Cairo, 1936
Carl Whalen watched the cartouche dangle from the window of his office. It had been there since he was a child; his father had gotten it when he went after the O'Connell's. That was his father's greatest victory, Carl was just glad his father had died before it was learned that it was actually a defeat. He had learned about 10 years ago that the child, Richard, had lived and had gone on to explore Egypt and become famous on his own. Gregory had also gone back to America, crushed, but he survived and became one of the most important Egyptologists at Harvard in the United States of America. He also knew that the O'Connell's and The Carnahan's had met again because Rick and Evelyn had gotten married and even had a child. So what his father prided himself on in life was completely ambushed after his death.
Carl was not going to allow his father to be disgraced in that way. He had thought of his vengeance for years. It wasn't until the letter showed up at his office the week before that his plans finally came together. He looked over the letter again.
iDear Mr. Whalen,
We regret to hear of the loss of your father and his lack of success in destroying the O'Connell's. It was a shame, but they are a tough family. We think we have found a way to destroy them once and for all. The second child of Gregory, a daughter, is visiting her brother and his family in London. They will find their way to Egypt and when they get there we need you to capture the girl and take her to the lost city of Aknatri, near Thebes. There we will lure the rest of the O'Connell's and destroy them. Which will in turn bring your family to justice and allow your father to reside in the after life in peace. You will receive your vindication!
-A friend/i
He had set a look out up at the port the family was expected into. The moment they had stepped off the boat, he had been notified. He had spies in the hotel and knew who was in which room and everything necessary for him to kidnap the girl. He knew that they would have to go to the market to prepare for their trip into the desert. They would be weakest there, that is when he would have to strike.
Carl got up from his seat and walked to his small arsenal. He took out the weaponry needed to kidnap the girl, two pistols, and knife, rope. He packed it all on him, then picked up his jacket from his chair and put it on. He walked out of the building into the harsh sun of Cairo, and set off to find the O'Connell's.
harsh sun of Cairo, and set off to find the O'Connell's
The group woke up refreshed from their slumber. They met early for breakfast in the restaurant on the second floor of their hotel. Breakfast was pleasant they talked of the day's events. They knew going to the market would be in order and booking a boat trip down the Nile to Thebes and possibly visiting The Museum of Antiquities.
They then set off to the market place. When they arrived there they split off. Evy and Rick to Alex to get supplies, while Jonathan took Charly to look around enjoy the day. Jonathan wanted to be with Charly, away from the distraction of the rest of his family. When they were far enough away Jonathan put his arm around Charly's waist, and in turn she stepped closer to him and rested her head on his shoulder. "What is this big bag you are carrying, for?" he asked noticing the bad she had slung across her shoulder, that rested on her hips.
"It just holds what I need."
"Like what?"
"Well, a book, matches, money, makeup, all the article of you guys and Rick's cartouche."
"Oh."
He led her to a small stand with jewelry and stopped, then pulled her into him and looked into her eyes. There was something different about them. Her normal sprinkle of light pink eye shadow had been replaced by dark black encircling her eyes with a swipe of blue over it. Jonathan had seen this look on belly dancers in Egypt before. On them, it made them look like whores, but on Charly it looked exotic. He then felt compelled to kiss her, and did.
She smiled up at him silently after the kiss then turned to look at the jewelry. She looked over every piece, occasionally pointing out one she found very beautiful. One in particular was a ring with gold bands that was twisted around, and in the center was a diamond setting and around the diamond were the most beautiful teal stones. She picked it up and set it on her finger. It fit perfectly. Jonathan looked over her shoulder and saw the ring as well. He took her hand and looked at the ring. "It's beautiful," he said as he kissed her hand. She took of the ring and set it back in its place and walked off to the next stand. Jonathan watched her go, allowing them to separate a little. When she reached the third stand her went to buying the ring. He didn't know why, but he knew he just had to buy it.
Meanwhile Charly looked at the pieces on the stand when she felt like she was being watched. She looked behind her and she saw a man standing across the marketplace in long black robes. His dark eyes followed her every movement. She went into a small jewelry shop to find safety from the dark man. A small English man was in the shop. "May I help you?" he asked looking at her.
"No thank you, I am just looking." She began to look at the selection against one wall.
"Women should not be alone in the marketplace in Cairo. It's not safe."
"I think I will be fine, besides…" Charly didn't finish; she was being drug toward the back of the shop. She let out a scream and then called Jonathan's name, but as she did the arms around her tightened. Then she saw a dark object coming towards her head and all went dark.
Jonathan was near the shop when he heard her scream. He ran towards the voice and ran into the shop. It was empty, but he heard a struggling in the back. He ran back there calling her name. The door to the alley was open. He ran outside just in time to see the car drive off down the alley, and he could see Charly's limp body in the back. A hand came down on Jonathan's shoulder and he screamed and jumped back. He looked towards the figure to find Ardeth Bay.
"Oh, what do you want?" he asked in an annoyed tone.
"She has raised the spirit of the creature. He will destroy her, if she does not destroy him first."
"What?"
"They already have her. Our time is limited."
Jonathan nodded, perplexed, "I'm going to go find Rick and Evy."