Page 97 of Sands of Sirocco
She thinks I’m doing this on purpose.
“You ruin everything.”Lucy managed after a few beats, then turned on her heel and ran back up the stairs.
Ginger turned back to face Stephen.They were relatively alone, but thankfully there were palace guards nearby.Some help, if necessary.“I have no quarrel with your mother and sister, Ginny.I don’t mean them any harm.In fact, I think it’s wise for them to leave right now.”
She gave him a hard stare.He knows about the bomb.“The people here tonight are innocent civilians, Stephen.”
His eyes flickered, but he looked pleased.“Then you’re aware of the imminent danger we’re all in.”
She lowered her voice.“These are people who you once considered friends.What good will this do?The nationalists have no more desire to be ruled by the Germans than they do by the British.”
Stephen gave a shrug.“I have no interest in the plans of nationalists.Or Germany.”Taking a meaningful step toward her, he ducked his chin.“For many months now, the only thing that’s interested me is returning every favor a certain colonel bestowed upon me.”
He reached for her but she stepped back, the heel of her shoe jutting against the bottom step.Her pulse increased.“Noah did nothing to you.You brought everything upon yourself.”
Stephen’s hand dropped to his side.“I see things differently.And really, what else matters but what people perceive?Truth is a tricky thing.All it takes is a few well-planted lies in the garden of the mind, and ideas sprout.Ideas that grow so tall that they shadow the sun.Until all anyone can remember is the dark.And everything else in that garden is forgotten.”
Ginger recoiled from his words.What is he planning?As she searched his gaze, Stephen squinted toward the chandeliers throwing light into the staircase.“In fact, because I know you’re so worried about these people, I’m going to give you a choice.Go now, to the cellar, and find that device you’re worried about.Save them.It’s in the wine cellar.”
He must be lying.Why would he tell her?She caught her breath.“Or?”
“Or find your lover.Tell him I planned it all from the start.That he would be involved in the assault of a British officer.That he would supply a missing lorry of arms to a nationalist group.And tonight, his attempt to blow up Abdin Palace.And then he’ll be the traitor.”
What was he talking about?She only knew about Captain Young.She furrowed her brow.How did he possibly think he could make Noah culpable of so many crimes?“No one will ever believe you—”
“Won’t they?”Stephen adjusted his bow tie, as though it were loose around his neck.
“No, they won’t.Whatever Noah has done was for Lord Helton—”
“You mean Lord Reginald Helton, of course?As in the man who freed me from prison just days ago?Who signed papers swearing his knowledge of Noah Benson’s intent to frame me for all his own crimes and illicit activities?Helton, a man desperate enough to do anything to free his daughter and angry enough at you for breaking your word to him to be swayed in his loyalties?”
The ground beneath Ginger’s feet gave way again.
It can’t be true.
Would Lord Helton betray Noah like that?
… and her?
But Victoria was free, wasn’t she?Where was Lord Helton, exactly?
Stephen smiled cruelly.“Yes, dear girl.I’ve already won.There’s nothing you can do.And now, you can go and try to tell Noah.But if you do, you’ll bring these walls down around you.Or I go up there now while you try to save these people.Officials are on their way to arrest Noah, and I plan to make sure he doesn’t get away.”
The soft strains of violins from upstairs, the gaiety of the laughter and noise, blurred with the pounding of her heart.She willed Noah to come to the doorway to save her from this excruciating choice.
But what could she do if she went to the wine cellar?Stephen did nothing without an ulterior motive.If she went anywhere alone, she was vulnerable to his attack.“But … I-I don’t know how to dismantle a bomb.What am I supposed to do?”
“It’s easy enough.Remove the detonation cords from the blasting caps.”Stephen shrugged.
As though she knew what that meant.
Did he want her to choose to go upstairs?
Her mouth felt dry, her fingertips trembling.“I’ll tell the guards about the bomb.I’ll scream.Make your plan known to all who are here.You can’t stop everyone.”
Stephen’s lips pursed.“Then you may seal the fate of all who are here.”He leaned toward her.“How do you think I slipped a device in here while I was in prison?I have help, Ginny.There’s someone else planning to detonate the device if I am unable or if a scene is made.”He pulled out a pocket watch.“Steady now.If you don’t choose, I’ll have to choose for you.If you don’t go to the cellar, then I will.If you go, then I’ll go upstairs.Tick-tock.”
Bile crept up her throat.
