Page 95 of Sands of Sirocco
Her eyes widened toward him.“You mean, he wants to arrest you for Young’s murder?”
“I’m sure of it.I don’t know when, but I’m certain he intends to strike soon.But”—he released a tense breath and set his hands on her shoulders—“there’s more.I went this morning to question Stephen at the prison where Lord Helton had been holding him.It’s entirely possible Lord Helton had him moved, but … Ginger, he wasn’t there.No one was.”
This time his words made her feel physically ill.“You mean Stephen might be loose in Cairo?”
“I don’t know.”Noah held her close, his hands at her waist.“But whatever his plan is, I’ve been too slow to react to it.You said yourself that Peter Osborne knows I’ve been at nationalist meetings, and now he has me for the murder of a British officer in the CID, and God knows what else.As Jack would say, he’s got the drop on us.And I can’t risk hiding right now.An extreme nationalist group is planning an attack, and I need to help stop it.”
An attack?She gave him a curious look.“What are they planning?”
“I believe they planted a bomb here and plan to detonate it tonight.”Noah set his hands on her shoulders, giving her a serious look.“Which is why you need to leave.It’s too dangerous for you to be here.”
“A bomb?”she repeated, choking on the word.Her head spun.
Noah was right.Whatever game was being played, she felt like a marionette clumsily reacting, too slowly, to the direction of a master puppeteer.But what better place for the nationalists to plan an attack than Abdin Palace?
“I must get my family.Find some excuse for us to leave.”Her chest felt constricted.“But what about all those people upstairs?Shouldn’t someone warn them also?”
“We won’t be certain that the bomb is here until we see the leader of the organization in attendance.He plans to detonate the device himself.”
Ginger gripped his wrist.“Why would he be invited?”
“He’s a Cairene from a prominent family.”Noah’s jaw tightened as he ground his teeth visibly.“Victoria is upstairs keeping a lookout for him.My friend Alastair is bringing help from the CID or police.Hopefully they’ll arrive soon.Unfortunately, we didn’t have time for a larger plan.”
The news that more people were on their way was a relief.Whatever ill feelings Ginger harbored toward Victoria, she had to give the woman credit—Victoria was dedicated.Ginger lowered her voice by degrees, even though it was unlikely anyone was listening.“Noah, if there is a bomb at the palace and you don’t catch this man, everyone here is at risk.What about telling the guards?”
“Because we don’t know who is involved.For all we know the guards could be in on it.It’s likely they had help to sneak the device in.”Noah pulled a rucksack out from under what appeared to be a desk.He took his dress uniform from it and disrobed.
He went on, “I’ve been searching the building for the last hour.The servant’s uniform helped me move around unnoticed.But I’m no closer to finding any signs of a device than I was when I started.Now that most of the guests should have arrived, I’m going upstairs to see if the man in question is here.”
As Noah changed into his uniform, Ginger watched him with concern.What if the nationalist detonated a bomb before Noah could stop him?His life was at risk.The last part of the process was removing his theatrical beard, which appeared to be attached with some form of adhesive tape.
Within minutes, he was every bit the British officer.He folded the servant’s uniform and placed it on the desk.“I’ll escort you upstairs, and then we’ll have to part.”
“I need to know that you’re safe after this.”Ginger’s fingers closed around his.“If my house is being watched, it’s too dangerous for you to come to me, but can we meet somewhere?I called on you at Shepheard’s earlier this evening, and they said you’d checked out.”
Noah brushed a soft kiss to her lips.“Yes …” He paused, his eyes dark with thought.“My friend Alastair Taylor runs a safe house in Old Cairo.”He pulled a small notepad out from his jacket and scribbled down the address with a pencil.“Go here after you’ve taken your family home.I’ll meet you there tonight.”
What would it mean if he didn’t appear?“How will I know if I’m at the right house?”
“Khalib lives there.I’m certain he’ll be happy to see you.”He gave her a charming smile.“Shall we?”
She drew a sharp breath at his words but took his arm.Khalib?She hadn’t seen the boy since the previous spring, when she’d very nearly sent him to his death by giving him a message for Noah.He’d lost a hand to Stephen’s savagery as a result.What if the child blamed her for it?
They left the room and made their way back out the servants’ exit.“I’m not sure what I’m supposed to tell my family.”The thought of William made her cringe.She’d completely ignored his proposal.
“With Stephen up to his tricks, it may be time to consider telling them as much of the truth as you feel comfortable sharing.”Noah’s hand dipped to the small of her back as they reached the entrance to the crowded stateroom.He lowered his voice.“One day, we’ll have to attend one of these events, and I’ll actually be able to steal a dance with you.”
Despite her anxiousness, she threw him a smile.“And you want to dance with me?”
“Always.”Noah’s pace slowed.“Though right now may not be the best time.Your sister is stalking in this direction with a murderous look on her face.”
Ginger didn’t know how he’d spotted Lucy so quickly.Lucy’s face was red as she stopped a few feet from them.“I should have known you’d be with him,” she muttered through clenched teeth.
“Good evening, Lady Laura,” Noah said with a slight bow.
“It’s Lucy.”Lucy’s eyes flashed.
Ginger resisted the urge to poke Noah for getting her name wrong.The scoundrel.He’d done it on purpose.“Is it?”His lips twitched with the faintest of laughter, then he stepped back, melting into the crowd.
