“He will be on that ship with David when it sails!” she promises herself. Frustrated, she ends her search for the time being. “Perhaps he is at home by now.” This hopeful thought gives a new spring to her step. But Sokar is not there when Bianca arrives. Disheartened, but determined to proceed with her scheme, she changes her clothes from the colorful garb she has been wearing to a simple pink sheath dress. A matching head wrap completes her ensemble. From her dressing table, Bianca removes the box containing the wood sculpture, now revealing its secret crystal chip. She slips the box into a small purse that hangs around her waist from a thin gold belt. Just then a noise causes her to rush to the parlor. “Sokar, where have you been? I've been looking everywhere?” she barks at him. Ignoring Bianca's question, Sokar jolts her with one of his own. “How did my mother die? And this time I want the truth!” “What brings this on?” Bianca's voice is reduced to a near whisper from the shock of Sokar's angry insinuation.
