Saving the Sheikh by Ruth Cardello

Author:Ruth Cardello
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2012-11-11T14:00:00+00:00

A knock on the door of the palace’s main office interrupted Rachid’s phone call with his team at Proximus. Rachid put them on hold, turned in the leather seat behind the large desk and said, “Enter,” in Arabic.

Basir, the royal advisor, entered and bowed slightly with respect. “Your Highness.”

“If you’re looking for my father, he and Ghalil have gone out for the morning. They should be back for dinner.”

“My apologies for interrupting, Your Highness, but it’s you I wish to speak with,” the old man said.

“One moment, then.” Rachid switched to English to inform his team that he would continue the call at a later time and issued a short list of what he wanted done before they spoke again. “Please, sit,” he said to the royal advisor, not realizing that he continued to speak in English. Another tap on the door announced the delivery of a pot of coffee. The house staff maintained proper etiquette, smoothly covering for Rachid’s shortcomings. Rachid refused the beverage, but Basir took one of the small, handleless cups the manservant offered, sipped from it and smiled at the servant, who quickly departed.

As soon as the door closed behind him, Basir said, “There was a second attempt on your father’s life this morning. His private motorcade took gunfire.”

The first attempt had occurred shortly after the announcement that Rachid was returning home. Security had been increased in all areas. A second attack was upsetting, but expected since the attacker had not been caught the first time. “Was anyone hurt?” Rachid said, standing and crossing to where the advisor sat.

“No, it was a decoy. Your father and brother are safely visiting with Sheikh Hamad bin Dani al Butrus at the palace in Sasiah.”

“Does my father know?”

“Not yet, but his security has been informed. Protective measures will be taken on their return. The fewer who know about this, the better.”

“Who did this?” Rachid paced the room angrily.

Basir lifted a thin shoulder and said, “Some are saying that it was our people protesting against your upcoming marriage to a foreign woman.”

Rachid stopped midstep. That would be an unfortunate complication. Basir, however, hadn’t sounded convinced. “But you don’t think so?”

“I have no proof, but my instincts tell me that this is being used as a smokescreen to distract us from something much more sinister that’s being set into plan. I know the leaders of the communities well, and there was no buildup to this.” He gave Rachid a long, steady look. “Also, I find it suspicious that neither attack put your father’s life at risk.”

“What are you saying, Basir? Someone is trying to make it look like my father’s life is in danger without it actually being so? Why would anyone do that?” The answer came to Rachid before the advisor said a word. “To discredit me.”

Basir inclined his head. “Exactly. This enemy is more dangerous than the ones who test our borders. This is a snake hidden in the grass – not bold enough to attack you yet, but just as deadly.

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