Lee was an American expatriate from Wichita, Kansas. He was an engineer who specialized in petroleum refineries. "I can't get over how beautiful your house turned out." Lee stopped and did a 360-degree turn, taking it all in.
"And your house will be just as beautiful."
"Not quite, but it is nice of you to say."
Durrani had purchased a smaller lot next door for Lee, his business partner. Lee had started building at the same time as Durrani but was still months away from finishing. Lee complained that the contractors took advantage of him, but Durrani had talked to the builder and found out that the engineer in Lee made it very difficult because he wanted to inspect and sign off on every piece of work.
The two men shook hands and Durrani said, "How long until your house is complete?"
Lee shrugged as if to say your guess is a good as anyone's. "They tell me two months, but I'll believe it when I see it."
"I will see if I can hurry them along," Durrani said with a wink as he grabbed Lee by the elbow. Whispering in his ear, he said, "There is something that I want to show you." He led Lee by the elbow into the house.
Halfway down the hall to the study, Durrani stopped and pressed the button for the elevator. Lee looked surprised. "The basement."
"Yes."
"Did you put in a pistol range?" Lee asked hopefully.
"No . . . I did not think of that." Durrani stroked his mustache and then laughed. "That is a wonderful idea. I will have my architect look into it."
They stepped into the elevator and Lee took the opportunity to lecture Durrani about the engineering of an indoor pistol range. Durrani couldn't get off the elevator fast enough. He'd had about all he could take of this condescending American. He showed him to the secure door and punched in his code.
"I didn't know you had tunnels," Lee said as he walked along the cement floor.
"I had them installed for security." Durrani continued the small talk until they reached the door that led to the smaller of the two guesthouses.
As they started up the stairs, Lee asked, "What did you want to show me?"
"These tunnels are very convenient. I think we should think about putting another one in."
"Between our two properties?"
"Yes."
"I never thought of that."
By the time they got to the top of the stairs Durrani was out of breath. Lee continued to talk and eventually got around to asking a question. Durrani held up a hand, signaling that he was out of breath, while his other hand searched for his pack of cigarettes.
"You know those things are going to kill you, right? As your business partner, I have every right to get on you about stopping. If you die, our partnership will go up in flames."
There were so many things that Durrani wanted to say, but instead he stuffed a cigarette between his two lips and nodded in agreement. Kassar appeared, standing at the edge of the sunken living room. "Vazir," Durrani said, "you remember Larry?"
"Of course," Kassar said with a nod of recognition.
Durrani took in several deep drags, which in a strange way seemed to settle his breathing. After exhaling a big cloud of smoke, he waved for Lee to follow him. As they walked down the hallway, Durrani began talking in a quiet voice. "What I'm about to show you is a real tragedy. I have another American friend, who was savagely beaten by a group of street thugs in Rawalpindi. I have arranged for him to recover here where he will be safe. It is embarrassing the way my countrymen treat our greatest allies at times."
"Not everyone is so rude. Your behavior alone, General, helps a great deal."
"Why, thank you." Durrani stopped outside the closed door and said, "Give me a moment alone with him and then I'll call for you."
"Of course."
Durrani slid into the room and closed the door. He approached the bed, still not used to the ugly sight before him. "Are you awake?"
Rickman was lying with three pillows beneath his back. He let his head fall to his left and said, "Yes."
"Good . . . I see you can almost open one of your eyes."
"The nurse has been making me ice it every hour. It's torture."
"But that's good . . . isn't it?"
Rickman ignored the question and said, "You're going to kill her, aren't you?"
"Why must you always assume the worst in me?"
"Because you have a history of killing