The Cairo Code by Glenn Meade Read Free Book Online Page B

what?”
    â€œWe hear all this talk about what’s happening to the Jews in Germany. If you ever go back—”
    He let the sentence hang, and Rachel said quietly, “There’s no chance of my parents or me returning to Germany. Not until this war has blown over and the Nazis are no longer in power. For now, Istanbul will be our home, and it’ll be safe. My father has a lot of contacts there and he’s sure he can get a more permanent lecturing post. But to be honest, it’s Jack I’m more concerned about.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œHe’s bound to go back to Germany, so it’s likely he’ll be conscripted. But he’s being the optimist about how long the war might last. He seems to think the whole thing will have blown over by Christmas, once Hitler has his way and annexes Poland.”
    â€œHe said that?”
    â€œI heard him mention it tonight. And I suppose it’s what a lot of people are saying. The optimists, mainly. But me, I’m not so sure. I think if it carries on, it could be truly awful.” She changed the subject, as if to lighten the mood. “Still, at least we all had this time together. It’s something I’ll treasure and remember. Always.”
    Their eyes met, and something passed between them, Weaver was certain of it, and he looked at her a long time before he made to speak, wanting to tell her how he truly felt, but then he saw her glance away, towards the party. She seemed ill at ease.
    â€œWhat’s the matter?”
    â€œNoth—nothing.”
    Weaver looked back, through the open veranda door, and noticed a thin-faced Egyptian with a hook nose, wearing a pale linen suit, smoking a cigarette, and leaning against a marble column. His skin was pockmarked. He looked faintly sinister, and he directed a darting glance towards them, but when he noticed Weaver staring, he disappeared into the crowd. Weaver looked back at Rachel. “That man—was he bothering you?”
    She shivered. “It seems like he’s been watching me all evening.”
    â€œMaybe I should find out who he is.”
    She put a hand on his arm. “No, don’t bother, he’s probably harmless. He just made me feel a little uncomfortable, that’s all. But he’s gone now.”
    Just then two men stepped through the open door, led by Halder, one of them the American ambassador, tall and distinguished, the other a formal-looking young Egyptian in his early twenties, wearing the traditional Arab robe, the djellaba, with gold and silver thread.
    Halder came forward with a smile. “I’m afraid they’re trying to sober up the visiting British professor. He’s completely plastered. But allow me to introduce the ambassador and Kemal Assan.”
    The ambassador shook Rachel’s hand warmly. “Miss Stern, it’s a pleasure. I’m a great admirer of your father’s work. And Kemal has been looking forward to meeting you all night. He has a keen interest in your excavations, hardly surprising when you consider that his father is one of the most senior officials with the Ministry of Antiquities, not to mention a close personal friend of King Farouk.”
    Kemal Assan gave the Arab greeting, touching his hand to his heart, then his head. “A tremendous pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Stern. My country owes you and your father’s team a great debt. You’ve done wonderful work. I’m certain King Farouk and the government will want to thank you and your family for your efforts and that you will always be honoured guests in Egypt.”
    â€œYou’re very kind, Kemal.” Rachel looked out at the lights and the city, aware of the powerful stillness. “I’ve never known Cairo to be so quiet. It’s as if a storm’s about to break.”
    â€œThere’s a bad atmosphere in the air, I’m afraid.” Assan shrugged. “It almost seems as if the