to explain things the next day after leaving her on the evening of the dinner with President Shazeb. Two days had now passed. Where the hell had he been?
She wanted to fling herself and all her fury at him, but she didn’t want to send him running from the room in disgust.
His demeanor was cool as he appraised her room. He quickly took in her suitcase and few personal items in view. He felt bad that he had left her alone for two days. But he knew it was necessary in order to solidify their friendship and in particular Kendall’s reliance or dependence on him. It was a psychological trick he had learned during intensive military training. He was partly curious to see if it actually worked on this independent American female.
It was not in his nature to use psychological torture on anyone, let alone a young, pretty, vulnerable female who he suspected was entirely innocent and at the very least was being held against her will. During the last two days, Rashid thought about Kendall and her Orion colleagues quite a bit. He had no ill intention toward them and had actually looked forward to seeing Kendall again. He was not planning to harm her in any way and hoped he would be able to get her and the others out of Afghanistan. But first he needed to gain her trust.
Kendall couldn’t help herself. She had to release some of the pent-up frustration. Her eyes blazed when she confronted him. “Where have you been? You told me we were going to talk! Obviously, your word means nothing.”
Rashid turned to leave, saying quietly, “I’m sorry. I thought you would be happy to see me.” He grabbed the doorknob to pull it open.
“No, wait! Stop! I’m just so angry and bored and worried about my mother. I thought you’d left me for good, and I was going to be stuck here by myself.” Her voice trailed off as she realized that she must sound like one of those weak, dependent, helpless, females with a penchant for histrionics. Well, hell, she did feel close to hysteria and wasn’t about to apologize for what she considered as rational behavior, given the circumstances.
He slowly turned around and waited as she took a deep breath and seemed to visibly calm down. “It is unfortunate that I was not able to see you the past two days. But that couldn’t be helped. I am here now. Would you like to go outside for some fresh air and perhaps take a ride?”
Slightly mollified and straining to catch every word to analyze for sincerity, she decided that for whatever reason, his not visiting her the prior two days was beyond his control. She was also ecstatic at the opportunity to go outside and also to spend more time with him, to learn more about their previous cryptic discussions. She did not fear him and felt that if she played her cards right, she might actually glean some useful information.
Kendall donned her headscarf, and they headed out of the building. Rashid inclined his head as they passed General Omar. The general smirked and gave a wink at Kendall. She shuddered at the knowing look.
“Where are we going? I would like to see Glenn Carson. Is he feeling better?”
Rashid slowed his pace, pondered the question, and then frowned. “That will not be possible. He’s not feeling better, and we’re not exactly sure what’s wrong with him. It may be contagious, and therefore, he’s in isolation. I’m doing some research now.” He stopped, realizing he was getting ahead of himself.
Kendall caught it immediately. “What? You are doing research? Why not the doctor? You are a soldier! What’s really wrong with him? What’ve you all done to him?” She felt the bubblings of panic again. She swallowed slowly and shook her head as if to clear the cobwebs. She put her hands on her hips and demanded, “Who are you?”
He looked from left to right and then straight ahead and motioned to the jeep some twenty feet away. In a measured tone he answered, “If you are quiet and patient, it will soon be revealed. But not yet. We
She wanted to fling herself and all her fury at him, but she didn’t want to send him running from the room in disgust.
His demeanor was cool as he appraised her room. He quickly took in her suitcase and few personal items in view. He felt bad that he had left her alone for two days. But he knew it was necessary in order to solidify their friendship and in particular Kendall’s reliance or dependence on him. It was a psychological trick he had learned during intensive military training. He was partly curious to see if it actually worked on this independent American female.
It was not in his nature to use psychological torture on anyone, let alone a young, pretty, vulnerable female who he suspected was entirely innocent and at the very least was being held against her will. During the last two days, Rashid thought about Kendall and her Orion colleagues quite a bit. He had no ill intention toward them and had actually looked forward to seeing Kendall again. He was not planning to harm her in any way and hoped he would be able to get her and the others out of Afghanistan. But first he needed to gain her trust.
Kendall couldn’t help herself. She had to release some of the pent-up frustration. Her eyes blazed when she confronted him. “Where have you been? You told me we were going to talk! Obviously, your word means nothing.”
Rashid turned to leave, saying quietly, “I’m sorry. I thought you would be happy to see me.” He grabbed the doorknob to pull it open.
“No, wait! Stop! I’m just so angry and bored and worried about my mother. I thought you’d left me for good, and I was going to be stuck here by myself.” Her voice trailed off as she realized that she must sound like one of those weak, dependent, helpless, females with a penchant for histrionics. Well, hell, she did feel close to hysteria and wasn’t about to apologize for what she considered as rational behavior, given the circumstances.
He slowly turned around and waited as she took a deep breath and seemed to visibly calm down. “It is unfortunate that I was not able to see you the past two days. But that couldn’t be helped. I am here now. Would you like to go outside for some fresh air and perhaps take a ride?”
Slightly mollified and straining to catch every word to analyze for sincerity, she decided that for whatever reason, his not visiting her the prior two days was beyond his control. She was also ecstatic at the opportunity to go outside and also to spend more time with him, to learn more about their previous cryptic discussions. She did not fear him and felt that if she played her cards right, she might actually glean some useful information.
Kendall donned her headscarf, and they headed out of the building. Rashid inclined his head as they passed General Omar. The general smirked and gave a wink at Kendall. She shuddered at the knowing look.
“Where are we going? I would like to see Glenn Carson. Is he feeling better?”
Rashid slowed his pace, pondered the question, and then frowned. “That will not be possible. He’s not feeling better, and we’re not exactly sure what’s wrong with him. It may be contagious, and therefore, he’s in isolation. I’m doing some research now.” He stopped, realizing he was getting ahead of himself.
Kendall caught it immediately. “What? You are doing research? Why not the doctor? You are a soldier! What’s really wrong with him? What’ve you all done to him?” She felt the bubblings of panic again. She swallowed slowly and shook her head as if to clear the cobwebs. She put her hands on her hips and demanded, “Who are you?”
He looked from left to right and then straight ahead and motioned to the jeep some twenty feet away. In a measured tone he answered, “If you are quiet and patient, it will soon be revealed. But not yet. We
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