Page 40 of Chasing the Past

“There could be a reason for such.” Eli explained what Declan had learned about the owner of the building in Kunduz. “It was owned by an American by the name of Landon McDowell. He’s a wealthy businessman who operates a humanitarian firm by the name ofOne World Aide. Do you recognize the name?”

Asal sucked in a breath. “That was the name on the plane.”

“The one that flew you to Cairo?”

“Yes. So, this McDowell is sponsoring terrorist activities around the world?”

“It’s a distinct possibility. Declan is looking into him further. We just have to figure out how he is connected to Omar and what is being planned.”

She didn’t understand the connection or why she was in Afghanistan in the first place.

Eli sipped his coffee. “Tell me about being a florist.” He wore a smile that lit up his face and was impossible not to return.

“I don’t think I was very good at it,” she said with a chuckle. “I suspect that Omar got me set up in the flower shop to keep me close and give me something to do with myself.”

“You don’t remember ever doing anything else?” His smile had disappeared. She understood why. Sashi was a physician.

“No. There are times when I have flashes of memories that don’t really have any place in my life.”

“Such as . . . ?” She had his full attention.

“A dark building, almost like a dungeon. I’ve been there for a long time being restrained.” She closed her eyes and tried to remember more. “I think it’s a dream but at times it seems so real.”

Eli didn’t respond right away. “Do you remember anything else from this time in the dungeon?”

She kept her eyes closed. Even if it were only a dream it might hold some clue into her past. “I think there were others there at one time. I could hear voices but I’m not sure how many. And there must be someone who guarded us as well because we were allowed food and water from time to time.”

Eli leaned forward. “Is there anything else you remember about this place?”

She searched his face. “You think this is a real place—not just a dream?”

“It’s possible. Maybe you weren’t there in Afghanistan on a humanitarian mission at all, but you were being held there for some reason. And Omar and the people he told you were friends were the ones holding you captive.”

Chapter Nineteen

Eli watched her struggle to recall more about the dream and he found himself with an unsettling thought. What if Omar, or Mustafa Rafiq, was using Asal’s family connection to Sashi to try and draw out Eli because he believed there was something that would give away their upcoming plans of attack on that thumb drive.

How would Rafiq have known Tahir was working as an asset unless . . . someone close to Eli’s team was working for Rafiq. The thought was alarming. Impossible surely. Eli trusted his team completely.

Once more, McDowell’s name popped into Eli’s head. Did he have any CIA connections?

“I don’t remember anything more,” Asal was saying, drawing Eli’s attention back to the moment. She rubbed her forehead as if trying to draw the missing pieces together.

Eli set his cup down. “There’s something I need to tell you.” He told her what he’d found out about Omar’s true identity. “He’s not from Egypt, but Turkey. He lied to you about his nationality and I’m certain about your parents and his parents knowing each other. You’re not from Egypt, Asal. Sashi was born in a small village near Kandahar. She and her husband Tahir met while attending college there.”

“And she never mentioned me. Not once?” Asal searched his face, seeking the truth.

“No, she didn’t.”

“You two were close. Why wouldn’t she mention her twin sister?”

He had no answer. “I don’t know, but we’ll figure it out. I’m going to reach out to Declan again and ask him to check on something for me. Excuse me.” He waited for her to respond, but Asal’s attention remained on the fire.

Eli slipped from the living room and waited until he was in the kitchen to call.

The phone picked up and then disconnected. Eli tried again. The call finally went through although there was so much crackling on the line it was hard to hear.

“Declan are you there?” Eli said over the noise.

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