Canyon of the Sphinx by Kathryn Le Veque Read Free Book Online

one of quiet gentleness,
like true gentlemen had back in the days of chivalry and grace. "Dr.
Levine was a great guide. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Dr. Murphy. I've
heard a lot about you. Your work is extremely impressive."
    Murphy wasn't quite sure how to
answer. Since he wasn't thrilled to have her here, he couldn't say it was a
true pleasure on his part. Still, he was trying to be polite about it and not
sure if he was doing a good job. But Adam had been right about one thing; she
was drop-dead gorgeous. It was kind of shocking.
    "I hope you'll be
semi-comfortable," he tilted his head in the direction of her cabin.
"For us, this is the Presidential Suite of the camp. I'm sure you're used
to the crème de la crème wherever you go, so I'm sorry if this isn't up to your
standards."
    "I just came from a camp in
the middle of Egypt. I'd hardly call that the crème de la crème of anything.
More like a Roach Motel."
    Murphy may have cracked a smile;
she couldn't be sure. By his demeanor she guessed he was either very wary of
her or extremely shy. He crossed his enormous arms, almost protectively.
"I'll have to take your word for it. I would think someone like you would
have the best set-up with all that sponsorship behind you."
    "Only in my dreams, Dr.
Murphy." She steered the conversation towards the heart of the matter.
"If you're ready to get started, let me get my shoes on and we'll get
going."
    Murphy didn't say anything other
than to nod his head in a 'go-ahead' gesture. Arms still crossed defensively,
he turned away as she went back in and threw on her big black boots. With Debra
Jo on her heels, they joined Murphy, who silently led them across the camp,
where Mark, Otis and the doctoral students met them at the mess area. They were
drinking bottled sodas and getting acquainted with the camp personnel. Murphy
removed his hat, tossing it on the nearest table as he raked his fingers
through his over-grown crew cut. Though Kathlyn was completely unaffected by
him, Debra Jo was entranced. Kathlyn swore she could hear the woman panting.
    "I'm going to take Dr. Trent
over to Site A," he said to his crew.
    Before any of them could reply,
Kathlyn interrupted. "Site A?" she asked. "That would intimate
that there's more than one site?"
    "There are two," Murphy
said. "Didn't you read the data we sent you?"
    "I read it all. But it
mostly focused on your discovery of what appeared to be an Egyptian sphinx. It
was unclear, however, if the site where the sphinx was located was your primary
objective site, or if the sphinx itself was your primary objective."
    "The sphinx wasn't what we
had you in mind for. Up until two days ago, I understood that your husband was
coming with you. We were going to leave that to him."
    "He's not coming, now if
ever. You should probably bring in another Egyptologist. Surely you have
in-house personnel for that."
    "Sure we do, but Burton's
the best and we were hoping...."
    "That you'd get a freebie;
invite me to come and help you find your 'objective' and get Marcus Burton's
consulting work for free."
    "That's not it at all, Dr.
Trent."
    Kathlyn realized she was actually
insulted. They wanted Marcus to identify their sphinx more than they apparently
wanted her. They had hoped that he would accompany his wife on her assignment
and they'd get the bonus plan, two world-class archaeologists for the price of
one.  Her irritation bloomed.
    "Whatever," she said
snappishly. "So let me ask you this; is there really an objective here for
me or am I just wasting my time?"
    "There really is,"
Murphy said steadily. "As I said, there are two sites. The site with the
sphinx is Site B. Site A is the primary objective, just over that small ridge
to the northeast."
    Kathlyn understood a bit more,
but she was still peeved. Yet the bigger question loomed.
    "Just so I understand this
completely, Dr. Murphy," she scratched her neck where a bug was feasting."
What, exactly, do you need my help in locating?"
    Murphy