Tell el-Mukayyar – The unmaskingThe two would-be Bedouins were sitting on a low outcrop of rock jutting out of the arid sand when two headlights pierced the darkness.
“Someone’s coming,” rasped the taller one.
Almost at the same time, a happy tune came out of the phone inside the pocket of his tunic. Hastily, he answered. “Chief. I’m glad it’s you. Someone’s coming towards the place where we’re hidden.”
“It’s me, you imbecile!” bawled the voice at the other end. “Who else would be driving around in the desert at this time of night? Where are you?”
“Err, sorry, chief. We were a little worried. You know how it is.”
The lean guy took an electric torch from one of the holdalls resting on the ground, and began signalling towards the approaching vehicle.
“I’ve seen you. I’m on my way,” he
