Tears of Pearl by TASHA ALEXANDER Read Free Book Online

ideas are nothing but ephemeral.”
    “I did not expect my purpose to be a welcome one. I accept your assistance most gratefully. I promise I will not fail you.”
    “Of course you won’t,” she said. “I read your chart.”
    “My chart?”
    “Know you nothing of astrology?”
    “. . . so she told me that I’m an Aries. Impulsive, bold, ruled by the planet Mars.”
    “Sounds dangerous,” Colin said, raising his eyebrows, skepticism radiating from every inch of his face.
    “Competitive—but you know that already.” I took a fig from a bowl on the table and popped it in my mouth.
    “All too well.”
    “I was thinking,” I began, looking over the Bosphorus shining below us. “Perhaps we should have another bet. Bezime says it’s impossible for you to solve this case. That all the keys lie in the harem.”
    “That may be. But we’ll be sharing our information. I may put the story together before you. I’ve more experience.”
    “What did you learn today?” I asked.
    “I spent the bulk of the afternoon at Ç?raan Palace—where the sultan’s brother is imprisoned. Nice digs, that,” he said. “Far from a hotbed of political discontent, but there are several individuals who’ve aroused my suspicions.”
    “Who? What are they doing?”
    “I’ve little to go on yet—primarily instinct. They’re all men who lost power when Murat was deposed.”
    “I trust your instincts,” I said. “Bezime suspects trouble is brewing there.”
    “I shan’t dismiss her thoughts without further investigation. And you’re quite right to trust my instincts. They will help me reach a solution before you.”
    “I don’t think you will,” I said.
    “And?” His eyes narrowed.
    “And if I’m right, I want you to swim the Bosphorus for me.”
    “Swim the Bosphorus? Don’t be ridiculous.”
    “It’s romantic.” I picked up another fig. “Think of Hero and Leander. He crossed the sea every night to be with her.”
    “And drowned. After which Hero, if I remember correctly, flung herself off a tower to her own painful death.”
    “So you don’t think you’re a good enough swimmer?” I asked, a wicked smile creeping onto my face.
    “I’m an excellent swimmer.”
    “Which is why you should swim the Bosphorus for me. I’ll cheer you on from our balcony and receive you with open arms. Leander himself will never have had such a welcome.”
    Now he smiled, his dark eyes full of heat. “ If you determine the identity of Ceyden’s murderer before I do.”
    “Yes.”
    “And if you lose?” he asked.
    “I don’t ever lose our bets,” I said.
    “I shan’t dignify that with a reply. What do I get if you lose?”
    “You don’t have to swim the Bosphorus.”
    “Not enough,” he said. “If I win, you shall come to me dressed in Turkish robes and treat me like a sultan. Feed me peeled grapes. That sort of thing.”
    I laughed. “The harem is not at all what you think.”
    “Then I shall look forward to the disappointment to be found in victory,” he said.
    “What sort of robes, exactly?” I asked.
    “I’ll have to give the subject proper consideration. Diaphanous would be nice. Perhaps your new friend Bezime can guide you. I’d rather like to see you with a veil, if only so I can remove it.”
    “Pity you’re making this a bet,” I said. “I didn’t have any plans for this evening.”

4
    “You are going to have to behave yourself. Do you understand?” Colin asked the next morning as he drained a glass of strong Turkish coffee before we started for the yal? ’s dock. “No impulsive decisions, no walking into dangerous situations. The prime minister himself has approved your involvement in this case. You must remember at all times that you are working for the government.”
    “You’ve told me a thousand times,” I said. “Am I so weak-minded that you think I’ll require two thousand?”
    “Of course not. I do wish . . .” He sighed, holding open the French doors that led to the