Page 118 of Sheltering You

He backed out of the space. “Five, five and a half hours, depending on traffic.”

That would give them time to talk. Perhaps they could find a way to restore their friendship. Was it too much to ask that they be friends again?

Perhaps it would be kinder to let it go, let him go. But the thought of losing him…

She couldn’t bear it.

Was it selfish to want to stay close? Knowing how he felt about her? How she felt about him?

She would need to ask God how to proceed.

Derrick was winding down the narrow aisles toward the exit when one of the burner phones rang, too loud through the speakers.

They reached for the volume at the same time, and their fingers touched.

Derrick yanked his hand back as if she’d scorched him.

Doing her best to hide her sadness, she adjusted it lower while he pressed the button on the steering wheel.

“It went fine,” he said. “No problems.”

“Good.” Michael sounded relieved. “Jasmine listening?”

“I’m here.”

“I got a call this morning, and… There’s no reason for you to worry, but I wanted to let you know…”

Oh, no.

“Khalid Qasim’s face was picked up on a camera at a Metro station—that’s the subway in DC—a couple of days ago.”

Her hand flew up, covering her mouth. “He was there when we were?”

“We don’t know when he got there,” Michael said, “but if I had to guess⁠—”

“Where is he now?” Derrick was squeezing the steering wheel.

“No idea.”

“How did this happen?” He sounded furious, as if it were Michael’s fault.

“No idea. We’re trying to figure out how he got into the country. The border’s porous, he could’ve just walked across.”

Derrick paid the parking fee, turned onto the busy road, then pulled over. He shifted into park, glaring at the dashboard as if his brother were right there.

“I’m waiting for a call back from a contact in Mexico, who might be able to shed some light on that, not that it matters how he got here. The point is⁠—”

“Can’t be a coincidence.” Derrick looked her way, his expression grim. “That he was in DC.”

“I don’t believe in coincidences.” Michael sighed. “Sorry, sis, but I don’t think there’s any doubt now. He and Dari Ghazi are working together. I think this was all about smoking you out.”

She lowered her head and covered her face with her hands. She was such a fool. Khalid had set a trap for her, and she’d walked right into it. Or almost had. She had escaped only because of Derrick’s quick thinking and Michael’s help. Otherwise, Khalid would have her. She would be back in Iraq. Captive. She would never have another opportunity to escape.

Derrick asked, “Any more good news for us?”

“Bryan said he’s been trying to reach you but you aren’t answering. Did I give him the wrong number?”

Derrick grabbed the cell he’d left on the console, tapped the screen, and lifted it to his ear. “What does he want?”