“Calm down,” said Kareem. “You’ve done what was needed to keep your friend happy. You don’t need to be involved any further.”

“That brings me back to my original question.” Rania blew out a long stream of smoke. “What game are you playing with Huda? And why are you interested in the diplomat’s wife?”

“The foreign woman means nothing to us. She is just a means to test your friend’s loyalty.” He chuckled dryly. “If the foreign woman was an American, or even a Briton, it’d be a different story. Especially if we need to prod Washington into action.”

“What do you mean?”

Kareem checked his watch.

“We’re wasting time with hypotheticals. Forget it.” He peered through the dirty window. “Look, it’s useful to have someone like your friend on the inside, a double agent.”

“Huda is no James Bond.”

“She has a stiff spine. She is resourceful. Obviously, she is prepared to lie when needed. And blackmail too. She seems very well qualified.”

“Huda is a good person at heart.” Rania’s fingers rubbed against her scarred thumb. “She lost her two brothers to the cause, and she can’t bear the thought of losing her son.”

“God willing, she’ll get his passport and everything will work out fine.”

“Don’t play games with her.”

“Stay out of this, Rania.”

A floorboard creaked in the back office. Her cousin was awake. Kareem swiftly unlatched the door and slipped outside.

Her cousin staggered from the back of the shop, groggy with sleep.

“Rania?” He wiped his glasses. “Is that you?”

“Yes, it’s me.” Rania pressed her hand to her temple. “I’ve got a terrible headache.”

“Let me take a look on my shelves, dear.” The chemist shuffled behind his counter. “I might have a sachet of aspirin. Let me check. I have a feeling I sold it last year.”

* * *

Hanan grabbed Rania’s sketchpad from the kitchen table and used it to fan a cloud of cigarette smoke out the window.

“Mom, you’re producing more pollution than al-Dora refinery.” Her nose wrinkled. “We need a big chimney stack. You can sit under that whenever you feel the need to smoke. It’s not good for the health, you know.”

“I should be glad my daughter has such good sense—at least in some areas.” Rania ground her cigarette into a chunky ashtray. “Happy now?”

“Of course I’m happy. I’m back home in Baghdad.” Hanan rummaged through the refrigerator and pulled out an egg. “Can I cook this? It’s the last one.”

“Please, eat it. I just sold a painting for Leith, so he’s bringing me another three dozen eggs.”

“You’re taking commission in eggs?” Hanan rolled her eyes. “You can’t pay in omelets at the Alwiyah Club.”

Rania clambered from her chair and set a pot of water on the stove.