The Ghost Runner by Parker Bilal Read Free Book Online Page B

wrong, but I understand that Musab has been abroad all these years.’
    ‘Seven years to be exact,’ Ragab confirmed with a nod.
    ‘Then how?’
    ‘Who knows? Through one of his old contacts, perhaps? Anything and everything is possible, but that is why I wish to hire your services.’
    ‘Even if he were able to effect something like this, to arrange a fire from abroad, what would his motive be?’
    ‘Jealousy.’
    ‘Jealousy?’
    ‘This is difficult for me to explain, but Musab got it into his head that I was Karima’s father.’
    ‘Where would he get an idea like that?’
    ‘Karima was born during Musab’s first year in prison, Nagat must have become pregnant just before he was arrested. He might not even have known. Musab was unbalanced, paranoid. It isn’t hard to imagine how such ideas entered his head. You touched on it yourself. These people don’t understand kindness. I tried to help his wife and therefore he suspected there was an ulterior motive.’ Ragab exhaled slowly. ‘I don’t think he ever quite believed my denials.’
    ‘Assuming you are right, why would Musab wait so long to take his revenge?’
    ‘Who can explain what goes on in the mind of someone like that?’
    Makana stepped out onto the stern deck where the sounds of the city filtered across the river. Ragab followed him out. The whirr of bats flitted through the darkness in the trees above them.
    ‘The Musab I knew was a vicious man and a coward. Everyone who knew him testified to that fact. The wife, Nagat, died some years ago of a kidney disease. All that was left was Karima.’
    ‘And you’re sure Musab couldn’t come back here himself?’
    ‘Oh, no, that is out of the question. The state would arrest him immediately and throw him back into prison where he belongs.’
    ‘What about contacts? Who does he still know?’
    ‘Oh, there are plenty of people who remember him. He has contacts in the underworld. Criminals, murderers. It wouldn’t be hard to find someone to do this. I can provide you with a list.’ Ragab straightened up. ‘All I am asking, Mr Makana, is that you bring me the evidence. Show me who did it and I will take care of the rest. I will make sure they get the justice they deserve.’
    In the half-light Ragab’s features seemed to dissolve, so that Makana had the impression he was addressing a large, untidy ghost. A spirit from somewhere far back in time.
    ‘How does your wife feel about me working for you?’
    ‘My wife knows nothing about this arrangement between us, and I would prefer to keep it that way.’ Ragab reached into his pocket. ‘She knows I am here this evening, but she believes it is to settle her account.’ He held out an envelope. ‘This contains what she owes you for services rendered.’ A second envelope joined the first. ‘Here I have placed the same amount as a retainer if you should choose to accept the case. We can settle up any outstanding amounts at a later date.’
    Makana hesitated only for a moment before taking both envelopes. He had a feeling that Magdy Ragab was the kind of client he could get used to working for.

Chapter Five
    Inspector Okasha strode down through the Ghuriyya quarter in his usual manner. As always, his commanding presence had an instant effect. The layabouts who hung around the entrance waiting for opportunity to tap people on the shoulder sidled away without a word. Pedlars shouting out their wares missed a beat, even a woman carrying a basket full of vegetables balanced on her head managed to crane her neck around without spilling a single onion. Okasha carried himself with authority. A big man in a uniform. To many around here his was a familiar face, having worked this part of town for many years, back in the old days.
    ‘Did I tell you about the time I was stabbed?’
    ‘More than once, I’m afraid,’ murmured Makana as they descended the steps beneath the high wooden beams, finely carved and painted, that supported the roof linking the