“What did you do to your head?” he asked, pointing to the row of staples where Nir had been shot.

Nir hadn’t realized they’d pulled off the adhesive covering. “Cut myself shaving. Thanks for caring.”

The man glared at Nir. “Why are you in Qatar, Mr. Tavor?”

“I’m an air-conditioning salesman. Making a killing.”

“Ilyas,” the man called out. One of the other men in black began walking toward them. With a flick of his wrist, he telescoped out a black, metal baton, then struck Nir across his shoulder blades. The pain felt like the man had just snapped him in half.

“Oh, that sucked,” he said through gritted teeth. “Good thing you hit like a girl, Ilyas, or that would have really hurt.”

Again, the baton struck his shoulders, followed by a shot to his right side.

This time Nir couldn’t speak. The pain had taken all his wind.

The old man spoke. “Now, if you’re through with your little games, I have some questions I want to ask you.”

“I’m all ears,” Nir said through clenched teeth.

“Once again, why are you in Qatar?”

“I’m an air-conditioning—”

The boot of the black-clad man connected with Nir’s chest, toppling him over backward. His head hit the cement of the floor, and he saw flares in his vision. The baton connected with the bottom of his bare feet once, twice, three times, and then a fourth. Nir’s vision momentarily grayed from the pain.

One of the other men ran over to help set Nir and his chair upright again.

Oh, Nicole, I hope you’re praying to your Jesus right now, he thought, picturing her with her head bowed like she did before they ate together.

His head was hanging to his chest, and he was trying to keep his feet from touching the floor. “Ilyas,” he growled, “one of these days you and I are going to have words.”

His abuser stepped forward, but the older Saudi held up his hand.

“Okay, Mr. Tavor. You’ve proven you’re a tough man. If anyone asks us, we’ll say yes, he was very impressive. But you and I both know you will eventually tell me what I want to know. Everyone has their breaking point.”

Nir took several deep breaths, then looked up at the man. “Listen, I appreciate your offering to give me a reference next time I’m applying for a job, but you’ve got to understand that I have no clue what you’re talking about.”

The man sighed. “And yet you provoke us. Why are you Jews always so exasperating?”

“Tell me about it. Why do you think I never got married?”

“Consider yourself blessed. I married four times.”

Nir shook his head. “You Saudis. Everything in excess.”