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not so close to civilisation. Aren’t they supposed to be in the desert? Or has Hollywood managed to fool me over the years? No more, because now I can see. The three great structures dominate the skyline, shimmering in the afternoon heat, and I swear I could almost lean over from where I’m standing and touch them.
    ‘Good, yes, sir?’ the chauffeur hands my bag to the eager doorman. ‘You have not seen them before?’
    ‘Not in real life, no.’ I tip him anyway, a gesture that doesn’t surprise him. My choices aren’t going to be constrained by Dominic.
    Once in the hotel I wonder if I’m ever going to be able to leave. The marble lobby floor reflects the lights of at least five glistening chandeliers, and as I check in I wish I’d shown less business morality — Jade’s doing, as always — and not booked myself into the cheapest room available.
    ‘Good afternoon, Mr. Maloney,’ the man behind the reception desk says. ‘You had a pleasant flight?’
    ‘Sure. No problems.’
    ‘Your room is ready now, sir. And I am pleased to tell you that you have been upgraded. You are in one of our deluxe suites. It is a beautiful room, I trust you will enjoy it.’
    I raise my eyebrows at him. ‘Yes, I’m sure I will. But before I do, can I ask who’s paying for this?’
    ‘Mr. Allen, sir. He said you are a very important guest. There is a communication for you.’
    Trying not to think whether all this attention from Dominic is going to make things difficult for me to do the job at all, or whether it might mean something else entirely, I take the letter he hands me and follow my luggage on its journey to my suite. I make no comment as the boy deposits my well-used bag on the bed as if it’s designer and shows me ’round the enormous bedroom with its soothing arches and Arabic décor, wooden and ivory furniture, and green silk tapestry. The living room, bathroom, balcony, and dining area all hold to the themes of green and wood and ivory, but each with an individual twist. As his pièce de résistance, the luggage boy flings open the curtains and gestures at the pyramids. Somehow they seem even closer than before. I’m still silent but when the boy leaves, I tip him double what I’d given my driver.
    The first thing I do is ring Jade.
    ‘Hello, Paul. How are you doing?’
    ‘Wonderful. You?’
    ‘Great. What’s it like then, the land of the pharaohs?’
    ‘Rich if you’re a tourist. Utter poverty if you’re not. Come one day. You’ll love it.’
    ‘Yes, I know. If only my harsh, unfeeling boss allowed me to take leave.’
    ‘Oh sure, I forgot. It’s my fault. Any updates on Blake’s schedule I should know about?’
    ‘No, it’s still worth you being there. I checked. The press office confirms he’s in all morning tomorrow, though he’ll be out at meetings early afternoon.’
    ‘Thanks. You’re the best. Any other calls I should know about?’
    She hesitates, ‘None of your usual clients; they’re all fine. Someone rang earlier, though. Same caller as before, I think. All he said was your name and then he rang off. You will be careful, won’t you?’
    ‘You know me, indestructible. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. You just look after yourself and try not to leave early while I’m away. I’ll ring you tomorrow. Let you know how I get on. Who knows, I might even have cracked the case by then. I’m such a genius.’
    ‘Of course you are,’ she says and hangs up.
    As I fling myself onto the bed, I can’t help hoping I don’t find out anything useful too soon.
    When I slit open the envelope that Dominic left for me, I find I’m shaking a little.
    “Paul”, the note says, “I hope your journey was a good one and I trust you will find the room acceptable. When I am in Cairo, it is where I always stay. Yours, Nic”
    Nic. He’s signed himself Nic. A name I only ever called him in bed. Or just before it.

Chapter Three
    I eat breakfast in the Khan El Khalili restaurant and pore over the