The Death Trade

The Death Trade by Jack Higgins Read Free Book Online

Book: The Death Trade by Jack Higgins Read Free Book Online
Authors: Jack Higgins
Tags: Fiction, General, Suspense, Thrillers, Espionage, Retail
When he was finished, he made another copy and went in search of Khan and found him in the sitting room, talking to Dr. Aziz, a small cheerful Indian with skin like brown parchment.
    â€œI’ve given him a shot of morphine, which will keep him sleeping for eight to ten hours. Nothing broken, but he’ll have a bad bruise,” Aziz said.
    â€œThat was me,” Declan told him.
    â€œQuite a punch, Colonel.” Aziz smiled.
    â€œWhich he richly deserved,” Declan told him.
    â€œI’m sure you’re right. Drink will be the death of him.” He turned to Khan. “But I’m tired of telling you that. I’ll call again in the morning.”
    â€œI’m very grateful,” Khan said. “Anything he needs. I’ve got to go to Paris for three days, and I’ll need Rasoul with me. Can you arrange a nurse?”
    â€œNo problem.”
    â€œI think the male variety would be advisable in the circumstances,” Declan Rashid said and turned to Khan. “I mean it for the best, naturally.”
    â€œOf course,” Khan said. “See to it as you think fit, Doctor. Show the doctor out, Rasoul.”
    Rasoul, who had been glowering in the background, did as he was told, and Declan joined Khan over by the great windows and offered the report.
    â€œNo, we’ll have a martini,” Khan told him, moving toward the bar area. “You can read it to me.”
    Which Declan did as Khan mixed the cocktails, listening as Rasoul, standing against the wall beside the kitchen door, took it all in, too. Declan finished, and Khan passed him the vodka martini.
    â€œWhat extraordinary people,” he said. “Even the woman is beyond belief. Owner, in effect, of the Gideon Bank, and with this amazing war record.” He sipped his drink. “The fact that her parents died in a Hamas bus bombing would indicate to me that she is hardly likely to warm to Arabs in general.”
    Rasoul, listing intently, couldn’t help jumping in. “Do not forget that she is a Jew and not worthy of serious consideration.”
    â€œDon’t be stupid,” Declan told him. “Her exploits in Afghanistan speak for themselves. When the Taliban ambushed that convoy at Abusan, she was as good as any man behind that heavy machine gun. Three special forces men to protect her, two of whom died, the third wounded, and she was wounded herself and left with a permanent limp. Forty-two dead Taliban when they counted the corpses.”
    â€œWhich leads me to ask whose side you are on in the struggle for Islamism in the world today. A Taliban should be looked on as your brother. There is only one God and Osama is his Prophet, or do you renounce that, too?” Rasoul demanded.
    There was a moment of complete stillness, horror on Khan’s face at the dreadful slip of the tongue, and sudden desperation on Rasoul’s as he realized what he had said.
    Declan smiled gently. “An error on your part, I’m sure, but the Prophet, whose name be praised, is merciful and will forgive a sinner.”
    Khan exploded with rage at Rasoul’s slip, for any reference to Osama bin Laden, particularly when it involved Declan, was the last thing he and his masters needed.
    He shouted, “What nonsense are you talking? Get out of my sight.”
    Rasoul bowed his head. Forgive me.” He turned and hurried away into the kitchen.
    Emza Khan said, “A stupid fool, but I keep him on because of his ability to handle Yousef, you know that.”
    â€œOf course I do, so no need to apologize,” Declan told him. “I’m leaving now. I’ll see you tomorrow, and then Paris next stop. I’ll brief you on the plane in the morning about Husseini.”
    â€œI look forward to it, it should be fun,” Khan said. “Particularly the whores.”
    â€œI’m sure they’re waiting for you in eager anticipation,” Declan Rashid said with considerable irony.

Similar Books

Soar

Joan Bauer

the Prostitutes' Ball (2010)

Stephen - Scully 10 Cannell

Passage Graves

Madyson Rush

A Home for Rascal

Holly Webb

My Struggle: Book 3

Karl Ove Knausgård