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Majesty paused and her golden eyes turned on Narice. “How well do you know your Bible, Ms. Jordan.”
    â€œProbably not as well as I should.”
    She smiled softly. “Makeda returned home carrying Solomon’s child. She bore him a son and she named him Ibn-al-Hakim, which means son of the wise man. In the Bible he is called Melenek, and is said to have stolen the Ark of the Covenant.”
    Narice knew the Ark had been given to the Israelites by God. Her only other reference to the icon was themovie Raiders of the Lost Ark. She shook herself and settled her attention back on the queen.
    â€œOur legends say Melenek took something else, too. The Eye. Through time and marriage it found its way into my family. It became the symbol of the Nagal monarchy, and our tie to the great queen Makeda.”
    Narice found the story fascinating. “So how does my father figure into all of this?”
    â€œWhen Rommel and his Nazis overran Nagal during WWII, my grandfather, the king, gave the Eye to your father to keep it out of the hands of the Germans.”
    Narice knew that her father had served in northern Africa during the war, but he’d never mentioned meeting a royal family.
    â€œYour father promised to smuggle the Eye out of the country and to keep it safe until my grandfather sent for it, but after the war, generals in our army staged a coup. My grandfather was killed in the fighting. His heir, my father, was executed shortly thereafter. My grandmother, mother and I were forced to flee our home or suffer the same fate.”
    Narice asked, “Where did you go?”
    â€œParis, where my mother had relatives.” She quieted for a moment as if thinking back, then said, “I am the last of the Nagal royal line. Over the years the old generals were replaced by new ones, but they all cared more about power than the people.”
    â€œWhy do you need the Eye?”
    â€œBecause according to the prophecy, when the Eye is returned to its home prosperity will return as well.”“And you believe my father has had it all this time?”
    â€œWe believe so, yes.”
    Farouk leaned across the table and stated bluntly, “And now, we want it returned.”
    Narice held his glare. “Fine. Just tell me where it is.”
    Saint weighed in for the first time. “Nobody knows. Everybody assumes your father hid it somewhere for safekeeping.”
    Narice wasn’t convinced. “He never mentioned anything to me.”
    â€œAre you certain?” The Majesty asked.
    â€œVery.”
    Farouk asked tightly, “If he did hide it, where might it be?”
    Narice shrugged. “I have no idea.”
    The prime minister’s face said he didn’t believe her, but Narice had no control over what he believed.
    Saint asked, “What about his acquaintances, friends, would they be of any help?”
    Narice shrugged again. “Uncle Willie might know.”
    â€œWhere’s he live?”
    â€œToledo.”
    The Majesty asked, “This Uncle Willie is your blood?”
    Narice shook her head. “No, but he was my father’s best friend. If Daddy told anyone about this it would be Willie. They served in the army together?”
    â€œThen we start the search there,” Saint declared.
    The Majesty seemed pleased. “A starting point.”
    Narice wasn’t sure, but she kept it to herself. “So, who is Ridley, and how is he involved?” Narice remembered how terrified she’d been in the cab.
    Farouk’s pale brown face twisted with distaste. “He serves the generals as their prime minister. He is after the Eye, too.”
    Narice hoped to not run into him again. “Ridley recognized your voice, Saint. He must know you well.”
    â€œHe does,” was all he said.
    Narice studied him and wondered what he’d meant, but his tone let her know she’d get no further explanation, at least not now, so she didn’t press