The Time Travelers' Club: Chapter 64 -- Fools!

With his hands firmly grasped the chair's arm, Dr. Herkeimer sat in his high-back chair, listening to Vincent's report about his assignment in New York City.  Dreda sat on the sofa, uninterested in the details as she thumbed through a fashion magazine.  Fan stood perfectly still.  His eyes moved from Vincent then the Doctor then back to Vincent.

Vincent rambled nervously.  "I watched from across the street but didn't really see anything from there.  Although I did watch the flower shop get a delivery of the most beautiful hydrangeas.    Wonderful colors..."

"I don't care about the damn flowers."  Dr. Herkeimer gritted his teeth, rolling his eyes.  With his patience waning, the Doctor became agitated.

"Did you learn anything important?" said Dreda, annoyed with Vincent's inability to convey simple information.

 "Well, I did speak to him in The Temple of Dendur while I was at the Metro..."

"What!" Dr. Herkeimer glared at him. "You were not to make contact!  You idiot!"

"Well, I...  I tried to pretend... I mean... He didn't know me... And so, I just pretended to study the Temple's walls and admire the... craftsmanship..."  Vincent began fidgeting nervously with his vest buttons.

Reaching his boiling point, the Doctor sprang up from his chair, nearly knocking it over backwards.  His face turned beet-red.  His fists clenched.

"Wait... Wait... Wait...  He did tell me something about time traveling and something about going to see... Ummm... Cleopatra... That's it.  Yes, they were going to see Cleopatra.  And then he talked about London..."  Vincent squinted trying to remember the entire conversation.

Dreda stood up, just as the Doctor started towards Vincent.  She placed her hand out to stop him.  The Doctor grabbed her arm, twisted it behind her, and tried to push her out of the way.  She held her ground.

Dreda quickly quizzed Vincent.  "What did you say about Cleopatra?"

Stumbling across his words, Vincent tried to recover his composure.  "He said they were going to see Cleopatra."

Releasing Dreda, Dr. Herkeimer formed a sinister grin formed. "Very good. Very good, Vincent.  You finally have made yourself useful." He returned to his seat.  "Fan's information about the boy's school assignments has proven to be useful after all.  Cleopatra's death may be what they want to see.  This boy seems to have a great love of mysteries."

"Dreda, plan a little trip.  Ancient Egypt.  Cleopatra.   Find them.  This may be our big chance. We may be able to succeed."  Dr. Herkeimer sat back and intertwined his fingers.  "We may be in luck this time.  I see torture in my future."

Vincent gasped at the word 'torture', putting his hands over his mouth.  Dreda eyed Fan then Vincent and stepped back out of the Doctor's view.  Having a moment of regret, she wished she hadn't questioned Vincent about Cleopatra.

Fan thought to himself.  No torture.  We do not torture children.  We torture no one.  You evil bastard.  The scars on his back ached from the mention of the word.

The Doctor shooed them away.  "Leave me so I can await the arrival of my guest.   I am very anxious to meet the dear Samuel Henry."