Page 40 of Saving Salem
“Once Chance caught that mistake, we had a handwriting expert compare Rashid’s signature on the forms with Abdullah’s. They are one hundred percent sure that Abdullah did not sign anything. Rashid forged Abdullah’s signature on the petition as well as all the accompanying paperwork.”
Hope blossomed in Salem’s chest. Could this mean the case would be thrown out? She looked at Jack, who looked as shocked as she felt. Leaning over, he brushed a kiss against the top of her head.
“Is this enough to get the suit thrown out?”
A pounding on the front door stopped Chance from answering. “Jack! We need you right now! Conference room.” Nate’s raised voice had everyone in the room looking at Jack.
“I have no idea what he wants. He knows we’re meeting with y’all, going over the case.”
“Sounds like it’s important. Mind if I tag along?”
Jack chuckled. “Typical Boudreau. Always wanting in on the action. Salem, Ivy, we’ll be right back.”
Taking the stairs two at a time, they quickly made their way to the conference room. Samuel, Nate, and a stranger waited inside. Jack went on instant alert when he looked at the man. Though he sat quiet and still, there was an air of menace about him, one that wasn’t a façade or an illusion. This man was dangerous in every sense of the word, and the hair on the back of Jack’s neck stood at attention, warning him to be vigilant and alert.
“What’s going on?”
“Jack, Chance, this is Hassan ben Saeed.”
Chance sucked in a breath. “The Eagle.”
The dark-haired man bowed his head in greeting, a small smile tugging at his lips. “That is correct, Mr. Boudreau. Have no fear, I mean you nor your loved ones any harm.”
“Hassan is here to relay some information to you, Jack.” Samuel’s voice gave away nothing, but Nate’s body was practically vibrating with excitement.
“Mr. Sutton, Mr. Boudreau. I will get right to the point.” Hassan hadn’t moved an inch since Jack had walked into the room until now. He placed his hands palms down on the conference table, about two feet apart. Stone faced, his expression never changing, Jack was unable to read whether the news about to be imparted was good or bad, but he wasn’t taking any chances. He only wished he was carrying, because the tension in the room was palpable.
“Listen to him, Jack. I’ve got the feeling it’s critical.”
“It is, Mr. Boudreau, I assure you. I have already informed Mr. Carpenter and Mr. Blackwell that my intentions are to cause you and your family no harm.” Hassan paused, watching Jack closely. Apparently, he found whatever he was looking for before continuing. “My occupation is not one that is acceptable to most people, though I have made peace with my choices, my actions. However, the job the recent contract offered to me is…unacceptable. After much consideration, and at great risk to my reputation and possibly my life, I feel that I must decline the contracted job.”
Chance’s hand landed on Jack’s shoulder, squeezing tight. He wasn’t sure if he did it to offer support, or to keep him from lunging across the table at Hassan. Jack was no stranger to the rather precise wording Hassan used. It didn’t take a genius to work out that he was a hired assassin.
“As I explained to Mr. Carpenter, the person who executed the contract was Sayifa Amir. She wired one million American dollars into my account, with an additional ten million upon completion of the execution of you, Mr. Sutton, and your wife, Salem Hudson-Sutton. I was given strict instructions to make sure the child—the girl—survives.”
Everything in the room faded away except for Hassan’s face. Jack’s vision tinted red as anger raged inside, burning hot with the intensity of a thousand flames. This man was here to kill the woman he loved.
“Jack, stop and listen. Hassan is not going to kill Salem. That’s why he’s here. He said no. Do you understand? We’ve got them. The Amirs cannot take Chloe. They cannot hurt Salem. I’ve talked with the State Department, and they do not have diplomatic immunity. Jack, this is premeditated murder, a hired assassination contract. Sayifa will be arrested and stand trial.”
Samuel’s words finally got through and Jack’s body relaxed. Hassan still sat frozen, as still as a statue, his hands resting atop the table. Jack had no doubt beneath his American clothing, Hassan had more than one weapon secreted away.
“What made you turn down the contract?” Chance directed the question to Hassan. “I’ve never heard of you saying no to a high paying hit.”
“Regardless of what you may have heard, Mr. Boudreau, I do not kill women or children on the whim of an old woman who cannot accept her son is dead by his own design. Yes, I keep abreast of what happens in my nation. People call me a monster, and I accept it. I made the decision a long time ago to exact justice and it cost me dearly. Now I help others who can afford my fee, enough to ease my black soul.” Hassan slowly stood and turned toward Samuel and Nate. “There is one final thing you should know. Sayifa and Rashid Amir had Abdullah drugged and confined to a mental hospital months ago. Everything that has happened to Salem Hudson-Sutton had nothing to do with Abdullah. He has been kept drugged and unaware. The world believes that Abdullah is sick and receiving help for a physical illness while Rashid runs their businesses. Abdullah fought against any action being taken against Mrs. Hudson-Sutton in retaliation for Tarik Amir’s death.”
“How sure are you of your facts?”
Hassan smiled, though it didn’t reach his dark eyes. “I personally brought Abdullah from the hellhole his family kept him confined in and am in the process of helping him detox from the drugs they’ve administered to him for the last few months. His family is unaware that Abdullah is no longer their unwilling guest at the mental hospital. I assure you if the American legal system cannot administer justice, Abdullah will make them pay.”
“Why?” Jack managed to get the question out, his mind reeling from everything Hassan had told them. “Why would you help us? From what you’ve said, the contract Sayifa offered would have made you a wealthy man.”
“Mr. Sutton, I am already a wealthy man. When I was contacted by Sayifa Amir to eliminate her problems with you and Salem Hudson-Sutton, she mentioned Abdullah approved. I know this to be untrue. Abdullah is a…friend, one I cherish. He would never condone the murder of a woman. On this we concur. Knowing the Amir family through Abdullah, I grew suspicious and once I realized what Sayifa and Rashid planned, I agreed to take the contract in order to keep Sayifa from offering it to another.”
“I was telling Jack and Salem right before you summoned us here, the petition for Chloe’s custody, hell, all the paperwork is fraud, Abdullah’s signature was forged by Rashid. He made a mistake and signed his own name on the petition.” Chance’s smile grew wider, and he slapped Jack on the back. “This is definitely good news, my friend.” He turned to Hassan. “I realize that due to your circumstances, you will not testify.”
“That is correct. However, you will find that the money Sayifa Amir wired to me, foolish woman, came from her personal account. It should be easy enough to track, which places the noose around her neck. Abdullah will need a few more days of recovery, but he is willing to testify against both his mother and his brother.”
“Where is Abdullah now? Can we help in any way with his recovery?”
