Page 110 of High Treason
“What about your phone?”
“Burned.”
“Your gun was uncovered but not a phone.”
Youssof sneered through twisted lips. “Too bad.”
“Targeting members of the Saudi royal family on American soil? Not smart.”
The man spit at Kord, but the spittle fell a little short and landed on the white sheets.“Alkalb algharbia.”
“So you know what my enemies call me. But this Western dog is smart.” Kord allowed silence to deepen the tension. “Listen closely. If I remove the guards outside and announce to the media you’ve given us names, you’re a dead man.”
No response.
“I could help you, but you have to work with us.” When Youssof remained mute, Kord took his strategy up a notch. “Messing with you is a waste of time, and I’m tired of your games. We know you’re part of a plot against Prince Omar and his family. Who else is involved?”
“No proof.” Every word was forced and slow.
“Since Prince Omar arrived, we’ve discovered a few things. A sniper killed a bodyguard and a janitor at a high school. Someone killed the consul general’s driver. We found a bomb designed to blow up the Saud family planted in a box of fruit and vegetables. In fact, one of your people, Parvin Shah, is dead. Bet you miss her—or him, depending on how she was dressed.”
Silence.
“How did you gain access to the US?”
“Walked.”
Prince Omar’s words about how Saudi Arabia protected their borders swept across his mind. Kord sighed and looked at Youssof. “Prince Omar has requested the opportunity to question you alone, take you home to Riyadh, and I’m in the mood to agree. He has a private jet. Smooth ride all the way to Saudi Arabia. He’d throw you a nice welcome party.”
“My father?”
“He’s in Saudi custody.”
“He doesn’t know.”
“Not my problem,” Kord said. “This is the way your crimes have played out. You’re under arrest and being charged with knowingly and intentionally conspiring, confederating, and agreeing to kill Saudi Prince Omar bin Talal while in the United States. You’re also charged with three additional counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder of federal officers.”
Richardson interrupted him. “Kord, you told me you wanted to reduce the charges, help our friend out here.”
He shrugged. “Names of those involved would help. Youssof doesn’t talk much. Too bad when the fate of his father and family is at stake.”
“Parvin Shah,” Youssof managed.
“She’s dead, and we found evidence implicating her neatly arranged in her apartment. That’s all over the media. Old news. Give us something else.”
Youssof stared. “I have nothing—” he sucked in a breath—“to tell you.”
“Your choice, given your father’s facing execution for sedition.”
He closed his eyes. “He’s innocent.”
“Then you’d better find the truth, along with names,” Kord said. “Were you working with Parvin Shah?”
He nodded, eyes still clamped shut.
“Who recruited her?”
“I did.”
