He reached the door and paused. Screwing up his nerve, he knocked lightly and waited for her to allow him entrance. The door cracked open and a young woman blocked the way. She eyed al-Abadi for a moment before pulling the door open and allowing him access to her mistress.
Muhammed stepped inside and clasped his hands in front of him, waiting for the widow to acknowledge him. He tried not to make eye contact as she spoke softly on the phone. When she hung up she stood from behind her desk.
She refused to wear a hijab or even bind her hair. Muhammed would have chastised any other woman, but she was the equivalent to a mob boss now that her husband had passed to glory, and he preferred to keep his head firmly attached to his shoulders.
She gave him a broad smile and waved him closer. “Muhammed! So good of you to come.”
“You look well.” He stepped closer and allowed her to embrace him. She kissed his cheek and he forced himself to appear amenable. Being raised a strict Shiite, it took most of his self control to allow her dominance. Part of him hoped that one day she would be removed from the picture. As her right hand, he would fill the vacuum left by her and assume the role as head of the organization.
“You look rested.” She waved him closer to her desk and she retook her seat. “Tell me of our progress. Is everything in place for the arms deal?”
“Yes, the weapons are loaded and waiting. The protesters have been paid half in advance and are ready to take to the streets. We wait only on the signs and the flags to be burned.”
She smiled broadly. “Excellent. And the money?”
“Half has been paid, as agreed upon. The rest upon delivery.”
“Good. And do you foresee any difficulties in the transaction? Do you feel that it will go smoothly?”
He nodded slightly. “We have dealt with these people twice before. There has never been any issue. I do not foresee a problem.”
She leaned back in her chair and studied him. “Yet, you plan to oversee the people on the streets. These…protesters.” Her gaze narrowed. “You would not rather be at the arms deal?”
Muhammed shrugged. “My lieutenants can handle the trade. If the protest is to be large enough and rowdy enough to draw the news crews, they will need direction.” He leaned forward, his voice softening. “This is the largest arms deal we’ve made. We need to ensure that all eyes are downtown and not at the industrial complex.”
She nodded, agreeing with his logic. “Were you able to fulfill their order completely?” She watched him for any tells. “The anti-aircraft missiles, in particular?”
He gave her a slight smile. “I was able to procure Russian ground-to-air missiles. I believe they will be more than satisfied.”
She sighed. “I will admit. I am somewhat disturbed by their order.” She stood and pointed to the map. “The range of those missiles…it will allow them to strike any of our neighboring aircraft. If they take them to any of the borders…”
“I, too, have had second thoughts, but allow me.” He stepped forward and pointed to the map. “Whether they strike at American aircraft or even here, into India…it is not we who pull the trigger. All blame falls onto them.”
She shook her head slightly. “We supply the means.”
“But we are not responsible.”
She eyed him cautiously. “Is that why you would rather be at the protests? So that you can tell yourself that you did not sell them the weapons?”
Muhammed averted his gaze and shook his head. “I will sleep soundly regardless of whether I deliver the weapons or not. What they do with them is not my concern. Making us money is.” He crossed his arms and stared at the map, possibilities flashing through his mind.
She sat back down but continued to watch him. “Have they said whether they require more?”
He shook his head and turned to address her. “No. This order is quite large and should keep them busy. However if they are as zealous as I fear they are, it won’t be long before they will place another request.”
“They claim they are fighting on three fronts.” She nodded toward the map. “They say that they are freedom fighters, but I still fear they work in hand with the Islamic State.”
Muhammed shrugged. “As long as their money is good.”
She raised a brow to his response. “If they are Islamic State, they will eventually work their way here.”
“That will take much time.” He eyed her and noticed the worry. “You fear they would try to remove you as head of the organization?”
“That thought hasn’t occurred to you?” The bite in her voice wasn’t missed.
He sat down and met her gaze. “If you truly fear this is their end goal, simply say the word and I will refund their money and cancel the deal.”
She gave him a surprised look. “Without fear of reprisal?”
He shrugged again and gave her a slight smile. “If I tell them that the weapons were duds and we just discovered it…would they not be grateful?” He shook his head. “Besides, they do not know that a woman leads us. They think that I am in control.”
“And you enjoy that, do you not?”
His smile widened. “As I have said, I do not care one way or the other. So long as their money is good.”
She studied him for a moment longer then waved him away. “Continue the deal. We will watch what they do with these weapons. If it appears that they are working with the Islamic State…”
“Then we cut them off.”
She gave him a look that he didn’t immediately recognize. “We’ll do more than cut them off. We’ll remove them from the board ourselves.”
Muhammed allowed himself a moment to regain his composure. He hadn’t expected her to make such a statement. He stood to leave. “As you wish.”
She watched him exit and studied the empty space
