Midnight Runner - Jack Higgins [34]
"No, American. I know who this man is."
"Then Abu brought Selim on to the terrace, and he and the Countess talked. A little later, Selim came out. He stood there looking worried, as if he didn't know where to go."
"What do you mean by worried?"
"He had the stink of fear on him, Sahb. He started down the street, and I was about to follow when Abu came out and went after him."
"And you followed."
"Yes, Sahb, down to the harbor. He turned on to one of the wharfs. He seemed to be examining the ships, then Abu ran up behind him, cut his throat, and pushed him into the water."
Villiers said, "Why would Abu do this thing?"
"For the Countess, Sahb."
"But what would be her reason?"
"Allah alone knows this."
Villiers offered him another cigarette. "I'm grateful, Achmed, that you've told me this, but why? You, too, are Rashid, the Countess is your leader."
He knew the answer before it came. "But Sahb, I have tasted your salt, sworn the oath, and I am your man. This the Countess would agree on. It is a matter of honor."
"And perhaps Selim had none."
Achmed shrugged. "He was a weak man."
"But a good Sergeant."
"I would be better, Sahb."
Villiers smiled. "Well, you must prove that to me." He took out his pack of cigarettes and gave them to him. "Go on, you rogue, but no mention of this to the others."
"It will come out, Sahb, these things do."
"Let it be in its own time."
Achmed faded into the darkness and Villiers went inside and approached the bar. A matter of honor. That was supremely important to the Bedus, and perhaps Kate Rashid also saw it that way.
"Cigarettes, Abdul," he said. "Marlboros."
Abdul passed a pack across. "A lager now, Colonel?"
Before he could reply, a voice said, "Why, Tony, how nice," and he turned to find Kate Rashid entering the bar, Dauncey with her. She wore a simple white shift, and magnificent diamond earrings and necklace. He wore a linen suit and a pale blue shirt.
"Countess." Before he could say more, she reached up and kissed his cheek.
"I've told you before, it's Kate to my friends. This is my cousin, Major Rupert Dauncey, Marine Corps. And this, Rupert, is the famous Colonel Tony Villiers."
They shook hands. "My pleasure, Major," Villiers told him.
"No, mine. I've heard a lot about you."
"Champagne on the terrace, Abdul--you must join us, Tony, and for dinner," Kate said.
"How can I refuse?"
Her eyes glittered and there was an excitement in them, for as she and Rupert had been leaving the villa, Abu had appeared.
"Are all things well?" she'd asked.
"It is done, Countess."
"Good. It's a nice night for a walk. You will accompany us."
He'd fallen in behind them, his hand on the hilt of the jambya, the curved Arab knife at his belt, although not a soul in Hazar would have gone against him.
"The dog died, is that it?" Rupert shook his head. "God, but you're a hard woman, harder than I ever could have believed."
"This is a hard land, darling, and being hard is the only way to survive." She slipped a hand in his arm. "But no sad songs. I want to enjoy myself this evening."
8
T HE NIGHT WIND BLOWING IN FROM THE SEA WAS WARM and perfumed, a touch of spices there. Kate was sitting on a swing seat, Rupert and Villiers opposite her across a cane table. Abdul was serving champagne.
"You look absolutely splendid, Tony. All those medals. He's got everything except the Victoria Cross, Rupert."
"So I can see."
"You and Rupert have things in common," she told Villiers. "The Gulf War, Serbia, and Bosnia."
"Really?" Rupert said. "That's very interesting. Which unit?"
"SAS." Villiers decided to push it. "I'm surprised you didn't know. Kate certainly knows everything about me."
"Now then, Tony, you're getting fractious. On the other hand, I know you've had a hell of a day. To paraphrase Oscar Wilde, to lose one man might be considered careless, but to lose two..."
Villiers turned to Rupert. "One thing you'll discover about this place is that news travels fast. Nothing stays secret for long. I did