"My baby!" Merenre cried.
"They still have her," Imhotep said softly. "I couldn't find them."
Merenre scowled. "I know where they could be," she said.
"Let's go," Imhotep replied, helping her out of the bed.
The hardest part about sneaking out of the hospital was Elana trying to keep a straight face while walking. Her stitches hurt. Otherwise, all she had to do was put on her normal clothes and walk out with Imhotep. Elana then booked them passage to London.
Once on the O'Connell doorstep, Elana wondered if it was some sort of trap. There was no other reason for them to kidnap her baby than to lure them to the O'Connell home. She said as much to Imhotep.
"I am ready," he replied confidently.
Elana opened the door without knocking. If what they had said before was true, Ardeth had been watching them and the O'Connells knew they were there.
The house looked empty. Imhotep told her to stay while he climbed the steps to the second floor. A door upstairs opened and out came Evelyn, holding Sagira. She actually smiled at Imhotep.
Elana moved forward to follow him, but an arm restrained her. A knife went to her throat. "Peek-a-boo," Rick teased.
Imhotep moved to attack him. "Do anything and she'll die," Rick said. Imhotep seemed to understand. He stayed where he was.
"Where is the book?" Evelyn asked him in his own language.
"Give me my child and you can have it," Imhotep replied.
Evelyn snorted. "I hardly think so. Book first."
Imhotep considered. "Fine, I will get it. You must give me a day."
Evelyn nodded. "We keep them both until you return. When you come back, you get Elana. When we get the book, you get Sagira."
Rick pulled Elana away from the door so Imhotep could leave.
"I will be back," Imhotep said, looking at Elana. "I love you." He was gone.
Tears sprang to Merenre's eyes. "I love you, too," she whispered.
Evelyn came down the stairs and handed Sagira to Elana. "I know you hate us," she said, "but we had no choice."
Elana glared at Evelyn. "You were my friend. You had a choice."
Evelyn sighed sadly.
