With Jayden now leading the way, the two mountain trekkers slipped into the foliage and began making their way around the base of Mt. Ararat, deeper into Turkey.
“Flight’s booked,” Carter told Jayden, pocketing his smartphone. With tickets purchased in cash, they rode in a public bus that made long distance runs across the country, in this case from Doğubayazıt to Ankara, where they were to board a flight direct to Addis Ababa Bole International Airport in Ethiopia.
“We have to deplane at Addis Ababa International to board a smaller connecting flight to Axum, and they said there may be a short layover, maybe half a day in Addis Ababa, unless we decide to book a charter, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”
Jayden let his head loll back on the seat. “Cross that bridge when we get to it… That worked out so well for us in Turkey — I mean, Iran.”
Carter shrugged, undeterred. “Hey, it could have been a whole lot worse.”
“I just hope our trusty camel steed found its way back home.”
“Me too. It was going the right way last we saw, at least. So—” But when he looked over at him, Jayden was asleep. He couldn’t blame him. The day had been another long one, especially coming on the heels of the one before that. They had walked from the foothills of Mount Ararat back to the trekker staging area, and from there hitched a ride back into Doğubayazıt with a returning guide group. During this ride they used the same false names they had given their own trekking company with whom they had promised to report back after returning to town to let them know they had returned safely. This tour operator knew the one they had booked with, and promptly called them to let them know their clients were safely on the way back to town. After tipping that driver, they had returned to their hostel and checked out, paying in cash before going directly to the bus depot.
With Jayden asleep, Carter decided to do some research on the town of Axum and where they would focus their hunt for the ark once they got there. He had used the Internet connection at the hostel’s café to download numerous articles from the web about the area, and soon, as the old bus wheels rumbled across a vast ag-scape of farmland, pastures and scenic snow-capped mountains in the far-off distance, his mind was occupied and racing to make connections related to the old map that was still tucked safely away in the hidden compartment of his backpack.
“Maid service, sir. Would you like—”
Daedalus yelled at the door without opening it. “I do not wish to be disturbed! I will call if I need anything.” After the muffled apology that issued from the other side of the door, Daedalus walked back from the entranceway onto the plush carpeting of his main suite, which afforded a beautiful scenic view of majestic mountains in the distance. He jabbed at the remote control button that slid the curtains across the window and stewed in the ensuing dimness.
Glaring at his watch, he saw that it was almost an hour past the time when he should have heard from his brother, that incompetent, overpaid oaf who was still in the field. Meanwhile, his archaeological expert — also vastly overpaid in Daedalus’ opinion- had not yet weighed in with any insights regarding the ultra-high resolution, professional grade scans of the map image he had sent him, going to great lengths to do so over an encrypted, highly secure network. He snatched up his specially encrypted smartphone and dialed the number to the satellite-phone his brother was supposed to be monitoring.
It was answered on the fifth ring. “Phillipo, is that you?”
“Yes, Daedalus. How are you?”
Daedalus let loose a sigh of pure exasperation. “You tell me how I am! Do you have the map yet?”
“No.”
The black market treasure kingpin closed his eyes in an attempt to remain somewhat calm. “Have you tracked down those two thieves?”
“My dear brother, I am sorry to report that we have failed in that task.”
Daedalus’ face went beet red. He lost control and shouted at full volume into the phone, which was on speaker mode, while the veins in his neck bulged. “Then what good are you? Why do I employ you? Tell me!”
A few seconds of silence passed during which Daedalus could hear the sounds of birds squawking, like the audio track to a serene nature setting. Then Phillipo’s voice came back on.
“I do have some information on their whereabouts.”
“Tell me.”
“I inquired with the local trekker’s network and learned that the two hikers who had separated from the Ararat Trekking group that left from Dogu were picked up by another trekking company’s van yesterday, and transported to back to Dogu.”
“Dogu! So they could be anywhere now. Why didn’t you tell me this yesterday?”
“We just found out now, Daedalus. We are still on the mountain, communication is not so easy.”
“You have a sat-phone!”
“Yes, the battery power of which must be conserved for our own use. Not to mention, of the guides who do carry one, they are used mostly for emergency purposes and not to chat. For that they use the walkie-talkies, which is how I was able to learn of what happened, but that’s how long it took. I am sorry, brother, but we have done our best. We are now en route back to Dogu with the timber samples. We should be there later today.”
Daedalus took a deep breath. “Well that part is good news. Make sure you follow security protocols to keep them safe.”
“As far as anyone knows, they are simply quality old growth lumber pieces for our master craftsman to make luxury furniture pieces with.”
“Excellent. You will report back to me when the samples have been transferred in Dogu to my agent.”
“Will do. How is the map research coming along? Do—”
But Daedalus had already ended the call.
“Hello duty free shop!” Jayden exclaimed, full of enthusiasm as he entered the store.
“Smaller size bottles, Jayden, that we can use for bartering should the need arise.”
“Always the sensible one, Carter. But you’re absolutely right. A nice variety of small flasks and even the mini’s ought to do us just fine once we’re in Africa.”
They had a half-hour to kill before their flight left, so they had hit the newsstand for some basic supplies that were small and could be taken on a flight that might come in handy for ‘when things got rough’, as Carter thought of it — beef jerky, power bars, Tylenol, candy bars. All things that were useful pretty much anywhere but at the same time took up very little space, and that could be hard to find in some of the planet’s more remote corners. Jayden even purchased a new backpack to replace the one he’d lost on the mountain. Nothing special, as he put it, but at the same time, they didn’t want anything that would stand out too much. Carter also took the opportunity to outfit himself with a new pack, deciding that the jerry-rigged broken strap made his bag stand out a little, and that he also may as well start with something new but innocuous looking. Anything with a tactical or military appearance was out, regardless of the functionality or features it offered.
After checking out with their liquor purchases in the duty free shop, they boarded their flight for Ethiopia. It was a full jet, with what Carter guessed to be an even mix of business commuters, tourists, and people travelling for personal reasons with ties to one or both countries. Flight time would about eight hours, and as soon as it was wheels up, Jayden dozed off for some much needed shut-eye. Carter knew that he should sleep as well, but it wouldn’t come as easily. He couldn’t stop thinking about the map, and about what Maddy had said about Axum and the Ark of the Covenant. The other ark, as Carter thought of it now. Could it be? He had wanted to discuss this further with Maddy, but when he had called from Ankara International, where he had cellular service, her line went to voice mail. He left her a message that they were safely back in Turkey and leaving for Axum, but that was it.