YOU TO GET RID OF HER. YOU DIDN’T DO IT. YOU WERE TOO FRIGHTENED. NOW I MIGHT HAVE TO HANDLE IT.
She’d known she’d get the blame. It made her furious.
YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND. I WON’T GIVE UP WHAT I’VE WORKED FOR ALL MY LIFE BECAUSE YOU’RE IMPATIENT. IT COULD HAVE WORKED. FEAR AND PAIN ARE WEAPONS TOO. THEY JUST DIDN’T WORK ON DUNCAN. I’LL TRY SOMETHING ELSE.
The reply came explosively:
YOU’RE RIGHT, I AM IMPATIENT. YOU MADE ME PROMISES. YOU’RE NOT KEEPING THEM.
She couldn’t let him get away with that bullshit.
YOU MADE ME A PROMISE TOO. YOU SAID YOU’D GET IT BACK FOR ME AND YOU DIDN’T DO IT. IT’S MINE. I WANT IT BACK.
He didn’t answer, and Zahra began to get nervous. It was all very well to defend herself, but the result could be unpredictable.
STOP WHINING. IT’S ALREADY IN THE WORKS. BUT THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUR NOT GETTING RID OF DUNCAN. I’LL GIVE YOU A FEW DAYS BUT AFTER THAT I’LL TAKE OVER. DO YOU WANT THAT TO HAPPEN, ZAHRA?
The threat terrified her.
I’LL MAKE IT WORK. I’LL GET HER OUT OF THERE. JUST A LITTLE MORE TIME.
She had to wait for a full moment.
FOUR DAYS. SHOW ME YOU’RE NOT A COWARD AND WE’LL COME TO TERMS. OTHERWISE IT WILL BE MY TERMS.
The text conversation was clearly ended.
She drew a deep breath and tried to keep control. She had expected anger, not an ultimatum. But she could work with it. She would try to fix Duncan her way, but if necessary, she’d do whatever she had to do. The alternative was too dangerous to accept.
Four days…
Chapter
8
Robaku
8:40 P.M.
I’ve brought you dinner,” Jill announced from the doorway of the museum. Her arms were full of take-out sacks. “I’d bet you haven’t eaten today.”
“You’d lose,” Eve said. “I had a sandwich before that ghastly interview. I know I have to take care of myself when I’m working.”
“Well, this Chinese takeout is much better. It’s the only restaurant in Jokan that I’d trust to have genuine ingredients that have nothing to do with monkeys or reptiles.” She was taking cartons out of the bag and putting them on the worktable. “Sweet and sour soup and a bland beef lo mein. I figured your stomach might still be tender.”
“Good guess.” Eve was looking at the cartons. “But this isn’t necessary. I shouldn’t take the time.”
“Yes, you should. There’s no telling when you’ll allow yourself to eat after Novak dumps that skull in your lap. You know that’s true.” She smiled. “Besides, I hate to eat alone.” She set her own cartons on the desk. “So eat, and if you want an excuse while you’re doing it, so you won’t feel you’re wasting your time, ask me any questions you wish about Zahra Kiyani. Gideon told me that you were becoming very wary about Madam President. Since he let me read the Kiya journal, he thought that I’d be less likely to be biased.”
Eve gazed at her for a moment and reached for a carton and utensils. “You’re sure about the reptiles and monkeys?”
“I have a friend in their kitchen. He wouldn’t steer me wrong. Trust me.” Then she made a face. “You really can trust me, Eve. About everything.”
“Really?” Eve said noncommittally. Then she changed the subject. “Why didn’t you bring another meal for Gideon? Isn’t he still drifting around the village?”
“I didn’t see him. I think Novak sent him off to do something or other after he finished staging that interview.” She handed her a handful of paper napkins. “But don’t worry, Novak would have sent a man here to replace him.”
“I’m not worried. Though I’m sure Gideon would say that no one could replace him.” She tried the soup. “Excellent. Now tell me about Zahra. Gideon said that there was a possibility that she was to blame for my very painful morning yesterday. Do you agree?”
“I agree it’s a possibility. Zahra is capable of anything. How far would she go? I’d judge to the limit if she thought it safe. But she’s cautious, and she’d make certain that the end result would be worth any action she takes.” She was gazing thoughtfully down into her soup. “She’s into power, and she believes it’s her due. It’s all part of that royal bullshit she’s embraced since childhood.” She looked up at Eve. “Gideon told you she believes that she’s descended from Cleopatra?”
“Are we back to this Kiya again?” Eve asked impatiently. “I ask about Zahra, and I get a tall tale about