her as she hesitated in the doorway. He waved at the display of
breakfast dishes on the sideboard.
As she spooned scrambled eggs on to her plate, she recognized the
landscape on the wall in front of her as a Constable.
'Did you sleep well?' He didn't wait for an answer, but went on, 'I have
heard from the police. They found the MAN truck abandoned in a lay-by
near Harrogate. They are going over it now but they don't expect to find
much.
We seem to be dealing with someone who knows what he is doing.'
'I must phone the hospital,' she said.
'I have already done so. Your mother had an easy night. I left a message
that you would visit her this evening.'
'This evening?' She looked around sharply. 'Why so late?'
'I intend to keep you busy until then. I want to get my money's worth
out of you.'
He stood as she came to the table, and drew back her chair to seat her.
She found the courtesy made her feel slightly uncomfortable, but she
made no comment.
'The first attack on you and Duraid at your villa in the oasis - we can
draw no conclusions from that' apart from the fact that the assassins
knew exactly what they were after, and where to look for it.' She found
the abrupt change of subject disconcerting. 'However, let's give some
thought to the second attempt in Cairo. The hand grenade.
Who knew you were going to the Ministry that afternoon, apart from the
minister himself?'
She reflected as she chewed and swallowed a mouthful of egg. 'I am not
sure. I think I told Duraid's secretary, maybe one of the other research
assistants.'
He frowned and shook his head. 'So half the museum staff knew about your
appointment?'
'That is about it, yes. Sorry.'
He pondered a moment, 'All right. Who knew you were leaving Cairo? Who
knew you were staying at your mother's cottage?'
'One of the clerks from administration brought my slides out to the
airport.'
'Did you tell him what flight you were leaving on?'
'No, definitely not.'
'Did you tell anybody at all?'
'No. That is.-'she hesitated.
'Yes?'
'I told the minister himself during our interview, when I asked for
leave of absence. Not him surely not?' her expression. reflected her
horror at the thought.
Nicholas shrugged, 'Some funny things happen. Of course, the minister
knew all about the work that you and Duraid were doing on the seventh
scroll?'
'Not all the details, but - yes - in general terms he knew what we were
up to.
'All right. Next question, tea or coffee?' He poured coffee into her
cup, and then went on, 'You said that nso Duraid had a list of possible
