Obsession (Year of Fire) Read Free

annoying him with all these questions.”
    “I mean the new plane, the Gulfstream V. The point is, André, that I need to be in Paris tomorrow morning.”
    “So buy a ticket then.”
    Sometimes Eliah had trouble understanding how his future brother-in-law had risen so high at Air France; he was also baffled by Yasmín’s taste in men.
    “André, I’m calling you because the saleswoman at Air France has just told me that there aren’t any seats left in first class, just business. It’s because of the special offer on first class—”
    “Yes, the two-for-one offer,” André interrupted. “We’re making a big effort to push first class on our new Boeing 777.”
    “Yeah, it’s a great deal,” Al-Saud said sarcastically. “Two for one and now there’s no room in first class. I’m not going to fly in business class. I need to sleep. I have to work tomorrow.”
    “Eliah, it’s New Year’s Day tomorrow. You’re not thinking about going to work?”
    “André, Shiloah doesn’t care about New Year’s Day. Have you forgotten that he’s Jewish? He already celebrated Rosh Hashanah and now he’s aboutto ruin my first day of the year. Now, can you get me the damn first-class ticket, please ?”
    “I’ll see what I can do.”
    “You’re one of the directors of Air France!” He spun around, driven by impatience. “What do you mean you’ll…?” He checked himself.
    “ Allô? Eliah?”
    The woman was just a few feet away, right in front of him. She was surrounded by a group of people. She was smiling, her cheekbones raised and eyes open wide, as though the very act of expansion surprised her. She’s beautiful.
    “Eliah?”
    “Yes, yes, I’m here.”
    “Get yourself a seat in business class. I’ll have you upgraded to first class once you’re on the plane.”
    He called his contact in the Secretariat of Intelligence and asked him discreetly to help clear his path to the plane; he was armed and didn’t feel like arguing with some self-important civil servant about the propriety of boarding a commercial flight with a Sig Sauer nine millimeter strapped under his suit. Even though he was celebrating New Year’s Eve, the agent at the Secretariat of Intelligence was quick to comply with Eliah Al-Saud’s request. He was, after all, well paid for his services.
    He slipped the phone into his pocket and walked toward the Air France counter. The salesclerk spoke good French but he spoke to her in Spanish.
    “I’d like to buy that business-class ticket you just offered me.”
    “I’ll get that for you right away, sir.” She tapped at the keyboard, then asked, “Name?”
    “Eliah Al-Saud.” He spelled it out.
    “Passport number?” Eliah gave it to her.
    More typing.
    “That will be five thousand, eight hundred and thirty-four dollars, including taxes and fees.”
    Eliah reached into the inner pocket of his jacket. He removed a black card engraved with the silver head of a Roman centurion from his wallet. The salesclerk concealed her surprise. It was the new Centurion American Express card. Although she was aware they existed, she’d never seen orhandled one. It was cold to the touch, confirming that it was indeed made of titanium rather than plastic. American Express only issued these cards to customers by special invitation, and if their expenses ran over two hundred and fifty thousand dollars a year. This man, in his perfectly cut blue silk suit and Serengeti sunglasses, certainly fit the bill.
    “Señor Al-Saud, our airline can offer you a very comfortable lounge while you wait for your flight. Le Salon Air France .” She spread open a map of the airport and circled the lounge with a blue pen. “It’s here. Your American Express card also grants you access to the Centurion VIP room. Here.” She drew another circle with her pen. “The first- and business-class check-in desks are over there. I wish you a good trip.”
    Al-Saud just nodded without saying anything or even offering a smile. He was