by Lynda Filler
“Hello, sir.” The young boy offered his hand to shake and his grandfather smiled proudly.
The charming child stopped long enough to smile and immediately continued dancing and running around with his kittens. His mother nodded to her father, who politely left the room, following his grandson and his super-kittens into the home.
“Thank you for coming. This way, please.” Himanish made his way into a stunning living room with views across the city of Istanbul. Children’s toys were piled in a mess beside a very comfortable-looking chair. A fire burned fiercely in the hearth even though the weather had not yet turned cold.
“I didn’t expect to receive a personal visit, but your administrator said you were in Istanbul on other business, so I’m grateful you could come.”
“Certainly. It’s my pleasure Afra. How can I be of assistance?”
“Let me show you what I have, and can you please explain how I can use them.” Afra pulled up a file on her cell phone and passed the images to Himanish. He checked his messages from Fatimah and correlated the two and the amounts.
“Yes, I can help you.”
Himanish explained how to use the hash codes and the merchants in the city that would take them, and then what would be involved in turning them into cash. He went into detail about various options, how to use escrow if she was selling them to someone else. And more. He was surprised that she had no idea what to do with them, especially since the amount was very high. He had to ask the question even if it would mean revealing the painful past.
“If it’s not asking too much, can you tell me how you came into the possession of these? What is your timeline?”
Afra hesitated. She blinked back tears.
“First, tell me exactly who you are and your association with MAGE.” Himanish offered a MAGE business card with the Patrona Towers address. There was no mention of his position, only his name.
“I’m the CEO of MAGE.”
Afra looked shocked.
“But why would the CEO of a corporation make a house call to explain how to use the product?”
“It’s complicated. I have reasons to be in Istanbul at this moment. First, if you are comfortable, please share how you received the crypto-currency, and you have my word that I will explain why I made this personal visit.”
“I was in a relationship with a Turkish politician. He gave them to me.”
“Do you realize the value?”
“No.”
“You have $1,000,077.00 U.S. Dollars.”
Afra stifled a cry.
“He said he would always look out for me. And he has.”
“Will you tell me his name?”
Afra spoke quietly. “I’m sure it no longer matters, but I would appreciate it if you respect our privacy. It’s for his son.” Then she whispered the name of the Minister of Defense. Sude’s father.
Himanish gave her a few moments to compose herself.
“I’m in Istanbul and able to personally answer your questions at the request of friends looking into the murder of your husband at his daughter’s wedding.”
Afra eyes filled with tears.
“I don’t know how I will bear losing him. He was my life, my lover, and Zayan’s father. How will we go on without him in our lives?”
“I can promise you that we are doing everything we can to find those responsible and to bring them to some form of justice.” Afra wiped her eyes and sat up taller.
“Afra, was there anything going on with him? Did he act strange in the last few weeks leading up to his death? Any actions or tension that you sensed or things he might have shared with you?”
The hesitation was evident in her eyes. “Show me your I.D., a passport, please.”
The agent known as Firestorm thought about the various passports in his possession. This might be a good time to use his Malaysian passport. It would verify his MAGE business in Kuala Lumpur. She didn’t need to know about his work in Geneva. Or his past with Indian intelligence. She passed the passport back to him.
“He was worried, nervous.”
“I understand he went to Saudi Arabia recently.”
“Yes. My husband went to a wedding. I think the cousin of a friend of Sude’s.” At the mention of Sude’s name, tears started all over again. “It’s so sad. I never met his daughter, but I knew she was the most important woman in his life, apart from her mother, of course. He would never have been able to go on after her death.”
“Can I ask you a rather personal question?”
“Yes, anything to help your investigation.”
“I see you are wearing a wedding ring. Were you married to the Minister of Defense?”
“Yes. As is the custom in Islam, a man can have more than one wife.”
“If the wife agrees. Did she agree?”
“Sir. I don’t know if you were aware, but Sude’s mother has had terminal cancer for many years. She loved him and wanted him to have someone to turn to when she passed. I know this may be hard for you to understand. But sometimes love requires huge sacrifices. And ours did, on both our parts.”
Cara. Yes. Himanish understood. He’d fallen in love with the Irish girl, Cara. His Indian family would never have accepted her. So Himanish walked away from the woman who was the love of his life. He tried to find an appropriate Indian bride, but there would only ever be one woman for him. And then, one day while in Britain, Cara walked back into his life with the lovely young Yu Yan, her adopted Chinese daughter. He knew he would spend the rest of his life protecting both of them. His parents had given up on Himanish ever marrying. Yu Yan was winning them over. They were slowly coming around.
“I do understand. And Zayan?”
“Yes. Zayan is his father’s son.”
“Anything else, any movements, any actions that suggested there was a problem?”
‘Yes, the last couple of months, he was distracted. He refused to share, and I never asked. It wasn’t that his wife’s illness was deteriorating. I already knew that. You see, I was friends with his wife. I volunteered at the cancer clinic. It was his wife who introduced me to her husband.”
Himanish looked up in surprise. For a brief moment, she smiled back.
“Yes. We women can be devious where our men are concerned. Sude’s mother wanted to know her husband would be taken care of when she was gone. She only had one condition.”
“What was that?”
“Sude mustn’t know that I exist.” More tears followed, silent, and filled with longing.
“I’m sorry for your loss. I don’t think there is anything I can say or find out to make this better for you. Maybe what I am about to share with you will help. But first, promise me you will tell no one, not even your father.”
“Yes, of course.”
“Sude is alive, and she is recovering.”
“Oh, that is amazing news. I’m so happy for Sude.”
“Yes. We expect her to make a full recovery.”
“Himanish. You said you are here to investigate. I sense you are much more than an investigator. I have been around many types of men in my lifetime. There is more, but you are unable to share. Am I correct?” Himanish nodded.
“I want you to promise me one thing. Actually, it’s for my son.”
“Yes. How can I help you?”
“I want vengeance! Find the men who did this and destroy them!”
He looked at the fierce and determined woman in front of him and responded.
“You have my word.”
Himanish said goodbye to the sweet little boy, shook hands with Afra, and left.
On the walk to the car, he called Fatimah,
“Do you have access to the S.O.D. cell phone photos?”
“Yes, Cruz linked with me.”
“I want you to look for photos and messages from foreign countries related to this woman. I’ll forward a photo right now.” He sent through a shot he’d taken of Afra while they were chatting.”
“I’m on it. I will let you know
as soon as I’ve got something.”
Himanish could feel the thread of something coming together. Perhaps the answers could be found in Sude’s father’s cell phone if they looked at it differently. More than likely, they’d used Afra and Zayan as leverage.
His next call was to Luke Raven.
When he reached his vehicle, Afra’s father was waiting.
“I must apologize for what I am about to tell you.”
“Go ahead.”
“As you can see, I have access to military protection. I know my daughter didn’t explain who I am or what I do. It’s always better that way.”
“I understand.” Himanish was confused. He waited patiently.
“A week before her husband was murdered, I insisted on around-the-clock protection. Her life and that of my only grandson had been threatened recently. She’s unaware. And before you ask, we haven’t been able to find out by whom. I have my thoughts, but they are unverified.”
Himanish waited.
“I know of your work Mr. Himanish. You must have heard of our MIT? Turkish Intelligence?”
Himanish nodded.
“Let’s say I have special connections. I had your friends thoroughly checked out when they arrived at the hospital. Because you came to speak with my daughter and grandson, I did further investigation. We didn’t know about MAGE. You will likely uncover information that we don’t have access to. Use it to protect the careful balance we are trying to maintain in Turkey. Your secrets are very safe with me.”
It was rarely that Himanish was silent.
“As I’m sure you have found out already, nothing is ever what it appears to be in the realm of politics. My hands are tied because we have no idea how deep the Istanbul conspiracy goes. We are trusting that you and your associates will get answers, and when the time comes, we are at your service. Here is my card.” He wrote something on the back. “Call this number any time of the day or night, and we will come to your aid.”
Himanish put the card in his pocket.
The gentlemen opened the car door for him, then turned to go back to the house.
A woman stood in an upper floor window; a tiny Superman clung to her side.
62
Last night had been an enormous success. Abdul’s superiors seemed pleased.
After she hung up from Yunus, Cruz put the finishing touches on her makeup. She chose a smoky-eyed look to compliment the burgundy diamante studded sheath dress. Long sleeves, deep V back, modest in the front, mid-calf length. It was an impulse purchase from a second-hand store in Karaköy. It reminded her of the old movies she watched from the ’40s, a Veronica Lake gown with an Ingrid Bergman honey-pot twist. She wanted to excite Abdul yet be discreet for the Turkish political elite. This would get her a wow smile from Abdul and cover her tattoos.
She took a taxi to the Grand Bazaar. The doorman smiled, acknowledging that he remembered her. She was the guest of Mr. Abdul, who arrived last evening and left in the early morning. He took her hand and helped her from the cab. She heard a soft intake of breath when he saw her completely bareback.
“You like?”
“Yes, madam.”
Abdul waited with the door open. His grin was all the confirmation needed. She would remember this as a moment when the stars aligned. She felt beautiful, and if Cruz allowed herself to say it, Yunus might be right. She could be falling for this sexy Iranian man.
“How lovely you look. I see you’ve opted for the Veronica Lake hair to go with your dress.” Abdul whispered, his lips brushing each cheek.
“I can’t believe you know who she is.”
“You can blame it on my older brother. How he got a hold of old Hollywood magazines in Iran is amazing to me.”
“Your brother? I don’t remember you mentioning him.”
Abdul took her hand and led her towards the kitchen to check on the caterers. He stopped for a moment while they took in the view of the Hagia Sofia from the expanse of windows in the back of the suite.
“I never talk about him because he disappeared when I was a young teen. When I think back on it, that may have been why I was so determined to come to Istanbul for University.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
“No. I never talk about it. I don’t really know the details except my Dad told me my brother died serving his country. But tonight, let’s focus on the good things in life. Let’s have a party!”
“Of course.” Cruz took Abdul’s hand and let him have a moment to collect himself.
“Are we ready?”
“Yes, almost. The caterers are waiting for something that was missing. Other than that, the bar is open, and my guests are expected to arrive shortly. Now, I’m not a classic movie watcher like you and Sude were, but I think this lovely gown deserves a 40’s cocktail, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Yes. Let me think. How about a Between the Sheets?”
“Really? I’d like that a lot, but we don’t have time.”
“Hilarious, Abdul.”
“Oh, you mean the drink?”
They both smiled and walked towards the bar.
“I’m sure you’re going to have to tell the bartender how to make that. I think he’s much more accustomed to the Turkish national drink Raki!”
Cruz turned towards the bartender and heard a soft gasp from Abdul. He casually ran his finger down her bare back while she recited the ingredients for her drink to the bartender. She shivered in response.
“Cruz, have you ever been to Saudi Arabia?”
“No, why?”
“We drink shooters with the same brandy and rum in them only we call the drinks Screaming Orgasms.”
Cruz choked on her first sip.
“Abdul! I think you’ve been leading a very wild and non-religious life in Saudi Arabia. Can’t you get arrested for drinking alcohol? And where do you get it anyways?”
“Yes, it’s illegal. But like in every country, if you have connections, anything and everything is possible.” He rested his hand on her naked back and teased a finger or two beneath the waistband of the skirt.
She smiled seductively, then laughed.
“Stop. Our lives are complicated enough.” Then she whispered, “I’m an atheist!”
“What about all the crosses?”
“Ah, well, I did the tattoos to honor my grandmother.”
“So, what if you’re an atheist?”
“You’re a Muslim.”
“Yes, what’s wrong? Are you afraid your parents won’t accept me?”
This was definitely more play than work. Cruz needed to focus.
“Cruz, my life is not that wild. I could be tempted to settle down.”
At that moment, the caterer appeared with some last-minute things, and the doorman announced their first group of guests.
“Let’s get this evening started, Abdul.”
“Yes, Ms. Cruz. Proceed as per last evening. I think we make a great team.”
63
The private car picked them up and dropped them near the Cisterns, close to the Blue Mosque and not far from the Grand Bazaar.
“It’s just a feeling, Luke. Don’t ask me to explain myself. I want to be near this party. And the team can use a light-hearted dinner out.” Samaar didn’t feel the need to go into more detail.
“We expect the cocktail party to be a repeat of last night. RB can manage any additional information Cruz forwards as each guest arrives. We can use a night away from all this.”
“You’re right. We deserve a break. Let’s enjoy a dining experience and a view of the glorious Blue Mosque. Yunus made a reservation at a great restaurant.”
“Why didn’t Alice come along?”
“She wanted to stay home with Maggs. David is working on something for his ex-employers, so he bowed out. Himanish, Rachel, and Zach will meet up with us later.”
“Hmm. You moved on from Alice very quickly. Is this about Amir?”
“No, Alice is training with Maggs. That girl is just like me,
stubborn.”
Luke put his arm around Samaar’s shoulder. They stopped to check out the Turkish leathers. And then walked into an exquisite shop, El Rincón de Fehmi, where a young man named Emre showed them Anatolian antique silk Turkish carpets.
“They’re lovely, Luke. I think one would look nice in our Paris home.”
“A memory of another era.”
“Yes, Luke.”
For a brief moment, Luke’s mind flashed back to another time, another love, and death. He kept his face neutral and made the requisite nods expected by his wife-to-be. Just for once, he’d like to think about mundane things like homes, furnishings, art, and style. They both needed a respite from a world that seemed out to destroy itself by man’s neglect and insatiable need for money and power.
He filled in the details on the bill of sale so the carpet could be delivered to the compound on the Asian side. They would fly the rug with them when this was over.
“Does this mean we can go back to Paris?”
“Yes. RB assures me that we are good to return.”
Samaar took his hand. “Alice will be happy.”
“Will it ever end, Samaar?”
“What Luke?”
She stopped and reached up to give him a kiss on the cheek. She whispered in his ear.
“Please, for one night, can we be a normal couple?”
“You’re right.”
He was interrupted by Zach and Rachel, who gave a shout-out from across the street.
“Ah, that must be the place. Let’s go, Luke.”
The table was situated in a glass-enclosed private area where Yunus waited.
“This entire place reminds me of the Ottoman era.”
“Yes, the décor is modeled after Sultan times. Enjoy the elegance, the ambiance, and the food. It’s a favorite in Istanbul.”
“Thanks for inviting us. We can all use a night on the town.”
“You do the ordering Yunus, and we will do the eating.”
“Hi, sorry, I’m late.” Himanish proceeded to shake hands with the Westerners and smiled at Yunus.”
“How is everyone?” Himanish ordered a shot of vodka and Turkish coffee. “This is a welcome break. Did you choose this place because of its proximity to Cruz and Abdul?”