Page 75 of High Treason
CNN claimed Parvin Shah could not have worked alone.
Arab Newsreported arrests had been made in the US and Saudi Arabia. The report was somewhat true for the US, but he had no indications of arrests made in Saudi Arabia.
Thoughts lingered on about Nasim and his regrettable death. His father had wept with the news. Kord felt the same sorrow, and he hoped there was a God who rewarded the sacrifices of good people. Prince Omar believed in Allah. Monica clung to the Christian God. Kord’s problem with both centered on the innocent suffering at the hands of evil men. And Kord wanted proof of anything or anyone in control of this screwed-up world.
An elderly doctor walked through the ER doors. “Monica Alden?”
She rose and those seated around her followed. “Yes, sir. You have word on Parvin Shah’s condition?”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m sorry. She didn’t make it. Nor did she regain consciousness.”
Monica thanked him. “I appreciate your efforts to try to save her.”
“I know you’re FBI. Is there family to contact?”
“Not to our knowledge.”
Kord thanked the doctor and introduced himself. “We’d like to sign for her personal belongings.”
“I’ll have a nurse bring the paperwork and the items.”
When the doctor left, Kord persuaded Prince Omar to return to the Saud home. The prince agreed with one condition—Ali would accompany Kord and Monica.
In Kord’s Charger, with Ali in the front seat, he pushed ahead with a critical matter.
“Monica,” Kord said. “Would you pull out Shah’s phone?”
“It’s in my hand.”
“What have you learned?”
“Filled with contacts regarding the Saud family. E-mails. Texts. Looks like it mirrors Prince Omar’s phone before we suspected the virus.”
“As we expected. I’m dropping it off at the FBI office before we continue.”
“How did this woman get the prince’s information?” Ali said. “I know you said a virus, but it had to be planted by someone close to him, then transmitted to her.”
“Everywhere he goes, the prince is surrounded by bodyguards, which makes nailing the mole difficult,” Kord said. “The person in Saudi would have been in near proximity to gain access. How many people are involved?”
“Malik’s hand is all over this,” Ali said. “He had the ability to plant a recording device in Prince Omar’s phone and pass information on to Parvin Shah or anyone else.”
“Monica?” Kord said. “Have you changed your mind about Malik’s potential guilt?”
“Need more evidence. He convinced Princess Yasmine to lie. Why not another woman? Shah was recruited by someone.”
Ali turned to the backseat. “Miss Alden, I like the way you process information.”
Kord inwardly startled. Ali had given her a compliment.
“Does he have many friends or anyone close to his family?” she said.
Ali shook his head. “Never saw him with anyone but Prince Omar. His mother was murdered some years ago, and I thought the trip to Iraq for his father was more of a duty.”
“Brothers or sisters?”
“None.”
Ali still faced her. What had changed his mind about Monica?
