Face to Face With Ammar
Ammar did not get up from his chair. He was trying his best to look confident and composed. He looked at Ali and said, “‘So Ali, you’re finally here.”
Ali took a few steps forward and said, “You don’t seem surprised?”
Ammar let out a short snicker. “Not really. I had a feeling that Omar would prove much less than perfect. To be honest, it’s what I hoped for.”
Kelly, who was new to the ways of this world, was surprised to hear what Ammar had to say. He’d sent Ali to eliminate the people who were not proving beneficial for the Establishment, then he sent Omar to get Ali, and then he wished for Omar to fail. “What?!” she exclaimed. “You wanted Omar, your own man, to fail?!”
Kelly’s comments brought Ammar’s attention on her. He saw an American girl who had traveled far from home and risked her life alongside Ali. He was quite surprised by this. “Who is this, Ali?” Ammar demanded, pointing at Kelly.
Ali continued to stare at Ammar. “She and I are together.” Ali scanned the room. His warrior’s instinct told him that the situation was not what it seemed to be; the room was too quiet; too calm considering that a man of Ammar’s rank and importance was left alone in a room with intruders. Were he and Kelly being watched by unseen eyes? It was likely and if so, he knew that his movement would invite a rain of bullets from somewhere close by.
“Taking up with a westerner?” asked Ammar, not moving. “This is not appropriate. I was hoping that you might eliminate each other. That would have been so very nice and clean. No loose ends, as the Americans say. Right, Ms. Delaney?”
Just beyond the room where they were standing was a narrow hallway that led to the recreational center. A guard stood there with a rifle raised to his face, ready to shoot. He observed Ali through the sight, waiting for the right time to shoot.
Ali took a few more steps toward Ammar. “You dare to talk to me of being inappropriate?” he retorted. “You have betrayed all that the Supreme Party and the Revolution stand for! It is not me who has been doing inappropriate things; it is you!” Ali pointed his finger directly at Ammar.
”Shut up!” Ammar shouted back at Ali. Do not lecture me! I decide what is best for the country. After the election, my power will be absolute. How dare you talk to me like this? Do you know I hold your fate in my hands?”