FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT of the limo, Kord stretched to see the shadowed, empty street ahead through the blinding rain. Wasi drove with the same frown he wore every day. At the moment, his look fit. Rain attacked the windshield while the wipers swiped back and forth at lightning speed. The gush of tires moving forward through high water had the six men in Prince Omar’s limo quiet. Or maybe it was the seriousness of taking Malik in for questioning. If any doubt of Malik’s innocence surfaced, the bodyguards would slit his throat.
They’d barely driven to Paramount High School, and memories of watching Zain die played out in Kord’s mind. He assumed the crime replayed in the other men’s too.
Kord reached inside his jacket pocket and pulled out his weapon. If they were being followed in the torrential rain, the outcome could be ugly. The windows were bulletproof but not bomb resistant.
“I want to know about anything suspicious,” he said. “Hard to see a tail in the rain.”
Prince Omar no longer used his original cell phone, so if attacked, the theory about his phone being infected with a virus might not hold ground, or in this case water.
Kord caught sight of a barricade ahead. Lights flashed, and two emergency trucks were parked to aid those stranded. “Don’t attempt to go through.”
Wasi stopped the vehicle. Even so, the water outside was nearly knee-deep. He placed the limo in reverse and slowly made it back to higher ground. Still the water rose steadily, and none of the streets looked any better. Kord pulled up his phone for weather info, and the dismal report cast doubts of making it to the FBI building on Highway 290. No signs of rain ending and flash flood warnings in low-lying areas.
Kord phoned SAC Thomas and explained the problem.
“The streets are impassable from that part of town,” the SAC said. “Hold on to your man for a few hours.”
If Malik survived until then. “There’s a helicopter pad at the property.”
“We’re using everything the city has, including trucks, to evacuate civilians. Just get back to the house and sit tight.”
“Keep me updated.” Kord relayed the instruction.
The limo stalled. Wasi’s attempts to restart failed.
“We’ve got to walk,” Kord said. “Keep your eyes open.”
Malik remained cuffed. The prince knew the immunity law and termed Malik as a potential serious threat. The men in the rear would shoot him if he gave the slightest indication of running.
“Grab flashlights, but don’t use them unless I give you the go-ahead. Leave the umbrellas. Hides our view. Avoid streetlights if possible.” He turned to the prince. “Prince Omar, I know you’ll be drenched, but . . .”
“I agree. Inform those at home to stay inside. No point in anyone attempting to rescue us while we’re waiting in rising water. We can walk.”
He opened the car door and water rushed into the vehicle and onto them. Instantly they were soaked. Everyone exited onto the empty lakelike street. Wasi released the trunk and retrieved flashlights for himself, Ali, Saad, and Prince Omar. Kord had his Glock in one hand and a small personal flashlight in the other. The men formed a circle around Prince Omar. Kord assigned Saad to Malik detail and then took that bodyguard’s place. Street and business lights flickered in the heavy rain, making Kord question their reliability. In the open, they were like flies ready to be swatted. Add to that the blinding rain. He swung to anything stirring. For sure Prince Omar thought sand was easier to navigate than fast-moving water.
He phoned Monica with an update. “No one is to leave the house. We’re not far.”
Again they walked toward the River Oaks estate.
Ali walked beside Saad. “Faster,” he said to Malik.
“Take these cuffs off, and I will.”
“Not happening,” Kord said. Street and business lights silently disappeared, indicating loss of power. Relieved, Kord waded on. He preferred a shield of darkness. They needed the flashlights, and yet an assassin could mow them down.
He glanced back at Malik stumbling through the water. He fell face-first. Ali held Malik down.
“Don’t let him drown,” Kord said. “We need his intel.” He hoped the order would keep Malik alive.
Ali continued to hold him beneath the water.
“Ali, let him up.” Kord pulled his Glock and moved to where Malik was flailing in the water. “What if you’re drowning an innocent man?”
“He’s guilty.”
“Now, or I’ll pull the trigger.”
“Ali, release him.” Prince Omar emerged from the circle of bodyguards. “He’s Saad’s responsibility. This man will not die tonight.”
Ali jerked Malik up and shoved him toward Saad. Malik coughed and sputtered.
If they made it back to the house without being killed, who’d prevent the bodyguards from carrying out their own justice?