An Evil Eye

148

Yashim came slowly up the dark stairway.

At the top he paused.

The light was drifting from beneath the door, and he could hear voices beyond.

“They say that the Greeks did have a bridge,” Palewski said. “Under Justinian.”

“Maybe. Maybe not. There was an Italian, later on.”

“Leonardo da Vinci. It was never built.”

Fevzi Pasha spat. “I saw the plans. Too complex. It would never have worked.”

Yashim pushed the door. “Good evening,” he said, with a bow. “I’m afraid I was detained at the palace.” He advanced into the room. “Where’s Roxelana?”

Palewski came past him, to the door. “Marta!”