'No,' she denied it instantly. 'Not Atalan Abou Sin. I have known him
all my life. He is a tower of integrity.'
'It's amazing what effect a bribe of a hundred thousand dollars or so
can have on the foundations of even the best constructed tower,'
Nicholas observed quietly, and she looked stricken.
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
