The officers looked at each other, then stood at attention.
“The thing is,” Daron said, looking directly at the Assistant Commissioner. “To facilitate certain procedures and get through roadblocks and across borders, they needed official help.”
“Like the kind provided by the police,” Sheikh Kamran said, placing a narrow-eyed gaze on the officers.
The former Commissioner balked, as if outraged by the accusation.
His portly assistant sprouted beads of sweat on his forehead and lowered his head.
The Sheikh shot to his feet, and his voice thundered through the room. “Please do not tell me that the organization meant to protect our citizens has facilitated this criminal activity.”
Again a lull fell over the room.
Then Dro said, “It is not as bad as you think.”
The Sheikh sat, still focused on the officers. “Please, continue.”
“Only one of your commissioners is involved.” His gaze shifted to the man who now dabbed his forehead with a handkerchief. “From Daron’s spyware, we have established that Dr. Butala and Assistant Commissioner Handal know each other and are in business together.”
“This is not true!” Officer Handal shouted, only to lapse into silence when the screen came to life. He stood talking to Dr. Butala with a small igloo between them. Several others had already been loaded into an SUV. The doctor flipped open the cover and although the container with the body part was shrouded in ice, Angela had translated their conversation relating how the harvesting had been done.
At that point in the film, the policeman had reassured the doctor that the escort was waiting to transport the remainder of the body and the harvested organs across the border into Nadaum. With the evidence disposed of, no one in Durabia would be any wiser.
Daron lips quirked in approval. Before the arrival of the officers, he revealed that Angela and Nicco had spent the rest of their time in Durabia shadowing Dr. Butala at Jai’s request. Their diligence had paid big dividends.
“You should be ashamed of yourself,” Sheikh Kamran said. “I promise you, you will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.”
Officer Handal dashed to the door and disappeared before any of them could move.
None of them chased him.
He reappeared a few seconds later, escorted by Nicco, who asked, “Going somewhere?”
“Like a speeding bullet, no less.” Ryan chuckled at his joke.
His smile vanished when the Skeikh asked, “Do we know how and why they chose the women?”
“I’d say they did their selection based on observation and using the opportunities presented to them,” Ryan said.
The Skeikh and the former Commissioner glared at the shorter man, whose attention was fixed on his shoes.
“I’ll hold these two until you make transportation arrangements,” Nicco said to the Sheikh, who leaned toward his assistant.
The attaché got to his feet while Sheikh Kamran turned his steely gaze on the Commissioner. “Get out. You are a disgrace to your uniform, and to the Durabia Constabulary Force.”
He opened his mouth, but one look from the Sheikh had him moving toward the door in Nicco’s firm grip. The Sheik’s assistant followed them and closed the door.
In an inclusive gesture, the Sheikh opened his hands toward the men at the table and those on screen. “I would like to thank the Kings and Knights for their good work. There are more tentacles to sever, but we have to find them first. You cut one off and another replaces it in a short time.” His gaze settled on Ryan. “In view of your part in this case, I’m asking that you think about staying in Durabia. It is my intention to set up a permanent task force to eliminate this scourge, which is part of the underbelly of Middle Eastern countries. With help from the Kings, I am certain you can do more good.”
The offer surprised Ryan and left him speechless. When he recovered, he said, “What I’ve seen of the country, I like, but if I want to stay alive, I’d better discuss this with my fiancée before saying yes or no.”
The room erupted in laughter. When their merriment subsided, Ryan sent a sideways glance at Bashir. “I want to thank Bashir for his dedication to duty. He stuck with us every step of the way. Sometimes, I didn’t trust him, but I know he’s one of the good guys.”
Bashir acknowledged his thanks with a nod.
“He can be the first member of your task force if you say yes,” the Skeikh commented. “I would also like Hassan and Rahm to be part of that unit.”
The strapping man saluted him across the table and Ryan bobbed his head in return.
“I will graciously accept that offer if I can make staying in Durabia a reality. There is one more item I would like to mention before we close,” Ryan said. “Aziza has fallen in love with Sunita, and I have, too. Sunita feels the same way about Aziza. Is there a way we can become foster parents to her and eventually adopt her?”
The Sheikh considered that for a moment. “If I read the details correctly, her family sold her to a businessman in El Zalaam. Since that is the case, it is unlikely her parents will welcome her back. If we send her home, they will only sell her again, or she may face a worse fate.
“I would like my wife to speak with Sunita to ensure this is what she wants. After they talk, I will contact the social services division of our government and make that happen. It is the least I can do to thank you for your service to Durabia.”
Ryan smiled, relieved that he had good news for Aziza. “Thank you.”
Weeks ago, Ryan would have thought it impossible for him to become a ready-made father. He was neither prepared nor willing,
