excerpt
“You mean to tell me he didn’t know about Talal?”
“No, he didn’t.”
“I just received some information from the police. They have your phone
records and they know you called Talal, even before you called your daughter.
Obviously, this man plays a serious role in your life, which I’m not here to
question or judge. I’m here only to get to the bottom of this because I want to
protect certain things that are for your benefit and for Jennifer’s benefit.”
“What do you mean, Bevan? I know you have been a good friend over the
years. I truly appreciate your concern, yet I don’t follow you.”
“Emily, there is no doubt in the police’s view that this was just an unfortunate
event; Matthew took his own life. There is nothing further for the police to worry
about; however, the agency will dig as deeply as they can because there are other
issues the agency cares about. For example, the severance pay due to every
employee. In this case, you know Matt was due to receive money at retirement; a
percentage of this money is due to you now, but if the agency finds something they
can pin on you, they’ll try to save some bucks for Uncle Sam. That always scores
points with the brass. A major argument, for instance, may be looked at from a
different perspective when it comes to money and the agency. An argument may
have pushed a person to the point of suicide, which means they may look at you as
an accessory deserving some of the blame for what happened. In a case like that,
they could withhold half the severance pay.”
Emily understands Bevan’s meaning, “There is nothing they can pin on me
because we simply had an argument.We have had arguments before; this wasn’t
any different from the others. The fact that there is another man in the picture
changes nothing. Matthew knew nothing of that; it wasn’t a factor at all.”
He looks at her, sips his coffee, looks again, and says, “I’m very pleased to
hear that, Emily.”
Jennifer arrives with Hakim. The Admiral extends his condolences to her
and greets Hakim, “Hello, Hakim. How is your uncle doing?”
“He’s fine. He’s happy he’ll go home soon, maybe tomorrow. He had all the
tests done and has gone through one dose of chemotherapy already.”
“Very good.” The Admiral replies, “I’ll call him; maybe we’ll have lunch
together. Perhaps this is the only time I’ll be able to see him before he goes
home.”
“I’m sure he’ll be very happy to see you. He’s still at the Sheraton Hotel.
Would you like me to call him for you?”
“Yes, please do that.”
Hakim calls the hotel and asks for his uncle’s room. Rassan picks up the
phone.
Libros Libertad 