Page 85 of High Treason
They walked toward the house. “How long have you worked with the FBI?” Ali said.
“Not long.”
“The prince told me you’re CIA.”
She sighed. Was nothing secret?
“It’s all right. I understand the secrecy and undercover work for a government.”
“Were you testing my honesty?”
He chuckled. “I was testing your loyalty to the US.”
Once inside Prince Omar’s office, Ali stood near the door,and she waited in a chair that resembled a museum piece. As expected,he offered both of them coffee, and she accepted the hospitality.
“The rain has stopped,” he said.
Pleasantries. “Giving people an opportunity to begin cleaning up their homes and businesses.”
“Have you ever been caught in rising water?”
Was he posing a trick question? “I’ve assisted those who were in need.”
“A wise woman. Miss Alden, thank you for your kindness to my sisters.”
“I’m sincere. They are fine women.”
“As you are aware, conversations are available to me.”
Great way to put eavesdropping into perspective.
“If you’d like to instruct my sisters in the art of self-defense, I approve on the condition I be apprised of what is being taught and their progress.” He waved his hand. “Specifically, an evaluation of their skills.”
“I’ll complete one for each of them.” She avoided his face.
“As a courtesy to me, please continue to encourage Fatima and Yasmine to be strong. Our mother is not well. I’ve seen the test results, and my sisters must be able to handle the grief.”
“Most certainly.” Would he address his sisters’ broken hearts over lost love?
“Thank you for saving the lives of my family and friends. Before the evening is over, I will speak to Fatima and Yasmine, let them know they can relax. With Parvin Shah’s death, we can carry on.”
She moistened her lips. “I respectfully disagree, Prince Omar. We have no idea how many others are working against you.”
“Our responsibilities take us many places. I don’t want them to be worried about me. Your country and mine will not let this restuntil the murderers are found.” He took a sip of coffee. “What is your professional view of Parvin Shah?”
“She didn’t have the typical characteristics of most terrorists. Extremely neat. Her behavior patterns followed the same order with attention to detail in the killings. Whoever recruited Shah approached her with a logical reason to kill. Intel claims money. The person would have known her background and provided something of value.”
“Has your ability to remember the things you’ve seen given you any additional insights?”
“The MO of female terrorists. They’re in the minority, but their involvement has killed hundreds of innocent people. She may be dead, but we don’t know who was giving her orders. Or who trained her. It’s unlikely she saved enough money at her job to live on for two months, and her financials are minimal.”
He steepled his fingers. “Do you have a name of who could have taken her place?”
Another test of her loyalty to the US, like Ali. “If I had a suspect, that person would be in custody. Between both countries, we will make arrests and destroy this plot. We just don’t know how soon.”
“Kord said the same.”
Her phone sounded with a text.
