Page 47 of High Treason
Kord had faced opposition with the prince in the past and experienced his stubbornness. “With all due respect, I prefer allowing the killer to think I’m you. You can hear the story when he’s in custody. Let me do what I’m trained to do.”
“I agree with Kord,” Ali said. “He and Miss Alden know how to defend themselves.” He raised his chin. “She does handle herselfwell, and I hope we can be more civil to each other. We have an important job to do.”
Kord hid his surprise.
“Thank you,” she said. “I agree our duties require us to be amiable.”
Prince Omar drew in a breath, a common sign of his reflections. “All right. The killer and his accomplices must be apprehended.” He turned to Monica. “Thank you for taking care of my sisters. I’m grateful.”
“You’re welcome.” She respectfully avoided his gaze.
The prince focused on Kord. “What are your thoughts?”
He allowed his satisfaction to fuel the setup. “First of all. Be aware of anything you say around your phone or watch. I prefer you use new ones or put those aside until we’ve worked through our theory.”
The prince nodded.
“In the past, you enjoyed Morton’s steak house. I’ll reserve the location across from the Galleria for a late-afternoon meal with a few of your bodyguards. Not just a boardroom, but the entire restaurant for safety reasons. It’s fairly quiet during this time, and I’ll state you desire privacy. I’ll be dressed as you. With your approval, the FBI and CIA can move into action. FBI agents will act as staff to ensure no one is hurt. Monica will pose as the hostess.”
“Include me,” Ali said. “Someone has to keep Kord safe.”
Kord chuckled. “Who’s keeping you from a bullet?”
“Me,” Monica said. “I’m a better shot.”
“When will this occur?” the prince said.
“As soon as possible. The moment I receive your permission, arrangements will be made. The luncheon plans will need to be made in the presence of your phone and watch.”
“Take care of it now. I’ll pay whatever’s required.”
“Prince Omar, your money is not the problem, but keepingyou alive is. The FBI needs to check your devices for a virus. I’ve put them off until after Friday afternoon. I know that’s your holy day—”
“Do it.”
“Okay. Until then, we play it safe.”
Twenty minutes later, Kord received the go-ahead. Target was Friday afternoon at two thirty.
IN HER BEDROOM QUARTERS,Monica spent Wednesday evening rereading and probing the backgrounds of every person in the house for a snippet of information that could twist into something shady. All still looked squeaky clean. What about their families and past grievances? Until the killer was caught—possibly Friday afternoon—danger lingered. If she and Kord were wrong about the prince’s phone, their original assumption of a mole meant every person in the home must be viewed under a microscope. And if the prince’s phone had a virus, a mole could have planted it.
So many possibilities, and all had the potential to be deadly.
Rain beat against the windows in a steady downpour, while her phone alerts warned of rising water. Such was her mood. Didn’t help that her throat and head weren’t in the best of condition.
If someone inside the home wanted to harm Fatima or Yasmine, he’d simply enter the women’s bedchambers in the middle of the night. Why wouldn’t the prince send them home? Was it really his mother’s peace of mind, or was he using his sisters as cover for another reason?
She rose from her comfy seat in her bedroom and made her way to the common area, where Fatima and Yasmine sat talking. Again they were dressed in designer gowns and accessorized in pure gold. If the evening meal found her with them, she’d explore more of a friendship. Fatima might not be in such a sour mood.
“Excuse me,” Monica said. “I’m concerned for both of you. Until the person who’s endangered your brother is found, please lock your bedroom doors at night, and keep the door leading to the hallway locked.”
“Thank you,” Yasmine said, her voice sweet and her face filled with youthful light.
“Once we’ve arrested the killer, those precautions won’t be necessary.”
“When will it be?” Yasmine said. “I’m afraid for my brother. With Zain gone and the attempt on Consul General al-Fakeeh, everything’s scary.”
“Staying safe is a priority. I encourage you to remain inside the grounds.”
