| The Sheiks Of Kumar - Part II The Warrior By CJ |
| Chapter 8 He’d been in that room for two hours with Shawna resting peacefully against his chest when the door to the room swung open and Joseph Patrick entered. The detective’s hazel eyes that matched Shawna’s perfectly landed on Rafee with suspicion, but Rafee did not jump out of the couch and try to distance himself from Shawna. Though her brother was a formidable man, Rafee did not fear him. Even the power of Joseph’s office did not give Rafee cause for caution, for he was daunted by very little—even by an overprotective brother with a badge. Carefully and gently, Rafee stood, laying Shawna’s head down on the couch and recovering her torso with his jacket as it slipped from her body with the movement. Once she was resting comfortably again, he turned and faced Joseph. “Is your warrant served?” Rafee inquired. “Yes. We have everyone in custody, even Gabe Bryant.” Joseph held up a manila envelope. “We even apprehended these documents. Caught Bryant and Banks right in the act of the exchange. There’s that power of attorney for Mr. Malone in here too. How’d Shawna know?” Rafee allowed a smile to escape his lips as he thought about how tenacious she had been at gathering information on Mr. Bryant. “I am discovering that she has her ways of figuring such things out. She is very determined,” Rafee said. “Yes, too determined sometimes,” Joseph quipped. “But she was right about Bryant and these documents.” He then asked, “Do you know the entire story with Bryant and Mr. Malone? I’d like to hear more and see the evidence so I can get the ball rolling on serving a warrant to seize Bryant’s files.” “Yes, I know all of it,” Rafee answered. “Mr. Malone kept records which point a finger at Gabe Bryant. I also know that Mr. Bryant’s email records will implicate him further. I hope you can obtain your warrant before those records can be erased.” “How do you know about his email?” Joseph questioned. “I too have my ways, Detective Patrick,” Rafee answered evasively, “and can be just as determined.” Joseph regarded him for a long moment then self-consciously touched his cheek. “I have a feeling that is correct, Mr. Armanjani,” he said. “Please, call me Rafee.” Joseph nodded then gestured toward his sister. “So how did you find the misfortune of getting tangled up with my sister?” “I am afraid it was my brother’s idea. I have experience in this type of work and he thought I could be of some assistance to Shawna,” Rafee explained. “Experience as a private investigator? Really?” Joseph asked with some disbelief. “I thought you were some royal sheik or something.” “I hold that title, yes, but my family is not entirely a ruling entity any longer. We have a large company and I am in charge of its corporate security,” he relayed simply. Rafee watched as Shawna’s brother’s faced changed slightly. He no longer regarded him with quite as much suspicion. Rafee found Joseph to be the type of man he might become friends with, for there was much of the same boldness in him that Rafee respected in men. “Corporate security, huh?” Joseph rolled the title around in his mind. “Doesn’t sound like a bad gig. Maybe Shawna should consider it. It’s got to be better than chasing down cheating spouses and slime like Gabe Bryant.” “It has its benefits at times,” Rafee admitted, then reminded himself that he still had trouble at home and that his job often included protecting the royal family. “Other times, it is rather complicated. I have much to do with both business and family and I often find myself flying from one end of the globe to the next trying to keep tabs on all my responsibilities.” “Then how did you find the time to get involved with this case on Bryant?” Rafee did not often tell his business to people he had just met. But he trusted Shawna and her brother had that same sincerity to him. Rafee knew anything he divulged to Joseph would be kept in confidence, so he answered all his questions. “I was sent here to keep watch over my older brother, Nikash,” he said. “My father wanted it. And when Nikash discovered that Tara Malone suspected Mr. Bryant of mishandling her money, he offered my assistance to Shawna. When it comes to my family, there is always time to solve their troubles.” “And now Tara Malone is going to be part of that family,” Joseph surmised. “Yes, it would appear so. And now that this case appears to be mostly solved, I suspect we will be leaving for Kumar in a few short days for their wedding.” Rafee paused, gauged the man’s mood, then added boldly, “And I will be taking Shawna with me when I leave for Kumar.” He watched as Joseph frowned and crossed his arms over his chest. The detective glared at him with icy green eyes and then slowly relaxed. “For the wedding, of course?” Joseph inquired. “Of course,” Rafee said. “And, for business purposes. She has offered me some assistance with my own mystery back in my homeland.” “Really? Just what assistance can she offer you?” Joseph questioned. Before Rafee could explain any further, Shawna joined the conversation. Her hair was messed slightly from her nap and she slipped out of the borrowed jacket and walked toward them in the middle of the room. “I was going to talk to you about it later, Joseph,” she said. “But since we’re on the subject, I’ll tell you what I need.” “And that is?” “How long has it been since you’ve given your good friend Fred McGwire a call down at the Immigration and Naturalization Services?” she asked. “You need information from the INS, Shawna? Are you insane?” Joseph shot out. “No, but its important. We just need a look at a list of people who have recently entered the country via the area airports with passports hailing from the Middle East. That’s all,” she said. “That’s all! That’s a lot. First you push to have Bryant arrested, now you want government agency records. This is a bit much, even for you!” he declared. Frowning at her brother for his stubbornness, Shawna insisted, “Come on, you guys do this sort of thing all the time. I know that all you agency people are always handing over information informally. That’s all we need, just an unofficial list.” “Why?” “Because, someone set fire to the Villa Serena stables and it was no accident. And there have been strange happenings in Kumar. It seems like its all connected and I just wanted to give Rafee a head start on trying to catch a lead,” she explained. Rafee stepped forward and added, “I am certain my embassy could make a similar request for the information, but it would take a very long time for our countries to work through the logistics. We doubt there will be any need for arrests in this country. This matter, when it is finally resolved, will be done so in our own country, in our own part of the world. I am very certain of that.” Joseph continued to hesitate and Shawna said, “Joseph, his family is in danger. You can understand that, can’t you?” He nodded. “You know I can, sis. And if you can assure me that this matter will be taken care of outside the United States, then I’ll help you.” “Thanks,” she said with a beaming smile. She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him fiercely. “I love you, Joseph, even if you are a pain most of the time.” He hugged her in return and then slowly pulled away. “Why don’t you give me all your information on Bryant and go on home? I’ll give you a call in the morning.” “All right,” she agreed and handed over all her disks. “We’ll be at my place.” She headed out the door and Rafee began to follow when Joseph caught his arm. “Keep an eye on her, Rafee,” Joseph warned. “You have my word,” he replied. Joseph nodded and released his arm. Rafee was about to turn for the door again, when Joseph asked, “You sure you’re not dating her?” Rafee smiled and shook his head in the negative. “Too bad. You’re the first guy she’s brought around who wasn’t a complete loser,” he drawled. Rafee chuckled and then exited the door. So, Shawna had dated losers in the past? He wondered if that were really true, or if her brothers were only overly critical of every man in her life. He looked at Shawna as she said her good-byes to her other brother Billy. No, she was not the type of woman to pick bad men, but her brothers were definitely the types to be overly critical and protective where their beloved sister was involved. ** Shawna rented a modest apartment not far from the waterfront. She had a view of the bay and had only been lucky enough to afford it because of the old woman that owned the property kept the rent for her low. A large three-story house, at least a half-century aged, had been divided into four apartments. Each apartment was different from the next and hers boasted a small kitchen, living room, bedroom and make-shift office room with high ceilings and old painted windows that gazed down on the harbor below. They entered the apartment via the wooden stairs and there was something about the old history of this house that Shawna adored. There was nothing dilapidated about the boarding house, but it was antique. In fact, it afforded no air conditioning and the heating system consisted of an old radiator. But she had lived here for several years and to her it was home. She led Rafee into the apartment and said, “I don’t think I left it too messy, but I haven’t been here in over two weeks so don’t expect much.” “Why would you even care what I happen to think or expect?” he challenged. Shawna pushed the door open and flipped on a light. The kitchen sat to the immediate left and then spilled out into the living room. Her place was decorated in beige woods and pastels with white walls and few knick-knacks. And thank goodness she had left it neat. “Because I have a feeling you live in complete style,” she said. “I have the benefit of grand dwellings, yes,” he admitted. “But I could just as easily do without.” He entered the apartment and brazenly walked into the living room, setting his black nylon overnight back on the floor near the couch. His eyes began to survey everything and he thought the look of the apartment suited Shawna. It was efficient, neat and unpretentious. “What? You’d give up your palace?” she asked with disbelief. “Of course. My ancestors lived in simple tents in the desert. They were nomads for many centuries before they settled in the Kumar region and battled for the leadership of the land. I was named after the first sheik of Kumar--Sheik Rafee Saed bin Armanjani. He was called the ‘Warrior Sheik’ of Kumar for his many victories in battle.” “I can definitely see why you inherited that name,” Shawna quipped. “Do I come across that brash?” he asked humorously. “You have to ask?” He laughed at her and she laughed back then she asked, “So you wouldn’t mind going back to the old ways then?” “I wouldn’t go that far. I have spent several months in a tent in the desert and it is not an easy life. I admire my ancestors for their resilience, but I would rather live a more modern life. I just don’t need a palace or a mansion to do that.” Moving into her bedroom and keeping the door open as she kicked off her shoes, Shawna inquired, “Was this tent expedition another one of your undercover jobs?” “No,” he admitted, moving to her bedroom doorway and watching her put her shoes in the closet and slip out of her sweater. “I was an officer in our military when I first graduated from college. When the western forces invaded Iraq we supported them and I worked with the British forces as a field interpreter on the front lines. It was not a difficult job for a war for I was not participating in combat, but it was not a comfortable environment either.” Enjoying his stories that she had not yet heard, Shawna listened intently and did not even realize she had unbuttoned her shirt until his eyes dropped from her face. Blushing because she had acted so bold, Shawna quickly pulled her shirt together and said, “I…I didn’t realize.” Rafee entered her room in one long stride and caught her hands. “Don’t,” he insisted and gently pealed her shirt back. His eyes fell upon the white lace bra she wore beneath her clothes and just the sight of her lace and flesh turned him hungry. “There is an attraction between us, Shawna, and I can no longer deny it,” he said to her. “Perhaps it is just us working together. Perhaps it is something else.” “Like what?” she forced out. Her heart was racing just from the heated gaze he was bestowing her, and her lungs were frozen, holding in all her oxygen and making it impossible for her to breathe and almost as impossible to talk. “I do not know,” he answered. Remembering how it had felt to be in his arms at the drive-in and how he had acted so protectively all night, Shawna relented to her desires and reached out, unbuttoning the buttons on his black shirt. When she saw the masculine flesh, defined in its musculature underneath, she immediately knew how she wanted to spend the rest of her night. She wanted to spend it with Rafee. “Then perhaps we should spend the night exploring the possibilities,” she suggested as she reached up and brought his head to hers. She kissed him and was not disappointed with his response. They stood in each other’s arms for several minutes, their mouths sensually communicating together. Then Rafee brought a hand up to her beautiful face and touched her cheek and ran his fingers down her neck to the open front of her shirt. Nimbly, his fingers unclasped the front snap of her bra and Shawna gasped as she felt the lace let loose. Knowing she had to be as bold, she pushed his shirt from his shoulders and eased his arms out. When he was free of the material, she tossed it to the floor where her shirt had landed not a moment earlier. Taking advantage of his naked torso, Shawna pressed her palms to his hard chest and ran her fingers down to his solid stomach. Every inch of his torso was sheer heaven and she couldn’t wait to have it pressed against her own nakedness. But Rafee seemed to be in no apparent hurry, for he kept her standing in the middle of the room as if he was oblivious to the double bed just a few steps away. Shawna pulled her lips from his mouth, though she could have kissed him for the entire night, and trailed them down his neck, over his collarbone and to the flat nipples on his chest. She suckled for a long moment and felt his touch turn more urgent upon her back. His skin was smooth and taut and radiated more heat with each passing moment. And the more she realized she was turning him on with her mouth and hands, the more she wanted to touch him. But Rafee apparently had other plans. He forced her head up and with an urgency that shocked her, he took her mouth. Their kisses had started as mutual and unrushed. Now, there was an intense fire, an intense need that had to be filled and Shawna was not ready for that. Her fear for the moment was not as strong as her desire and so when Rafee lifted her and wrapped her legs around him, she did little more than gasp with surprise. He had her on the bed on her back a second later and was throwing her bra on the pile of clothes they were creating. He leaned over her, his hands on either side of her and allowed his eyes to roam over her breasts. He looked upon her as though she was prey and she was again reminded of the warrior sheiks of ancient Arabia. Their blood was coursing through Rafee’s veins and she imagined him taking what he wanted like they had taken the land. She was no match for him, no match for his ancestry. She couldn’t please a man like Rafee, it wouldn’t be possible. She had no opportunity to voice her fears, for his mouth descended upon her chest and his lips and tongue suckled each nipple until its rosy tip was hard and peaked. She moaned because the feel of his mouth was so exquisite. She had never experienced sensations quite like these and as she became lost in the pleasure, she forgot her fears of his lovemaking. After igniting every single nerve ending in her chest, Rafee trailed his lips down her stomach. Her skin was so smooth, so soft. She smelled of faint wildflowers and the womanly scent added more fuel to his sexual fire. He could not resist this woman. He could not contain himself either. And though he realized he was attacking this lovemaking session like a wild man, he was powerless to halt himself. Something primal was taking over and he felt that if he didn’t finish soon, he would lose his sanity. With those thoughts possessing his mind, he found the button on her Capri pants and then slowly slid the zipper down. Baby blue satin underwear met him and he kissed her pelvis as he maneuvered her pants down her thighs. And when she lay against the yellow comforter wearing nothing but her panties, Rafee was positive he had never seen a more beautiful sight. In his awe, he allowed endearing words of admiration to slip from his lips, but he did not speak in English, for his mind was not all together focused on speech. He said something to her, but Shawna could not make out the words. He was speaking lowly and in his native tongue and she hoped it wasn’t important for she had no idea what had just issued from his mouth. But then he stopped talking and lowered himself upon her. He was dressed in his slacks, but still, Shawna could feel the long, hardened length of him as his weight pressed against her and he captured her mouth for a heated kiss. She was wearing nothing but her panties and from the feel of Rafee, it was obvious this was not just some simple make-out session. Of course, she figured no physical session with him ended with just a kiss. From her encounters so far, she understood that he was a man who was all or nothing. So if she had any reservations, if she still felt like she would only embarrass herself by making love, now was the time to act. And that feel of him, hard and ready for her, was what finally caused her fear to explode beyond her control. This was serious love making she was in and as her fear overwhelmed her desire, she turned her head and said feebly, “Please, don’t.” The cry was weak and quiet, but Rafee heard it none-the-less. And when he pulled his head back to gaze down at Shawna, he saw fear in her green eyes. Never had she feared him and never had she begged anything of him. Then he remembered Nikash’s request and Shawna’s own brother asking him to watch out for her. If he took her to bed, he would be letting all those who trusted him down. And Shawna, well, she looked as frightened as a rabbit caught in a trap. Rafee rolled to his back, distancing himself from her sweet body. His past was catching up to him. His insistence to avoid commitment with a woman was seeking its revenge now. Shawna was not a woman whom he could just love and leave. She would be in his life because of Tara and she was going to be his partner for the next few weeks in Kumar. Though he felt a burning need for her like none he’d felt before, he could not continue. Shawna’s warm hand landed on his chest and she rolled to her side and gazed down at him. “I’m sorry, I just…” she began to explain, then shook her head and closed her eyes. She laid her head upon his chest and listened to the rapid beat of his heart. Rafee was tempted to place a hand upon her head and stroke her soft hair. His instincts were to comfort her. But his body was so damned hot that he knew he could not both hold her and resist her. Something would give and it would more than likely be his resolve. Pushing away from her and enacting a cool façade, Rafee insisted harshly, “Do not start something you cannot finish and then expect me to hold you in bed like everything is forgiven.” He stood and grabbed his shirt from the floor. He slipped into it and avoided at all costs looking at the appalled and horrified expression on Shawna’s face. She gathered a pillow from her bed and held it in front of her nakedness, feeling both ashamed and angered by the sudden turn of events between she and Rafee. “You don’t understand,” she began to defend. Shawna was going to tell him that it was her inadequacies that had caused her to halt their passions, but Rafee would not listen. “I understand completely,” he argued. “You want to turn me on, push me to my limits and then coyly deny me like its some game. Well, I will take no part in such games. Perhaps your American boyfriends will oblige you, but I will not.” He started for the door, and Shawna jumped from her bed, grabbed a navy blue robe from her closet and slipped into it. She followed him into the living room where he was pulling on his suit jacket. “That’s not what I was doing, Rafee,” Shawna said, hoping he would just stop long enough for her to explain herself. She wanted this man, she cared for this man and if he walked out thinking she had toyed with him she would never forgive herself. “It is exactly what you were doing,” he refuted. Perhaps if he had been able to control himself around Shawna he could have waited to hear her out. After all, she was not rising to the occasion to counter his attack. She was playing a simple defensive role and that was not like her. But he had to get away from her or he would have to make love. And it was obvious neither she, nor anybody else wanted the latter to happen between them. Besides, she was more than likely a woman who would desire a commitment, a woman who would want more, who would want a relationship. And he couldn’t give her that. Because he cared about her, he would not love her. “And I’ll bet you’ve done it several times before,” he added. “Tell me, Shawna, what is it about you American women that prompts you to use men like toys?” He was lashing out at her as if she were the woman who had bruised his heart so many years ago. Here he was a thirty-three year old man and he was taunting Shawna like a child would. But he had gone too far to back out now. If he ended it here and now, no one would get hurt. So he headed out the door, though it was the last thing his heart wanted and heard Shawna’s last angry words to him follow him out. “I’ve never played games, Rafee, and I’ve never used a man in my life. But after tonight, I’m beginning to figure out why women do just that!” She slammed the door and Rafee turned and stared at the piece of wood between them. This was for the best, he told himself. Now, no one would end up hurt. ** “Hey, sis, you all right?” Joseph asked the next morning, as Shawna met him in his office at the downtown precinct. There was another man there, who Joseph explained was from the DA’s office. Shawna thought that odd, but didn’t ask. She was anything but all right. After Rafee had left, she’d spent several hours crying. She was not a woman prone to fits of tears, nor had she ever shed them over a man before. But when Rafee had walked out the door refusing to listen to explanation, something inside of her had broken and she couldn’t figure out how to mend it back together. “Yeah, just tired,” she fibbed. “Where’s Rafee?” he then asked. Shawna saw that the cut on his cheek was scabbed and incredibly bruised. He looked like he’d been in one hell of a fight aside from just a quick scuffle. “I don’t know, back at Villa Serena. He left last night,” she said. “Too bad,” he replied. Then he held up his right arm and pulled back his sleeve displaying a black-steel quartz watch. It was quite stylish and Shawna was certain her brother had not been the one to pick it out. “I wanted to thank him for this. It’s a Chase-Durer. Billy says its top of the line. It arrived by courier here this morning with a card of apology from Rafee for busting my other watch.” Rafee would apologize to her brother for a misunderstanding, but he would not even take the time to listen to her explanation. It made no sense. “That was very kind of him,” she drawled with sarcasm. Missing her tone, Joseph handed her a folder and said, “Here’s those names you wanted. Tell Rafee thanks for me. Hey, next time he’s in town, tell him to swing by. I’ll buy him a drink or something.” “Sure,” she replied glad that her brother had talked to the INS to get the names she’d requested, but doubting very much that Rafee would ever “swing by for a drink.” As soon as he could, she was positive he would be on a plane bound for Kumar with little thought of ever returning to America. Before her brother could rave any longer about Rafee, Shawna asked, “So, you wanted to see me?” “Yeah, good news. I’ve been working all night. I found a judge to issue the search warrant on Gabe Bryant and we’ll be working in conjunction with the Calistoga Police. We’ll serve the warrant this afternoon and confiscate all his files, emails and whatnot.” He paused and studied her closely. “He also wants to speak to you. His lawyer is in there right now advising him against it, but he doesn’t seem to be listening.” “Gabe wants to talk to me? Why?” Shawna asked. “He tells me he wants to cut a deal. Says he has information only you could appreciate.” “Really? When can I see him?” “Soon,” Joseph said. “But listen, you can’t promise him anything. If he starts talking deal, I have to come in. You’ll be in one of the interview rooms we have and I’ll keep my eye on you along with the assistant DA here.” Joseph nodded to the man sitting in the corner of the room. “All right,” Shawna agreed. Not two minutes later, Gabe Bryant’s lawyer exited the interview room and announced, “He still wants to talk to this PI, Shawna Patrick. He won’t listen to me. So, let me know when we’re ready to talk deals.” “Got it,” Joseph said then led Shawna into the room. Gabe was sitting in the room, his dark blue suit jacket hanging on the back of his chair. A cup of coffee was beside him and he was left uncuffed. After all, he was not a violent felon, just a white-collar opportunist, and there was no reason to think he would be dangerous. But despite the lack of handcuffs, his incarceration was hitting home for his Ken-doll face was pale and worn and Shawna wanted to laugh seeing his arrogance so dashed. “I heard you wanted to talk?” she said as she stepped into the room. “Yes, I have a lot to say to you and a favor to ask,” he began. “Why do you think I can do any favors for you?” He looked at her with his ice blue eyes and said confidently, “Because your brother is running this investigation and because you’re friends with Tara.” “Reason enough for me,” she agreed. “But I can’t promise you anything. I don’t have that kind of influence.” “I know, but it’s worth a shot.” He took a sip of his coffee and then said, “I know that Tara’s going to marry Sheik Nikash and that she’s been playing me for a fool for the past few weeks.” “How do you know that?” “I’ll get to that,” he said. His arrogance was slowly returning and Shawna disliked that. “I also know that you were brought in by Tara to look into matters on me. I know that she suspects me of embezzling her money.” “Did you?” Shawna questioned. He smiled. “Do you think I’m that stupid, Shawna? I know they’re recording all of this. I’m making no comment on that subject.” “Then why am I even here?” she asked. His eyes glinted with knowledge and he replied, “Kumar. I know about Kumar and I have a piece of information that would be very helpful to Sheiks Nikash and Rafee Armanjani.” Shawna hoped her face didn’t give away her surprise, but when a self-satisfied smile invaded Gabe’s thin lips, she was positive it had. “Kumar? I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she lied. “Come now. Do you really think I’m that naive? I’ve spent time on that estate and I know the comings and goings of the people there. I know why it took Nikash so long to return home and I know that you and his brother have been buddy-buddy this past week following me around. In fact, I probably know more than both you and that impatient brother of Nikash’s combined.” “And I know what you did to Tara and Jenny,” Shawna shot back. “Do you really think that any information you can give us will fix what you did?” He didn’t answer her question for it would only implicate him and Shawna knew Gabe was not that stupid. Instead, he said, “Apparently the two recent fires are nothing to be concerned about then.” How had he known about two fires? The one at Villa Serena Tara had mentioned to him, but the one in Kumar…well, that had been kept quiet. Unless it was true and Gabe had some inside information. Not wanting to play into his hand, Shawna stood, faked a yawn and said, “You know what, Gabe, you’re boring me. The fires were accidents. Its no big deal and you have nothing of importance to tell me.” She began to walk toward the door when he said simply, “Jamaal.” ** “Rafee, I didn’t expect you home this morning,” Nik said as he walked into the television room on his way to the kitchen. “I thought you were in San Francisco.” Using the remote control, Rafee turned off the television. He had been watching Sunday morning football and finding it rather interesting. After an hour, he understood most of the strategy but only half of the rules. It was a complicated game, yet the action was intriguing. “Things worked out quicker than we anticipated,” he said in explanation. “Gabe Bryant was arrested last night.” “Really? That is good news. I will be sure to tell Tara this morning.” Nik studied his brother’s face for a moment and asked, “What is wrong? You do not look happy?” Rafee had been trying to avoid discussion of Shawna and how he had left her the night before. He was tired, worn, frustrated and actually feeling guilty. He had said some horrible words to her that he had not meant, nor that he had believed. But he was too proud to admit that to even his brother. “It was a long night and I am still tired. I have much to plan for our return to Kumar. Now that things will be settled here for Tara, we should return home,” Rafee said. “And we will in due time. There is no rush to leave today. Father told me last night that no new information is forthcoming regarding the threats and that our people are still trying to find leads on the fire.” “I still think we should return as soon as possible. It does not feel right for me to be away. I should be leading the investigation back home,” Rafee insisted. “And you will,” Nik assured him. Nik studied his brother for a long moment and realized there was more wrong with Rafee than exhaustion and worry. He was edgy, a mood he rarely saw him in. Rafee was the calm, cool, collected one. Nik was positive that ice flowed through his veins in times of stress for he always seemed to keep his wits about him. This morning, however, he was visibly nervous. “Rafee, I will ask again. What is wrong?” Suddenly, Rafee’s eyes flashed menacingly and he lashed out angrily, “There is nothing wrong with me aside from the fact that I have spent entirely too much time here following around Ms. Patrick when I should have been at home dealing with a real threat to our security. I know you are planning on wedding Tara and I have resigned myself to that eventuality. But I resent that I was forced into solving her problems while our own went unguarded.” If it hadn’t been for the fact that Rafee had mentioned Shawna’s name, Nik would have been convinced that Rafee was angry about the upcoming wedding and Nik’s choice of brides. But it was quite clear that Rafee’s anger and edginess had only to do with Shawna. “Where, may I ask, is Shawna this morning?” Nik questioned. “In San Francisco where she belongs and where I left her,” he snapped. “Did you two quarrel again?” “No. Yes. I do not know!” Rafee shouted. He paced the room and pointed a finger at his brother. “This is all your fault! If you hadn’t planted that seed in my head that I was using her I wouldn’t be feeling like I am right now.” “No, you would have had your way with her and not given a second thought to the fact that you care for her,” Nik refuted. “I do not ca…” he began to angrily deny when he realized he could not entirely deny Nikash’s accusations. “Damn you, Nikash!” Though it was his first instinct to laugh at him for Rafee had insisted not more than a week ago that he would never fall in love, Nik held his emotions in check and asked, “What did you say to her?” “I said things that cannot be taken back easily,” Rafee admitted. “But it is for the best. Like you said, I would only hurt her.” Their conversation was interrupted. A curious looking Devesh walked into the room holding up Rafee’s cell phone. “Rafee, it is Shawna,” Devesh announced. “Later,” Rafee insisted. “I do not wish to speak to her now.” “She said it was an emergency. Something you had to hear.” ** “What?” came Rafee’s reply over the speakerphone. Shawna expected a certain amount of curtness from him, but not such a greeting. Her brother glanced at her oddly as he listened in on the conference call and she quickly said to Rafee, “Rafee, I’m here with my brother Joseph.” “I see,” Rafee said more subdued. “Hey, by the way, thanks for the watch. I really appreciate it,” Joseph spoke up. “I am glad. It was the least I could do,” Rafee insisted with politeness then quickly asked, “What has happened?” “I spoke with Gabe just a moment ago and he knows about the fires both here and in Kumar. He also knows that Tara was faking everything and that your family is having some sort of trouble in Kumar,” Shawna quickly explained. Rafee’s attitude suddenly changed and she heard the curiosity in his tone. “How does he know that?” Taking a deep breath, Shawna said, “Jamaal.” The words that flew out of his mouth may not have been in English, but she understood their meaning just the same. A person could curse in any language, she reasoned, and when Rafee finally spoke in English again, he was as angry as she had ever heard him. “Jamaal. If he has any connection to the strange happenings around here or with that fire, I will strangle him with my bare hands,” Rafee growled. Shawna felt a shudder traverse her spine for she knew Rafee’s loyalty to family ran deeply enough that he may do just that to Jamaal. “Rafee,” Shawna said firmly, “don’t lose your head. Just check if he is still on the estate. Call Omar or…” “I know what to do,” he snapped harshly. “Hold the line.” Shawna waited and paced the office. Her brother stared at her and she knew what he was thinking. This was serious business she was involved in again. “Rafee’s in a good mood, must mean this is pretty deep stuff we’re treading in,” Joseph remarked sarcastically. “It is deep stuff. His family is being threatened,” Shawna said. “And his mood is mostly my doing, not this tragedy.” Before Joseph could inquire, Rafee was on the line again. “Jamaal is gone. Omar checked his room and everything is gone. He must have left last night because the last time anyone saw him was yesterday afternoon,” Rafee surmised. “Could Jamaal be at the bottom of all of this?” Shawna inquired. “I do not know, but he is our only lead right now. What else did Mr. Bryant say?” “He won’t say anything else unless we can get the District Attorney to agree to cut a deal to give him lesser charges for his crimes,” Shawna explained. “No! There should be no deal!” Rafee quickly refused. “Gabe Bryant is a rat and he is already cornered. Your lawyers must already see that. Joseph, do not persuade your District Attorney to try and make deals. We have all the information we need right now. Jamaal is a good start.” “All right,” Joseph agreed. Shawna then asked, “What do we do now, Rafee?” “I will make arrangements for us to all leave for Kumar as soon as possible. There is no use in remaining here. Mr. Bryant is in the hands of the authorities and Jamaal has disappeared,” he said with more calm. Shawna could hear the gears of his mind working over the phone lines as he plotted his strategy. “Okay, I’ll meet you all back at Villa Serena,” Shawna said. “No, remain where you are. Get your things together and stay with one of your brothers…just in case. It will be easier that way and I will know where you are at all times.” Shawna hesitated at his words for it almost sounded as if he was worried for her. But it was more than likely just a logistics issue so she fretted little over it. “Do you have a passport?” he then inquired. “Yes.” “Give me all your information and I will get you, Tara and Jenny visas through my embassy. I can do it with a phone call,” Rafee said. “All right. In the meantime, I’ll have my brother’s friend in the INS track the people flying out of the area with destinations to the Middle East. Perhaps we’ll discover Jamaal has returned home.” “Perhaps. And for his sake, I hope that he has hidden well. Otherwise, I will find him,” Rafee threatened one last time before he hung up. “Wouldn’t want to cross his path when he’s upset,” Joseph cracked. “No. But you already know that, don’t you?” She smiled and gestured toward his swollen cheek. Joseph laughed and said, “Yeah, but it sure is proving to be one hell of a story, getting whipped by a sheik all. And all the guys in the squad room say it was a pretty even trade: my face for the watch.” Shawna laughed for the first time since Rafee had left her the night before. Her brothers could always lighten her mood and now that Rafee was coming to collect her for a trip around the world, she needed the lightest mood she could summon. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ The Warrior - Chapter 9 |