Raging Storm {book 2 in SOSfanfic series} [ON HOLD]

Spiders Spinning

Karim was seated inside a little cafe serving all sorts of overpriced poisonous and spicy foreign food and looking out to see any sign of Koeyla. He had repeatedly told himself that he was simultaneously searching for sniper, tails, thieves, or any other familiar face but his yes kept wondering back to the little street she was supposed to emerge from.

He had ditched his disguise in an empty basket and was wearing clothes similar to a million other tourists. The only thing that set him apart was his tanned skin and towering height. The distraction had been more than enough for the plan to work. He was getting anxious why his 'wife' wasn't back yet.

A small tap on his shoulder made him jerk. The person standing behind him took a step back at the sudden motion made by such a huge person.

Karim turned to see that it was Koeyla. He tried to make his breath of relief look inconspicuous but the woman had sharp eyes, rounded by kohl, giving her eyes a smoky effect. She smiled at him and slid down on the seat in front of him.

"What took you so long? Did you have any trouble? Were you followed?"
Koeyla smiled at Karim's rapid fire questions and shook her head.

"It was difficult to get back out due to the rushing crowd. But I was unnoticed. And I don't think anyone followed me. Everyone was fleeing in different directions so I think we're safe."

"And the job?"
"Done."
Karim nodded.

"However," Koeyla went on, "there was a note for you."
She took out a little piece of paper and slid it across the table.

Karim's eyes widened in surprise. This was not unexpected. Taking it, he asked her before he unfolded the piece of paper, "did you read it?"

Koeyla gave Karim an embarrassed smile which made him flush. "I'm sorry. But I thought if I misplaced it by accident then I should know what was written. Don't worry. I didn't understand anything."

Karim nodded again, this time smiling a bit. He liked her presence of mind. His smile dropped when he read the note. It was written in the code that only Mr. Ambrose and he knew how to decipher. And there was no greeting or name referring to who the note was intended to. It was definitely written by Mr. Ambrose.
Desert Pub. Back alley. 30 minutes. Come alone.

Karin's face paled.
"What is it?" Coeyla was giving him a worried look.

Karim checked the time. He had seven minutes.

"I have to go somewhere. Rendezvous at the restraint across the street at one. Sharp. Same roles." Karim stood up and Koeyla nodded. They exited the cafe as a pair and went there separate ways in the crowd.

Karim hoped there was no more trouble. But his gut told him that something very wrong had happened.

Something very wrong had happened. Mr. Ambrose was not in the bedroom when Reyna left the bathroom. Her insides swirled but she forced herself to not panic. Taking a deep breath she called out,"husband dear, where are you?"
She was met with silence. A feeling of dread snaked its way across her bones. Well it was too late to do anything now. Who knows where he might be. She did want to kill him but she hoped she had not.

She quickly made her way back to the bedroom and put on her gear. She strapped up all the knives in their places and put a local long loose skirt and a loose top over it. Taking a light shawl, she draped it across her head and shoulders so that she was undistinguishable from many others.

Walking across the suite she saw a feather duster lying on the ground. A maid had come in earlier.

She had no time to make investigations of her own yesterday. Not considering the fact that she was going to loose her job or her life, she had to meet with someone very important to meet today. And even through this disaster she was fortunate she had found the time to make an appointment, even if she had dug her own grave while doing it. Taking a deep breath and praying to the Gods of the desert, she slipped out the door and softly clicked it shut behind her.

There was mayhem in the corridors. Everyone was rushing about in different directions. Moving away from the door she caught someone's arm and made the person jerk to a a halt.
"What happened?" She snapped at the bellhop.
"A man was found dead." The poor boy stammered out with his eyes wide in fear. He yanked his arm off her grip and hurried off but there was no need. Reyna had gone limp. The shock was spreading through her system and she couldn't stop it.

This had gone too far.

Praying to the Gods to give her strength she moved again with less grace towards the side entrance to meet Lord Dalgliesh.