Freedom Does Matter (Mercenaries Book 2) by Tony Lavely Read Free Book Online Page A

available?”
    He chortled briefly. “And some people think… Yes, that’s it exactly. He can fill the hours with the results of his—”
    “Grandfather, please! She will have no desire to talk with me at all, and I wish…”
    “Don’t worry, Haleef Al Hosni. Based on Ian’s notes, there will be several hours of time available. What would—”
    Kevin’s arm on hers stopped her. “We should get back, Ms Negotiator.”
     
    As the meeting progressed, Beckie paid more attention to Haleef than she had during the meeting when he’d been introduced. Then, she’d dismissed him as a sheikh-in-training, not present for a specific purpose, rather learning how his grandfather operated in a ‘polite’ negotiation. However, during the break Thursday afternoon, Al Hosni had explained Haleef’s treks over the land the sheikhs were attempting to divide, determining for himself any possible intrinsic value the territory might hold.
    The younger Al Hosni was an attractive man, about twenty-one, five-eight or nine with an athletic build. She recalled that he had graduated with a Mechanical Engineering degree from Imperial College in London, where his family lived. I hope Al Hosni isn’t trying to match-make! Not that Haleef would be a bad catch, not at all, it’s just I have so little interest… God, I hope Ian’s okay!

 

     
    Chapter Eight
    Day Nine - Cairo
     
    IN THE MORNING, DAN DELIVERED a rental Jeep. Like most of Cairo’s vehicles, it looked like an angry off-road truck, with the added cachet of dents and scrapes won in local traffic. He gave both Beckie and Kevin the five minute review of its features.
    It’s a Jeep, Beckie thought, what can he say? But she kept her heretical thought to herself and listened with about half her attention. She tossed her bag in the back next to Kevin’s and closed the door. “Hey, Dan, what’s that can for?”
    He looked where she was pointing. “That one’s water. The one on the other side is gas.” He gave her a look. “Like I just finished saying.”
    “Sorry. Thanks.”
    After examining their Jeep, Beckie laughed when Haleef drove up in an old Mercedes G500 missing a chunk of its front fender.
    As they shared coffee, the younger Al Hosni said, “I’ve driven out there a couple of times. I suggest we drive to Alexandria and stop there for lunch, then follow the coast road toward Mersa Matruh. That’ll take about five hours plus any time we spend sightseeing.”
    “It sounds good to me. Kevin?”
    “Yeah, that sounds fine. I’ll follow you, then.”
    They exchanged phone numbers, just in case, and set off north.
     
    Following Haleef wasn’t too difficult until they reached Alexandria’s outskirts, when the increased volume of traffic, the same orderly, well-mannered traffic Beckie recalled from Cairo, made it all but impossible. Kevin pulled over as Beckie pulled out her phone.
    “Come get us, Haleef. If we’re going on in, we’ll ride together.”
     
    In what Haleef called an iconic seafood restaurant—Beckie wasn’t so sure; it was in an industrial area behind a gas station, though it was on the water—Kevin looked at the menu and handed Beckie the Jeep’s keys. “I’m going to try some of these beers,” he said, “so you can get us the rest of the way. Okay?”
    She nodded as Haleef agreed. “The police are very… unforgiving with drunk driving.” He shook his head. “A product of our Muslim heritage, rather than because it is the intelligent thing. Still…”
    “Not to worry, Kev, as long as we can get the seat moved up!”
    Beckie guessed the restaurant Haleef had chosen, while not obviously a tourist trap—and the food was too good for that—still depended on European visitors. A couple of times, she caught Haleef admiring the attractive server assigned to their table. The third time, she touched his hand and grinned; his expression was a study in embarrassment. Even Kevin, enjoying his beer, gave him a sympathetic look. She pointedly