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.""But why not?""Such items are not common trade commodity."Josie's shoulders slumped.She hadn't anticipated thatpossibility.Now what? In a panic, she racked her brain for analternative choice in trade items.Nothing came to mind."Would 20 lbs.of opium be sufficient compensation?" heasked.Josie's heart skipped a beat.It had not occurred to her totry and trade for anything as precious as medicine.Shetwisted her hands in her lap.She'd have a lot of explaining todo.The unexpected appearance of linen and minor pieces ofequipment was one thing, but the sudden surfacing of drugswas rather a different matter altogether.Was this part of thelost shipment from the Prince? Had the medicine somehowbeen retrieved from the sea by the ambitious Turks? If so,she would be reclaiming supplies that had originally belongedto the Army.What could be wrong with that? Besides, shecould worry about the consequences later.There alwaysseemed time for regret if not repentance.276 Lady Gallantby Gini Rifkin"Yes.All right," she said, before her good sense couldintervene."I will accept the medicine.I could bring the rest ofthe caviar tomorrow.""I admire your enthusiasm.Unfortunately we will not havethe opium for another three weeks."Three weeks.That was a disappointment.Still the blackmarket service was more timely than the Army Purveyor'sOffice."That would be fine," she said."Should I come back here?"Rashi shook his head."As much as I would enjoy oncemore partaking of your loveliness, I must advise otherwise."His gaze flamed from hot to sizzling, and Josie wondered howshe could feel so naked with all of her clothes on."In exactly three weeks from tomorrow," he continued,placing emphasis on each word, "you must go to the churchon the far side of town.You are familiar with this place?""Yes, I know of it," she whispered, recalling Mose and thenewly turned grave he rested beneath."Good," Rashi said."At exactly twelve o'clock noon, youwill see a man walking in the garden.His name is Vlad."She started and sat forward."A Russian?""Do not be alarmed.Vlad is any nationality that bestenhances his purse.He will have the opium.The rest is up toyou and him."With veiled eyes, Rashi rested one hand on the table palmup.Oh dear, she hadn't considered that either.Obviously, heexpected to be paid for being the go between.The money in277 Lady Gallantby Gini Rifkinher pocket would barely cover her fare back to the hospital.She had nothing to offer him.His gaze drifted languidly down the front of her uniformthen back up to her face.Surely, he would not try to takeliberties for services rendered?The sun went behind a cloud, and the cafe was plungedinto deep shadow.The girl at the bar no longer appearedsympathetic, and the man who cleaned the floor paused tolean on the handle of his broom.Both occupants watched herwith no more compassion than if they attended a localcockfight.Josie leapt to her feet, her gaze locked on Rashi."Keep thecaviar," she said, as she pressed the keg into his outstretchedhand.His face cracked into a grin, and his large ivory teethgleamed brightly in contrast to his dark skin.As she fled tothe door his booming voice followed."Your smile would havebeen payment enough little dove.But I thank you for theadditional bounty."Heart pounding triple time, she could barely catch herbreath, and lurching across the porch and into the street, shegasped in a lungful of clean air.The clamor of horses' hoofssounded at her back and she spun around.Afraid the driver ofthe approaching araba might not stop for her she steppedfarther out into the street and waved her arms.The coach careened to a halt, the front wheels missing hertoes by inches.Without waiting for assistance, she scrambledon board."To the Barrack Hospital, quickly," she called fromthe open window.278 Lady Gallantby Gini RifkinThe carriage pitched forward into motion, but it wasn't fastenough to suit Josie.She could not distance herself from thisplace quickly enough.Around a shuddering breath, she issued a prayer of thanksand willed herself to relax.There was no need for alarm, shewas safe now.The hospital was just up ahead.A great sigh ofrelief escaped her lips.She felt dizzy after her brush with theTurkish underworld as well as giddy with her success.Notonly had she bargained away the useless food, she hadtraded up from chamber pots to medicine.Her troubles were over.Her smile faded.Her troubles had just begun.A thousand things could gowrong.Three weeks from tomorrow they could trick her.They could wait for her at the church and rob her of thecaviar without giving her anything in exchange.Who knewwhat they might do? Life was cheap here.Scenes of beingkidnapped and forced into the white slave market blurredthrough her mind.She leaned forward and buried her face in her hands.What had she gotten herself into?Even she was not so naive as to believe there truly washonor among thieves.* * * *
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