CHAPTER ONE

      XA SHIRAQ was notable for many things.

      The impression that most people took away with them was of a penetrating gaze that seemed to strip souls bare.

      His eyes were stygian black and deeply socketed. It was said they could see through any duplicity. They could burn with the heat of the desert or be as cold and cutting as the wind from the topmost peaks of the Atlas Mountains in the freezing heart of winter. They revealed nothing, yet they knew everything.

      He had not inherited the Sheikhdom of Xabia. He had won the right to rule through the sheer force of his will and character. He retained and increased his power by not letting anything escape his notice. His vigilance over matters that others might regard as of little consequence, was legendary. Its effect was that Xa Shiraq was never surprised. He had no intention of ever being surprised.

      ‘Tell me about the geologist’s daughter,’ he commanded of Kozim, his closest aide.

      ‘No...o...o, ah...problem,’ came the habitual singsong reply.

      A slicing flash of black eyes was enough for Kozim to clear his throat and bring forth a flurry of detail.

      ‘She is still at the hotel in Fisa, working front of house. She is in charge of reservations. There is a complaint lodged against her. She will not last.’

      Xa Shiraq’s long, supple fingers tapped a thoughtful rhythm on the armrest of his chair. ‘Why did she take the position? Why has she stayed? With her qualifications she could have done better. It makes no sense unless my suspicion has substance. Each step... one step closer.’

      ‘She has applied for a transfer to Bejos,’ Kozim added as a possible point of interest.

      ‘Ah!’ It was the sound of satisfaction. ‘So the purpose reveals itself beyond all reasonable doubt. She is a woman of remarkable determination.’ He looked sharply at Kozim. ‘If application is made for entry to Xabia, it is to be refused.’

      ‘I will see to it immediately,’ Kozim said with fervour, hiding his surprise at such a leap in anticipation.

      ‘Never believe in coincidence, Kozim. Has the transfer to Bejos been granted?’

      ‘No, Your Excellency. It was blocked by the assistant manager at Fisa.’

      ‘For what reason?’

      ‘He claims unsuitability on the grounds that she is a striking blonde and may draw troublesome attention at the Bejos hotel.’ Kozim shrugged. ‘That is what he says officially.’

      ‘And unofficially?’ the sheikh prompted.

      ‘It is inferred that there are more personal reasons.’

      The sheikh sat back, hooding his eyes. ‘Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t the Fisa hotel one of the poorest performers in the Oasis chain?’

      ‘You are not wrong, Your Excellency,’ Kozim quickly assured him. ‘It has one of the lowest occupancy rates.’

      ‘There have been a number of complaints about the hotel,’ the sheikh said broodingly.

      Kozim didn’t know of any. His ignorance did not disturb him. It was not unusual for him not to know what the sheikh knew. Xa Shiraq had many sources of information.

      The fingers tapped again. ‘I will act. I can kill two birds with one arrow.’

      Kozim had no idea what the sheikh meant, but he was glad he was not going to be on the receiving end of the arrow that would undoubtedly reach its targets with deadly accuracy. He was glad he had no connection whatsoever to the running of the Oasis Hotel at Fisa. He was glad he was not the geologist’s daughter.