“Hey …” he said. “Hey, Zaid, come look at this.” He was grinning now. “Looks like some oaf has decided to bring their washing.”

Zaid turned and squinted at the rows of cars. One lane of the approaching traffic was being held up, slowed by a figure walking ponderously down the center of the road with what looked like a huge sack over his shoulders.

“Pretty big for a washerwoman.” He clicked his fingers at one of the other men. “Hey, get the ASVs on the line; get us a visual.”

All the five guards now strained to see the approaching figure. Zaid frowned. “Looks like they’re wearing a niqab, but … I think it must be a man, or the biggest woman in the world.”

Hajii still grinned as he lowered his field glasses. “It is a washerwoman. See, she brings her washing machine with her.” He guffawed.

Jamal Barzani, their superior officer on watch, joined them. He motioned with his head. “Someone better get down there and get that fool off the road. The traffic is backing up.”

Horns blared, and the lanes still open became sluggish as drivers slowed to stare or yell abuse at the slow moving man. But on he came, one foot after the other, bent forward, his deep shawl hanging loosely, totally covering his face. The giant man never looked left or right, just walked on as if the world around him didn’t exist.

Zaid heard Jamal call his name and he turned to his officer. “You’ve notified the ASVs?”

Zaid nodded.

“Good.” Jamal leaned on the railing. “Go down there, take Hajii, and be careful. Could be a diversion.” He went to turn away, but paused then spun back. “Call it in to HQ. Just in case.”

Zaid and Hajii both groaned, but nonetheless shouldered their automatic weapons, went to the end of the tower platform, and descended the steps to the street. Shoulder to shoulder they jogged down the roadway.

“By all the prophets.” Hajii slowed. “It is a giant.”

Zaid also slowed. “Still think it’s the local washerwoman?”

Even hunched forward, the figure was taller than both men; straightened, he would have stood nearly seven feet tall.

“Cover me.” Zaid walked forward while Hajii, who was cradling his rifle in his arms, brought the barrel around in the direction of the huge figure.

Zaid held up a hand. “Hey, you there, stop.”

The giant ignored him, or didn’t hear him.

“Hey, you. I said, halt!”

The huge person lumbered on, neither looking one way nor the other. Zaid turned to shrug at his colleague. In turn, Hajii shook his head and then pointed his gun in the air. He fired twice, the reports loud even over the sounds of the traffic.