The Cult of Osiris by Andy McDermott Read Free Book Online Page A

for a few days. Which is why he asked me to speak with you in his place.
    Nina could tell that Rothschild wanted nothing more than to give a flat refusal, but Hogarth was well regarded - and connected - in the academic community. Turning away his locum out of hand might be considered an insult... or a sign that she was afraid to defend her position.
    I suppose/ she said finally, with deep reluctance, T could spare a few minutes. As a favour to Roger.' She started back up the corridor, Nina giving Lola a brief smile before following her to her office.
    Which had once been Nina's office. The view across Manhattan was instantly familiar, but everything else had changed. Nina's feeling of alienation returned full force.
    Rothschild took a seat behind the large desk, gesturing impatiently for Nina to sit facing her. 'Well? What did Roger want to talk to me about?'
    About this, actually.' On the desk was a glossy brochure, promoting what it proclaimed as The Live Television Event of the Decade! The image on the cover was the Great Sphinx of Giza. Nina picked it up. It seems like every time I turn on the TV, I see a commercial for this. I'mjust curious about when the IHA turned into a shill for prime-time television and wack-job cults.'
    The IHA is not a shill for anyone, Nina,' Rothschild said, voice oozing with condescension. 'Getting co-funding from organisations like the Osirian Temple reduces our operating costs, and our share of the advertising revenue will help fund numerous other projects, as well as boosting the IHA's profile worldwide. It's a win-win situation, and good business, pure and simple.'
    Funny, I didn't realise the IHA was a business.' She opened the brochure, seeing a picture of Logan Berkeley posing in a heroic stance with the pyramids behind him. And you put Logan in charge?
    Logan was the best candidate for the job.
    Logan's a self-promoting egotist. What about Kal Ahmet, or William Schofield? They've both got far more experience.'
    They were on the shortlist, if you must know,' said Rothschild coldly. 'But Logan was my personal choice. His presentation impressed me the most.'
    You mean he kissed your ass the most, thought Nina, but she kept it to herself. And was Logan okay with totally perverting the principles of archaeology? Was that part of his presentation?
    What do you mean?'
    I mean rushing everything and throwing out any notion of diligent scientific practice so the network can get big ratings during sweeps week/
    You are the last person to lecture anyone about "diligent scientific practice", Nina,' snapped Rothschild. 'Your utter disregard for anything even approaching proper procedure is one of the main reasons why you were fired, if you remember!
    This isn't about me,' said Nina, the simmering rising towards a boil. She waved the brochure. 'It's about the IHA selling out. It was established to protect these kinds of finds, not exploit them!'
    Ah, now I see why you're here,' Rothschild said, a sneering smile spreading on her thin lips. Some last desperate attempt at self-justification, is that it? You want to beat your fists against the temple walls of your oppressors so you can convince yourself that you're right and everyone else is wrong?' She stood, hands spread on the desk as she leaned forward. 'Get over yourself! Contrary to what you may think, you were not the indispensable heart of the IHA -the organisation runs perfectly well without you. In fact, it's better without you. Do you know how many employees have died since you left? None!
    Nina drew in a sharp breath. That was low, Maureen,' she said, tight-mouthed.
    For a moment, Rothschild's expression suggested that even she thought she had gone too far. But the moment quickly passed. You've said what you came here to say, Nina. I think it would be best for everyone if you left now. And it would probably also be for the best if you didn't come back.'
    Nina rose, clenching her fists to stop Rothschild from seeing that her hands were