Siddrajan, and take Carson
Khan
with you. Please have him checked out. He should remain at the Base’s clinic until he is thoroughly well. Be sure to post a trustworthy guard, someone who already knows of his presence. I do not need to remind you that the existence of our guests is to be kept secret for now.” He looked over at his younger son. “Ahmad, please escort the doctor and Carson
Khan
back to the base.” Ahmad’s eyes flashed in anger. He did not want this babysitting duty, but he was too afraid of his father to offer an alternative. He strode over to Carson, took his arm in a vicious grip, and led the little group out of the room.
Kendall caught the sly wink and smirk Rashid gave Ahmad as he passed by. Ahmad seemed to relax a bit. She realized that Rashid did have some sort of calming power on at least this son. She stored this information away.
The president was tired of the meeting. He barked, “Saaqib, take Fields
Khan
to your offices and thoroughly explain our issues.”
They left the room, leaving only the president, Kendall, Rashid, and their original escort, General Omar. Shazeb looked at Kendall and motioned towards the back of the room, to an early 1900s French two-seater sofa decorated in Afghanistan ceremonial fabric. “You, go sit there while we talk.” Kendall frowned and wondered what assignment she would be given and who her minder would be. She half hoped yet feared it would be the rakish Rashid Sharif.
The men spoke in low urgent tones. The president ordered General Omar to stay with him, so they could discuss short-term plans for their “guests.” The Afghan leader decided that once their guests’ luggage had been thoroughly searched, they would be allowed their personal belongings, sans electronic and communication devices. He figured their personal effects would bring them some measure of comfort and hopefully entice them to cooperate so as to speed up their exit plans. Mostly, he hoped this little measure of conciliation would incite Fields to come clean on Orion’s technical trickery.
However, he had underestimated the depth and breadth of Orion’s electronic machinations. The fact was that Orion executives couldn’t afford to tell the truth. Even Orion did not fully understand the scope of the electronic tentacles that had been laid.
Omar was finally dispatched to work on the details that had been discussed.
There were now only President Shazeb and Rashid Sharif left, with Kendall still awaiting her fate at the back of the room. He leaned in toward the good-looking younger man and tapped him on the chest.
“Rashid, I want you to get to know
Kendalljan.
Be her friend. You are very good at putting people at ease. Learn her secrets. She must know a lot about Orion Premier Net Services. Find out everything about the company. Romance her, and make her see that you are on her side. Win her over.
“My sons will be mad with jealousy. They bicker enough between them. I hope this will not be a problem. You know you will have to share her eventually. Now, go work your charm on her. If you stay out of the public eye, do not be concerned with being alone with her. Since she is a westerner, we must treat her so in order to gain her confidence. Understand?”
“Yes.” Sharif put his hand over his heart and gave a slight nod. The president nodded, turned, and headed for the door from which he had entered.
Sharif pondered the president’s scheme and decided it would fit nicely into his plans.
CHAPTER TWELVE
T HE BROAD-SHOULDERED, DARK-HAIRED MAN APPROACHED Kendall and stood before her. She was at first nervous but then quickly angered as she remembered the Orion people were all there against their will. He stared at her for so long that she finally had to say something. Her voice was dripping with sarcasm and annoyance. She stood up.
“Well, what is my assignment? What do I need to do to go home?” She figured if they had intended to kill her, she would already be dead. So,
Khan
with you. Please have him checked out. He should remain at the Base’s clinic until he is thoroughly well. Be sure to post a trustworthy guard, someone who already knows of his presence. I do not need to remind you that the existence of our guests is to be kept secret for now.” He looked over at his younger son. “Ahmad, please escort the doctor and Carson
Khan
back to the base.” Ahmad’s eyes flashed in anger. He did not want this babysitting duty, but he was too afraid of his father to offer an alternative. He strode over to Carson, took his arm in a vicious grip, and led the little group out of the room.
Kendall caught the sly wink and smirk Rashid gave Ahmad as he passed by. Ahmad seemed to relax a bit. She realized that Rashid did have some sort of calming power on at least this son. She stored this information away.
The president was tired of the meeting. He barked, “Saaqib, take Fields
Khan
to your offices and thoroughly explain our issues.”
They left the room, leaving only the president, Kendall, Rashid, and their original escort, General Omar. Shazeb looked at Kendall and motioned towards the back of the room, to an early 1900s French two-seater sofa decorated in Afghanistan ceremonial fabric. “You, go sit there while we talk.” Kendall frowned and wondered what assignment she would be given and who her minder would be. She half hoped yet feared it would be the rakish Rashid Sharif.
The men spoke in low urgent tones. The president ordered General Omar to stay with him, so they could discuss short-term plans for their “guests.” The Afghan leader decided that once their guests’ luggage had been thoroughly searched, they would be allowed their personal belongings, sans electronic and communication devices. He figured their personal effects would bring them some measure of comfort and hopefully entice them to cooperate so as to speed up their exit plans. Mostly, he hoped this little measure of conciliation would incite Fields to come clean on Orion’s technical trickery.
However, he had underestimated the depth and breadth of Orion’s electronic machinations. The fact was that Orion executives couldn’t afford to tell the truth. Even Orion did not fully understand the scope of the electronic tentacles that had been laid.
Omar was finally dispatched to work on the details that had been discussed.
There were now only President Shazeb and Rashid Sharif left, with Kendall still awaiting her fate at the back of the room. He leaned in toward the good-looking younger man and tapped him on the chest.
“Rashid, I want you to get to know
Kendalljan.
Be her friend. You are very good at putting people at ease. Learn her secrets. She must know a lot about Orion Premier Net Services. Find out everything about the company. Romance her, and make her see that you are on her side. Win her over.
“My sons will be mad with jealousy. They bicker enough between them. I hope this will not be a problem. You know you will have to share her eventually. Now, go work your charm on her. If you stay out of the public eye, do not be concerned with being alone with her. Since she is a westerner, we must treat her so in order to gain her confidence. Understand?”
“Yes.” Sharif put his hand over his heart and gave a slight nod. The president nodded, turned, and headed for the door from which he had entered.
Sharif pondered the president’s scheme and decided it would fit nicely into his plans.
CHAPTER TWELVE
T HE BROAD-SHOULDERED, DARK-HAIRED MAN APPROACHED Kendall and stood before her. She was at first nervous but then quickly angered as she remembered the Orion people were all there against their will. He stared at her for so long that she finally had to say something. Her voice was dripping with sarcasm and annoyance. She stood up.
“Well, what is my assignment? What do I need to do to go home?” She figured if they had intended to kill her, she would already be dead. So,
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