Cody's War 07.Lethal Assault by Stephen Mertz

Author:Stephen Mertz [Stephen Mertz]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781685490676
Publisher: Rough Edges Press
Published: 2022-04-05T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Alone behind the wheel of a Maserati, Prince Achmed bint al-Ahmad scanned the sidewalks for any sign of his sister. He was far too sophisticated an operator to rely on personal reconnaissance alone. His confederates under his trusted lieutenant Ali Yusuf were scouring the city – police, private and public CCTV databanks for a glimpse of her. But she was too clever, too subtle for even his sophisticated crew.

There were times when, were she not a girl, Achmed would admit his sister's brilliance.

But she was a girl. And her place was at home.

So had decreed their father, the sheikh. And the clock was ticking on Achmed's position as favored son. He had thus far to turn up his kidnapped sister. And there were other brothers, cousins waiting in the wings. Each had their own reasons for wanting to see him fail. This was a thing Achmed was determined to deny them.

He was crown prince. It was for him alone to secure the family's honor. It was his duty and obligation to prevent shame upon his house by bringing his sister Aisha home. And bring her home he would.

And so he had developed and followed a plan. Early in the day, he cruised the waterfront cafés and bistros frequented by breakfast customers. Then he drove around the shopping district, concentrating on clothing stores. When lunch came, he returned to the cafés and bistros, scanning. When he found nothing, he bought a falafel at an outdoor stand and contacted Ali Yusuf. He and his teams were having no better luck.

The prince was about to call it a day when he decided to make one more pass by the waterfront. Pulling up at a crosswalk near the beach, he glanced at the array of flesh visible on the sand. It was off-season, so there were fewer bikinis in view but Achmed's eye was not drawn to such sights. He didn't want to admit it to himself, but he found the sight of the beach and the ocean more pleasing. The West, with its many temptations, was a grotesque distraction.

That's when he saw her.

It wasn't even the features of the woman visible on the pier but that distinct flick of the shoulder as she turned. A brother knows his sister, even at a distance. She was turning from the SUV she had just stepped out of and turning toward the pier.

The light changed and he coasted ahead, careful to keep her in sight. The traffic thickened near the docks. He was able to coast slowly, concealed by the other cars as he surveyed the pier. Yes, there! Aisha and the woman he recognized from DC, the one who had cut Ali Yusuf. And close by ...

Cody. Achmed was sure of it!

He noted the shape and position of the ship they boarded and turned onto the pier at the next available light. He cruised along the row of parking reserved for ship owners and passengers, slowing as he passed the yacht. He read the name, Lorelei, inscribed on the hull and smiled.

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