Page 127 of Grave Danger

“Agreed,” said Nouri. “Your only job is to present Zahra’s demand to the FBI as her lawyer. No negotiation.”

Jack rose. “I don’t take orders from you, and no one is making any demands. This is a surrender, not a negotiation.”

“Yes, you made your position clear,” said Nouri. “If Zahra won’t surrender, you’re walking out of here. And you’re taking Yasmin with you.”

Zahra’s mouth was agape. “Is that the reason you came here, Jack? To take Yasmin away from me?”

Jack looked straight at Zahra—his client—but he wasn’t thinking like a lawyer. “I’ll do what I have to do.”

“You can’t!” said Zahra.

“Zahra’s right,” said Nouri. “We can’t let you do that.”

Jack’s gaze swung back to Nouri, and in the glow of the firepit, he saw the business end of a Beretta pistol.

“Nouri, no!” said Zahra.

“He leaves us no choice, Zahra.”

Jack tried to keep calm. “Put the gun away, Nouri.”

“We’re no longer asking for your help,” said Nouri. “You’ll do as you’re told. Give Zahra your cell phone.”

“Zahra, don’t be part of this,” said Jack.

“Give it to her!” said Nouri.

Zahra held out her hand. Jack slid his phone from his pocket and gave it to her.

Nouri continued. “Here’s the drill. You’re going to call your wife and present Zahra’s demand.”

“Leave my wife out of this,” said Jack.

“She’s been right in the middle from the very beginning.”

“Not by choice,” said Jack.

“Maybe not,” said Nouri. “But that’s the way your government operates. It uses people. Puts them in a position where they can’t say no, ruins their lives, and then leaves them to fend for themselves.”

Nouri was clearly talking about someone other than Andie—something personal. Jack guessed it had to do with the circumstances under which he’d become a witness in the Hague proceeding. He made one more appeal to reason.

“Zahra, this has gone too far. If Nouri has his own score to settle, don’t make yourself part of it.”

Zahra was silent.

“Listen to me closely,” said Nouri. “Zahra’s demand has two parts.”

“Zahra, you’re putting Yasmin in danger,” Jack said.

Nouri kept talking. “One, Zahra will not be charged with kidnapping or any other crime; she goes free. Two, Zahra gets to keep Yasmin.”

“This is pointless,” said Jack. “Zahra, I’m being straight with you. The FBI will never accept that demand.”

Nouri paused. The steady hiss of the propane tank fed the flames. The sound of the ocean drifted through the black forest. Finally, Zahra spoke.

“They’ll accept,” she said quietly. “Once the State Department hears what we’re offering in return.”

Jack wasn’t sure what she meant precisely, but it was clear enough that they were coming full circle—back to Ava.

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