Page 50 of Chasing the Past

Gavin turned from the fire. “We found him hiding in an abandoned building not far from Fatima’s apartment. He engaged two police officers in a gunfight. They shot him.”

“He was the one who killed Fatima,” Asal said. “Were you able to recover what he took from her?”

Gavin shook his head. “Not yet. I’m sure he either had someone he was working with and they have it, or he stored the items somewhere. NYPD is canvassing the area.”

“Thank you, God,” Eli said and tugged Asal closer in a protective gesture. “What about McDowell? Do we have a location on him?”

Gavin’s tight jaw confirmed the truth. “I have law enforcement searching for him. He’s not at his corporate offices or his home. He’s vanished. One of his corporate jets is also missing. Rafiq must have given him a heads up. He’s gone for now. We’ll keep searching. My guess is he’s going to a country with no extradition agreement with the US.”

“Like Afghanistan,” Eli interjected.

“Yes, possibly.”

Asal couldn’t believe both men were gone. “Do we have any idea what they were planning?”

“Not yet. We’re still tracing both men’s recent movements.”

“This is awful. I still can’t believe Omar is a terrorist. Why didn’t I see this before now?” She shook her head.

Eli touched her arm. “You can’t blame yourself. You weren’t looking for the signs.” He sighed deeply. “Gavin, you must be tired and hungry after walking in the storm. You want something to eat?”

“That would be great. I’m starving,” he said with a half-smile. “I had no idea walking in a blizzard would work up such an appetite.”

Eli laughed. “Come to the kitchen and get something to eat.”

“Sure thing.” Gavin cast a look out the window. “It does appear to be lessening somewhat.”

Asal went with the two men to the kitchen.

Eli heated up some of their leftover food. “Have a seat,” he told his friend.

Gavin pulled out one of the chairs and sat.

Asal retrieved a bottle of water and placed it beside the plate Eli gave Gavin.

“This looks good.”

“It’s not as good as the meal Asal made for us earlier, but it will have to do.” He sat down next to Gavin.

Asal slipped into the chair beside Eli while Gavin dug into his food.

“I’ll need to let the team know what’s happened.” Eli retrieved his phone and sighed. “Call isn’t going through.”

Gavin frowned and tried his. “Same. I guess the storm is responsible.”

Eli placed his phone on the table. “I’m sure. Did you find anything interesting about McDowell’s charity?”

Gavin shook his head. “We’re doing our best to make the connection between Rafiq and McDowell but nothing yet.”

The wind whipped around the side of the house shaking the windows. Asal jumped.

Eli clasped her hand. “The last weather report I saw had the storm weakening.” He said to her.

“Do you think it’s safe to leave the house once the storm passes now that Omar is dead?” Asal asked. She had no idea where she would go. She couldn’t go back to Egypt to the life she’d lived there that was a lie. So where did that leave her?

Chapter Twenty-Three

Darkness descended like another blow. At least the storm appeared to be abating.

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