Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 126823 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 634(@200wpm)___ 507(@250wpm)___ 423(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126823 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 634(@200wpm)___ 507(@250wpm)___ 423(@300wpm)
“Did you see the people on the trail?” Raine asked.
Emar shook his head. “We moved as quickly as possible to get off the trail and into cover so we wouldn’t be seen. We didn’t hide or stop to look back. I believed it was Shabina with an official there to document the nest.”
“When we went back a few hours later, the box was gone. At first, we thought we just didn’t remember the exact location,” Jamal said. “But then the items turned up with a murder victim. We knew we had to keep quiet, or we would be suspects.”
“You used the term voices,” Raine persisted. “That indicates you believed more than one person was coming up the trail.”
The two men exchanged a long look. “Definitely more than one person,” Emar confirmed.
“And then when you took the bird-watching tour, you had a box of items you left on the hood of her vehicle,” Vienna said. “Where did you get those things if the box was gone?”
“We had sorted out some of the items and left them at the Airbnb where we were staying. We didn’t have a lot left but thought at least we could earn our money by leaving the things on her car,” Jamal said. “We’d taken his money and owed him.”
He sounded so righteous it was all Shabina could do not to laugh. They felt justified in helping her father because, in their minds, she was a rebellious daughter and needed disciplining. She glanced at Altair. Like Rainier, he had been raised in the Middle East. He’d had similar experiences to Rainier. He shook his head, indicating he didn’t share the same beliefs and, like her, thought her father, an American, was totally in the wrong.
Jack Foster couldn’t even claim his upbringing or customs would lead him to such a decision. Shabina knew it was entitlement and arrogance. No one defied Jack when he decreed something, least of all his insignificant daughter—the one she was certain he’d gotten word to the assassin Deadly Storms to kill all those years ago.
“We spoke with your father to ask for his aid in stopping the deportation and hopefully getting our visas back. He assured us it was no problem, but then he called and said he’d run into all kinds of roadblocks, that we have a powerful enemy who has enough clout to make it happen.” Emar looked at Raine the entire time he spoke.
Jamal did his best not to glare at her.
“You’re mistaken in believing Raine had anything to do with revoking your visas. That would be my husband,” Shabina said. “He does make a powerful enemy when you do something such as try to take his wife from him or have her committed to a hospital.”
Both men looked uncomfortable at the news.
“Is it possible to speak with him?” Emar ventured.
“I think it best if I speak on your behalf before he talks with you,” Shabina said. “If you anger him by saying anything against me, you won’t have a chance.”
Altair approached the men and gestured toward the door. “Rainier will contact you,” he assured. “Not that I believe you have much of a chance of dissuading him.”
Shabina knew the men couldn’t fail to hear the note of satisfaction in his voice.
Chapter Sixteen
Shabina rarely looked at her messages while she was working, but with Rainier gone, she couldn’t help herself.
Just got home, Qadri. Will come to the café after I rest.
She wanted to close the café immediately and rush home to him, but she knew if he said he needed rest, he did.
So happy you’re home. Can’t wait to see you. Get sleep. ♥
Raine entered, waving at her, indicating she needed to talk to her immediately. She pointed to the corner table in the back. Shabina hurried to take Raine’s laptop so she could concentrate on walking through the café and not worry about dropping the backpack she carried her laptop in. It was surprisingly heavy.
“You didn’t drive yourself here, did you?” Shabina asked.
“Zahra and Harlow are working. Vienna had a meeting this morning. I had to get here.” Raine settled into the chair and reached for her case.
“You should have called me, Raine. I would have gone to get you myself. I thought you had strict instructions not to drive a car.”
Raine shrugged. “This was important, and I didn’t want it to wait. The information is for your eyes only, not even one of our friends can see this.”
Shabina’s heart jumped. Rainier had come home. The assassin, Deadly Storms, must have completed his assignment. She couldn’t imagine what other information Raine would have that she couldn’t show to their friends.
“Besides, I can’t keep relying on everyone else for rides. I’m kind of losing my mind without my independence,” Raine admitted.
Tyrone hurried up to the table. “Ladies? Do you know what you want this morning?”