Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 101840 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 407(@250wpm)___ 339(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101840 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 407(@250wpm)___ 339(@300wpm)
He made a dismissive flicking gesture with his hand. “My father-in-law is better off at home. His physical health is not good.” His smile faded. “I worry he is declining cognitively as well.”
It was a strange comment. While Liyana’s father had required hip replacements that had hindered his travel, his cognition had never been in question. “Has he been ill?”
“No, no. Simply old and stubborn. When he’s not ruling his empire, he likes puttering around his home and his gardens where he can pretend the world hasn’t changed in twenty years.”
“Ah.”
Saleem smiled. “Liyana is a kind and patient daughter who reminds me that sometimes it’s difficult for us men as we age. We become set in our ways and only see the world from one perspective. Especially when we don’t have a partner to open our eyes.”
I nodded politely, my thoughts turning to Jett. Again.
He was right that Jett had opened my eyes. Had made me realize that I really wished I had someone I could trust. But now everything felt up in the air and out of control.
“What about the young man you’re with,” Saleem asked as if reading my thoughts. He watched me closely, gauging my reaction.
I frowned and hoped he couldn’t see how the innocent comment made my pulse race. “Are you referring to my assistant? I’m not with him in the way you’re implying.” I imbued the words with as much power and persuasion as I ever had before.
He held up both hands. “Easy. It is okay if you are. Do not make assumptions about Qadara, habibi. We accept people’s differences more than you may expect.”
While that was reassuring, I was no longer concerned with Saleem or any of the council members learning that I was sleeping with a man.
I was more concerned that letting anyone know Jett was important to me might risk his safety, especially if it was true that someone had betrayed the council.
Before I could formulate a reply, Liyana al-Qadiri appeared and placed a hand gently on her husband’s shoulder.
“You forgot your glasses,” she said softly, glancing at the board before smiling benignly at me. “Good morning, Locke. How did you sleep?”
Saleem was right. She was patient and kind. Soothing, even. “Fine, thank you. I hope you’re enjoying your time here.”
She nodded and patted me on the shoulder before handing him his reading glasses and stepping back toward the wall when the remainder of the council appeared. “I will wait until they bring in the food so I can help.”
It was time to begin. I caught Esteban flicking a concerned glance at Selene, but otherwise, everyone seemed to be acting normal.
Vukasin Draković made the opening move, using his inquiring pawn.
Who caused the explosion?
We all looked at each other before Esteban leaned forward and reached for his offering pawn and then his “influential connection” bishop, indicating he already had feelers out.
Falko Brandt was calmer than I expected. For someone whose rail company probably served the petrochemical plant that had exploded, the man seemed perfectly at ease.
He took the board next.
Accident. Coincidence.
Ted Harlan was the next up. The quick movements of his requesting and positive pawns demanded confirmation of Brandt’s information.
Emil Sorensen reached for his own bishop and set it beside Falko’s. Then he met Ted’s eye and moved his knight to the same square.
Confirmed, by influential connections and a government source.
Vraj Nanda reached for his queen and tapped it in two specific spots on the arm of his chair before setting it next to Falco’s resource rook. Relief. Gratitude.
Selene let out a little huff of laughter. Small smiles of relief on other faces.
I reached forward to take another turn, surprising a few players. As I made the elaborate combination of moves to explain the additional plan to credit Helvig with foiling the Russian plot, thereby keeping attention off Paxis Council resources, I couldn’t see any dissent.
Next, it was al-Qadiri’s turn. He quickly played his positive pawn, supporting the suggestion. Everyone else took turns playing their positive pawns, with the exception of Esteban, who played his caution pawn and spelled out NATO inspection agency as an alternative idea.
Ted lifted his eyebrows and sat back, considering the idea. Esteban’s disagreement made sense. We usually didn’t make moves that would deliberately enrich other companies unless there was good reason.
But in my opinion, there was good reason in this case, with or without potential insider trading.
A few played moves to discuss it, and they were well considered by the others. If I hadn’t been trying to trap a traitor, maybe I would have voted a different way.
The game play took longer than any of us wished. The need to make it look like an actual game of Paxis in the meantime was just as critical today as it had always been. As always, there were attendants, assistants, and family members in and out of the room, which made it a critical cover.