Freedom Does Matter (Mercenaries Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

team is determined to bring the best talent we have to bear, to shout with you when you refuse to listen, to make you both understand that in many cases, you use different words to say the same thing, thinking them poles apart. In particular, I am our choice because I cannot bear the thought of failure and the effect it would have on your two tribes in the future.
    “It is time to end killing as a way of resolving disputes. Eventually, your government will also come to that conclusion and not only will the victims be gone to you, so too will the offenders, tribal law or not.
    “You both know this.” Beckie sat, finally, and observed the looks of shock around the table. But they aren’t angry, she realized, just surprised. “This cannot come as a revelation, so your reaction must result from my speaking it.”
    Hassan was sitting back on his chair, the perfect observer. Beckie smiled slightly to hide her annoyance and said, “Amun effendi, have you any suggestions to ameliorate our situation?”
    He jumped a little, ending sitting up straight, tense, with his hands clenched in his lap. “We spoke of this… difficulty earlier. Neither I nor, I think, any others, know how to instantly change such an ingrained perception.” He tipped his head back to examine the delicate ceiling. “No matter the validity of the perception.” He brought his gaze down to meet Beckie’s eyes. “A problem shared with many in your own country, I believe.”
    “It is, effendi, though that does not justify it any more than saying ‘That’s the way it is.’ And these negotiations should not, will not, attempt such a momentous change. We have more than enough on our plates in agreeing on boundaries and reparations.” Al Hosni’s vigorous nodding caught Beckie’s eye; she smiled at him. “We are agreed on at least one thing. Thank you, Sheikh.” She stood. “Perhaps we should reconvene tomorrow morning. In the meantime, Willie, you and Hassan will please seek out Sheikh al-Kassis and discuss his issues, including the financial and personal ramifications of failure here.”
    Al Hosni stood and touched Willie’s arm. “If it is not too much of an imposition, I would… follow for that conversation.”
    “Thank you, Sheikh,” said Beckie as Willie did the same.
     
    In the hotel, Beckie went to her room and closed the door. Kevin and Dan had returned with her; Beckie assumed they were giving Sue the rundown, explaining why they had returned early. She wasn’t worried about that. Planning to stay in their suite, she hung the suit in the closet and slipped into shorts and a polo shirt. With a bottle of water, she sat by the window and stared into the hot dusty afternoon.
    For a while, she wiped incipient tears, but it became too much of a bother, not worth the effort.
    Not only did Ian’s condition, still unknown, affect her, now she had al-Kassis to deal with. If I can’t do this—this simple thing—for Ian and the team, what good am I? How can I—
    A knock interrupted that thought, but she sat unmoving.
    The third rap was too loud to ignore. Angry with herself, she stomped across the room and flung open the door.
    Sue stood just far enough from the opening that Beckie couldn’t reach her. The woman was smiling, though Beckie couldn’t guess the reason for her amusement. Her pique faded and she stepped back. “Well, com’on in. That is why you knocked?”
    Sue closed the door behind her on her way to the chair Beckie wasn’t using. She pulled it over to face Beckie, again seated by the window. “You want to talk about it?”
    “No… Wait. Talk about what?”
    “Kevin said one of the Egyptians walked out on you.”
    “Oh. Yeah.” She sighed. “Just like Hassan. Except I could twist Hassan’s arm. I don’t know if I can do that with al-Kassis. I don’t know if he’ll give me the chance.” She got out of the chair and went to the minibar. “Want something?”
    Sue shook her head. “Not yet. The sun’s barely