Akil let out exaggerated breath. “I pay him to help me bring the girls to the border. That’s it.”
Knowing we were seeking help from another sex trafficker wasn’t something I wanted to hear. I kept thinking about my own daughter. How would I feel if the sex trade wrapped its ugly tentacles around her? It sickened me. Every month, thousands of girls were forced into that business. They were kept as slaves, used until their value was depleted, and then discarded like trash. It seemed there was no stopping it.
“How much farther?” I barked.
“We’re almost there. A few blocks,” Akil answered.
“When we meet Yanick, you are not to repeat anything I’ve told you or tell him anything about what happened at the clinic. Is that understood?”
Akil nodded but refrained from looking at me.
I tried to keep the information I relayed about my situation and myself to a minimum, only what was needed to jar his memory. I didn’t like exposing my life to others, let alone to those I despised.
The Russian Market was a large indoor market that slightly resembled the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. There were stalls selling oriental rugs stacked ten-feet high, hanging glass lanterns in an array of colors, and handmade copperware. There were the usual suspects selling clothing, handbags, makeup, jewelry, and souvenirs.
The lanes were fairly narrow, heavy with heat and the pungent body odor of tightly packed shoppers rubbing shoulders. We pressed forward to a small stall near the rear of the market, one selling roasted coffee beans.
“This is Yanick’s shop,” Akil said.
Large glass jars lined the front of the stall, each filled to the brim with various shades of coffee beans. Handwritten signs promoted the popular dung-harvested coffee. It seemed every country had a version of beans that were plucked from excrement of the civet cat. Some experimented with other animals. In Thailand, they had Black Ivory coffee, beans gathered from elephant droppings. My guess was that ninety percent of that shitty coffee wasn’t authentic.
Yanick and Akil kissed each other on the cheek twice before placing a hand over their chest. “As-salam alaykum,” Akil said.
“Wa alaykum e-salam,” Yanick replied.
“Yanick, this is Sei, the woman I told you about.”
Yanick gave me a polite nod of his head.
“Is there someplace we can speak privately?” Akil asked.
“Yes, of course.”
Yanick didn’t look very different from Akil. He stood about the same height and appeared to be in the same age range. He had longer hair, and his skin color was a little darker. He also had a noticeably crooked hook nose. It had been broken on more than one occasion. He dressed better, wearing a light blue, long-sleeve button-down, black slacks, and leather shoes. Neither the heat nor the humidity seemed to bother him. In fact, I had noticed that it never bothered Akil either.
At the rear of his shop, we walked through a narrow doorway into a small storage area. We were blocked from sight by a beaded curtain across the opening. No sooner had we entered the space than Yanick stopped with the pleasantries.
“Akil, you are crazy to have come back here. They KK have not forgotten about you.”
“My friend, everything is okay.”
“Okay?” A disturbing frown covered Yanick’s face. “Do they know you are back in town?”
Akil glanced briefly at me. That was enough to answer Yanick’s question. He dropped his head into his palm and mumbled a few Tunisian words.
A moment later, Yanick looked up at us. “I’m sorry, but I can’t be a part of this. I cannot help you. Both of you must leave now,” he said, pointing at the doorway.
I grabbed hold of his hand and twisted it down and back, which caused Yanick to bend at the waist and twist his torso to alleviate the pain. “Ow, ow,” he whined.
“We’re not leaving, and you will help us. Is that understood?”
“Yes, yes, let go.”
Chapter 42
Shortly after I made it clear to Yanick on what it was he would be doing, he closed his shop for the day and escorted us back to his apartment.
“Yanick, how sure are you the gang isn’t watching your place?”
He looked at me and then answered. “You’re forcing me to do something I don’t want to do. What do you think?”
I had just started to protest when Akil interjected.
“It’s okay, Sei. Yanick never met anyone from the gang. They don’t know him. This is exactly why I didn’t introduce you to them, Yanick. Aren’t you happy I kept you away?”
“No, it’s you is who’s happy you kept me away. Now you have a safe place to invite yourself to.”
We stayed off the main roads and stuck to smaller backstreets, utilizing the passageways that ran between buildings to reach Yanick’s place. He lived in a small one-bedroom apartment on the first floor of what appeared to be a family home.
His apartment had an open design and looked homey. It contained one brown fabric sofa with two matching chairs and a wooden coffee table. There were a few newspapers sitting on top of it, along with an empty coffee mug. Off to the side was a tiny kitchen consisting of a short countertop with a two-burner range and a sink. A row of cabinets hung above it. An open doorway led to his bedroom—inside I saw a single mattress on the floor and a four-drawer dresser.
“How long have you lived in Phnom Penh?” I asked as I walked across the room toward a shelf adhered to a wall. On top of it were a few framed pictures of what looked like family.
“Ten years,” he answered. “I’ve been in this apartment for eight. Families here often rent out a floor or a room in their homes for extra income. It’s small, but it’s enough for me.”
“What about your family?”
“They’re back in Tunisia.”
“You came here alone?”
This time Yanick hesitated before answering. “Yes.”
I wasn’t sure if he was lying or annoyed with my questions. I wasn’t interested in small talk; I just wanted a better handle on his situation in Phnom Penh. I didn’t trust Akil, and there was absolutely no reason to trust Yanick.
“Please, sit,” Yanick said, pointing at the two chairs. “I’ll fix us some tea.” He filled a kettle with water and put it on the stove.
I continued to stand while Akil ignored Yanick and headed for the small fridge. “Do you have anything to eat?”
Yanick answered in his native language, prompting Akil to look back at me. “Hungry? Yes? I’ll fix us something to eat.”
I was a bit surprised at the offer of a meal and tea. I didn’t think either man had a desire to do anything for me unless they were being forced, in the case of Yanick, or they had something to gain—Akil. There was also the uneasiness I felt with staying in one place too long. It made one an easier target.
With both of their backs facing me, they busied themselves. Akil chopped vegetables: squash, onions, tomatoes, garlic and a few other items I couldn’t quite see. Into a pot it went. Yanick removed a bag from the fridge filled with chicken legs and washed them under running water. Into the pot it went. While preparing the meal they spoke with each other in hushed tones. I heard enough to recognize they were speaking Tunisian. I peeked out a window and then walked into Yanick’s bedroom, where there was another window.
<><><>
“This woman is crazy,” Yanick said. “Why is she with you?”
“She is saving my life right now,” Akil said as he cut a red onion into quarters. “She can kill. She’s a professional.”
“But who is she? Why does she want to help you?”
“It has to do with something that took place over two years ago.” He told Yanick about his job at the clinic in Paris and what had happened.
“You helped kidnap that woman’s baby?”
“No. I had no idea that had happened until she told me. She’s searching for the man responsible.”
“And you know this man?”
“I know somebody who might. If she gets me
to Thailand, I’ll tell her. This is our agreement.”
“You think she’ll keep her end of the deal?”
“Yes. She has kept me safe from the gang and some other man.”
“Another man? You have someone—”
<><><>
“What are you two talking about?” I asked when I returned.
Both men turned their heads. “We’re talking about how to get to the border,” Akil answered, brushing his hands.
“Do tell me what plan you two have devised.”
“In a minute. I have to go the bathroom,” Akil said.
“The food will be done in thirty minutes,” Yanick said as he wiped his hands with a washcloth. “It needs to simmer.” He then brought three cups filled with tea over to the coffee table and placed them on the table.
Yanick and I sipped our tea quietly until Akil returned. He clapped his hands together and rubbed them as he took a seat. “Yanick, did you tell her the plan?
He perked up and struggled to speak. “I, I, um, well… Did we agree on a plan? I wasn’t sure.”
The question had been thrown back to Akil, who now had a case of the mumbles. Clearly they weren’t discussing ways to travel to the border.
“I won’t ask the question again. One of you had better start making sense.” I placed my cup on the table before leaning back and crossing a leg over the other.
Yanick shifted in his seat. “I can drive us to the border, but it will be better if we left at night. The cover of dark will help.”
I glanced at my watch—it was a half past three. I didn’t like the idea of remaining in this place for that long. “I think we should move as soon as we can. The longer we stay here, the greater the chance we’ll be discovered.”
Yanick bounced both of his legs as he looked at Akil. “The KK are everywhere. Tell her, Akil.”
“Maybe we can wait until sunset. It’s only a couple of hours. Plus, we have a meal.” He motioned with his head to the large pot on the stovetop.
“What sort of transport do you have?” I asked Yanick.
“I have a small car, but we can all fit.”
“Is it reliable?” I asked, raising my eyebrows.
Yanick nodded quickly. “Yes, yes.”
“Akil, will we have problems crossing over into Thailand?” I asked.
“None at all,” he said. “I have my passport. We will cross like tourist. No visa is needed for a French passport. And your passport is?”
“Of no concern to you,” I said.
Yanick slapped his hands against his thighs and stood. “Let me check on the food.”
He remained at the counter tending to the pot, while Akil and I continued to sip our tea. I let out a yawn. It surprised me but I guessed the constant running had begun to catch up with me.
“You okay? You want to lie down?” Akil asked, tilting his head.
“I’m fine.” The truth was I suddenly felt sleepy. I wanted nothing more than to close my eyes for a bit. I’d never had a problem fighting off a drowsy spell and didn’t think I would then, even if it hit me bit harder than usual.
Akil continued to stare at me with prominent lines across his forehead.
“What?” I asked.
“You fell asleep. You sure you don’t want to lie down?”
“What are you talking about? I haven’t taken my eyes off you.”
“No, your eyes were closed.”
Chapter 43
Akil knelt next to Sei’s chair and shook her arm gently. “Sei, Sei!”
There was no response from her. She sat motionless with her head resting on her shoulder.
“Yanick, what did you do?”
“What are you talking about?” Yanick shrugged and then removed three bowls from the cabinet. Akil tried again to wake Sei; this time she moved. Her eyes opened a tiny bit. “Sei. Can you hear me?” Her eyes were half open, and her mouth moved but nothing audible came out.
“You put something in her tea?” Akil asked, looking back at Yanick.
He remained quiet but Akil continued pressing for an answer. “Yanick, answer me!”
“I put zolpidem in her tea. She will sleep for a few hours, that’s all.”
“Why? She is all I have to protect myself. Don’t you understand that?” Akil brushed her hair from her eyes. “Sei, everything will be okay.”
She mumbled as she tried to sit up.
“Here, I’ll help you.” He carried her over to the couch so she could lie down. “You need rest, “ he said, lowering her to the cushions. “You’ll feel better in a few hours.” He lifted her head gently and placed a throw pillow under her cheek.
Sei tried to speak again, but her words were more slurred than coherent.
“It’s the drug, Sei. It’s making you sleepy.”
Her eyes remained closed but her forehead crinkled.
“No, it wasn’t me, if that’s what you’re thinking. I’m not that stupid, but someone else is.”
Akil looked over at Yanick who stood against the counter with his arms folded across his chest and a smile forming on his face. He didn’t seem worried about what he had done.
“What are you up to, Yanick? You plan on dumping her someplace? She’ll come for you.”
“She cannot protect you forever, Akil. What will she do, stand by your side for all eternity? No, wait. She will kill the entire gang, and that will be the end of it. What about this other man you mentioned? You are in bigger trouble than you realize. This woman is not your savior.”
Yanick unfolded his arms, revealing the butcher knife he held. “I’m sorry, my friend, but you are worth a lot of money.”
Akil couldn’t believe what his eyes and ears were relaying. He never thought Yanick would turn on him. He believed it would be safe to come to him. Yanick wasn’t the type to take matters into his own hands. He was too timid of a man; one who, until now at least, seemed completely comfortable with being a follower.
“I don’t understand. You would turn on your own countryman?”
Yanick laughed. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “Countryman? You have high aspirations,” he said, pointing the knife at Akil. “You think because we are from the same country, share the same religion and beliefs, that we are beholden to each other?” He sneered. “This is about money. Survival. You used me in your trafficking scheme. You made a lot of money. I made a pittance.”
“Money? You do well, Yanick. Your shop makes good money. You are not living in the streets and begging for food.”
“No, I am not, but I’m also not living as comfortably as I could be,” he said, waving the knife around. “You think I like living alone in the home of some other family? You think I’m content, that I don’t wish for more?”
“This isn’t you. The Yanick I know is hardworking, loyal. He doesn’t turn on others.”
Yanick shook his head. “Your sweet talk is just that. I don’t believe anything you say. You don’t care about me. You care only about yourself.”
“That isn’t true. I treat you with respect, and I’ve helped you in the past. I’ve been good to you. It’s you who’s doing wrong now.”
Yanick drew a deep breath, and his frown intensified. “Akil, you sell young girls for sex! You are no angel.”
Akil stood up. “You want to blame someone? Blame their parents for selling them,” he said, pointing out the window. “I didn’t kidnap them.”
“If a tiger offers you to scratch his belly and then bites you, do you blame the tiger?”
“You helped!” Akil shouted back. “You drove the girls to the border. Don’t act like you are innocent.”
“I don’t have sex with them. They’re only children. You think this is something Allah approves of?” Yanick turned his head and spat. “We’re not friends. I would never allow you to come in contact with my family. And if I had a daughter, I would keep her far from you. You’ll get what you deserve, inshAllah, god-willing.”
Akil let out a disgusted breath. “If I am evil,
so are you. You cannot separate what I do and what you do. You’re a part of it.”
“What you do with those girls is one thousand times worse than anything I did or am about to do.” With his other hand, Yanick removed his cell phone from his front pants pocket and dialed a number.
Chapter 44
Mdivani waited patiently in his seat for Sei and Akil to show up. At the thirty-minute mark, he still felt confident of his decision. At one hour, worry lines creased his forehead. At an hour and a half, he was sure he had either missed them or had gotten it wrong. Having to report back to Ivanovich that he had lost them wasn’t appealing.
However, there was a sliver of hope.
The gang members were still waiting at the terminal. One of them, most likely their leader since he constantly berated the others in between calls on his cell phone, appeared extremely agitated. Were they also in the same boat and had no idea if Akil would come to the terminal? Mdivani shook off the thought. This was their turf. If anything, they would have eyes and ears everywhere. They were his best bet at locating Akil.
Phnom Penh had a population of one and a half million people. Sei and Akil could easily remain hidden from him, but not from the gang. No sooner had that thought crossed his mind than the restless man received a call on his cell phone and his demeanor changed. Mdivani watched him closely as he spoke on the phone. Fifteen seconds later, he ended the call and rallied the others to follow him. Looks like they’ve found Akil.
Mdivani took extra care to stay well behind the gang members as they made their way out of the station. They continued along the sidewalk. It wasn’t terribly hard to tail them. They weren’t expecting to be followed, and even if they did, they would never spot him. Also, the fact that they didn’t bother for transport meant one thing. Akil must be close by.
But what Mdivani thought would only be a couple of blocks dragged into much more. Akil’s location was farther than he had thought. Was someone holding him captive? Had he been injured and unable to move? Whatever the reason, time didn’t appear to be of the essence.
Mdivani stuck with the gang members, figuring if they weren’t worrying, neither should he. After forty minutes of navigating crowded or non-existent footpaths, the men slowed their pace. A few drew knives, others picked up whatever makeshift weapons they could find. One even snatched a broom from a shopkeeper and broke the handle off. Mdivani was surprised that none of them brandished a handgun.
Contract: Sicko (Sei Assassin Thriller Book 2) Page 13