CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
“Your Majesty, you cannot be serious.” A fretful Adnan hurried to catch up with Nadim. “I know that we are not in agreement on this topic, but surely you can see the peril you might face by meeting with her alone.”
“Peril?” What a ridiculous notion. “Don’t be silly, Adnan. What do you think she might do in such a public place?”
Maya Corbett had finally responded to his message. She said she had an offer for him and wanted to discuss it with him face-to-face. Her instructions were to meet her in front of the Lincoln Memorial, and she was adamant he come alone.
Curious about what she could possibly have to say, he agreed to meet with her. However, unless her offer included her death, he was not interested.
“Look at me. I am dressed in regular clothes.” Nadim held his arms out to his sides and turned in a full circle. “No one will even know it is me. ”
People were used to seeing him in his long robes and kaffiyeh or one of his many expensive, custom-made suits. Today, he wore sneakers, a pair of black jeans, a blue, long-sleeved T-shirt, and a tan, hip-length suede jacket with a deep inside pocket that was coming in very handy.
He walked by a member of the household staff polishing a brass, antique ceremonial lantern perched atop a console table. The older man stopped what he was doing, bowed, and waited until the king passed before continuing with his task. Finally, with Adnan nipping at his heels the entire way, he made it to his destination and entered a code on the touchpad. Four beeps later, he swung the door out, flipped on the overhead lights and stepped into a large open bay. The motion-sensitive fluorescent lights flickered on across the ceiling, illuminating several vehicles of varying styles and size.
He walked over to a metal box mounted on the wall and swung the door open. There were several rows of hooks holding various keys and fobs for all of the vehicles. He scanned his options and selected the Mercedes sedan. He pressed a button on the fob, and a car horn echoed from the far side of the garage.
As king, he wasn’t able to drive much, so he was looking forward to the freedom of getting behind the wheel again.
Adnan followed him over, yammering on and on about how it was not safe for him to go out without his protection detail .
“Does Rahim at least know you are leaving the embassy?” Adnan asked.
“No, he does not.” He stopped and turned on him. “And he will not. This does not concern him.”
When had his old friend become such a worrier? Or had he always been anxious and Nadim just never paid enough attention to notice?
They got to the car, and he opened the driver’s door. As he was sliding onto the supple, leather seat, Adnan rushed around the front and climbed into the passenger side.
“I’m going with you.” He swung the door shut with a solid thump and clicked the seat belt in place. “Someone has to watch over you.”
“So be it.” Nadim pressed a button, and the engine purred to life. He pointed at his friend. “Once we arrive there, you will remain silent and out of sight. If you do anything to impede this meeting, what is left of our friendship will not be enough to protect you.”
He tapped a button on the bottom edge of the rearview mirror, and the large door in front of them began to rattle upward. Little by little, the sun poured into the garage until it hit the windshield.
“Looks like it is going to be a beautiful day.” Nadim dug a pair of sunglasses from his pocket, slid them on, and sped out of the garage as the disembodied voice of his GPS system directed him where to go.