Discoveries: Rebecca Jamse Thriller

By tony lavely

Beginning as Coda? ends, Beckie Jamse has signed a contract providing protection for an archeological dig in Baluchistan, Pakistan, but even with her experience, it leads her places she never expects. And provides a reward she hadn't negotiated.

 

A quiet winter and spring at The Nest allows Beckie to prepare for her baby; monitor the several jobs Ian Jamse, LLC, had already undertaken; provision the new protection contract, and plan an appropriate response to Ian and Kevin's murders. The calm evaporates like early morning dew when Ralf Jamse arrives, full of sound and fury and other baby specific needs.
Events in Pakistan only seem calm. Unbeknownst to her, the protection contract in Pakistan develops a complication neither she nor the scientists expected: the terrorists of Daesh (Islamic State) are targeting the region.

Even before Beckie's doctor allows her to leave the hospital, a letter arrives that changes everything.

 

Discoveries is a thriller with romance, set in an approximation to the real world. For the most enjoyment, readers should be familiar with Coda?.

• Language: English
• Publisher: tony lavely
• Release date: Sep 11, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393016489

Book preview

Discoveries

A Rebecca Jamse Thriller

By

Tony Lavely

Copyright © 2020 by tony lavely

Cover Image: "Dancing girl" by Jen with modifications by Ismoon 20 February 2012 (earlier version by Calliopejen1) - Own work.

Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

All Maps by Tommi Salama

[e-mail]

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Edition 200907.2

All rights reserved.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite e-tailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from Tony Lavely.

Previously

To paraphrase William Goldman: There’s really too much. I’ll encapsulate: purchase Coda? and read it first.

If you can’t afford your reading, the author may be able to help.*

*Some restrictions apply. See About the Author.

Description

Beginning as Coda? ends, Beckie Jamse has signed a contract providing protection for an archeological dig in Baluchistan, Pakistan, but even with her experience, it leads her places she never expects. And provides a reward she hadn’t negotiated.

A quiet winter and spring at The Nest allows Beckie to prepare for her baby; monitor the several jobs Ian Jamse, LLC, had already undertaken; provision the new protection contract, and plan an appropriate response to Ian and Kevin’s murders. The calm evaporates like early morning dew when Ralf Jamse arrives, full of sound and fury and other baby specific needs.

Events in Pakistan only seem calm. Unbeknownst to her, the protection contract in Pakistan develops a complication neither she nor the scientists expected: the terrorists of Daesh (Islamic State) are targeting the region.

Long before Beckie’s doctor allows her to leave the hospital, a letter arrives that changes everything.

Discoveries is a thriller with romance, set in an approximation to the real world. For the most enjoyment, readers should be familiar with Coda?.

About the Cover Image

I came on the idea of Beckie and Ian taking a protection job in Pakistan at an as yet un-investigated archeological site from seeing the image of the Dancing Girl some time ago. The following article, found via Google, reawakened a desire (as yet unfulfilled) to join those digging in old dirt, but it also provided a backdrop against which I could craft this story. While the story touches only briefly on the excavations, without the backdrop, the story would not exist.

I hope the following excerpt from Ms Hirst’s article inspires you as well.

The Dancing Girl of Mohenjo-Daro

By K. Kris Hirst

Writing at http://archaeology.about.com/od/indusrivercivilizations/a/dancinggirl.htm

By and large, Indiana Jones notwithstanding, archaeologists deny any real attraction for specific artifacts. It’s the assemblage, we’ll argue, the collection of artifacts from any one site that is really interesting. It’s the context, we’ll say, the location of the artifacts within a particular room or area or part of the world, that fascinates us. No, no, it’s the settlement patterns, the way the assemblage fits, or doesn’t fit, the prevailing theory of the way humans organize their living areas.

Well, that’s all true, most of the time. But sometimes, we are lucky enough to run across a single artifact that seems to speak to us across the ages, seems to express a culture both distant and not so far away from our present day, in one lovely concrete moment.

So it would seem to be the case with the ‘dancing girl,’ a 10.8 centimeter high bronze statuette, sculpted using the lost wax method around 2500 BC, and excavated in 1926 from a house in the ancient city of Mohenjo-Daro, Pakistan….

[ … ]

She was British archaeologist Mortimer Wheeler’s favorite statuette, as you can tell in this quote from a 1973 television program:

There is her little Baluchi-style face with pouting lips and insolent look in the eye. She’s about fifteen years old I should think, not more, but she stands there with bangles all the way up her arm and nothing else on. A girl perfectly, for the moment, perfectly confident of herself and the world. There’s nothing like her, I think, in the world.

John Marshall, one of the excavators at Mohenjo-Daro, described her as a vivid impression of the young … girl, her hand on her hip in a half-impudent posture, and legs slightly forward as she beats time to the music with her legs and feet…

The artistry of this lovely statuette crosses time and space and speaks to us of a seemingly unknowable, but at least fleetingly recognizable past. As author Gregory Possehl says, We may not be certain that she was a dancer, but she was good at what she did and she knew it.

[ … ]

The quotes from this article come directly out of the book by Gregory L. Possehl called The Indus Civilization: A Contemporary Perspective, available from Altamira Press, and published in September 2002….

Author’s Note - Daesh

Because the below Opinion piece in The Boston Globe makes sense to me, and language does matter, I’ve chosen to use the term Daesh to refer to the group in the Middle East which may be more familiar to readers as ISIS, or one of many other names.

Words Matter in ‘ISIS’ War, So Use ‘Daesh’

Opinion by Zeba Khan, The Boston Globe, October 9, 2014

THE MILITANTS who are killing civilians, raping and forcing captured women into sexual slavery, and beheading foreigners in Iraq and Syria are known by several names: the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham, or ISIS; the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL; and, more recently, the Islamic State, or IS. French officials recently declared that that country would stop using any of those names and instead refer to the group as Daesh.

[ … ]

Whether referred to as ISIS, ISIL, or IS, all three names reflect aspirations that the United States and its allies unequivocally reject. Political and religious leaders all over the world have noted this. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said, This is a terrorist group and not a state. . . the term Islamic State blurs the lines between Islam, Muslims, and Islamists. President Obama made similar remarks saying, ISIL is not Islamic . . . and [is] certainly not a state.

Muslim scholars around the world have denounced the group’s attempt to declare a caliphate. Egyptian Islamic theologian Yusuf al-Qaradawi published an open letter to Muslim scholars explaining, A group simply announcing a caliphate is not enough to establish a caliphate. The Syrian Sufi leader Muhammad al-Yacoubi called the group’s declaration illegitimate and that supporting it was haram, or forbidden.

The term Daesh is strategically a better choice because it is still accurate in that it spells out the acronym of the group’s full Arabic name, al-Dawla al-Islamiya fi al-Iraq wa al-Sham. Yet, at the same time, Daesh can also be understood as a play on words — and an insult. Depending on how it is conjugated in Arabic, it can mean anything from to trample down and crush to a bigot who imposes his view on others. Already, the group has reportedly threatened to cut out the tongues of anyone who uses the term.

Why do they care so much? The same reason the United States should. Language matters.

[ … ]

Khan, Zeba (2014, October 9) Opinion: Words matter in ‘ISIS’ war, so use ‘Daesh’ The Boston Globe. Retrieved from https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2014/10/09/words-matter-isis-war-use-daesh/V85GYEuasEEJgrUun0dMUP/story.html on Dec. 10, 2015.

L’enfant terrible, according to Webster’s Dictionary is "a usually young and successful person who is strikingly unorthodox, innovative, or avant-garde."

Some might consider Rebecca Sverdupe’s behavior more in line with the usual definition from French: a terrible (unruly or incorrigible) child, but we choose Webster’s.

The fleur de lis was carried by Joan d’Arc, as well as many others. The symbol is a legend in itself - a lasting emblem of royalty, power, honor, grandeur, faith and unity.

For these reasons, the fleur de lis overwritten by l’enfant terrible represents Rebecca Sverdupe well.

Discoveries

One: Planning

Nureddin Al-Shazar twitched once as his phone vibrated. He rolled over to reach his pocket and dig it out. A text. From… from Kalil. Call at your earliest convenience.

Damn. Just what I needed, he muttered. He checked the time. Quarter to one. I will instruct him again about the time difference. He sat up and looked out the window on the Pakistani town of Surab. Looks like we’ll get all of January’s rain tonight. Unless it turns to snow.

He scrolled to Kalil’s number, imagining the phone ringing in the Syrian desert where Abdul-Nur el-Asad had installed their base, far from allied forces’ attacks.

Finally, he heard the young soldier’s voice in the ritual greeting. He answered the challenges, then asked to be certain, This is a secure link?

Of course!

Of course. What else would it be? Good. He yawned. What do you need?

A small thing you should be aware of. Yesterday, a contact made through our Tor web site offered to join us after his conversion. He claims much knowledge about a mercenary group. His handler warns that he exaggerates, but still, he wondered if you would be interested.

Al-Shazar shook his head in disbelief. Why are they asking me a recruiting question?

"We know the mercenary group. You know them. Ian Jamse, LLC."

He stood and stared out the window at the heavy dark clouds. Ian Jamse’s group. He had some small familiarity with those people, some good, some… not so good. Perhaps…

Instruct them to discover what he knows. Information of that sort is always useful. I expect an update no later than tomorrow.

A cypher-laden message arrived late the next day. Al-Shazar smiled as he read about Jamse’s high-school age recruit, Lisa Grove. He found Grove’s girl friend even more interesting. She might be vulnerable to a well-placed threat to her social standing, thereby reflecting on both Grove and Jamse’s group.

He sent his return message: "This is excellent! Maintain the contact and find out how much more he knows. Names, dates, anything. Promise him whatever will keep information flowing. Allāhu Akbar!"

Beckie Jamse’s flight home from Paris was uneventful; she even managed to nap sporadically. Willie met her on the tarmac with current news. By the time they joined Maurice Boynton on her lanai, he’d gotten through almost everything. And last, Rou told me Jones and Brody’s money for the Pakistan job’s on the way. Given any thought who you’ll assign?

I had a couple ideas I’d like you gentlemen to vet, but first, she said to Boynton, how about some coffee? He rose and went into the house. When he returned with the tray, she continued, "Who do you think? And who should we not send?"

That’s a little easier. Willie leaned back, hands behind his head. Sam would be good, but I think he’s better in Syria.

Yeah. Freddie, too, I think. In Vietnam, she said in response to his raised eyebrows. His team should continue the mine clearing effort there. How about Ben? Ben Daley?

Boynton nodded as he finished distributing the cups and spoons. After Beckie thanked him, she again gazed at Willie.

To be honest, he said, Ben’s a little… not young, but he’s only been in charge once or twice. If he wants to do something like this, he should be second or third in command. And I’m not sure he’d want to leave Syria for a straight protection kind of job.

Yeah. Jimmy would have been… She allowed her voice to trail off. I’m not gonna futz around moping because he left.

Well, he’s not⁠—

Her wave cut him off.

Well, Boynton said, here’s a thought: Leonid and Fedor.

That might work, Willie said. The contract in Nigeria is about to expire and there’s no hint that they want to extend it.

Huh? Beckie said. I didn’t hear that Boko Haram promised to play nice again; what happened? There’s no problem with our guys?

While I’ll know better in a couple days, no, no problems. We only had a chance for a quick conversation when Leonid called, but he believes the government isn’t willing or able to pay the bill any longer.

Damn! I’d carry them a couple of months, but not if there’s no future to it. Let’s ask Leonid if there’s anything they need to wrap up before they disengage if the contract’s cancelled. Now, what other things have been going on?

They spent the next half-hour on the team’s other activities before Beckie sipped the last of her coffee and asked, I assume you both think a woman would be out of place in, you know, Pakistan? Especially in the mountains?

Willie and Boynton stared at her, both with wide eyes and open mouths. Wow, I got both of them. What?

The two men glanced at each other, then both began to speak. Beckie waved and pointed to Boynton.

He glanced again at Willie, then said, I fear… You can’t be thinking of going⁠—

What! Me? She chuckled her disbelief. Not likely! You guys have wrapped the Nest up so tight I can barely get on the plane to see my doctor. She choked off her laugh at the men’s relief. Maybe I’ve been even more… obstinate than I thought. No, I was thinking Barbara. I don’t think Beth’s any more ready than Ben, but…

Okay, Willie said. I do agree, with both of those. But Barbara’s just getting into the bank job; she’s perfect for it. So, the more I think about it, the more Leonid looks like a good choice, especially if that contract lapses. And Fedor will come with him. They’re both from the southern reaches of what used to be the USSR, so Pakistan’s not too far from their old homestead, so to speak. He finished his coffee as well. We might move Ben to fill in for them in Nigeria, if you still think that’s viable.

She nodded. Ask them to disengage and come back here. We’ll all talk about it.

As the men relaxed, Beckie did also, then sat back up. I know we talked to Beth about her contact in South Africa just after New Year’s; did anything come across while I was in Paris?

Not a word. Tjaart has reported every other day or so, and it’s all the same. He’s still trying to get permission to visit the smuggler who’s in jail, but he has low expectations. It’s more like making sure all the i’s are dotted and the t’s crossed than anything he expects to be useful.

Yeah. And if they killed the other two⁠—

Huh?

The cop and the doctor. Willie nodded his recollection. If they killed them, there won’t be a money trail to follow.

That’s an idea, though, Boynton said. When he calls, I’ll ask about their finances. In case they did die accidentally.

I’m okay with that, I guess, if there’s nothing better for him to do. We don’t really expect anything?

No, but just to make sure.

Right. Speaking of Beth, I assume the silence from the Groves means Lisa’s training went well?

All reports were positive, Boynton said.

Cool. I’ll track her… Beth, down and see how the other stuff is going, too.

The rest of the day, she caught up with Shalin deVeel and Millie Arden, mostly to reassure them nothing really bad had happened in the Parisian suburbs. Shalin told her that Willie had been ready to fly everyone he could grab to rescue her, but she’d managed it herself before they could deploy. Beckie laughed. I’ll have to talk to him a little more, I guess.

The next day while Beckie sat nibbling her breakfast, Willie entered, his hands full of papers. Apparently, Jones and Brody⁠—or Brody anyway⁠—didn’t get enough of our company in Paris. He’d like to meet with us again. I agreed, but said if he wanted you in attendance, he’d have to come here. It took an hour, but he agreed. I’ve asked Janni to arrange meeting him in Nassau, once his schedule is firm. He thought it would be a week or so.

Cool. Why, did he say?

Not in so many words, but I think he wants to know when whoever we send will arrive.

That seems a funny reason to fly all the way from… Karachi, right? She rose and waved him along to the lanai. A long trip for little gain, since he’s already committed the funds.

Yes, it is. They seated themselves looking out over the blue water to the south of Home Cay. Should I ask him directly?

Naw. Let him tell us in his own good time. If he hasn’t by the time we’re done, then we’ll ask. She slid her phone from her pocket and tapped its face. I have to go to Miami day after tomorrow. You remember, my doctor’s appointment? Dan’s set… He laughed at her pouty face. … to chaperone me. Other than that, I don’t have anything we can’t work around. Can we get Leonid and Fedor back, like early next week so they can meet him, too?

I’ll arrange their return. This morning while we were sleeping, they got the formal word that the contract will be allowed to lapse. But it’ll be a week or so to get clear and ship everything we’re not going to leave.

Damn. Who else will be available, then?

I’ll check with Leonid who of his team will return with them. I’d guess four or five will want to see what we have available; the others will fade off to another group. But that’s just my guess.

Beckie went through the rest of the ten o’clock meeting with Willie; the updates were all routine. As Willie left, she pulled out her phone and rang Beth.

You got a couple of minutes?

Pieter’s just been giving me a refresher on the proper care and feeding of hand- and long guns. Now, gonna to put some of that to use, depleting the ammo stores. With the ear muffs we won’t be able to talk. Should be done in a couple hours.

I’ll join you; wanna fire my P238 anyway.

In a half-hour, they were in the underground range on Port Cay, shredding targets. Beckie disliked target practice; it had no motivating power for her, but then she recalled Elena’s We try not to kill sparring partners, and the lesson that had taught her. She broke open another box of ammunition and reloaded her four magazines. Before she’d finished the last one, Beth grabbed her arm and pointed to the doorway where Pieter stood, smiling.

She doffed the ear protectors and Beth said, Time for a little fun. Pieter told me you’ve been through the M1911 course.

Yeah, Last year or maybe year before that. My opinion? Great weapon, but at two and a half pounds, too big for me to strap on. I’d be pulling to the right!

I thought I’d give it a try, since he loves them and recommends them to everyone comes through his shop.

Beckie caught the woman by the waist and guided her to the team’s smiling armourer. Make sure he goes over the problems. Since it’s so easy to field strip, people tend to think it’s perfect. Right, Pieter?

Right, Mrs. Jamse. Glad you remember that. Here, Ms Stadd, try this for feel. He handed her an example of the Colt’s Manufacturing Company Pistol, Caliber .45, Automatic, M1911A1. Your Glock 17 is good, but the .45 ACP cartridge in the M1911 is an advance on the 9mm.

I know where this is going, Beth, and I don’t mind a refresher. Maurice can hold lunch til about three, since Pieter’s gonna take every minute of that!

Pieter ushered them into his workshop without disputing Beckie’s prediction. When he allowed them to leave⁠—at three-fifteen⁠—he had not only demonstrated the weapon on the range, but Beth watched in awe as he detail stripped the gun with no tools. A useful characteristic, he said, especially in combat situations. He’d followed by describing the problems the naysayers had with it, including the jams which needed a gunsmith like him to repair. Before they left, Pieter demonstrated the few options available to a shooter when a problem did occur.

On the way back to Home Cay and lunch, Beckie brought herself up to date on the training Lisa had done, and Beth’s plans not only for her, but the other team members, too. She smiled to herself. Leave the good people alone to do their job, Beck!

Leonid and Fedor arrived on February first, a Thursday, the day before Brody was due. Beckie asked Jannike Meyer to take their papers as usual and send them along as soon as Patrice landed.

She knew little about the two beyond that they were Russian and the few tidbits Willie had shared when they discussed them the week before.

The two men had met ten or so years ago while both were in the Russian special forces Alpha Group. Willie was certain that they’d kept their relationship undercover while part of Spetsnaz, and as far as Beckie recalled, they hadn’t been all that open about it since joining the team.

Janni’s call to warn of their arrival found Beckie on the lanai; after a ten minute wait during which she advised Boynton they were close by, she went to the front door to welcome them.

Leonid was the taller one, Willie had said, though he wasn’t tall. But, she thought as they approached from the dock, Fedor isn’t really short, either. Both are close to a foot taller than me! Neither was dark, but Fedor was darker than Leonid. Both men had close-cut brown hair; they’d donned camo and tee shirts for the flight.

Fedor said something Beckie couldn’t hear, and Leonid laughed and clapped the other man on the shoulder. I’m sure she won’t… Leonid looked up to see Beckie waiting and mumbled the end of his statement.

The two men hurried, and Beckie opened the door, greeting them with her firmest handshake. On the lanai, she waved them to pick whichever seats they wished and called to Boynton who appeared with his ever-present coffee service. This time, however, there were three carafes.

For you, Rebecca. He poured a cup. Gentlemen, please tell me if this is not to your liking, he said as he filled two smaller cups from a second carafe.

I find it suits very well, Leonid said once he’d sipped. Thank you for remembering our… plebeian tastes; this is excellent.

Boynton beamed as he took his own seat. Willie is about to arrive, if you wait another minute.

Ah. That explains the extra cup, Beckie said with a smile. So. Leonid Danilin; Fedor Starinov… I apologize, I don’t know the proper honorific.

No matter, Leonid said with a faint smile. Even now, neither do we. Names will be fine.

Beckie tipped her head, hoping her confusion didn’t show. Well, okay. In any event, it is a pleasure to meet you in person, finally. I hope your trip wasn’t too boring.

Trips to the Nest are never boring, Leonid said. He paused a moment, then continued, Though we spoke via computer in September, in person I convey again my condolences. I believe Fedor wishes to, as well.

I do, Mrs. Jamse. I can hardly imagine your feelings. We both miss Ian, in our own ways.

Thank you, she said, dipping her eyes for a moment.

Please, call me Lyeka. And he… tipping his head toward his partner, … is Fedor, who nodded, a smile curving his lips.

As Beckie acknowledged him, Willie came through the slider and greeted them.

I think, Beckie said, that we’ll spend a few more minutes, then let you go relax. And study. She tapped the thin envelope Willie’d carried back from Paris. We’ve signed up to guard an archeological dig in Baluchistan, southern Pakistan. Everything we know about the job is here. She slid the envelope across the table where Leonid could reach it. We hope to know more tomorrow; one of the principals arrives shortly after noon. I invite you to the meeting at two PM; bring all the questions you can think of.

Leonid nodded as he slipped the papers out and began to peruse them. His face made interesting changes as he did so. She counted surprised, disgruntled, amused and something else she couldn’t identify. He handed each sheet to Fedor once he’d finished it. When he arrived at the maps, the last pieces of paper, he and Fedor scrutinized them together.

Interesting, Mrs. Jamse.

Beckie, please.

Of course. This site seems to be… distant? He glanced at Fedor, who nodded, and Leonid continued, Distant from locations where other excavations have been done. And the antiquities departments in Islamabad have been protective of their heritage. He waved one of the sheets. I see that the proper people have been paid off… but those people can also forget their recent… windfalls, I think you say.

Beckie gave him a big smile, which she then turned on Willie and Boynton. I love it when we pick the right guys. She turned back to the Russians. They wouldn’t say what they’re looking for. Do you have an idea?

Not with any certainty. But the area near Mohenjo-Daro is being slowly investigated as the home of the Indus Valley civilization, sometimes called the Harappan civilization after the modern name of the first city to be found and excavated. That was about… well, almost a hundred years ago, now. Finding it, I mean; the civilization is Bronze Age.

What… How? Beckie flushed as she realized how incoherent she sounded. I mean⁠—

How do a couple of Russian mercs know anything about the Bronze Age, and excavation work in Pakistan? Leonid laughed. I believe that Ian knew of our hobby, but perhaps not. Or he failed to share with you.

Wouldn’t be the first thing, Beckie mumbled.

I see. Well, Fedor’s maternal side has roots in India, and as a result, he determined to see what he could about her possible ancestors. Of which the Indus Valley civilization may be one. He glanced at the map again. What are the odds, Fedor, that they’re looking for something related to the IVC?

Fedor picked up the map to study it. Honestly, I am not convinced. Those people were agrarian, and there’s no sign of a river in this area. However… Lots of earthquakes. The land may certainly have shifted. Let us wait before we attempt to tell the expert his job.

Always the intelligent one, Leonid said with a chuckle. That sounds an excellent plan.

I agree, Beckie said. Take yourself to wherever you’re headed; we’ll see you for dinner tonight if you’re up for it, or tomorrow at two in any event.

Beckie’s phone showed three PM Friday before the tall dark man she recalled from Paris stepped out of the skiff that one of Janni’s staff had piloted from the airstrip on Port Cay.

Monsieur Brody! she called, walking down the path toward the dock. This way, please. And welcome.

They met and Brody shook her hand. Thank you for inviting me to this beautiful place. I should have planned to stay more than a day.

Thank you. Ian’s work, for the most part. If you’d like to stay a bit longer, accommodations are certainly available. However, while it’s sunny today, rain is forecast for the weekend, off and on. They’d reached the door where Boynton was waiting. After a quick introduction they settled at the glass table on the lanai.

Leonid and Fedor are due momentarily, Boynton said.

Good. When they arrive, we’ll begin. They will lead our effort on your behalf. She smiled. Since that region has interested them, I’m sure they will have pertinent questions.

Excellent, Brody said. He gave her a wide grin. I hope I can find pertinent answers.

While we wait, she said, how is Doctor Jones? All right, I hope? And I am curious. Where is your base? In Pakistan, or closer to the museums?

Jones is well, although… A wry smile overtook his face. … he is not fond of travel. As you might guess. I presume you share his aversion, for a different reason.

Actually, I’m okay with travel, though it isn’t as comfortable now. My… I’m tempted to say ‘handlers’ but that’s not really fair. My friends prefer I remain close to home, for the time being, at least.

Ah. Good for them. While we spend a great deal of time in Pakistan, and will spend more once we begin in earnest, our base is near Marseille. The shipping traffic through the port sometimes brings… interesting objects to light.

Beckie covered her surprise with a quick smile, but only had time to say Ah, before Leonid came through the slider ahead of Fedor. She made the introductions, adding Willie and Beth Stadd as they followed the Russians.

After a round of small talk and greetings, Beckie began. So, Doctor Brody, what brings you to visit us?

He placed the tea cup carefully and leaned back in his chair. Is he getting ready to… lie? Why?

I have two or perhaps three goals. The first has been met: to meet the men you will deploy on our behalf. He nodded to Leonid and Fedor. The second is to learn your schedule for their deployment, now that you have had time to consider the information we gave you. Finally, to answer any questions you may have. At least, those that pertain to your task. He steepled his fingers. While others may arise, those were my initial thoughts.

Beckie nodded. Reasonable. She turned to Leonid. Would you and Fedor like to lead off?

Leonid spent a few minutes reviewing his and Fedor’s knowledge of the Indus Valley. Beckie observed Brody’s expressions as he listened. He seems surprised that they’re interested and, I guess, well-informed. She had no yardstick with which to gauge their expertise beyond Brody’s reactions, so she kept her thoughts to herself.

When Leonid finished, Brody leaned forward again. "I will need far less introductory material than I’d planned. I think you two are an excellent choice.

"I doubt that this will be germane to your task, but a year ago, some farmers’ children were playing in the valley we have indicated, and found what appeared to be part of a structure⁠—a foundation⁠— made of fired bricks. Fired in a style that has been seen in other settlements associated with the IVC, as you call it.

"Hoping for a reward, I suppose, one of the farmers pointed the find out to his local chief, and in several months, the antiquities departments in the government received the report.

By luck and nothing else, as is true so often in archeology, Jones and I were working that day, in that department. We requested permission to research the find.

He turned to Beckie. "We had already been in contact with Mr. Jamse, seeking his advice about security as we planned to excavate sites north of Islamabad. When we focused our attention on this location, we continued our association, leading to our meeting in Paris.

That is by-the-by, however. In our preliminary investigation, we determined that the site might fit the model of a Bronze Age settlement. Or one from that era, at least.

He picked up his cup and sipped. Boynton offered a carafe of hot water and more tea; Brody accepted and set a new cup to