Page 178 of Secrets Beneath the Waves

I stand up again, this time to pace the parquet floor, while organizing my thoughts. It’s in moments like these I find myself missing William the most. He was always willing to jump in and scrutinize a problem from every possible angle. To head down every rabbit trail with me while searching for a solution. Graham is a capable operative, but he seems to be more pragmatic, matter-of-fact. I need someone to help me shuffle all the puzzle pieces and find a solution.

I take a deep breath and shove aside my doubts as well as my thoughts of William. This isn’t the time or the place to let my emotions wander, and besides, I have to admit that maybe a more practical look at the situation isn’t a bad idea.

“Let’s assume you’re right about her,” he says, surprising me by going along with my theory at least for the moment. “How would she have gotten the information she has?”

“I don’t know, but that’s one thing that’s concerning. If she’s an imposter, she would more than likely have gotten the information directly from either Oumar or Mariam.”

I hear movement in the entryway. The front door opens and closes and a moment later Lizzie walks into the room, carrying two pizza boxes.

She sets the food on the coffee table along with a pile of napkins. “I thought the two of you could use something to eat so I had something delivered.”

“Thank you,” I say.

The smell is amazing, and I realize I haven’t eaten since breakfast.

I glance down the hallway. “Has she gone to bed?”

Lizzie nods. “She told me she didn’t want to eat. Just wants to sleep.”

“Did you discover anything while I was interviewing her?” I ask.

“A couple things,” Lizzie takes one of the empty chairs, and I sit back down across from her. “For starters, I looked into Mariam’s family’s company, the Baako Group. It was originally launched as a small import-export business with supply chains between Europe and Africa. Primarily textiles and various artisanal goods. It quickly evolved into a larger established company but has always kept its roots and connection to North Africa.

“From what I’ve researched about the company, they would struggle to come up with that kind of cash quickly, but it’s possible,” Lizzie says. “I’ve tried calling her father, but either his phone is off or he’s just not answering.”

“She told me he left the country to meet with someone who might be able to help with the ransom demands.”

“That might explain why I haven’t reached him yet.” Lizzie shakes her head. “I don’t know. I’ve been looking into Mariam’s family business. Oumar isn’t the only one who deals with questionable people.”

“Meaning?” Graham asks.

“The Baako Group has been accused in the past of being a logistical middleman for cargo containers with contraband arms bound for conflict zones.”

“So you’re telling me this isn’t an aboveboard family business?”

“I don’t have any actual proof, but I’ll keep digging.”

“Any evidence she’s not who she says she is?” Graham asks.

“No.” Lizzie’s brow rises. “Why?”

“That’s the direction Samantha is leaning,” Graham says, before I can answer.

“Why would someone impersonate Mariam?” Lizzie asks.

“I don’t know, but there were discrepancies in her interview,” I add, still convinced I’m right. “Things that just don’t add up.”

I grab a piece of pizza, pull off a mushroom, and pop it into my mouth. Maybe I’m being overly sensitive, but something is off.

“What about a background check, or even the contacts in her phone?” I ask. “There has to be someone who can prove she either is or isn’t who she says she is.”

Lizzie pulls her feet up beneath her. “Up to this point, I’ve had no reason to question her identity. There aren’t a lot of contacts listed, but there are the expected conversations between her and Oumar, ones with her father, and plenty of selfies. But I can do a deeper dive. Go through the network logs and make sure the phone hasn’t been cloned, or mirrored, or faked somehow.”

“I need you to prove this woman is who she says she is,” I say, feeling frustrated. How hard can that be?

“We will. Soon,” she says. “I promise.”

I take another bite of pizza. I know Lizzie’s trying to reassure me, but if Oumar’s life really is in danger, we’re running out of time.