The Exodus Quest

IV

Naguib Hussein was on his way back to the Mallawi police station to make his report when he decided it might be as well to make a detour to Amarna, ask the people there if they'd heard anything about a missing young girl, if only to take the opportunity of introducing himself.

A tourist policeman was fooling around on his motorbike, gunning his engine, braking sharply, spraying huge arcs of dust and sand with his back wheel: entertainment for his officer and two comrades drinking chai on wooden benches beneath a makeshift sunshade. Naguib braced himself. Relations between the services were strained around here, each looking down on the other. He waited for the officer to acknowledge his arrival, but he continued to ignore him until Naguib's cheeks grew warm. He scowled and walked across the officer's line of sight, giving him no choice but to notice him, though he still didn't get up. 'Yes?' he asked.

Naguib nodded at the eastern crescent of hills. 'I've just come from the desert,' he said.

'If they'll pay you for it.'

'One of the guides took some tourists out last night. They found a girl.'

'A girl?' frowned the officer. 'How do you mean?'

'I mean they found her body. Wrapped in tarpaulin.'

The officer set down his glass, stood up. A tall man, beautifully presented, razor-cut hair, manicured nails, a silken moustache, making the most of his uniform. 'I hadn't heard,' he said, suddenly earnest, offering his hand. 'Captain Khaled Osman, at your service.'

'Inspector Naguib Hussein.'

'Are you new here, Inspector? I don't recall seeing you before.'

'Six weeks,' admitted Naguib. 'I was in Minya before.'

'You must have done something pretty bad to get posted here.'

Naguib gave a wry grunt. He'd been investigating military equipment on the black market, hadn't dropped it even when the trail had led him to the top, not even after he'd been warned off. He hated Egypt's culture of corruption. 'They told me it was a promotion,' he said.

'Yes,' agreed Khaled. 'They told me that, too.' He glanced around. 'You'll join us for some chai?'

Naguib shook his head. 'I need to get back to the station. I just thought I'd ask if you'd heard anything.'

Khaled shook his head. 'I'm sorry. I'll ask around, if you like. Keep an ear to the ground.'

'Thank you,' said Naguib. 'I'd be most grateful.' He returned to his Lada feeling cheered. His wife always said that a drop of courtesy could solve a world of ills. She knew what she was talking about, his wife.