CHAPTER 19

Lucien and Hamid were subdued as the SUV stopped at the desert plaza, outside the commercial high-rise building that housed Mohammed’s office. As the pair stepped out of the vehicle and looked around, a nervous Lucien wondered if he would ever see daylight again. Their plot to kidnap Claudia had failed, despite the unlimited resources made available to them. The paramilitary operatives were supposed to be the best, yet they botched it. Now his head was on the chopping block. The next time, if there was one, he would be there to get the woman. Although he was a scientist and had never been in the military, Lucien knew that deep down inside he was capable of anything. He could lead an army if he had to. The idea of war and death, the destruction, the burnt out cities, the scorched and ravaged landscape, was something he found mentally stimulating. Violence did not faze him; as long as he was not the recipient. Failure, he realized, was not an option.

Abdul-Nasser, the malodorous desert Bedouin that accompanied them in the vehicle, exited the passenger side and held the door open for Lucien and Hamid. This time they avoided the back door route and were taken directly to the center lobby and elevator. Neither man said a word as the elevator sped to Mohammed’s penthouse office.

The doors opened and another bodyguard stood watching, holding the door from behind. Neither Mohammed nor Dr. Rashid acknowledged their presence or greeted them when they entered. Lucien again noticed the strong odor emanating from his Bedouin escort. Abdul grinned and stayed close to Lucien as the scientist approached Mohammed’s desk.

Mohammed was visibly angry.

“Well?” said Mohammed.

Lucien nodded politely to Dr. Rashid. Rashid did not acknowledge the gesture.

“A paramilitary group was watching her,” said Lucien. “We were not aware that they knew we had targeted her. She only just finished the treatise. How could they know?”

The veins in Mohammed’s neck bulged as he spoke. “The last time we spoke you mentioned a fee of 100 million dollars. A lot of money, yes?”

“Yes, but –”

“And I have given you a retainer of five million?”

“Yes.”

“Also a lot of money?” said Mohammed.

“Uh, yes,” said Lucien.

Mohammed abruptly stood, and his chair slammed against the glass wall behind him. His body was erect and tense, his arms stiff. The guards shifted their stances.

“Do you not think I am a serious man?”

Lucien stammered. “Why, yes, I –”

“Who would not hesitate to pluck the eyes out of those who betray me and feed them to a dog?” Mohammed turned and glared at a petrified Dr. Rashid, who was visibly shaking.

The electricity in the room was palpable. The guard closest to Mohammed again shifted his weight, and was ready to pounce upon the object of his employer’s scorn.

Lucien also felt the motion of the large man beside him. This odiferous shepherd was at his side for a reason, and Lucien knew well why Abdul had been summoned. He did not relish the thought of a trip to the inner bowels of the desert with this man.

Hamid, nervous about what he knew was going to happen, looked around and prepared himself mentally to take on the opponent nearest to him, and to die with honor.

Nothing was said, the room still as Mohammed glared at the disheveled scientist.

After a pause, Lucien timidly raised his hand in surrender, like a child in school.

“Sir, uh, if I may? I think we may be overlooking something. There is a bright side to what has happened.”

Mohammed checked his anger, and the tension that was building in the room reduced a notch.

“And that is?” said Mohammed.

Lucien knew his very life depended on his response. “The fact that she was being watched tells us that the Committee is convinced of the validity of her treatise. It means they have done our work for us and verified her findings. It also tells us that this young Einstein is everything we think she is.”

Dr. Rashid spoke. “Young Einstein?”

“I forgot to mention,” said Lucien, knowing well that this disclosure was his ultimate trump card. “I recently learned that this young lady is the great granddaughter, through a bastard child, of Dr. Albert Einstein.”

Mohammed looked at Dr. Rashid.

“Only the greatest mind the human race has ever produced,” added Lucien, as he prayed for the effect of his words to reach home.

The tension reduced another notch as Mohammed began to ponder the disclosure.

Lucien knew he had gotten Mohammed’s attention.

“It explains a lot,” said Lucien. “What her work represents is nothing short of mind boggling. With her treatise we possess the ability to control the entire planet.” Lucien looked around the room, his confidence returning. “We have to assume that the Committee understands this and will do everything in its power to protect her and her work. It will not be easy.” He nodded at Hamid. “We are formulating a new plan. As I mentioned before, I have a well-paid source on the inside.”

Mohammed looked at Dr. Rashid, questionably.

“Sayyid – we will succeed.” Lucien’s use of the title to address his wealthy benefactor was not lost on Hamid.

Mohammed glared with contempt at Lucien. He nodded to Abdul, the guard closest to Lucien, and pointed at the door.

“Leave us.”

Lucien and Hamid headed for the door.

“No,” said Mohammed. “Just you,” he said and gestured for Hamid to remain in the room.

“Stay with us.”

Lucien hesitated and watched as his bodyguard turned around.

“Ah, Sir, I think he is …”

“Wait outside,” barked Mohammed.

Lucien turned and hurried out through the office entrance, closely followed by the Bedouin bodyguard.

Mohammed returned to his desk and gestured for Hamid to stand before him. Hamid did as instructed and walked to the center of the desk, nodding his head at the man, a gesture of respect.

“They tell me your name is Hamid,” said Mohammed. The tone of his speech was subdued.

“Yes, Sayyid.”

“You are a true believer?”

“Yes, Sayyid.”

Mohammed pointed at the closed office door. “Is this man not a disgusting infidel?”

Mr. Hamid hesitated, not wanting to respond.

“You approve of these things he does?”

“Sayyid, I have a family…”

“I know all about you and your family. You work for this dog because you need the money to feed them.”

Hamid bowed. “My father –”

“Is bedridden with cancer. Your wife cares for him and your children. I know everything.”

Hamid was shocked that this powerful sheik knew all about him and his family. He was a former military man, working as a day laborer when he was presented with the opportunity to work for Lucien. Mohammed apparently knew this. Lucien had been working on an Iranian Russian-built nuclear reactor, trying to do an end run around the Russian control by using German parts, when he decided he needed a bodyguard. He spotted Hamid one afternoon on a work detail and decided to hire him. Hamid, both religious and a strong family man, had used the generous salary to care for his father.

Hamid despised Lucien.

Mohammed nodded to Dr. Rashid, who came to his side. He handed the scientist a letter sized envelope. The doctor took it, and walked over and gave it to Hamid.

Hamid stared at the letter, confused.

“Take it,” said Mohammed. “It is a note to the director of the hospital near your village, instructing him to give your father anything he needs. It will not cost you anything. My cousin owns the facility.”

Shocked, Mr. Hamid gripped the envelope. Tears welled up in his eyes.

Mohammed continued. “I have made arrangements for my personal physician to fly in and examine your father. If necessary, he will have your father delivered to any hospital in the world that can help him.”

An emotional Hamid rushed around the desk and knelt before Mohammed, grabbing his hand and kissing it.

“Sayyid.”

Mohammed’s guards rushed to intercede, but were waved off by their employer.

“Stand,” he commanded.

Hamid did as he was told, overwhelmed by what had just been done for his ill father, a man he worshiped.

Mohammed nodded again to Dr. Rashid, who reached into his pocket and handed Hamid a cell phone.

“You will be my eyes and ears,” said Mohammed.

Hamid bowed, and accepted the small phone.

“Yes. I give you my life, Sayyid.”

“I want only your allegiance.”

Mohammed turned to his guards.

“Bring the infidel back.”

The guards brought Lucien back in, still closely shadowed by the Bedouin killer.

Mohammed addressed Lucien. “I find your man to be honest.”

Hamid stood in silence, his head slightly bowed.

“He has convinced me that what you say is true… You may continue your efforts.”

Lucien was elated.

“But no money until you deliver this woman to me.”

“Thank you, Sir,” said Lucien, forgetting the powerful sheik’s formal title. “You won’t be disappoint-”

“LEAVE,” ordered Mohammed.

“Yes, Sir.”

Lucien knew he was lucky to have survived the meeting. He turned quickly and headed for the door.

Hamid followed at a slow pace. As he reached the office door, he calmly turned and respectfully nodded to Mohammed, who graciously returned the gesture. The powerful sheik locked eyes with Hamid, who held the gaze as if he were ordered to do so. Mohammed again nodded and gestured for Hamid to go, secure in the knowledge that this large man was now an ally, and would do anything asked of him.