Page 42 of Knight Watch

She turned in his direction and saw he had flipped the page and kept reading. She looked at the paper, not wanting to know anymore but turned the page and saw her father’s handwriting take up where her mom’s left off. It gave a detailed account of Raymond’s involvement, including photos of him going into a house and shaking the hand of a man wearing traditional Afghan clothing, his long beard hiding most of his face.

“Fucking hell, is that Abdul el-Hafeez?” James’s head picked up.

“Yes, it fucking is. Abdul el-Hafeez, AKA the Bomb Maker. He’s suspected of being the man behind the bombs that blew up the US embassy in France, Jerusalem, and Dublin. He was also a trusted advisor to Basheer el-Zemmani who took over when Bin Laden was dispatched.” Shane’s information wasn’t reassuring.

“There’s a date on the original photo.” Cleo pointed at the picture, looking at Sydney.

“What was it?” she asked knowing the answer would hurt.

“May nineteenth, the same year your father was murdered.” Her meaning was clear.

That photograph probably got her father killed. Sydney saw sympathy in the other woman’s pretty eyes, and instead of making her feel weak it gave her strength. For the first time in longer than she could remember, she had good people to lean on.

“Is this enough evidence?” Sydney focused on Emme.

“Maybe, but if we can get more it will be better.”

“Let’s get more then. I want that bastard to pay for what he’s done to me, and God knows how many others.” She saw smiles break out around the table and then a hooya from Nick, which had her giggling when she should be weeping.

Malco slapped his hand on the table, laughing as he stood. “Cut that Navy shit out, frogman. Everyone knows the Army is far superior.”

“In your dreams, boy.” Nick laughed and stood up too.

“You ain’t ever in my dreams, froggy.”

Nick shot Malco the finger in response.

“Quiet, children.” Emme grinned like a teacher appeasing a bunch of brats. “We need to find more evidence so here’s what I need….”

Sydney tuned their voices out as she let the buzz and camaraderie of the room wrap around her. For the first time since her parents were taken from her, she felt like she had an anchor again. She glanced at Kingsley and found him watching her worry clear on his face.

“You okay?” His voice was soft so nobody else could hear.

She thought for a second and nodded. “Yes, I am. I really am.”

She gave him a look filled with all the love she felt for this Brit who was pulling her from the dark depths of loneliness and showing her that she had something to live for again.