‘Incoming,’ Meghan said in a clipped voice.
Zeb spotted her in her Parvin Hajar disguise as she climbed up the steps to the door. Beth was behind her.
‘We’ve seen some uniforms,’ Bwana came into view, a scarf covering the lower part of his face, leaving just his eyes visible. He coughed loudly and got a woman to cluck at him sympathetically.
That will explain why he’s got his mouth covered, if anyone’s curious.
‘I’ll stay out,’ he said.
Zeb nodded imperceptibly. That was part of the plan. One agent in the alley to clear the way for their exfil.
Broker and Roger at the door, while the twins were escorted to Nassour. Bear and Chloe came inside and occupied a table, looking very much like a couple in love. No need to make that up.
‘Parvin, Mahya,’ Nassour got to his feet and greeted them enthusiastically. ‘You are looking lovely.’
Meghan managed a blush as she ducked her head in a half-bow. ‘You’re looking smart, Major Nassour,’ she teased as she took her chair and faced him.
Zeb, behind his shoulder, looked up from whatever he was reading. She made a show of pushing her hand back and flashed her palm at him.
‘Yeah,’ he whispered in her earpiece.
She returned her hand to her lap and closed her fingers around the gel-filled sachet. Made small talk and laughed when Nassour cracked a joke.
Beth took over the conversation which trailed off when the server appeared with their drinks and served them.
‘Agha,’ the younger sister said. ‘Parvin and I have a bet. I told her you are well-known in this establishment. That this is your favorite table. It can’t be a coincidence that we are sitting here for the second time in a row.’
‘You won it, khanom,’ Nassour flashed his teeth. ‘The manager reserves this one whenever I call. I don’t ask for any special treatment, but you know how it is,’ he said deprecatingly.
‘You owe me,’ Beth turned to her sister. Her gaze drifted to the outdoor area and her eyes sparkled. ‘Is that a wedding reception there? That bride is so lovely!’
Nassour and Meghan turned to follow the younger sister’s eyes. A moment when no one had eyes on the table.
The elder twin took her opportunity. Her right hand shot out, hovered over the officer’s cup. She squeezed the sachet with the base of her palm and several drops of colorless liquid splashed into his tea. She made a show of adding sugar to his chai and presented it to him when he turned.
‘Mam’noon,’ he said automatically and sipped his drink. Wiped his lips and eyed them keenly, his eyes turning dark.
‘I did some checking,’ he said conversationally. ‘In my job, one has to be careful. We have enemies. I called the company that hosts your blog. They hadn’t heard of any Parvin or Mahya.’
Meghan gave him a disbelieving look. ‘What, agha? You did what? You checked on us?’
There was no smile on Nassour’s face when he hunched forward. ‘You heard about the attack on Shahriar Garrison?’
‘What are you talking about, agha?’ Beth asked, a confused look on her face.
‘HAVE YOU HEARD OF IT?’ he hissed.
This is his real self, Meghan thought. Nassour’s eyes were cold. A muscle ticked on his temple. She nudged her sister’s leg beneath the table. Be prepared.
‘Of course, we heard it, agha,’ she laughed. ‘It’s all over TV. I don’t see what that has got to do with anything. As for your checking with that company, I feel insulted. There’s a reason no one there has heard of us. That’s because we have a virtual assistant who manages the hosting, our appointment booking. She’s based in Berlin. Do you want her details?’ she said scornfully.
‘Two women were seen at the scene of the attack,’ Nassour carried on, ignoring her defense. ‘Twins. That was the clue. I wondered how many twins there are in Tehran? And is it really a coincidence that another pair of sisters show up and meet me?’
‘Mahya,’ Meghan said tightly, ‘I don’t like what he’s saying. Let’s go.’
‘STAY!’ Nassour clamped her right hand with his left wrist. He tugged at his ear with his right. ‘YOU ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE. I KNOW WHO YOU ARE.’
‘Let me go,’ she struggled to free her hand, but his grip was like a vice.
Time to go furious.
‘Major Nassour,’ she spat at him angrily. ‘We thought you were a friendly person, someone of respect, which is why we met you a second time. I don’t know what you are accusing us of. Let my hand go. You are behaving just like those Quds soldiers of yours. Manhandling women.’
The major’s lips bared in a snarl. His hand tightened over her wrist. Movement by her shoulders. Several uniformed soldiers, a young, clean-shaven man in the lead.
Golzar! That’s him. Meghan recognized the man from the file on Nassour’s computer.
Voices started trailing off as customers turned to watch.
‘At last, some action,’ Bwana sighed and entered the restaurant.