The Last Reich (The Reich Trilogy) by Brian Klein

Author:Brian Klein [Klein, Brian]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
Published: 2024-07-18T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty-Five

Gaza City, Gaza Strip

Shomani’s house had been transformed into a mini fortress, with PJB soldiers patrolling the perimeter of the former cinema as well as the interior. Inside, Daniel was laid out on a massage table in one of the bedrooms, where two male servants were diligently washing his naked body. In the corner of the main living area, Franklin and Shomani were alone, sitting opposite each other on simple wooden chairs. Franklin’s mood was dark. Daniel’s death meant he was now on his own – the last surviving grandchild of the Führer and his only blood descendant, other than Bill, and he’d no idea where his son’s head was at.

Shomani was running on a short fuse and had a number of burning questions for his American guest, but first needed to show respect to his friend for the loss of his younger brother.

‘John, Sharia law dictates the burial of a body as soon as possible, preceded by a simple ritual involving bathing and shrouding the body in a white cloth.’

Franklin snarled, ‘Daniel was no Muslim, Khaled. Like me, he was an atheist.’

‘But he died in a Muslim country, in my care, and I hold the responsibility for his burial. The material for his shroud will be the finest available – the highest mark of respect I can offer him.’

Franklin nodded, his thoughts elsewhere, wondering why Shomani’s brother had betrayed him and helped the Taliban track him down for a second time in a matter of weeks. It just didn’t smell right, but he couldn’t quite figure out what was behind the play that had cost his younger brother’s life.

Shomani continued to lay out the details of Daniel’s imminent funeral.

‘The burial will take place in the morning at Sheikh Shaban cemetery, one of the few remaining in the city, as open land is a scarcity here due to the massive population problem. Daniel will have a ceremony fit for a martyr, despite his religious beliefs.’

Franklin was still distracted but managed a mumbled acknowledgement. Shomani then changed tack completely.

‘John, we need to discuss the attack. Why did four Taliban fighters come to Gaza looking for you and try to take me down too?’

‘What makes you think they were looking for me?’

‘Don’t demean our friendship, John. I’m not a fool.’

Shomani turned away and shouted a command to two men who were positioned at the far end of the vast room. They disappeared through a set of double doors and less than a minute later returned dragging the seemingly lifeless body of a young Arab across the mosaic-tiled floor. The prisoner was barely conscious. His face, testimony to a savage beating, was little more than a ruby red pulp, heavily bruised with deep gorges across the forehead and cheeks, while his eyes were badly swollen and closed. His torso was exposed and covered with open cuts; no doubt caused by multiple knife wounds. Shomani kept his eyes on the prisoner but spoke to Franklin.

‘This man was waiting outside the front of the building where the attack took place, parked up in van.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.