Page 36 of High Treason
“I’ll keep my wire on.”
She stepped in front of the elevator. Ali was positioned outside Princess Gharam’s room, stone-faced. He called her name, a first. Actually his first real acknowledgment of her existence, other than annoyance last night. Whoa, she needed to get over that.
“What’s the problem?” His English held a thick accent as he strode her way.
“A confrontation involving Consul General al-Fakeeh. All I know is he’s all right. Kord will be here shortly. Please inform Prince Omar to stay in his mother’s room until we know more. I suggest canceling Dr. Carlson’s visit for now.”
He stiffened. “Prince Omar had planned to leave with the consul general.”
She’d already considered that. Focusing on the elevator, she listened for the announcement of its arrival and watched for the light above it.
“Miss Alden.”
She whirled to Prince Omar with Wasi and Saad behind him. She was uncomfortable he’d left his mother’s room. “Yes, Prince Omar.”
“What’s the problem?”
“There’s been an incident with Consul General al-Fakeeh. He’s safe, and the police have been called.”
“A shooting? What happened?”
“I don’t want to give you an inaccurate report. Kord will be here soon, and he’ll have correct information.”
“Has something happened to Kord?”
“He’s all right.”
The prince stood before her. She could feel his presence like before, not menacing but commanding. A jolt, a chill and a flush,swept through her. Prince Omar must be protected without question, regardless of culture or gender. She avoided eye contact. “If a hostile is on the elevator, he could open fire. I urge you to consider moving back.”
Wasi took a deep breath. “Prince Omar, there is truth in Miss Alden’s words.”
“Very well. I wish to speak to Kord the moment he arrives.” He turned abruptly and walked back to his mother’s room.
Monica longed to be with Kord—in the middle of the action and adrenaline flow. Anywhere but with two burly bodyguards, Ali and Inman, suffocating her on both sides. Forcing relaxation into her body, she replayed what she’d told Kord yesterday about the killer—skilled with a knife and sniper rifle, trained to eliminate his victims with precision. He was cold-blooded, calculating, and had obviously murdered before. She’d contacted the CIA for updates in the investigation, and dozens of terrorists and questionable characters from around the world had made the list.
She trusted no one until they proved themselves. The fact Kord had a solid friendship going with the prince and now the current infraction gave her pause. Was he concealing information? She wasn’t paranoid, only playing all the cards.
Ali’s words from yesterday, the ones said outside the mansion, rolled across her mind:“This is over when I say it’s over.”
MONICA NOTED EVERY FACEon Princess Gharam’s hospital floor. She looked for those using their phones or having a private conversation. Instead she viewed somber men standing alone and alert. Ten minutes had passed without word from Kord. Where was her partner?
With one eye on the elevator monitor, she contacted Jeff. He answered on the first ring. “Just getting ready to call you. Can’t believe our luck on this case. Someone called 911 about a dead man. HPD responded and found a man strangled in an alley. Initial ID looks like the consul general’s driver. Apparently the killer replaced him with a scheme to abduct the consul general. No leads at this point.”
“Thanks, Jeff. Keep me updated.” She dropped her phone inside her jacket pocket. Was the killer after those of Saudi descent? Or was this another plot to assassinate Prince Omar while the two men rode to the consulate?
Ali moved her way, the one man she wanted to analyze. “What have you learned?”
“The consul general was unharmed.”
“I have that information.”
No harm in revealing info since the attempt was foiled. “His original driver was found dead, and the man posing as his replacement got away.”
“The impostor needs his throat cut.”
“We’ll find him.”
“And do what? Slap his hands and send him back out to kill again?”
