3-in-1: Zet and the Egyptian Mystery Cases Read online

  "Why don't you two come downstairs. It's safe. No one knows where we live. No one knows you're here."

  Zet helped Kat to her feet. They climbed down into the workroom with its tools. It smelled clean and earthy, like dried plants. Ama was there. Zet made the introductions, explaining that Kat was his sister.

  "As brave as your brother, I see," Padus said.

  "Brave or not," Ama said, looking worried, "You'd better wait here until after dark."

  Padus agreed. "After sun-down, I'll do my best to see you home safely."

  "What happened out there?" Ama asked, her brows knit in a frown.

  Zet ran a hand through his hair and blew out a sigh.

  Ama found some cushions and smiled kindly at them. "I'm sorry, that was nosy of me. Sit down and relax. You must be exhausted. I'll bring up some water, and I've just baked fresh seed cakes."

  "Thank you," Zet said. He needed some time to gather his thoughts. The fact that he could no longer go back to his stall had hit him hard. Kat looked even worse. She was white as a bird's feather. He wondered if she might faint.

  Ama headed down to the kitchen.

  "Look at this, Kat," Zet said, pulling his sister over to Padus's work area. Zet glanced at Padus's face. "What are you working on in here? Is that paper you're making?"

  Padus caught on and quickly nodded. "I like to do a little paper making of my own up here, to earn extra. In addition to growing the plants of course. I'd make more of it, but we don't have the space."

  "I've always wondered how it was made," Zet said, "Haven't you, Kat?"

  She swallowed, then nodded, stepping closer to the giant sheet on the floor.

  "Do you want me to show you how it's done?" Padus asked.

  "That would be great!" Zet said.

  Padus led them to the corner where several tall stalks of papyrus rested against the wall. He explained that he first peeled away the outer fibers, to get to the soft pith inside. Using a blade, he peeled one a little to show them.

  The pith inside was pale yellowish-white, and much softer.

  "Then I cut the pith-core in long strips. I make them as thin as possible. Of course, the center strips are the best because they're the widest. But I try to use as much as possible."

  The next step, after the strips had been cut, was to soak them in water.

  "That's what's in the buckets?" Kat asked. Her color had begun to return.

  He nodded. Just then Ama appeared with the snacks.

  "Don't bore them with that, husband," she said.

  He grinned. "They asked."

  "He's not boring us," Kat said, accepting a cup of water.

  Zet took a seed cake, suddenly starving. "These are delicious!" They really were. And not just because he was starving. Ama was an excellent baker.

  Ama smiled.

  "It's the honey," she confided. "A trader from upriver brings it to barter for the reeds."

  After they'd all eaten a little, Padus carried on with his demonstration.

  "Now, I lift the slices out like so, and lay them across the floor. As you can see, they're very soft and spongy."

  "And almost transparent," Kat said.

  "Exactly. That's what we want. Sometimes I cut them to the length I want at this point, but usually I just pound them flat like so." He hammered them with the mallet. The slices grew flatter and wider.

  "The last step is simply to lay a number of them side by side in a giant sheet, overlapping just a bit. Then I add a second layer at right angles to the first. When that's done, I pound the whole sheet, and leave it to dry for around six days or so. The sugar inside the plant makes it stick together. This big piece is around half dry. When it's ready, I'll cut it up into a dozen or more sheets."

  "That's a lot of work!" Kat said. "No wonder papyrus is so expensive."

  Padus nodded.

  "Speaking of papyrus," Zet said. "We found out what's on the stolen scroll."

  Chapter Thirteen

  Royal Building Plans

  Zet's words rang in the stillness of the workroom. As if unable to believe that Zet had somehow seen the stolen papyrus, Padus and Ama stared at him with their mouths wide.

  Padus finally swallowed. "But how did you manage that?"

  "Is that why you were being chased?"

  "Yes," Zet said.

  He rubbed his neck for a minute, wondering where to begin. Finally, he started at where they'd seen the thin-man on the road. He described the chase through the streets. Kat, back to her old self again, chimed in, filling in bits. When Zet described sneaking through the door into the sacred Temple of Amenemopet, Ama and Padus gasped.

  "What choice did we have? We had to follow him."

  "You wouldn't have gotten me to sneak in there. No way," Ama said. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes wide with excitement. "I would've been terrified beyond belief. So what did it look like in there? The Temple of Amenemopet! Think of it," she said, turning to her husband.

  He made an impressed sort of grunt and nodded for Zet to go on.

  "It was all shadows, with enormous pillars. A forest of them in stone."

  "And all carved with spells," Kat added. "And since we're still here, I suppose the gods must not have been too angry with us."

  "No, I suppose not," Ama agreed.

  "We snuck up and heard them talking. The thin-man and the big one. And the big man is the High Priest."

  A shocked silence filled the workroom.

  "The High Priest?" Padus said.

  "It gets worse." Zet took a deep breath, thinking of what they'd learned about the stolen papyrus, and about how they'd been chased all the way to their stall. He picked at the thin strip of papyrus Padus had pounded as an example of how paper was made. "That scroll he stole is much more important than you'll ever guess."

  "What is it?"

  "The original building plans for Pharaoh's palace. They're going to sell them tomorrow."

  Padus stood and began pacing the room. "Do you know what this means?"

  Kat said, "That whoever buys them will know the layout of Pharaoh's home. They'll be able to get in there and steal things. The sacred relics."

  "I'm afraid it might be worse than that," Padus said. "It may be about theft, you are right. But if that were the case, they'd more likely spend their efforts trying to rob the tombs. That's where the true wealth lies. Buried with the Pharaohs who've come before." He picked up one of the heavy mallets, turning it over in his hands.

  "Then what?" Kat said.

  "I think the most likely reason someone wants it is to make an attempt on Pharaoh's life."

  Kat sucked in her breath.

  "You think someone wants to kill Pharaoh?" Zet said.

  "Given that the High Priest is involved, I fear this is much larger than a simple robbery. There have been rumors of unrest in the Royal House. I think it's possible we've put ourselves right in the middle of a plot to overthrow the throne."

  The delicious seed cakes Zet had so greedily eaten now formed a lump in his stomach.

  Ama nodded. "I agree. That palace must have all sorts of secret tunnels in it. Ways for Pharaoh to get around undisturbed, shortcuts and things. No doubt tunnels that go straight into his sleeping chamber. If someone else had access to them, it would be easy to kill him and get away."

  "Not only is Pharaoh in deep trouble. We are too," Zet said. "They came to our stall, looking for us."

  Kat tugged on her braids. He could see beads of sweat forming on her forehead.

  "Oh, no," Ama said.

  "That's why we ran. And I'm sure the thin-man saw us, and he knows now that we were the ones in the temple, that we overheard them talking." Zet pushed his fingers through his short hair. It was just hitting home now, the depth of the trouble they were in.

  "We should go to the medjays," Kat said in a trembling voice. "They'll know what to do, won't they? Can't we just tell them everything, and we'll be safe?"

  Padus shook his head. He went to the roof hatch and opened it to
let out some of the stifling air. But there was no breeze, and it made little difference. "I don't think they'd believe us," he said. "That's the problem. We could tell them, but it would be our word over that of the High Priest. Who do you think would win?"

  The question wasn't even worth answering.

  "But what can we do?" Kat cried. "There must be something!"

  Zet was afraid his sister was about to start sobbing. He went and put an arm around her. She wrapped her arms around her knees and leaned into him. He thought of their abandoned stall. He loved that stall. Until this afternoon, it felt like home. Until this afternoon, it was their family's means to get by in the world. To keep hunger at bay. To keep a roof over their heads.

  What would they do without it? What would he tell their father? That he'd gambled his family's safety away over the hope of some copper deben?

  "We'll make it," Zet said, as much to convince her as himself. "We'll figure this out."

  "You said they were going to sell the scroll," Padus said. "Let's keep our heads here. Did you get any more information on that?"

  Bleary-eyed, Zet looked up. "Yes. Yes, we did. They said they were meeting someone tomorrow night at a place called the Rose Bark." Zet got to his feet. "That's it," he cried, suddenly energized. "Don't you see? All we need to do is find the Rose Bark, and bring some medjay there. They'll be caught red-handed, and we're safe!"

  "The Rose Bark? I've never heard of such a place," Ama said.

  They looked to Padus, who shrugged. "Neither have I. But it doesn't mean we can't find it. We have until tomorrow night, right?"

  Kat nodded. The color had begun to return to her cheeks.

  The sunlight that once shone through the overhead slats was quickly fading. Soon they'd be safe to leave. They discussed a plan for tomorrow. Everyone would spend the day discreetly searching for and inquiring about the Rose Bark. Ama offered more water, and asked if they'd like to stay for dinner.

  Zet and Kat shook their heads. "We'd better go—"

  Before they could finish speaking, Padus leaped up and grabbed Zet by the shoulders. His face had gone white. His fingers were like vice grips.

  "Does anyone else at the market know where you live?"

  "I—I'm not sure!"

  "Think!" Padus said, and shook him. "Do they or don't they?"

  "Maybe, I never thought about—" Zet stopped. A sick feeling twisted his stomach. "Mother!" he gasped and tore for the stairs.

  Chapter Fourteen

  A Meager Meal

  Zet, Kat and Padus ran from the house. They tore through the streets, all caution gone. It may have only been a few minutes. To Zet, it seemed to take forever.

  Lamplight flickered through the familiar, cozy open window ahead. The three of them slowed, found an alcove and pressed themselves to the wall. The front door was shut, which Zet took as a good sign. When his mother crossed in front of the window, her movements calm and composed, he sucked in a great breath of air.

  "They're not here," he said.

  Padus said, "Which means you're safe for tonight. With the market empty and the vendors home for the evening, the High Priest and his men will have to wait for morning to inquire about your address. What a relief."

  "Thanks for coming with us," Kat said. "And for keeping us safe today."

  He patted her on the back. "Don't worry, everything will be fine. Tomorrow, we'll find this Rose Bark. We'll tell the medjay, and it will all be over. I promise."

  "Thank you," she said.

  Padus stood watch until they reached the front door. As Zet stepped inside, he glanced out before closing it. Their friend waved good night and disappeared into the darkness.

  Kat ran to her mother and threw her arms around her waist.

  "Hello," their mother said with a smile. "It's late, I was getting worried. But what's all this?" she cried as Kat stifled a sob.

  "I just, I missed you, that's all," Kat said, wiping her nose and smiling up at their mother.

  "Well! I missed you too, sweet one." She stroked Kat's braids. "I think you've been working too much, haven't you? I know it's a burden on you children, I wish it weren't so. But I'm proud of you. And your father would be too."

  Zet stared at the floor, unable to agree, but not wanting her to see his face.

  "Let's have dinner, and you can tell me all about your day," she said. "I'll just check on the baby. Wash up, and then sit down at the table, I'll be there."

  They washed in silence in the kitchen. Kat looked exhausted. Zet felt exhausted.

  "Let's try not to worry mother," he said.

  She nodded. He wondered if they'd fool their mother. At least he'd regained his appetite. That would make her happy! She liked to see them eat well. At the table, he put on a happy face, and Kat did the same.

  "Aren't you going to eat?" Zet asked his mother, after he and Kat had been served.

  She waved a gentle hand. Her comforting, motherly perfume smelled faintly of baking and flowers.

  "I'm not hungry," she said. "You go ahead."

  "Did you eat earlier?" Kat asked, putting down her piece of bread.

  "Oh, I had a little here and there. I was baking," she said vaguely.

  "Mother, what's going on? Please, we want to know."

  She dusted the table, smoothing her fingers over it, despite the fact it was clean. "Children, I don't suppose you made any trades today?" she finally said.

  "I'm sorry," Zet said quietly. "We didn't."

  She nodded. "That bread you are eating, I used the last of the wheat to bake it."

  When both Zet and Kat dropped their bread on the table and looked at her in astonishment, she stretched out her arms. "Come here," she said.

  The two of them sidled up to her and she gathered them close. Zet leaned into her side, wishing he were four again, and that his father was home, and that he was still running around clamoring to go outside and play.

  "I only tell you this because you ask, and because you are old enough to know. You are out there running the stall, so I know you realized this might be coming." She stroked Zet's back. "But we'll get by. Something will change. The gods won't forsake us."

  The sound of her voice, and the steady warmth of her hand began to comfort him. Just for now, he'd allow himself to believe they were safe. Just for now, he'd let himself relax.

  "Then let's share what we have," he said. "We'll make a feast of it, together."

  And somehow, once they'd divided the food between the three of them, there was more than enough. They ate and talked of old times; they shared stories about their father and all the wonderful, funny things he liked to do. Their mother told them each about what Zet and Kat had been like when they were small children, and the mischief they got into—which got gales of laughter out of them.

  Despite the hard times, despite their father being gone, it was one of the best evenings Zet could ever remember. It had almost felt as though their father were with them.

  On the roof, he lay and stared at the stars.

  "I've been thinking about tomorrow," he told Kat.

  She propped herself onto one elbow.

  "It's not safe for Mother to stay here," he said.

  "What should we tell her? How can we explain?"

  "Here's my plan, and I think it's a good one. We need to convince mother that you and she should spend the day together. With the baby, out of the house. It's been too long since you've had time together. We'll tell her that I'll man the stall. She knows we're not busy. And then while you're out with her, you can ask around about the Rose Bark."

  "Do you think she'll say yes?"

  "She has to. She can't stay here, Kat!"

  "I know."

  "Plus, if you and I split up, we'll have more chances of finding someone who's heard of the Rose Bark, and we'll be less recognizable apart. They'll be looking for two of us."

  "I'll do it. And I think it is a good idea," she said. She rolled onto her side. "Now I need to sleep. After everything, I'm just so tired."<
br />
  He bid her goodnight and rolled over himself. Despite his exhaustion, he doubted he'd be able to sleep. But he drifted off shortly after, and awoke with a start as the first rays of Ra shot over the horizon.

  Bleary eyed, he stumbled downstairs to find Kat in the kitchen talking with their mother.

  "I think it's a wonderful idea," their mother said, beaming. "A whole day with my daughter? As long as Zet doesn't mind."

  "I don't!" Zet said, grinning.

  From a pile of cushions of the floor, Apu gurgled and laughed and clapped his hands.

  Kat went over and swept him up. "And you agree!" she cried, swinging him in a circle.

  Since this was currently Apu’s favorite thing, to be swung around and around, he shrieked in delight. Zet took a turn too. When he finally handed his baby brother over to their mom so she could get the child ready for his outing, Kat pulled him aside.

  "You're not going back to the stall today, are you?" she whispered.

  Chapter Fifteen

  What Remained

  Zet and Kat faced off in the kitchen. She looked furious that he'd even think of going back to the stall.

  "The thin-man knows it was us! He'll come back! You can't possibly be stupid enough to go back." She was so upset, her face was red.

  He shrugged. "I might. Just for a little while."

  "It's too dangerous! We were lucky to get away!"

  "And we need to eat. What do you want me to do, Kat? Let us starve? I promised father I'd take care of us. So don't call me stupid. I'll do what I have to." He knew he sounded sullen, and he didn't care. It was the truth.

  Kat was beyond angry. She looked terrified. "Where will we meet?" she said, changing the subject.

  He thought about it for a moment. "The Chapel of Mut. Meet me near the shrine of the hearing ears. Do you remember where it is? You pointed it out that night, when we were going to the papyrus field."

  "Of course. What time?" she said quickly. Their mother was coming.

  "Sun down."

  "And if you’re not there?" she said, her brows tented in fear. "What then?"

  "I’ll be there."

  "What’s all this whispering?" their mother said with a good-natured laugh. "It sounds as if you were plotting some big secret!"