They came to Baghdad - Agatha Christie [38]
She found her way out from the winding alley into Rashid Street and made her way slowly back to the hotel, her eyes unseeing of the throngs around her. She tried to keep her mind from dwelling on her own predicament (penniless in Baghdad) by fixing her mind on Dr Rathbone and the general set-up of the Olive Branch. Edward had had an idea in London that there was something ‘fishy’ about his job. What was fishy? Dr Rathbone? Or the Olive Branch itself ?
Victoria could hardly believe that there was anything fishy about Dr Rathbone. He appeared to her to be one of those misguided enthusiasts who insist on seeing the world in their own idealistic manner, regardless of realities.
What had Edward meant by fishy? He’d been very vague. Perhaps he didn’t really know himself.
Could Dr Rathbone be some kind of colossal fraud?
Victoria, fresh from the soothing charm of his manner, shook her head. His manner had certainly changed, ever so slightly, at the idea of paying her a salary. He clearly preferred people to work for nothing.
But that, thought Victoria, was a sign of common sense.
Mr Greenholtz, for instance, would have felt just the same.
Chapter 12
I
Victoria arrived back at the Tio, rather footsore, to be hailed enthusiastically by Marcus who was sitting out on the grass terrace overlooking the river and talking to a thin rather shabby middle-aged man.
‘Come and have a drink with us, Miss Jones. Martini – sidecar? This is Mr Dakin. Miss Jones from England. Now then, my dear, what will you have?’
Victoria said she would have a sidecar ‘and some of those lovely nuts?’ she suggested hopefully, remembering that nuts were nutritious.
‘You like nuts. Jesus!’ He gave the order in rapid Arabic. Mr Dakin said in a sad voice that he would have a lemonade.
‘Ah,’ cried Marcus, ‘but that is ridiculous. Ah, here is Mrs Cardew Trench. You know Mr Dakin? What will you have?’
‘Gin and lime,’ said Mrs Cardew Trench, nodding to Dakin in an off-hand manner. ‘You look hot,’ she added to Victoria.
‘I’ve been walking round seeing the sights.’
When the drinks came, Victoria ate a large plateful of pistachio nuts and also some potato chips.
Presently, a short thick-set man came up the steps and the hospitable Marcus hailed him in his turn. He was introduced to Victoria as Captain Crosbie, and by the way his slightly protuberant eyes goggled at her, Victoria gathered that he was susceptible to feminine charm.
‘Just come out?’ he asked her.
‘Yesterday.’
‘Thought I hadn’t seen you around.’
‘She is very nice and beautiful, is she not?’ said Marcus joyfully. ‘Oh yes, it is very nice to have Miss Victoria. I will give a party for her – a very nice party.’
‘With baby chickens?’ said Victoria hopefully.
‘Yes, yes – and foie gras – Strasburg foie gras – and perhaps caviare – and then we have a dish with fish – very nice – a fish from the Tigris, but all with sauce and mushrooms. And then there is a turkey stuffed in the way we have it at my home – with rice and raisins and spice – and all cooked so! Oh it is very good – but you must eat very much of it – not just a tiny spoonful. Or if you like it better you shall have a steak – a really big steak and tender – I see to it. We will have a long dinner that goes on for hours. It will be very nice. I do not eat myself – I only drink.’
‘That will be lovely,’ said Victoria in a faint voice. The description of these viands made her feel quite giddy with hunger. She wondered if Marcus really meant to give this party and if so, how soon it could