Kadira was holding a bottle of smelling salts under her nose and peering anxiously at her from mere inches away.

"I think so."
Kiki sat up weakly. She was in a very crowded room in the only comfortable chair. Leaning over her was a greasy man smoking a cigarette, Kadira, the egyptian officer and John James, who had lather on his chin.

"What happened?" She put a pale hand to her forehead, dazed.

"Far too much, dear." murmured Kadira as she handed her a glass of water from the tray.

"Robespierre is dead, Kiki." John James. His voice was stark and angry. He had gone back to shaving in the bowl of hot water when she recovered. "And this-" he spat the word out "-gentleman-seems to think that I did it."

"Oh, yes. I remember now." she whipered, almost to herself. She clutched the crucifix around her neck. "I cannot say I am sorry."

"What? That's some nice sentiment, isn't it?" Henri sneered at her. "That's a french accent I hear?"

"Oui" Kiki said with suspicion.

"Huh. Most interesting. Where were you last night?"

"Dans l'hotel, of course. I took a walk in the gardens after dinner sometime."

"And when was that?"

"I don't know-late, I suppose. I was not watching the clock."
She looked defiantly with him. She did not appreciate this sweaty man's brusque manner at all.

Kadira put her body between the detective and herself. "Henri, will you at least badger only one of my guests at a time?"
"Will you let me do my job, lady?" Henri pushed his face into hers, breathing rampant halitosis and cigarette fumes.
"Bleah." Kadira gritted her teeth. "Henri, take a break. Right now. You enjoy taking long ones, as I recall. Or so help me-"
"What? Whaddaya gonna do? " Henri looked like he might hit her for a moment. Then he abruptly backed down and calmed himself. "Fine. I'll be back in an hour- these jokers are not to MOVE until I get back, you hear me?"
He stormed out the door, slamming it behind him.

"You too, mister."
The egyptian officer looked at Kadira in surprise. She switched to Arabic."Yes, officer. Wait outside the door if you must, but please, go. An hour will not hurt anything and they're not going anywhere." She set her chin in a firm line and crossed her arms.

The officer shrugged and exited the room.

"Thanks, Kadira." John James looked gratefully at her. "I won't forget this."

"Who is that awful man?" Kiki asked in a strained, quiet voice.

"Henri, the house detective." She sighed deeply "And I would tend to agree with you, but I did not hire him. Is there anything I can get for you? I have to get back to the desk."

"Could you send of the boys for my passport, please? Apparently I will need it. I can give him the key and the address."
Kiki wrote on a peice of paper and handed it to Kadira along with a key she fished out of her pocketbook.

"It shall be done. Pardon me, but I really have to get back... If you need me just knock on the door."
Kadira turned and the door swung shut behind her.