The Atlantis Code by Charles Brokaw Page B

room’s clean. I figured since you’re a professor
and
a bachelor, things wouldn’t be so tidy.”
    “Looking for a stereotype? The absentminded professor?”
    “Expecting one, I suppose.”
    “I don’t exactly fill the bill as curmudgeonly either.” Lourds waved her toward the chairs out on the balcony. The room was well appointed, with a work area and an entertainment area. “If you don’t mind, maybe we could sit outside. The view is incredible, and your company’s paying for it.”
    Night draped Alexandria, and the city glistened like a jewel box in the darkness. The full moon hung high above, silver among the shadowed clouds scattered across the sable heavens. To the north, moonlight kissed the white curlers running in from the Mediterranean Sea. Far below, the discordant noise of the evening traffic and the joyous cries of the tourists who had indulged too much filled the streets.
    Lourds pulled out her chair and sat her at the small circular table. “Egyptian nights are full of mystery. While we’re here, you should get out and see as much of the city and the outlying areas as you can. It’s incredible. Do you know who C. S. Forester is?”
    “A novelist. He wrote the Horatio Hornblower books.”
    Flabbergasted, Lourds dropped into the wicker chair across the table from Leslie. Over the past three days, he’d grown quite enchanted with her wit, personality, and charm. He could easily see why the television producers had chosen her to be the show’s moderator. “You’ve read the books?”
    Leslie shook her head and looked a trifle embarrassed. “I watched the movies. I’m not much of a reader. No time.”
    “You’re a fan of old movies?” At least that was something. “I thought Gregory Peck was particularly good in that film.”
    “I didn’t see the classic version, just the remakes with Ioan Gruffudd. I purchased them all on DVD.”
    “They can’t be as good as the novels.” Lourds waved that idea away as pure folly. “Anyway, C. S. Forester wrote, ‘The best way of seeing Alexandria is to wander aimlessly.’ ”
    Leslie leaned over the table and tucked her chin onto her interlaced fingers. “Surely seeing the city would be better if I had a guide.” Her green eyes glittered.
    Lourds placed his elbows on the table and leaned toward her. “If you find yourself in need of a guide here, just ask me.”
    Leslie smiled a bit impishly and said, “I will.”
    “So what brings you here?”
    “Curiosity.”
    “About?”
    “Every night after dinner, you just disappear. I was beginning to think that I’d somehow offended you.” Leslie hesitated. “Or that maybe you were spending time with a loved one on the phone. Or even sending pictures over the Internet.”
    “No. On all counts. No offense taken. I have no significant other. I’m not avoiding you. I’ve been consumed by the puzzle of the bell.”
    “When I walked in and saw all the pictures in your room, I gathered that. The bell is one of the reasons I decided to drop by. I thought perhaps you needed a diversion.”
    “A diversion?”
    “When I get stymied on a project, I usually try to get out of my work environment and go talk it over with my friends. Sometimes that will lift something from my subconscious mind that’s been waiting for the chance to get out.”
    “Are you suggesting a walk? Me and you?”
    “I am.” Leslie met Lourds’s gaze directly.
    Lourds looked at the wall covered with photos of the bell. He didn’t worry about leaving them here. The bell looked like what it was: a curious antique.
    The question was, did he want to leave the puzzle of the bell alone long enough to spend time with an interesting and beautiful woman in one of the most romantic cities on earth?
    It seemed he did.
    “I can get dressed and meet you downstairs,” he said.
    “Nonsense. You look fine.”
    Lourds grinned at her. “Well, I need shoes, at least.” He was ready in less than a minute.
     

RYAZAN’ CITY,