Buckingham Palace Gardens - Anne Perry [58]
“Yes, it probably is,” Forbes said flatly. “And I suppose if anyone is going to exploit it, it might as well be Great Britain. We are good at it. God knows, we’ve had enough experience. But I didn’t step back from it for that reason. It is difficult living in harsh climates far from home. I want adventure of the mind now rather than of the body. Cahoon Dunkeld is as good a man for this as you can get. I’m perfectly happy for him to do it.”
“And Sorokine, Quase, and Marquand?”
“Probably the best choices available to him.”
“Why? Best for the job, or because Sorokine is his son-in-law, Marquand is Sorokine’s half-brother, and Quase your son-in-law?”
Forbes flashed him a sudden smile. “I don’t doubt that will have some part in it. One trusts the judgment of those whom one knows, or at least has a perception of their vulnerabilities. Do you fear that the railway is under threat of some kind of sabotage, even this early?”
“If it were, whom would you suspect?” Narraway asked him.
“Ah. Is that what you really want?” Forbes eased back in his chair a little.
“And if I do?”
“If there is another group of men as appropriately gifted, I am not aware of it. If you have any real basis for fear, then you should look to some of the other countries with major interests in Africa. You might begin with Belgium. Congo Free State is vast, and rich in minerals. King Leopold has boundless ambition there.” He made a steeple of his fingers. “The other major participant is Germany. Any railway would have to cross the territory of one of them, or acquire a line of passage between the two. But I assume you can read a map as well as I can?”
“I’ve looked at it, certainly.”
“That may be where Sorokine’s skills come in. He is a diplomat with many connections and far more intelligence than his somewhat casual attitude suggests.”
“Thank you. You have been most courteous.” Narraway rose to his feet.
“A suitably equivocal remark.” Forbes rose also. “If there is anything else I can do, don’t hesitate to call again.”
NARRAWAY RETURNED TO the Palace and found Pitt in the room they had given him, the windows wide open and the warm evening air blowing in. He was eating a supper of cold roast beef sandwiches. Narraway was instantly struck by how tired he looked. He seemed to have none of his usual energy.
“Anything?” Pitt asked with his mouth full, before Narraway had even closed the door.
“Interesting,” Narraway replied, walking over and sitting in the other chair. The sandwiches looked good: fresh bread and plenty of meat. He realized he had not eaten all day. Still, these were Pitt’s, not his, and superior rank did not excuse ill manners. “Not certain if it means much. How about you?”
“Gracie’s about the only one who has achieved anything,” Pitt said ruefully. “And it doesn’t seem to mean much either. You’ve got men inquiring about Sadie?”
“Yes. Too soon to expect anything yet.”
“I know. I’m not sure if it matters anymore. Probably not.”
Narraway looked around for the bell. “Do you think they’d fetch me some?” He eyed the sandwiches.
“Have some of these,” Pitt offered. “But there’s no more cider. Maybe you’d prefer ale anyway?”
“Cider’s fine, but I’ll send for some myself, thank you,” Narraway answered, and rose to pull the bell rope. “What did Gracie learn?” He was disappointed. He had had an intense and perhaps unreasonable hope that Pitt would either have learned or deduced something profound. His skill at solving complicated murders was one Narraway had come to value, and he had no intention of allowing the Metropolitan Police to have Pitt back again. He would use his influence, plead the safety of the realm from anarchy or foreign subversion, whatever it required to keep him.
He was placing pressure on Pitt to succeed now, and he was aware of it. It was harsh, but they could not afford to fail. Was he asking too much?
Pitt finished his sandwich before answering. No one hurried to the summons of the bell, but then they knew whose room it was, and no doubt guests took precedence.
“Two badly bloodstained sheets in one