Chapter 3

"Dear passengers, last call for Nairobi. Please board immediately," announced the flight attendant.

"This is me," said Kurtis. He shook the ladies' hands and waved goodbye. "Let me know how everything works out."

"Sure thing. Be careful," replied Lara.

"I'm always careful," Kurtis retorted. At that moment, he bumped into a man and apologized. Lara laughed, Kurtis raised his hands in the air and disappeared in the tunnel.

Ayla and Lara stood there until Kurtis' plane took off. Ayla turned to Lara. "So, do you want to go to Topkapi Palace?"

"Of course I do! I wouldn't call myself an archeologist if I didn't go there."

"Let's get going then."

Lara was gaping admiringly at the Kasikci Diamond. "Now that's what I call a diamond! It's bigger than my fist!" She read the bronze plate next to the thick glass case. "And think, it was found in a dump!"

"Almost miraculous," Ayla replied. She felt proud as she watched Lara admire the things in exhibit. These belonged to my people, she thought.

From the reflection of the glass case, Lara saw a familiar face: Martin Gunderson. She hissed at Ayla. "We've got to get out, now!"

Ayla sensed something was wrong, so she exited it a calm manner, with Lara behind her.

"Run for it!" Lara yelled as soon as they were out of the treasury room. Lara and Ayla

Lara and Ayla ran across the courtyard to the exit. They kept running down the cobbled street. Finally, they reached the parking lot. Ayla noticed something interesting. "Lara, I've seen this car follow me around," she said, pointing at the car with the German license plate.

Lara furrowed her eyebrows. "That must be Gunderson's. Let's go, before he catches up."

Ayla started the car once they got in. She was about to get out of the lot when she noticed Gunderson running towards them. She pressed on the gas pedal and drove towards him. Ayla missed him by an inch when he dove to the side.

Lara looked at Ayla in surprise. "I can't believe you just did that."

Ayla shook her head in disbelief. "Me neither."

"Stop doing that!" Lara exclaimed irritably."

"Do what?"

"That."

"Oh, this." A fountain of water gushed from Ayla's right hand, then left. Right, left, right left.

"I'm only practicing," Ayla said innocently, but stopped. She went outside, to the balcony, stared at the parking lot, the returned. "He's not down there."

"Well, at least we don't have to worry about him at the moment."

Ayla changed the subject. "Did you reserve a ticket?"

"Uh-huh. My flight's at 7:30. A.M"

"Then we should go to bed."

"You're right." Both of them retreated to their rooms to end the day.

"Ayla, are you sure you can handle this?"

Ayla rolled her eyes. "Yes I'm sure Mummy," she replied sarcastically and waved her hand dismissively. "As I said before, I could use some adventure. Don't worry about me."

"If anything goes wrong, give me a call, okay?"

Ayla nodded impatiently. "I will. Don't worry about me." She noticed the impatient stewardess and pushed Lara playfully. "Go now."

"Fine." Lara hugged Ayla. "Be careful." She looked at Ayla behind her shoulder one last time; Ayla waved back. Ayla remained there till the plane took off.

"Yes Nurdan, arrange a substitute for my classes. Yes, I'm fine. I'm just going to take a short holiday. No, I'm not depressed." Ayla paused. "I'm going to Seljuk." She smiled. "Fine I'll visit Virgin Mary's house and light a candle for you. Don't worry; I won't forget. Bye." Ayla hung up and went to pack. She stuffed in everything she might need. At last, but not least, she put her Desert Eagle in her suitcase, along with forty shells. That should be enough, she thought. She set her alarm clock to 5:30 AM; it was going to be a long ten-hour drive. Ayla peacefully dozed off.