CONFESSIONS OF A MUMMY

Chapter 6

Dina sniffed and blotted at her eyes with a tissue. Her friend had calmed down slightly, but still regarded Massey with suspicious eyes. They sat at one of the tables.

Massey said, " Who did your father do business with? Someone who is in the same line?"

Dina sniffed again and said in a choked voice "No one. He operated alone."

Her friend, hearing her stricken tone, patted her shoulder and her eyes shot daggers at Massey.

He said, "Who were his competitors? He probably made some enemies considering the business he was in."

The older woman's countenance darkened. She would cut off the interview at any moment. "The police have already asked these questions. Why do you put her through it again?"

Dina said, as if just remembering. "There was one that I didn't mention to the police. His name is George Benton. He is an Englishman who came to see my father occasionally. His two men, Tariq and Jameel waited in the cafe while Benton went up to talk to my father. I do not know what they talked about."

Her friend clasped her hand and warned her. "Dina, you do not know this man. Do not say anything that could get you in trouble with the police."

Massey said, "Had you heard of this man Benton anywhere else? Seen him around?"

Dina said, " I do not know where his place is or where he does business, if that is what you mean. I saw him coming out of a club once, the Club 6 over by the river. It is managed by a younger guy, Ahmed Bader is his name." Dina's eyes were cast down again, "I have been there once or twice with friends."

The other woman's hand shot out and clutched her sleeve. "Dina!" she said. "A place like that?" There was deep consternation in her voice and disapproval in her face.

Dina continued to keep her gaze lowered, an abashed note in her voice as she said, "It was for a dance contest. They have contests to see who dances the best on Tuesday nights. Our friend was there dancing." She looked across at the older woman. "We went there to support her."

Massey took a card out of his coat pocket. "This is my phone number. If you think of anything else that will help find your father's killer, call me. It doesn't matter what time, day or night."

Massey left the two women in the tea shop and started walking back toward the old Fiat parked down the street. He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and did an internet search for Ahmed Bader. Finding nothing, he searched for Club 6. Finding the page, he hit the link for telephone. The number rang three times and a man answered. "We're closed. Call back later."

Before he could hang up Massey said "Wait! This is DHL Express calling. Do you have an Ahmed Bader there? We have a package for him, overnight express delivery by 10:00 A.M."

The man said in an annoyed tone, "He is not here right now, try his home."

Quickly, before he could hang up Massey said, "We already tried that and it didn't work. His address still 496 Bayoumy?"

The man said, "Hold on." In a moment he came back. "You got the address wrong, buddy. It's 640 Al Eissa, Unit 12." His cell phone clicked as the man hung up.

Massey continued down the street pocketing his cell phone. The name George Benton that Haffar's daughter had mentioned was the name given to him at Interpol headquarters in Lyon.

As they drove back toward the river Massey's phone beeped. He looked at the ID and saw that it was a facetime call from his client.

"Mr. Martin."