Читать книгу Creatures of the Chase - Mikail - L. M. Ollie - Страница 9

Jack stood by the gate leading into the fenced enclosure; an enclosure which contained the graves of Yusuf Sarquazi, his mother and his uncle. The mounded earth was planted by Sarah with three different varieties of ivy, one for each grave in the hope that in time the plants would meet and mingle, uniting in death a brother and a sister, an uncle and a nephew, a mother and her son. The plants it seemed were eager to please her because they had managed in a very short space of time to do precisely what she wished them to do. The shimmering, multi-coloured and multi-patterned leaves were far more beautiful than the zellij tilework which Jack had seen in various mausoleums and cemeteries throughout Morocco.

Yusuf Sarquazi’s sudden death was tragic yes, but it was also a tragedy. Jack’s English teacher in high school was something of a drama buff so the definition of a true classical tragedy was drill into Jack and his classmates on more than one occasion. It was also one of the questions on his final exam. Define tragedy in the classical sense.

A play/film in which the protagonist, usually a man of importance and outstanding personal qualities, falls to disaster through the combination of a personal failing and circumstances with which he cannot deal.

Jack had it down pat and even managed an A grade on the paper.

He stared at Sarquazi’s grave. ‘Why did you insist on having the martingale removed? Why didn’t you trust that Ian McIver knew what was best? If the horse had been wearing it then …’

‘It is the will of Allah,’ Mirah had said, trying to comfort him, ‘and we are not to seek to know the why of it. Your Christian prayer, it too says Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Is this not true Jack?’

‘Yes, it’s true.’

Ian had told Carl Emery that Sarquazi seemed to be showing off in front of Sarah. Ordering Ian to remove the martingale; treating him like a servant or a slave even. And, when Sarah tried to change his mind he rounded on her and cut her short with a warning glance. Ian admitted that he was openly embarrassed for her because it was obvious that this wasn’t the first time Sarquazi had treated her like that.

‘Do not interfere again in that which I do.’

*****

‘Jack Mulphy,’ Sarah said, smiling despite the fact that saying goodbye to Richard and Yusuf, even for a little while, had distressed her greatly, ‘this is a pleasant surprise.’

Jack whipped his baseball cap off his head and returned her smile. She was as beautiful as ever, tall and slender with a wealth of hair the colour of fire. And her eyes: twin emeralds. She was elegantly dressed in an ivory-coloured suit. Around her neck a magnificent set of real pearls: a gift from Richard in a long-ago time.

‘Hello ma’am, nice to see you again. I guess I would have stayed with the ship but … I found his Mercedes in the forward hold and, quite frankly ma’am, I couldn’t resist.’ The smile faded. ‘Abran and I, we both tried everything, hoping that the Council would allow you more time but … they wanted the lord Sarquazi’s children returned immediately and there was nothing more we could do. The gathering of the Benghazi families has been proclaimed and so it must be. I’m sorry.’

‘I understand. I can’t pretend that I am not extremely anxious about this move Mr. Mulphy but equally I can see advantages for all my children in a wider world. Hopefully we can negotiate an arrangement whereby they can enjoy both cultures.’

‘Yes, I’m sure something can be arranged.’

Behind Sarah stood a strongly built man with curly black hair and a Mediterranean complexion. Jack guessed his age to be around twenty-eight and he also guessed that he was ex-SAS. You can always tell. He was immaculately dressed in a dark grey suit, white shirt and ultra-conservative tie and he was eyeing Jack, his jeans, his psychedelic tee-shirt, tan-coloured leather jacket, expensive running shoes and Yankee’s baseball cap; the whole ensemble with a great deal of suspicion.

Recognizing this, Jack made a mental note to spiff up a bit, especially around her.

Introductions were in order. ‘Mr. David Rossi, this is Mr. Jack Mulphy. Mr. Mulphy is Comptroller of Sarquazi Enterprises International. He is also a personal friend.’ Rossi was instantly impressed. ‘Mr. Rossi is one of two bodyguards Mr. Mulphy. You will shortly meet Mr. Craig Heywood who is also dedicated to the protection of not only my person but my children as well.’ Jack and David shook hands.

‘Well, we had best get back to the house now Mr. Rossi. Mr. Mulphy, you are welcome to join us for lunch then we must depart.’

‘Thank you ma’am, I would be delighted.’ Jack checked the time. ‘I ah … if you don’t mind ma’am I’d like to hang back for a bit. Say hello and then goodbye – again.’

She nodded as her eyes drifted to Sarquazi’s grave. ‘The ivy has done well hasn’t it?’