Part 15

I decide not to go home.

Instead, I go to the bathroom. I call my contact in Egypt on my cell phone. We have a conversation in Arabic. I wait about ten minutes and then return to the table.

“How come you're back so soon?” she asks.

“I checked your story with my friend in Egypt,” I tell her.

“What do you mean?” she says in a loud voice.

“I phoned my former guide in Egypt. He also took some of the jewels. He told me that he had had no problems with his fingers. I think my problem with my fingers is caused by carpal tunnel syndrome, not by the jewels. A lot of people know that I have this problem, including your sister. "You both try to fool me into giving up my share of the jewels,” I tell her, giving her back the empty bag.