“I don’t ever lose our bets,” I said.
“I shan’t dignify that with a reply. What do I get if you lose?”
“You don’t have to swim the Bosphorus.”
“Not enough,” he said. “If I win, you shall come to me dressed in Turkish robes and treat me like a sultan. Feed me peeled grapes. That sort of thing.”
I laughed. “The harem is not at all what you think.”
“Then I shall look forward to the disappointment to be found in victory,” he said.
“What sort of robes, exactly?” I asked.
“I’ll have to give the subject proper consideration. Diaphanous would be nice. Perhaps your new friend Bezime can guide you. I’d rather like to see you with a veil, if only so I can remove it.”
“Pity you’re making this a bet,” I said. “I didn’t have any plans for this evening.”
Chapter 4
“You are going to have to behave yourself. Do you understand?” Colin asked the next morning as he drained a glass of strong Turkish coffee before we started for the yalı’s dock. “No impulsive decisions, no walking into dangerous situations. The prime minister himself has approved your involvement in this case. You must remember at all times that you are working for the government.”
“You’ve told me a thousand times,” I said. “Am I so weak-minded that you think I’ll require two thousand?”
“Of course not. I do wish...” He sighed, holding open the French doors that led to the terrace. “Eventually we may have to consider a way for you to protect yourself.”
“Perhaps I need a pistol. A sword would be too heavy to drag about and particularly inconvenient when one is wearing evening dress.”
“I’m not joking, Emily. You’re very clever, and up to now have done an astonishing job relying on your wits alone. But there may come a time you need something more.”
“A pistol.” I must confess I rather liked the idea. “Maybe a Derringer?”