“He needed money. Business debts. He thought reconnecting family would make you grateful. Then he learned who I was.”
I stared at the papers.
Every meeting.
Every transfer.
Every lie.
Kareem hadn’t been foolish.
He had been paid.
“You’re lying.”
“Ask him.”
Then Lina’s voice cried out.
“Mama!”
I looked up.
She was tied to a chair in an office above.
I lunged.
Gunshots thundered.
Police flooded the building.
Rahmani tackled one man.
Another ran.
Samir grabbed Lina and dragged her backward.
I chased him through corridors of shattered machines.
He reached a stairwell and yanked Lina by the arm.
She bit his hand so hard he screamed.
That second saved us.
I slammed into him.
We tumbled down six concrete steps.
His head struck railing.
Mine hit wall.
Lina screamed.
When I opened my eyes, officers were pulling him away in cuffs.
