Avenging Angel by Ian Patterson

Author:Ian Patterson [Patterson, Ian]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-02-04T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER

43

THE SUN RISES on the horizon like a ball of orange yarn turning Maddie’s skin the color of wax. Her hands tremble as she lifts a third cup of coffee to her lips, which are dry and parched from talking. Recalling Jake’s warning from the other night, I’m pretty shaky, myself.

Turning to Rosie, I say, “Is this proof conclusive enough for you, Rosie? That the donations are tied to Isa Salman’s murder?”

Rosie turns her eyes on Maddie, smiles bleakly. “What have you got us into, hon?”

“I’m a victim,” Maddie says, defensive. “It’s not like I have a choice in any of this. I’m a victim, too. As much a victim as Isa, I’m a victim too. And now Ramzi.” Maddie buries her face.

After a moment, Rosie says, “Did Isa really leave you or did he just turn up dead?”

“All I really knew for certain is this: when my transfer didn’t show up, I was screwed. I’d read your press clippings, done my research. I knew you would never agree to help me if you didn’t believe my husband had abandoned me. And I knew the circumstances and the fee would prove irresistible.”

Rosie and I blush with enough wattage to outshine the Golden Arches.

“How did you convince al-Sharaa to bring us aboard?” I say.

“He didn’t need convincing. He saw the sense in it right away. Hashim is desperate, too. A loss of influence is a loss of power. For him, a loss of influence could get him killed. He needs Isa’s money to stay alive as much as I do. More.”

I say, “And you aren’t concerned Hashim might be responsible for Isa’s death?”

“Why? He was as frantic as me when Isa went missing. As surprised as me to learn of Isa’s death. And on top of that, to learn he was murdered? For al-Sharaa, Isa was the goose laying the golden eggs, so it makes no sense. He’s looking over his shoulder, too, now, petrified a Jihadi will take a sword and cut off his head.”

“So, with Isa gone, you become the only bridge between the money and the Jihadis. al-Sharaa can’t harm you, but he doesn’t trust you, either. So, he takes Ramzi?”

“You understand now. Will you help me to get Ramzi back? You must.”

“Rosie and I are out of our depth,” I say. “We go to the police, Maddie. We can’t help you. Not with something this big.”

“You must!” Maddie hides her face with her hands and weeps, quietly and without drama.

Rosie jabs me in the ribs with an elbow. “Outside,” she says.

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