Turner reaches their intimate circle, glad to hear her laugh. “What’s so funny?”

“She knows a little history — or gossip, I should say.” Abdullah bows with a flourish. “Please, Madam, tell.”

“According to Herodotus, King Menkaure, the builder of the third pyramid, enjoyed life and dispersed nights with light so that days would be endless. I was telling Abdullah that I want to see whatever there is of him in the museum.” Her smile, pure, shimmers with longing.

Turner looks from one to the other. “That’s it?”

“Mr. Madison, I see you don’t know about King Menkaure.” Abdullah whistles between his mustache and cigarette and opens his eyes, showing large, bright whites.

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