‘What time did my father leave? I asked.
‘Wait, now I remember. The son of Sheikh Bin Salem. He was here, too. He arrived just after nine. He was looking for his father. I told him that Sheikh Bin Salem wasn’t here. He asked me for coffee. I made it and took it to his father’s office. He left about ten minutes later.
‘Did he go to my father’s office?
‘I didn’t see him go in. No, he didn’t. I saw your father later. He didn’t know about Omar’s visit. He was surprised. We don’t usually see Omar. His father wanted him to work here ,but Omar has his own business. His father was angry, but Omar has never listened to his father or anyone. Omar likes to do things his way.
I thanked Abu Malek for his help and left the building. As soon as I got into my car, I phoned Samira and told her everything.
‘It can’t be Mr Nasser or Mr Moussa or any of the other employees, she said. ’Your father said that he found the parcel just before he left. So there are only four suspects on our list Sheikh Bin Salem, his son, Abu Malek, or the cleaners. I was shocked. ‘Samira,’ I said, ‘I think that you are wrong about Sheikh Bin Salem. The thief’s not him or his son. And Abu Malek’s a very honest man. Perhaps the cleaners did it or someone that Abu Malek didn’t see.
‘Perhaps you’re right, but let’s begin with our four suspects. I must go now. We have visitors. Let’s think about what we’re going to do next. I’ll call you tomorrow, she said.