Code of Honor

Kamran is sure his cover is blown when a white man of average build steps in front of the cart, blocking his path. Kamran is too far from the elevators to make a run for it. The man asks if he had his earbuds in; Kamran realizes the man thinks he is the delivery boy. The man asks for an interoffice envelope, and before Kamran can stop him, he begins to rifle around in the basket where Kamran has hidden the gun. The man sees an envelope with each address line filled in, and makes a joke about the rarity of finding something so precious. Kamran nervously laughs along, praying the man doesn't find the gun. He removes an envelope, and Kamran is relieved, until “[he] saw the barrel of the gun sticking out from among the envelopes” (125). The man takes his time addressing the envelope while Kamran anxiously wonders if he should cover up the gun with another envelope. Finally, the man lets him go, and Kamran hurries to the elevators, presses the up button, and moves inside before anyone else can stop him.