‘Do you not like pleasure with boys, Dr Daniel?’
‘Are there any new boys here tonight?’
Forood’s body tensed and his smile had disappeared. ‘I don’t know. Maybe we hear if a new boy is going to dance but I’ve not heard anything tonight.’
‘How would I know if anyone had a new boy?’
‘I do not know. Why are you asking these questions?’ Forood said, forcing a smile. Sensing something was wrong, the men sitting next to them were trying to eavesdrop. No one wanted trouble.
‘How would I find out?’
Forood was sweating now. Realising he would not get anything more out of him, Daniel had risen but Forood grabbed his arm again
‘Please,’ he said. ‘Please sit. This will be very bad for me if you offend Minister Massoud. Please.’
Daniel had pulled his wrist free. As he threaded his way back through the men on the floor, the boy’s twirling became more frantic. He was about to end his performance with a swoon, but by the time Daniel had reached the door all eyes had turned to him and the boy was all but ignored. A rustle of disquiet spread through the crowd. No one wanted trouble.
After the fetid heat of the room Daniel had welcomed the fresh night air, but just as he was about to head back to the MSF clinic he heard footsteps on the stairs behind him and turned to see Massoud.
‘Dr Abiteboul, wait, please.’ Daniel stopped. Massoud came to stand beside him. Taking his time to light a cigarette and drawing deeply on it he had turned to look at Daniel and smiled. ‘You are offended by the boy?’
‘No, not at all, I’m offended by you and the men like you.’
‘Ah, such a pity. In Afghanistan we appreciate beauty in all its forms.’
‘Young boys shouldn’t be seen as beautiful.’
Massoud’s smile had deepened. ‘Such foolish notions, Dr Abiteboul. There can be nothing more beautiful than taking pleasure with a young boy. Are they not like little girls, and little girls are enjoying sex with their husbands every night all over Afghanistan? What can be the harm in this pleasure?’
‘You have two sons, I believe, minister? How would you like your sons to be used for this “pleasure”?’ Two men walked past, eyeing Massoud and Daniel standing in the light of the stairway.
Massoud bristled. ‘My sons have no need for this. I can provide amply for them.’ Massoud had contemplated the tip of his cigarette before flicking the ash off with a long fingernail on his little finger. ‘I’m sure none of us can pretend to be so naïve or righteous these days, can we, Dr Abiteboul? You’re a man of the world. You’ve travelled widely.’ Massoud frowned. ‘Aren’t there tours for Western men to Asia for such activities? What about your Catholic priests I read about?’ He shook his head and smiled. ‘You may not like what you see, Dr Abiteboul, but I assure you it is normal.’
Daniel could feel his hatred of the man rising. He had smiled at Massoud. ‘I’ve heard that the Taliban is gaining traction here in your part of the world again. That must be concerning, given that these zealots have a particular distaste for men like you.’
‘Men like me,’ repeated Massoud, looking amused as he examined his nails. ‘I have friends everywhere, Dr Abiteboul, even among these men you call zealots. What is it you say in the West, you and I must agree to disagree? You are an honoured guest in my country. I regret that our harmless little distraction has offended you.’ He had turned to look out into the night. ‘It’s a beautiful evening in Kandahar, is it not?’ He flicked the butt into the gutter. ‘I believe you are here with Dr Jabril’s friend, what is her name? Ah yes, Dr Sofia. She’s an impressive young woman, wouldn’t you say, although perhaps a little impulsive. I have always contended that our guests should not concern themselves with things that are not their business, don’t you think?’ He smiled and bowed to Daniel. ‘Please give my regards to Dr Jabril. He does such invaluable work in Shaahir Square. It would be a shame if for some reason it all had to end.’
37
WHEN DANIEL FINISHED his story about Massoud, Zahra was the first to speak. ‘Why am I not surprised? Men like Massoud think their wives are for giving them sons and young boys are for giving them pleasure.’
‘I’m sorry, Jabril,’ offered Daniel.
‘No, no, you have nothing to be sorry for. On the contrary, I should be thanking you.’ Jabril shook his head. ‘To think I spoke with him only this morning to see if he might be able to push harder to find the boys. In truth, I was beginning to wonder about our good minister when he seemed more interested in where the information came from than where the boys were, and then when we discovered the men had been warned about the raid, well … What a fool I’ve been.’
‘Men like Massoud are chameleons. They’ve mastered the art of appearing to be whatever you want them to be. You’re not the first person to be fooled by him,’ Daniel offered.
‘He’s fooled just about everyone, my husband,’ Zahra said, reaching out to touch his knee.
Jabril’s hand covered his wife’s. ‘But not you, my dear. You’ve never liked him, have you?’
‘Well,’ Zahra said, as if it was nothing. She sat back on the lounge again. ‘Only because I know his wife and I’ve seen how frightened she is of him.’
Jabril turned his attention to Daniel. ‘I’m afraid I told him it was your friend who told us about the house. I probably shouldn’t have.’
‘It’s okay, Jabril. He doesn’t know who my friend is. He’s safe.’ Daniel felt sorry for Jabril. He was a good man who was no match for someone like Massoud.
‘By the way, has your friend got any idea where the boys are now?’ Jabril asked.
‘I’m afraid he hasn’t got back to
