Free Murder Most Egyptological (A Mrs. Xavier Stayton Mystery Book 3) by Robert Colton Page B

opened, but no sound came out. After his eyes darted about, he said, “Percy had his own agenda, and I’ll thank you to leave it at that. He’s gone, and it is of no concern to me. I cannot fathom why it is a concern for you?”
       “Percy Huston was under my employment, and his welfare is my responsibility …”
      “Then look to the ugly vices that Percy was so drawn to. You won’t find alcohol or gambling here in the desert, Mrs. Stayton. Root around in the shadows of Luxor, and with Sandy lurking at your side, good luck to you.”  
       I shook my head. “Professor, first you tell me that there has been no foul play, and then you cast suspicions.”
       “You see, Mrs. Stayton, that is just the sort of effect you have on people.” Rather awkwardly, the man stormed off toward the tomb; his haste did not go unnoticed by our dragoman .
       Sandy, waving his hat before his face, called out, “Are you ladies ready to return to the land of the living?”
     
     
     
       I had no interest in finding Lucy and myself abandoned in the desert by an offended dragoman and the rickshaw drivers that only he could communicate with, so I waited until we were inside the large American sedan before asking, “Sandy, I understand that you and Percy Huston are friends.”
       His chuckle sounded quite unperturbed. “Friends might be a stretch. Onslow and I are old friends, and Percy and Onslow are old friends, thus Percy and I are acquainted.”
       I noticed that Lucy’s brow raised just as Sandy used the word are rather than were . She asked, in her most innocent voice, “Onslow Farber, how do you know him?”
       Sandy let out a long sigh. “Our mothers called one another cousins, but I don’t think they were so closely related. When I was young, quite young, my family spent some time every year at a country house. Onslow’s did the same. Everyone referred to us as cousins, and we got on just fine. Onslow was always a bit bookish, and it was up to me to drag him to the lake, take him for walks, and the like.
       “We’ve kept up after all these years, but it isn’t the same; you know how that is. A hasty but friendly letter now and then. As of late, I’ve been more of a lackey for him.”
       Lucy asked the natural question, “How is that?”
       “Since old Percy arrived, Onslow’s sent me telegrams asking me to trek out to the tomb and ask Percy why he hasn’t responded to the telegrams that Onslow has been sending him; damn ridiculous, wouldn’t you say?”
       “I wouldn’t have put it that way in front of Mrs. Smith!” Lucy retorted.
       “True, quite true. I had better watch my heathen’s tongue,” agreed Sandy.
       I put my words together carefully. “You understood that we had come all this way on a quest to learn what became of Percy; why didn’t you mention that you know him as well as you do?”
       Sandy made no chuckle; he shrugged and replied, “Onslow made it clear that you were some sort of sleuth, and to let you do just that.” Here he paused and gave a little laugh. “And you see, you’ve already sleuthed that out.”
       I nodded my chin and said, “Do forgive me for asking you this, but are you actually a dragoman , or are you Mr. Farber’s spy?”
      “I’ll tell you straight: I’m a guide, mostly to celebrities and dignitaries; it doesn’t pay the rent, but I live off family money. Onslow hired me on the up-and-up to translate for you and make sure you didn’t get lost.” He paused. “But another message arrived from him, after I agreed to work for you. He asked me to keep an eye on you, Mrs. Stayton. He said he was worried about your safety.”
       I considered his words and said, “What do you know of Percy Huston?”
       “Percy and Onslow went to school together. Onslow always had money, and Percy always needed money, typical artist. I think Onslow paid for every lunch, every pint, and a good deal of chocolates for Percy’s