Favoured Friends
Part 30/?
Summary: An invitation to the National Egyptology Conference quickly becomes deadly race for the mythic Ichriem against an old rival of Sydney's - the assassin known only as 'the Viper'.
Note: This is a round robin originally posted at the Relic Hunter Yahoo Group. Although I'm posting it, I did not write the entire thing. This part was written by LeiLani ( dawnleilani@yahoo.com )
Also, I have Support Services. That means that, if you want, you can put me on Author Alert and receive notice when other stories of mine are posted, even if you haven't paid yourself.
Posted: Thursday, June 19, 2003
Nursing a fresh black eye, Lloyd pounded a fist into the flat motel pillow. Here in the middle of nowhere, accommodations were scarce, pricey, and considerably less than four stars. His frustrated punch sent up a cloud of dust from the bedding.
Things were spiraling out of control, and Sydney was dead right. Her accusations sliced through his conscience and gnawed at his gut like a desert rat. He'd walked away, letting two men die. He didn't check either of the Bailey brothers for a pulse. Hell, he didn't even look back! Yeah, it was his job to apprehend and stop the criminal. But his first responsibility, both as a peace officer and as a human being, to see to the safety of innocent civilians.
There was no excuse for his behavior, under any circumstances. But after Sydney cold-cocked him with a much-deserved left cross, he was forced to confront the real reason for abandoning the other men to the tender mercies of an assassin. Lloyd swallowed, the thought so bitter it turned his stomach.
He was jealous of Nigel Bailey.
The shoulder holster went on without conscious thought, thanks to years of practice. Standard-service revolver, check. Ammo, check. Two backup firearms, check. Four strategically-hidden knives, check. The loose homespun cotton robe hid all.
How can Sydney like the little dweeb? Is it because she's strong enough she doesn't need to feel protected? Or does some part of her get off on protecting the kid?
A shiner would create complications. With his dark complexion, Lloyd could pass for a native. He was more fluent in the tongue than he let on. Never let your enemy know the full extent of your capabilities. But a blatant injury like that, when they were undoubtedly being watched, could generate an instant death penalty for Syd. He prayed she had enough typical female in her to carry a makeup bag. While the blond chick would carry concealer, her pale coloring meant her cosmetics would be useless to Lloyd.
Regardless, Sydney's love life isn't the issue any more. And whether you like it or not is irrelevant. You owe her to find what's left of her friend. Then you need to get your ass back to the states and turn in your badge for good.
Sydney still paced. She was looking awfully pale again. Fear glittered in her eyes and lined her lovely face. She could maintain a perfect poker expression for a relic, but when the little Englishman came into the picture, she was transparent as hell. The dejected slump of her shoulders screamed out: You're as much as a murderer yourself, Derek Lloyd! You walked away and let them die!
"What are you doing?"
Lloyd glanced up at her, shrugging. "I'm gonna find them. If either of them is alive, I'll find him and bring him back to you." He yanked the sun-bleached linen over his head. No matter how many times he was assigned to the Middle East, he would never get used to wearing a glorified dress.
"Not without me, you're not, not this time."
"No." He didn't intend to argue with her on this. It was his mess, and he was the one who had to clean it up. "You aren't well enough to fight, and it might come to that."
"I'm going." Determination sent a wave of color back to her cheeks. "I owe him that. I refuse to sit on the sidelines any more."
Clipping every word, he growled, "No, you're not. You're going to stay here. I can't find the Bailey kid if I'm constantly worrying about you."
"I'm not a kid, and you don't have to find me."
Lloyd's head snapped around at the British accent. Nigel Bailey was alive and standing just inside the threshold!
Simultaneously, Sydney cried, "Nigel!" and flew at the little Englishman, throwing her arms around him.
Bailey's eyebrow rose upon seeing Lloyd's shiner, but then it was all about Sydney. The young man returned her embrace with equal fervor. "Syd… You're alive!" Bailey's voice broke and tears welled up in his eyes. Obviously, the kid returned Sydney's feelings.
No big surprise there. Any man would, with a woman like Sydney Fox.
Lloyd straightened. All right, he could be magnanimous. He knew when he'd lost. "I'm sorry about your brother, Nigel." He extended his hand to the victor.
"What about me?" Preston strolled in the door, Claudia on his arm. Preston Bailey smiled, catching sight of Sydney and his younger sibling still clutching each other. "Why are your sorry about me?"
Lloyd grimaced. It made sense that the brothers would stick together, but it still irked him to no end. Was there anybody on his side? And as relieved as he was that the men were alive – you're not a murderer, at least! – he knew there would be another kind of hell to pay. If they lived, it was no thanks to him.
"Never mind," he grumbled, excusing himself and making a hasty exit. He had to arrange for them to go home. Let somebody else deal with the Viper. Lloyd didn't want any more innocent blood on his hands. His eyes were unfocused while he strode down the narrow hall. At the back of his mind, the little voice warned him too late. You're distracted in enemy territory. You can't let down your guard yet!
He recognized the scent of ether. A rag was clamped over his nose and mouth and the last thing he recalled was a familiar voice that hissed, "You're really beginning to annoy me, Secret Agent Man. Time for me to open the next ante. I want Ichriem, and I need Professor Fox's help to find it. If I can't have her assistant, I'll borrow another friend to insure her compliance."
The rag silenced Lloyd's bitter reply. You lose this round, you bastard. Because Syd doesn't care if I die.
End Part Thirty