It was the first time Morgan had heard that term.
“But not for you?” Morgan pressed. “I mean, are you saying you can’t help us, then?”
“Oh, I’m saying nothing of the kind. Excuse me if I gave you the wrong impression. But if you’re more comfortable working with someone else, I’d be happy to refer you to—”
“No, that won’t be necessary,” J.J. blurted out. “We’re at the preliminary stage, and we want to know how it all works. We have a certain amount of capital, but for the right investor, in a budding market trend, sorry for the pun, we thought investing in our company would be lucrative. And it would give us the chance to expand faster, to take advantage of the new marijuana laws before the whole world jumps in.”
“Oh, I understand completely. And I personally have no problem with it. I probably shouldn’t have mentioned it. I apologize.” He replaced Halley’s picture on the credenza where it had been previously. He sported his biggest smile yet. “In my own defense, I just wanted to say I understand farming because of my family’s enterprise.”
“Of course,” answered J.J.
“Is that some of your family there?” Morgan asked, pointing to the photograph.
Messi stared at him for a second before swiveling in his chair and picking up the wedding photograph. “Yes.” He didn’t offer to show it to Morgan, but both of them could see that the Imam was indeed Al-Moustafa. J.J. took in a quick burst of air, but otherwise didn’t react.
“Beautiful family,” Morgan whispered.
“Thank you. One of my nieces. I have about fourteen.”
“That’s a lot of weddings,” J.J. remarked.
Gibril shook his head. “Indeed.”
The rest of the conversation squared on logistics, how Gibril found investors, and how they worked up their report. He said he’d want to see their operation, as it was, and get more statistics on their business, what their business model was, the equipment they’d need, and a brief bio of their backgrounds, including their education.
He pushed a silver folder across the desk. “All our company information is here, along with the information we’d require to determine if we are a perfect fit and if we can help you. Fee structures, of course, are negotiable and dependent on the amounts of capital needed and raised. When were you looking to begin your buildings?”
“As close to the beginning of the year as possible,” said J.J. “We have temporary hoops at other locations we’ve leased, but not a permanent, permitted location.”
“I see, well, not sure that gives us much time, then. But why don’t you look this over, fill out the paperwork and the documents we’re asking for, and then come back. I promise I’ll start working it up the day I receive it. Fair enough?”
They shook hands, and instead of accompanying them down to the lobby, he showed them the way to the elevator. The silver folder Morgan had in his iron grip was mangled by the time they got to the lobby.
J.J. had taken a deep breath.
“Save it until we’re outside, sport,” whispered Morgan, who smiled at the receptionist.
J.J. stomped his way to the truck.
“Hold it just a little while longer, Hank. I gotta get out of this parking lot and get some air.
“I need a fuckin’ drink, and I don’t drink this early in the day. You asshole, you almost tipped our hand completely.”
“I know he’s our link. Not sure if he’s involved, but I’ll bet damn sure his family is. We gotta get the boys to Modesto. Maybe split them up?”
J.J. crossed his arms. “You sure have a nose for stirring things up. I’ll hand you that.”
“Isn’t that what we’re here for, J.J.?”
“No, we’re here to—”
“To gather information. This gives us lots of stuff we can tell Lambert about. I should have asked him the name of the family farm.”
“It was in the report, remember?”
Morgan didn’t remember that detail. “The name?”
“I’ll ask Lambert. Where to now?”
“Can I see Halley?”
“Absolutely not. We’ve talked about this. Give her a call. I’m more inclined to go see the boys.”
“I wouldn’t touch that. They’re just getting started. Leave them alone. They’ll be checking in. In the meantime, I think we need more bodies here in San Jose. Something is definitely going on.”
As J.J. made the call to Washington, Morgan was amazed they’d learned so much in such a few short days. His whole world had changed on multiple facets. It was almost like he was gluing the pieces of his life back together.
Chapter 18
Halley rose early to tackle the day. Crystal was still not answering her phone. She wanted to ask Morgan if he could retrieve Orestes phone number, but decided to wait until they updated her. He’d promised a phone call.
By eight, she was at her desk, working on checking her new gmail account. She notified all her credit accounts and vendors she regularly did business with online. She posted a FB post about getting ready for the big event.
The morning was overcast. As promised, Gibril called her.
“You sound much better today, Halley. Must have been some much-needed rest. Grieving can wear a person out.”
“I agree.”
“You’ve probably got lots to catch up on, but can I help you out in any way?”
“I can’t find Crystal. If you could find her, that would be awesome. I have things for her to do. I fear I may have scared her away.”
Gibril chuckled. “Sorry. You know I know nothing about her. But we have a couple of part-timers here I could maybe lend you. What do you think?”
Halley didn’t want anyone she didn’t know at this point.
“Thanks, but I’m fine. I can do everything. It will just take me longer, and now I’m behind.”
“Well, save a little energy for me, okay? How about dinner? You need to be pampered.”
It did sound nice, and she also wanted to do some low-level probing for the team. “I probably should work straight through dinner, but I’m going to take you up on it.”
“Wonderful. I’ll pick you up, say, at seven? That work for you?”
“Perfect. Thanks, Gibril.”
“If you need anything else, please call me.”
“I will.”
Halley worked on her script for the next two hours. Then she watched some videos on how to use some of the new features on her computer. A little after noon, she got a call from Crystal.
“What’s going on? I haven’t heard back from you in days.” Halley wasn’t going to let her return without an explanation.
“I’m sorry, but I’m afraid I’m not going to be able to continue as your assistant.”
“Okay. Is everything alright?”
“It’s not your fault. I did take offense, but when I started thinking about things, I’m not cut out for this. You’ve taught me a lot, Halley. But it’s time to start doing something else, not live in someone else’s shadow.”
“I can support that, but you understand this leaves me in the lurch for the big event? Timing’s pretty crappy. I’m sorry I snapped at you, but I have to have some personal life. You do understand that, don’t you?”
“I do now.” She sighed. “I’m sorry I didn’t let you know with better timing. Just wanted you to understand I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”
Halley wondered if Crystal had an inkling of what the special task force was working on. Could she be staying away for that reason?.
“Is there something else you’re not telling me?”
“What do you mean?”
“Is there another reason you’ve been absent?”
After a long pause, Crystal confided in her that she thought she had a stalker. “Someone’s been in my house while I’m at work. I got home on Monday and nearly caught someone rummaging through my things.”
“Did they take anything?”
“They took an old laptop. Not one I bring to work.
I had that one with me. Just my laptop. I spent Tuesday changing all my passcodes. By Tuesday night, Orestes and I had talked, and, well, we decided to move back down to Southern California. He’s got a job in security on one of the movie lots. I’ll find something.”
“I’m sorry. Can’t be anything connected to me, or is that what you’re saying?”
“I don’t know. But I’ve been feeling someone has been spying on me.”
“I’ve felt the same thing, Crystal.” Halley was being truthful, at least.
“When you left the message that your computer had been stolen, too, well, I just knew my brother and I’d made the right decision. Do you think we’re being targeted for anything, Halley?”
“I was going to ask the same thing of you. But no.” She hated to lie, but it was important not to reveal anything J.J. or Morgan had told her. Maybe it would be easier to have one less person to worry about if Crystal were gone. “I’ll need the sales files, the data from the recent signups. Can you please send them to my new gmail account and a copy of the sales drafts to my bookkeeper?”
“Judy’s already got them. But I’ll forward your stuff this afternoon.” She hesitated again. “I’m really sorry. I hope everything goes well, and please call me if you have any questions about anything.”
“Thanks.”
She gave Crystal her new account information, asked where she wanted her and her brother’s check sent, and requested she get in touch when she got situated down in Los Angeles.
Several minutes later, the recent sales updates were in her inbox, and Halley confirmed with her bookkeeper that the files had already been downloaded to her two days prior. And yes, she could see, the event was indeed sold out.
Morgan did call. She let him know about Crystal, and then he mentioned meeting Gibril.
“You did what?”
“We came up for something else, and—”
“And where are you now?”
The phone was silent at first. “I can’t come see you, Halley. You know that. I’m with J.J. We’re going back tomorrow. Have a couple task force guys coming out to give us a hand, based on some information we found today.”
“So you’ll have an update for me tomorrow, then?” she asked.
“We’ve started searching into several strings at the moment. Just continue to act like everything’s normal.”
“Is the event still on, then?”
“At this point, we’re still trying to determine. If we can get inside fast enough, well, our goal is to stop them, not you.”
“So what did you think of my boyfriend?” she teased.
“Are you sure he’s not gay?”
“Very funny.”
“He’s handsome, I’ll give you that. But see if you can get more information on his relatives. I think there’s a link there we need to check out.”
“Okay. So I’ll talk to you tomorrow?”
“Yes, dear.”
“You better think of something better than that to say to me next time.”
“I promise,” he said and then hung up.
At seven on the dot, Gibril was at the house, looking as handsome as ever. He took her to a new Italian restaurant.
“Nice thing about this one is that people haven’t discovered it yet. We have space,” he said as they both surveyed the half-empty dining room.
Halley looked for opportunities to ask him questions, like she was supposed to. It was difficult to get him off the subject of her “friend” in LA who had now died of cancer.
“So I finally heard from Crystal. She’s not coming back.”
She watched as his expression turned serious. “Really? Why?”
“It was difficult to get exactly what was going on with her, but she claims to have been followed.”
Gibril showed no expression, no reaction.
“Anyway, she and Orestes are moving back to LA. We said our good-byes. I really liked her.”
“That’s so odd. What will you do?”
“Perhaps I don’t need one. This isn’t the right time to train anybody new. I’ve got too much going on. The good thing was that she was so organized I’m pretty set up, and what isn’t done is easily identified. She left me in good shape. It’s just the emotional support I don’t have.”
That got Gibril’s attention.
“You want me to send one of our girls over?”
“No. Like I said, I’m fine for now. But next month, perhaps we can discuss it further.”
He reached for her hand. “You know I’d love to be part of that emotional support for you.”
Her first reaction was to withdraw her hand, but she held firm, smiled, and thanked him. “You’ve already done so much.”
“I’ve said it before. Nothing is too good for you.”
“I appreciate your confidence in me. New challenges bring new opportunities, right?”
“Exactly.” He held up his glass.
Halley decided to take a different tactic. She was feeling a little sad she’d been playing such a ruse on him.
“In your experience, since you are from a different culture—”
“Some claim we’re from a different time zone. A throwback. You’ve said so yourself.”
She completely agreed. “I’m sure there are many things about your culture that work.”
“Have for centuries. We are a very old culture, made up of many peoples and lands. Even the religion is multisided and sometimes fractured. It is more difficult to deal with the old, very old ways.”
“Yet you were able to overcome it. Look at what you’ve done, Gibril. It’s one of the reasons I think we are such good friends.”
The words were coming straight from her heart.
“I appreciate that. And you represent your culture well. You are a product of your upbringing, just as I am.”
“So how do I get more of the women of your world to become involved in my seminars? Do you have any idea?”
He sat up straight, wiped his lips with the linen napkin carefully, and searched her face.
“You wish to do this?”
“I’ve thought about it. I know there are women who want to take control of their own lives, be less dependent on the men for their existence.”
“I’ll have to think about that.”
She had to ask him. “What do you think about that? Do you see it as a good thing, a good skill for a woman to have?”
“If it’s not taken too far.”
“Explain.”
“Halley, why all these questions all of a sudden? You’ve never been interested in those aspects of my culture.”
“But, Gibril, can it be done? Can I reach them?”
She was relieved with his casual answer. “I suppose it can be done. Do you have another couple of hundred years? Old cultures take a long time to change. I cannot judge what I don’t understand, and I don’t understand much of all this hatred and violence. It comes from all places in the world, and none of it is helpful. Some don’t want to change. Sometimes, we have to be patient. Enjoy those we don’t agree with or don’t understand for what they are, not what they are not. If we desire to live in peace, that is.”
She leaned in and took his hand this time. “But I really want to know, do you think it would be a good thing?”
He stared at their fingers entwined. His dark eyes and long eyelashes swept up to meet her gaze. “Anything, Halley, that you suggest would be a good thing for anyone, man or woman. You tell people to believe in themselves, to listen to themselves. That’s the best advice anyone can have.”
Her eyes filled with tears. She’d been right about him. He was an innocent. A handsome, powerful, caring, innocent man. And he believed in her.
“Thank you, I’m flattered.”
“You own it. That compliment is yours and yours alone. I don’t say such things I don’t mean.”
“So how do you negotiate that with those of your family who may not agree with that opinion?”
He withdrew his hand to his
lap and studied her. “I don’t check out the weeds in their garden. I hope that they don’t come over to pull the weeds in mine. They say fences make good neighbors. In this case, I’d say that’s true.”
She thought about his niece.
“Your niece coming to the seminar, will it ruffle any feathers then?”
He tilted his head, rolled his eyes as if searching the top of his skull for an answer. “I’m not sure how she negotiates that. She asked me to introduce the two of you. I know she’s modern, doesn’t cover herself, and wants to go to Stanford. What my uncle thinks about it, I cannot say.”
“But she’s the first of perhaps several who might be interested?”
“I’m not very close with my uncle. I didn’t even know Fatima wanted to attend the University until she told me herself. I was surprised. So I’d doubt if my uncle’s family is lining up to buy tickets, sweet Halley. As much as I’d like to tell you yes, I’m afraid I’m not the person to ask.”
She understood more than he realized.
“Does any of this help?” he asked.
Her smile was genuine. She was relieved and fully convinced he had no connection to any plot to plan a terrorist attack. It just wasn’t in his nature, nor could she see him having any such thoughts. Ever.
“Thank you, Gibril. Once again, you have exceeded my expectations.”
“My goodness. I had no idea it was so important to you.”
She finished her entree and declined another bottle of wine. She was feeling slightly tipsy from the two glasses she’d had. But she agreed to entertain dessert.
After their order was taken, she asked him about his day.
“Oh, I had the most delightful meeting with a couple of real characters. I’m not allowed to divulge the details, but, Halley, you would have loved them.”
“Really?
“I do hope they come back. I’d enjoy working with them.” He winked at her and whispered, “I think they’re gay.”
Chapter 19
Commander Lambert sent a force of operatives recently off a dark ops mission in Yemen to San Jose. Morgan and J.J. tasked them with taking over the security detail at the event center without Jason knowing anything about it. It was a tricky maneuver, but one of them planned to talk his way in as a new hire, and once they had that guy in, the rest would be able to follow.
Bachelor SEAL (Sleeper SEALs Book 5) Page 15