Siren in the Wind Book One of the MIT Series

chapter Nineteen

Later that afternoon, Max got some shut-eye and had just awoken and was doing push-ups alongside the bed when Donnie poked his head in. "Yo, Batman, as nice as it is to ogle your ripped, bare-naked chest before dinner, I have some news."

Max gave Donnie a rude sign as he bounced up and grabbed a shirt. "A man takes one small nap in twenty-four hours and this is what he gets? What do you have?"

"Omar Salib," Donnie answered with a grin.

"What about him?"

"He's landing in Johannesburg early tomorrow morning. He has a connecting flight to Mogadishu later in the afternoon."

"Great. What's his ETA?"

"0600 hours."

"Excellent. Let's roll out the welcoming mat."

***

This was her cleaning day. Thanks to a combination of anxiety and claustrophobia, Abby took spring cleaning to the next level, deciding to scrub and organize all the kitchen cabinets at eight in the morning. Abby stacked the last of the pans and hefted them into the pot cupboard just before lunch. The next target was the living room. Polish in hand, Abby attacked the coffee table when she heard men at the door.

Max stood to the side, and the man who stood beside him made her blood run cold. He was backlit by morning light but...was Khalid standing at her door? Were these men working with Khalid? Was it all a big lie? A sick game? Abby staggered back. Strong hands grabbed for her as the world spun.

Loud cursing broke through her fuzz. "Head...between legs... Sit her down. Breathe. Abs, breathe." Max's voice cut through the haze.

She felt his fingers at the back of her neck as he pushed her head down. "Kha...Khalid."

"No, honey. I'm so sorry. I should've done this right. It's not Khalid. It's a friend of mine, a work colleague. His name is Omar, he works for the US Government."

Abby felt almost afraid to look up. She trembled like a damn coward.

"Deep breaths, Abs. You've got this."

No. She didn't have this. She didn't have any of this. Her life was a shambled junkyard of pain and shame. She had never felt as helpless as in that moment. Tears leaked as she pulled herself back from madness. After a moment of snuffled breathing, Abby raised her head slowly. For the second time in a matter of days, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

The man sitting cautiously on the edge of the chair was as tall as Khalid with a similar build. He had the same smooth, honeyed skin. His haircut resembled the terrorist's stylish cut, but that was where the similarities ended. His face was different. Not as sterile. His nose flatter and his lips fuller. More importantly, his eyes reflected genuine concern.

"You're not him. I'm sorry. I feel so foolish."

He smiled kindly. "Nothing to be sorry for. I do look a little like Khalid. We come from the same town. I'm a distant cousin, but that is where it ends. I've been hunting him for a long time."

He had an American accent with a slight trace of Arabic. Taking a deep breath, Abby stood on quaking legs. Max's hand was at her back.

Extending her hand, Abby said firmly. "Let's try this again. Abigail Evans."

"Omar Salib. It's an honor to meet you."

Max cut in. "Omar has worked with our government for just over twelve years. We've worked together on a few missions for the last six. He's also a good family friend. I trust him with my life. I stayed over with his family on my last vacation. His wife, Aisha, should be on Masterchef, her food is that good!"