Page 20 of Chasing the Past

Eli realized he hadn’t told his friend everything. “No, she’s not Sashi. I’ll explain everything when we get there.” He ended the call and went over to Asal. She opened her eyes as he neared. She must have seen something on his face.

“You know something.”

He sat down beside her and turned his head her way. “I do.” It was hard getting the words out to tell her she was Sashi’s sister.

She didn’t blink for the longest time. Then tears filled her eyes. “I had a sister? I didn’t know.”

He took her into his arms. “We’ll figure it out, I promise. My team is working on finding out more about your and Sashi’s past.”

She pulled away. “He told me that our parents were friends. Am I even Egyptian?”

Eli didn’t believe it. “Probably not. Sashi told me she was born in Afghanistan. She loved her country and hated the Taliban and other terrorist organizations’ hold on it.” He remembered what Will had told him about going to the house and told her, “We’ll get your paperwork back.”

“But is any of it my information? My passport says I’m Egyptian. I’m thirty-two. Is that true?”

Eli shook his head. “Sashi would be thirty-nine by now. We’ll find out the truth, I promise.” And he would. He’d do whatever was necessary to bring her past back to her.

Chapter Ten

Asal was terrified as they drove toward the house where she would be hiding. Rachel, JT’s wife, had picked them up a few blocks behind Eli’s home. From there, they were taken to what appeared to be an old packaging plant. There, the pastor of Eli’s church was waiting for them. Pastor David drove them to the church where Eli’s friend would be waiting for them.

Throughout the separate vehicle exchanges, Eli had watched the side mirror and assured her they weren’t being followed, and yet Asal couldn’t let herself relax. She kept expecting Omar to appear behind them. He’d been ordered to kill her. Someone high up wanted her dead.

A large Suburban was parked in the isolated parking area near some woods.

“That’s Gavin.” Eli got out and held the door open for Asal. He retrieved their bags from the trunk and went around to David’s open window. “Thanks for picking us up, my friend.” He shook the pastor’s hand. “You should probably leave now just in case.”

David nodded. “Take care of yourselves. Asal, it was nice to meet you,” he said with a nod.

Eli stepped back and David drove away with a lift of his hand.

Eli grabbed their bags and started for the Suburban.

A man with dark hair who was dressed in jeans and a blue jacket got out and greeted Eli with a hug.

“It’s good to see you again,” Eli told the man who had served with him while Asal hung back. There was something familiar about this man that she couldn’t explain.

“And this is Asal Noor, Sashi’s twin sister. Asal, this is Gavin Biggs.”

Gavin’s eyes never left her face. “That’s incredible.” He seemed to give himself a mental shake. “You look so much like her.”

Asal didn’t know how to answer. She skimmed his face and was so certain they’d met before. Surely it was impossible.

“We’d better go,” Eli said to his friend. “The longer we’re out in the open like this the more chances we take at being spotted.”

Their possessions were loaded into the SUV and soon they were on their way to the house.

“Is there any news on the DNA items I sent to you?” Eli asked while keeping a close watch behind them.

“Not yet.” Gavin maneuvered the SUV onto the street that Eli indicated. “I’ve had our lab put a rush on it, though.” He looked at Asal. “But in light of what you know, I think we know the answer.”

Eli didn’t respond and a tense silence filled the vehicle’s interior.

Asal’s shoulders were tight from fear. Each passing vehicle had Asal searching the driver and passenger expecting to see Omar. She checked behind them periodically but there was no one there.

Gavin exited onto the road that would take them to the peninsula where the house was located. Eli had told her it was one of only three houses.

“There it is.” Eli pointed to the last house at the end of the peninsula.

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