A Collision in Quebec by Michael Hartwig

Author:Michael Hartwig
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: LGBTQ Fiction, Michael Hartwig, Gay Fiction, Gay Islam, Gay Fiction Quebec
Publisher: Herring Cove Press
Published: 2022-04-04T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve – The First Sighting

The next day, after an early swim in the pool and a light breakfast, Brian went to the university. He hoped to get a formal introduction to Hadi through Pierre but, in the meantime, there was no reason not to be proactive and see if he could make a connection himself. He brought a book, sat on a bench across from the entrance to Hadi’s building, and began to read. Around 10:30, to his surprise, he saw Omar walk out of the building surrounded by three men, all dressed in tailored jackets and dress pants. They were talking earnestly. He shook hands with the older man, and the other two escorted him down the steps and onto a walkway heading toward another cluster of buildings.

Brian had rehearsed in his head countless times what he would do if he spotted Omar, but he hadn’t expected a grouping of what he presumed were university professors and administrators. Now was not the time to surprise Omar, so he pretended to read and, when they were far enough away, trailed them, concealing himself amongst the throng of students heading to classes.

Omar was intensively conversing with one of the two men, gesturing with his hands to make points. He nodded several times and seemed pensive. One of the two excused himself, shook Omar’s hand, and walked away, entering a nearby building. Omar and the other man, somewhat younger and definitely the more handsome of the three, continued to walk along the sidewalk. They came to a road, and the man glanced at his phone. A few moments later, a black Mercedes pulled up, and the two got into the back seat of the car and sped off.

“Shit,” Brian exclaimed. “What do I do now?” he asked himself out loud.

He looked up and down the walkway. Whatever was going on, Omar wasn’t here to run away from his family. He looked like he was running toward something, something that seemed organized at top levels of the university or even the government. He was perturbed that Professor Hadi had been dishonest earlier and decided to confront him. He returned to his office, knocked, and heard an older voice say, “Entrez.”

Brian opened the door, and the elderly professor rose from his desk with a surprised look.

“Je suis Brian, l’ami de Omar. On s’est parlé hier.”

Aman cleared his throat and adjusted his tie, gazing intently at Brian. His outdated blue suit had become bulky as Aman had lost muscle and height over the years. Sweat formed on his furrowed forehead. He wasn’t pleased with the intrusion, looked at his watch, and said, “I have to be at a meeting shortly. What can I do for you?”

“I’m concerned about my friend, and I need some information.”

“I don’t know what you are talking about,” Aman said, repeating the line he used on the phone the day before.

“I saw you shake hands with Omar a short while ago. I know you know who he is.”

Aman looked irritated but gestured toward one of the large chairs in front of his desk and said, “Asseyez- vous.

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