The Prophet Murders Read Online Free Page A

being ridiculous.
    I mean, I’d surely notice a fire in my own apartment. Wouldn’t I, abla ?”
    I do not enjoy being referred to as “ abla ”. Not one bit. But now was not the time for a warning. First, I’d learn all I could, then I’d put her in her place. For now, I settled for a smile.
    The whisky arrived. She beamed her thanks. Screwing up her face, she took her first sip.
    “Ohhh . . . That does the trick,”
    I didn’t ask her the reason for the facial contortions.
    “So you found out about it,” I said. “She died in an abandoned building in Tarlabai.”
    Afet leapt on the information. “What on earth was she doing there? Of course, it’s true she had a total disregard for danger. And all she cared about was putting aside some money. She was determined to have the operation, as you know. Then she said she would get a house, a car and a handsome, young husband. But sweetie, there is just no way anyone would go off with a bunch of strange men to some forsaken spot on Tarlabai! Well tell me. Is there?”
    “You’re right.”
    “I know I shouldn’t say this, but she really had it coming.”
    I froze. As did she, realising what she’d just said.
    “That’s not what I meant. It’s just that I’m still so cross with her.” She motioned with her eyes to Hasan. “He told you about it?”
    He had, of course. But I played dumb.
    “I don’t remember.”
    “It was the most unbelievable thing! Quite astonishing, really.
    I can understand it happening once or twice, my dear, but not all the time. She’d be at my door asking to borrow whatever she’d seen me wearing two days earlier. I’d give her what she wanted, telling myself she was young, new, and eager to model herself on others. But there was no returning anything. What she took was as good as gone. Now if she had just appreciated their value. I’m not at all selfish. You know that.”
    Nearby, the trio of Hasan, Sükrü and Osman were eavesdropping on us. Not a peep came from their table.
    “I’m afraid I blew my top one morning while I was hanging out the laundry. I saw her in a tunic I’d paid Belkis a small fortune for. Darling, I mean, it’s not her wearing it . . . but while washing the balcony? There’s such a thing as being a little too decadent. And I work hard for every penny.”
    “You’re right,” I assured her, with a smile of commiseration.
    “To tell the truth, she was the very picture of bad manners. Whenever she wanted something, it was ‘darling Afet’ this, ‘sweetie Afet’ that. Other times, she wouldn’t give me the time of day. I just won’t stand for that sort of thing.”
    I didn’t ask the reason for her falling out with Fato abla .
    The door opened and the first group of girls flitted in. While it would not seem humanly possible for four girls to make such a racket, succeed they did. We exchanged greetings.
    “One day, on the staircase, she tried to hustle someone who’d just left my place. That was the last straw.”
    To be honest, that sort of behaviour makes me cross, too. But I still didn’t believe she deserved to die.
    “ Abla , what do you think will happen to her flat?” So, she had recovered from her grief and was now focused on the flat below hers. “The police won’t seal it off, will they?”
    “I don’t think so,” I assured her.
    “Good. I’ve been working at home lately. I have a few regulars. You understand. The last thing I need is trouble with the police.”
    I did understand.
    Another group of girls came in, immediately followed by two men dressed like fruit vendors. While I’m not attracted to that particular type, I do appreciate their patronage. They hold their liquor like gentlemen, treat the girls to drinks and plates of sliced fruit, and leave big tips, as a way of showing off. In short, they’re big spenders. They don’t make trouble, and leave with whichever girl they fancy.
    I recognised one of them, and nodded a greeting. He responded, with reverence.
    The