Allure of Deceit (20 page)

The conversation with Mohan meant that Parsaa returned to Laashekoh much later than he had intended. He slipped underneath the layers of blankets and, once still, could hear his heart pound. His mind played games at night, mixing past and present fears. He couldn't stop thinking about the compound and how Blacker presided over his staff and the group of boys as if he were a king, training them to regard his dangers as threats for them. He remembered his own foolish, youthful pride as Zahira's dark eyes constantly followed him.

Such foolishness locked him into a secret, lifelong obligation. Yet the land around Laashekoh meant everything to him. No one knew who controlled the land, not even his wife. Blacker had claimed the transaction was registered in government offices, but the man was wily. The papers could have been forged, a ruse to convince Parsaa to do his bidding.

Parsaa came to the same conclusion as always. He was afraid to travel to the provincial capital to verify the deed. He didn't want to know. His life depended on everything staying the same—and that meant not asking questions or revealing his own secrets. And the old and never-changing decision pushed him into a fitful sleep.

CHAPTER 12

The leaves were long off the trees, but the day was unseasonably warm. Lydia wished she could take a walk in the nearby meadows protected by the city. Instead, she waited for two consultants. Henry didn't want her dwelling on Michael's death, though he did recommend trying a new strategy to collect information.

Thus, the meeting with the consultants. Lydia waited alone, rocking slowly on her porch, with a cup of tea and a good mystery.

The consultants had called to let her know that they were en route from the Lansing Airport. Less than fifteen minutes later, a rented Passat pulled in to her driveway. The loose-weave linen curtains moved with the breeze, blocked their view of the porch interior. The two did not hurry from the car. Instead, the young man looked down, probably studying a set of directions. The young woman behind the wheel was on the phone, gesturing toward the house.

Lydia smiled. The two should have been warned that the woman who controlled a multibillion foundation lived frugally, keeping a low profile in mid-Michigan, far from the New York offices of GlobalConnect. She couldn't blame them yet hoped they could provide state-of-the-art research and handle unexpected results.

After a few minutes, the couple stepped out of the car, both dressed in neat, casual business attire well suited for the Lansing area, no expensive jewelry or shoes. As they walked up the driveway, Lydia opened the porch door and welcomed them.

The young pair, Cara Rodriguez and Lawrence Walker, surprised her by accepting her offer of tea. Lydia set the water on the stove, found a tin of tea in the pantry, and arranged cream, sugar, and cups on a platter—while stealing glances from the window overlooking the porch. The pair set up two laptops and arranged papers on the table for Lydia to examine.

She quickly delivered the hot water and tea to the table along with oatmeal cookies. For herself, she poured boiled water with no tea. The consultants looked surprised. “A habit learned from a dear friend in China,” Lydia explained. “Her family could not afford tea during the Cultural Revolution. The habit stuck, and she insists it helps digestion and circulation.”

The two nodded and began their presentation. Based in Los Angeles, the former journalists had started their consulting firm, the Rodriguez-Walker Group, and quickly became known for matching charities with celebrities in need of redemption. Because of their meticulous research, the matchmaking worked well, and clients reported record donations. Nonprofits clamored to work with the firm, but the consultants were selective, searching for worthy causes and serious voices to ensure their own reputation for success.

The firm eventually turned its efforts toward transforming recipients of charity into celebrities to draw attention to hard-to-solve problems. Once again, nonprofits, corporations, and government agencies eagerly sought these services.

Rodriguez and Walker were skilled at evaluating foundations, improving performance, and crafting publicity that went viral overnight on social media. Lydia had already decided to hire the consulting firm. The problem was convincing them to work for GlobalConnect. The pair thrived on discovering obscure individuals and building global stories, and rumors abounded about the firm rejecting work from philanthropy's most prominent players. Lydia could not appear too eager.

Cara was up-front with her reservations. “Mrs. Sendry, the foundation's figures on administrative costs are already quite strong. We don't have to tell you that GlobalConnect is already a leader in the field.”

“But shouldn't we all strive to do better?” Lydia relied on her friendliest business tone.

“Of course,” Cara agreed. “Our firm specializes in developing narratives for fundraising. We have a proven track record in that area. But . . .” She took a deep breath. “Because your foundation does not actively raise funds . . .”

Lydia interrupted gently. “My son's foundation.”

Lawrence took over. “Yes. Please realize that the use of narratives for purposes other than fundraising would be new territory. We'll be frank. We wouldn't mind applying this approach to new areas.”

“GlobalConnect would be a guinea pig in this new area you propose,” Cara added. “Our goal is to promote best practices for philanthropy. Many projects are started, but as a result of our research, some are left unfinished.”

Pleased by the candor, Lydia tried not to smile. She followed closely as they reviewed the contents of a binder packed with graphs, photograph, and data—prepared specifically for the foundation. She also kept an eye on the window overlooking her front garden, annoyed by a group of small wrens chasing off a cardinal at the birdfeeder just outside. The cardinal flew off to a nearby maple, waiting for the feeder to clear.

One possible way to increase motivation among employees and clients would be to highlight strong narratives with personal appeal, Lawrence explained. “Improved employee morale can increase trust and reduce administrative costs. We would conduct thorough research to identify specific employees and aid recipients with the approval of GlobalConnect's board. We would use these stories to publicize the good work and connections.”

Lydia offered more tea. Both nudged their cups forward for her to pour. Cara asked to try hot water.

“We specialize in international investigations,” she continued. “For us, a story that relays international challenges and connections, through equal partnerships, is everything. We find the stories, fact-check them, shape them, and train the people to do the telling. You'd be surprised how many people don't realize the opportunity of turning every day into a story. They don't realize their level of control. We could develop training to motivate employees and select role models.”

Both consultants nodded as they spoke—Cara's a gentle bobbing while Lawrence's was barely perceptible, a slight tilt of his chin. The two were so earnest, smart, and young, qualities that triggered reminders of her son.

“Have you ever not found a story?” Lydia queried.

“There are always stories,” Cara promised. “What's difficult is finding appropriate themes, extracting two or more stories, and getting them to blend. And of course, ensuring there are no conflicts of interest. Solid research is essential and prevents embarrassment for everyone involved.”

“But surely some stories must be flawed?” Lydia pretended to struggle to think of an example. “How often are there inaccuracies, exaggerations? Even criminal activity?”

Lawrence was confident. “It happens quite often. We vet the backgrounds and all aspects of the subjects and organization very, very carefully.”

Lydia then asked if she could see an example of data for a profile subject. The partners hesitated. “No names, but I'd like to see how details are organized and how much you can collect on someone based in a developing nation,” Lydia added. “A country without a lot of computers and record keeping. Say, a place as remote as Afghanistan?”

Lawrence asked if GlobalConnect supplied employees with phones and laptops, and Lydia nodded. “That gives us great leeway,” Cara murmured.

Lawrence reached for his laptop. “Give me a moment,” he said. “I can strip names from a data set.” He typed for a few moments in silence and then handed the computer over. Lydia tapped her way through the detailed worksheet on one beneficiary that described activities, categories of annual expenditures including alcohol and food, television and computer habits, and more. Another worksheet listed travel history, credit-card expenses, telephone and Internet records, and transcripts for a worker based in Africa. “Impressive,” Lydia murmured. Noting her appreciation for confidentiality, she asked how they obtained so much information.

Taking a deep breath, Lawrence resumed control of the laptop. The consultants relied on the newest data-collection software and analytic tools. “All legal surveillance,” he said. “We can provide layers of privacy protection as your organization needs, though it saves time if we can review personnel and case files, even e-mails, for story ideas. We do that because organizations often don't recognize a great story developing before their very eyes. We collect a wide range of possibilities, make choices on which stories to pursue, and then conduct background checks. That process weeds many out.”

“Many,” Cara reiterated.

“And unlike the employee-background-check industry, we destroy data when we are done. From our point of view, it's unconscionable for businesses, nonprofits, and universities to collect data on employee applicants, not just the employees themselves, and keep that indefinitely.”

Lydia was surprised, and he assured her it happened more often than most realized. “We could present the complete data set for you, so your team can review, or just summaries and our recommendations for finalists.”

The service was ideal for her purposes. All that was left for her to do was point them in a direction and convince them to provide a complete data set on Paul Reichart. She wanted them to move quickly.

“Of course,” Lawrence said. “We must stress again, using the data for anything other than highlighting narratives for publicity purposes is untested. We cannot guarantee to reduce costs at the foundation.”

“With this uncertainty, can you bill me and not the foundation?”

He glanced at Cara. “That can be arranged.” Lydia had no more questions, and Lawrence thanked her. “You have been more specific than most of our clients. That's helpful.”

Lydia's nod was deliberative.

“Our top researchers are ready to work on this project.” Lawrence pointed to the laptop.

Lydia smiled and commented that the male cardinal had returned to the feeder, delicately poking its head about, probably separating and selecting sunflower seeds.

There was no reason for delay. Lydia advised them Henry was waiting to review the contract, and they could start working right away.

CHAPTER 13

Saddiq was obsessed with finding scraps of time with Thara, but he was cautious. They could not get caught—he worried more about her punishment than his. So he quietly set about observing the routines of his parents and other adults, and advised Thara on when to gather grasses along uneven hillsides with clusters of trees that would shield them as they watched for passersby.

Alone with his work, Saddiq focused on speed and refused breaks, following the example of his mother, who hurried her own tasks to make extra time for reading.

Early on, Sofi had scolded Saddiq for missing lessons, but he pretended to have no interest. His mother was sharp and would have wondered why her son attended some sessions and not others. Just as suddenly, she gave up pleading and seemed content that he was willing to work long hours in the fields.

Yes, his mother seemed distracted by reading and organizing books, as well as working in the kitchen and caring for Komal and the younger brothers. Still, Saddiq sensed that he was being watched, that his parents kept tabs on his work, and so he was quiet, working steadily alongside men in the fields and, later, cutting and gathering wood into stockpiles for later retrieval.

With his parents, he was respectful. At night, he listened intently as his father read aloud.

Saddiq dared to meet Thara only when his father traveled away from the village. Often, he could not be sure how long his father would be away. Saddiq made a point of offering to accompany the man and was secretly pleased when his father declined.

On the day his father left for the market, Saddiq did not immediately rush off alone and instead helped his mother in a far field, digging for the last of the beets, potatoes, and turnips. When she was near, he took his time—lugging bundles to a cool cave, meticulously following her directions to arrange the root crops on a cloth, keep the vegetables to a single layer without letting them touch one another. At the cave's entrance, she lingered to watch.