The Lioness (11 page)

Abdul was about to open the back storage room where he
was keeping the American when he heard his sister give a yell from the
courtyard.

“Abdul, where are you? I need to go to the marketplace
to get today’s food.”

“I’m glad you came to tell me. We are having company
tonight.”

“Company? Abdul, I wish you would give me more
warning! How many? You always do this…”

“Stop complaining, Fatima. I know you enjoy cooking
for a lot of people, though this isn’t like the old days when we had big family
gatherings. Three will be coming. Our cousins Daoud and Noori and the American
journalist.”

Even though she complained, she enjoyed making meals
and could make up anything at any time. She had things she could make at a
moment’s notice.

“Well it’s early and I have all day. I will make
kebabs and Masqouf. I will have both rice dishes, amber and neggaza.”

Abdul thought about the mounting violence. “Give me
twenty minutes and I will bring you to the market.”

Fatima looked at her brother. He really was a good
brother. Even though he was the youngest, he took on most of the family responsibilities.
The bookstore with the stationary shop still ran and he was always working on
some project or another. Sometimes he wouldn’t come home at night and she
worried. The last week he had been home every night. She was happy when he was
home. At least part of her family was safe. Her husband had died. He who had
been the gentlest of souls had taken on the cause to help Iraq from within,
work against the foreign extremists. He was trying to find a better way to get
the freedom their countrymen wanted and deserved. He had been labeled a bad man,
an extremist. One day he had walked out the door … that was the last time she
saw him alive. He had been visiting friends at lunch but it ended up being a
place where the US forces had been watching. He had been killed right away,
along with everyone else.

She wasn’t bitter, just sad. She loved her husband and
missed him greatly.

“I will be ready Abdul, just give me ten minutes.”

Rose sat back in the car as they wove their way
through the streets and checkpoints. They were in the Red Zone now. Iraqi army
personnel were seen everywhere. She was completely covered up, from head to
toe, even her hands. Noori didn’t want the risk of extremists seeing her and
targeting them. So she sat enveloped in black, even her hands. She sat looking
down at her hands. Her parents would laugh but they would be happy that Noori
was taking the precautions. Daoud had been the one to bring the gloves. “From
my wife,” he had said and then walked away. The meeting at the embassy had been
what she thought it would be, a dead end. She had talked with the Deputy. He
had assured her that everything was being done that could be. He said he had
heard from her Congressman, her parents, Ty’s mother’s and Ty’s congressman. He
said half of congress was working on this because of pressure from the people.
She knew the US had a standing policy, no negotiations. Deep down she had known
this was the way it would be but she still was upset.

“My advice to you, Miss O’Malley, would be to get on
the first plane out of here and let us take care of it.”

She stood, ready to burst. “I have been here a little
less then twenty-four hours and you want me to go home, without even trying?”
She had picked up her bag and gloves and she was going to walk out but turned
and looking into his eyes she said, “If you were a private citizen and a member
of your family, a loved one, was taken, what would you do, turn tail and run
for safety?” She stood there for just a few moments and he looked at her,
uncomfortable but straight in her eyes, the first time since her arrival. “Off
the record. I probably wouldn’t have the courage that you have, but I would try
to stay, stick it out.”

He cleared his throat and his voice went low. “My, I
mean the US government, asks that you rethink what you are about to do and leave
Bagdad on the next plane for Jordan.”

Rose felt the tension, the current that was running
through the air. She knew the whole conversation had been recorded. Looking him
straight in the eyes, she dared him to look away. “Is that a suggestion, an
order, or is it possibly a threat? I’d hate to think that the mighty US
Government would stoop so low. You see….”She pulled out a tiny recorder. “I
have my own recorder. I’m sending this to my congressman. It’s y insurance
policy.” She held it tight. “I won’t be leaving till I have Ty, one way or
another. Let your superiors know that.”

Thank God for the black gauze that covered her face.
She lay her head back in the car and let the tears run down. She would have
this silent cry and then she would go to the market. She wanted to buy some
presents for Daoud’s family that they were visiting tonight at eight. She was
looking forward to the meal. She knew they would be stretching to make sure
there was a good meal so she wanted to contribute as much as she could without
insulting them.

“Rose, are you okay?” Noori looked in the rearview
mirror and watched as Rose collected herself. He could see she was upset. He
had seen the way she walked out. Determination was written all over her stride.
He could see it even though she wore the burqa. He had worked with her long enough
to know when she was happy. Since she hadn’t spoken since climbing back in the
car he knew she needed a few minutes.

Daoud spoke to Noori in Arabic, forgetting Rose could
understand.

“I will be okay and we can talk in a minute. Just give
me a few minutes to clear my head.”

Noori looked at his cousin. “Whatever you talk about,
it’s fine around Rose.”

Looking in the review mirror, he saw Rose taking deep
breaths and wiping her eyes. She shouldn’t be here, it was too dangerous. If Ty
knew she was here under these circumstances he would have his head. If he made
it out alive.

“Don’t worry Rose, take your time. You knew you
probably wouldn’t get anywhere with them anyway. We will use the channels we
have and make more contacts.”

He sat back as his cousin maneuvered the car out into
the street. They were back in the red zone. He felt like getting a huge armored
car to protect Rose. She needed protection. Who would watch out for her if something
happened to him? He shook his head. He couldn’t think like that.

Rose sat up and steeled herself. She needed to forget
that interview. The hell with them. She knew when she came that would happen.
Might as well go to part two of plan A.

“Daoud?” She saw him look in the mirror.

“Yes, Rose. Do you want to go see the Mullah?”

“Yes, Daoud. Though I would like to go to the market
area first. I would like to get some things for tonight’s dinner. I want to
bring some gifts for your family.”

Rose’s thinking was get to know the people. She knew
she didn’t have the time to relax, start a project, but what she wanted to do
was put out a line with bait. Let the Mullah know she was here, though she was
sure everyone knew. Their grapevine worked quicker than the spotty internet.
She wanted the Sunnis to know that she was lending a sympathetic ear. Rumor had
it that it wasn’t Shiites that took Ty. She hoped that was the case. She was
praying it was a small group, a small faction that would be easier to work
with. She also knew it wasn’t unheard of for the US Government to secretly work
with hostage takers, through other parties.

“Noori, I have to make a call when we get back to the
hotel. I want to contact my father, see how he is doing with his contacts.”

Daoud looked over at his cousin Noori. “His contacts?”

Noori watched as his cousin maneuvered around obstacles.
“Yes, Rose’s father worked with the Mujahedeen when the Soviets were in our
country. He was a freelance photojournalist and also helped get a lot of the
medical help. He knows the president of our country.”

Rose felt a ray of hope. They would go see the Mullah
and she would volunteer to set up an NGO. It had worked in Afghanistan. She had
the people, namely her family, who would do the paperwork and leg work while
she was here but wanted to get something going for the women and children, a
safe place. This would help open doors and get her in to talk with people, when
they saw she wasn’t fooling around and was really here to help the people. She
needed to make real contacts, needed to quickly but she also knew some things
took time. Like in Afghanistan, there were going to be many cups of tea to get
what she wanted.

She replaced her veil but laid her head back for a
minute. She wanted to cry, so badly but had to stay strong and appear strong.
She had to do this for Ty. She had to get him back in one piece, alive.

She heard Noori’s voice. “We are here Rose. Daoud will
go in first and then come get us.”

Rose sat up. “Noori, what do you think the chances are
that the group that took Ty is a small one, maybe not all that organized? Maybe
trying to free Iraq or better their country by whatever means they can think
of. Do you know of anything like that?” She looked at him through her veil from
the rear view mirror. She knew he couldn’t lie and when she had him like this
he would tell her.

“Rumor has it, Rose, that a small unnamed group has
Ty. You are right. They are trying to free Iraq and trying to also get the
foreign fighters, who say they are fighting for their country, out. They feel
it’s not for Iraq’s best interest. Daoud’s cousin’s husband was part of such a
group and died. It’s his cousin who will be cooking for us tonight. She lives
with her youngest brother. There is an older brother but I haven’t seen him yet
since arriving. Now I don’t think it’s the same group and I doubt her little
brother knows anything. He is so busy with the family business. A computer geek,
you might say. He teaches the kids at a youth center too. We will talk but we
will listen too.”

Ty sat up when he heard the knock. Abdul came in with
a tray of food. Setting the tray down, he came and sat on the floor near Ty.

“I thought you might want to know we are having
company tonight.”  He watched his captive to see some reaction. So far he
showed little emotion.

“I ask that if you don’t want to jeopardize your life
you keep quiet. Because not only will your life be on the line, but so will that
of our guest.” Still seeing the blank stare. “You aren’t curious who it might
be?”

Ty knew, but wouldn’t give Abdul the satisfaction of
seeing his emotions. “I suppose an American journalist.”

Abdul leaned closer, “not just any American journalist,
but your girlfriend… Rose O’Malley. I have never seen such a beautiful woman
and from what I have read she loves the people of the Middle East. Maybe she
will give up on you and marry one of us.”

Abdul had never gotten a reaction out of Ty. He saw it
now. He saw the look of hate and the need to get a hold of him and kill. He
could very well do that, standing seven or eight inches taller and outweighing
him, but Abdul carried a gun so there was no fear.

“I will allow you to stay in this room and will give
you extra time in the courtyard tomorrow if you are quiet. If you are not, not
only will we capture your girlfriend but we will kill your friend Noori.”

Ty found his voice. “You wouldn’t kill your own cousin,
would you?”

Abdul was glad he had finally gotten some kind of
reaction out of Ty. He had wondered what he was made of.

“If he stood in my way. Though I don’t think he would
stand in my way once I tell him what we are fighting for. We aren’t like the foreign
fighters that have come in. We don’t need them or the cause they fight for. Our
plan is simple, free our country of tyranny, free us from within. We were close
to getting rid of our leader when the US came in. Now there is a mess and we
have more violence than we have had in a very long time.”

Ty sat straighter. “What do you want?”

Abdul knew he had Ty’s attention. This was the reason
why they had captured him. He was a powerful person in the news circles. He had
won a lot of awards, was well liked, respected. He would help them to draw up a
list of the demands. They had them, but he wanted it to be said just right. If
they could get a couple of them then Ty would go free. If not he would stay
till something was done. He was known for his compassion; his girlfriend was
also well known in the Middle East for being a mover. She set up NGOs, helped women
and children to get medical help, schooling. Between the two of them they would
get the respectability they needed. They wanted to be part of the government.
The people of Iraq needed fair representation.

“If you are quiet, all will be well. I would hate to
see your girlfriend hurt…” He saw the reaction and frankly he had expected it.
He would think him less a man if he hadn’t reacted.

Ty stood up, his fists clenched at his sides. He knew
he was being baited but he didn’t care. This was Rose this man was talking
about, his Rose.

He looked Abdul straight in the eyes.  “I give my word
I won’t say anything, make any noise… I will be quiet but I swear, if anything
happens to her you will only live so long. She is everything to me, she’s my
world.”  Ty thought he’d kill anyone who hurt Rose. He wasn’t a violent person
but the protectiveness that he felt was working overtime. He couldn’t stand the
thought of anyone even mentioning they might hurt her. After all, he had seen
her lying hurt after the grenade in Afghanistan, seen her so sick when they had
been with the Northern Alliance troops. There, all the men would have done
anything for her. He would do anything for her. He would sell his soul to keep
her safe.

“I will do anything to keep her safe… You don’t have
to worry, I won’t do anything stupid. Not only that, Noori is a very good
friend.”

Abdul knew he would have Ty’s cooperation. He had all
the cards and they were winners. His ace was this Rose O’Malley.

“We will talk tomorrow. Enjoy your meal and hearing
her voice.”

Abdul got up and gave what he knew was a wicked grin.
“Don’t worry, I will make sure she is well taken care of. She will be safe
here, with my family, and me.”

Ty buried his head in his hands. What was he to do? He
had to get her out of here. She and he were to be used. He had to get her out
of here, away from this. Somehow he had to get Noori to get her back to Jordan.
He would talk to Abdul. He would do what he wanted but he would ask him to get
Rose out, somehow convincer her.