Istanbul Express by T. Davis Bunn Page B

guide led them down a narrow passage, showing the chambers where the women lived their quarantined existence. “The Topkapi is more than just a palace,” she told them. “It was known as the Forbidden City of the Sultans, and for many of these women it was the only world they ever saw.”
    The rooms grew cramped and dingy as they continued down the passage toward the chambers occupied by the most junior of wives. Pressed by passing time and by other, more lustrous sights, the crowds did not follow. Jana stopped and listened for a full minute, one hand upraised to hold them to stillness.
    Once she was certain they were truly alone, the professional smile fell away. “We have only a moment,” she whispered.“A friend works within the Russian consulate. She has heard them speak of your husbands.”
    Jasmyn’s voice had a catch which even the echoes and the whispers could not erase. “They are in danger?”
    â€œThere is great concern that they are going to uncover something. What, we have not been able to determine. But whatever it is, the Russians are most concerned that it remain a secret.”
    â€œThat’s not much to go on,” Sally murmured.
    â€œListen, then. The Russians have prepared a subterfuge. You have heard of the dolls called matrioshka? ”
    â€œThe painted wooden dolls, one inside the other,” Sally said. “I had one when I was a child.”
    â€œWe use them to describe how the Russian mind attacks a problem,” Jana said, her voice a pressing hiss. “Your husbands must not be taken in by what appears to be the problem. There is something else. Something deeper. Something the Russians are determined to keep hidden at all cost.”
    â€œBut how—”
    Footsteps scraped along the corridor. Instantly Jana straightened and became the smiling tour guide once more. “Yes, I agree, this is a most fascinating set of chambers. But, please follow me, there is so much more to see, and so little time.”
    ----
    Daniel Levy rushed over as Jake climbed from the taxi. “It is so good of you to come, Mr. Burnes.”
    â€œMy pleasure.” Jake tried to shake off the distraction of having found neither Sally nor a note when he had returned to their hotel. He had shrugged off his disappointment with the thought that she and Jasmyn were probably working at the apartment, where they were scheduled to move in two days. If, Jake amended his thoughts, they were not moved out of Turkey entirely by that time. He glanced up at the crumbling building that fronted the noisy street and asked Daniel Levy, “You live here?”
    â€œNo, no, but this is as far as a taxi will bring you, and you could never find your way alone the first time. Please come.” He led Jake through what at first appeared to be a side entrance to the half-ruined structure but in fact proved to be a long, narrow passage. “I regret to inform you, Mr. Burnes, that my father has decided to join us tonight.”
    â€œIt will be nice to meet him.”
    Daniel Levy cast a doubtful glance back over his shoulder. “I am afraid that might not be true. My father has strong feelings against, well, against foreigners.”
    â€œYou mean,” Jake interpreted, “he doesn’t much care for non-Jews. Given what he’s recently gone through, I can’t say I blame him.”
    â€œHe is old, and he has been sick. For some time he has lived for little more than the synagogue, the Torah, and we his family.” Daniel turned down another lane, the balconies overhead almost touching across the passage. “Age requires that we grant allowances that otherwise would not be permitted.”
    â€œHe wishes you were working for a Jewish company,” Jake guessed. “He wants to size up the opposition, see if he can scare them off.”
    Daniel sighed to a stop at a tiny intersection. “You are a most observant man, Mr.