Page 73 of Acting on Instinct
“Uncle Nadir worked for Fatima’s father, and it was convenient. There was a great deal of wealth around her family’s business in helium production.”
“So it’s your aunt’s family’s money and connections.”
“Correct. And my father became financially independent because my uncle distributed the helium wealth among the male heads of household. I’m a trust fund baby. My financial needs are met if I choose a reasonably comfortable life, and I’m not jet-setting and wearing couture. I actually prefer to live simply. It’s just a nicer life to be in my little house and wear yoga pants.”
“Agreed.” Lynx’s fingers searched along the seam of the photo album cover. “Christen said you are Qatari royalty.”
“I’m not royalty.” Kira smiled as she shook her head. “London likes the idea that I’m a princess, but she says that because she thinks our family compound is like a castle. Lula told Ty I was a princess. I think she was planting the idea in Ty’s head that he was the shining knight riding to my rescue. What do Americans know of princesses other than that they’re in Disney movies and ride around Buckingham Palace in golden carriages? In Qatar, the official ruling family has been in place since the 1800s. So the number of royals is vast, upwards of twenty thousand. Which is not an insignificant fraction of the three million-plus people who live in Qatar.”
“But it’s Fatima who holds the connection to wealth and status?”
“Over my uncle? Yes. Does he like that at all? I would say it has been a perpetual thorn.”
“And Fatima sent you this album.” Lynx’s voice sounded far away, as if she were deep in thought, tumbling ideas to see if they might come together and form a single picture. “And at that same time, Omar was signing a marriage contract with your uncle.” Lynx focused back on Kira. “Was Fatima pleased with the choice of Omar for you?”
“She didn’t sound happy in the brief moment that I spoke with her. She seemed pretty upset when she handed the phone over to my uncle so he could tell me the news.”
“What an emotional rollercoaster you were on. Let me ask you this: after you, London, and Archie returned to the Davidson Realm from your hiding place in the wild animal preserve, what did your uncle say to you about the attack?”
“Nothing at all.”
“Nothing? He didn’t check on your well-being?”
“He was making phone calls.”
“Did you hear what he was saying?” Gator asked.
“He was speaking in a language I don’t know,” Kira said as she scooted over the mattress to rest her back on the headboard.
“What happened then?” Gator asked.
“London, Archie, Ty, Rory, and I jumped on the plane because the pilot was like, 'Hey, I’m out of here.’ We grabbed our stuff, ran for the plane, and flew to D.C. because London and I had to get ready to host Gator and Christen’s pre-wedding party. We left the men to deal with Omar’s body. William arrived in the States the morning of the party. And, as you know, that’s where London was shot. And that’s when I stopped communicating with Uncle Nadir.”
“But you’re still in touch with the rest of your family?” Lynx asked.
“I only speak to my female relatives. When they are in the women’s wing of the house, I call, and we are on video talk all together.”
“So for almost two years, nothing from your uncle,” Gator said.
“Correct.”
“And suddenly you are being surveilled. You find out from London that they think of you as a problem, and they have questions for you.” Lynx scowled down at the photo album, then looked up to catch Kira’s gaze. “I agree. From what London has written, you are in danger. Thinking that you will be snatchedat any moment, you were smart to head to the fort. They just realized what you were doing and found a way to keep you out. Here is the next best place. I’m just snagged on two things.”
“Which two?” Gator asked.
“It seems that Aunt Fatima sent the book to you, Kira, and danger came on its heels. Fatima didn’t wait to hand it to London so London could hand it to you in Tanzania, though Fatima knew you and London would connect there in a few days. Shemailedit. Which seems more dangerous in terms of this getting hurt or lost.” Lynx looked at Kira. “Does that seem odd?”
Kira looked down. “Actually, it does.”
“And then the second thing that snags my attention is that for almost two years, Nadir didn’t pay any attention to you, and suddenly this note from London. What changed?”
Kira shook her head. It was the same question that she kept asking.
“Go back to a moment ago, you said you thought your uncle might have died?”
“Recently, my family thought that Uncle Nadir and William were killed in a boat accident. They’re okay. One of their colleagues is not.”
“Whose that?” Gator asked.
