It was evening and Indy was now on his way to the house of the mother of the Kennedy sisters.
He could not help but try to figure out Morgan's motives and his part in all of this.
There had been several times in the past whilst Indy was either searching for an artefact or had just found one, when the bad guy would show up and try to take it from him. But not Morgan. Sure, his accomplice, Julian, had tried to attack Indy, but perhaps, as Morgan pointed out, he was just being his usual impetuous self. Something didn't add up, though and as always, Indy was determined to get to the bottom of this mystery.
Marianne and Angelina were in the dining room of their mother's house and had just finished setting up the dinner table.
"So let me get this straight", began Angelina. You invited Indy to your house even though he hates snakes?"
"But he never told me!" protested Marianne.
Rachel, their mother entered the room.
"Honestly. Are you still teasing your sister about that? Lord knows she feels bad enough already."
"Oh, and don't forget. I saw him first!" said Angelina
"What are you talking about?" asked Marianne. "It's not a competition", she told her.
Moments later, Indy arrived at the house, parked his jeep and got out. He was dressed in a light tan linen suit, together with a clean white shirt and bow tie.
He walked to the door and rang the bell and almost immediately, the door opened. Stood in the doorway was Angelina who was wearing a patterned summer dress.
"Indy!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around him. "How are you? Come in, come in!" she beckoned.
"I'm just fine, thanks. It's good to see you."
"It's good to see you too."
Angelina led Indy into the living room where two ladies sat. They got up from their seats and welcomed him.
"Of course, you've already met my sister, Marianne."
"How are you, Indy?" she asked.
"I'm very well, thanks."
Marianne was dressed in a black, flowing dress.
The older lady in the room smiled. "So, this is must be the archaeologist I've heard so much about."
"Good evening ma'am."
"Ooh", she exclaimed. "He's just as charming as you both said he would be, and so handsome as well!"
Indy didn't quite know what to say.
"Why, thank you."
"You're quite welcome, Doctor Jones. I'm Rachel, by the way."
"It's nice to meet you Rachel, and please, call me Indy."
Indy looked around the living room. The walls were decorated with various different types of Siamese art and wooden carvings.
"You have a very nice house ma'am and I particularly love the décor in this room."
"Thank you Indy. That's very kind."
After drinks, dinner was served. Rachel had made duck à l'orange together with all the trimmings and Indy found himself complimenting her several times throughout the meal.
Over dinner, Indy had asked Marianne where her fascination with snakes began.
"Well, it started when I was a young girl. I remember not having any problems with seeing worms in the garden like other people did, and when saw my first snake, I became even more fascinated."
"Yes she did", said Rachel.
Unfortunately", she continued. "Indy doesn't share my love of snakes."
"I, on the other hand have an interest in all kinds of animals, especially from this region", said Marianne.
"That reminds me. How is the tiger cub doing?" asked Indy.
"Oh, he's doing very well. He should be able to return to the wild in another day or so."
"Glad to hear it."
"More wine, anyone?" offered Angelina and the others accepted.
"I was wondering about something," said Indy. "What brought you all to Siam?"
"Well, you see", began Rachel. "My husband was a diplomat and his office wanted to move him over here. He told them that we would move, try it out, and see how we liked it. And, as you can see, the three of us fell in love with this country, this region and this culture."
"Is your husband travelling at the moment?"
"No, no. He died a few years ago. It's just the three of us now."
Indy offered his condolences.
"That's very kind. It was hard, but we are all okay now", she told him.