Chapter 9

"Teddy, I know what I said! It's just that after tonight, I'm not sure it's a great idea to just let him roam around freely."

"Lawrence, believe me, tonight's reaction was completely out of proportion. I'll be the first to acknowledge that. But what those Puritans did was inexcusable-I doubt I would've reacted with any better restraint under similar circumstances. As for the pharaoh... I think you were right about him. He's not a menace; he is merely frightened. Didn't a wise man once tell me everyone deserves a second chance?"

"And who's the one that wanted him locked away again in the first place!" Larry sighed, rubbing his temples in a futile effort to calm down. He and the president had just managed to disperse the sizable crowd the night's events had attracted. Deep down, he knew Teddy was right, but at the moment, another "what if" was the last thing he wanted to deal with. There was just too much going on.

"Look, I'm not even sure how to deal with this right now! I'm not saying I'm gonna lock him up in his coffin like the old guards did. I don't want to do that! I was just thinking we should keep him in one area until things die down a bit. It's not safe for him, let alone for anyone else."

Judging by Teddy's frown, the latter did not agree. "My dear boy, do you really think confining him will solve anything? On the contrary, matters would escalate! The only solution is..."

"To what? Form a peace treaty? Get together for some grown-up bonding time? Teddy, it's not just him I'm worried about-you saw the looks the Puritans were giving him. They're not going to let this go, and they're not going to stop. Next time, somebody could get hurt!"

"Do something about it, then! By all means, take charge of the situation. However, Lawrence, I beg you, punish the guilty party, not just him!"

"You know what? You've always known how to handle a crisis around here; you deal with him. Do whatever you think is right. Meanwhile, I've gotta find some troublesome, religious zealots and figure out how to explain to McPhee why one of our most prized exhibits has been trashed!" With that, Larry hurried off down the hall, muttering something about eleven fifty an hour not being enough. Teddy was left standing as still as frozen, molded wax. He was about to check on Texas, when he was interrupted by a voice as soothing as a moonlit river.

"Teddy? What's going on?"

That voice was more than enough to stop him in his tracks. "Oh, nothing, my dear. Just a minor incident. Nothing to worry about."

Sacagawea wasn't fooled. Even though they'd been together for only a month, she knew him well enough to tell when something was off-she noticed the slight tremor in his voice and his shell-shocked eyes. She gently guided him to a nearby bench, where they could hopefully have some privacy. "An incident? What happened?"

Reluctant to burden her with his problems but desperate for advice, Teddy told her what had happened. In all honesty, he was as confused and scared as everyone else-he needed help sorting out his thoughts, before deciding what to do next. And there was no one else whose opinion he valued more.

When he was finished, Sacagawea sat silently beside him for a few minutes, at a loss of what to say. Finally, she asked, "Well, has he ever been violent before?"

"Not at all! In fact, before tonight, I was beginning to think of him as one of the more level-headed occupants. That is what makes his reaction so disturbing; I would have expected more self-control from him."

"Would he lash out again under similar circumstances?"

"I don't know. Regardless, I'm beginning to fear Lawrence may be right, and the poor lad will have to be confined once more. For everyone's safety. Tonight might be a precedent for worse things to come."

Another heartbeat, and understanding sparked in Sacagawea's eyes. "You fear mostly for his safety, don't you? You think the Puritans will continue their wicked tricks."

Teddy nodded, head in his hands.

"And next time, they won't be just wrecking an exhibit."

Once again, he nodded.

"What has Larry done to rectify the situation so far?"

"He has spoken to both parties, and I suspect that's what he'll do again, but the results will be the same. Talk won't solve anything, and he knows it. I know it. I believe Ahkmenrah knows it, too."

"What about restricting contact between them?"

"We've been doing that until now. Obviously, it didn't work very well."

"Neither will locking him up in his tomb."

Still feeling grim, Teddy could only stare down miserably at his feet. He knew Sacagawea was right. He believed imprisoning Ahkmenrah would be damaging on many levels-doing so would only traumatize him further, possibly making him angry and bitter. Having a vengeful, fuming, powerful pharaoh running amok wouldn't benefit anyone.

There was another, more personal reason for his reluctance to lock up the pharaoh. Teddy hated admitting it, but he'd grown fond of Ahkmenrah over the month he'd shadowed him; consequently, he despised the idea of him being crammed back into his sarcophagus. Remembering the pharaoh's frightened expression, he guessed Ahkmenrah was feeling guilty enough. It would be cruel to punish him further. Then again, what if he'd misjudged him?

Sacagawea lay a comforting hand on his slumped shoulder. "Do what you do best: offer your wisdom. Comfort and guide the young man, open up your heart to him in his hour of need. He may surprise you."

The kiss on the forehead was all Teddy needed to bolster his confidence and go in search of the pharaoh. Good thing, too. If he hadn't, who knows what would have happened next.