Her editor instructed her to write only about the funeral ceremonies, but curiosity pulled her elsewhere.
Across the city, intelligence agencies worked around the clock.
General Rahimi, commander of one of the country’s elite security organizations, spent his nights inside a reinforced operations room illuminated by enormous digital maps. Reports arrived every few minutes from provincial governors, military commanders, diplomatic missions, and intelligence officers stationed abroad.
Most reports concerned security.
Some concerned foreign governments.
Only a handful addressed the question everyone truly wanted answered.
Each carried the same conclusion.
“No visual confirmation.”
The General rubbed his eyes.
He had spoken directly with the new supreme leader only through handwritten directives delivered by trusted couriers.
