“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.

CHAPTER 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.”

“Give me a good reason why not.”

“I can’t.”

“Even if it has to do with your father?”

“My father?”

“Yes.”

“What do you mean?”

“Let’s meet today.”

“I can’t.” Even his father could not save him from the whirlpool of his fury.

“But it’s about your father. The object of your search.”

“So what?”

“Shall I come?”

“No,” he said impatiently. What news could she have? Anyway, what difference is it to him now? Zeitoun, that’s the objective. His father. That was probably a trick to get him to see her. He drank heavily. Cheap wine. Walking around trying to think of a plan to fool the watchful eyes.