The Aisha Prophecy by John R. Maxim Page A

done. I’d start by going public with the names of the thieves.”
    Haskell leaned toward him. “But you’re not in their place. Would the Nasreens drop a dime on them or not?”
    Leland considered letting Charles Haskell dangle. But he answered, “They would not. They’re honor bound.”
    “You’re asking us to bet…”
    “I’m not asking you a thing. You wanted my opinion. I gave it.”
    The mogul touched Haskell’s arm. “And I’m inclined to accept it. If the Nasreens have had that disk for three months, Howard’s right; they would have gone public by now.”
    The banker said, “We have a much more immediate problem. Those Saudis will be swarming all over that office when they learn that their accounts have been blocked.”
    “But you say she only did that this morning?”
    “So we’re told.”
    “And it’s the weekend. The office would be closed.”
    The banker shook his head. “The Saudi work week starts on Sunday. But anyone who’s tried to log in today would assume that it’s merely a malfunction. They’ll try again later. That’s when they’ll start to wonder. The real swarming wouldn’t start for several days.”
    Haskell nodded. “Okay, that gives us a window. If you flew back tonight, could you fix this?”
    A shrug. “Perhaps. If I could get at that computer. I have an excellent technician at my branch in Riyadh. Altered passwords are not insurmountable. But his daughter probably knows that as well. The Nasreens would have coached her. Getting in won’t be easy.”
    “You won’t know until you try. Leave tonight.”
    “But we’d need the prince to get us into the building.”
    “Of course, you will,” said Haskell. “Take him with you.”
    “But… why would he let us get into those files? He’s dim, Charles, but he isn’t entirely witless. He’d know that we’d no longer need him.”
    The mogul cleared his throat. “What we need is the daughter.”
    Haskell said, “Yeah, I know. But one thing at a time.”
    “Well,” said Leland, who was looking at his watch. “If you gentlemen will excuse me, I think I’ll retire. I’m sure you’ll want to sort this out in private.”
    Haskell held up a hand. He said to Leland, “Please wait.” He turned to the banker. “You say the prince doesn’t know how to use a computer?”
    “My grandchildren know more than he does.”
    “Then he still needs you. You’re his only hope. He’s a dead man once word gets out about this. Tell him, ‘Trust us or we hang you out to dry.’”
    The banker agreed. “My plane’s in Sacramento. It’s kept fueled and ready. We can be in Riyadh tomorrow afternoon, their time. My technician will meet us; we can get right to work. But as I’ve said…”
    “I heard you,” said Haskell. “Keep him scared. He’ll fold. We’ll see what we can do on this end.”
    “While you’re there,” said the mogul, “get a photo of the daughter. Full face, if you can find one. No headscarf.”
    With a nod, the banker turned and walked toward the shore. The prince saw him coming. He dropped to his knees. Hands clasped, he was begging the banker to help him. Haskell said to Leland, “Good start.”
    Haskell saw the banker pull the prince to his feet. He was trying to calm him. To reassure him. Haskell muttered, “Wrong. Let him grovel.”
    The banker realized that Haskell was watching. He sharpened his tone. Whatever he was saying made the prince shake his head. He squealed, “They will arrest me. I cannot.” The banker replied, “You have one chance. One day. You won’t do it? Very well. Then we’re finished with you.” He started up the path toward their cabin. The prince looked up at Haskell, his hands clasped as before. Haskell made a show of turning his back. Leland watched as the prince began to stagger about, looking this way and that as if for help. Finding none, he ran after the banker.
    “I believe he’s reconsidered,” said Leland to Haskell. Haskell turned once again to observe.