Crime Novella Episode Two

by Michele deBes

The blue silk slipped through her fingers like running water. It’s deep blue shot through with silver reminded her of the ocean view from the balcony her beach side apartment back in Australia. She wrapped the scarf around her head, concealing her dark hair cut in a modern pageboy style. With her olive skin and dark eyes she could almost pass for one of the locals. She shivered in pleasure.

She held up three fingers to the turbaned shop keeper but he shook his ancient head emphatically .He held up both hands and spread his wizened fingers wide, his dark eyes sparkled in his nut brown face.

“Ten! No too much.” she said, indicating four with her fingers. She had made a point of learning the local currency and she could do the conversions quickly in her head.
They haggled for a few minutes until the deal was made and she added the parcel to her bulging bag.

“Ninka…Slaninka.” she said looking around the little shop. “Where are you?”
A blond head appeared through a fall of silk scarves.

“Here I am. Have you finished yet, I’m hungry.”

Suellen frowned down at the girls plain face.

“All in good time. I still need jewellery to complete my outfit. Now stay close.” she said.

They emerged from the dimness of the shop into the bright bustle of the bazaar.
“What outfit. I’m the one who needs a costume.” said Slaninka. “I’ve got competitions soon. Why can’t I get something nice.”

“Your aunt only gave me board and passage.” said Suellen “Oh I just love this heat and what’s that smell. Is it frankincense?” She grabbed Slaninka’s arm and tried to pull her along but the girl was stronger than she looked.

“Then I want lunch now or I’m not moving another inch.” said Slaninka planted her feet wide.

“Oh alright.” said Suellen. “I’m ready for a drink anyway.”

Dinner at the hotel was a formal affair and Suellen dressed accordingly in a long sweeping gown of yellow organza, off the shoulder and presenting her impressive cleavage to the best advantage.

She basked in the admiring glances of the men as she followed the waiter through the glistening tables, Slaninka followed in her wake.

They were led to a table overlooking the rest of the dining room as she requested but it wasn’t until their meals arrived that she began to glance around the room ,taking stock of the other guests of the hotel.

Her eyes drifted by and then were drawn back to a most unusual looking man seated by himself a couple of tables away. She noted the expensive cut of his black dinner jacket and the languid long fingers holding a cigarette.

“Ew how strange” said Slaninka who had followed Suellens gaze. “Is he an albino? I’ve read about them but I’ve never seen one.”

Suellen’s gaze snapped back. She would have to be more careful.

“It’s rude to stare. Turn around this instant” she said.

“You were staring” said Slaninka and she shovelled another spoon of desert into her mouth. Suellen frowned. How could the girl eat so much and still look like a twig.

“I was merely gazing in that direction.” she said. “Now finish up and I will take you to your room.”

“It’s only early.” said the girl. “I want to watch all the fine ladies.”

“You’ll be up early tomorrow with that ballet lady I found you.” said Suellen.

“Oh yes. I must be fresh for tomorrow.” said Slaninka, her large mouth set in a firm line, and Suellen sighed with secret relief.

After Suellen had tucked Slaninka into bed she locked the door after her and went back downstairs.

The dining room was clearing so she headed to the bar. It was not too late to save the evening. She saw her quarry sitting at the end of the ornate bar and she made her way over and stood beside him as she caught the barman’s eye.

“Gin and tonic” she said and let her eyes drift sideways as the barman mixed her drink.

The man’s hair was white and silky in the light from the candelabra standing on the bar behind him.

She cleared her throat.

“Excuse me. I couldn’t help noticing your unusual ring. Is it locally made. I’m looking for some pieces myself.” she said.

he turned to her, his face a cold mask and she found herself looking into his striking eyes, green shot through with chips of amber.

“Sorry I didn’t mean to disturb you.” she said.

A small smile curve his lips as his eyes roved briefly over her exposed skin.

“Not at all my dear, a most welcome distraction” he said. “I can recommend a few good jewellers who trade in the real thing, not tourist baubles. A beautiful creature like you must only wear the best.” His voice was rich and low but his words were strangely delivered as if he was reading from a script. I little shiver ran down her spine. He was altogether the most fascination man she had met in Cairo. So cultured yet dangerous. This is why she’s travelled halfway around the world.

“Why thankyou sir.” she said looking up at him from under her lashes. Her drink arrived and she took a sip.

She leant towards him feeling her cleavage press against her bodice.

“I hope you don’t think me forward but I have already made some purchases. Would you like to come to my room and give me your educated opinion. I’d be most grateful.”

His exotic eyes stayed steady on hers and he raised one brow and for a moment she thought she had been too hasty.

“I’d be only too glad but… didn’t I see you with your daughter? It must be past the child’s bedtime.”

Suellen felt another thrill run through her. He must had been watching her with those hazel eyes.

She gave a little laugh. “No, I’m merely escorting the child as a favour to a friend. She has her own room so we won’t disturb her.”

“Then I would be most honoured to advise you.” he said.

“Room 202. Give me a few minutes while I display my collection.” she said and rose gracefully, conscious of his eyes on her back as she swept across the carpet.

Mr Reece finished his drink slowly, deriding himself for agreeing to meet her. Was this an elaborate trap, he wondered, or merely an unwelcome distraction from his important business. He left the bar making for his own room but found himself minutes later tapping at her door.

“Come in.” he heard her melodic voice and he opened the door . It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the candlelight then they widened and his hand slipped form inside his jacket and the butt of his gun in its shoulder holster.

She stood swathed in gauzy silks, barely hiding her golden nakedness. Chains glistened around her wrists and ankles, jewels pressing the translucent silk between her full breasts.

“I’m your slave girl and I have been very wicked.” she said from behind the gauze concealing her lower face.

“Indeed” said Mr Reece as he pushed the door closed with his foot and advanced towards her.

“Make way, make way.” said Miss Riley brandishing her parasol as she forced forward through the crowd. “Do keep up. I don’t want to lose you.”

“I think it’s precisely what you have been trying to do.” said Miss Ellis as a turbaned man nearly pushed her off her feet. “I can’t believe these crowds.”

“Well you wanted to go shopping.” said Miss Riley.

Miss Ellis dabbed her forehead with a white linen handkerchief, pushing back the damp locks of black hair that had escaped her bun.

“I merely expressed the desire to purchase clothes more suitable to the climate and our archaeological pursuits.” she said.

Well, I dare say you’d be more comfortable in the hotel. I have everything under control at the dig.” said Miss Riley.

“I have every right to see where my money is going. And I fully intend to do so” said Miss Ellis and her lips pressed together into jagged little line.

Miss Riley frowned down at her cousin.

“Of course dear. I’m only thinking of your health. Now come along.”

They managed to make headway and entered a shaded alley less crowded.

“I say, isn’t that your man Masters?” said Miss Ellis taking hold of her cousins arm.
“No it can’ be. he said he’d be at the dig this morning. Cairo is full of ex pats.” said Miss Riley.

“I think it is, look over there by that archway talking to that woman.”
Miss Riley craned her neck.

“Why yes. What’s he doing here?”

Masters was deep in conversation with a dark haired woman. She was clothed in a stylish green dress that showed off her attractive figure. They leaned towards each other, Masters gestured with small fast hand movements, while hers rested languidly on her hips.

“Well he’s obviously skiving off to meet that young woman. I’d thought him such a respectable young main.” said Miss Ellis.

“Well so did I. I wonder who she is? said Miss Riley.

“Is that a note of jealousy I detect? said Miss Ellis squeezing her cousins arm.

“Certainly not.” said Miss Riley pulling her arm away. “We have a purely professional relationship. But considering the magnitude of our find, I feel I have a right to know who he is consorting with. Come on lets introduce ourselves.”

Before they could make their way thought the clutter of stalls. Masters and the mystery woman had disappeared through the archway and into the crowd.