Respected Sir, Wedding Song, the Search by Naguib Mahfouz
Coffee and more coffee to alleviate the rigors of a sleepless night. He watched the telephone through a cloud of cigarette smoke. When will Karima ring? A heavy downpour lasted for a few minutes, leaving the streets soaked and muddy. Karima, silent as the dead, not realizing his agony. Heavy drinking, sleepless nights, nightmares. All this will leave traces on you, easily observed by watchful eyes. As for Karima, she doesn’t care. One of the residents approached his table and asked if he might share it with him. The lounge was very crowded. He must be the last of the residents who were here when it happened. Obviously he is seeking some juicy gossip.
“They’ve arrested the killer,” the man said.
“Yes, I know,” said Saber, hiding his fear and annoyance behind a smile.
“Aly Seriakous?”
“Yes.”
“Theft was the motive, I believe,” said the man, settling comfortably into his chair. “I was wrong.”
“What did you think?”
“Well, to be quite frank, I always suspect women.”
Saber looked at him sharply; he continued: “A beautiful young woman who stands to inherit a good-sized fortune.”
“I thought of the same thing,” said Saber, feeling his nerves almost twanging with fear. Did the investigator think the same? But Karima is silent, like death. The telephone does not ring. The rain, cold, and mud haven’t silenced the beggar’s singing. Mohamed el-Sawi called him, pointing to the telephone. He got up and moved toward it with heavy, tortured steps.
“Hello?”
“Saber?”
Never did he think that he would hear her voice while in such a state of despair. “Elham. How are you?”
“Am I disturbing you?”
“No. No. You’ll see for yourself I’ve been sick. I’ll wait for you today.”
He must get her out of his life, no matter how painful it is. He must get her out of the mud he is floundering in. They met. There she was, ignorant of everything, smiling reproachfully. How could he love so deeply and sincerely?
“Don’t you feel guilty?” she asked, smiling. He couldn’t answer. She took off her gloves and sat down.
“That cold must really have affected you.”
“It was a nasty bout with the flu.”
“And no one to take care of you?”
“No one at all.”
“Did you see a doctor?”
“No. I just let it run its course.”
“Good. You must drink a lot of juice. It’s good for you.”
They ate in silence, her eyes never leaving him.
“I thought many times of coming to visit you.”
“Thank God you didn’t,” he almost snapped.
She shrugged her shoulders, but didn’t pursue the matter further. Then, full of enthusiasm, she said, “I haven’t wasted a minute.”
Oh! The pain you cause, Elham! Why don’t you go away? “You’re an angel,” he said quietly.
“Don’t you believe me?” she chirped, her eyes dancing with joy. “Well, you’re about to start…we are about to start a new life. What do you say to that?”
He tried desperately to overcome his gloom. “I say that you are an angel, and me, I’m a crippled beast.”
“The capital you need,” she continued, undaunted, “is now available.”
“Capital?”
“Yes. All that I’ve saved for the future. Also some of the jewelry I never wear. It’s not a fortune, but it’s quite sufficient. I asked people in the know, and believe me, we’ll start out on solid ground.”
Are such miracles possible? In your wildest dreams you never thought this could happen. Money without crime, and love to top it all. Resurrect the old man and awaken from your nightmare! He sighed woefully. “Elham, the more you do for me, the more I’m convinced that I’m not worthy of you.”
“Stop trying to be a poet. There’s no time.”
Her happiness is burning like a bright flame. To extinguish it will be your second crime. But she is reaching out for something that does not exist. You never dreamed that there was such a simple solution to your problems. Well, there you have love, freedom, honor, peace of mind. And where do you stand? So much, so late.
“Why are you so pensive? I expected you to jump with joy.”
The time has come! “I told you many times that I was not worthy of you; why didn’t you believe me?”
“I expected you to jump with joy.”
“It’s too late,” he almost wailed.
“Oh my God, you don’t love me.”
“Elham. Things are much more complicated. I loved you at first sight. But who am I?”
“Don’t tell me about your father, your poverty, or your worthiness.”
Oh, the hell I’m going through. There’s no other way but to tell the truth.
“You are still suffering from the flu. You’re sitting with me, but where is Saber? The Saber I knew when we first met?”
“Don’t ever ask that question again.”
“If you’re ill…”
“No. It’s not illness.”
“Then what, what? What is the matter? Why did you say it’s too late?” She was very close to tears.
“Did I say that?”
“Just a few seconds ago.”
“I mean only one thing. I’m not worthy of you.”
“Don’t be idiotic. I love you,” she said angrily.
“That’s my crime. Unfortunately we thought only of love.”
“And why is that a crime?”
“Because I should have told you the truth about myself.”
“You did. And I accepted it.”
“I spoke of my father, but…” Then bitterly he continued: “But not about my mother.”
She looked at him defiantly. “I love you, you. Your past has got nothing to do with it.”
“You must listen.”
“For God’s sake, let her rest in peace.”
“All of Alexandria knows what I’m going to tell you.”
Then with vehemence mixed with bitterness and sorrow, he burst out: “She ended her days in jail!”
She started, disbelievingly, as if she were looking at a madman.
“Now do you understand?” Swallowing hard, he continued: “The government confiscated all her property, and that is the reason for my poverty. She left me with a hope that has destroyed me.” The shock was brutal. But she’ll recover. “I have no right to love someone like you. Only the loose women I’ve known all my life. But what could I do? I was helpless in my love for you.”
She was silent. Struck dumb. That’s good. No questions. Otherwise, you would have had to tell the whole story.
“My pure love for you is my only compensation. All my life I’ve spent in sin. It’s the only thing I can do. Sin.”
The biggest hurdle is now behind you. You almost feel happy. Oh, if only night wouldn’t fall. Probably the investigator knows all these things by now. He got up and left without a word.
The telephone rang the following afternoon. “Elham!”
A low quivering voice said, “Saber. I just want to say that all you said yesterday, well, it doesn’t change anything.”
Fifteen
Elham. You’re nothing but a constant torturing pain. As for Karima, you are linked in a bloody tie that will be broken only with death. Your need for her is like a maddening hunger that keeps you in a constant hell. You’ll find a way of contacting her. You must!
The best thing we can do then will be to sell the hotel and live in some other town. You will lead a passionate, spontaneous, carefree life, not like Elham, whose voice calls for a change in your life and causes you endless pain. But when will Karima contact him? What happens after the money runs out? He would accept any job, even Seriakous’, just to wait for Karima. I wonder, are they going to hang him? Poor Seriakous! You’ve killed a man with your own hands; no harm in killing another, but using different hands. When, when will this nightmare be over?
Before leaving the hotel, Elham telephoned him.
“Are you going to renew the advertisement?” She sounded subdued.
“No,” he replied wearily.
“I asked someone to find out if he’s got an unlisted number,” she said softly.
“And of course he didn’t find anything.”
“No, unfortunately.”
“Don’t worry about it,” he sighed.
“We’ve got correspondents in other towns. They’re inquiring as to his whereabouts.”
“I don’t know how to thank you, Elham.”
“Aren’t you thinking of coming to pay us a visit?” she asked shyly.
“No,” he replied firmly. “I’m thinking of your welfare.”
“I wonder how you are taking all this.”
“I told you, it doesn’t matter to me.”
“It does to me,” she whispered.
They lost contact after this. The pain was unbearable. What’s the use of beauty in a world soiled with blood? Her eyes can only see what is beautiful. They are blind to ugliness.
Sawi saw him on his way out and smiled. Saber smiled back nervously. The man offered him a seat. He sat hiding his impatience and tension.
“Are you in a hurry?” asked the old doorman.
“No, not at all. I’ve got nothing to do.”
“Then stay a while. To tell you the truth, I feel very lonely after the death of Mr. Khalil. I’ve no one to talk to.”
“What about your sons?”
“They’re not in Cairo.”
There were only two guests in the lounge. The traffic noises drowned out the beggar’s chant.
“Anything new turn up?” asked Saber.
“I’ve got a friend on the force. He seems to know, although he brags a bit.”
“What does he say?”
“Aly Seriakous. They’ve found no one else.”
“Perhaps he confessed?”
“I don’t know.”
“He was tempted by petty thievery.”
“He denied the theft.”
“But he had already confessed to it,” Saber said, as though defending himself.
“Yes, but later he denied it.”
“But they found the money at his home.”
“He said the wife gave it to him.”
“Mr. Khalil’s wife?”
“Yes.”
“But why?”
“Charity, maybe.”
“But did she give charity to the other servants?”
“No. All the others were questioned. He’s the only one.”
“That’s very strange,” said Saber, swallowing hard.
“What is stranger still is that he then confessed again to the theft.”
“And what about the so-called charity?”
“He said that she normally gave him tips for jobs that she wanted done. He saw where she kept the money, and this tempted him.”
“He went to steal, and he killed.”
“That’s it, I think.”
“What does the investigator think?”
“Who knows? But they seem convinced that he’s the murderer.”
“He has probably confessed,” Saber said hopefully.
“Probably.”
“No doubt the lady used to tip him.”
“Perhaps.”
“But why did he deny it and then confess?”
“Who knows?”
“There must be another facet to the problem.”
“Ah. Who can be sure?”
For the first time he inspected the old man’s face. Green, faded eyes. The closer he looked, the more he felt that he was seeing a new face, forgetting the old one. “Do you think that there is another facet?” asked Saber.
“How can I know?” replied Sawi, showing no interest in the matter.
Yes! That’s how men will feel approaching the gates of hell! “You know much more than you’re willing to tell,” said Saber cunningly.
“I’m afraid that the opposite is more correct.”
“Did they ask the wife any more questions?”
“The officer called her more than once.”
“Did Seriakous’ statement have anything to do with that?”
“Yes.”
“Do you have confidence in your friend? The one who gave you this news?”
“But she said so herself.”
“The wife?”
“Yes. She was here yesterday evening.”
She chose a time when he would be out! That cunning, wicked devil! Of what consequence can the investigation be compared with his predicament? Beware; the old man might read more than just curiosity into your questions. But how can I avoid these burning questions?
“Did she speak about her gift to Seriakous?”
“Yes, it was only charity, of course.”
“That’s reasonable.”
“Why?”
“Aly Seriakous doesn’t strike me as a man…”
“Are you aware of these things?” asked Sawi.
“Not every man is capable.”
“But I’ve lived far longer than you,” said the old man.
“Are you doubting her character?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Then you are confident she’s honest?”
The old man closed his eyes sadly. “I don’t doubt her, I know.”
Observe how matters are being revealed. Your investigation is proving more successful than the real investigation!
“Then she is dishonest?”
“Unfortunately…Yes…”
“Did you know this before your friend’s death?”
“Yes, but I cared for his peace of mind more than the truth.”
“Did you give your opinion in the investigation?”
“Of course.”
“You mentioned the relationship between her and Aly Seriakous?”
“Aly Seriakous…I’m not thinking of him.”
Was this the trap? And had he fallen for it? “We were talking about him.”
“Yes, but then we talked about her.”
“As the other party.”
“No. There is another man.”
Can her fires consume more than one man? Of course they can! It is known as hell!
“Another man?”
“Her previous husband.”
“The man who sold her,” said Saber breathlessly.
“It was merely a business deal.”
“But how do you know all this?”
“I saw him several times at her mother’s house when I was there.”
Hell’s gates were opened wide. “And you didn’t mention it to anyone?”
“It would have killed my master to know.”
“He was killed in spite of it.”
“Yes, and that’s the tragedy.”
“Why did he allow those visits?”
“His age destroyed his ability to doubt.”
“You also mentioned this during the investigation?”
“I did.”
“Did they question the other man?”
“He was not in Cairo on the night of the murder.”
“That doesn’t preclude that he planned it.”
“Yes, that’s true. But they let him go.”
“Why?”
“They have their reasons, I suppose.”
“They must have used the servant with incredible cunning.”
“Or some other idiot like him.”
Saber swallowed hard. “Maybe these are all groundless doubts.”
“Perhaps,” said Sawi, noncommittally.
“But you said that you’re sure.”
“Maybe I used the wrong expression.”
“Well, we’re back where we started.”
The old man shook his head gravely. “My heart tells me that my doubts are well founded.”
“But there might not be any connection between her adultery and the crime.”
“That’s possible. Otherwise they wouldn’t have let them go.”
“In any case, Seriakous has served the
m well,” said Saber spitefully.
“If he’s the murderer.”
“Do you doubt that?”
“Everything is possible.”
“Sometimes I think that you don’t believe it.”
“And why not? You remember what I told you about that errand boy?”
“Maybe he’s the killer.”
The old man sighed. “I think that the killer will strike again. Perhaps not right away. But he’ll strike again.”
You’ll not sleep a wink until you question her yourself. What a devil of a woman. But she’d be a fool if she thinks she can trick you. She knows that you can kill. But how to find her?
“Her previous husband,” said the old man, “didn’t plan the murder. Otherwise they wouldn’t have let him off so quickly. But the other crime…”
“He’s her cousin,” Saber interrupted, “and it’s not strange that he should visit her.”
“Actually, I had my doubts long ago. Her mother used to live very near here, and her husband would take her there whenever she wanted. Then suddenly the mother moved to number twenty Sahil Street, in Zeitoun, miles away. Why? I could find no logical reason except that the wife could use it as an excuse to spend some days at her mother’s. Mr. Khalil objected at first, but then gave in.”
How easy it all was! Number twenty Sahil Street, Zeitoun. No effort at all.
Saber was now lost in a raging tempest of madness. The smell of blood was strong in his nostrils.
Sixteen
He knew he was being watched; otherwise he would have gone immediately to Zeitoun. Patience and a plan were both required. Sawi was sitting in the old man’s, the dead man’s, chair. For a moment Saber thought it was Khalil, then for the first time the truth of his actions hit him with a ferocious impact: he had taken a life.
I wonder if Khalil is thinking of me now? If he can, what thoughts must be passing through his mind?
He greeted Sawi, who returned the greeting quickly and looked back into the register, as though he had forgotten yesterday’s conversation.
He took his breakfast in the lounge, halfheartedly, without any appetite. Karima. No one is going to make a fool of me. Karima will not escape me. She can try what she will, but the hangman’s rope is in my hands. Nothing seemed changed in the lounge, the same chatter about war and money, and outside, the beggar chanting. Elham was on the phone.
“Can I see you today just for a few minutes?”
“I can’t.”
“They’ve arrested the killer,” the man said.
“Yes, I know,” said Saber, hiding his fear and annoyance behind a smile.
“Aly Seriakous?”
“Yes.”
“Theft was the motive, I believe,” said the man, settling comfortably into his chair. “I was wrong.”
“What did you think?”
“Well, to be quite frank, I always suspect women.”
Saber looked at him sharply; he continued: “A beautiful young woman who stands to inherit a good-sized fortune.”
“I thought of the same thing,” said Saber, feeling his nerves almost twanging with fear. Did the investigator think the same? But Karima is silent, like death. The telephone does not ring. The rain, cold, and mud haven’t silenced the beggar’s singing. Mohamed el-Sawi called him, pointing to the telephone. He got up and moved toward it with heavy, tortured steps.
“Hello?”
“Saber?”
Never did he think that he would hear her voice while in such a state of despair. “Elham. How are you?”
“Am I disturbing you?”
“No. No. You’ll see for yourself I’ve been sick. I’ll wait for you today.”
He must get her out of his life, no matter how painful it is. He must get her out of the mud he is floundering in. They met. There she was, ignorant of everything, smiling reproachfully. How could he love so deeply and sincerely?
“Don’t you feel guilty?” she asked, smiling. He couldn’t answer. She took off her gloves and sat down.
“That cold must really have affected you.”
“It was a nasty bout with the flu.”
“And no one to take care of you?”
“No one at all.”
“Did you see a doctor?”
“No. I just let it run its course.”
“Good. You must drink a lot of juice. It’s good for you.”
They ate in silence, her eyes never leaving him.
“I thought many times of coming to visit you.”
“Thank God you didn’t,” he almost snapped.
She shrugged her shoulders, but didn’t pursue the matter further. Then, full of enthusiasm, she said, “I haven’t wasted a minute.”
Oh! The pain you cause, Elham! Why don’t you go away? “You’re an angel,” he said quietly.
“Don’t you believe me?” she chirped, her eyes dancing with joy. “Well, you’re about to start…we are about to start a new life. What do you say to that?”
He tried desperately to overcome his gloom. “I say that you are an angel, and me, I’m a crippled beast.”
“The capital you need,” she continued, undaunted, “is now available.”
“Capital?”
“Yes. All that I’ve saved for the future. Also some of the jewelry I never wear. It’s not a fortune, but it’s quite sufficient. I asked people in the know, and believe me, we’ll start out on solid ground.”
Are such miracles possible? In your wildest dreams you never thought this could happen. Money without crime, and love to top it all. Resurrect the old man and awaken from your nightmare! He sighed woefully. “Elham, the more you do for me, the more I’m convinced that I’m not worthy of you.”
“Stop trying to be a poet. There’s no time.”
Her happiness is burning like a bright flame. To extinguish it will be your second crime. But she is reaching out for something that does not exist. You never dreamed that there was such a simple solution to your problems. Well, there you have love, freedom, honor, peace of mind. And where do you stand? So much, so late.
“Why are you so pensive? I expected you to jump with joy.”
The time has come! “I told you many times that I was not worthy of you; why didn’t you believe me?”
“I expected you to jump with joy.”
“It’s too late,” he almost wailed.
“Oh my God, you don’t love me.”
“Elham. Things are much more complicated. I loved you at first sight. But who am I?”
“Don’t tell me about your father, your poverty, or your worthiness.”
Oh, the hell I’m going through. There’s no other way but to tell the truth.
“You are still suffering from the flu. You’re sitting with me, but where is Saber? The Saber I knew when we first met?”
“Don’t ever ask that question again.”
“If you’re ill…”
“No. It’s not illness.”
“Then what, what? What is the matter? Why did you say it’s too late?” She was very close to tears.
“Did I say that?”
“Just a few seconds ago.”
“I mean only one thing. I’m not worthy of you.”
“Don’t be idiotic. I love you,” she said angrily.
“That’s my crime. Unfortunately we thought only of love.”
“And why is that a crime?”
“Because I should have told you the truth about myself.”
“You did. And I accepted it.”
“I spoke of my father, but…” Then bitterly he continued: “But not about my mother.”
She looked at him defiantly. “I love you, you. Your past has got nothing to do with it.”
“You must listen.”
“For God’s sake, let her rest in peace.”
“All of Alexandria knows what I’m going to tell you.”
Then with vehemence mixed with bitterness and sorrow, he burst out: “She ended her days in jail!”
She started, disbelievingly, as if she were looking at a madman.
“Now do you understand?” Swallowing hard, he continued: “The government confiscated all her property, and that is the reason for my poverty. She left me with a hope that has destroyed me.” The shock was brutal. But she’ll recover. “I have no right to love someone like you. Only the loose women I’ve known all my life. But what could I do? I was helpless in my love for you.”
She was silent. Struck dumb. That’s good. No questions. Otherwise, you would have had to tell the whole story.
“My pure love for you is my only compensation. All my life I’ve spent in sin. It’s the only thing I can do. Sin.”
The biggest hurdle is now behind you. You almost feel happy. Oh, if only night wouldn’t fall. Probably the investigator knows all these things by now. He got up and left without a word.
The telephone rang the following afternoon. “Elham!”
A low quivering voice said, “Saber. I just want to say that all you said yesterday, well, it doesn’t change anything.”
Fifteen
Elham. You’re nothing but a constant torturing pain. As for Karima, you are linked in a bloody tie that will be broken only with death. Your need for her is like a maddening hunger that keeps you in a constant hell. You’ll find a way of contacting her. You must!
The best thing we can do then will be to sell the hotel and live in some other town. You will lead a passionate, spontaneous, carefree life, not like Elham, whose voice calls for a change in your life and causes you endless pain. But when will Karima contact him? What happens after the money runs out? He would accept any job, even Seriakous’, just to wait for Karima. I wonder, are they going to hang him? Poor Seriakous! You’ve killed a man with your own hands; no harm in killing another, but using different hands. When, when will this nightmare be over?
Before leaving the hotel, Elham telephoned him.
“No,” he replied wearily.
“I asked someone to find out if he’s got an unlisted number,” she said softly.
“And of course he didn’t find anything.”
“No, unfortunately.”
“Don’t worry about it,” he sighed.
“We’ve got correspondents in other towns. They’re inquiring as to his whereabouts.”
“I don’t know how to thank you, Elham.”
“Aren’t you thinking of coming to pay us a visit?” she asked shyly.
“No,” he replied firmly. “I’m thinking of your welfare.”
“I wonder how you are taking all this.”
“I told you, it doesn’t matter to me.”
“It does to me,” she whispered.
They lost contact after this. The pain was unbearable. What’s the use of beauty in a world soiled with blood? Her eyes can only see what is beautiful. They are blind to ugliness.
Sawi saw him on his way out and smiled. Saber smiled back nervously. The man offered him a seat. He sat hiding his impatience and tension.
“Are you in a hurry?” asked the old doorman.
“No, not at all. I’ve got nothing to do.”
“Then stay a while. To tell you the truth, I feel very lonely after the death of Mr. Khalil. I’ve no one to talk to.”
“What about your sons?”
“They’re not in Cairo.”
There were only two guests in the lounge. The traffic noises drowned out the beggar’s chant.
“Anything new turn up?” asked Saber.
“I’ve got a friend on the force. He seems to know, although he brags a bit.”
“What does he say?”
“Aly Seriakous. They’ve found no one else.”
“Perhaps he confessed?”
“I don’t know.”
“He was tempted by petty thievery.”
“He denied the theft.”
“But he had already confessed to it,” Saber said, as though defending himself.
“Yes, but later he denied it.”
“But they found the money at his home.”
“He said the wife gave it to him.”
“Mr. Khalil’s wife?”
“Yes.”
“But why?”
“Charity, maybe.”
“But did she give charity to the other servants?”
“No. All the others were questioned. He’s the only one.”
“That’s very strange,” said Saber, swallowing hard.
“What is stranger still is that he then confessed again to the theft.”
“And what about the so-called charity?”
“He said that she normally gave him tips for jobs that she wanted done. He saw where she kept the money, and this tempted him.”
“He went to steal, and he killed.”
“That’s it, I think.”
“What does the investigator think?”
“Who knows? But they seem convinced that he’s the murderer.”
“He has probably confessed,” Saber said hopefully.
“Probably.”
“No doubt the lady used to tip him.”
“Perhaps.”
“But why did he deny it and then confess?”
“Who knows?”
“There must be another facet to the problem.”
“Ah. Who can be sure?”
For the first time he inspected the old man’s face. Green, faded eyes. The closer he looked, the more he felt that he was seeing a new face, forgetting the old one. “Do you think that there is another facet?” asked Saber.
“How can I know?” replied Sawi, showing no interest in the matter.
Yes! That’s how men will feel approaching the gates of hell! “You know much more than you’re willing to tell,” said Saber cunningly.
“I’m afraid that the opposite is more correct.”
“Did they ask the wife any more questions?”
“The officer called her more than once.”
“Did Seriakous’ statement have anything to do with that?”
“Yes.”
“Do you have confidence in your friend? The one who gave you this news?”
“But she said so herself.”
“The wife?”
“Yes. She was here yesterday evening.”
She chose a time when he would be out! That cunning, wicked devil! Of what consequence can the investigation be compared with his predicament? Beware; the old man might read more than just curiosity into your questions. But how can I avoid these burning questions?
“Did she speak about her gift to Seriakous?”
“Yes, it was only charity, of course.”
“That’s reasonable.”
“Why?”
“Aly Seriakous doesn’t strike me as a man…”
“Are you aware of these things?” asked Sawi.
“Not every man is capable.”
“But I’ve lived far longer than you,” said the old man.
“Are you doubting her character?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Then you are confident she’s honest?”
The old man closed his eyes sadly. “I don’t doubt her, I know.”
Observe how matters are being revealed. Your investigation is proving more successful than the real investigation!
“Then she is dishonest?”
“Unfortunately…Yes…”
“Did you know this before your friend’s death?”
“Yes, but I cared for his peace of mind more than the truth.”
“Did you give your opinion in the investigation?”
“Of course.”
“You mentioned the relationship between her and Aly Seriakous?”
“Aly Seriakous…I’m not thinking of him.”
Was this the trap? And had he fallen for it? “We were talking about him.”
“Yes, but then we talked about her.”
“As the other party.”
“No. There is another man.”
Can her fires consume more than one man? Of course they can! It is known as hell!
“Another man?”
“Her previous husband.”
“The man who sold her,” said Saber breathlessly.
“It was merely a business deal.”
“But how do you know all this?”
“I saw him several times at her mother’s house when I was there.”
Hell’s gates were opened wide. “And you didn’t mention it to anyone?”
“It would have killed my master to know.”
“He was killed in spite of it.”
“Yes, and that’s the tragedy.”
“Why did he allow those visits?”
“His age destroyed his ability to doubt.”
“You also mentioned this during the investigation?”
“I did.”
“Did they question the other man?”
“He was not in Cairo on the night of the murder.”
“That doesn’t preclude that he planned it.”
“Yes, that’s true. But they let him go.”
“Why?”
“They have their reasons, I suppose.”
“They must have used the servant with incredible cunning.”
“Or some other idiot like him.”
Saber swallowed hard. “Maybe these are all groundless doubts.”
“Perhaps,” said Sawi, noncommittally.
“But you said that you’re sure.”
“Maybe I used the wrong expression.”
“Well, we’re back where we started.”
The old man shook his head gravely. “My heart tells me that my doubts are well founded.”
“But there might not be any connection between her adultery and the crime.”
“That’s possible. Otherwise they wouldn’t have let them go.”
“In any case, Seriakous has served the
“If he’s the murderer.”
“Do you doubt that?”
“Everything is possible.”
“Sometimes I think that you don’t believe it.”
“And why not? You remember what I told you about that errand boy?”
“Maybe he’s the killer.”
The old man sighed. “I think that the killer will strike again. Perhaps not right away. But he’ll strike again.”
You’ll not sleep a wink until you question her yourself. What a devil of a woman. But she’d be a fool if she thinks she can trick you. She knows that you can kill. But how to find her?
“Her previous husband,” said the old man, “didn’t plan the murder. Otherwise they wouldn’t have let him off so quickly. But the other crime…”
“He’s her cousin,” Saber interrupted, “and it’s not strange that he should visit her.”
“Actually, I had my doubts long ago. Her mother used to live very near here, and her husband would take her there whenever she wanted. Then suddenly the mother moved to number twenty Sahil Street, in Zeitoun, miles away. Why? I could find no logical reason except that the wife could use it as an excuse to spend some days at her mother’s. Mr. Khalil objected at first, but then gave in.”
How easy it all was! Number twenty Sahil Street, Zeitoun. No effort at all.
Saber was now lost in a raging tempest of madness. The smell of blood was strong in his nostrils.
Sixteen
He knew he was being watched; otherwise he would have gone immediately to Zeitoun. Patience and a plan were both required. Sawi was sitting in the old man’s, the dead man’s, chair. For a moment Saber thought it was Khalil, then for the first time the truth of his actions hit him with a ferocious impact: he had taken a life.
I wonder if Khalil is thinking of me now? If he can, what thoughts must be passing through his mind?
He greeted Sawi, who returned the greeting quickly and looked back into the register, as though he had forgotten yesterday’s conversation.
He took his breakfast in the lounge, halfheartedly, without any appetite. Karima. No one is going to make a fool of me. Karima will not escape me. She can try what she will, but the hangman’s rope is in my hands. Nothing seemed changed in the lounge, the same chatter about war and money, and outside, the beggar chanting. Elham was on the phone.
“Can I see you today just for a few minutes?”
“I can’t.”