Page 82 of Sands of Sirocco
“This plan … it’s madness,” one man said.He glared at the man smoking.“Anyone might find the device before the time is right.”
“Our German friend said the device was safely delivered,” the smoker answered.
Masry scowled at Noah with a quick, cutting look.Noah understood why.He hadn’t done enough to prove himself yet, despite the other night.If Madry was smart, he wouldn’t share information with a newcomer so liberally.
Masry lifted his tea.“I’m not worried about it being found.It will only be hidden one day.I will be in attendance.See to the detonation myself.”
The fog of smoke in the room seemed to thicken, and Noah blinked, tensing, as the noise in the room became sharper to his ears.
They’ve planted a bomb somewhere.Adrenaline coiled through him.
He had to find out where and stop it.
Masry gave the others a stern look.“That’s enough.”He looked straight at Noah.“Karim.I assume you have some reason for joining us tonight?”
Noah tried to think clearly.He couldn’t ask them to continue speaking of the bomb without appearing too curious.He’d have to wait for the topic to come up again later.Bide his time.
In the meantime, perhaps he could learn more about what he’d come here for.He had to hope they had heard about Jahi’s death.“I was told one of our brothers, Jahi Gamal, was killed last night.Is it true?”
Five blank faces stared at him.
“Jahi?”Masry’s thick brows furrowed, a flicker of anger in his face.“That lying dog.He’s dead?How did you hear it?”
Noah’s breath strained.Masry’s response concerned him.
His mouth went dry as he struggled for an answer.He gave a confused look.“I’ve heard whispers on the streets.”
Masry set both hands on the table, his face hardening as he rose to his feet.“Jahi is a traitor.He works for the English—and hasn’t been seen in weeks.How do you know him?Did he send you here to spy on us?”
Damn it all.
Could Masry be telling the truth?
If Jahi hadn’t been working for the Aleaqrab, it was possible the Aleaqrab wasn’t involved with Victoria and Lord Helton’s kidnapping at all—that Stephen had just wanted Noah to think they were.
It easily explained why Noah hadn’t heard Victoria mentioned while among his uncle’s men.He’d been on a fool’s errand.
Noah could imagine the smirk in Stephen’s eyes.
Enough was enough.He would go and interrogate Stephen himself.Before he went to the CID.This time, no one would be able to stop him.
Noah sagged back in his chair.The other men in the room shifted warily.He could be in danger if he didn’t proceed with caution.“I heard it from Mohammed Hassan from El-Cid,” Noah said.“I swear it.Jahi didn’t send me.”
He may as well be saying he heard it from a man named John Smith at Piccadilly Circus.Too unspecific to be caught in a lie.
And Masry knew it.
His voice was flat.“Is that so?You did good work the other night, Karim.It’s the only reason you’re still alive.But if you’re a friend to Jahi Gamal, you’re no friend to us.I suggest you don’t show yourself here again.”
ChapterTwenty-Eight
Standing in front of the door to her father’s study, Ginger placed a trembling hand on the doorknob.The last time she’d been in this room her father had been alive.She couldn’t remember the exact words they’d exchanged.But the betrayal and disappointment in her father’s eyes—that had been branded to her soul.
She pulled the shawl tighter around her shoulders.She’d waited until everyone had gone to bed, not wanting to explain herself.Her head boiled with angry pressure, conflicted by her own rational thought and the emotions she’d done her best to control.She should go to Noah, apologize for her lack of compassion for Victoria, for her refusal to be civil.
Of course she didn’t believe Osborne’s claims about him.
Whatever had happened at Kut, Noah wasn’t perfect.But he was honorable.He wouldn’t betray the British the way Henry or her father had.No matter how disillusioned he might be.
