The Lost Ark Read Online Free PDF Page A

closed?”
    I sipped my beer, placing it directly in the center of the square white napkin. Bullseye.
    “That’s the rub. While the Turkish military patrols the base of Ararat, the Arab and his men ascend the mountain regularly in helicopters, bringing up a constant stream of supplies from a secured airbase just outside of Dogubayazit. Even the shepherds who live on the mountain with their herds of sheep are forced to stay away. All in all, it’s very detrimental to the guiding business.”
    “Is it common to close the entire mountain?” she asked.
    I shrugged. “Depends. Kurdish terrorists often seek refuge on Ararat, or use it as a training ground. The Turkish military often perform sweeps, clearing the area of all illegal activity. But the military doesn’t generally remove the peaceful shepherds who have lived on the mountain for centuries.”
    “So what do you think is going on?” Faye Roberts asked.
    “Some in Dogubayazit speculate that Omar might have found Noah’s Ark, and is currently digging it free. Those who prescribe to conspiracy theories think he’s a spy or a terrorist. Either way, gossip is alive in well in Dogubayazit.”
    I signaled the waiter for another beer. Faye declined more coffee with the international shake of her head. I rubbed my full belly, vaguely considering undoing the top button of my jeans.
    “Could this Omar Ali have anything to do with my father’s disappearance?”
    “Anything’s possible. But more than likely—”
    “More than likely my father’s buried under an avalanche. I know,” she said bitterly. She had twisted her cloth napkin into a rope. Or noose.
    I said, “Let’s make one thing perfectly clear, Miss Faye. Mount Ararat is as dangerous as they come. In fact, it can be a deathtrap to those who don’t know what the hell they’re doing. Your father, according to Daveed, went off on his own. Mount Ararat without a guide is like sailing in rough seas without a rudder.”
    Her eyes narrowed. She set her coffee cup down. Loudly.
    “My father is an experienced climber.”
    Diners seated around us looked at us curiously. I recognized one, a big man with black hair greased straight back, olive skin shining in the candlelight. He was my banker. I waved; he nodded. He turned back to his slender wife, who completely ignored us.
    I was silent, watching Faye. My plan of dissuading her from climbing the mountain was rapidly crumbling to pieces.
    “I know the odds are slim of finding him, Sam, but I have to try. He’s my father, after all.”
    I took a big breath. It was time to end this nonsense.
    “I may be the only one who tells it to you straight, Faye, as there are others here in Dogubayazit who will surely take advantage of you. What you hope to accomplish is impossible and foolish. You’re father is dead, and so is his student. You are wasting your time and money. It would be best if you got on the next bus from Dogubayazit and left. There is much trouble to be had here.”
    She held my gaze without blinking, lips disappearing into a thin, bloodless line. Cheekbones crimson. It was a full minute later when she finally spoke, and she did so slowly and carefully.
    “I am under the impression, perhaps delusion, that it makes sense to look for those who are missing, no matter how improbable the odds.” She stood. “I thank you for your frankness, Mr. Ward. After the way you’ve put it, there’s nowhere to go but up.”
    I did something that surprised even me: I gripped her narrow wrist, and pulled her down to eye level. She made no move to break free.
    “You’re wrong,” I said. “You could die up there.”
    “I will take my chances, Mr. Ward. I owe my father that much.”
    She stared at me. I had expected to see tears in her eyes. There were none. Only firm determination. A look like that could conquer nations. Or mountains.
    I released my hold. She paused only briefly before leaving the restaurant. I watched her go. So did some of the other men. The