Page 37 of Saving Salem
“One last thing, Ms. Baptiste. I know there’s a time difference between here and Europe, but do you think you could call Rashid, find out if there’s anything new he’s heard about Sayifa’s plans. We might be able to stop her, if we can get a step ahead.”
Jennifer reached into her clutch and lifted out her cellphone. “I can try. I will put the call on speaker, so you can hear what he says. Fortunately, Rashid likes to speak English, though he’s fluent in French. Says he likes to practice for the day he comes to America.” She quickly dialed the number and set the phone down on the table. It rang twice.
“Hello, my darling. Where are you? I stopped by your flat and your maid said you were out of town.”
“Just a small business trip. A few provincial pieces I thought to add to my gallery. Unfortunately, they turned out to be not what I was looking for.”
“When will you be back? I found this fabulous club I think you’ll like. Live music and dancing.” He laughed at something someone said in the background, though it was too muffled to make it out.
“Possibly another day or two. The provincial lead didn’t pan out, but I got one on a Georgian chest one of my clients has been dying for, so maybe the trip won’t be a total loss. Rashid, how are things at home?”
“Mother is still obsessing about going to the States for the custody suit. Says the battle is already won, but she wants to gloat. See Salem’s face when she snatches her daughter away from her very hands. Abdullah indulges her whims, but he’s too busy with the business to see what she’s doing. I do think they’ve managed to get the court date moved up, so things will be happening soon.”
“Is she still spying on Salem? I can’t imagine. Do you know I actually checked my apartment to see if she’d had cameras or bugs installed?”
Rashid laughed. “My dear sister, it’s more likely Abdullah would do that rather than mother. My brother does love looking at beautiful women. However, you’re no threat to her, but Salem…she could cause the family unimaginable harm if she found out about Tarik’s will. But in answer to your question, they found the cameras, so no more watching Salem. The child is growing. Fortunately, she looks like her mother, which disappoints Sayifa.”
Samuel motioned for Jennifer to continue pumping Rashid for information. She nodded her understanding.
“I imagine losing the camera feed infuriated Sayifa. I’m sure she has something else planned for Salem. Has she told you?”
“It’s already happened. I can’t say over the phone, because we know no phone line is secure. I’ll share all the gory details with you when you get back, if I’m still here. Mother’s insisting I go with her to America for the custody hearing. Might be fun. I haven’t been to the United States in years.” He chuckled. “I hear that New Orleans entertainment is decadent. All ghosts and voodoo and magic. I love it.”
“Sounds like fun. If I finish up my business, maybe I can meet you there.”
“Wonderful. Keep me abreast of your plans.”
“Love you, my brother.”
“And you, my sister.”
Jennifer disconnected the call and looked at Samuel. “You need to find out the date of the new hearing, and know they will be here before that time. That is the best I can do, I’m sorry. If I’d tried to get more information, Rashid would have become suspicious.”
“You did great. At least we know Sayifa is behind the knife and the fire.”
“But can we prove it?” Salem asked. “We don’t have any evidence.”
“Well, we’ve got this.” Andrea wiggled her cellphone. “I recorded the whole conversation. Might not stand up in a court of law, but it’s a definite motivator for getting wheels turning.
Jack’s phone rang and he looked at the caller ID. It was Chance. What were the odds he was calling to tell them about the court date changing?
“Chance, I’m here with Salem. I’m going to put you on speaker.”
“That’s good. Salem, the Amirs have managed to get the date of the custody hearing moved up. And because you reside in New Orleans, it’s going to happen there, before Judge Lyle Bernard.”
“When?”
“Next Monday. I’m sorry, I know it’s short notice. Ivy’s not sure how they managed it. We haven’t had time to prepare a case, get depositions, and subpoena witnesses to testify on your behalf. Plus, she’s been trying to get someone local to New Orleans to be co-council, because the laws in Louisiana are different. I don’t want to say we’re screwed, but we’re going to be scrambling to get everything done in the next four days. But I don’t want you to worry, you have some amazing people who have your back.”
“Chance, it’s Samuel. I’m going to call you in about an hour with the name of someone who’ll be happy to coordinate with you and Ms. McNamara-Barnes on Salem’s case. And Jack will be calling you with a report of information we’ve garnered this morning that will be pertinent. You might say we’ve got the smoking gun.”
“Brilliant. We appreciate any help. Ivy’s convinced they don’t have a case, but any evidence will be a bonus.”
Jack grinned, knowing Chance was going to do a happy dance at what he was about to tell him.
“Dude, the Amirs are after Chloe because she’s Tarik’s heir. He named her in his will, leaving her the entire Amir fortune. Businesses, homes. Everything.”
There was dead silence on the end of the phone for long seconds before Chance’s laughter floated over the line. “I knew it. Ivy owes me a hundred bucks. Told her it all boiled down to money.”
