فصل بیست و چهارم

24

LADY MURASAKI let Inspector Popil wait through one hundred beats of her heart before she appeared on the staircase. He stood in the center of the high-ceilinged foyer with his assistant and looked up at her on the landing. She saw him alert and still, like a handsome spider standing before the webbed mullions of the windows, and beyond the windows she saw endless night.

Popil’s breath came in a bit sharply at the sight of Lady Murasaki. The sound was amplified in the dome of the foyer, and she was listening.

Her descent seemed one motion with no increment of steps. Her hands were in her sleeves.

Serge, red-eyed, stood to the side.

“Lady Murasaki, these gentlemen are from the police.” “Good evening.”

“Good evening, ma’am. I’m sorry to disturb you so late. I need to ask questions of your … nephew?” “Nephew. May I see your credentials?” Her hand came out of her sleeve slowly her hand disrobing. She read all the text in his credentials, and examined the photograph.

“Inspector POP-il?”

“Po-PIL, Madame.”

“You wear the Legion of Honor in your photograph, Inspector.” “Yes, Madame.”

“Thank you for coming in person.”

A fragrance, fresh and faint, reached Popil as she gave him back his identification. She watched his face for its arrival, and saw it there, a minute change in his nostrils and the pupils of his eyes.

“Madame …?”

“Murasaki Shikibu.”

“Madame is the Countess Lecter, customarily addressed by her Japanese title as Lady Murasaki,” Serge said, brave for him, speaking with a policeman.

“Lady Murasaki, I would like to speak with you in private, and then with your nephew separately.” “With all due respect to your office, I’m afraid that is not possible, Inspector,” Lady Murasaki said.

“Oh, Madame, it is entirely possible,” Inspector Popil said.

“You are welcome here in our home, and you are entirely welcome to speak with us together.” Hannibal spoke from the stairs. “Good evening, Inspector.” He turned to Hannibal. “Young man, I want you to come with me.” “Certainly, Inspector.”

Lady Murasaki said to Serge, “Would you get my wrap?” “That will not be necessary, Madame,” Popil said. “You won’t be coming. I will interview you here tomorrow, Madame. I will not harm your nephew.” “It’s fine, my lady,” Hannibal said.

Inside her sleeves Lady Murasaki’s grip on her wrists relaxed a little in relief.