Free Napoleon Must Die by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, Bill Fawcett Page A

I cannot like it, Roustam-Raza.” She made herself speak very calmly, for any show of emotion would tum the Mameluke against her.
    “Why should his movements have any bearing on your husband’s crime?” he asked, his interest piqued.
    “Why should they not?” When he did not answer, she went on. “I have nowhere to begin, except with the man who accuses Vernet. He also knew of the object. And his own time is unaccounted for. If I can exonerate Berthier, then perhaps I can persuade him to investigate further. But if he is the one who has committed the crime, then he will do nothing to turn his accusation from my husband, and my husband will bear the burden of guilt that belongs to another.” She could not see well enough to read Roustam-Raza’s face, but she sensed a lessening in his disapproval. “If only I knew what he did in Cairo.”
    “You tell me he has gone there often.” His tone was speculative, and his attitude no longer challenged her.
    “Four times that I know of since Vernet left. Tonight is the fifth.” She wanted to say more but prudence dictated that she hold her tongue.
    “Five times he has gone at night to Cairo,” mused Roustam-Raza, “And in so short a time. He has always gone alone?”
    “As far as I know,” answered Victoire.
    “And other officers? Do they go to Cairo in secret?”
    Victoire smiled inwardly. “Not that I’m aware of. Occasionally three or four of them will go together, but I have not heard of anyone going there alone as Berthier does.” They were nearing her tent and she paused, looking up at him. “It troubles me.” She expected another Muslim aphorism about the minds of women and therefore was pleased when Roustam-Raza bit his lower lip in thought.
    At last he said, “I think it troubles me, as well.”

    * * *

    It took her the better part of a week to persuade Roustam-Raza to take her to Cairo the next time Berthier went there.
    “You would be in great danger there. Frenchwomen are not welcome in Cairo unless they are with their men,” he argued the first time she brought her project up.
    “But how am I to find out what he is doing if I don’t follow him? You will not leave me unguarded to see where he goes, so it must be my task to watch him. And you will watch me.” She favored him with a small nod of approval, as if he could not fault her logic.
    “A woman alone might be kidnapped. It occurs there. If you were kidnapped, you would probably be sold. Once that happened, there would be nothing I or any of the French could do to save you. The Pasha himself could not demand your return.” His black eyes showed a shine of concern, which heartened her.
    “That is why you will be with me. Who would dare to kidnap me if I am with a Mameluke?” It was her final point and she saw that she had his attention.
    He scowled. “It would be very dangerous.”
    “Roustam-Raza, my husband is accused of a serious crime. The crime would disgrace him if he’s found guilty. I cannot sit idly by and do nothing. If there’s danger for me, think how much greater the danger is for him.” She raised her chin stubbornly, daring him to refuse her.
    “I will consider it,” he informed her.
    The second time she discussed it with him, she found him more tractable.
    “It would not be wise to go at night.” He folded his arms, intending to make her reconsider.
    “He does not usually return until noon of the following day. We will leave here before dawn and be in Cairo before he leaves, but after first light.” She cocked her head to the side. “Would that suit you?”
    “There is a great risk,” he insisted.
    “We’ve been through this, Roustam-Raza. If you have no other argument, then let us return to how you must conduct yourself during treaty or peace negotiations.” She reached for the notebook she carried, but allowed him to stop her.
    “I do not want to be the one who must report your abduction. You are asking that of me.” His face was lined and worried.