Chapter Forty

Khaled's apartment

Wyverly Mews, London

Saturday

Khaled's mobile sounded out the James Bond theme "Diamonds Are Forever."

Adara.

He took a last bite of his scrambled eggs, drew a deep breath. "Good morning, Adara. Did you sleep well last night?"

Her musical laugh played a glissando on his nerves.

"Perhaps I was lonely, Khaled. Did you think of me after we parted company last night?"

"If I'd known where your bedroom is I might have tried to sneak in."

"Maybe I'd have let you. So tell me, what did you think of my friends?"

"I found the two younger men more or less like me, and then there was Yusuf."

"I believe he did mention that, yes. I believe he was embarrassed about it."

What was this all about? He said easily, "All of us are more than our words, Adara. Words are easy, only actions speak truly."

She appeared to think about that, then, "Did I surprise you when you came to the house last night?"

"I thought I might be killed."

"I thought—no, I think you are fierce and beautiful."

"Ah," she said, and nothing else. Was she thinking about whether to take him as a lover, or of recruiting him? She and her friends hadn't held back that they were political fanatics who wanted to see most everything he held dear destroyed. But they hadn't been sure of him enough to tell him more. Had they killed? Had she killed? Khaled said, "What are you wearing, Adara?"

"Yes."

"Open your front door."

"I like surprises, don't you, Khaled?"

"I can't argue with this one. You were standing outside my door, waiting for the right moment?"

"As you know from last night, I have no mother here. You are very welcome."

She laid her motorcycle helmet on the small table next to a letter holder and a small vase of tulips, two days past their prime. She did a small spin, laughed, and threw her arms around his neck. She whispered against his cheek, "Isn't it marvelous? We're all alone, we can do exactly as we please." She kissed him, wet and deep. Every rational thought fell out of his brain. She was beautiful, she was soft and warm and eager, and it had been so long, he'd been so focused on his job. He picked her up in his arms and nearly ran down the short hallway to his bedroom. They stripped off each other's clothes and he jerked back the dark blue quilt to lay her onto her back. He lowered himself over her, all of her against all of him, and thought he'd explode.

When they finished again, he smiled up at her and lightly ran his palm down her flank. "You are amazing."

So beautiful she was, her thick black hair tousled, her eyes closed, her lashes thick and black. She slowly opened her eyes and smiled at him. "And you too are amazing, Khaled. I wondered if I would be disappointed, but I was hopeful because I liked the cut of your jib. I love that saying. When I said it to my mother, she just stared at me like I'd cursed because she had no idea what it means." She raised her hand and stroked his morning scruff. "I dislike the full beards so many Muslim men insist on wearing in London, as if to flaunt their differentness."

"That's something I've never thought of, but perhaps you're right."

Adara came up on her elbow over him. "Do you remember last year when St. Paul's nearly blew up?"

"Ah, but they were all white-skinned English. Would you consider them innocent victims?" As she spoke, Adara laid her hand on his belly, and since he was young and he wasn't dead, he responded. She leaned down, licked his neck, and said against his wet skin, "At Oxford, my friends and I did just as we pleased, said whatever we pleased. No one cared. The professors encouraged the students to explore their beliefs, whether religious or revolutionary, no matter how outrageous. There were the Communists, a motley, crass lot, and the fervent Muslims who were always probing, searching out those of us they could bring into their fold. The professors seemed to think we were radicals because our views and our brains weren't fully formed. Why not let the children pay with their ideas until they became reasoning adults?" Her voice turned vicious. "I've never seen such a bunch of fools."

Khaled dozed off, awakened when he heard her moving about. He opened his eyes to see her naked, smiling down at him, her bra in her hand. "Must you go?"