Chapter 22 · Chapter 22

Marzouq did not move toward me. He stood beneath the recessed hall lanterns, the crisp folds of his white thobe sharp against the dark stone molding. His fingers rested briefly on the polished brass handle of the inner door before he lifted his phone from the console, tapping a single command on the private circuit.

"Bandar," he said into the receiver, his tone devoid of haste. "Take the notary from the forecourt. See him to his car beyond the northern perimeter gate. His escort ends on the asphalt road to Diriyah. No files remain on the estate grounds."

A muffled acknowledgement came through the speaker. Marzouq disconnected and set the device face down on the console.

Through the narrow clerestory window above the arched corridor, the sound of a heavy diesel engine turned over in the outer courtyard. The twin headlamps of an LC300 cut across the high limestone boundary, sweeping pale beams over the courtyard palms as the gate rolled back on its heavy iron tracks. Bandar’s men would ensure Abu Fahad did not linger to speak with my uncle’s driver or trade whispered glances near the stables.