Chapter 7

Lieutenant Hazem could not ask all questions he had for Mahmoud in his first session with him after getting out of his coma. He had to see him more than once, he knew that he had visited that man Ammar Mahgoub at his company, so asked him:

- What did you achieve from that visit to Mr. Ammar Mahgoub?!

Mahmoud difficultly answered him:

- Shady made them believe he was the owner of the company and explained its operations to them and showed them the warehouses as if he really was the owner of the company. At the same time, he made the whole company believe they were an industrial security inspection committee and succeeded in entering the company and executed his plan, which worked, along with forging the company's ownership documents, the warehouses, etc., surely you know all the information I'm telling you, sir?!

- Ah... Of course, like I told you, we're continuing the investigations with everyone involved in the case in general.

- May God be with you and may you reach the thief who caused all this destruction.

- God willing, I remember Madam Huda told you that this Shady Attawiya is a different person than the thief who swindled the bank. The thief used Shady's ID card, he just replaced Shady's photo on the card, and the photo wasn't very clear too. Of course, you know very well that photocopying ID cards isn't the best thing in our country, right?!

- Huda actually told me that, and I was shocked to the point of insanity. That guy had a really good plan for everything.

- Do you think he had partners who helped him?

- Of course, definitely... He has a whole team like we see in foreign movies.

- Foreign movies?!! Yes... That's right, but I mean someone from inside the bank, Mr. Mahmoud?!

Mahmoud tried to show his composure and steadfastness once again. He knew that everyone in the bank was accused in the eyes of the investigators, especially those who participated in approving the loan. He said without getting emotional or arousing suspicion:

- May be, Mr. Hazem. As a bank employee, my testimony about them won't be accurate, but I don't hope any of them will be accused. We will all submit to the results of the investigations and the detectives' inquiries, and God will surely reveal the truth soon.

- The truth is that the case is not easy at all, but our investigations are working in all directions, and God willing, we will reach something important soon. Pray for us.

- May God be with you, Lieutenant Colonel.

- One last question, if you'll allow me, before I go.

- Go ahead.

- Do you suspect that any of the accountants associated with this loan were negligent in their work in any way, or were lax in uncovering any fraud against the bank in any way?

Mahmoud thought for awhile then said quietly:

- Actually, no, not at all. The documents were professionally forged. Even on the day of the inspection, the thief managed it with a strange skill that would surpass any accountant. In addition, the loan applications and deposits we have at the bank are very numerous and have become very smooth. There was nothing strange that would raise any suspicion that a fraud operation would take place.

- Fine... Thank you very much for your help. Of course, I will try not to be boring and silly and not pay you many visits like this.

- No, never... at your... command, sir. - God willing, I will see you again... soon and I hope you will be better and better.

- God willing.

Mahmoud was certain that Lieutenant Hazem would reach something soon, as Hazem was clearly determined and resolved to reach the perpetrator or perpetrators; He wasn't a person to give up easily or quickly. Every case needed time. He had time now, but in a short while that time wouldn't be available, and the case might be completely closed if the investigations of his officers and informants didn't turn up something new soon... very soon.

Mahmoud felt alone when Hazem left him at night after he finished what he came for and he had time to restore all that happened to him and led him to where he was. Huda, his wife, was at home with his children having exams these days. Now he had time to think about Aaliyah, Amira, Hossam and Hamdy.

He had to think how the story started before he reaches its end.