Page 51 of High Treason
“And you’re not in Saudi Arabia. Yasmine, now, before I change my mind.”
They walked in silence to the rear of the home. Yasmine knew the cost of being caught, much higher for her than for Malik. Why slip away and risk her brother’s anger? Monica would wait and ask the girl those very questions.
In Yasmine’s dark bedroom, she snapped on the bedside lamp, and compassion for the young woman dressed in black swept over her. Yasmine closed the door behind her and eased onto her bed while Monica took a chair.
“Yasmine, if I saw you, then others might have too. I can only imagine the seriousness of your brother learning about your careless actions. What is going on between you and Malik?”
Yasmine trembled. “I can’t say anything.”
“Unfortunately, if you don’t tell me, I’ll have to contact Prince Omar. Which is it?”
KORD READ FBI UPDATESon his phone, reviewing every e-mail linked with Arabic chatter regarding the Saud family. The FBI’s terrorism division actively monitored enemy online conversations, and he needed to know the latest intel. US enemies commended the assassination attempts aimed at Prince Omar and offered support for those working against the West, but Kord wanted insight specifically to the plans—and why.
An update came in about an e-mail that, according to the sender’s IP address, was coming from Malik al-Kazaz, the press secretary.
Prince Omar and those like him will be crushed like theahle-Kitab. Prince Omar will not leave US soil alive. Allah has given him into our hands. We know every move he makes while he stumbles into a sniper’s path. He’s a fool to trust the ones close to him. Many will be killed. Soon he will be under our feet.
Malik—a loyal and trusted cousin of Prince Omar? A man who had risen to his position within the last nine years? He made the detailed arrangements for all events.
The enemy didn’t need to send a virus into the prince’s phone when his most trusted man had betrayed him.
Uneasiness punched Kord in the gut, and he stopped his thoughts midstream. With the anonymity observed since Tuesday, why would Malik deliberately identify himself? Had the enemy set him up?
He reread Malik’s background. If the man was working with anyone, only one documented item pointed to him. The man had a stellar reputation.
What better man to lead an assassination attempt?
But why put himself in a vulnerable position online?
Kord slipped his Glock inside his jacket and left his suite. He wasn’t waiting for FBI confirmation before he confronted Malik. Being awakened at 2:15 a.m. might test the press secretary’s quiet temperament. Why should Kord give him an opportunity to leave or carry out a plan to kill the prince?
Outside Malik’s door, he rapped several times. “This is Kord. I need a word with you.” He waited fifteen long seconds and repeated.
“Is Prince Omar in danger?”
“You tell me. I have questions. Face-to-face.”
Silence.
“Should I find a bodyguard?”
The door opened, and Malik stared at him. Fully clothed. “Come in.”
“Are you alone?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Are you armed?”
Malik frowned. “My weapon is beside my bed.”
“See that it stays there. Keep your hands where I can see them.”
Once the door shut behind them, Malik ran his fingers through his hair. “I’m not shocked you’ve figured me out. I should have been more discreet. Does the prince know?”
Discreet? “Do you want him here? I can arrange it.”
“I prefer this stay between you and me. I’d be a fool to have others learn about my actions.”
