“And?”
“It’s not a match.”
“What do you mean?”
“This woman is nearly a perfect facial match for Evana Bahar but isn’t who she appears to be.”
CHAPTER 4
Istanbul, Turkey
HAWK WAS GRATEFUL for the opportunity to work in the field with Alex, especially on such a case as fascinating as the one given to them. The Phoenix Foundation had hoped that running the errand of extracting someone for the president wouldn’t be in vain. And based on the intel gleaned from the first meeting with Frank Stone, the assignment proved to be incredibly valuable. However, Hawk was starting to wonder if Al Fatihin had a deeper agenda at play.
Hawk hugged Alex when they met outside the customs office. Omer Demir greeted them and ushered them inside for a short debriefing.
“Have a seat,” Demir said, gesturing for them to sit across the desk from him. “Now, as you already know, that woman is not Evana Bahar. We haven’t done any further questioning of her because we have no reason to. However, out of courtesy to my friend J.D. Blunt, I asked that she be detained for two more hours from now at which time she’ll be released. My only request is that once you are finished questioning her, you leave her alone. I don’t want an international incident on my hands.”
“What’s her name?” Alex asked.
“Her passport says Jahedah Khan. But I’m not sure if any of that is authentic.”
“You have our word,” Hawk said. “Blunt speaks highly of you, and we fully intend to respect your conditions.”
Demir stood and then walked around his desk toward the door. “Since we have settled that matter, follow me. I’ll take you to her.”
Hawk and Alex scurried after Demir, who strode swiftly down the hall. When he reached an interrogation room, he unlocked the door and held it open for Hawk and Alex.
“If you need anything, there is an office next to yours that will be able to assist you in whatever manner you require,” Demir said. “I hope you find what you’re looking for.”
Hawk shot a quick glance at Alex, who took the clue from her husband.
“Jahedah, I’m Alex, and this is my colleague Brady. We have a few questions for you before you’re released.”
Jahedah stared blankly at them for a moment and then looked down while she played with her head covering.
“Do you speak English?” Alex asked.
Jahedah didn’t even move.
Hawk tapped Alex on her arm. “I’ll take over now.”
“Jahedah,” he said in Arabic, “can you tell us what you’re doing in Istanbul?”
She looked up and nodded before responding in her native tongue. “I’m here to visit a friend of my mother’s. She told me of a marriage prospect.”
“You are a widow?” Hawk asked.
She nodded.
“I’m sorry to hear that. What happened?”
She hesitated for a moment. “I—I don’t like to talk about it.”
“I understand. That can be a painful memory to discuss. Was it recent?”
Jahedah nodded again and glanced down at her hands, which were clasped and resting on the table.
“Do you have any children?” Hawk asked.
Tears welled up in Jahedah’s eyes before streaking down her cheeks. Another subtle nod followed.
Alex reached across the table and placed her hand on top of Jahedah’s and then offered her a handkerchief. Jahedah took it and dabbed her eyes.
“Thank you,” she said in English.
Hawk wanted to be sensitive to the moment, but they needed answers. He hoped Alex’s gesture would help warm their suspect to them.
“How do you know Evana Bahar?” Hawk asked.
Jahedah looked down, shielding her eyes with her right hand.
Hawk continued to press her. “It isn’t a coincidence that you are from the same village as her in Afghanistan and that you passed for her on facial recognition, is it?”
She shook her head and looked up. After a deep breath, she composed herself and answered Hawk’s question.
“Evana came to me in a time of need,” she said. “After my husband Muhammad martyred himself, his death payment wasn’t as much as promised. And one week later, my daughter was injured in a bombing at our market and lost her leg.”
“I want to convey my deepest sympathies to you,” Hawk said. “No one should ever have to endure so much pain, especially your daughter.”
“Thank you,” Jahedah said. “She’s twelve years old now and needs another surgery that we can’t afford. Evana told me that she would look after my family if I agreed to get a surgery so I would look like her. My daughter hated me for it, but it was the only way I could provide for her after Muhammad died.”
“But you are still struggling?” Hawk asked.
“Very much so, even with Evana’s help.”
Hawk nodded. “Did she tell you why she wanted you to do this?”
“All she said was that if I got the surgery, I would have to travel from time to time for a few days. She said it would be like a holiday and that she would arrange for someone to look after my daughter while I was gone.”
“Did she ever tell you that some people might mistake you for her?”
“She warned me this would happen, though it hasn’t before. This is the first time, and it’s terrifying.”
Alex tapped Hawk on the shoulder and gestured for them to step outside for a moment.
“We’ll be right back, Jahedah,” Hawk said.
“What’s going on?” Alex said. “I’m getting bits and pieces of this, but you know my Arabic isn’t the best.”
Hawk explained the situation to Alex. “What do you think we should do?”
“Let’s turn her,” Alex said. “She obviously needs financial help. We could use her to find Evana.”
"That's a good idea. It sounds like Evana is using Jahedah as a human smokescreen to sneak into countries."
“And once someone thinks they have Evana, they stop looking for her. A genius idea, if you ask me. I can’t believe no one else has ever thought of this.”
“Let’s not keep her waiting,” Hawk said. “I’ll make her an offer and see what she says.”
They returned to the room and
