Chapter 7
708 Words
Chapter 7As soon as they landed, and they were taxiing toward the private airport, Khalid and Hassan saw the Lear parked in front of the passengers’ lounge. Had there been a possibility for Hassan to jump out of the aircraft, and run after his quest, he would have done so. As for Mohammed: the wheels touching the ground had been enough to bring him out of the dream world. All three men lost no time. Once Khalid’s plane arrived at the hangar, they alighted from the aircraft and unloaded their cases. Khalid went to the tower to file his flight report while his passengers went through customs and waited impatiently by the exit door, where Khalid joined them a few minutes later. They hailed a cab and directed the chauffeur to the Meridien.
Upon reaching their destination, Hassan didn’t take any time to admire the surroundings. He went immediately to the reception desk, Mohammed in tow. There, he was promptly informed that ‘no’, they had not registered a Madame Kartz as a hotel guest during the past two hours, but they still had a reservation in her name for the next day.
Upon hearing this, Hassan was on the verge of collapse. Mohammed didn’t know what else they could do. They both went to sit in the atrium near the baobab.
“What do you suggest we do now? Where is she?” Hassan asked.
“I don’t know. She may have gone to Hjamal’s place since he invited her.”
“No. She wouldn’t have done that, I’m sure she wouldn’t.”
“Maybe the pilots left her at the mine.”
“I’ll kill them. I swear to you. If this Hjamal touched her, I’ll kill him...”
“Hold on, Hassan, let’s wait for Khalid and listen to what he has to say.”
The Touareg had remained by the desk. He had silently watched his two companions getting nowhere with the clerk. He let them go to the atrium alone. Then, when they were out of earshot, he turned to the receptionist. “Perhaps you could help me, Miss Katy...” He had read the nametag pinned on her dress. “Do you recall seeing the two Air Location pilots this afternoon? I’m a colleague of theirs. I just landed myself. I need to return an item left at the airport by their passenger.”
“Yes, Captain. They’ve registered an hour ago and they also assigned their suite to a lady they had brought along with them.”
“Thank you, Miss Katy. I’ll just call my friends to come and register. We will need to stay the night.”
Khalid walked away from the desk and went to sit with Hassan and Mohammed. The smile on his face spelled victory.
“Well, gentlemen, this humble servant has brought you at your destination and has found the lady you were searching for.”
Hassan, abashed by the events, barked at Khalid, “That’s impossible!”
Ignoring the rebuff with a shrug, Khalid turned to Mohammed. “Monsieur Fade, would you mind hearing me out? At least you, I’m sure, will believe the word of a Touareg.”
“Of course. Hassan meant no disrespect. Please go on.”
“Madame Kartz is here. She’s been escorted to a suite, which the pilots assigned to her. If you wish, I’ll find out which suite it is and we can go and see her.”
Hassan had been listening reluctantly. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what I’m saying anymore. Please forgive me.” he muttered.
“Allah will forgive you, if he has not done so already. As for me, I only wish for you to heed my guidance.”
Mohammed hesitated. “What do we do now?”
“Come with me.” Khalid said. “You both shall register as my guests. And, follow my lead.”
“All right, let’s go then.” Already, Hassan was up and marching toward the registration desk.
Khalid grabbed his arm. “Hassan, please... take my lead.”
They went together, walking calmly, to the awaiting receptionist. They filled out their registration cards and were each given a key to their respective rooms on the fifth floor.
While Miss Katy conversed in Arabic with Khalid for a moment, the busboy took the three men’s luggage to their rooms then the trio went up the lift to the sixth floor. They walked silently down the corridor and stopped in front of Talya’s suite. Since Khalid had motioned them to keep quiet, they had not uttered a word after leaving the hall.
Khalid whispered into Hassan’s ear, “Your lady is in here. Just knock and she will come to you.”
Now that he was only a few feet away from her, Hassan was frozen on the spot. He recalled Talya’s words in her letter: “Please don’t follow me...”
Mohammed knocked on the door.
- Writer
