Now that was gold. Mackenzie tried to contain her excitement.
“Have they been providing supplies to the women’s shelter? Are there plans to open more locations, or at least leverage the royal family to make sure—”
“I’m not sure. I’ve only sat in on a few initial meetings, but that’s the overall direction. I’m not entirely convinced that the organization can overcome the legal barriers to fortify the existing shelter, since it’s not technically in any of our countries.”
“But there is some knowledge of it.”
“I believe so. At the time, I didn’t realize that this was such a delicate issue.” Mackenzie hadn’t given her any sensitive government details, and yet Sahr instinctively understood.
“All right.” Mackenzie remembered the real purpose of this meeting at the last moment and pulled her phone out of her purse. She did genuinely want to report back to Issam. “All right, that’s progress.”
“It’s a lot of progress, but…” Sahr trailed off as Mackenzie snapped photos of the arrangement from every angle.
“But?”
“I shouldn’t,” Sahr said. “Bother you, that is. Wedding planning can be all-consuming, and—”
“Tell me.” Mackenzie dropped back down into the seat across from Sahr.
“I do know one struggle that the NGO is having.”
“What is it?”
“The language barrier.” Sahr frowned. “Most of the workers on the ground for the NGO only speak English, and with the added legal component…well, there are many legal components, but in the case of your shelter, it’ll be significantly more complicated. It’s been a struggle for them to navigate.”
Mackenzie wanted to stand up and cheer. “Then I’m your girl.”
Sahr raised her eyebrows. “You are?”
“I’m told my accent isn’t half bad,” she said in the local dialect, and Sahr laughed out loud.
“No, it’s not,” she replied in the same language. “Where did Sheikh Issam find you? An American interested in our political landscape and who speaks our language?”
“He found me on the sidewalk in front of the city’s biggest mosque,” said Mackenzie. “It was a meeting for the ages.”
“I can only imagine.” Sahr’s eyes sparkled. “I’m so glad to have spoken with you about this. I’ll get in touch with my contacts from the NGO and see if there’s additional news.” Her expression became serious. “It’s a light conversation we’re having here, but to the women and children who rely on these shelters, it’s a matter of life and death.”
“Yes,” Mackenzie said, her voice verging on a shout. “This is my point exactly. I’ve been working on this project for too long without enough forward progress. Some of the leaders in many governments don’t seem to understand the gravity of what we’re dealing with.”
“I understand,” answered Sahr. “And many of my colleagues and friends are aware of the situation, too. I’m sure you’ve already met with some of them. Or, if you haven’t, you will soon.”
Mackenzie thought about to all the other meetings she had attended. Sahr was right—many of the top-rated wedding vendors in Al-Dashalid were owned and run by women, and those women had no trouble speaking to members of the royal family like Daya and Adira.
It was a foot in the door, and Mackenzie hadn’t recognized it.
Now she had, and she wasn’t going to let the opportunity pass her by.
She stood up from her seat, gathering her purse. “You’re right about that. I have other meetings scheduled for today.” Sahr stood up too, and the two women clasped hands. “I’ll be in touch. And, Sahr?”
“Yes?”
“I’m going to keep doing everything I can. We’re going to get this done.”
14
The football field didn’t have a foolproof security system.
Issam had noticed it at Inan’s earlier practice, though he’d put it from his mind. The open gate was still an issue, with people coming and going freely to the football sidelines. Most of them had children on the teams, but some came singly or in pairs, and it set the alarm bells in his head jangling.