The Aisha Prophecy by John R. Maxim Page B

They couldn’t hear what the prince was saying to the banker, but the banker flashed a brief thumbs-up signal at Haskell. Haskell replied by rotating his fist. The gesture meant, “Keep twisting that knife.”
    Leland said, “Well… best of luck to you all. Now if you don’t mind…”
    “Sorry. Let’s get to why I asked you to stay.”
    “Oh, I wouldn’t have missed it,” said Leland with a yawn. “This was better than The Jerry Springer Show.”
    “Kidding aside, this girl, can you find her?”
    “I doubt it. On the other hand, why should I?”
    “You seem to know so much about these Nasreens. You must have some way of contacting them.”
    “I might. Indirectly,” said Leland.
    Haskell’s eyes narrowed. “Through Elizabeth Stride? Wasn’t she involved with that group at one time?”
    “She’s known some of its founders. But she’s not a Nasreen.”
    “Even so,” said Haskell, “she’d know who to ask.”
    “Not for you, she wouldn’t. And not for me either. In any case, I’ve never met her.”
    “Okay, then,” said Haskell. “Through your man, Roger Clew.”
    “Through whomever, Charles, but what if I did? They certainly wouldn’t surrender the girl.”
    Haskell shook his head. “Not the girl, that disk and that new set of passwords. They’re welcome to keep the prince’s daughter. In return, I guarantee that he’ll leave her alone. I’ll put up a cash bond if that will help.”
    “You didn’t answer my question. Why should I?”
    “Because,” said Haskell, “I’d then owe you a favor. You didn’t let me finish on that membership business. Blackballed? Not a chance. You’re too highly regarded. There is, however, a waiting list of almost two thousand who’d give anything to join. Most are just as well-regarded as you are. My friends and I can vault you to the top of the list. Once in, you’ll be able to accomplish many things that you can’t in your current position. No more rivalries with Defense, Homeland Security and Justice. No more taking stupid orders from the president’s minions. No more taking positions with foreign leaders that you know they can never accept. You’ll be able to do what ought to be done and you’ll have our total support.”
    “Because Bohemians run the world,” Leland answered. “I got that.”
    “I regret that exchange. I know it sounded overbearing. But it really isn’t far from the truth.”
    Leland asked, “My contribution would be…?
    “Your integrity. Your knowledge. And your contacts, of course. We also deal in favors. We scratch each others’ backs. You’d be free to say no to any request. All we’d ask is that you hear us out.”
    Leland paused. He said, “This business with Kessler…”
    “Fair enough. I drop it. Forget that I asked.”
    “The world will rest easier. Thank you.”
    Haskell watched as Leland bent to pick up his loafers. He said, “Howard, I’m asking you, humbly, as a friend, to help me with some damage control.”
    Leland smiled. “Now we’re friends? Charles, I don’t even like you.”
    “Fine,” said Haskell. “Let’s skip all the bullshit. What will it take for you to help?”
    “I’d need to know what you intended to do. What were your plans with the Saudis?”
    “Pretty much what his daughter is doing to this one. We intend to blackmail certain key Saudis to make sure they play ball with Trans-Global. Yes, it’s extortion; don’t wince at the word. They’ve been doing it to us since the seventies. We’ll benefit, sure, but so will this country. So will every driver who stops to pump gas. On that, I can give you my word.”
    Leland chewed his lip. “These key Saudis. Who are they?”
    “I’m not going to give you any names just yet. For one thing, I only have a small sampling because that’s all the prince would let us see.”
    “As a tease?”
    “Exactly,” said Haskell. “Until we’ve made a deal. That’s why he’s here. To make the deal.”
    “And you recognized these