Scorpia Rising

the students just refer to it as CC—or Cairo College. It’s for boys and girls aged thirteen to eighteen, although there’s a junior school too. Many of the parents there are working in the Middle East. Some of them are high profile. Some of them are very rich.
    “We have received information that suggests some sort of hostile activity could take place there sometime soon. Unfortunately, we don’t know when and we have no idea what exactly it might entail. A kidnapping might be a possibility. Some of these parents could afford millions of dollars as a ransom, if it were demanded.”
    “Have you warned the school?” Jack asked.
    “We’re not sure that a warning would do any good,” Blunt replied. “Not until we know more. However, we do have one line of investigation. Last week, the school appointed a new head of security, a man by the name of Erik Gunter. It seems very unlikely that he would be involved in anything illegal. As a matter of fact, he’s a war hero. He was decorated by the queen. But at the same time, we can’t believe that his arrival is just a coincidence.”
    “What happened to the last head of security?” Alex asked.
    Blunt swallowed. “He had an accident. All we’re asking you to do, Alex, is to keep an eye on this man and report anything suspicious back to us. There’s no need for you to get involved. At the first sign of any trouble, we’ll step in.”
    “Wait a minute!” Jack exclaimed. “I can’t believe you people! We asked you to come here because someone just took a shot at Alex. His best friend was almost killed! But all you want is to use him again.”
    “We want to protect him,” Mrs. Jones insisted. “Honestly, Jack. I was against this myself at first, but it does seem to be the best solution. Nobody would think of looking for him in Cairo. We’ll give him a false name. And the best thing about an international school is that the students come and go. The parents are always on the move. Nobody will ask any questions when a new face shows up. Meanwhile, we’ll investigate the car, the helicopter, everything. We’ll let you know as soon as it’s safe for Alex to come home. It shouldn’t be more than a few weeks.”
    She fell silent. Blunt was looking straight at Alex, waiting for him to reply. Jack shook her head, clearly unhappy. Alex realized it was all up to him. At the same time he wondered if he really had any choice. Only that morning, he had been celebrating the fact that his life had returned to normal. Out of the tunnel—that was what he had thought. How could he have been so naïve? The tunnel had reached out to draw him back in and once again he was lost in its darkness.
    “I don’t mind going,” he said. “Mr. Blunt is right. If there’s someone after me, I can’t stay here. I can’t risk anyone else getting hurt because of me.”
    “I could take you to America. We could go anywhere in the world!”
    “I need to be at school somewhere, Jack. I don’t want to get any further behind.”
    “Then we’re agreed?” Blunt said.
    “Actually, I have a few questions,” Jack cut in. “Where is Alex going to live in Cairo? Who’s going to look after him? Is this international college a boarding school?”
    “No.” Mrs. Jones shook her head. “We’ll have to find him an apartment.”
    “Then make sure it has two bedrooms, because I’m going too!” Alex turned to Jack in surprise. He could tell from the tone of her voice that there were going to be no arguments. “I’m fed up sitting at home while you put Alex in harm’s way,” Jack went on. “I know you’ve said he won’t be in any danger—but that’s what you said last time, and the time before. Well, if Alex agrees to go, that’s his decision. But I’m not going to let him go alone. That’s mine. Both of us or not at all. Your call, Mrs. Jones.”
    Mrs. Jones thought for a moment, then nodded. “I think it’s a good idea,” she said. “Alex?”
    Alex was still gazing at Jack. “Are you really sure?” he asked.
    “I’ve never been more certain about anything.”
    “That’s great.” Alex smiled. “We can see the pyramids together. And the Nile. And it’ll be fun to have you with me.”
    “You can leave all the arrangements to us,” Blunt said. “I’ll alert our Cairo office that you’re on your way. They’ll give you everything you need.”
    “Then it seems we’re all agreed,” Jack said.
    She got up and led Alan Blunt and Mrs. Jones to the door. Their