ALISSA JONES and the Temple of Hathor

Was a chilling prediction of death about to come true in the darkness beneath the desert sands?

- Gabrielle Mullarkey

THE STORY SO FAR: It’s 1902 and teenage heiress Alissa Jones has been invited to Egypt by her uncle Glyn, to explore a newly discovered Ancient Egyptian site, the Temple of Hathor. Alissa is thrilled, as she’s desperate for her life to begin, preferably with adventure in far-off lands. However, in Cairo, a mysterious local woman, Doria Fadel, approaches Alissa and warns her that ‘death stalks you in the shadows’. The woman’s companion, Doctor James Darrow, tells Alissa that he’s been sent by a wealthy patron to investigate if Doria is the reincarnation of Nerfere, personal maid to one of Egypt’s female rulers, Queen Heptet. Alissa visits the temple, seeing James and Doria there, but her uncle doesn’t want her talking to them. That night, back in the hotel, Alissa sends James a discreet note, asking him to meet her early next morning in the city’s souk. She waits for his reply – but none comes.

James awoke the next morning feeling strangely disappointed. He’d spent the previous afternoon guiding Doria around the rest of the temple site, watching as she alighted on figurines and named them, shadowed by intrigued archaeologists.

However, the chief archaeologist, Professor Dupont, had refused to allow her inside the tomb complex itself, echoing Glyn Jones’ claim that it was unsafe.

That said, the professor had suggested they return in two days’ time and he would show Doria a map of the chambers so far uncovered.

James went to Doria’s suite and knocked on her door to escort her down to breakfast.

In the dining room, she glanced around, frowning. ‘Where is Miss Jones?’