Chapter 34 #2
Capturing Lord Helton had most likely been all Stephen needed to finalize his own release. While Noah couldn’t imagine how it had come about, he could picture the satisfied smile on Stephen’s face, knowing he had pinned his crimes on Noah’s back. “And Masry? They found me with him at the palace.”
“I suppose you can feel some relief there. He’s been arrested.
But I sincerely doubt he’ll own his role in the Aleaqrab.
The messages I intercepted labeled you as their leader.
Still, Masry will most likely be imprisoned, his organization dismantled.
I very much doubt it was what your uncle intended when cooperating with Stephen, but apparently Stephen’s in the business of hanging his friends on a line.
Either that or Lord Helton demanded it.”
Whatever satisfaction Noah may have felt at his uncle’s arrest and the blow to the Aleaqrab, it was minuscule compared to the shadow of rage curling through him. “Lord Helton can save me from this debacle, but he’s been bribed by Fisher. I walked right into the trap Fisher set for me.”
“I assumed as much about Lord Helton once I started getting messages. I can’t understand what Helton is thinking. He knows the devil he’s sold his soul to. Fisher must be in possession of a means to manipulate him and keep him from going back on his word.” Alastair’s face was sober and sympathetic.
That’s true. Stephen would have wanted a way to make Helton his puppet. Finding out what that was would be crucial in the future.
Alastair set a hand on Noah’s shoulder. “While you’re free, you can keep working to out the truth. Just don’t let them capture you. They’ll hang you before any of us can try to save you.”
What truth? He’d seen the deceptive practices his government had employed to get what they wanted.
Noah sank wearily against a wall. “The truth?” His laugh was bitter. “You and I know well how the truth matters. I don’t think I can escape this one, Alastair. How can I ever be exonerated or free? I committed half of the crimes they’re accusing me of, in shades of grey.”
“Do you want my real advice?”
“Do I?” Noah fought the surge of panic that crested in him. He could well imagine Alastair’s “real” advice.
“Disappear, Noah. Start a new life. You can ask your wife to go with you, but if she does, she’ll have to continue a life running from the law.
Not to mention that it’s harder to run with another person at your side.
I’m going to do everything I can for you, but your chances of living to a ripe old age are better if you simply flee alone. ”
Noah straightened. The idea had merit and was tempting, but how could he ever ask something like that of Ginger?
And he would never abandon her. “I never expected to live to a ripe old age anyway.” Noah rubbed his right shoulder with the opposite hand.
“I need your help.” The familiar stiffness from his wounds earlier in the year made the muscles throb, but he couldn’t worry about that now.
“I’m happy to outfit you.” Alastair cocked his head to the side and led him out of the room, down the hall. “You’re going to need a few disguises.”
“I’m going to need two.” Noah’s voice echoed in the hallway.
Alastair looked over his shoulder with a sharp-eyed squint. “For la belle femme?”
“I’m not leaving her.”
“I didn’t think you would.”
Alastair led Noah to a darkened room. “Where are you going?”
Noah blinked as Alastair turned on an electric lamp. The room was filled with shelves, a few wardrobes, and baskets. “I’m not sure yet. I have news of Jack. He’s here in Egypt, likely in the outskirts of Cairo.”
Alastair appeared stunned, the corners of his eyes squinting. “Who did you learn this from?”
“Victoria. She says he’s deathly ill too.
” Noah rubbed his jaw, the stubble on his face already rough against his palm.
Growing facial hair quickly had its benefits but meant having to shave every day when he didn’t want it.
“The Aleaqrab never had Victoria. Osborne did. And, apparently, Jack was being held where they took her. They even had her confer with Jack about some clue regarding the location of the concession paperwork. My assumption is that Freddy Mortimer was found with it.” Noah didn’t have time now to explain what Ginger had found out about Mortimer’s identity.
Alastair winced. “And Victoria said nothing before now? Why?”
“Because she’s Victoria. She’s selfish. And she knew if she told me, I’d focus on finding Jack instead of her father.”
Alastair shook his head slowly. “It seems to me she may have had other motivations for not telling you. Logically, if they held her where they held Jack, they would have taken Lord Helton there. Unless she knew her father wasn’t really being captured.”
Tense silence hung between them.
Victoria’s sobs replayed in Noah’s mind as she told him about Jack. Had that been a performance too? Everything about her seemed like a lie to him now. Irritation pricked his throat. “It’s certainly possible.”
“Why would they have captured Jack? What was the need?” Alastair searched his eyes.
“Because Jack is the finest cryptologist on this side of the Atlantic Ocean. No doubt they needed someone as familiar with …”
Noah trailed off. Ginger had mentioned that Paul Hanover’s wife was an archeologist. And if Paul had left a coded message, it was possible he’d intended it for someone.
Someone like Paul’s wife.
What if Osborne hadn’t needed Ginger to find the concession paperwork for him?
What if he’d needed her to find Sarah Hanover?
Noah’s gut instincts gnawed at him as Alastair watched him in silence. “Yes?” Alastair asked at last.
“I need to borrow your motorcar.”
Alastair frowned but gave a curt nod. “I thought you might. I had one of the boys park it near Rumayla Square. You do realize I’ll have to report it stolen? I’m certain they won’t believe me, but that’s the minimum I can do to protect myself.”
Noah scowled. He needed to go after Sarah Hanover right away.
And take Ginger with him. He wasn’t about to leave her here in Old Cairo.
Who knew how long it would be before Stephen or Lord Helton tried to use her as bait?
“You need safe houses that the CID doesn’t know of.
I may need to leave Ginger with you in the future if I can’t clear my name. ”
“Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as all that. They watch me terribly closely, you know.” Alastair moved to a wardrobe and opened it. He pulled out a dirty Bedouin thawb that was neatly folded with string and set it on a chair. “What sort of outfit does la belle femme need?”
“Anything that hides that red hair of hers.” Noah crossed his arms.
“Has she considered tinting it? It might be a way to solve the problem if she must hide for a while. Though, to be honest, her nursing costume is a damned good disguise.”
Each time Noah drew Ginger further into the treachery that surrounded him, he felt he’d stolen something from her he could never restore. “I shouldn’t take her, should I?”
“You love her. You don’t trust her with anyone else.
Don’t look so put out about all this, Benson.
You’ll have your beautiful, resourceful wife to yourself for a bit.
She’s willing and loves you. Anyone choosing to stake her future in you is going to need resourcefulness, especially while this war rages.
” Alastair placed a few bundles of clothing in a sack, then handed it to Noah. “How are you going to find Jack?”
This time Noah couldn’t help the angry expression he was certain came to his eyes. “Victoria lied. She doesn’t know the precise location, but when they took her from the tomb where they were holding her, she saw the Step Pyramid of Djoser from the lorry.”
“Saqqara?” Alastair dropped his chin. “But the whole region is littered with subterranean tombs. You may be searching awhile.”
“From what she described, I have a feeling I know where they were keeping her. But I’ll have to hurry before they move him.”
“That’s wise.” Alastair cleared his throat, shifting uncomfortably. “Noah, we may have to cut off communications for some time. I value our friendship. But I have quite a few children in my care to think of should something happen to me.”
“Of course.” Guilt ate at his gut. He’d asked more than enough of Alastair. “I don’t think I’ll be back here for some time. But I won’t forget what you’ve done for me.” Noah slung the sack over his shoulder, then headed out of the room. “Now if you don’t mind taking me to my wife.”
“I had the servants draw a bath for her. To help settle her nerves.” Alastair saw him to the next level of the house. He stopped at a door and then put a hand on Noah’s shoulder. “Be careful, old friend. I’ll do whatever I can to help.”