The freedom of movement was extraordinary.
Kareem stayed close to me as we boarded the Elephantine. It resembled a flat barge, and while it looked sturdy, my stomach clenched regardless. Another boat, another trip over water. I hoped I wouldn’t get sick like last time when I hadn’t been able to leave my cabin for days. It was the worst I’d ever felt in my life. The rest of the crew rushed around, carrying large baskets filled with food and linens and tools. I kept my face turned downward, my long hair tied in a knot hidden within the fez. By now, the moon hung high overhead, the stars shining brilliantly onto the dark water of the Nile. It stretched on either end for miles, making me feel as tiny as a grain of sand.
“Would you like a tour?” Kareem asked.
I looked around nervously, sure to find my uncle giving orders in his booming voice.
“He isn’t here yet. But he will be soon.”
“All right,” I agreed. “A very quick tour. Is there a place I can put my things?”
He nodded. “You can take the sixth bedroom. We’ve been using it for storage.”
I followed as he showed me around the boat. I’d never been on anything like it before. Long and narrow, with a flat bottom and two masts at the bow and stern. The cabins were situated below deck, the roof forming the upper. Every room had a small window and narrow beds, a fixed washing stand, and a row of hooks to hang up clothing. Additionally, there were two drawers underneath the bed for more storage. Kareem told me which room would serve as mine and I hid my belongings as best as I could.
Once we passed the row of cabins, Kareem led me away to show me a grand saloon that measured roughly twenty feet in length, the walls curving at the end. White paneling gave it a classic look, contrasting with the dark velvet curtains hanging on either side of four large windows. A skylight provided additional lighting, and hanging in every available space were wooden shelves holding up dozens of books, hats, and . . . guns.
I raised my brows, confusion flaring. My parents had detested weaponry of any kind and it struck me as odd that they would have permitted them on board.
Kareem pulled at my sleeve and bid me to follow where a charcoal oven in between the prow and bigger mast allotted for the kitchen area. Pots and pans hung on iron hooks above baskets of culinary supplies. I didn’t have time to see what was stored within as Kareem moved quickly, pointing out the rest of the crew: the Reis, pilot, cook, the steersmen, and oarsmen, and a handful of waiters. Kareem himself was an assistant to the head cook.
Taken all together, the Elephantine resembled a medium-sized house with a staff of twelve, with plenty of space to spread out.
“Where do the crew sleep?”
“On mats on the upper deck,” Kareem said, leading me to the upper deck. A roof hung above it, and my uncle had furnished the area with a large rug and some chairs. It looked like an idyllic living room, out in the open, the cool breeze touching every piece of furniture with a loving hand. Already, some of the crew were unrolling mats, preparing to wait for my uncle. Everything seemed to be in order. I made myself comfortable on the ground next to several others and listened for the sound of my uncle’s arrival. I passed the time by looking outward at the picturesque scene, a hundred boats floating quietly on the grand river, ready for the next adventure.
And then at last, my uncle came, Mr. Hayes in tow, occasionally sipping from his flask as if he were at a dinner party. He looked over the crew with an experienced eye. He’d replaced his dinner jacket and neat shoes with his customary wrinkled shirt, khakis, and scuffed boots that laced up mid-calf. The two men carried their own trunks and bags up the gangplank, where they were immediately greeted by the Reis, a man named Hassan. They disappeared down the narrow steps into the long corridor opening to the row of cabins on either side, their voices drifting along with them.
I looked at Kareem and grinned.
He smiled back, the moonlight reflecting in his large, dark eyes.
Having finished their duties, the rest of the crew joined us on the deck, unrolling their mats. I sat among a dozen people, all dressed in similar long-sleeved tunics and hats. The boat gently swayed on the water, a reminder that I’d done the impossible. I only had to remain anonymous, just another member of the crew. My uncle and Mr. Hayes walked toward us, greeting the pilot and cook. I held my breath and kept my face turned away, hunching my shoulders to hide behind the other crew.
But I heard every word that passed between them.
“All in order?” Tío Ricardo asked.
Someone replied in the affirmative.
“We seem to have acquired a new crew member,” Mr. Hayes said slowly. “Weren’t there only twelve?”
I tensed, my breath trapped in my chest. I waited for him to recognize me, to hear his insolent voice call out my name. But no such cry of outrage came.
“It’s fine. We need the help,” Tío Ricardo said impatiently. “Is everyone here? I want to depart at dawn.”
“Yes, yes.”
My uncle thanked whoever had spoken. The sound of footsteps drew away from the deck. I exhaled slowly, my hands interlaced tightly in my lap. I relaxed a fraction. They all must have moved away, probably to their respective bedrooms. But then a familiar voice, spoken lazily, remarked, “Funny no one talked to you about adding someone to the team.”
“Abdullah will hardly quibble about the extra hands,” Tío Ricardo said. “You never gave me your report about this afternoon.”
I chanced to turn my face halfway in their direction, peering up at them through my lashes. Kareem sat motionless next to me. My uncle and Mr. Hayes leaned against the railing.
“I can confirm Sterling has the ring and is wearing it in public,” Mr. Hayes said.
“But you were unable to retrieve it.”
My breath caught at the back of my throat as I waited to see what he’d say. Would he inform my uncle of how I’d snuck out of the hotel?
“It was . . . crowded, unfortunately.”
“Damn it,” Tío Ricardo seethed.
My jaw dropped. Confirmation that Mr. Hayes truly hadn’t betrayed me. I still didn’t understand why he’d protected me. He barely tolerated my presence, and he could have gotten me in even more trouble with my uncle. But then he might have decided it wasn’t worth it since I was well and truly gone. I exhaled slowly, through my nose, like Papá had once taught me. He always knew how to calm me down, especially after an argument with my mother.
Mr. Hayes tilted his head, studying my uncle with a keen eye. “That’s not the only thing bothering you, is it?”
My uncle averted his gaze. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Yes,” Mr. Hayes said smoothly. “You do.”
I curled my toes within my boots. After a long beat, my uncle finally responded. “You should have seen the look of loathing on her face.”
“I daresay she’ll get over it.”