“Was Adilaah part of that sacrifice?” Nick retorted.
Mahmoud immediately fell silent as Nick finished speaking. He reflected on his actions trying to find the words to qualify his actions.
“Adilaah,” Mahmoud spoke calmer and softer, “Was too much like her mother.”
Mahmoud leaned forward in his chair and placed his head in his hands, rubbing his face.
“She brought joy to everyone and everything. But naïve to the world and its poison.”
“No…” Nick declared diligently. “She was the antidote to it.”
Nick stepped up to Mahmoud’s desk and delicately placed Adilaah’s white leather journal in front of him. Then he turned and walked off.
~
The morning rain had become a light mist that had settled serenely over the gravestones. Nick stood with his hands cupped in reverence in front of him. He had only been here a few days earlier, but now he felt different. A sense of calm had descended over him and his mind was quiet. No barrage of thoughts and neverending questions. Today he was at peace and the events of the last week had found their order. No longer did he feel the churn that made him feel like he was on the wrong side of his own fragmented conscience and morality. He had found a resolve and it was a new feeling. He surveyed the grounds and the tranquillity of the cemetery gardens had a parity to his constitution.
“Adilaah loved you Nick,” Fatima announced as she penetrated the silence with her declaration. “In that life of despair, you gave her a few moments of hope and freedom.”
Fatima came up and stood beside Nick, as she closed up a large umbrella and looked at the gravestone before him.
“She called out to me. It was a cry for help,” Nick spoke softly.
“And in a way you answered that cry,” Fatima reassured.
“Unspoken words,” Nick muttered.
“Maybe it’s time you speak them,” Fatima urged as she placed her hand on Nick’s shoulder and opened her umbrella as she walked off.
Nick then reached inside his coat pocket and removed a bright white rose and placed it gently on the ground in front of the grave stone.
“I love you,” Nick whispered softly as he caressed the inscription: Here lies Carley Anne Banks.
~
Miles sat slouched in his usual sloppy manner behind his desk. He sat up as Nick entered and flung an envelope onto his untidy desk.
Adilaah’s sweet voice gently echoed enigmatic poetic words like a ghostly narration…
It’s early dawn, my love, open your eyes and arise…
“The Tyson case. My full testimony. Adilaah Khan’s rape interview. Ashraf Khan’s DNA from her murder and his knife in the Carley Banks Murder. It’s all in there,” Nick declared bluntly and turned, walking out of Miles’ office. Miles immediately sat up with surprise and examined the envelope he had been waiting so long for.
~
Gently imbibing and playing the lyre…
In the cold death shrouded mortuary, Nadir’s lifeless corpse lay in a body bag.
~
For those who are here will not tarry long…
Ron sat on a bench in the gloomy locker room, flanked by two walls of Lockers, dressed in full Police dress uniform. He polished a nickel-plated handgun to a high finish, then stared at it, absorbing it with foreboding repentance. He grinned at it then without remorse placed it firmly in his mouth and pulled the trigger.
~
McNeil sat down at his desk to begin his day with his usual fervour. Placed squarely in the middle of the desk was a plain brown envelope. He carefully lifted the envelope and emptied the contents out.
A Detective badge slid out. It belonged to DC Narendra Shankar.
McNeil examined the badge. Contempt filled his face.
~
Mahmoud sat in his princely upholstered chair at his desk. His arms lay motionless at his side. Across his wrists, his veins lay exposed; sliced open and pouring ruby red blood.
On the desk, sat Adilaah’s Journal and alongside lay an elaborately decorated, Islamic inscribed gold dagger with the blade covered in blood.
And those who are gone will not return.
THE END
Also by Samesh Ramjattan
Also by Samesh Ramjattan
A Time Honoured Killing Page 15