True Identity (Excerpt 26)

An Azad Khebat Story

The Citadel of Erbil (Courtesy of Middle East Monitor)

Rihanna, Tarkon, Arsalan, and Azad sat on the edge of The Citadel, looking down at the main square in Erbil. Sitting upon a hill overlooking the rest of the city, it was a cluster of sand-colored homes dating back seven thousand years. It was reputed to be the oldest, continuously occupied settlement in the world.

Below them lay a park full of fountains, surrounded by the urban metropolis that was now the capitol of Iraqi Kurdistan. Rihanna couldn’t help but show pride in the recent accomplishments of her people.

“Not long ago, Erbil was just a village. Give us another six years, and we will be a world-class city like Dubai. And it took them twenty years to grow and modernize.”

“It’s amazing what can happen when you liberate and free a people to dream,” Azad agreed.

“Even The Citadel, which is right now crumbling beneath us, will soon be renovated and home to shops, restaurants, and boutiques, along with living museums telling the heritage of our people,” she said.

Tarkon sat silently next to them. He shared Rihanna’s pride, but for now, his thoughts were acutely focused on defeating the Iranian regime that oppressed his people. Hearing of his sister’s death had been devastating, but it had liberated him also. No longer would he have to betray his beliefs in order to keep her safe. The first step would be to prevent Iran from assassinating the American president.

“Seeing the growth of Southern Kurdistan is beautiful,” he said, using the Kurdish description for northern Iraq. “But let’s not forget that we are here to find Mujo before he kills President Sandoval.”

“Of course! I was just admiring for a moment,” Rihanna said.

Tarkon continued, “We know he’s here, but with all of the extra security, how will he ever get close enough to harm the president?”

“If his reputation is only half true, Mujo is the best at what he does,” Rihanna said. “He will be strategic and patient. Like him, we need to think about President Sandoval’s schedule and find where he’s vulnerable.”

“We know he’s staying at the Divan Erbil Hotel and is scheduled to speak there,” Arsalan said. “Reports are that he will also come here to The Citadel.”

“So, maybe the attack will take place here where Mujo can blend in with the crowd?” Tarkon questioned.

“Or maybe somewhere along the route from the hotel to here?” Rihanna suggested.

“But that would require a crew to stop the president’s convoy and carry out the attack,” Arsalan said. “Mujo’s reputation is that he works alone, leaving no witnesses.”

Throughout the conversation, Azad sat silently without comment. He appeared lost in his own thoughts and oblivious to what was being said by the others. Rihanna took notice and questioned him.

“You know Mujo better than anyone, Azad. How do you think he will kill President Sandoval?” she asked.

“Arsalan is right,” he said. “Mujo protects his identity at all cost. He would never expose himself in a public place where he might be witnessed.”

“So, how?” Tarkon asked.

“He will infiltrate and get close to the president,” Azad said.

“As a member of President Sandoval’s security?” Arsalan questioned.

“It’s too late for that. Those teams were put in place a long time ago. We know that Mujo just arrived in Erbil.”

“So, where’s the vulnerability?” Rihanna questioned.

“In the hotel staff,” Azad answered. “A position that would give him access without being noticed.”

Deep in thought, they all paused in complete silence for a moment.

“The maid!” Rihanna exclaimed.

They all knew instantly that she was right.

“And if dressed as a devout Muslim woman in a burqa, he would not only go unnoticed but would be completely concealed from view,” Arsalan said.

“He would do that?” Tarkon asked in disbelief.

“It’s been done before,” Azad said.

Samuel Griswold

To hear more from my characters, get a behind-the-scenes look at my writing process, and to get previews of upcoming novels, please consider becoming a PAID subscriber today! It’s just $6 per month, but you can save 50% right now, by subscribing for a whole year in advance. That’s 12 months of premium content for just $36!