Page 110 of Cooper

I shrug. “That was a workplace fling and it’s over now. Her father tried to give me a goat to take her off his hands.”

To my surprise, Yusef throws up his hands like he’s frustrated. “You see?Thisis why Americans have no sense of tradition. A goat ishonorable. It’s a gift for you to marry his daughter. She will give you many children, a good life. The goat is symbolic. It shows her worth, both to him and to you.”

If he only knew just how symbolic the damn goat is.

Not that I’m going to tell him.

“And yet, your people kill your wives and daughters for nothing,” I say. “What was that worth?”

Smack!

I had it coming, but it feels good to say it anyway.

“And I will kill Fatima,” he says matter-of-factly.

“Why would you kill her? What does it get you?”

“It is our way,” he says stiffly. “She has to be punished. To show other women what happens when you don’t do as you’re told.”

“She left you. Isn’t that punishment enough?”

“You truly do not understand. But before the night is over, you will.”

There’s a scratching sound from somewhere, and he freezes.

Please let that be the cavalry.

He pulls a gun from his waistband and slowly moves toward the stairs.

We’re in some kind of dark, musty basement, and the wooden stairs creak softly as he makes his way up.

Suddenly the door at the top bursts open, there’s a flash of light, and Yusef tumbles down the stairs, his gun clattering across the floor.

“Coop! You in here?” I recognize Louie’s voice, and relief floods me.

“I’m here!”

There’s three of them, and though I can’t see faces yet, they move quickly, with Louie throwing himself at Yusef before he can get to his gun.

“You’re done, motherfucker.”

Yusef is cursing in Arabic now, struggling against him, but Lou’s a beast. They go at it and suddenly Yusef pulls a knife from his boot, slicing at Louie’s arm.

A shot rings out and Yusef drops like a sack of potatoes.

“Had about enough of this fucker,” someone mutters.

It’s all I can do not to laugh.

“You all right, Captain Cooper?” Someone else I don’t recognize comes and starts cutting through the ropes binding my hands and legs.

“I’m good. Thanks. That you, Grim?”

“Sure is. Sandor called my boss, and we made the trip.”

“Thank fuck.” I nod, rubbing my hands over my sore wrists. “I appreciate this.”

“All in a day’s work.” He gives me a dark grin.

---