The desert air had closed in over Cairo like a tent. Yellow with sand dust, and heavy with heat that stayed on into the night. After closing up the Tamborine, I'd stayed outside, walking downhill for a possible cool breeze off the Nile. I'd gone only a block and a half when the sound opened up. Shots came from just ahead, echoing through the streets. In a few seconds I'd rounded the corner to see a man far ahead, disappearing into the darkness - and cringing there against a wall was a woman.