The Seventh Scroll (The Egyptian Novels Series) by Wilbur Smith

Author:Wilbur Smith [Smith, Wilbur]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9780330473194
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Published: 2008-09-03T16:00:00+00:00

They were the only two at breakfast. Sir Oliver had left for his office an hour earlier, and Lady Bradford had not yet risen to greet the clear, cool highland morning.

‘I hardly slept last night, thinking about Atalan. Oh, Nicky, I can’t bear even the suspicion that he might be involved in Duraid’s murder.’

‘Sorry if I gave you a rough night, but we have to consider all the angles,’ he tried to soothe her, and then changed the subject. ‘We have wasted enough time here. Pegasus have got a clear run of the field at the moment. I want to get back home, and start putting together our own expeditionary force for the return.’

‘Would you like me to get on to the airline and make our reservations?’ She stood up immediately. ‘I will go off and find a phone.’

‘Finish your breakfast first.’

‘I have had all I want.’ She made for the door, and he called after her.

‘No wonder you are so skinny. They tell me anorexia nervosa is a rotten way to go.’ And he helped himself to another slice of toast and marmalade.

She was back within fifteen minutes. ‘Tomorrow afternoon at three-thirty. Kenya Airways to Nairobi, connecting the same evening with British Airways to Heathrow.’

‘Well done.’ He wiped his mouth on his napkin, and stood up. ‘Our car is waiting to take us down to police headquarters to speak to your new admirer, General Obeid. Let’s go.’

There was a police officer waiting to meet them and usher them into the headquarters building, through the private entrance. He introduced himself as Inspector Galla and treated them with the greatest deference as he led them through to the Commissioner’s suite.

General Obeid rose to his feet as soon as they entered his office, and came around his desk to greet them. He was charming and affable, fussing over Royan as he led them through to his private sitting room. Once they were seated, Inspector Galla poured the inevitable tiny bowls of bitter black coffee.

After a polite interval of small talk the general came directly to the business in hand. ‘As I promised, I won’t detain you longer than is absolutely necessary. Inspector Galla here will be recording your statements. Firstly I would like to deal with the disappearance and death of Major Brusilov. I presume you are aware that he was formerly an officer in the Russian KGB?’

The interview lasted much longer than they had expected. General Obeid was thorough, but unfailingly polite. Finally he had their statements typed out by a police stenographer, and after they had read and signed them, the general walked with them as far as the entrance where their car was waiting. Nicholas recognized this as a mark of special favour.

‘If there is anything I can do for you, anything that you need, please do not hesitate to call upon me. It has been a great pleasure meeting you, Dr Al Simma. You must come back to Ethiopia and visit us again soon.’

‘Despite our little misadventure, I have thoroughly enjoyed your beautiful country,’ she told him sweetly.

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