On the Heels of Evil

by D. E. Daum

  “Someone, the administrator I heard, was found dead,” a pretty young woman replied.

  The Administrator is dead? Could that be The Chosen One? Not likely, unless The Chosen One is a fraud. She must mean the previous administrator’s dead. That makes much more sense.

  * * * *

  Darius Jones continued questioning the attractive young woman who discovered the body of one Ali Kaba Qartawi. Why not? She was pleasant enough to look at and intelligent. “Rayya . . . may I call you Rayya?” She nodded and Darius continued, “Tell me again, what time you arrived and what you found?”

  This is the third time, what’s his problem? Inspector Jones was a medium-sized, slightly corpulent man of about forty, with a round face, a light complexion, and receding hairline. His eyes showed a keen intelligence not otherwise evident. She answered, “I came in early, as I usually do, about eight-thirty, noticed that the front door was unlocked and upon entering, all the lights were on. Since it is my job to open up, I wondered who’d gotten here first. I started to check the offices. No one was here, so I went upstairs where we keep several apartments for guests, and that is where I found him.”

  “You found him in one of the apartments?” Darius prompted.

  “Yes, the one he sometimes stays in. I saw him lying there fully dressed on his bed with Arabic music playing on his stereo. I thought he was still asleep, so I went in and gently shook him. It was then I thought things weren’t right.” She paused when they brought the body downstairs on a gurney and went out the front door and stared for a moment off into space remembering what Jane had said the day before.

  “Ali Kaba is going to meet with an accident and when you have to go, you’ll put Rayya in charge.” She did it. She really did it.

  The Deputy Medical Examiner walked by and said, “You may as well wrap this up, Darius. This man died before his time, but it was natural causes—a heart attack.”

  Darius inquired, “You sure no foul play was involved?”

  “I’m not, but the Chief is and that’s whose opinion counts. By the way, you’re supposed to call your Captain.”

  Darius took out his cell phone and dialed. Rayya couldn’t hear Darius’s partner in the conversation, but it sounded from this side as if Darius was being given some orders. “Are you sure? I haven’t even questioned all the employees here yet, including the newly installed Director. Yes, I understand. You have your orders, and I have mine. Yes sir, I’ll wrap it up and get over to the Prefect’s office immediately.”

  “Well, Rayya, it seems that’s it. Case closed. I’ll be seeing you.” He shook Rayya’s hand and started to round everyone up.

  Ten minutes after the police and the medics left, Kelly arrived. He noticed a crowd, which was still milling around outside. He asked Rayya what was going on. Only she and Eldon were still there since Rayya’d sent the other staff members home. Kelly was just as surprised as Rayya had been. He wondered how Jane had done it. Now, he could leave The Hand in Rayya’s capable hands. Kelly wanted to be alone. He asked Rayya if she would send Eldon in after twenty minutes.

  * * * *

  Kelly thought back to the conversation and other things they’d shared after Jane and Haman left. The episode had turned out well. He assumed correctly that he’d weathered the storm when she’d referred to him as her stallion. When they’d gone, Mare got ready for bed. After a few minutes, she returned wearing a skimpy baby doll nighty and suggested he change into pajama bottoms. Returning, wearing only his PJ bottoms, Mare had slipped on a robe. She was drinking champagne from a goblet and had poured some of the bubbly for him. He wondered where the champagne had come from since there hadn’t been enough time to order it. The mystery was cleared up when he picked up the card setting beside the ice bucket. It read, “To Mariam and Saleem. You are a most striking couple. Enjoy your evening. Jane.”

  “Wasn’t that nice of her?” Mare gushed “She’s such an interesting person and so pretty. I can see why you slept with her. Let’s have a toast.” This is going better than I dared to hope.

  Mariam continued, “To Jane and our new, interesting, and productive life. I always wanted to do something important. Nothing could be more important than stopping terrorists and saving innocent people.”

  They clinked glasses and sipped champagne. He smiled and asked, “Does this mean you won’t want a divorce?”

  “Oh, my stallion, why would I want a divorce from a man who cheated on his wife, whom he didn’t really know, I might add, merely so he could better learn how to pleasure her and better serve society?”

  “Honestly, Mare, I didn’t feel married then. You were Saleem’s wife and that’s really the reason I mentioned that you might want a divorce. I am definitely not the man you married!”

  “You are in every way except for your mind. You, and not Saleem, are opening up the world for me. I am no longer in the hell that is called Saudi Arabia, and through you, I am about to embark on a most interesting life. Promise me one thing though, my stallion.”

  “What is that, lover?”

  Mariam straddled Kelly and with a serious look on her face asked, “If you ever make love to Jane again, please do not tell me.” Her facial expression turned devious. She continued, “In the meantime, edify me, my stallion.” She threw back her head and laughed.

  Kelly would have been distraught if Mariam wanted a divorce. There was no longer any doubt in his mind he was in love with this playful, vivacious woman.

  He was shaken out of his reverie when Eldon entered. “Rayya said you wanted to see me.”

  “Yes, sorry, my mind drifted. Come in and have a seat. You’ve heard what happened to Ali Kaba, of course. According to Rayya, some higher up, maybe in Scotland Yard, curtailed the investigation. Do you know anything about it, Eldon?”

  “Would you believe me if I said no?”

  “Probably not.”

  “Well, I doubt it had anything to do with MI-6 and certainly not Scotland Yard. My guess is it came down through diplomatic circles. What difference does it make? I say good riddance.”

  “I say good riddance also, but I like to know who’s pulling strings on both sides. Let me ask you another question. Have you seen recently, or have you ever seen, a man around here with two rings?”

  “Not that I can recall. Why?”

  “Someone, an ally actually, is supposed to come here posing as a contributor and give me further information on ‘the video.’”

  “What is ‘the video’? I haven’t been informed about a video?”

  “Sorry. I forgot you haven’t been briefed on it. Next time we have a briefing, I’ll ask my handler if you can attend.”

  Just then, Rayya walked in and handed me her satellite phone. “It’s Starbird.”

  “Would you please excuse me, Eldon?” Eldon waved goodbye and left. “Go on Starbird.”

  “Kelly, I’ve been trying to get you for a couple of hours. Where’s your phone?” He pulled out his phone and noticed that the battery was dead. “Battery’s dead, what can I do for you?”

  “You can keep from getting killed, that’s what. Your wife’s too young and pretty to be a widow. As you know Islamic widows don’t fare well.”

  “What the fuck are you ranting about, Jane?”

  “I’m talking about you getting your head out of your ass, that’s what. Yesterday, not one, but two tails shadowed you. One of them even followed you to our field HQ. Does that make you feel stupid? That’s basic evasion, in case you don’t remember.”

  “Yeah, yeah, OK. I get the picture. How’d you find out?”

  “Luckily, the one that followed you to the meeting was Mossad. Also luckily, he spotted Evans, whom he knew because they were targeting you for the massacre at Aqaba. I know you’ve been having the sex of your life lately, but you’ve got to stop thinking with your pecker or the great Chosen One will find himself back in front of the Almighty, explaining why he didn’t get one fucking thing done. Then, I couldn’t even get hold of you. You know it’s regulati
on you’re not supposed to be out of communication. Charge your battery every night and carry a spare.”

  “OK, I told you I get the picture. What do you want me to do, grovel?”

  “All right, I’m sorry. I went a little overboard. I’ve grown fond of you and I was worried. The other person that was tailing you was Arab-appearing, medium height, rail thin, wearing jeans and a blue T-shirt. At least yesterday he was. Who knows what he looks like or is wearing now?”

  An annoyed Kelley responded, “Good enough, Jane, I’m on it now. I won’t screw up again, okay?”

  Knowing she had drawn blood, Jane changed the subject. “OK! Did you and Mariam get my gift last night?”

  “Yeah, that was great, thanks.”

  “Good, she’s a prize.”

  “Thank you. By the way, great job on our problem and so quickly!”

  Jane was silent. Then. “What are you talking about? What problem?”

  “Ali Kaba. They wheeled him out of here this morning. How did you do it?”

  Jane, her voice now full of concern, said, “Kelly, I didn’t have a chance to do it.”

  “Hmmm . . . the Deputy Medical Examiner said it was natural causes, and then someone called the inspector and put the kibosh on the investigation. Do you think it could have been natural?”

  “Not if someone undercut the investigation. Looks like somebody saved me the trouble. I wonder who? Kelly, for now, let anybody in the know think I did it. What was the time of death?”

  “I don’t know. I could find out, if you want.”

  “Would you? You’re a dear. I’ve gotta go. Let me know what you find out and for God’s sake be careful. I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  “No you don’t. You love Mariam.”

  “Yes I do, and I love you, too. Ciao.”

  Book IV

  The Allies

  Chapter 1

  Rayya walked in. “Saleem, there is someone here to see you—a Miss Harschkopf. She says she has heard of our good work and wants to talk about making a large contribution.”

  “Send her to see Eldon. Is he still here?” Rayya nodded. “He handles the contributions.”

  A minute after Rayya left, a rather large woman barged in and walked up to his desk, Rayya trailing behind. She put out her hand and said, “I’m so pleased to meet you. My name is Valerie Harschkopf. I have a feeling we’re going to be great friends, maybe even allies.”

  Kelly looked closely at the woman. She was over six feet tall with medium blond hair and blue eyes. Her earrings had a two-inch hoop within a three-inch hoop. She also wore a broach above her rather large left breast. It matched her earrings in that it was a large ring around a smaller ring, but these rings were in diamonds. He told Rayya it was okay and she could leave. Rayya seemed pissed, so he went to her and whispered, “This could be the ally.” With that, she nodded and left.

  “Please have a seat, Miss Harschkopf. What can I do for you?”

  “Valerie, please! I want you to know that I’m usually not so pushy, but my instructions were to deal exclusively with Saleem Rhamsy, the famous Right Hand of Allah, and I did so want to meet you. That is why I waited until that dreadful man was out of the picture. You do know he had instructions to kill you, don’t you?”

  “I suspected as much. Do I have you to thank for his untimely departure?”

  “Me? Heavens, no! Do I look the type?” An obviously delighted Valerie continued with a crafty smile on her lips. “Let’s just say you have friends in the cleaning business who did both of us a favor.”

  * * * *

  “Hello, Starbird, this is Rayya. I can’t talk long. The ‘ally’ has apparently showed up. She is a blond Amazon with a German accent. Her name, or rather, she introduced herself as Valerie Harschkopf. Saleem is meeting with her right now. I’m emailing a picture I just took of her. I’ve got to go.”

  * * * *

  “That’s fortuitous for both of us then,” He replied smiling. “May I get you something? Coffee, tea, water?”

  “Thank you. Great looking and a gentleman, too. Such an improvement over your predecessor. I’ll have a little water, please, with a lot of Scotch.”

  Kelly admitted, “Well, I’m new here, as you know. Being an Islamic charity, I’m not sure we have any alcohol on the premises.”

  “That rat, Ali Kaba used to keep several bottles in the cabinet behind you. I’m sorry, you’re just getting your bearings, and I threw you a curve ball. That is the correct expression, is it not?”

  “Absolutely, and I swung and missed. My apologies, Mademoiselle,” He replied, continuing the baseball analogy, as he reached in the cabinet behind him and pulled out a bottle of Chivas Regal. He grabbed two glasses and poured each about half full from the pitcher of ice water on his desk. He then filled the glasses with Chivas, passed one to Valerie and raised his glass to her. She did the same and said, “Cheers.” He took a large sip.

  Valerie did likewise and put her drink down. “Cheers, isn’t that an appropriate salutation since we’re in ‘Jolly old England’?”

  Kelly hoped they were doing their job next door and recording this. “So, Valerie, why don’t you tell me about your organization?”

  “Saleem, believe me, the less you know the better. I will tell you what I came here to tell you, or rather, what I came here to give you.” She reached in her shoulder bag and pulled several objects. She handed Kelly a DVD, then asked, “Is it all right if I smoke?

  He frowned but nodded. “Good. You will find the information that complements the DVD you were previously given on that disc. As agreed, we will put five million euros into your account for each successful operation.”

  She inserted a long filtered cigarette into an even longer cigarette holder and lifted up a lighter to light the cigarette, pausing to say, “You may not know this, but each of the planned operations is ours. He reached over, took the lighter from her and held the flame to the cigarette. She dragged on it and when lit, pulled the holder from her lips to exhale.

  “Thank you. We must remain inconspicuous for the time being, so we have ‘outsourced’ each operation. That is the politically correct term, is it not?” She flashed a sensual smile.

  “In America, yes, it is. I must admit, I have never heard it used in terrorist terms before. As you know, I have the final say on when and whether these events occur. I say this because I will be undertaking a little job, which will take me to America. For how long, I don’t know.”

  “Yes, our nuclear bomb. We know. That should be a good test to see how effective your mujahadeen are,” cracked Valerie.

  “I can’t help but be curious. Why would your organization want to help us with our fight against Western hegemony, assuming you are an organization?”

  “Because we have similar interests, that’s why. Remember the Third Reich? Who were they fighting against?”

  “The Russians, English, French, Americans, and a couple others.”

  “And the Jews! Let’s not forget the Jews. Now, who are your various organizations fighting, beyond the corrupt Arab regimes, that is?”

  “The Russians, English, French, Americans, and Israel.”

  “Correct. Now do you see why we call ourselves your ally? Think of us as a rich uncle who wants to help.”

  “I see, so your group is Neo-Nazi.”

  “Nein! That’s not the way we think of ourselves. The neo-Nazis you see on TV and in the papers are merely young malcontents who want to make everybody as unhappy as they are by spreading chaos. We, on the other hand, know what we’re after, and we have a plan. Fortunately for you, your mujahadeen, fall within our plan.”

  “I see. Is there anything else I can do for you right now, Valerie?”

  Valerie took one last drag on her cigarette, stubbed it out in the ashtray and blew the smoke off to the side. “As a matter of fact, there is. I didn’t have time to get a hotel room on the way over here. Could you put me up for the night?”

  “Ah, well, I’
m married, we just moved in and our place is a mess.”

  “Yes, of course, I’m familiar with your arrangements. I was thinking of one of your apartments upstairs. Last time I had apartment one.”

  “Of course, I’ll make the arrangements. Do you have any luggage?”

  “A little, but I have to run somewhere else for now. Could you just give me the key, so I won’t have to trouble you later?” asked Valerie.

  “Sure, let me retrieve the key for you.” Kelly went out and over to Rayya’s desk. “Rayya, Miss Harschkopf will be spending the night here. Could I have the key to apartment one?”