Page 24 of Sands of Sirocco
Noah’s fingertips curled into the rough ground.It can’t be.Not Jack.
“No.”The word ripped from his mouth, fierce and full of venom.“No.”He glared at Stephen.“You’re lying.”
Jack was a fighter.He would be the type to go down screaming in a blaze—not at the hands of a firing squad.
It wasn’t possible.
“What could I possibly have to gain by lying about this?”Stephen smirked.“We detest one another equally, Benson.I have no reason to spare your feelings.”
Why?The sand shifted under Noah’s fingers, his temples throbbing.“Because you know I won’t go anywhere without him.”Noah’s thirst was overwhelming, his headache unbearable.He sat once more.“I’m going back for him, even if it’s to retrieve his body.”
“Retrieve his body?Don’t be a fool.You think you’ll be able to get anywhere near Jerusalem again?They’re looking for you, Benson.And I’ve put everything on the line at this point.They’ll be looking for me too.Even if he were alive, it would be suicide.But he’s dead, I tell you.”Stephen nodded toward the canteen.“Drink some water.Rest.We’re nearly to Beersheba.”
Noah leaned back against the camel, using its warm body to prop himself up.He allowed himself a sip of warm water, then another.
Jack …
He couldn’t trust anything that came out of Stephen’s mouth.
But could Stephen be right?Could his closest friend be dead?
His mind wouldn’t accept it.Wouldn’t allow for it.Jack had been more of a brother to him than even his own brother.Noah didn’t trust anyone the way he trusted Jack.
He slung back the canteen, downing more water, then wiped his mouth.Putting one foot up, then the other, he struggled to his feet.“I don’t care if it’s suicide.I’m going back for Jack.”
Stephen pulled a pistol from his robes … the one Fahad had given Noah.“I’m sorry, but I just can’t allow it.I’m not going back for that carcass.”
Of course.
“You won’t shoot me.I’m your ticket to Cairo.”
“Actually, we’re out of Ottoman-held territory now.I could easily go and surrender to the closest battalion, have them arrange my trip to Cairo.But, frankly, I don’t want to have your death as another crime I’m responsible for.I have enough trouble facing me as it is.”Stephen had no sympathy in his voice as he went on.“And Jack is dead.There’s no point in either of us going back.You’re injured and likely to die attempting it.They’ll hold me responsible for your death, and then where will I be?”
Whatever Stephen was playing at, he was fully in control now.He showed a restraint Noah wouldn’t have returned were the situation reversed.
“I want proof he’s dead.”Noah winced and touched the wound on his head.What had struck him?And who?“Did you do this?”
“I had to.”Stephen tapped his foot.“You were calling attention to us.Reaching Darby was already a lost cause.He was surrounded.”
Noah examined the tips of his fingers.A trace amount of fresh blood tinged his skin.What had Stephen hit him with?A rock?
Stephen’s confession disconcerted him.He knew Stephen to be a liar, and yet, during their interactions in the last day, nearly everything he’d told Noah had seemed true, or at least partially so.Noah was certain he obscured or omitted things for his purposes.
But would he lie about Jack’s death?
Stephen still trained the gun at him, his stance unwavering.The cracked lines of the dry earth beneath his feet were harsh, the sun relentless.
“I’m going after Jack.”Noah stepped forward, toward the camel.
The pistol in Stephen’s hands discharged, the earth beside Noah’s feet sending up a spray of pebbles.Noah froze and swung his gaze toward Stephen.“I missed on purpose.”Stephen’s eyes were flat.“Next time I won’t.Don’t try my patience, Benson.I truly don’t need one more reason to shoot you.Get up on that camel, please, and let’s go to Beersheba.From there you can send a message to Lord Helton and find everything is just as I’ve said it was.You may even inquire as to Jack’s death.”
Noah didn’t doubt he was lying about shooting him.His frustration had nowhere to go, his hands tightening into useless fists at his sides.
Then it occurred to him that Stephen must have searched him to take the pistol.
The map.
He searched the pouch inside his tunic for it.Relief relaxed his shoulders as he felt it there.A glance at Stephen showed him watching.He smirked.“You see?I didn’t take your precious map.In fact, I’m more useful to you than any chit Abdullah could have given you.”He motioned toward the camel with the barrel of his pistol.“But please.Get on the camel.Then we’ll talk.”
