No infringement is intended on the characters belonging to Stephen Summers & Universal. R.Campbell, E.Hammond,

H.Furborough A.Trigg and N.Waters are entities borne of my own imagination. Well, General Trigg partly belongs to

A.J.Mackey. Before she mentioned him, he didn't even exist in my little world. No money is being made from this story,

it's for enjoyment purposes only.

CAPTAIN OF HIS SOUL

PG13

CHAPTER 19. Time To Go.

Hidden in a shaded doorway, Hammond kept a sly vigil on the gates of Fort Brydon and waited.

As time slipped away as steadily as the sun rose, he grew more and more anxious; and his gaze constantly darted back and forth between the gates and the distant bend in the road where he fully expected to see the Constabulary emerge at any moment. Had he owned one, a watch would have proven a curse by now and Emir spat onto the ground, vowing to shoot O'Connell himself and drag his body in for the reward if nothing eventuated soon. It had been hours since he had pointed the blame in the American's direction. He had even provided the number on his door! Did he have to lead the police up the stairs and open it for them as well?

Whatever the reason for the delay was beyond Hammond's comprehension right now; and his frustration would have certainly boiled over into anger had other matters not begun to weigh heavily on his mind. What if he had been forgotten yet again? Nasser was not renowned for his mercy and anything beyond this knowledge was too terrible to contemplate. Emir knew he needed to start worrying about his own fate...and soon. He remembered the few who still owed him a favour. Those whom, at the very least, would be obliged to hide him for a while. At best, they would be able to provide him with safe passage out of Cairo.

But suddenly there it was! Like a light in the dark! Three men marched around the corner wearing the colours of the Royal Guard.

Emir took a slow step out of the doorway and held his breath. Wiping his mouth with the sleeve of his dirty shirt he muffled an astonished laugh, "To be a guest of the King no less, O'Connell." The skinny thief unwittingly squeezed his fingers around a verandah post and gleefully awaited the outcome as the company disappeared through the Fort gates.

o

The door burst open slamming into the wall behind and the gun seemed to lift from Rick's hip of it's own accord. It was an instinct which had seeped into his very being and he only just noticed he had pushed Evelyn to the side in the process. The hammer clicked into place just as he recognized it was Jonathan rushing towards them, choking out his new between gasps, "Come on! Come on! No time for anything! You have to get out of here now! Right now!"

Turning the barrel of his gun towards the ceiling, Rick stole a glance through the window and enquired with an even -temper, "I take it we have visitors, Jonathan?"

"Yes. And they're not here for tea and cakes. You can take my word for it!"

Standing silent and afraid, Evelyn looked on as Jonathan peered down the stairs through a crack in the door while her husband deftly strapped an ammunition belt across his chest and checked the barrel of each gun before slipping them onto his person. "Where are you going?"

The first hint of any unease that Rick might be feeling was displayed with a flay of his hand as he hushed his wife in order to listen with Jonathan. He pushed the last gun into the back of his pants and looked over at Jonathan. "How long?"

"A minute or two, if you're lucky. Ross is doing his best but he won't be able to hold them for long."

"Do you know who they are?"

"More than you average policeman." Jonathan whispered while craning his neck in the impossible hope of seeing around corners. "I haven't seen this type before. The good Doctor's doing his best blocking their path, but I don't like his chances of being able to hold them off."

Turning to Evelyn, Rick halted on seeing the worry etched in her brow. Something he'd seen too often lately, yet never knew to prepare for. For a precious moment he slowed down to gently cup her face and place a kiss on her forehead. Pulling her closer, he whispered against her cheek, "Stay here with Jonathan and keep Alex close. I'll be back as soon as I can."

"When will that be?"

There was no time for an answer even if he had one. A commotion from downstairs intruded on them and Ross could be heard protesting about the "...hullabaloo of a foray..." and within moments he was drowned out by the pounding of thick boots over wooden floorboards making their way toward the stairs.

Seizing his brother-in-law by the shoulder, Jonathan forced him away from his sister, "There's no time for this now, Evie! With any luck he'll make it out the back before they see him!"

Rick offered a slight nod in agreement and stepped towards the door.

"Wait!" Evelyn insisted anxiously, "Where will you go?" Alex began to cry before his father could answer and time was out! Rick kissed her lips briefly and offered a look that promised he would be back. He turned and stood behind Jonathan, still with his nose to the crack in the door.

"All clear, now hurry!" Jonathan stood back allowing him to squeeze past him, "Wait!" An idea had come to him. Reaching into his hip pocket, Jonathan pulled out his key ring and tossed it to Rick. "Take these and hide in the boot of my car. It's parked out the back."

"The what?"

"Oh you know..." Jonathan's response was a mixture of urgency and irritation, "...the trunk! Hide in it." The guards approached the landing at the far end of the hallway and would reach the top in moments. Jonathan leaned forward to whisper his orders and literally pushed Rick to make him move, "Throw the keys in the back seat and hide yourself in the boot! I'll hold them here for as long as I can."

Clutching the keys in his fist, Rick turned the corner at the end of the hall and was out of sight with only seconds to spare. He made his way downstairs and through the back entrance into the rear courtyard. The Fort wall was about fifty feet away and the path seemed unhindered. Treading carefully into the sunlight, he surveyed the grounds for any sign of guards, but there was none. It seemed too easy and he was suspicious of a trap, yet he had no choice but to go forward. He was grateful for Jonathan's keys but he knew he couldn't just drive around Cairo. He rolled his eyes. As much as hated to admit it, Jonathan's idea of hiding himself away in the trunk was the best option he had. He managed to make his way through the gate without even so much as a nod from the British Sentry and was safe on the other side of the wall in only minutes. Jonathan's shining pride a joy sat parked about a hundred yards away; and for the moment Rick believed he was home free.

.o

Jonathan clicked the door shut behind him and Evelyn's heart pounded as he steered her towards the couch. All the while Alex just cried louder. Lifting the child, Jonathan tried to comfort him with a slapdash pat to his bottom before literally dropping him in his mother's lap. He wrapped his arm about Evelyn's shoulder without a moment to lose before the door banged open to reveal three of the most formidable men either of them had ever laid eyes on. With every confidence that their uniform spoke for them, the soldiers of the Royal Guard offered no identification as they invaded the O'Connell's sitting room. Two stood picket either side of the door while the third, and obviously senior, approached Jonathan and his sister.

"Captain O'Connell?"

Jonathan swallowed nervously, yet he hoped not obviously. He hadn't considered they might mistake him for Rick. "Absolutely not!" Rising slowly, he wasted a few extra moments in brushing down the front of his jacket. "And you can take it from me Mister...or Captain...aah..." No response was forthcoming from their unannounced guest, even at Jonathan's second request. Straightening his back, Jonathan carried on with a lump in his throat, "...Yes, well...you won't find Captain O'Connell here. It will be a cold day in Hell before I allow that."

Remaining silent, the Guard raised a single eyebrow and glanced over at Evelyn, allowing Jonathan to grow increasingly unsettled. He listened with amusement as the Englishman continued. He held out an open hand to gesture to his sister, "This is my sister, Mrs. O'Connell and my young nephew. I can say it's no small coincidence that O'Connell brings both you and I to my sister's door."

"And how would that be?" The guard stood motionless with his hands behind his back and his voice offered no hint of genuine interest in Jonathan's story. A point which was not lost on Jonathan, either, as he swallowed and carried on.

"As I said, you won't find O'Connell here. My sister hasn't even seen him in two days and is ill because of it. He's a bounder, you know. A fortune hunter. I always said he was no good but no-one ever listens to me; and here she is now only two years married and in fits of tears because he's grabbed a load of cash and taken off without so much as a glance over his shoulder."

"I see." The ranking Officer took a slow step backwards and stared at Evelyn. For too long she felt. His scrutiny was intense and was made worse through his studied silence. Evelyn squeezed Jonathan's hand and together they watched as the intruder cast a glance about the room. There was no immediate trace of the Legionnaire. No weapons or ammunition, no discarded hat or coat. Nothing, but a used whiskey glass. He lifted it, briefly turning it between his fingers before placing it gently back in it's position; always aware of the Carnahan's watching every move he made. Without turning to look at him, the Officer addressed Jonathan again, "You would have some type of identification proving who you are I assume, Mister ...?"

"And I would assume the very same about you." Jonathan voiced audaciously.

With little more than the Guard's menacing glare, Jonathan was convinced to quietly search through his coat pockets for his identification. "Carnahan's the name. I've been a guest here in Egypt for some years now." More small talk as he fumbled through his pockets. More time for Rick. "Aah, here they are. I'm sure you'll find them in order."

"And her's."

"It's all right Evie, stay there. I'll get them for you."

Even Jonathan's reassuring touch to her shoulder couldn't shake off her unease, but Evelyn refused his offer. Clutching Alex to her side, she stood and quietly walked over to the bureau and retrieved a thin leather wallet from the draw. Handing the same to the Guard she took a leaf from her brother's book, engaging in chatter to delay the hunt for Rick. "I believe you'll find everything here is as it should be."

Taking the wallet without looking at it, the soldier lifted the documents from within and slowly unfolded them. "I see there is one for you and your son; and there is one for your husband."

"Of course!"

"Strange that he would leave without these? How far does he expect to go without them?"

Evelyn's heart pounded so hard she feared it might be noticeable, "My brother told you. I haven't seen him for three days."

"Two days."

Anxious with the whole situation, Evelyn could only stare in response.

"Your brother said he has only been gone for two days."

"Does it matter? Papers or not, I have no idea where he's gone to." Evelyn summoned a trace of her old self and plucked the documents from his fingers and returned to her brother's side, "Why are you looking for him anyway? It can't be for my sake."

"It would seem your husband is wanted for murder. A most viscous crime, wouldn't you agree?"

This time, Evelyn's heart stopped! Alex was still whimpering; and not knowing how or what to say, she turned her efforts towards the child and left Jonathan to pull up the slack.

"Well I can't say that's a surprise! Can you, Evie?" Jonathan's knack for always faking the appropriate tone for any situation had irritated his sister for most of her life, but not today. Today she silently played along by shaking her head sorrowfully while still attempting to hush her son. All these, apparently wasted, years Jonathan had spent practicing his poker face and stony gestures were about to pay off....she hoped.

Pushing his hands into his pockets, her brother grumbled from deep within his throat and walked across to the window. "The man was never any good, Evie. Always unreliable!" He noticed there was no sign of anything happening in the street below; which hopefully meant Rick had got away without any trouble. But his car was parked out of view and nothing was certain yet, so he carried on nonchalantly for the benefit of the Officer, "I warned Evie before she married him, but you know how these girls get before a wedding." The Guard stood firm, playing the Englishman's bluff and remaining silent while he rambled on. "She and the boy will be better off with me anyway, I can guarantee you that. As for the whereabouts of O'Connell, well...that's another matter all together. I'm afraid I can't help you there."

"Then you believe the accusation placed against your brother-in-law, Mister..." The Guard checked the papers in his hand, "...Carnahan."

"To be honest, nothing would surprise me, Mister, I mean Captain...errr." The soldier remained recalcitrant, "...yes, well...she'll be better off in the long run if she comes home with me, that's all I can say."

The Guard sighed and smiled knowingly. Picking up the discarded whiskey glass once more, he sniffed it's contents and showed it to Jonathan. "Did you know I saw you running up the stairs, Mr Carnahan? I doubt you had time enough to indulge before I arrived..." Jonathan remained stoic but he was beginning to feel ill in the pit of his stomach. "...And I pray that Mrs O'Connell has not been squandering her lonely afternoons by sipping from the bottle?" Placing the glass down decisively, his voice carried a hint of anger as he turned to face Evelyn, "Harboring a fugitive is a punishable offence, Mrs. O'Connell. Even one who supposedly abandons you."

Now completely lost for words, Evelyn looked to Jonathan just as Alex's distress peaked, forcing his uncle to raise his voice above the child's wailing. "Yes! Well, I'm sure you employ these tactics on all ladies, but O'Connell is not here and intimidating my sister isn't going to change that. Perhaps it's time you left and continued your search for him some place else!"

The soldier smirked and handed Jonathan his papers. "Of course." He signalled for his men to prepare to leave and walked towards the door, sharply aware that Evelyn was still unable to look at him. A situation he wickedly made worse with his parting remark, "We will find your errant husband for you, Madam. If only to return him to your wrath." Evelyn pressed her son's head against her shoulder, bouncing him in what was now a completely nervous reaction rather than any real attempt to soothe him. She knew if she dared turn around to even glance at the insufferable man she would give the game away. Yet something told her it was too late to worry about that.

o

"Too long. Much too long." Emir muttered to himself. "What's taking so long?" He shifted nervously in the shop doorway, his eyes still peeled on the Fort. Minutes ticked over with no sign of the King's Guard or O'Connell! Precious, wasted minutes that kept him wedged between Nasser's men and the reward! Urgency consumed him and he stepped out of the shadows and made for the Fort gates. A pointless act of course but, like all anxious people, Emir found it more bearable to be closer to the events in the hope it would speed matters along. However, in this instance it appeared luck had smiled on him once more. From the corner of his eye he caught sight of the American on the outer of the rear Fort wall.

"HEY!" It was a spontaneous and desperate shout on seeing O'Connell and all he could muster from the disbelief on seeing him obviously escaping through the back. Hammond's feet refused to move forward, merely shuffling beneath him. "HEY! STOP!" At last, adrenaline kicked in he ran forward, still shouting, "STOP!"

Rick spun around, taking notice of the skinny half-breed rushing towards him waving and flapping his hands high above his head. "What next?" He couldn't decide if he was irritated to find Emir dashing up a back alley at a time like this or if he should be worried for his safety. Shaking his head, he motioned his peculiar friend to stay back, "It's not safe, Emir. Later!"

Now within ten feet of each other, Emir slowed to a walk, panting heavily. "It is for me, my friend."

The smug expression plastered on Hammond's face made Rick uneasy. Even before Emir finished his sentence he knew that Jonathan had been right...again.

"But it's not safe for you. You see.you go to the gallows....and I get the bounty on your head."

"Bounty?" A bluff was all he had to play with and there was no time to stand around trading stories with a thief. "You got the wrong guy, Emir. I'd get out of here if I were you."

"No, no O'Connell. Not again. You don't leave me in the lurch again. This time I do get the money. My life depends on it."

Rick shot a look along the Fort walls searching for any sign of guards or police, taking his eyes off Emir just long enough for him raise a pistol. He heard the hammer engage and sighed in frustration. His little thief friend was pointing the barrel just inches from his head.

"I can't let a murderer go free, can I?" The smirk across Hammond's face was enough to make O'Connell spit.

"You expect me to believe that you've suddenly developed morals?"

"Hehe, you don't give me enough credit, O'Connell. I've always had a great respect for life...especially my own."

O'Connell smiled, "Pity you won't have it for much longer." He snatched Emir's elbow and twisted it, forcing him to drop the pistol and sank his knee into his stomach. Emir doubled over, dropping to the dusty ground before a blow to the back of his neck sent his face sideways onto the street. A stray dog scuttled out from behind a row of crates, barking as it made a direct line for the fallen Egyptian and took a fierce hold of his left leg. O'Connell took a few steps backwards, making sure that Emir wasn't getting up again and chuckled at the sight. "Man's best friend." But time was still of the essence and thanks to Emir's little performance, he knew now that he absolutely no choice but to follow Jonathan's suggestion and hide in the car.

The car! It was still a hundred yards away and his leg was throbbing...AGAIN! He could have sworn he'd broken one of Evelyn's ornaments and been cursed by the Goddess of Spite...or someone like her. If things could get any worse, he was sure he couldn't see how, but he was sure he knew they could. Kneeing Emir in the stomach may have saved him from a bullet at close range but it was doing nothing for his stride.

That damn dog was still growling, making Emir scream even louder. It wouldn't be long before the whole alley was swarming with sticky beaks, or worse.

"Help me!" Emir's cries for assistance weren't abating and all too soon he heard the familiar marching of soldiers.

His fingers fumbled through Jonathan's key ring. Which one? He had no idea and there was no time left. He didn't even chance to look behind him as he stuffed the keys into his trouser pocket and lifted the steel grid covering a man hole by his feet and jumped in. It wasn't as deep as the one which saved his life almost two years ago and he sucked the air through his teeth on landing; his damn leg again! The constant pain of that stab wound seemed the only constant in his life at the moment, nevertheless he gritted his teeth and hoisted himself up by his elbows onto the rim of the hole, retrieved the steel cover to drag it back into place above his head and dropped back down again. He found himself wishing he'd given Furborough a slower death after all. This wound seemed destined to plague him and never heal; and now he was in a pitch black sewer tunnel which he knew he was incapable of crawling about in even if he'd had a torch. And it stank like nothing on Earth!

Little more than a minute passed before he began hearing muffled voices and footsteps from above. His pursuers were taking a special interest in the car above him and he could make out Emir's insistent voice, but happily nobody seemed to notice what was beneath their feet. He smiled at the irony and thought perhaps he had been too quick to judge. It seemed that the Goddess Of Small Mercies was beginning to take an interest in him.

Rick waited in the cramped, smelling darkness long after he heard the voices fade into the distance. He knew that whatever happened next needed careful thought. All the impulsiveness of the last few days needed to be curbed if he was to get out of this alive with Evelyn and Alex. But even with impulse set aside, it was absolutely clear that they all had to be out of Egypt within a day.

With his mind made up, Rick steadied his back against one side of the wall and pressed his good leg against the other and hoisted himself upward. With great effort, he managed to shift the iron cover enough to one side so as to slip his fingers through the gap and push it sideways. Sunlight filtered through as he once more dropped hard to the bottom of his hideout. Then, for one last time, he dragged himself up and out into the quite alleyway and headed back into the Fort.

END CHAPTER

Ruse, AJMackey, MBooker, Julie, Starlight and Molllie...thankyou. I know this chapter has taken an eternity to surface and I sincerely hope it was worth the wait. I promise not to take so long in future. When the urge fades there's no use beating your head against a blank screen. But when it comes back, it's a great feeling. Thankyou for the encouraging (and somewhat impatient) emails. I'm sorry you had such a long wait. More will come soon.