KORD AND THOSE WHO’D BEEN IN THE LIMO arrived at the wrought-iron gate of the Saud home. Security hadn’t been hampered by the inclement weather and allowed them access. They plodded up the driveway in wet clothes and waterlogged shoes to the home lit by generators, as were many of the residences in the area. Karim and Fares ushered them inside the front entrance and provided them with towels and a change of clothing.
Prince Omar raised his shoulders. Kord knew the prince would not complain of the wet and cold. Not his style. “Saad, lock Malik in the safe room until he can be transported. He won’t be able to hear a word there.”
“Amir,” Malik said, “I’m innocent —”
Prince Omar whirled and did a nose-to-nose in Malik’s face. “Be glad the FBI will be questioning you. If you have information, you’d better tell all. Every moment lost to the FBI’s questioning infuriates me. Don’t make me wish I hadn’t stopped Ali. One more word, and I’m walking away.”
Nothing else was said. Kord would need to stay close to the safe room or Malik wouldn’t survive the day.
Monica heard the men enter the house, and she could only imagine the tempers flaring. Angry bodyguards with blood on their minds? Plus they’d dealt with rain pouring buckets on the terrain with no sign of easing up. She counted ten minutes and texted Kord.
Malik alive?
In safe room.
Who’s guarding him?
Me.
She left the women’s area and walked down the stairs. Karim and Fares nodded her direction. No eye contact, but that was a better reception than she’d received in the past.
Her pattern of investigation and protection since Tuesday hadn’t deviated from watchful mode, and she despised it. At times, she wondered if Liam’s heinous crimes stalked her like a demon.
She made her way to where Kord sat on a tufted bench, peering at his phone’s screen as though a massive glob of superglue held him in place. Dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, he looked rather pitiful.
“Greetings from the dungeon,” he said.
She pointed to his bare feet. “Shoes destroyed?”
“That’s the least of my worries. Ali nearly drowned Malik. My guess is he’ll try to finish what he started.”
“Why not get some sleep? I’ll stay alert.”
He shook his head. “I could ask the same of you.”
“We’re partners.”
He gave her a slight smile. “If this blasted rain would stop, the FBI could arrange to get Malik out of here.”
“I have a whole list of what I’d like to see happen.”
He studied her, and uneasiness crept over her. “What were some of your past assignments?”
Not going there. “Boring compared to yours.”
“Your résumé skims what I know is an outstanding operative.”
“Off-limits.”
“Only making conversation. But I get it.”
She eased down beside him and met his gaze. His eyes told her more had crept into his mind than their mission.
“Strange,” he said.
“What?”
“If we were sitting here and not working, I’d take your hand.”
“Oh, really.” She kept her words flat.
“Then I might kiss you.”
She tingled. “Only if I let you.”
He laughed, allowing the tension between them to fade. So Kord felt the same attraction.
“You’re blushing.”
“I’m a pale blonde. We do that.”
“Oh, really.” He mocked her previous tone. “But you’d have the unequally yoked thing going.”
“That’s from the Bible.”
“Yep. I’ve read it.”
“And?”
“I’m still searching. Prince Omar urges me to accept Islam, and I see similarities with the Bible.” He paused. “But I see the differences, too.”
“Take a look at archaeology,” she said. “The Dead Sea Scrolls, the writings of Josephus.”
“Have been. A discussion for another time.”
She pressed on with her own agenda before he attempted to kiss her and she let him. Great, she should be praying for his soul, not contemplating a kiss. “Prince Omar had Fares deliver new phones to Fatima and Yasmine right away. They voiced their displeasure about not having their previous contact information, which I assume the prince heard. Not sure why those two haven’t figured out their brother hears everything. Or maybe they have and don’t care. A few moments later, they were both on the balcony texting. Could be innocent, or it could be treacherous.”
“What are you thinking?”
“Looking for an opportunity to see for myself. And I’m certain to have Prince Omar’s support.”
“He may confiscate their phones again for the same reason.”
“If I’m caught, I lose their trust. Tough call. I believe transparency is my key to either exonerating the princesses or proving one or both of them is guilty. I hope not the latter. Malik hasn’t left the witness stand for me. Yasmine is in love with him. But if she’s hiding anything, then she’s a master at lying.” She lowered her voice. “Of course her sister has the same broken heart issue.”
“Thanks for the reminder.” His phone buzzed with an incoming call. “Great timing.” He answered. “Nasim. I’d like for my partner to hear our conversation. She’s CIA.” Kord listened and nodded. “Thank you.” He motioned for her to lean in to the phone. “What’s happening?”
His voice cracked. “My wife and sons are dead. They took my daughter.”
“Who?”
“I never saw them. They broke into my home while I was at work. I blame those who found out what I learned about Prince Omar.”
“I’m sorry. Let me help you escape. Where are you now?”
“At my brother’s house, but I can’t stay here.”
“The safe house is eleven miles from your village. Head north. I’ll alert them.”
“No car. Will call later.”
“Get help before you go after your daughter.”
The call ended, and Kord pressed in another number. The man would not survive unless he followed Kord’s instructions. “Nasim is walking your direction. Family killed. Daughter taken. No positive ID on who’s responsible. I’ll get back to you ASAP.” He pressed in another number and explained to Prince Omar what had happened.
When the calls ended, she secured his attention with a whisper. “Nasim al-Bazzi?”
He nodded.
“One of ours too.” She texted Jeff, the third message tonight. She prayed that between the CIA and FBI, Nasim would escape death.
“Problem is,” Kord said, “I bet he goes after his daughter.”
She moaned. “Can’t blame him.”
“I’d do the same. She’s probably dead, and he’s walking into a trap.”
“I’m staying here until we have intel about Nasim and a plan forward with Malik. The princesses are busy, and I can keep you company. Or help take out Ali.”
“Ali’s not a bad guy. Just thinks differently than you or me.” He leaned his head back. “If the mole is here and giving the enemy our every move, then those of us caught in the rain would be dead.”
“Depends. If all of you were dead but one man, the authorities would have the name.”
“Are you the voice of reason?”
She wished. “Just trying to think like those who want us out of the picture.”
“I’m banking on the prince’s sporadic use of his cell phone to keep the killer baited. I asked him to use it for a call to Riyadh regarding Malik’s arrest. Should ease the killer’s mind.”
She shook her head. “Unless Malik is guilty. Then he has reasons to be afraid.”
They talked until 6:55, when SAC Thomas alerted Kord that a helicopter would be landing at the Saud home to pick up Malik, Kord, Prince Omar, and Ali.
Monica longed to be a part of the interrogation detail, wanted to hear Malik confess to the killings and end the tragedies. Instead she was stuck at the home in a Saudi man’s world. “I never enjoyed inaction.”
“Sorry. I’ll tell you everything.”
“Not the same, partner.”