Read Online Allegiance by Trevor Corbett - Free Book Online

anchorage in the Indian Ocean. Imraan Khalid looked through the big windows of the consul-general’s office at the yacht basin and the sea. It reminded him of Miami. Durban was a playground: cosmopolitan, gritty, sizzling hot. He’d only been in the city for a few hours and he liked it already. Sure better than his last posting. His thoughts were disturbed as a tall and elegant woman he guessed to be about 50 entered. The consul-general, he had heard, ran a tight ship and her appearance reinforced this perception. Her eyes held his gaze and the tight-lipped smile gave away some of the reservations she might have about the new member of her staff. She’d obviously read his personal file. The confidential annexure that followed him from post to post. He knew it was there, a scar that wouldn’t fade. The case was dismissed years previously, yet he still struggled to shake the label: ‘womaniser’.
    ‘Maia Berkeley,’ she said and shook his hand firmly. ‘Welcome to the Durban mission.’
    ‘Thank you, ma’am. I am honoured to be here. Great posting.’
    ‘Jerry Wilson, our previous RSO , had a blast here.’ The RSO , or Regional Security Officer, was the diplomatic officer charged with the responsibility of securing the consulate and US interests in the area. Essentially, this meant that Khalid worked for the US State Department internationally, forming a vital component of the Homeland Security network.
    She surveyed his CV .
    ‘Impressive, Imraan. You’ve served in Afghanistan.’
    Khalid stood erect, almost as if at attention. ‘I volunteered, ma’am.’
    Berkeley smiled. ‘Well the next four years in Durban should be a breeze for you after Kabul.’
    ‘I’m happy just not havin’ to wear body armour every time I go outside. Gets mighty hot out on the frontier.’
    ‘It gets pretty hot here in summer too.’ The CG gave Khalid a sideways glance. ‘You’re not married?’
    ‘No, ma’am. Tried it once. Worst year of my life. Married to the State Department now.’
    ‘I’m sorry to hear that. I think a work–life balance is important. Well, we have a few dozen people here who’ll be looking up to you and expecting you to keep us secure. I guess you’ll be running random office checks and personnel searches?’
    ‘Of course.’
    The CG frowned and smiled. ‘And no fear or favour, so you’ll check me as well?’
    ‘It’s a given.’
    ‘Good. I’m so sorry to ask, but your faith is Muslim, isn’t it?’ His file said so, but she didn’t know how else to ask. In a city of hundreds of thousands of local Muslims, having a contact network was crucial.
    ‘It is indeed.’
    ‘Sorry if it seems forward, but maybe chat to Cheyenne Ford. She’s the Political Officer. I’m sure she could use some help in the Islamic field, if you don’t mind, of course. Durban has a huge Muslim community and we need some contacts.’
    Khalid grinned widely. Contacts? The new posting was getting better by the moment. He could tap into the local female fraternity, and it would be official too. ‘The Political Officers always want to be my best buddy. Sure I’ll help out.’
    ‘Come on, Cedric, it’s a favour. Put your game face on. Stephanie won’t go with me and I don’t want to go by myself.’
    The three months back at the office had been both difficult and good. Meeting agents again after being away had been difficult, especially the evening meetings, which had rekindled feelings of fear and insecurity. Masondo had been supportive and Durant’s workload was ratcheted down considerably. Shabalala had become more than a colleague, he’d become a friend. His obsessive behaviour had become a comic distraction to Durant. In the beginning, Durant was careful not to be politically incorrect or insulting. He would quietly tolerate the germophobia and try to accommodate his colleague’s obsession with cleanliness. After a few weeks, Durant realised he could tease Shabalala and he wasn’t easily offended. His