The Puppetmasters (7 page)

The president looked delighted at the interruption and exclaimed, “Ah, Rashid, my son. Come in.” He turned to his “guests.” “This is my sons’ childhood friend, Rashid Sharif. He is practically a member of the family. I think of him as my own son. He is a trusted advisor to all of us, and a gentle and loyal servant of the people. He keeps my sons in line and, most importantly, away from each other’s throats. They do like to fight … especially Saaqib. Rashid can beat them both, so he keeps the peace.”

Rashid gave an ever-so-slight bow and raised his eyes. In a flash of a second, Kendall could see that Rashid had coolly appraised all of them. She was intrigued. For some reason, he kept his thoughts and actions hidden. She realized there was far more to this man than his extreme good looks, flashing brown eyes, and unmanageable, thick, wavy hair. She felt a fluttering within her that took her breath away. She quickly looked down and hoped the attraction signals translated only as curiosity to the others. She was furious at the mutinous feelings coming from her body, but welcomed the distraction from thoughts of Jeremy Levy.

President Shazeb crossed over to Kendall again. In the traditional Afghanistan term when addressing a female, he began, “Kendalljan, this young woman is Doctor Maysah Siddrajan. She will check on you every day to see to your medical and female needs. Afghanistan has progressed quite far in the last fifteen years. Half of the country speaks some English, and we now have many female doctors.”

Glenn Carson had been trying to suppress a cough, and it now devolved into a major coughing fit. Carson’s color was pale, and he looked as if he might faint. The president stepped back and looked aghast at him. Addressing him in formal tones, he said, “Carson
Khan,
you look quite ill. This is not good. I will not have you sick while you are my guest.” Never mind that three people had been murdered so far under his orders.

Carson croaked, “I’m fine.” Everyone could see that he was anything but. The president gave a dismissive wave to the doctor. “Go, Doctor Siddrajan, and take Carson
Khan
with you. Please have him checked out. He should remain at the Base’s clinic until he is thoroughly well. Be sure to post a trustworthy guard, someone who already knows of his presence. I do not need to remind you that the existence of our guests is to be kept secret for now.” He looked over at his younger son. “Ahmad, please escort the doctor and Carson
Khan
back to the base.” Ahmad’s eyes flashed in anger. He did not want this babysitting duty, but he was too afraid of his father to offer an alternative. He strode over to Carson, took his arm in a vicious grip, and led the little group out of the room.

Kendall caught the sly wink and smirk Rashid gave Ahmad as he passed by. Ahmad seemed to relax a bit. She realized that Rashid did have some sort of calming power on at least this son. She stored this information away.

The president was tired of the meeting. He barked, “Saaqib, take Fields
Khan
to your offices and thoroughly explain our issues.”

They left the room, leaving only the president, Kendall, Rashid, and their original escort, General Omar. Shazeb looked at Kendall and motioned towards the back of the room, to an early 1900s French two-seater sofa decorated in Afghanistan ceremonial fabric. “You, go sit there while we talk.” Kendall frowned and wondered what assignment she would be given and who her minder would be. She half hoped yet feared it would be the rakish Rashid Sharif.

The men spoke in low urgent tones. The president ordered General Omar to stay with him, so they could discuss short-term plans for their “guests.” The Afghan leader decided that once their guests’ luggage had been thoroughly searched, they would be allowed their personal belongings, sans electronic and communication devices. He figured their personal effects would bring them some measure of comfort and hopefully entice them to cooperate so as to speed up their exit plans. Mostly, he hoped this little measure of conciliation would incite Fields to come clean on Orion’s technical trickery.

However, he had underestimated the depth and breadth of Orion’s electronic machinations. The fact was that Orion executives couldn’t afford to tell the truth. Even Orion did not fully understand the scope of the electronic tentacles that had been laid.

Omar was finally dispatched to work on the details that had been discussed.

There were now only President Shazeb and Rashid Sharif left, with Kendall still awaiting her fate at the back of the room. He leaned in toward the good-looking younger man and tapped him on the chest.

“Rashid, I want you to get to know
Kendalljan.
Be her friend. You are very good at putting people at ease. Learn her secrets. She must know a lot about Orion Premier Net Services. Find out everything about the company. Romance her, and make her see that you are on her side. Win her over.

“My sons will be mad with jealousy. They bicker enough between them. I hope this will not be a problem. You know you will have to share her eventually. Now, go work your charm on her. If you stay out of the public eye, do not be concerned with being alone with her. Since she is a westerner, we must treat her so in order to gain her confidence. Understand?”

“Yes.” Sharif put his hand over his heart and gave a slight nod. The president nodded, turned, and headed for the door from which he had entered.

Sharif pondered the president’s scheme and decided it would fit nicely into his plans.

T
HE BROAD-SHOULDERED, DARK-HAIRED MAN APPROACHED
Kendall and stood before her. She was at first nervous but then quickly angered as she remembered the Orion people were all there against their will. He stared at her for so long that she finally had to say something. Her voice was dripping with sarcasm and annoyance. She stood up.

“Well, what is my assignment? What do I need to do to go home?” She figured if they had intended to kill her, she would already be dead. So, she could afford to show her true feelings, which at the moment happened to be great displeasure. She wasn’t even afraid any more. Somehow she could tell that this man was a lot gentler than his appearance. She felt safe in his presence. His countenance was one of quiet control and thoughtfulness. He certainly did not reveal a lot of emotion. Rashid Sharif was not saying a word. He was contemplating his options and sizing her up at the same time.

“Well, are you going to stand there staring at me?”

He smiled, and she realized that he was even better looking than she originally thought. He had a twinkle in his eyes that flashed and sparkled with humor. She felt the urge to laugh with him, but gave herself a mental slap.

“May I call you Kendall?”

“Yes, if it will get me out of here. Why are we here? Why am I here?”

He frowned. “Yes, it is unfortunate that you are here. It was never intended that you be brought here. You are what is called collateral damage. President Shazeb only ever wanted Paul Fields. Your presence is a problem. The only thing you have in your favor is that you are an Orion employee. I suggest that you cooperate and make the best of it, or you could be dealt with in a most unfortunate manner.”

She had no doubt what he was referring to. Yet somehow, she wasn’t afraid of him.

“Fine. I can cooperate—even help, if need be. What are you supposed to do with me?”

“I’m supposed to get to know you to see if you have any information that might solve our problem.”

“Well, it sounds like your system has technical issues or maybe even a virus, if you believe that state secrets are getting out through your systems. Why would you think it was Orion Premier that caused this?”

“I’m not technically proficient, so I cannot begin to explain the intricacies of the issue. Let’s just hope that Fields and Saaqib can solve this. Why don’t you and I take a walk down to the president’s stables? He has some of the finest stallions.”

They exited the oval room and headed downstairs, with Sharif leading the way. As they stepped out into the bright sunlight from a side door, Kendall was blinded for a moment. She stopped to get her bearings, causing Sharif to slow to a stop. He gave her a questioning look. She decided to get the jump on any interrogation and barrage him with a lot of questions.
Two can play this game, and I can be charming to boot!

“I’m going to call you Rashid. How come your English is so perfect? You must have been educated in the West.”

“Very astute, Kendall. I attended a university in England.”

“Where did you grow up?”

He threw his hands out in a wide arc. “Close to here. My father ran President Shazeb’s farms. He was the manager, and oversaw the operations. My mother worked for the Shazeb family, helping with the children and doing light accounting projects. They were both very smart and loyal people. Soon after the Taliban arrived, my parents were killed when one of Shazeb’s farms was set on fire and completely destroyed.”

“How horrible for you! Why would the Taliban have destroyed the president’s farm?

Rashid said with a wry smile, “They didn’t like the crop that was being grown.”

“What a waste of humanity, not to mention vegetables!”

“Who said anything about vegetables?”

It suddenly dawned on her what the “crop” had been. Poppies!
Good Lord, President Shazeb was a former drug lord.
She felt quite naïve and chided herself for being such a dolt.
You really must get out more. Hey, look at this. I already am!
She felt better and continued with her questions. “So, the president felt guilty that you lost your parents, and he took you in?”

“Something like that, only this family does not feel guilty about anything. Most things are justifiable in their eyes.” He gave a long sigh as he decided that
full disclosure was in order. “As a matter of fact, I also lost my four brothers and sisters and the poor excuse for a hut we lived in. The president lost his wife and two of his children. Because I got along so well with his surviving sons, Ahmad and Saaqib, he took me in more as a companion for his children. I was a little older than the boys. I would accompany them to school. Otherwise, I would never have gone to school.”

“How old were you when your fam—when the fire happened?”

“I was twelve. I became a man shortly after that. There was no time for play. I soon learned that if I was going to get far in this world, I would need to listen and do as I was told.”

Kendall felt sad at the events of his early life, and guilty for the easy, charming childhood she had had.

“Wow! I’m so sorry for you. That’s a tragic story. And now the president owns you, and you do his bidding.”

Sharif gave her a hard stare. “If that’s what you think, then I have succeeded.” She had no idea what he was referring to. Before she could follow up on his comment, they arrived at the stables and walked around the side to where the paddock opened into a back meadow. Several horses were grazing, their tales flicking flies off their sleek coats.

“Gorgeous, horses! They look well groomed. I wish I knew how to ride.”

“If you are here long enough, I will teach you a few things.”

She looked over to him, “How long do you think we’ll be here?”

He kicked a tuft of grass at his feet, sending pebbles flying, “Kendall, you should know that the president is very serious. He knows there is funny business going on with your company’s products. He is planning a lengthy stay for all of you, or at least Paul Fields, if need be. He’s asked me to find out everything about you and your company.”

She sucked in a breath and her eyes grew wide with terror. “Is my life in danger?”

“I believe it is. That is why you must please the president at all costs. In fact, if Fields angers him, he could take it out on you.”

“What should I do?”

“You must become his friend. Maybe even hint that you would like to stay. Kendall, this is for your very survival.”

“But he kidnapped us and murdered the crew.” She shivered.

“Oh, grow up! Do something about it! Now it’s your turn to pull one over on him. Just figure out how to do it.”

She was shocked at his bluntness and completely puzzled as to his motives. He had gotten into her head, and she was now thoroughly confused. In a bitter
and vicious tone, she spat out, “You sound very practiced, Mr. Sharif! Do you just go around killing people and getting even when you are in the mood?” She whirled around to stalk into the meadow. He caught up with her and grabbed her arm, swinging her around to look at him.

“Give me some credit, Ms. Radcliffe. What I am asking you to do is to use all of the skills you possess to help yourself.”

“I have principles, and I’m not going to behave in an undignified, uncivilized manner. You’re asking me to lower myself to your level. Well, I won’t do it! You all can go to hell! I’ll figure out a way to get out of here.”

He threw back his head and laughed. “Figure out a way out of here? You need to figure out how to keep your head! At the moment, you mean nothing to the president other than a pretty face. He could order your death tonight! I suggest you get down off that high horse and learn to play the game.”

She considered her options. “Fine! What do I do right now … today?”

He was encouraged. “Well, I can help. Do you cook?”

“Yes. Western meals.”

“Okay. This afternoon I’ll suggest that you help in the kitchen. In the meantime, are you familiar with the Book of Judith?”

That came out of left field. Where the heck was he going with that question, she wondered?

“Yes, as a matter of fact. It was required reading during an undergrad religious studies class … The Bible as Literature. As I recall, the Book of Judith is one of the books of the Apocrypha … the books in the Old Testament that were not recognized as authentic or handed down from God. The story of Judith is seen as more of a legend.”

“Do you remember what she was known for?”

“Absolutely! We should all be that brave! On the night before a decisive battle that her tribe was not expected to win, she goes into the other camp and seduces the leader. She cuts off his head while he’s sleeping, and her tribe is saved. How do you know about it?”