A knock came at the door, and Aziza went to answer.
Dro greeted her and walked to Ryan’s side. “You’re coming with us,” he said.
“Where are we going?” Akbar asked, breathing hard. “You cannot do this. I am a citizen of Durabia. I have to be at work.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Dro said, “You’ll find out shortly. And your citizenship has nothing to do with this matter.”
“But—”
“Resisting won’t help you.” Ryan handed his gun to Dro, then guided Aziza to the bedroom. Over his shoulder, he said, “I’ll only be a minute.”
When they stood just inside the bedroom door, Ryan glanced at Sunita who sat cross-legged on the mattress supporting her cheeks with her fists. He pulled Aziza into a quick hug and murmured in her ear. “I’ll be away for at least a few more hours with what’s his name … Akbar.”
She pulled away to ask, “How did you know?”
“He’s one of the first persons I investigated when I arrived here.”
“Good. For all we know, he’s done this to other women. Where are you taking him?”
Aziza met his steady gaze, then sighed. “I get it. You can’t tell me. Just come back safely.”
“I will.” He kissed her forehead. “For heaven’s sake, don’t go anywhere. And by the way, that discussion isn’t finished. Well, we didn’t have a chance to get started.”
“I won’t leave.” She had the grace to look contrite. “Trust me.”
Ryan cocked one brow, and she smiled. “I really am sorry. I should have listened to you.”
“Yes, you should have.”
He approached the bed and sat a few inches from Sunita, who had salt lines marking the path of her tears. She looked up at him, eyes still wet and her lips pulled down at the corners.
“I’m sorry about everything, but it will be okay. Aziza and I will take care of you.”
“The man with him.” She jabbed her finger at the living area. “I saw him at El Zalaam. He has girls like me.”
“Let me show you.” Aziza left the room and returned with a digital camera, explaining. “I threw it behind the couch when I came in.”
She brought up the picture she’d taken and told him of the men’s movements.
“Mind if I take this?” he asked.
“Of course not, and please ensure you get those girls back. I haven’t forgotten.”
Ryan chuckled and touched her cheek. “Aziza, I love you, I really do, but sometimes I think you’ll be the death of me.”
“I’ll be praying while you’re gone, but you’re tough.” She patted his cheek, wearing a somber expression. “You’ll survive.”
He pressed a kiss to her temple and strode into the living room, where Dro and Akbar stood by the door.
Before they stepped out of the suite, Dro pointed to Akbar. “I explained to our friend here that Sheikh Kamran is part of this operation, in case he decides to make a break for it.”
“I told you I do not know anything of this operation,” Akbar spat through his teeth.
“That’s fine,” Ryan said, “because nobody asked you anything. Yet.”
They took the elevator, swept through the lobby, and declined the valet service. Standing around out front would only give Akbar an opportunity to elude them, if he got the chance.
Dro sat in the back of the black Ford F 150 pickup truck they exchanged with the Limo after the rescue yesterday. Akbar stared outside the entire time on the half-hour journey to the warehouse where Vikkas, Daron, and Bashir waited, after being called en route. Nicco, Hassan, and Rahm would join them if they needed more manpower for what would be their next assignment.
On arrival, they hustled Akbar into the warehouse and gave him a seat.
Ryan brought up the picture Aziza took and sat adjacent to Akbar. “This man, who is he?”
After gazing at the camera with a blank expression, Abkar said, “I do not know him well.”
“That’s not what I asked. Try again.”
The men stood around the metal table waiting for his response. When he didn’t speak, Vikkas planted both hands on the surface. “Let me explain something to you, in case you don’t understand what’s happening. You’re in deep trouble for the part you’ve played in abducting and selling women. It was only a matter of time before we came for you. We will think about not sending you to prison forever if you save us the trouble of having to hunt this man down.”
Akbar studied his hands, then said, “His name is Madhav Hadad.”
Daron picked up a tablet, inputted some information, and turned it to face Vikkas, who winced. His focus turned to Akbar. “What do you and this government official have in common?”
When he didn’t answer, Vikkas continued, “Let me guess. Some of the women you’ve been preying on have passed through his hands.”
Akbar frowned and jammed his fingers through his hair. “I did not say that.”
“That’s fine. You don’t have to say anything.”
“What about that break you promised me?” Akbar asked, laying both hands in front of him.
“Consider it withdrawn,” Vikkas said, barely moving his facial muscles, but the fury flowing off him was unmistakable. “I’ve reconsidered.”
“That little girl,” he said with a desperate edge to his voice. “From the container.”
“What about her?” Ryan glared at Akbar.
“I can tell you where the other girls are now. The man who collected them works for Hadad.”
“And how would you know all of these details?” Vikkas said.
“I was with him when he was making the arrangements to transport them.”
His words struck Ryan hard. He still didn’t understand how men bought and sold women and children like cattle when they had lives and families.
Staring into Aziza’s pain-filled eyes although she was miles away, Ryan said, “Where are the children?”
“Inside El Zalaam.”
Dro moved behind Akbar and slapped a pair of handcuffs on him. “Your story had better be true. Otherwise, we will have more problems.”
Akbar wriggled in the seat and protested. “But I helped you.”
“And we thank you for that.” Vikkas smiled as he walked to the door. “But you’re still going to jail.”
“This is not
