ZORAYA MALCOM MYSTERY: I DIED IN THE DESERT

Chapter 8

David was already at the Al Hanief residence even before five in the afternoon, he was served water and Arabic coffee while waiting on for the lady that he will be interviewing regarding the case that was handed out to him on his first day at the department. He was sitting on a very big sofa which faced a portrait of a lady, the lady was very beautiful, and a classic Arabian beauty that can rival any model that he had seen on every media outlets. He found out that the coffee that they have in the country is very potent, so when he had it the first time, he was unable to sleep for two days, so he was trying to avoid it but found out to his horror the coffee was everywhere. So while he was waiting there, he could not help but continue to admire the portrait. He was also wondering what Miss Malcolm would look like, and why there is a western lady in a local household, well he hoped that he would not get sleepy while waiting for her to arrive.

"Good afternoon Mr. Dawood, I apologize for being a few minutes late. I hope you did not wait very long and that refreshments were served." A melodious voice said and cut out whatever he was thinking at that time.

"Nothing to worry about Miss..." David's answer was cut short when he faced where the voice came from. He was at first speechless, then he tried squinting his eyes and at the same time rubbing it to make sure what he was looking at was a normal person and not a ghost. He could not believe his eyes, but he was looking at the same lady as in the portrait from the color of her hair to her facial features and her complexion, it was uncanny except for her eyes, they were as green as the grass at his back yard back home.

Soraya had been running late, as both she and Jennifer had been enjoying shopping too much and had the time run away from them. So when she arrived at the villa she was already informed by the staff that the officer had arrived and is waiting for her in the study. So she went directly to the study but was met with a western looking man, she was pleasantly surprised that this was Officer Dawood, whom she was told to guide with the investigation on her aunt's disappearance. Also she was not surprised on the reaction on his face when he saw her for the first time as he was evidently looking at the portrait just before she spoke up and entered the room.

"I certainly look like her except for our eyes, that is where our similarities ended." She said. "Also forgive me, but I had thought that you would be a local officer, but I think that you are as white as my mother Officer Dawood."

"Sorry about that, I thought I was seeing a ghost. I already studied the case file and saw old photos and of course the portrait is just too life like. Both of you could really be like twin sisters at this point, that is except your eyes." David said. "My American name is David Jones, my Emirati name is Dawood El-Kader, I don't usually use it because mainly I grew up in the US, but father is local and I am here temporarily working for the department."

"That's okay, just never thought about it and I actually forgot that we looked alike. Why don't we take a seat and plan what we need to do." She said while gesturing at the sofa. As they sat down, Soraya could not help but study the man in front of her, he really did not look like he was a son of an arab, no coloring whatsoever and he spoke with a clean American diction, no accent whatsoever. "I am also actually American, both my mother and I lived in Los Angeles. She is a lawyer and I am studying to be one, I was just here for vacation by my father's invitation actually and this is the first time I set foot in this country. My father also explained to me that I would be your guide in the investigation, give my assistance in any way for you. Honestly, I did not even know my aunt as she died before I was born and according to everyone here what happened was hushed up."

"Thank you for being upfront with me, I am also still trying to navigate on the rules that they follow on how to process old cold cases as I believe as I researched that the local families here are very tight knit and also very tight lipped especially during the old days." He said. "I just arrived here a mont ago, did the training requirements and was assigned in the cold case department, so I am just as new here as you are."

"My father said he gave permission for us to interview past staff both retired and still in service, so we can utilize that. If ever we need assistance about anything we can speak with Jennifer, my father said she is my companion and assistant for my whole stay here in Dubai." Soraya said.

"Did your father ever say why they are cooperating on this, whereas before they are very closed off?" He asked.

"All he told me was that he wants to know the truth of what happened to his sister, since when that incident happed he was just a small boy and could not anything." She said. "When he told me about it, I had the feeling of sadness from him; I believe also being helpless with all that happened. Also he said that he missed his sister very much, and he stayed away from me and my mom because of what happened. As you now realized also I am a carbon copy of my aunt physically." She answered.

After the meeting, both of them decided to meet up again here at the villa in two days time to go over the staff names and send request for scheduled interviews that they will do for next couple of days. Since it was almost dinner time, Soraya invited David to have dinner with them but he declined due to needing to report back and to finish up some reports, but he promised to update her on any developments on the case before they will meet again. As she showed the good officer out the door, she could not help but feel a twinge of excitement; well it was a good thing that they are both American and would not have any language barrier, because her Arabic is as nonexistent as having snow in the dessert.