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“How do you know?” Celine asked. Then she answered her own question. “You were down there because you were looking for a way out.”

Kontara nodded. “The craftsmen’s room wasn’t as guarded as the rest of the village.

They were artists, and Zakira wasn’t worried about them trying to get away.

They were terrified of him because they knew they were only going to be alive as long as they produced what he wanted.

They were right. I spent a long time trying to dig a tunnel into the basement.

” She made a face. “Really more like a hole I could hide with debris, so that I could use the trapdoor to get up to the museum from the craftsmen’s workroom in the basement.

But it was slow going. Too slow. One day I saw the workmen being herded out of the basement and into the center of the village.

Then Zakira came out of his throne room and gave the order.

He announced that their work was now completed and they were no longer needed.

Then his soldiers raised their rifles and shot every one of them. ”

Celine shuddered. It was just another horrific episode that Kontara had been forced to go through that she had never known about. How many others had there been?

Kontara nodded as she saw Celine’s expression.

“Yes, it was bad, terrible. But the only good thing is that after they killed those poor, innocent human beings, they immediately sealed off the basement, because Zakira decided he didn’t like the stench of sweat and honest labor drifting up to his precious museum.

I thought I might be able to get down into the basement, break the lock on the trapdoor, and get to the museum level when I had the opportunity. ”

“But you didn’t get the opportunity?” Joe asked.

“No, because it had been raining, and I was afraid that my tunnel was flooded. There was all kinds of excitement going on in the village because Zakira had sent his men into the mountains searching for Folashade, the lost queen, and they had found her and were making preparations to bring her back to Shafira. I had to find a way to get out fast or I might not get another chance. It was risky, but I went over the falls instead.”

“I’d say that was risky,” Joe said dryly. “Michael’s a good swimmer, but I’d prefer not to take him that way.”

“We won’t have to,” Kontara said. “I checked out the tunnel I dug on the outside of the basement wall, and it’s still in place.

It hasn’t rained in weeks, so flooding won’t be a problem.

We’ll be able to enter there and then go up to the museum.

It should be deserted, and we can wait until we see that the guards are distracted and then make a run for the maze. ”

“You’re saying ‘we,’” Joe said. “But you’re still leaving me out of this.”

“You know it’s safer for all of us if I do. Once I deliver Michael to you, then you can take care of everyone to your heart’s content. In the meantime, just keep an eye on Celine while I do my job.”

But she wasn’t the one he wanted to keep an eye on, Celine thought.

It must be agony to know Eve was so close and he couldn’t do anything to help her.

But Joe wouldn’t appreciate anyone noticing what he was going through.

She turned and spoke to Kontara instead.

“I shouldn’t even dignify that remark with an answer.

I’ve behaved exactly as I promised I would, and I don’t need anyone to watch over me.

However, if the occasion calls for it, you know I’m always ready to help. ”

“That’s why I want him to keep an eye on you,” Kontara said.

“You’ve always been a little too eager to help.

Though it’s a quality I’ve been grateful for in the past…

” She turned away. “And now I’m going to eat a sandwich and then take a nap.

I want to be fresh when I go to get your Michael tonight, Joe.

If you want something to do, Celine, you might stand guard yourself tonight.

Make sure that you keep a bead on Jossland and make sure that he’s not drifting around too much while we’re smuggling Michael out of that museum. That should keep you busy…”

“I was planning on doing that,” Celine said as she positioned herself on the slope with her rifle.

“By all means, get some rest. The last thing either of us wants is to have you so tired that you start making mistakes when you’re leading us back through that hellish maze after we’ve managed to free Michael.

I would have been lost a dozen times on the way here if I hadn’t had you to follow. ”

“I know just how you feel. Why do you think it took me so long to escape from here? That’s why Shafira has been so impregnable all these years.

I had to teach myself not only how to escape from Zakira and Caldwell but all the tricks and turns of one of the most difficult landscapes I’ll probably ever have to face.

” Kontara had finished her sandwich, and she closed her eyes.

“But I think I’ve got it now. Though it’s every bit as difficult as that headlock you taught me.

Maybe when this is all over, I’ll teach you all my secrets, Celine. ”

“I can hardly wait,” Celine said gently. “Any of them except your cooking. I’ve seen how long it takes you to make some of those gourmet meals. But for the time being, I’ll meekly follow in your footsteps until you get us out of here.”

“Meekly?” Kontara repeated. “You’ve never shown me meekness. I would have thought you were sick.” She yawned and then gave a weary sigh. “But maybe we’ll take this up later…”

Celine didn’t answer, but a few minutes later, she realized that Kontara was asleep.

SARCOPHAGUS WORKROOM

SHAFIRA

10:40 P.M.

Michael sat against the wall, watching Eve as she carefully worked with the delft clay, creating features where there had been only bland smoothness. She felt his gaze on her and turned her head to look at him. “I thought you were still asleep. You didn’t get to bed until the middle of the night.”

“I couldn’t sleep.” He was staring at the reconstruction. “Not since the last time I went out to the well to bring you more water to dampen that plaster. I kept thinking about how hard you were working on Folashade and how little I was able to help.”

“You do all you can.” She smiled at him. “And just your being here with me is an enormous help. You brighten my life. It wouldn’t surprise me if Folashade turns out to be a much better reconstruction because you’ve been here helping me work on her.”

He shook his head. “No, it’s all you, Mom.

We both know that. I’ve watched you work on those reconstructions since I was so young I was barely able to walk, and it’s always the same.

They seem to know you’re able to bring them home when they’re a little lost, like Folashade.

” He looked away from her. “But I don’t want to leave you alone.

” His hands at his sides clenched into fists.

“Don’t make me do it. I’ve heard all you’ve said, but I need to stay with you. ”

Eve stiffened. It was clear that something was very wrong.

She had known that Michael had been upset when they’d had that discussion, but she’d hoped he’d become adjusted to the idea that it was the only reasonable solution.

But right now she could sense his pain. “Something’s wrong.

” She got up from her chair, crossed the room, and knelt beside him.

“Something’s different. When you went outside to get me that pitcher of water, did that guard, Jossland, bother you?

I know what a bully he is, and I’ve been a little worried. Did he touch you?”

Michael shook his head. “He just scowled at me like he usually does. I think he hates having to guard us. I wanted to ask him what his problem is. But you told me not to have anything to do with him.”

“But something happened out there?”

Michael shook his head. “I just got my pitcher of water, stood there a minute, and then I came back into the work-room.”

“Michael?”

Michael was silent a moment. Then he looked into her eyes and whispered, “He’s here, Mom. Dad’s here.”

She stiffened in shock. “You saw him?”

“No, but I could feel him. He was out there somewhere in the darkness. Close…”

“Are you sure it wasn’t just wishful thinking? We’re both missing your dad. You wanted it to be true. So do I.”

He shook his head. “I’d know the difference.

I could feel him. I even knew what he was thinking.

You know sometimes I can do that when I try, and with you and Dad it just happens even when I don’t try.

This time it was just there and it was all about you and he was so sad.

” He added desperately, “Believe me, Mom.”

“I do believe you.” She reached out and took him in her arms. And because she did believe him, it was scaring her.

“You’re right, I never discount anything you do or say.

It just means that we may have to face this sooner rather than later.

” She pushed him away and looked down into his eyes.

“Because you know that what I told you has to happen. I can’t let you stay with me, and if your dad is out there trying to find a way to take you away, then you’ll have to go with him.

And if you say he’s sad when he thinks about me, it’s probably because he knows I can’t go with you right now.

But you’ve got to be ready to go when he comes for you, because if you’re not it might put him or whoever he sends for you in danger.

” She frowned. “Your dad would be smart to send someone else. Caldwell might have photos, and they might recognize him if he tries to come after you himself.”

“He is smart.” Michael was gazing pleadingly at her. “Mom?”

He was breaking Eve’s heart. “No. I’ll see you soon. You took care of me. Now you’ve got to watch over him.” She gave him a quick kiss. “Go back and get some sleep. We don’t know when or where he’ll come for you, but you have to be ready.”

He looked back at her for an instant and then ran out of the workroom. She heard the adjoining door of their hut slam shut.

Eve got slowly to her feet and moved over to the worktable to grab a towel to wipe her hands. She looked down at the face of the reconstruction. It wasn’t completed enough for her to be able to start working on the expressions yet. But it soon would be.

“Sometimes being a mother is kind of rough, isn’t it, Folashade?

” she murmured. “I wonder how you felt when you had to send your son away across the sea?” Should she sit back down and try to concentrate?

But she didn’t want to work anymore right now.

She was worried and probably as sad as Michael had said Joe had been.

Maybe she’d go and lie down on her cot so that she could look over and see Michael for the short time she’d still have him with her.

Take care of him, Joe.

And, for heaven’s sake, take care of yourself.

But she had only been lying down on her own cot for a brief twenty minutes when she heard a faint noise from outside the door leading to the workroom.

Eve tensed and then saw the door silently open. She swung her feet to the floor, her gaze still on the door.

A woman stood there. “Eve?” she whispered. “I’m Kontara. Joe sent me for the boy.”

“Bless you.” Eve was on her feet and running over to Michael’s cot. “We’ve been waiting, haven’t we, Michael? You have to leave now.”

He didn’t move, and for a moment she wasn’t sure if he’d obey her. She gave him a swift hug and said, “Not much time. Don’t keep her waiting.”

“I’ll be back for you.” His voice was husky, and his arms tightened around her. Then he was on his feet and moving toward Kontara. “You heard her. Let’s go find my dad…”