental.”

“Really?” smiled Fred. His face looked like a twelve-year-old’s trying to gain his father’s approval.

“Really. Now, don’t get me wrong. We still need children, and I overheard your friends. Surrogates would be ideal. They would still be of your royal bloodline. I think that’s a wonderful compromise, don’t you?”

“I do,” laughed Fred, hugging his father. “Now, I just have to find someone who’s willing to take that role.”

“Oh, I don’t think that will be a problem,” smiled Matthew. “The world is made of a lot of wonderful people. You just stick with us, and we’ll find your happily ever after in no time.”

“You are an extraordinary group of people,” said Fred, shaking his head. “I knew there was something special, something different about you, Tillie. I just didn’t realize that it would stretch back generations. Thank you for helping me. With everything.”

“You’re more than welcome,” nodded Luke.

“Luke!” called Hiro, running toward him. “I’ve got Jewel on the phone. She needs our help.”

“Gee, I can’t imagine why,” he smirked.

“Will you help her? I mean, even after all she’s done, will you still try to help her?” asked Fred. Cam smiled at the man, nodding.

“It’s what we do, Fred.”