Assad: But I do know of places where we can meet. Safe locations where—
Basma: No. I know of a place, too. It will have to be there.
Assad: Well, perhaps. But time is short.
Damn him, Nanette thought. He gave in far too easily on the location.
Basma: Seven o’clock, then. Tonight.
Assad: Tonight? But that is so late. If these girls are arriving today, then why—
Basma: Seven o’clock. I will call you at six thirty with the address.
Assad: Wait, now. Just wait. Why can’t you tell me now, or sometime sooner?
Basma: I am frightened. I am not safe. How do I know I can trust you? Especially if only you and I are meeting?
Assad: Don’t worry. I will make sure you are safe. And I will bring others who can also help you. Safety in numbers, okay? That way you don’t have to worry about trusting only me.
Basma: What others? Other policemen?
Assad: Better than that. Members of a … a special task force which … which only handles these sorts of cases. So you see? Already I have told you a very big secret. Already I am having to trust you before you must trust me. You will be in the very best hands. But can’t we meet a little sooner?
Basma: Seven o’clock.
Assad: Very well. Seven. But you must do one thing for me so that I will know I can trust you. Because now I am the one in danger. So if you cannot tell me the location until half an hour before our meeting, then I must ask that we arrive at the same time, both of us entering together, right at seven. That way I will know this is not some sort of ambush, or some trick you are playing on the police. Understood?
Basma: I don’t know.
The girl sounded flustered, as if she hadn’t counted on this twist. Nanette wondered if she had been trying to consult with someone else in the room with her.
Assad: This is how it must be done, Basma. Understand? Seven o’clock at your location, that is fine, I agree. But no one arriving a second earlier, so that we will both be able to feel secure. Okay?
Basma: I guess.
Assad: You guess?
Basma: Okay.
Assad: Very good, then. I will speak with you again at six thirty. Correct?
Basma: Correct.
Assad: At this number?
Basma: Yes.
Assad: I will be waiting. And do not worry. You will be in safe hands from now on. I give you my personal assurance as an officer of the law.
Basma: Thank you.
Assad: Of course.
“Don’t you find it suspicious that she phoned you?” Nanette asked.
“If she had requested me by name, yes. But I checked afterward with the switchboard. All she asked for was the man in charge of vice, so they connected her to me. And now she will be playing right into our hands.”
“You’re the one that’s being played, Assad, don’t you see? That’s why she didn’t tell you the meeting place. Waiting until the last minute is part of the setup.”
He waved a hand dismissively.
“She’s scared. She’s only being careful, just as you’d expect.”
“Well, I’m not going to your damn meeting, I can tell you that.”
“I arranged that for you! You said it was what you wanted!”
“Only on my terms, not hers. Set foot in the door of whatever place she chooses and we’ll be history, all of us.”
“You are being unreasonable, a silly and stubborn woman who only wants things her way!”
“I am being prudent, Assad, but don’t fret. Not yet. You can still take charge of this situation, you know, in a way that will please everyone and will still take her off the board.”
Assad snorted. He seemed in no mood to listen further. But at this point Nanette crossed her legs and turned slightly in her chair, offering a view in profile that she knew Assad liked best, for the tightness of her blouse and the way her long skirt hugged her hips, and, never to be discounted, for its sidelong view of the fullness of her auburn hair.
It instantly made him receptive enough to at least hear out her idea, which, with Liffey’s persuasive assistance, he eventually accepted as their plan of action.
