Seven Dials Page 0,59
Ryerson would give full and satisfactory answers to the police.
By the time the first lamplighters were out, Ryerson was to all effect under arrest.
Pitt did not need to be sent for to return to Narraway's office. He had no further news of any worth, and he did not even bother to reveal the little he had, merely a few more acquaintances from the Eden Lodge visitors' book cleared of any involvement. There were only half a dozen or so still unaccounted for.
He stood in front of Narraway's desk, waiting for him to speak.
"Yes... I know," Narraway said, his jaw tight, his eyes focused on the polished desk in front of him, piled with papers, every one facedown. "I don't imagine he'll tell the police anything he hasn't already told you."
"He doesn't know me," Pitt pointed out, although he felt inexplicably as if he did know Ryerson. He could bring back to memory his face precisely, every line and shadow, the urgency and emotion in his voice, and his own sense of involvement as Ryerson had tried to explain his actions, and what he would do if Ayesha Zakhari came to trial. "He had no reason to trust me more than the circumstances forced him to," Pitt went on. "He might say more to you." He did not add that Ryerson and Narraway were of the same social class, the same culture and understanding, because it was implicit.
Narraway ignored it. He opened his desk drawer and took out a small metal box. It appeared to have no key and he simply opened it and withdrew a handful of Treasury notes. There must have been a hundred pounds' worth at least. "I'll attend to pursuing the London evidence," he said, still not looking at Pitt. "Leave me your notes. You are going to Alexandria to find out what you can about the woman, and Lovat when he was there."
Pitt drew in his breath in amazement. It was a moment before he could find his tongue.
Narraway had apparently already counted out the money, because he took no notice of it now but simply laid it on the desk.
"But I know nothing about Egypt!" Pitt protested. "I can't speak whatever language it is they use there! I-"
"You'll get by very well with English," Narraway cut across him. "And I don't have anyone who's an expert in Egyptian affairs. You are a good detective. Find out about Lovat, but mostly learn everything you can about the woman-her background, her life, what she believes, what she wants, who she knows and cares about. See if there is anything Lovat could have blackmailed her over." His expression flickered with distaste. "Why did she come to England anyway? Who is her family? Has she lovers in Egypt, money, loyalties, religious or political ideals?"
Pitt stared at him in slowly dawning comprehension as to the magnitude of what he was being asked to do. It overwhelmed him. He had no idea how even to begin, let alone weigh any conclusion. He knew nothing about Egypt except fragments he had picked up in conversation, newspapers, and a little more recently about the cotton grown there. He did not know the city of Alexandria; he would be utterly lost. The climate would be nothing like London, or the food, the clothes, the customs.
And yet at the same moment as fear gripped him, so did a kind of excitement which grew with each second, and the words of acceptance were on his lips before he had thought clearly of how he could succeed.
"Yes, sir. What is the best way? Thomas Cook?"
The shadow of a smile touched Narraway's lips. "It was an order, Pitt, not a request. Your only alternative would have been your resignation. But I'm pleased I did not have to make that point to you." At last he turned and looked up. His eyes were cautious, softer for a few minutes. "Be careful, Pitt. Egypt is not an easy place at the moment, and you are going there to probe into delicate issues. I want the information, but I would like you back alive. Your death in some back street would not reflect well on my professional reputation." He picked the money up from the top of the desk and with it a plain white envelope. "Here are your tickets, and what I believe will be sufficient funds. If you need more, go to Mr. Trenchard at the British Consulate, but don't trust him more than you have to."
Pitt took the