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When Evelyn caught up with him and Rana, it was clear to Rick that something had happened. Her color was high, her eyes bright, and she had that focused, determined look that said she was working through a plan.

He wanted to just stand and watch her, memorizing every change in her expression. In awe of her intelligence and how quickly she could navigate a problem that seemed incomprehensible to him, Rick found the sight of her at work mesmerizing.

But now, sadly, wasn't the time for that kind of indulgence. He caught her by the arm, pulling her slightly away from Rana. "What?"

"He's here. She met with him."

Their eyes met. "Well, that's not good. What does he want?"

Briefly she glanced at the pouch on his belt. "The piece."

"You were right again."

That got a smile. "I so often am."

"One of your many charms."

Before he could kiss her, which he would have loved to do, sounds indicated one of their wandering party members was about to catch up with them.

"What do we do?" Evelyn whispered. "He's in the chamber—we would have to get past him to open it."

Rick frowned. "How many men does he have?"

"I don't know. I couldn't see, only hear."

Ardeth appeared around the corner, with Alex accompanying him. Rick wished they had arrived separately so he could have spoken frankly with his friend—or strong-armed Alex without Ardeth there for her to appeal to.

Jonathan was behind them, so at least their whole group was together again, which was a relief. Rick looked at all of them, considering his options. On the whole, he would have preferred a frontal assault on Osiris, get him out of the way once and for all—but he knew enough about this magic stuff, all this ancient treasure and the curses and charms that protected it, to know that rushing in too hastily often was a bad idea. He would have done it anyway, and handled the consequences, had it been just him. But Jonathan had a way of fouling up plans, Evelyn would no doubt argue that there was a more mystical way, Rana would want nothing to do with it, Alex would get in the way, and Ardeth … Ardeth could normally be counted on to join Rick in a physical altercation, but Rick didn't think he would be so easily convinced in this case.

So direct attack was out of the question. He put an affectionate arm around Evelyn, nuzzling her ear, and murmured,"How close would Rana have to be?"

She turned her head and whispered, "Close enough that he would know we were there."

"What if we distract him?"

"How?"

"We let him think he's gotten what he wanted."

Evelyn pulled back, looking up at him, and sighed, getting the gist of what he was suggesting. "Hamunaptra."

"Something like that." He pressed his forehead against hers, grinning. "Worked out all right in the end, didn't it?"

"You weren't the one who was almost sacrificed," she murmured against his lips.

Rick couldn't help wincing, remembering the way the mummies and Imhotep had tossed him around like a rag doll. "Depends on how you look at it."

"Yes, I suppose there is that. Nothing else to do, is there?"

"Oh, come on, you two, aren't there other things you could be doing right now?" Jonathan complained loudly.

Rick raised his eyebrows at Evelyn, who nodded reluctantly. He embraced her, feeling her hand rest ostentatiously on the pouch at his belt, her fingers fumbling inside it. Then she withdrew her hand, closed as if she was holding the piece, and they broke apart after an all-too-brief kiss.

Evelyn yawned—only partially feigned, Rick noticed with some concern—and covered her mouth with her hand. "I'm sorry. It's been a long couple of days."

"Maybe you should get some rest," he told her.

"That might be a good idea." Evelyn looked around. "Maybe we should all try to get a few hours' sleep. It's been a long night for everyone."

Ardeth nodded. "A sensible plan. I will keep watch."

He was the logical choice, but he wasn't going to appreciate them using Alex and Evelyn as a distraction for Osiris. "Why don't you let me take first watch?" Rick said. "I've—there's a catch in the pistol, I want to take it apart and see what the problem is before I have to use it again. I won't be able to sleep until I figure it out." It was a thin story, but he hoped plausible enough to keep Ardeth from arguing.

"All right, if you prefer."

There was caution in Ardeth's voice, and Rick knew his friend would sleep lightly, if at all. Since this charade was as much for Ardeth's benefit as for Alex's, Rick wished he had come up with a better story to begin with … but the damage was done.

Jonathan, at least, had taken the suggestion with unsuspicious relief, and was unrolling blankets for himself and Rana. Rick caught Rana's gaze and raised an eyebrow, and he could see that she got enough of the idea from the exasperated way her lips pursed. Having a history with someone could be useful at times, he reflected, even if he knew it was slowly driving Evelyn crazy. For her sake, he wished he had a hell of a lot less history than he did … but that was all in the past. She was his future, all of his future, and he would spend every minute of the rest of their lives making sure she knew it.

Slowly, they all settled, Rick reaching for Evelyn's hand and holding it gently as she allowed her body to relax in hopes of getting some rest, if not any actual sleep.

He made a show of taking the pistol apart—a little bit, not completely, so it could be quickly put back together, and he had backups anyway—and then slowly let his head fall back against the wall and his eyes close, giving the impression that he had fallen asleep on watch.

Tired as he was, Rick was keyed up enough that he didn't think it was likely he would fall asleep before Alex made her move. She wasn't experienced enough to wait long enough to make sure everyone slept, he judged.

And sure enough, he was right. Not long after he had let his eyes close, he heard the soft movements that indicated Alex was moving carefully across the floor. Evelyn gave a sharp breath, there was a faint whisper, and then the sound of both of them sneaking past Rick back the way they had come.

As soon as the sounds had faded around the corner, Rick opened his eyes … and in the light of the torch found Ardeth staring at him. "Well, my friend, the die is cast," he said softly.

"That it is. Let's see whose number comes up … and hope it isn't ours."