FATIMA OPENED Yasmine’s bedroom door. “I heard you crying. What’s wrong? Is Mother all right?” She frowned at Monica. “Did you cause this?”
Another can of worms. “Indirectly.” Monica touched Yasmine’s arm. “Would you like to tell your sister what I discovered?”
The younger woman shook her head. Fatima slid onto the bed beside her sister and wrapped her arm around Yasmine’s waist. “You can tell me.”
Several seconds passed with only the sound of Yasmine’s weeping. She swallowed hard. “I’ve been seeing Malik alone. Tonight, Monica caught us outside.”
Fatima stood abruptly from the bed. “How could you disgrace yourself to meet him without an escort? At night too? What else have you done? Been with him? Are there other men? Yasmine, are you pregnant?”
Yasmine was in Fatima’s face before Monica could break them up. “How dare you ask such a horrible question? Malik would never seduce me. He’s good and kind.”
Monica could have argued against Malik’s intentions, but she’d not interfere with two sisters quarreling unless it meant they’d waken the household. That tipping point had arrived. “Enough. You will have the prince pounding on the door and demanding an explanation.”
Fatima whirled around, her back against her sister. “You’re right. If our brother learns of this, the outcome could be unthinkable. He can’t find out, but this can never happen again. Is this why you wanted to delay giving Omar your phone? I knew it wasn’t charging.”
“Yes. I . . . I needed to delete Malik’s number.”
“How shameful.”
“He wants to marry me.”
“Then let him seek permission the proper way.”
A text alerted Monica. She glanced at the screen. Kord. Bring Yasmine 2 the main kitchen ASAP. She captured the young woman’s attention. “Why would Kord need to speak to you immediately?”
The young woman’s eyes widened. “Did he see me with Malik? I thought we were careful, but —”
Fatima touched her throat. “Omar must know what you’ve done.”
Monica typed into her phone. On our way. What’s up?
Malik may b the mole.
Monica placed her phone inside her pocket and stared into Yasmine’s face. “We’re to meet Kord in the kitchen now. How much do you trust Malik’s allegiance?”
“He’s loyal to my brother. Why? Will my brother be with Mr. Davidson?”
“I have no idea.”
“I’m scared.”
Yasmine had the look of innocence and young love. Monica had been there, and she wanted to shield her from heartache. “Take a deep breath. First we need to find out why Kord has questions for you.”
“What am I supposed to say?”
“Simply answer him. The truth has no competitor.”
“I’m going with you.” Fatima moved to the doorway of Yasmine’s bedroom. “I’ll grab my hijab. My sister deserves my support.”
Monica blinked. “What brought on the change of heart?”
“Yasmine and I will discuss her indiscretions later. Right now she needs me.”
Monica had grown up with brothers, and her best friend —as close as she could get to a friend —was Lori. This love-hate relationship between Fatima and Yasmine seemed as foreign as their mannerisms.
What had Kord discovered? Before they reached the suite door leading to the hallway, Monica stopped and stared at Yasmine. “I need to know now. Do you have information about Zain’s murder or the assassination plot against Prince Omar?”
Yasmine sobbed. “No. I promise you. I love my brother.”
Monica understood how a woman could love a man and have him manipulate her for his own self-serving purposes. The three crept down the winding staircase and on to the kitchen. A single light shone in the cooking area, where Kord stood with Malik. The Saudi press secretary arched his shoulders the moment she and the other two women entered the area. Fatima wrapped her arm around her sister in a vise grip hold.
“That was fast,” Kord said.
“We were talking when you texted me.” She glanced at Malik. His eye twitched.
Kord leaned against the marble counter. His typical serious mode and more. “I need to ask Yasmine a few questions.”
“About what?” Fatima said, anger simmering with each word like a slow boil.
Monica sent a silent message to the woman: Leave your personal feelings out of this.
“My job is to keep your brother alive. Zain is dead. Two other innocent men are dead. Unless you can give me a name of who’s responsible, I suggest you listen while I do my job.”
Fatima’s face reddened, but she said nothing.
“Yasmine, how many times have you met Malik alone?” Kord said.
She trembled. “Twice here.”
“And at home?”
“Not sure.”
“Yasmine?”
“Several times.”
“Why have you broken your culture’s laws, dishonored yourself, and shamed your family?”
Yasmine wept against her sister’s shoulder. Monica wished Kord would take the young woman’s age into consideration.
“Yasmine, this is serious.” His voice gave no hint of sympathy.
“Why is Yasmine your concern?” Fatima said.
Kord glared at Fatima with a look that could have cracked concrete. “Yasmine, I need an answer.”
The young woman broke away from Fatima as though finding strength. “I thought only of being with Malik.”
Probably not the best response.
“What did you talk about?”
She paled but kept her stance. “Our love and our future together.”
“Does Malik have plans to eliminate Prince Omar?”
Yasmine inhaled sharply. “Never. He loves him like a brother. Respects him.”
“I differ with your assessment since he’s broken laws regarding you.”
“That will soon change,” she said. “He will take care of —”
Malik stepped in front of Kord. “Yes, I assure you the matter will be handled as soon as we are finished here.”
Kord intercepted the man and shoved him back. “I’m talking to Yasmine. Has he spoken against Prince Omar?”
“No. Aren’t you listening to me?”
“Has he talked to your brother about marrying you? Has the prince refused to speak to your father?”
Yasmine flashed a bewildered look at Malik. “I don’t think so.”
“I’m loyal to the Saud family,” Malik said. “Look at my record.”
“He’d never hurt my brother.”
“But he’d entice you to meet him in secret,” Kord said. “To break rules and risk damaging your reputation.”
A second light flipped on. Monica whirled to see Prince Omar already in all his regalia for so early in the morning. How long had he been listening?
“Malik, are you guilty of murder?” The prince’s voice rumbled low.
“No, Amir. I’m loyal to you at all costs.”
“Yet you tempted and succeeded in having my sister meet you in secret.”
“Yes. I’m guilty of dishonoring her, and I regret my actions.”
Prince Omar nodded at Ali, who stood behind him. “You will assume Malik’s duties. The first one is to arrange a commercial flight home for him tomorrow.” He turned to Yasmine. “You are to remain in this house under Fatima’s care. You will visit our mother and resume your studies. You are not to mention this to our mother. This matter will be resolved when we return home. Until Malik leaves, you are to remain in your quarters.”
“Yes, Brother.” Yasmine shook.
“Your phone. Now.”
She pulled it from a pocket and gave it to him.
“Fatima, take your sister upstairs.”
The princesses left the room.
Monica stayed and slid a look at Kord. His dark eyes captured hers. Had he detected disapproval from the prince for her presence in the kitchen? Not that his approval mattered. She had a job to do. But Kord’s slight upturned lip gave her a bit of a lift before he looked to the prince.
“I read encrypted e-mail messages in which the IP address led back to Malik. A plot —”
“The words.”
Kord lifted his phone and scrolled through it. “These were traced to Malik’s IP address. ‘Prince Omar and those like him will be crushed like the ahle-Kitab. Prince Omar will not leave US soil alive. Allah has given him into our hands. We know every move he makes while he stumbles into a sniper’s path. He’s a fool to trust the ones close to him. Many will be killed. Soon he will be under our feet.’”
Monica studied Malik for his reaction.
Ali pulled a knife from inside his thobe and lunged at Malik. Kord slammed his fist onto Ali’s arm. The knife hit the floor, its pearl handle glittering in the light. The two men struggled. Kord twisted Ali’s arm behind his back.
“Listen to me,” Kord said. “If Malik is guilty, why would he allow his IP address to be exposed?”
Ali fought against him. “He made a fool’s mistake.”
Monica could step in, but this was Kord’s battle.
“Let me get to the truth,” Kord said. “No need for another killing.”
“Ali, stand down,” Prince Omar said. “Kord has a solid argument.”
Ali relaxed and Kord released him, then proceeded to cuff Malik. “Prince Omar, I need to take this man to the FBI office for questioning. With three murders, this is not an issue of diplomatic immunity.”
“I waive immunity,” Malik said.
“You can’t. Not up to you.” Kord had the authority to apprehend him, but having the prince’s approval would ease the tension.
“Prince Omar —” Malik’s voice was firm —“I welcome the questioning. The killer must be found, but I’m innocent of being part of a conspiracy or having any knowledge of the murders.”
A flash of regret crossed the prince’s face. “It’s hard for me to say killer and Malik in the same breath. But do we ever really know those whom we trust?”
Yasmine’s actions had hurt him.
“Omar. I’m your friend,” Kord said. “I’m going to find who has committed these crimes. I don’t care who’s responsible.”
“This is disappointing, and I’m angry. I was aware of his interest in Yasmine, but to bring disgrace on her is unforgivable.”
“I’d like to leave now. Whether Malik’s guilty or innocent, we’ll find out.”
“All right. I’m coming with you. If he confesses to these crimes, I want to hear it.”
“What if an assassin is waiting outside the gates?” Kord said.
“You know I will not cower to fear.”
Monica took a deep breath and prayed for respectful words. “Prince Omar, I’m a novice with your culture, but I’m learning. Yasmine is a child. I beg you to remember her naiveté.”
Lines creased his face. “Yes, she is young, but she’s been versed in our ways. Her actions are inexcusable. Thank you. Your concern is appreciated. Will you remain with my sisters while I’m away?”
Was Prince Omar asking her to probe for information? No need. If Fatima or Yasmine knew anything, she’d find out. “Of course. Is there anything else?”
“No. Two of my men will guard the home —Karim and Fares. You’re free to go.”
She hid a smile.
“Monica, I’ll text you with updates of Malik’s and my conversation before you arrived,” Kord said. “And will you tell us why you and the princesses were up so late?”
Such formality. “I hesitate to mention this with the cultural variances between our countries. But I heard Yasmine leave tonight. Saw her and Malik in the garden area. I followed and questioned them.”
The heavy sound of Prince Omar’s sigh echoed around the room.