Avoiding the spill still on the ground, Kamal rounded up four of the women, and the five of them danced their way off the helipad and toward the elevator.

He takes four and leaves two. How very Saudi of him, Saad thought, glaring at the man.

General Mousavi waved to a steward, who turned down the music. Then sauntering toward Saad with a woman under each arm, he said, “It seems that our friend is a bit of a glutton when it comes to women.”

“He is who we know him to be.”

“Since your money is paying for all this, I feel that I should give you your pick,” said the Persian. Looking from one side to the other, he added, “Do you prefer blond or brunette?”

“They are both yours tonight, my friend. I had an early morning, and I think I can use some rest.”

“Well, if you insist,” the general said with a laugh. “Good night, Saad. Sleep well.”

“Fe sahetek.” Saad saluted him with his glass, then drained the rest of the contents and, in the bartender’s absence, poured himself another. The steward was quick to shut down all the upper deck lights at his boss’s request, and then Saad tilted his head back and looked up at the stars.

Chapter 18

CHAPTER 18

ONE DAY LATER

OCTOBER 6, 2020—10:30 / 10:30 A.M. EET

You can tell a lot about a person by how they sit in a room, Saad thought as he lowered himself into a plush high-backed chair. General Mousavi sat to his left on a couch. His legs were crossed, and his arm rested above the pillows. Kamal was to his right. His back was against the arm of the couch, and his feet were up on the white cushions. Each man had a bottle of sparkling water and a bowl of fruit on a table next to them. All were dressed for a day on the upper deck, which likely wouldn’t happen because of the cool rain falling outside.

Probably for the best. Some discussions are best held indoors.

Saad poured water over a large cube of ice in a glass. “I trust you gentlemen had a pleasant night?”

The paid entertainment had been loaded onto one of the ship’s tenders and taken to shore early this morning.

“I would trade three of my wives for just one of those girls,” answered Kamal.

Saad laughed along even though he found the joke distasteful. Actually, there was little about this man that he didn’t find distasteful.

“My night was excellent,” said Mousavi. “And I thank you.”

Looking at Kamal, Saad said, “I have invited you here, Ali, because I think we may have some interests in common. Surprisingly enough, I think that may be true of our Iranian friend as well.”

“Any enemy of the royal family is a friend of mine.”