“Nothing.”
“That’s not how I was raised.” She sneered, calmly returning behind the counter. “I see a law is broken and I must report it. That’s the law, Puppy. That’s what you DVs preach. Every fucking day of our marriage I heard that. Regs lie, DVs don’t. Integrity. Well I was integritied.”
“Thanks to you Zelda’s been arrested.” Puppy kicked over a chair.
“That’s also going on your bill…”
“Arrested.”
“If she did nothing wrong, she has nothing to fear,” Annette said archly.
“Do you really think this is about some damn orphan?”
“The vidnews said…”
“They’re lying.”
An elderly woman stopped in the doorway and Puppy chased her out with a broken piece of glass.
“That was Mrs. Chambliss.”
“I don’t give a damn if that was Grandma. They’re lying, Annette. They wouldn’t arrest someone for taking in an orphan.”
“It’s against the law…”
“Fuck the law.” He nearly ground his teeth into the jawline. “You went to the police station.”
Annette made a defiant face. “Yes.”
“You spoke to Blue Shirts.”
“Who else would I talk to there?”
“And then?”
Annette hesitated. “They sent me to the Brown Hats.”
“Don’t you think that’s weird for a missing girl?”
“Obviously you have a greater knowledge of police procedure…”
“They stopped the rescue of ME orphans years ago. But this one still only speaks Spanish.”
“Maybe she’s stupid.”
“Not too stupid to speak an illegal language.”
“Maybe there’s a program we don’t know about.” Annette faltered. “She probably stabbed her way free.”
“Wouldn’t the family post the news and not the cops?”
Annette drummed her fingers, growing angry. “I don’t know.”
“Isn’t that what we always see on the vidnews? My child is missing, please help. Never the cops. Families talking to each other, one on one.”
She swallowed deeply, suddenly uncertain. “Maybe this is different.”
“Damn straight. ”
Annette floundered, ready to lash out as always when she was put on the defensive. “And if it is, how’s that my problem?”
“You just bought it, Annette.”
She squirmed. “What do you want from me, Puppy?”
• • • •
AZHAR NOTICED THE wind just before Tomas disappeared into the narrow cockpit. More than twenty years at sea had turned his skin into radar. He chalked it up to uneasy exhaustion.
The Son stared out the window like an idiot child, grinning deep in thought. The ‘copter turned abruptly to the right.
“Buckle up, please.” Tomas popped his head into the cabin.
“What’s going on?” Abdullah grew concerned.
“We’re setting down until this storm passes.”
Tomas avoided Azhar’s stare and returned inside the cockpit. The ‘copter gained speed, racing over the treetops. Azhar pointed to an artificial clearing half a mile ahead, Abdullah nodding as the ‘copter nestled down into a spot.
The doors flung open and the cabin filled with armed black uniformed soldiers. Azhar rose to defend them, but he and the Son were immediately flung to the ground and handcuffed, black hoods draped over their faces as they were dragged down the steps and into the back of a truck or van.
“How dare you.” Abdullah twisted away, earning a silencing rifle butt in the ribs.
The sound of ‘copter propellers faded as the vehicle bounced on rough roads, leaving just their scared labored breaths and the slight whistling intakes of soldiers guarding them. Azhar nudged Abdullah in the foot to be still. He pressed back.
Crusader traitors, Azhar thought.
The vehicle lurched to a stop after about fifteen bumpy minutes. They were dragged out up a ramp. A door hissed closed, intensifying the sense of darkness, then down a very long corridor before they were tossed into a room, their hoods yanked off and the handcuffs flung into the corner.
Now alone, they weaved slightly and fell onto folding chairs around a small table. Abdullah took deep breaths.
“Are you all right?” Azhar asked.
The Son grunted and rubbed his side. “Where are we?”
Mustafa wished he knew enough to make up an answer. “I think twenty minutes from where we landed. I smelled the ocean.”
“You would.” Abdullah smiled faintly.
Azhar walked around the room, rapping on the walls and annoying Abdullah.
“What’re you doing?”
“Seeing if they’re hollow.” He squinted at the ceiling. “I assume they’re watching.”
“Is there anything we could do about it?” His voice contained the slightest reproach.
Azhar considered what they could do about anything including ever getting home, when the door opened slowly and a small Asian man poked his head inside as if he might have the wrong room. He brightened and vigorously shook their hands.
“Apologies, gentlemen. This is so awkward, but sometimes, there’s only one way. I’m Albert Cheng, First Cousin, though I suspect you know that. Please, sit, I’ll only keep you a little while and then send you on your way.”
Mustafa slid a chair in front of the Son; Cheng laughed.
“There’s no need to worry.”
“One of your Crusaders nearly broke my ribs,” Abdullah growled, rising. “We’ve been kidnapped and abused in complete violation of my agreement with Grandma. Your head of state. But we know what your promises mean.”
Cheng seemed genuinely saddened by this outburst. “I’m so sorry to hear all that. We do have mountains of mistrust to climb, don’t we? Please.” His voice hardened just enough. “Sit.”
Abdullah slid the chair around and straddled the back, glaring at Cheng, while Azhar insisted on standing. The Asian Crusader shrugged.
“Until now, how’s your trip been?”
They didn’t smile. The Cousin arched his eyebrow as if he hadn’t expected an answer. “I heard Grandma took you to an interesting little place.”
“What do you want?” Abdullah asked coldly.
“Okay. I tried for civility. All I really want is some information. A few more details. I’m Grandma’s second in command and it’ll be my job to implement this agreement.”
“Ask her.”
“I did, which is why I suggested you stop by on your way home.” Cheng’s little eyes froze. “I’m somewhat confused by your allies.” He waited for Abdullah to answer, then continued, “Koury’s Madr Army in France. Shade under one million, nine hundred thousand soldiers, two hundred tank battalions, fifty air wings.”
Abdullah stared hard.
“I have good sources. You’re not the only one unhappy under the Caliphate. Important
