Page 46 of High Treason
“Haven’t sent it yet. Let me finish. Authorities have researched the prince’s laptop and found nothing. But what about his iPad or tablet? What about his cell phone?”
“He has tight security on his devices.” A bolt of adrenaline hit Kord. “He uses his iPhone for everything—e-mail, texts, notes—and has downloaded apps to help him manage business affairs.”
“So his schedule is on his phone?”
“Right.” His mind whirled. “No one inspected it—didn’t seem necessary.”
“We need to take a look. The problem could be there. What if a virus was planted on his iPhone?”
He rubbed his face and reflected on the earlier foiled plan. A near-field communication hack would allow a person to obtain Prince Omar’s private information—even hear all that was being said within the phone’s mic range. “At the hospital, he left his phone in the limo, and his decision to cancel the trip to the consul general’s office occurred later inside.”
“That aspect is why I want to investigate the possibility of a virus. It’s a legitimate means for our killer to obtain information. Hacking a mobile device through wireless technology isn’t rocket science.”
“We need to talk to Prince Omar.”
“Barging in and giving our theory could tip off the killer. We need to think this through.”
“If you’re right, why not set a trap?”
She grinned. “Telepathy is the first sign of an operative.”
Monica was really getting under his skin, in a way he’d never imagined. When this was over, he wanted to see more of her. A lot more.
When Kord learned Prince Omar and Malik were in a meeting, he texted Ali and asked to speak with him privately in the rear yard. Monica didn’t approve, but Kord observed him and saw a man loyal to Prince Omar. When he and Ali talked, he’d explain the private meeting. While he waited with Monica, Ali approached them.
“What’s the secrecy?” Ali said.
“We have a possible theory to test.” Kord explained Monica’s idea of a phone virus. “We need your help to give him a note in privacy. No one else can be privy to the conversation.” He handed Ali a slip of paper requesting Prince Omar’s presence.
Ali snorted. “That would explain the how.”
“He’s to leave his phone and Apple Watch behind,” Kord said and glanced at Monica.
“Not a word can pass between you and Prince Omar,” she said.
Ali disappeared. Within three minutes he returned with the prince. Malik was nowhere around.
“Kord,” Prince Omar began, “my phone and watch are on my desk. If you’re right, I’ll have the head of whoever is responsible.”
“We all will.” Kord had no doubt the fate of the killer lay in the hands of an enraged Saudi prince.
“How does this kind of thing happen?”
“The guilty man could have been standing next to you and sent a virus.”
“It would have happened in Riyadh.” He clenched his fist. “Even planted by one of my men.”
“Is your schedule, since the announcement about this trip, documented anywhere besides your phone?”
“Malik and Zain. Would you like Zain’s phone?”
“Yes, Amir. I want to know where you’ve been and who was present,” Kord said. “No one but the four of us can be aware of this.”
“Sounds like a difficult process for a suspicion. But I’ll cooperate. I want to be part of the plan to catch him.”
“That could be dangerous.”
“I live with those who want me dead. No argument, my friend. As your note said, a trap will catch him. I’ve lost Zain, and I will not lose you.”
