‘We were expecting your call, agha,’ Meghan said warmly in her cell phone. ‘It seems you have forgotten us.’
She scowled at Bwana who grinned and thumbs-upped at her.
Evening. Still in their office. No progress with the contacts or the text messages which was when the sisters had decided to make the move and the elder twin had made the call to Habib Nassour.
She put the call on speaker and shushed her friends.
‘Not at all, khanom,’ Nassour laughed. ‘I was meaning to call or message you and Mahya, but I got busy.’
‘We were planning a photoshoot tomorrow, but we didn’t get the permits. So, our evening is free.’
‘Permits for which place, Parvin? Tell me and I will arrange them.’
‘It’s alright, agha. We’ll shoot another day. We’ve been on the move continually and it’s good to have some free time. So, tomorrow?’
You should be making this call, she whispered to Beth. You’ve got practice, with Mark, she referred to her sister’s boyfriend, an NYPD detective.
‘Tomorrow, khanom? Unfortunately, I will be out all day.’
‘Going somewhere nice?’
‘I wish,’ he laughed. ‘It’s a work thing. I will be in the city, but busy in all day meetings.’
‘Let me see,’ Meghan said and riffled sheets of paper on her desk as if consulting her diary. ‘I think we can do that. Mahya and I will need to finish some jobs early, but we can meet in the evening.’
‘That’s great. I will confirm the time with you, later.’
‘Enjoy your day tomorrow.’
‘I don’t think I will. I’ll be surrounded by academics.’
She hung up and leaned back. Shook her head resignedly at friends’ smirks.
Straightened when she noticed Zeb. He didn’t join the gentle teasing. He never did. He was staring into the distance, the ever-present pencil in his fingers.
‘Zeb?’
He didn’t reply.
Beth went over and shook his shoulder. ‘What is it?’
‘He said academics.’
‘What? Nassour? Yeah, he said he would be with them tomorrow.’
‘MA.’
‘You need to be clearer,’ Broker said exasperatedly.
‘Malek-Ashtar University, MUT. MA in his notes.’