“With four of his brothers,” muttered Emerson. He looked at his plate with a puzzled expression. “How did this appear?”

“Eat while it is warm,” I said. “Nefret, my dear girl, you must stop blaming yourself. No one could have anticipated Geoffrey’s dark side. Have you spoken to Herr Morgenstern this morning?”

“He continues to recuperate. I asked if he would like to have breakfast with us, but he declined and went back to sleep.” She spread butter and marmalade on a pita and began to nibble. “I will encourage him to join us for tea.”

“An excellent idea,” I murmured as I sipped coffee and considered my next plan. “Nefret, I will need you this morning at the excavation. I told the German girl, Liezel, that I would help her make arrangements to have von Raubritter’s body returned to his hometown. Once I have interrogated her, it might be best for you to accompany her to Minya to deal with the authorities.”

Emerson banged down his coffee cup. “I need Nefret at the site to assist with the photography. I cannot have her running little errands that very well might take up the rest of the day.”

“Shall I go?” I asked sweetly. “Does that mean that you will accompany us, too?”

“Don’t be ridiculous!” he sputtered. “Morgenstern remains incapacitated. Until he regains his senses, which might take weeks or months, I am in charge. You have promised to remain at my side until the fifth—and I hope last—assassin has been rendered harmless.”

“I will instruct one of the cabin stewards to restrain Herr Morgenstern,” Nefret said without enthusiasm, “and go with Liezel to deal with the preliminary paperwork. Selim and I can discuss the best placement of the cameras and reflective screens when we first arrive at the site.”

Emerson’s brow was furrowed, but he merely rumbled under his breath. I retreated to our cabin, changed into my practical clothing, and went to the kitchen to have a word with Fatima about nourishment for our unwanted houseguest. Emerson and Nefret had already disembarked and were waiting for me at the end of the pier. Daoud followed me closely as I joined them. I suspected, given the opportunity, he would be breathing down my neck the rest of the day. He would not.