MONICA RESPONDED to Ali’s statement by standing from the bench. Most likely Prince Omar had questions about what he’d overheard in her conversation with Fatima and Yasmine. Or the natatorium. “I’m ready.”
“And you will consider my offer of marriage?”
“I promise you I value our friendship.”
They walked toward the house. “How long have you worked with the FBI?” Ali said.
“Not long.”
“The prince told me you’re CIA.”
She sighed. Was nothing secret?
“It’s all right. I understand the secrecy and undercover work for a government.”
“Were you testing my honesty?”
He chuckled. “I was testing your loyalty to the US.”
Once inside Prince Omar’s office, Ali stood near the door, and she waited in a chair that resembled a museum piece. As expected, he offered both of them coffee, and she accepted the hospitality.
“The rain has stopped,” he said.
Pleasantries. “Giving people an opportunity to begin cleaning up their homes and businesses.”
“Have you ever been caught in rising water?”
Was he posing a trick question? “I’ve assisted those who were in need.”
“A wise woman. Miss Alden, thank you for your kindness to my sisters.”
“I’m sincere. They are fine women.”
“As you are aware, conversations are available to me.”
Great way to put eavesdropping into perspective.
“If you’d like to instruct my sisters in the art of self-defense, I approve on the condition I be apprised of what is being taught and their progress.” He waved his hand. “Specifically, an evaluation of their skills.”
“I’ll complete one for each of them.” She avoided his face.
“As a courtesy to me, please continue to encourage Fatima and Yasmine to be strong. Our mother is not well. I’ve seen the test results, and my sisters must be able to handle the grief.”
“Most certainly.” Would he address his sisters’ broken hearts over lost love?
“Thank you for saving the lives of my family and friends. Before the evening is over, I will speak to Fatima and Yasmine, let them know they can relax. With Parvin Shah’s death, we can carry on.”
She moistened her lips. “I respectfully disagree, Prince Omar. We have no idea how many others are working against you.”
“Our responsibilities take us many places. I don’t want them to be worried about me. Your country and mine will not let this rest until the murderers are found.” He took a sip of coffee. “What is your professional view of Parvin Shah?”
“She didn’t have the typical characteristics of most terrorists. Extremely neat. Her behavior patterns followed the same order with attention to detail in the killings. Whoever recruited Shah approached her with a logical reason to kill. Intel claims money. The person would have known her background and provided something of value.”
“Has your ability to remember the things you’ve seen given you any additional insights?”
“The MO of female terrorists. They’re in the minority, but their involvement has killed hundreds of innocent people. She may be dead, but we don’t know who was giving her orders. Or who trained her. It’s unlikely she saved enough money at her job to live on for two months, and her financials are minimal.”
He steepled his fingers. “Do you have a name of who could have taken her place?”
Another test of her loyalty to the US, like Ali. “If I had a suspect, that person would be in custody. Between both countries, we will make arrests and destroy this plot. We just don’t know how soon.”
“Kord said the same.”
Her phone sounded with a text.
“Take it,” the prince said.
She read the message from the CIA. Kord would have received the same intel from the FBI. “Prince Omar, your phone was infected with a virus that copied all your contact information. Everything available on your phone. A recording device too.”
He muttered a phrase in Arabic, one she recognized. “This explains Zain’s death and those that followed.” He tapped his hand on his knee.
“Malik is still a suspect, but I could be wrong,” she said. “I know you’ve been retracing your steps there to help determine when and where.”
Prince Omar turned to Ali. “Make sure Kord and Miss Alden have all they need. Also, what’s the status of Malik’s cousin Rashid Dagher, regarding his son, Youssof?”
“Rashid hasn’t heard from him since he left for Iraq and fears he’s dead.”
“Why?”
“The father could be giving an excuse to avoid further questioning. Stating his son is a good man and he fears his death sounds better than betrayal. Amir, we have the father in custody.”
Prince Omar huffed. “Miss Alden, do you have intel about either man?”
“We haven’t located Youssof either.” At the first opportunity, she wanted to recheck for a link between Parvin Shah and the Daghers and Malik al-Kazaz.
Prince Omar lifted his chin as though thinking. “If one of them is guilty, then the plot could spread to Iraq. But if they have chosen Iran over Saudi Arabia, that paves the way for violence. We need information now.” He turned to Monica. “I want to speak to Kord again tonight. You are free to leave.” Before Monica could stand, he spoke again. “One more thing. Have you accepted Ali’s proposal?”
Heat raced up her neck, the second time this evening. Ali stood within feet of her. “I’m honored, but I declined.”
“Understandable with what happened to you in the past. You are a spirited woman, and Ali recognizes the quality.” He smiled. “So does Kord.”
For once since she stepped into this mission, she was grateful not to look a man in the eye.
Back in her room, Monica flipped on her laptop and shook off Ali’s proposal and Prince Omar’s final words. No way would anyone pick out a husband for her except God, and she was sure neither Ali nor Kord was on His list for a lifelong companion. Besides, she wasn’t looking.
How much did Prince Omar know about Liam? She shuddered at the thought of Kord knowing the ink stain on her career . . . and heart. Of course he’d seen the documented portion about how she’d killed an agent who’d used biological warfare in Africa. But she’d said far too much to Fatima and Yasmine knowing the prince would hear. She hoped her transparency worked positively for the case.
Digging her fingers into her palms, she longed to understand why God allowed her to feel such hurt and shame. Would she ever be able to deal with the past? Tuck it away? No matter how much prayer or Scripture hit her senses, she’d never see good from such evil this side of heaven.
Get over it, Monica. If you weren’t capable, you wouldn’t be on the mission.
She sent a request for more intel regarding the four persons with questionable backgrounds. Who else ran the streets with a weapon aimed at Prince Omar and his family? In the morning, he planned to visit his mother with Fatima and Yasmine. If only the man would stay put.
Ali, as the new press secretary, announced the prince refused to make a statement about Parvin Shah until there was more information. To ease the media’s onslaught of questions, Ali scheduled a private press conference at two tomorrow at the Saud home. That would allow the prince to speak about his goal of forging a better relationship between Saudi Arabia and the US.
Monica had no illusions about assassination plots. Failure only increased determination. Terrorists didn’t burn brain cells worrying about the body count for either side. They’d march forward until permanently stopped.
She closed her eyes and relived today for anything she might have missed. Shah had worn an expensive men’s suit. Monica swiped across her phone to see the pics snapped before HPD and the ambulance arrived. She couldn’t make out the suit brand, but it dripped with money. Unlikely Macy’s carried it. She texted Jeff and copied Kord.
Shah wore hi $ suit. Find brand. Probably bought in last 3-4 months.
On it
And list of Houston retailers who sell the brand.
By normal calculations, she should be craving sleep. Instead her mind repeated facts and questions about who had designs to kill.