Free The Serpent and the Scorpion by Clare Langley-Hawthorne Page B

look like one of the fellahin—I’m not exactly sure why I thought that, but I did.” Ursula leaned back on the divan. “Not much help, I’m afraid. Told as much to the Egyptian authorities—I mean, it all happened so quickly. There was so much confusion. I see a blur of faces, nothing more. Maybe if I saw some of them again I’d recognize them, but I really can’t be sure.”
    Harrison simply nodded. “It’s to be expected. The men were creating a diversion—and it worked.”
    Ursula’s lips pursed. Recounting the story had made her feel like a half-witted young girl, easily distracted by something as obvious as a performing monkey.
    “You said you believed Katya was concerned about her own safety?” Harrison prompted.
    “Yes,” Ursula replied, and she recounted the conversation she’d had with Katya the morning of her death. Harrison didn’t seem to hold much stock in her theory, but Ursula continued. “Look, I know it sounds absurd, but I sensed that Katya was looking out for someone. Watching to see who was there. And I don’t just mean her husband, although Peter Vilensky did make a thorough nuisance of himself, following her just to make sure she wasn’t having some secret affair with Hugh Carmichael. Really, that man was the limit!”
    Harrison raised his eyebrows and Ursula continued on a more rueful note. “I sound like one of those penny romances, seeing shadows in every corner, but, Chief Inspector, I really do think there was something that Katya had found out, something she had discovered, that made her believe her life was in danger.”
    “And what do you think she had discovered?”
    “Don’t you know? Isn’t that why you’re here?” Ursula demanded.
    Harrison shook his head. “I told you before this is a routine matter, nothing more.”
    Harrison’s eyes wouldn’t meet hers. Ursula knew him well enough to know that he would not be drawn out yet.
    “Just make sure justice is served,” Ursula responded quietly. “Someone must be brought to account for her death, and I want to ensure that justice is done. You waited too long last time, and my father and Cecilia died as a result. Do not make the same mistake again.”
    Ursula’s reference to the deaths of her father and Cecilia Abbott made Harrison flinch. “Believe me, Miss Marlow, I am well aware of the risks. But these are difficult times—we may well be at war sooner than you think. My priorities are different now—England’s security is under threat—but I promise you, I will not lose sight of what needs to be done to solve Katya Vilensky’s death.”
    “You know her death had nothing to do with the nationalists!” Ursula began, hoping that she might be able to find out more using this line of inquiry.
    “Let me worry about that,” Harrison interrupted. “But I can assure you the British government has been watching a number of secret societies since Boutros Ghali’s assassination that may have connections to the incident in the Khan el-Khalili.”
    “It wasn’t a mere incident,” Ursula interrupted coldly. “It was the murder of a young woman. My friend.”
    Harrison sighed. “Please, Miss Marlow, just be patient. There are far bigger things at stake here. The British Empire may be at risk.”
    “So it’s my patriotic duty not to investigate Katya’s death, is that what you’re telling me?” Ursula’s self-control was rapidly diminishing.
    “No.” Harrison’s response was smooth, though there was an unspoken threat beneath it. “To be honest,” he continued, “I think you have better things to be worrying about—like keeping your father’s business from collapsing around you.” Noticing her shock, he continued, “Yes, I know about the attacks on your mills and factories. That’s what you should be focusing on—because, believe me, there are few policemen inclined to help a suffragette rabble-rouser when she’s in business difficulties.”
    Harrison’s words hit her hard. Ursula got to her