London, 1936
Anna Tyler knew how to throw a dinner party. She held it in a magnificent ballroom on the side of then manor, she had received upon marrying Herbert Tyler. Tables were set up in one corner of the ballroom. They were round tables that held six people. Evelyn found the table marked with her, her husband's and her brother's name. They sat down and waited for there other dinner companions to arrive.
Soon Anna and Herb Tyler came up to them and sat down. "Anna are we you table guests, tonight?" She asked as Anna sat down. "Why of course Evy." She said as she greeted them.
"Rick, how are you?" Herb asked.
"Good. You?"
"I'm good. And Mr. Carnahan? Are you enjoying the party?"
"Rather," Jonathan said downing the last of his drink before ordering more.
Evy then took lead of the conversation. "So who else is joining us tonight?"
"I am." A voice said from behind Evy. There stood a tall, stock girl, in a gorgeous blue dress. She strode around the table effortlessly, glancing at each member of the table. As she did this Evy couldn't help to think that the glint in her eye and grin on her face weren't somewhat familiar. The girl found her place between Herb Tyler and Jonathan and stood there. Jonathan got up from his seat and pulled out her chair. She sat down and as she did she put her hand up to Jonathan's cheek and said in a sweet sounding American accent "Thank you" Jonathan quickly took his place next to her, while keeping one eye on every move this girl happen to make. Evy wanted to know whom this girl was, but before she could ask her dinner was set before her.
The plates were set down and every one got set to eating. When the first course was finished, Evy went to ask who she was again, but the girl beat her to it.
"So you guys are Rick and Evelyn O'Connell? And…" she looked at the man next to her. The name came to her instantly, "Jonathan Carnahan, correct?
"Yes," Evy spoke up. "How did you know?"
The girl grinned sheepishly, "Actually, I have followed you work since you found treasure from the lost city of Hamunaptra."
"How lovely," Evy said as she smiled at her husband.
"Actually I have every article ever written about you guys in my purse. Even the birth of your son. Alexander, right?"
"Yes." Rick said eyeing her suspiciously
"That is very flattering, um, what was your name?" Evy questioned.
"Oh, I am sorry. I am Charlotte O'Connell." Charlotte grinned, waiting for a reaction.
Jonathan picked up his refilled drink and downed it. Evy's jaw hit the table. Rick cocked his head to the side, "O'Connell?"
"Yes actually, I am your half-sister. We share the same father."
Evy, regaining composer asked, "How? Rick is an orphan."
Charlotte looked at Rick. "No your not. That must have been what you were told. But everyone was lied to."
"What do you mean? Everyone was lied to?" Rick said.
"Do you want to know the story? My father…our father, Gregory told me all about it before he died.?"
"So my father is dead, now?" said Rick.
"Tell us Charlotte." Evy encouraged.
"Well in 1904…"
Gregory O'Connell was so happy he was heading home. He had taken his wife Patricia and his son Richard to Egypt with him. He had loved Egypt. They enjoyed everything there in Cairo. When they had gone on there dig a few weeks back, he had found numerous priceless artifacts. After the dig he took everyone back to Cairo and they cataloged and priced everything. Then he had to go to London, to sell them. The English had a huge passion for Egyptian Artifacts. He remembered when he told Patricia that he had to go.
"I have to go sweetie. We are going to be rich when I come back though."
"We already are rich. Besides can't little Rick and I come with you?"
"No, Patricia. You need to stay here with Richard."
He knew that Patricia didn't like this idea. He pulled out the gift he had in his pocket. "Here I bought this for you and Richard."
Patricia took the gift and opened it up. Inside were two cartouches. One said Patricia in hieroglyphics, and the other said Richard in hieroglyphics. "They are beautiful!"
Gregory smiled at the thought of his wife's joy in the two necklaces. The cab came to a stop. Gregory picked up his bag and paid he driver. He walked into the hotel in Cairo. The manager of the hotel stopped him in the lobby. "Mr. O'Connell!"
Gregory was taken aback. "What is wrong?"
"Come with me to my office, please?"
Gregory followed him to his office and sat down in the chair. The manager sat down behind the desk. "Mr. Connell, there was a security problem last night. Some men came into the hotel and knocked out the people in the lobby. Then apparently, they went to the room your family was staying in. We don't know what happened from then on out, but in the morning while we were searching the rooms we found your wife…" the manager took a deep breath "dead."
The words were ringing in Gregory's ears. Patricia dead? How could she be dead? He couldn't comprehend it.
When Gregory found his voice again he asked, "what of Richard?"
The manager looked him in the eye, "We do not know, but we fear they killed him too. We found this." The manager handed Gregory the cartouche that said Richard.
"What about the other one?" he asked.
"Other what, Mr. O'Connell?" the manager sat, confused.
"The other cartouche? It said Patricia."
"We searched thoroughly. We didn't find that."
Gregory couldn't believe it. They were dead. His wife and son were dead.