"Higgins, Jack - Sheba" - читать интересную книгу автора (Higgins Jack)

She stood up with a soft laugh. 'Dear Gavin, you know me so well by now. Let's walk in the garden and you can unburden yourself.'

They went down the steps and walked through the trees, her hand resting lightly on his arm, and he inhaled her sweetness and was aware of feelings he had not experienced for a long time.

He began to talk, starting with the arrival of Ruth Cunningham and ending with an account of Alexias and his journey into the desert.

When he finished, they were sitting on a seat by the fountain and there was silence for a while. Somewhere a bird called through the night and Marie sighed. 'It's certainly a fantastic story.'

'Don't you believe it?' Kane said.

She shrugged. 'The important thing is that Cunningham did. What do you intend to do now?'

Kane shrugged. Til go up to Shabwa. Question the headman at Bir el Madani and find out what happened to Cunningham.'

Marie stood up and they started to walk back towards the house. 'Personally, I don't think you or anyone else will ever see John Cunningham again.'

Kane nodded. 'You're probably right, but his wife won't rest content until she knows for sure.'

Marie leaned against the balustrade of the terrace. 'I agree with you. However, I think I can help to get this thing cleared up quickly. I'm flying to Bir el Madani in the morning to see Jordan about some equipment he needs. He's boring a test hole about fifteen miles from there. He's had his men lay out a rough airstrip for me. I'm only taking Jamal. There's room for you and Mrs Cunningham if you want to come along.'

Kane felt suddenly elated. 'That would be excellent.'

'Jordan will be waiting to take me to his camp by truck. I expect to be there all morning. You can borrow the plane. Three hours should give you ample time in which to make a quick survey of the area.'

'It would certainly save Mrs Cunningham a rough trip by truck,' Kane said. 'I was worried about that. I don't think she's up to it.'

'Is she pretty?' Marie said.

He shrugged. 'Skiros certainly thinks she is.'

'But you are more interested in her money?'

'The fee she's offering me to find her husband is certainly attractive, but I'm intrigued by the story about that temple.'

Marie laughed lightly. 'The eternal seeker. Will you ever be content with what is on this side of the hill, Gavin?'

'Probably not,' he said. 'I suppose that's the main reason archaeology interested me so much when I was a kid. That's why I stay on here, when each year I swear I'll leave. There's so much to do - as long as one has the money, of course, which means working for Skiros occasionally. But beggars can't be choosers.' He grinned. 'If it comes to that, why do you stay? You could make your headquarters in a more congenial spot. Bombay, for instance.'

She shrugged. 'This is an ancient land and my mother was of an ancient people. It's in my blood, I suppose.'

He dropped his hands on to her shoulders and smiled. 'You're a wonderful girl.'

He was suddenly conscious of the warmth of her body through the thin material of her shirt. For several moments they remained like that, staring into each other's eyes and then the smile slowly faded from her face. Kane pulled her towards him and she made no attempt to resist.

His mouth fastened on hers and she melted into him, alive and warm. After a while he pushed her away from him, holding her at arm's length. 'Damn you!' he said softly.

She smiled faintly, sensing the turmoil in his mind. 'My poor Gavin, have I disturbed the ordered pattern of your existence? But women are the devil, you should know that by now.'

'I'm only too well aware of that fact,' he assured her.