Read Online Nefertiti by Nick Drake - Free Book Online Page A

nervousness during the interview.
    I took out this journal as a way to make her understand that I wished to make a permanent record of her words. I find this action often has a usefully intimidating effect during interviews. She sat with her hands, in fine yellow gloves, folded in her lap, and waited.
    You know why we are here?'
    'I do. And I wish to be helpful.'
    'Then you must tell me all the things that might seem important, but also all the things that might not.' 'I will do my best.'
    'So, let us start. You reported the Queen missing?'
    She nodded. 'She was gone from her room when I went to dress her. The bed had not been slept in.'
    'Tell me about your relationship with the Queen.'
    'I am her maid-servant. My name is Senet. She chose me as a young girl to live with her. To help with her clothes, her dressing. To look after the children. To bring her the things she needed. To listen to her.'
    'So she talked to you? Of private matters?' 'Sometimes. But my memory is poor.'
    She glanced quickly at Khety, and I understood her. It would be wrong and dangerous for her to break the Queen's confidence in his presence.
    'Let us think back to the days before her disappearance. Can you do that? Tell me everything.'
    'My Lady is always happy. Every day. But I believe I noticed recently that she was worried about something. Her mind was busy.'
    'She is the Queen. Of course her mind is busy.'
    Khety's interjection was unexpected by both of us. In fact, even he seemed surprised that he had spoken.
    'It is more efficient if I conduct this interview without interruption,' I said to him.
    Yes, sir.'
    But I could sense the ripple of tension in his body, as if his ears were laid back now like a dog.
    'Do you have any idea why she was worried?' I continued, turning my attention back to Senet.
    'Setepenra, the youngest princess, is teething, and not sleeping well. I know it is unusual, but you see she nurses the children herself.'
    Senet looked at me in a way I could not quite interpret. Did she really think the Queen could have no other concerns? Or was she simply unwilling even to begin to refer to what they might be?
    'She loves the children?'
    'Very much. They are her life.'
    'So she would not leave them alone much?'
    'No, no. She hated to leave them. They cannot understand what is happening...'
    For the first time, her eyes betrayed a depth of emotion, the beginning of tears.
    'And now, please, would you think back to the last time you saw the Queen.'
    'It was seven nights ago. The children were put to bed. Then she went and sat out on the terrace that overlooks the river and the setting sun. She often does this. I saw her, sitting, thinking.'
    'How do you know she was thinking?'
    'I brought her out a shawl. She had nothing in her hands, not a text, nor a papyrus and brush. She was just staring out across the water. The sun had gone down. There was little to see. It was getting dark. When I offered her the shawl and some lit lamps, she jumped as if she was afraid. Then she held my hand for a moment. I noticed her face. It was tense, strained. I asked if there was anything I could do for her. She just looked at me, slowly shook her head, and turned away. I asked her to come inside, for it seemed wrong to stay alone out there. She did so, holding a lamp, and made her way to her bedroom. That was the last time I saw her, walking down the passage to her room in a circle of lamplight.'
    We all sat still for a moment.
    'So you did not accompany her to her room?'
    'No. She did not wish it.'
    'She spoke to you?'
    'No. I simply understood her.'
    'Can you be sure she returned to her room?'
    'No, I cannot.'
    She was becoming more anxious now. 'And who else was in the house at this time?' 'The children, their nurse, and I suppose the other staff: the cooks, the maids, the night guards.'
    'At what time do the guards change duty?' 'At sunset and sunrise.'
    I took a moment to think through what to do next. 'We need to retrace her last steps. Can you