The Key to Rebecca - Ken Follett [121]
He decided to take a quick look at the houseboat. He walked light-footedly along the towpath to the Jihan. There were lights on inside, but little curtains were drawn across the portholes. He was tempted to go aboard, but he wanted to consult with Sadat first, for he was not sure what should be done.
He turned around and headed back toward his car.
Sonja said: “Alex has told me all about you, Elene.” She smiled.
Elene smiled back. Was this the friend of Wolff’s who owned the houseboat? Was Wolff living with her? Had he not expected her back so early? Why was neither of them angry, or puzzled, or embarrassed? Just for something to say, Elene asked her: “Have you just come from the Cha-Cha Club?”
“Yes.”
“How was it?”
“As always—exhausting, thrilling, successful.”
Sonja was not a humble woman, clearly.
Wolff handed Sonja a glass of champagne. She took it without looking at him, and said to Elene: “So you work in Mikis’ shop?”
“No, I don’t,” Elene said, thinking: Are you really interested in this? “I helped him for a few days, that’s all. We’re related.”
“So you’re Greek?”
“That’s right.” The small talk was giving Elene confidence. Her fear receded. Whatever happened, Wolff was not likely to rape her at knifepoint in front of one of the most famous women in Egypt. Sonja gave her a breathing space, at least. William was determined to capture Wolff before midnight—
Midnight!
She had almost forgotten. At midnight Wolff was to contact the enemy by wireless, and hand over the details of the defense line. But where was the radio? Was it here, on the boat? If it was somewhere else, Wolff would have to leave soon. If it was here, would he send his message in front of Elene and Sonja? What was in his mind?
He sat down beside Elene. She felt vaguely threatened, with the two of them on either side of her. Wolff said: “What a lucky man I am, to be sitting here with the two most beautiful women in Cairo.”
Elene looked straight ahead, not knowing what to say.
Wolff said: “Isn’t she beautiful, Sonja?”
“Oh, yes.” Sonja touched Elene’s face, then took her chin and turned her head. “Do you think I’m beautiful, Elene?”
“Of course.” Elene frowned. This was getting weird. It was almost as if—
“I’m so glad,” Sonja said, and she put her hand on Elene’s knee.
And then Elene understood.
Everything fell into place: Wolff’s patience, his phony courtli ness, the houseboat, the unexpected appearance of Sonja ... Elene realized she was not safe at all. Her fear of Wolff came back, stronger than before. The pair of them wanted to use her, and she would have no choice, she would have to lie there, mute and unresisting, while they did whatever they wanted, Wolff with the knife in one hand—
Stop it.
I won’t be afraid. I can stand being mauled about by a pair of depraved old fools. There’s more at stake here. Forget about your precious little body, think about the radio, and how to stop Wolff using it.
This threesome might be turned to advantage.
She looked furtively at her wristwatch. It was a quarter to midnight. Too late, now, to rely on William. She, Elene, was the only one who could stop Wolff.
And she thought she knew how.
A look passed between Sonja and Wolff like a signal. Each with a hand on one of Elene’s thighs, they leaned across her and kissed each other in front of her eyes.
She looked at them. It was a long, lascivious kiss. She thought: What do they expect me to do?
They drew apart.
Wolff kissed Elene the same way. Elene was unresistant. Then she felt Sonja’s hand on her chin. Sonja turned Elene’s face toward her and kissed