Sandstorm by Mark Dawson

Author:Mark Dawson [Dawson, Mark]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-12-18T00:00:00+00:00

18

Cooper left the safe house and went back to the conference. He sat through another interminable session because that was what he would be expected to do, and he had no desire to court suspicion. The session came to an end after ninety minutes, and he followed the delegates into the lobby, where refreshments were being served. He joined the rest of the British delegation and participated in the usual round of banter, with plans being made to go out for dinner once the day’s proceedings had come to an end. Cooper knew he wouldn’t be able to keep the appointment given that he was due to relieve Smith with the second shift at the house where al-Jabir was hiding.

The organisers sounded the bell to announce the start of the day’s final session. Cooper finished his coffee and started back towards the auditorium.

He had taken only a few paces when he saw Omar Adel Aziz standing at the doors.

He wondered whether it might be a coincidence, but then Aziz locked eyes with him and gestured that he should join him away from the queue of people waiting to go inside. Cooper gave thought as to whether he could or should ignore him, but decided against it; Aziz had found him, and there would be no way that he could avoid him forever. Pretending that he wasn’t involved in the death of his colleague would be a pointless exercise; far better to find out what he knew and what his intentions might be.

Aziz walked over to a quiet spot near the corridor that led to the bathrooms, and Cooper joined him.

“What shall I call you?” Aziz said, putting out his hand.

“William Ambrose.”

Cooper took his hand. Aziz shook normally, without trying to impress Cooper with the strength of his grip, although it was obvious from the way he filled his suit that he had muscle to spare.

“Not Simon Downton?”

“You can call me what you like.”

The Saudi smiled at him, and Cooper smiled back, aware that there were still delegates nearby who might notice if their interaction was anything other than ordinary.

“You were convincing last night,” Aziz said. “I didn’t give you a second’s thought.”

“I’ve been doing this a while.”

“As have I.” Aziz released his hand. “I’m pleased we’re going to be honest with one another. Feigning ignorance would have been tiresome.”

“And pointless.”

“We can agree on that.”

“How can I help you?”

“You can’t,” he said. “I just wanted to introduce myself properly. It’s a shame that you felt it necessary to put your nose into my business again. I would’ve thought that you might have learned your lesson from before. You have a saying, I believe: once bitten, twice shy? An unpleasant incident induces caution. Have I got that right?”

The threat was unmistakeable; Aziz was urbane and polite, but, even though he might cloak his words in silk, the message was clear.

“That’s right.” Cooper maintained his own smile. “We have another: what goes around comes around. Would you like me to explain it for you?

“No, that won’t be necessary.

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