The Exodus Quest

II

Naguib, Tarek and the ghaffirs advanced cautiously across the hilltop, taking turns to scurry from cover to cover, keeping low to avoid showing their silhouettes.

'Stay back!' cried a panicky voice from the darkness. 'Don't come any closer!'

Gunfire rattled to Naguib's left, muzzle fire leaving orange blurs dancing on his retinas. 'Stop!' he cried. He turned to Tarek. 'He has information. We need him alive.'

Tarek shouted out the order. Silence fell.

'Listen,' called out Naguib. 'I am Inspector Naguib Hussein. You saw me earlier. We know what's going on. We know everything. You're surrounded. Lay down your weapon. Put your hands over your head and then stand up.'

'Go away. Leave me alone.'

There was laughter at this, the idea was so ridiculous. 'You don't have to die,' called out Naguib. 'You can surrender. A trial. A lawyer. I'll tell the court you helped us in the end. Who knows how it will turn out? But otherwise… you don't stand a chance.'

'He'll kill me.'

'Who'll kill you?'

'Captain Khaled, of course. He's mad. He made us do it. We didn't want to. It was all his idea.'

'Then help us stop him. The courts will have mercy on you. But right now put down your gun and surrender. You hear?'

'You won't shoot?'

'You have my word.'

Something clattered on the rocks. The figure of a man rose in the darkness ahead, arms above his head. Within a moment, he was swarmed and pinned to the ground, Naguib kneeling beside him, asking about the others, where to find them.