Saudi Noir
'Take your time,' Firas told the small imam, stifling a yawn. Some days he regretted being promoted from the murder squad to this more important work of detecting women drivers.
The imam stared at the line-up of seven women, veiled in identical black burqas.
'These are the wives of Ibn Hakim,' said Firas patiently. 'Which one was driving his car?
The Imam hesitated, then said eagerly: 'Let me speak to all of them, to give enlightenment that driving is for a woman haram, for it is written...'
A shot rang out from somewhere behind Firas. One of the wives was hurled back by a bullet's impact, and the others screamed.
Firas raced forward to the figure now motionless on the ground. He gestured to one of the other wives to lift the veil, then gasped in astonishment. This was no wife, but Ibn Hakim himself. Life had become more interesting.
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