Mamur Zapt 09 The Mingrelian Conspiracy by Michael Pearce

Author:Michael Pearce [Pearce, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: det_history
Published: 2014-07-15T13:16:30.457340+00:00

Back in his office, Owen felt pleased. He would have liked to have kept the cafe business to himself just a little longer, but Mahmoud would handle it all right and meanwhile he really ought to be concentrating on the Grand Duke’s visit. Nikos was finalizing arrangements but they would need to be talked through with the people concerned and he himself would have to do that. The procession remained the real problem, the time when Duke Nicholas would be most at risk, but Owen had cunningly delegated entire responsibility for that to the Army. ‘Unified command,’ he had muttered, and Shearer, dumb idiot that he was, had nodded agreement. So if anything went wrong he was the one who would get it in the neck.

In fact, judging by the reports of Owen’s agents, the various protest meetings were unlikely to issue in anything serious. The groups which had come together had promptly fallen apart. Only down in the Babylon, according to Georgiades, were there still rumours of action. The committee formed there after the public meeting which Owen had witnessed was still divided over its terms of reference. However, some of the more vehement members, including Sorgos, had walked out and it was rumoured that they had set up a caucus which was pressing ahead with ideas for action. Owen decided to go and see Sorgos.

It was not Sorgos, however, who opened the door but Katarina.

‘The Mamur Zapt?’ she said, surprised.

‘Again!’ said Owen.

‘My grandfather is not in.’

‘That may not be a bad thing.’

‘Oh?’

She looked at him suspiciously.

‘What sort of visit is this?’ she demanded.

‘It’s not matrimonial, anyway.’

Katarina started to smile, then caught her lip.

‘He has been to the bazaars. I am expecting him back at any moment,’ she said. ‘You may come in.’

All over the floor were papers.

‘What are these?’ asked Owen.

‘Stories.’

‘Stories?’

‘I handle that side of the business while my father is away. Are you interested in stories?’

‘There is one I especially like. It is one of the Sultan Baybars stories. Its chief character is a man named John. He’s a Europeanized Christian who happens to have studied Muslim law. On the strength of this he wangles his way into being Kadi of Cairo and then from this position as supreme Law Giver he proceeds to subvert all the laws. A sort of Mamur Zapt figure.’

Katarina giggled.

‘I recognize the story,’ she said. ‘Just.’

‘Allow for a little subversion,’ said Owen.

Things were getting promising but just then there were sounds at the door.

‘My young friend from the mountains!’ cried Sorgos delightedly.

Katarina scuttled out, all confusion. Sorgos looked at her retreating back in surprise; then with sudden miscomprehension.

‘Ah!’ he said, pleased. ‘I have returned too soon!’

‘Not at all! Not at all!’ said Owen hastily.

Sorgos came into the room. As he stepped forward without his stick he stumbled slightly, overbalanced by the large bag he was carrying.

Owen sprang forward.

‘Let me assist you!’ he said, putting his hand under the old man’s arm and taking the bag from him.

‘It is nothing,’ said Sorgos, letting Owen’s arm take his weight, however.

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