Thirty-six

When Bane awoke the next morning, he decided not to visit the stepwell or accompany the doctor on his rounds. With only one day to go before his climb, he felt it safer to remain in his cell, for he fully expected Omar Alam to be bent on revenge; better to let the man cool off while he rested for tomorrow. Nor did he want to hear any more of the doctor's disparaging words about his plans or about any of his other recent decisions.

However, there was no escaping Abrams. The man awoke shortly after Bane and sat on his charpoy staring as Bane washed his face in a basin.

"So what was it this time, boy? I'm guessing the two of you weren't out in the shaft again."

"Of course not." He dried his face. "Omar had stolen Melisande's blanket, so I got it back from him."

"Didn't sound like a friendly negotiation."

"Decidedly not," Bane grinned.

With a small smile, Abrams shook his head and got up to make breakfast.

Remembering his deal with Spencer, Bane shuffled over to the bars that separated their cells. He glanced over his shoulder to make sure Melisande was still asleep. "I had to buy information to find the blanket, though."

Abrams searched his pantry, scratching himself as he did so. "From who?"

"Aaron Spencer."

Abrams grunted, did not turn from his quest.

"I promised him two cigarettes." Bane waited for a response of any kind but was disappointed. He frowned and pressed on. "Know where I might get a couple?"

"Maybe. What are you willing to trade for 'em?"

Thinking of his impending escape, he knew he could afford to be profligate. "Food or charcoal."

Abrams grunted again. "I'll see what I can do."

Bane spent the morning reading and working out while Melisande slept on; she got up only for a small bite to eat. Around midday Bane took a nap and did not awaken until Aaron Spencer stopped by in search of his cigarettes. By then Abrams was gone from his cell.

"I haven't forgotten my promise," Bane insisted. "Stop by before dark and I'll have them for you."

"You'd better, boy, or else I might have to help ol' Omar skin you alive." With a threatening glower, the Canadian moved off.

"What was that about?" Melisande asked from where she now sat on a stool near the front of her cell, crocheting the baby blanket.

"Nothing."

He listened for Gola's movements beyond the blanket, but the man was apparently asleep. The doctor had checked his bandages earlier and dosed him again. Bane rubbed the sleep from his eyes and sat up, watching Melisande's graceful hands for some time in silence.

She looked up and smiled at Bane's thoughtful expression, her fingers never stopping in their rhythmic work. "What is it?"

He went to the front of his cell and looked up the shaft as far as he could see. "We need to talk about tomorrow."

"What about it?" Her tone was light, trying to convince him that she had forgotten about his plans.

Bane turned to her, his fingers closing around the side bars. "Don't believe what the doctor said yesterday. He will help; I know he will. After I make the climb and throw the ropes down, you have to stay in your cell until everyone is out of the prison. The doctor will wait, too, so he can help you. I'm sure I can get Hans and maybe Yemi or Abrams to help me at the top. We can pull you up; you'll just need to guide yourself along the wall."

"Bane—"

"Or I can come back down to get you if you want or if Doctor Assad refuses to help."

Frowning, she rested her work in her lap. "The doctor is right, you know, about all of this being my fault. It would have been best if I had not encouraged our friendship."

He hid the hurt that her remark caused. "No, he's not right. Even if we weren't friends, I'd still help you."

"Why? The others here are not my friends, and they would never help me as you have."

"Because…well, because you're a woman. I protected my mother."

"Did you take your mother out to the shaft?"

"No. She never asked to go. She didn't want to put herself in danger."

"No, she knew it would put you in danger, Bane. And that's what I should have been thinking about. My father always said I was reckless. That is what he said about my marriage to Henri. My poor choices almost led to Henri being sent here. How could I have lived with myself? And how will I live with myself if you die trying to rescue me."

"It's not just for you."

"Then who is it for? Gola? Greyson? Ramzi?"

Bane scowled. "Of course not. I want to escape. I want to find my father."

She sadly shook her head. "The doctor told me that you were not planning to attempt the climb until you were older and stronger. It is my presence that makes you do it now. And I am asking you not to put that burden on me or yourself. If you must do it, wait until you are older and stronger."

"But then your baby will be born here." He caught himself and pressed his lips together, catching the rise of Melisande's eyebrows.

"Do you see what I mean? You are doing this because of me."

Bane regretted ever bringing up the subject. He turned away from the bars. "I'm going to do it. There's nothing you can say that will stop me."

"What if the doctor is right about your father, about how it would be dangerous for you to look for him?"

"You will look for your husband, won't you?"

"Of course."

"It's no different."

"It is, Bane. My husband knows I exist; your father doesn't know about you—"

"Stop it!" Bane wheeled back toward her, his tortured expression startling her into silence. He stared at her, angry and injured at the same time, though he figured she had used such cutting words only to discourage him from helping her.

"What's this?" Abrams's voice turned Bane. "A lovers' quarrel?" Returning from the stepwell, the man paused outside his cell, grinning.

Bane's face reddened and he reached for the key around his neck.

Abrams's words halted him. "Have something for you, boy." He stepped inside his cell then withdrew two cigarettes from beneath his tunic. "Two days' worth of charcoal. Not a bad price, I'd say."

Bane felt Melisande's curious gaze upon them, for she knew neither of them smoked. He nodded to Abrams and went to retrieve the charcoal. Once the exchange was made, Bane decided to take the chance and slip over to Hans's cell to work out, to avoid any further discussion with Melisande. He needed to make sure the doctor had indeed not swayed the big man from holding the rope tomorrow when he climbed.