The Abyssinian Proof

Author:Jenny White
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Published: 2009-01-25T00:00:00+00:00

KAMIL MADE HIS way through the gardens toward a stairway leading out of the cistern. A breathless Saba appeared at his elbow. “Kamil Pasha, may I speak with you?”

“Of course. This has been a difficult day for you,” he said kindly. She held her charshaf closed under her chin. Her face was blotchy from crying, but she still looked beautiful, he thought. In his haste that morning, he had forgotten to bring Malik’s letter. He would give it to her the following day.

She led him to a secluded part of the garden by the wall, where the arches of an old arcade had collapsed, leaving a row of tall brick scallops. They sat on a bench under one of the niches.

“I apologize. The shock was so great, we forgot our hospitality,” she said softly.

“There’s no need. On a day like this, it’s you who should be taken care of.”

Saba signaled to a servant standing some distance away, who then approached, set down a heavy tray, and withdrew.

This was no chance meeting, Kamil realized, and wondered where the conversation would go. He waited while she filled their glasses from a steaming pot and placed a lady’s navel on his plate. The plump mound of dough, soaked in honey, was indented in the center by a tiny jewel-like pistachio. She added a small pickled cucumber. “To cut the sweetness,” she explained.

“My mother used to do that.” Kamil smiled. He took a bite of the lady’s navel, then was glad of the vinegary pickle to take away the scorching sweetness. As he wiped his fingers and took his tea, Saba added another pastry and pickle to his plate. The combination of sweet and sour was making him feel slightly ill, but it would have been rude to refuse. He ate the second pastry, then politely declined any more.

“Is there something I can do for you?” Kamil asked, hoping to draw out the reason for this unusual picnic.

There was an awkward silence.

“I’m worried about my brother,” she said finally. “Are you sure you won’t have more tea?”

He shook his head no.

She got up to refill her own glass, and when she sat down again, she was nearer to Kamil on the bench.

“Now that my uncle is gone,” she said, her eyes welling with tears, “there’s no one to keep Amida on the right path. I’m afraid he’s in over his head. He thinks his bravado will get him through, but he’s dealing with people who are truly dangerous.”

“Who are these people? What do they want with your brother?”

“They’re from Charshamba. He’s hired them to do jobs for him, but in reality he has no control over them. The Habesh have never had anything to do with people like that. You must believe me. It puts us in a bad light. I wish it would stop.”

“I understand, but what is it you’d like me to do?”

“Arrest Amida.” She startled Kamil by letting the charshaf fall back from her hair onto her shoulders.

“I don’t think being in jail will keep him safe, Saba Hanoum.

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