Chapter 1
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Chapter 1When I looked from my vantage point above the cliff, I saw Maître Hassan Sangor, Talya Kartz’s lawyer, sitting down on the sandy beach. Khalid Sheik Sahab, otherwise known as Prince Saif Al Fadir, had walked away from him and Talya to stand some ways from them. I supposed he hadn’t wanted to intrude on their conversation. Nice of him.
Dressed in a black garment with a scarf tightly wrapped around her face and hiding her gorgeous blonde curls, Talya turned her gaze toward the ocean while he looked at her and then down at his legs. It would be a long time before he would be able to take Talya in his arms again, thanks to a little incident I had organized in Bamako some months ago. I would have liked to see the woman’s face when she learned of her friends’ troubles.
As I recall, I was called at the time with a report of what had transpired. Sir Gillian, the Canadian Ambassador in Senegal had phoned Talya himself with the news. Thanks to those very helpful listening devices, I heard what had been said.
“Ms. Kartz, I’m sorry to have to tell you that Mr. Fade, Maître Sangor and Mrs. McLean have been viciously attacked tonight in the streets of Bamako...”
“Sir Gillian, this is Dr. Aziz Hendrix, Ms. Kartz’s physician. We haven’t had the pleasure, sir, but Mr. Flaubert has informed me of the problems she had in Dakar...”
“I’m awfully glad you’re there, Doctor,” Sir Gillian went on.
“Captain Sahab is here with me. Shall I ask him to listen to this conversation?”
“Yes, by all means, if Captain Sahab wants to hear what I have to say, put him on the line.”
“Just hold on a moment, sir, Captain Sahab will be listening on the extension.”
“Khalid, please go in the bedroom, there is a phone by the bed...”
“Sir Gillian, this is Khalid Sahab, I think we are now ready to hear the news.”
“Well, gentlemen, as I said to Dr. Hendrix, I am very glad to have you in attendance. What I have to report is in fact disturbing news. I, for one, received a shock when our consul in Mali, Mr. Broughton, phoned me earlier. Maître Sangor, Mr. Fade and Mrs. McLean have been brutally attacked last night. Mrs. McLean died as a result of her injuries; Mr. Fade and Maître Sangor have been badly wounded – knife wounds I’m told. They’re both in hospital.”
Hassan took Talya’s hand and turned to her. “As Allah is my witness,” I heard him say, “I..., I have loved you so deeply, Talya.”
She bent her head. His fingers tightened around hers. “I know, Hassan, and nothing I can say could undo the past or what I felt for you. But now –” It was time!
I pulled the trigger.
Hassan straightened up in a last tremor of life, and then fell to his side and into her lap.
“Hassan! Hassan!” Talya hollered, putting her hand on the ugly red patch marring the white of his shirt, as if she wanted to hide the bullet hole from sight.
I didn’t wait. I was out of there, beating a retreat toward the garden’s hedges, which I knew would mask my escape toward the fishing port not far from the embassy house.
As I slipped and crawled under the bushes, I heard the commotion of people rushing to Talya’s aid. I turned around. It was too good of an opportunity. I saw Khalid rushing down to the beach and dragging Talya toward the sheltering rocks behind them. I c****d and aimed my rifle and fired again.
Talya hid her face in Khalid’s chest while they huddled for cover against the rocks.
She looked at her bloodied hand and put it to her face. “Oh God, please help us!”
In a blur amid her tears, I saw Khumar, one of their bodyguards, rush down the track leading to the beach and point his gun above them. A third shot rang out from above the cliffs. It had had a different sound.
I was still watching. I had missed killing the woman who had marred my life for the past year already. I wanted to get back to business but with her around I couldn’t think of nothing else, but how to get rid of the leech that was bleeding me dry.
“Are you two all right?” Khumar asked, replacing his gun in its shoulder holster.
Khalid nodded, still holding Talya close to him.
“Are you okay?” Talya heard Mark yell as he ran down from the rocky ledge overhanging the beach.
“We’re fine, Mark. Talya and I will go back to the Meridien...”
She pushed Khalid away roughly. “Oh no, we are not,” she shouted, looking up at him while an indescribable rage was filling her whole being. “I am going back to my apartment and you, Khalid – whatever your name is – you..., can go to hell.”
“Princess...?” Khalid looked down at her, astounded.
“Don’t ‘Princess’ me. You are the most despicable person I have ever had the dishonor to encounter.”
Mark couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Lady Sarah?” he blurted.
“And don’t call me Lady Sarah – my name is Talya Kartz, Agent Gilford.”
“Please let’s go away from here...,” Khalid pleaded.
“Oh yes. We’re going away from here, but you are taking your leave and you are going to stay away from me. I don’t want to see you again. Do you understand what I am saying?”
“Madame Kartz..., I...”
“Shut up, Agent Gilford. And get Hassan’s body out of here. His father will fly him home – out of this hell-hole.”
While climbing up the rocks towards the limo parked on the embankment, she took off her veil and abayah and flung them back behind her.
“Talya, please...” Khalid caught up with her and grabbed her by the arm to stop her. “Can I at least talk to you before I take my leave?” I had to laugh inwardly. The woman had punk.
Obviously, she had enough of the charade that had led her to this point. Perhaps she would finally give up this silly pursuit and let me do my job, I thought.
“Let go of my arm,” she barked, shaking his hand off. “There is nothing to say. You’ve brought a man here to die. What else is there to say?”
“Yes, I have done that, I admit it. But I didn’t pull the trigger –”
“Stop it! You might as well have. As I said, you can go your way... and I’ll go mine. I have nothing else to say to you.” Her distress and anger were gearing her actions, and her words were lashing at Khalid’s face. I watched. You couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.
“You can’t go on your own. You’ll be the next victim..., or is that what you want?”
“Maybe that is what I want after all, but from now on, it shouldn’t concern you. I want you out of my life – forever.”
Mark followed them. “Khumar will take care of Hassan and if you wish I can accompany you to the hotel.”
“Yes..., fine,” Talya said, stepping inside the limo.
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