In her
rush to reach the ringing telephone, Astrid Logan nearly sprawled on the
suitcases she'd left in the apartment hallway. She grabbed the receiver on the
seventh ring. A deep voice spoke her name and her heart thudded in her chest.
"Clive?" Had something happened to her father? Was there a problem at
Antiquities?
"Been
trying to reach you for hours. Where have you been?"
Astrid
sucked in a breath. "Dad knows how to reach me at school." She sank
to the floor. "What's wrong with him?"
"He's
had a stroke."
"How
is he?"
"Doctor
believes he'll recover completely, but he'll need time in rehab."
"When
did this happen and where?"
"This
morning at the gallery. We were discussing the placement of several new pieces.
He groaned and collapsed. Ambulance arrived maybe fifteen minutes later."
Astrid
frowned. What was he holding back? Her father liked and trusted his younger
assistant, but for no reason she could discover, Clive had always made her
edgy. "Did they do tests?"
"CAT
Scan. Then they gave him some kind of special IV. Guess this will make you
change your summer plans."
"Why
should it?" Clive had been her father's assistant at the gallery for a
year and a half. He knew she spent every summer at Antiquities.
"Then
you're really not coming."
"What
are you talking about? I had planned to drive down tomorrow." Since she'd
turned twelve, she'd spent every summer at the shop with her dad. In sixteen
years, she knew as much about the shop as her father.
"Thought
your dad said you wouldn't be here. Never mind. It's just ... I was going to
move into his apartment."
"Why?"
"To
keep an eye on the gallery."
Astrid
frowned. That didn't make sense. The thirty-year-old playboy had an expensive
co-op on the river. "Isn't there a sophisticated alarm system?"
"Alarms
can be by-passed."
"Are
there problems?"
"In
a way. A few pieces have gone missing and your dad won't hear of calling the
police."
"I
see." She didn't, but once she was sure her father was recovering, she
intended to check.
"When
are you coming?"
"As
soon as I pack the car."
"Imagine
you'll arrive between five and six. I'll close the shop and meet you at the
hospital."
"No
need. I have keys. After I check on Dad, I'll stop by the gallery." She
hung up and started to call the hospital. Why? It would be a futile gesture.
They would merely confirm her father was a patient, but they wouldn't disclose
the information she wanted.
She
made a quick check of the nearly empty apartment. Her furniture was in storage
until she found a place closer to the university where she would begin a
graduate program in September.
Twenty
minutes later, she'd packed the car. On the way out of town, she dropped the
keys at the real estate agency and began the four-hour trip to Rockleigh, the Hudson River village where her father lived.
During
the drive, she tried not to think about her father. If she didn't dwell on her
fears, they wouldn't come true. Think positive, she told herself. She recalled
her father's excitement over the changes he and Clive had made at Antiquities
and the enthusiasm over a new customer. What would happen to the gallery if he
wasn't there? She gripped the wheel and shifted mental gears.
Astrid
parked in the hospital lot and stopped at the information desk. With a
visitor's pass in hand, she went to the third floor and found her father's
room. The odors, the moans and cries, the bustle of activity made her feel as
though she'd entered an alien land. Her job as a school nurse held none of
these scenes. She paused in the doorway of the semi-private room. One bed was
empty. Her father lay in the window bed.
For a
moment, she stared. How had he aged so much since the last time she'd seen him?
Easter had been just two and a half months ago. During their weekly phone
calls, he'd sounded the way he always had. She approached the bed, checked the
intravenous site and the rate and looked at the oxygen meter on the wall.
Seemed fine.
"Dad."
He
opened his eyes and tried to smile. She took his hand. He spoke, but the words
were so garbled she couldn't decipher them. Tears threatened. She swallowed
against the lump in her throat.
"Don't
worry about Antiquities. I'll keep Clive in line. I'll have the records in
order by the time you're back."
Her
words seemed to give him peace. The lines around his mouth relaxed. Until the
urge to cry grew too strong, she remained. "I'm going to the apartment,
then the gallery. I'll be back this evening."
He
mouthed a word.
"Good?"
she asked.
He
nodded.
Outside
the room, she pulled a tissue from her bag and wiped her eyes. At the nurses'
desk, she paused. "I'm Mr. Logan's daughter. How is he?"
A
gray-haired woman looked up. "He's stable and responding to treatment. We
were able to start things within hours after the stroke."
Astrid
cleared her throat. "I'm a nurse." She asked a series of questions
about the prognosis and course of treatment.
"You'll
have to speak to his doctor."
"Who
is?"
The
nurse gave Astrid a name and phone number. "Thanks."
After
paying the parking fee, she drove to Antiquities and pulled onto the paved area
behind the building. As she took two suitcases from the trunk, Mrs. Rayson, her
father's tenant and long-time friend, stepped onto the deck. "Astrid. I'm
so glad you're here. That Clive said you weren't coming this summer."
"He
misunderstood Dad. Probably confused my decision to resign my position at the
school and go to grad school with my summer plans. You know how Dad sometimes
carries on two discussions at once."
Mrs.
Rayson laughed. "How true. What happened to Lloyd this morning was
dreadful. I was so scared."
"Were
you there?"
The
older woman nodded. "Heard him arguing with Clive so I stepped in. Saw
Lloyd collapse. Called 911. That Clive just stood and stared."
"Shock."
Astrid started up the steps. Would Clive have called an ambulance? She chewed
on her lower lip. She couldn't let her distrust of the man color her opinions.
"How
is Lloyd? I wanted to visit, but wasn't sure if he was in Intensive Care or a
regular room."
"I
stopped by on my way here." Astrid sighed. "He looked so old and
fragile."
Sarah
Rayson hugged Astrid. "He'll be fine."
"Aunt
Sarah, I'll take that as a prophecy. Let me unload the car. Then I need to
check the gallery."
"Come
to dinner. Around six."
"I'd
like that. We can go see Dad together."
Astrid
opened the door and stepped into the apartment's main room. She turned on the
air conditioner. The large picture window showed a view of the river. Breakfast
dishes were still on the counter dividing the kitchen from the rest of the
room. Stacks of books covered the couch, chairs and coffee table.
A
groan escaped. Not only would she have to organize the gallery records, she'd
have to make order here. She carried the suitcases to the small bedroom she
used when she visited. At least the clutter hadn't invaded her space. After
several trips to the car, she stepped into the bathroom and splashed cold water
on her face.
What
had caused Dad and Clive to quarrel? They seldom disagreed. Would Clive tell
her?
When
she entered Antiquities, she turned a full circle. The usual disorganized
appearance had vanished. The enormous room was now broken into small areas.
Dividers of wood and glass separated the displays.
"Astrid."
Clive
strode toward her. The tall, blond man moved with a predatory grace. He looked
like the Viking hero some of her acquaintances had dubbed him. He was handsome,
but the coldness of his blue eyes made her wary. "Hello, Clive."
"You
made good time. Have you seen your dad?"
"I
stopped at the hospital." A sigh escaped. "I can't believe he had a
stroke. He's always been so healthy."
Clive clasped
her hands. "He's tough. Before long, he'll be back cluttering the
place."
"Hope
not. You've achieved wonders here." She tried to free her hands. He tugged
her closer. "The apartment looks like a magpie's nest."
"Good
description." He brushed her lips with his.
Astrid
shook her head. She wanted to wipe her mouth. Would he start another pursuit
this summer? "Let's stick to business. I like the arrangement of the
stock."
"A
suggestion from a new customer. Rich playboy type, but he has good taste. Garrett
and your dad connected. Act like they've known each other for ages."
She
crossed her arms on her chest. "Why were you and Dad arguing?"
He
groaned. "Guess you talked to nosy Sarah. Was more like a heated
discussion about displaying two new pieces he recently found. Bought this
sealed box at a sale. Odd assortment."
"How
odd?"
He
laughed. "Nothing bad. Mostly a collection of Victorian jewelry and these
two pieces. He wanted to research them before they were offered for sale. I
wanted to price them immediately. You know how hard it is to date the things we
acquire."
She
nodded. "So where are they?"
"Most
of the jewelry is in the vault and I can't get to them."
"I--"
She cut off her response. She knew the code for the vault and would see what he
meant in the morning.
He
took her arm. "I'll show you the two pieces I kept out and introduce you
to Paula Winters. She's photographing a number of our best pieces for a
catalogue we're launching."
"Another
suggestion from Dad's new friend?"
"In
a way." He entered the Egyptian area. "Astrid, Paula Winters. Astrid
is Lloyd's daughter. She's here for the summer, then it's back upstate."
Astrid
didn't contradict him. Her plans weren't his business.
The
woman turned. "Teacher?" She gazed at Clive.
"School
nurse." Astrid read admiration in Paula's eyes. Did Clive return the
interest? He usually went for petite and curvy. Paula was slim, almost boyish.
The blunt cut of her shoulder-length auburn hair reminded Astrid of styles
she'd seen on ancient Egyptian women.
Paula's
crooked grin warmed Astrid. "Glad to finally meet you. Your dad talks a
lot about you."
"Don't
believe everything he's said. What are you photographing today?" Astrid
asked.
"Starting
with the Egyptian collection. The new pieces are stunning. Clive thinks it's a
good idea to have a visual record of the things in the shop."
Astrid
turned to Clive. "Then there is a problem."
"I
told you several pieces were missing."
"Thieves?"
"I
hope not, but this has been going on since right after Easter."
Astrid
frowned. Why hadn't Dad mentioned the problem? She edged toward the stand where
a necklace and crown were displayed on a black velvet cloth. Where had she seen
these pieces before? The necklace resembled a wide collar. Semi-circles of a
pale gold metal were inlaid with lapis. From the last row, carnelians dangled.
The headband of the same metal had flowers of inlaid lapis with carnelian
centers.
"Are
these the items you and Dad argued about?"
Clive
nodded. "He wanted to put them in the vault."
"Why
have you displayed them?"
"One,
I can't open the vault and two, they're too attractive to hide."
Astrid
brushed a finger over one of the dangles. Sadness washed over her. As though
under a spell, she lifted the necklace. Waves of dizziness rocked her.
* * *
*
Seshat
stood at the entrance to her workroom built against the wall of the villa. She
stared into the garden. Though chaos ruled the Two Lands, in this house at a
distance from Thebes,
only echoes of the troubles were heard. How fortunate that her father, Nomarch
Sehetep, had distanced himself from the politics of both halves of the divided
land.
She
heard her younger sister giggle and watched her run toward the workroom.
"What have you done now?"
"Spied
on Father," Tiy said.
Seshat
shook her head. Tiy hovered between childhood and womanhood. She delighted in
mischief. Seshat left the doorway and reached for the tallies of the recent
harvest.
"Don't
you want to know what I heard and what I saw?" Tiy's warm brown eyes
sparkled with mischief.
"Tell
me."
"We
have guests. From Thebes.
Oh, Seshat, they are the most handsome men I have ever seen. They seek father's
support. One of them wants the Double Crown. Maybe he will choose you as his
wife and ignore Nefru."
Seshat
sighed. If she were chosen, Nefru, daughter of their father's dead first wife,
would be furious. Though Seshat's mother had been a princess of a past dynasty,
Nefru denied the claim. Seshat sighed. Anyone seeking Sehetep's support would
choose the oldest daughter. Since no sons had been born to the house, Nefru's spouse
would claim the nome when Sehetep left this world.
"We're
to eat the evening meal with them," Tiy said. "Nefru stamped her foot
when she heard. When these men see you, they won't look at her."
Seshat
shook her head. That would bring spiteful attacks from her sister. Besides,
Seshat had no desire to leave her father. Wasn't she his right hand and his
star to comfort his last days? She lifted a quill and began to record the
number of baskets of harvested grain.
Before
she finished the tally, Bastet, her aging maidservant, entered. "Come,
child. You must make ready for the evening."
Seshat
put her quill and papyrus aside and followed Bastet to the bathing room. After
washing, her skin was rubbed with scented oil. Bastet combed and braided her
hair. Not for Seshat the shaved head and the hot, heavy wig. The maid applied
kohl to make Seshat's gray eyes appear more luminous and darker.
"What
will you wear?" Bastet asked. "These men have come from Thebes. You don't want to
appear a country girl."
Seshat
chose a robe of fine linen that covered her body from beneath her breasts to
her ankles. The broad straps formed a vee as they crossed her shoulders. For
jewelry, she selected the necklace her mother had left her. The electrum
semi-circles of the collar were inlaid with lapis. Carnelians dangled above her
bare breasts.
"Will
you wear the crown?"
Seshat
shook her head. She was sure Nefru would wear her finest linen tunic and adorn
herself with jewels. Her wig would be ornamented as well. A subtle touch is
best, Seshat thought.
She
and Tiy entered the large hall where their father, sister and the guests
waited. Sehetep smiled. "Daughters, come and meet our visitors. Seshat,
how like your mother you look. She was the loveliest flower in my garden. You
are indeed the star to delight my last days."
Nefru's
lips thinned. She glared. Rings glittered on her fingers. Her armbands were
studded with gems. The nipples of her heavy breasts had been colored with
henna.
Seshat
ignored her sister's displeasure. She kept her eyelids lowered as her father
drew her toward the guests. "Mermeshu, Commander of the Army, and Intef,
his advisor, my daughters, Seshat and Tiy."
Seshat
glanced at the men. Both wore kilts and tunics. A jeweled pectoral gleamed
against the pale linen of Mermeshu's tunic. The men were taller than her
father. Mermeshu had the arms and shoulders of an archer. Though of slighter
build, Intef seemed fit. She shuddered. His eyes had the coldness of a serpent.
Mermeshu's
dark eyes captured her gaze. As though to see her better, he smiled and stepped
back. Her skin felt hot. A throbbing low in her belly brought an urge to touch
and be touched by him. Her nipples tightened. His smile broadened.
In
that instant, Seshat knew she desired this man for all eternity. Hathor, goddess
of love, bring him to my side. Fill him with desire for only me. Let him see my
beauty and my grace. Bring him to me.
Nefru
clapped her hands. The serving maids set the individual tables before Sehetep's
chair and the stools for the others. Since this was the main meal of the day,
course followed course. Beef, lamb and goose were served with lentils, carrots
and spinach. Wine and beer were lavishly offered. The meal ended with melons,
figs and dates. Though Seshat ate, she tasted nothing.
Mermeshu
and Intef spoke of the Hyksos who controlled the north and of the troubles in
the south. Many men competed for the Double Crown, but only one could wear it.
Mermeshu had come to ask for men, supplies and coins. He believed with the
army's backing, he could win the crown and drive the usurpers from the land.
Bits
of conversation entered Seshat's awareness. For twenty years, the land had been
torn asunder by men who wished to be pharaoh. Then came the Hyksos with their
chariots and armies. Only a united Egypt could repel them.
Seshat
had no care for tales of war or warnings of battles to come. Her body thrummed
with a desire she didn't fully understand.
When
the meal ended, Nefru signaled the slaves to remove the tables. "Mermeshu
and Intef, would you like to stroll in the gardens?"
The
men rose to follow her. Seshat paused beside her father's chair. "Do you
wish me to play the harp?" Though she wanted to join the others, her first
duty was to him.
"Go
to the garden." He patted her cheek. "Star of my last days, you have
your mother's heart."
Seshat
kissed him on the forehead and strolled into the garden. Nefru walked with a
hand on each man's arm. Tiy was nowhere to be seen. Had Nefru sent her away?
The trio paused beside the pool.
"Alas,
my father has no sons or male kindred," Nefru said. "The husband I
choose will be fortunate. All this will be his."
"And
your sisters?" Mermeshu asked. "Have they no share in your father's
wealth?"
Nefru
snorted. "Daughters of concubines have no standing. They will be grateful
for what I give them."
Intef
laughed. "Don't you mean what your husband gives them?"
Nefru
smiled. "He will be so entranced with me, he will do as I wish."
Seshat
joined them. Anger sizzled through her veins. "Nefru, you can insult me
but not my mother. She was wife to our father, duly witnessed in the
temple."
Nefru
giggled. "I'd forgotten. She was only second wife and brought nothing of
value to the marriage."
"She
was a princess."
"So
she said."
Seshat
bit her lip. Quarreling with Nefru before their guests was in poor taste. She
looked up. Mermeshu grinned. Heat seared her core. He stepped away from Nefru
and took Seshat's arm.
"Come
and enjoy the beauty of the garden," he said. "The night and the
company are too lovely for heated words. Your father said the garden was your
realm."
"And
the fields and herds," Nefru said. "She acts like she's our father's
son."
"And
for that reason, I must leave," Seshat said. "'Tis harvest time and I
have much to do."
Mermeshu
leaned toward her. "Pleasant dreams." He lightly caressed her arm.
