Chapter 6

In one of the luxurious cafes in Cairo, Hossam was upset and worried about the case that was still being investigated, and how it would end while there were three million dollars up in the air that no one knew about until now. Did the money leave Egypt? Did this professional thief leave the country? Who is he and how did he brilliantly plan this unique robbery that the Public Funds Investigations Department is still investigating? It seemed clear to him that Lieutenant Hazem suspected him, and even suspected everyone who had dealt from the bank regarding this loan. Perhaps he didn't suspect him in particular, but he suspected his two other colleagues who joined him on the committee that inspected the company and its warehouses. He also didn't rule out Mahmoud Hefzy and Amin Gomaa's involvement in this case. As for Hazem, he was wondering how this thief had chosen the bank? Why this bank in particular? He must have known someone there, at least one of those who had signed off on this loan.

Aaliyah was also extremely angry and upset about this case, which had been the focus of everyone at the bank for the past ten days. It had prevented her from meeting Hossam and had also postponed their wedding date. However, after the investigations had calmed down somewhat, she was able to meet Hossam at the same café where they had met for about a month. She was extremely happy about this meeting, as she was tired of these investigations that had led to no result so far. She said to Hossam with great eagerness:

- I finally got to meet you, Hossam.

- What can I do, Aaliyah?! You can see for yourself what we're going through. There are investigations in the bank and in the Public Funds Investigations Department every other day. This matter won't be resolved that easily. It's three million dollars.

- You're right, but do they suspect someone specific?

- They definitely suspect all of us at the bank, especially those who signed the loan papers, of which I am unfortunately one.

- And... Do you have something to do with this?!

Hossam looked at Aaliyah after she directed her question at him with a look of confusion, suspicion and blame, saying to her: - Do you suspect me, Aaliyah?

Aaliyah felt her mistake in asking the question in such a direct and frank way, so she recovered, saying:

- Of course not, my love. The truth is, I reassure myself through my talk with you, and I'm afraid that Mr. Hazem is accusing you of something.

- Mr. Hazem didn't make any direct accusations against me or anyone on the inspection committee. He was surprised how we didn't notice that Shady wasn't the owner of the company. How come we didn't research the company to know that its owner's name was Ammar Mahgoub and not Shady Attawia?!

- And what did you tell him?!

- I told him that all the papers and documents he submitted were valid, even the commercial and tax register statements were correct, and when I tried to search for them online, they didn't have a website and that's not a reason to reject any loan because many companies don't have websites.

- This thief is a genius by the way, he didn't leave anything to chance, he planned too cleverly.

- What's shocking to me is that Shady Attawia isn't even his real name. Shady has been dead since almost five years.

- So we can say he ran away with the money?!

- It seems to me there's no loophole that the investigations could use to identify him or a single thread that could lead to him.

- Oh, how lucky he is, three million dollars at once!!

- Illegal money, don't bother with it, stolen money, Aaliyah.

- Don't bother with it?! He racked his brains until he got a headache to come up with this plan.

- Honestly, he has a powerful mind and is adventurous, but he's also a thief.

Aaliyah suddenly smiled and enthusiasm jumped out of her eyes then said:

- Leave him alone and tell me what are we going to do with our marriage?

- Do you think now is the time?! I mean, aren't you afraid that I might go to prison or be fired because of that damned thief who would destroy our home?!