Soul Survivor

by I Beacham

  “What happens now?” he asked.

  “One step at a time.”

  “But you’re optimistic.”

  “I’m optimistic.” Her answer seemed to satisfy.

  The door opened and Joey stepped out. She was smiling.

  “All good? No blood?” Len said.

  “We’re good. Mom and I have had a great chat. I’ve put it right.”

  Len stood and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

  “And she’s asking for you, Dad.”

  A soft look settled on his face.

  “We’re going to head back,” Joey said, “but call me if anything happens…if you need me. Keep me up-to-date.” She gave him a hug. He kissed her cheek again.

  “Don’t worry. I will.”

  They watched him walk into the room before they turned to leave.

  “Everything okay?” Sam asked.

  “Yes. I won’t put Mom under any more stress. I’m done with that.”

  They started back for the Metro.

  About half an hour later, Joey’s cell rang.

  Sam watched as her face turned from delight at hearing from someone she knew and liked, to concern.

  “That was Sherry Dexter,” Joey said. “She’s an old friend of mine. We used to work in radio together years ago. She now works for NPR in DC. She’s the one who cajoled me into doing the talks on Clara Dale’s show.”

  “Problems?”

  “Not sure. Last time I was there, Sherry told me there’s been a man looking for me. Quite persistent. He’s been in to reception a couple of times, but never leaves his name. He’s stopped going in now but hangs around the building a lot. The staff say he’s Middle Eastern and that his accent could be Syrian or from that region. Sherry’s seen him too. She’s worried in case he’s not too friendly.”

  “What’s happened?”

  “He turned up again yesterday morning before the storm hit. This time Sherry called the police, but by the time they arrived, he’d disappeared again. She had decided not to tell me but changed her mind.”

  “No idea who he might be?” Sam asked.

  “None. He could be anyone. He could be an avid follower who just wants to meet me, get my autograph.” Joey scoffed and made light of it. “They’re out there, and I’ve had plenty of them over the years. When your face is well known, these things happen.”

  “But you don’t believe that.”

  “Sherry doesn’t believe it. She’s worried in case he wants to do me harm. It’s no secret that I’m not popular with everybody out there. The militant Islamists don’t share my viewpoints. There are those who’ve named me and who’d like retribution. I’m not alone. Any investigative journalist who shines a light on corruption and evil isn’t going to be popular. It comes with the job.”

  Joey must have seen the concern on her face. “It’s okay, Sam. This is probably nothing to worry about, but I won’t take any chances.”

  “You’d better not.” Sam could only think that the sooner she got Joey back to England, the better.

  *

  Three days later, the snow was almost gone, and Joey’s Mom was home.

  Sam and Joey had visited her daily at the hospital, but now they were at Len and Ann’s for lunch.

  Len had cooked, and Sam was impressed with his culinary expertise. He’d prepared rosemary and lemon roast chicken served with salad.

  “Some of Ann’s abilities have worn off on me,” he said as they sat down to the light lunch at the kitchen table.

  “I should have done this,” Ann said.

  “Remember what the doctors said; you have to take it easy,” Joey said.

  Sam glanced around the table, and everyone looked happier than they had for some time.

  Ann wasn’t quite out of the woods. Tests had revealed an arterial blockage and there was talk of angioplasty, but the diagnosis was good. The operation was scheduled before Joey was due to return to the UK. Sam was grateful. It took the pressure off Joey. She didn’t need more stress.

  Later, as they rode the Metro back to the apartment, Joey asked if Sam wanted to accompany her up to DC to do the final studio recording of her talks with Clara.

  Sam started to laugh.

  “If I say yes, I won’t get thrown out of the building again, will I?”

  “Not this time.”

  “In that case, I accept the invitation.”

  A thought occurred to Sam. “You’re not worried about this sinister chap hanging around NPR, are you?”

  “I’m asking you because I want you there.” Joey squeezed Sam’s hand.

  “I know that. But the question is still relevant. Are you worried?”

  “Not worried but aware that if Sherry is concerned, maybe I should be. Maybe he’ll turn up when I’m there and he’ll ask me for my autograph.”

  “Maybe.” Sam made light of it too for Joey’s sake. But she was glad she was going with her. She’d be watching out like a hawk.

  “Now you’re worried.”

  “No, I’m not. I’m just thinking.”

  “What?”

  “Can you cook like your parents?”

  Joey grinned. “Yes.”

  “Good. Things are looking up.” Sam planted a chaste kiss on Joey’s lips.

  Chapter Twenty

  When they arrived at NPR, Joey invited Sam to join her in the studio.

  “Come with me? You can sit at the back, listen in but no heckling.”

  Sam declined.

  “No, I’m going to sit here in the lobby and keep an eye out for Mr. Sinister.”

  “He’s not here now. He probably won’t show.” Joey recognized Sam’s attempt to make light of it all, but she knew she was concerned. As they’d walked there from the parking lot, Sam had scanned every alley, every side route. “This is your chance to see me in action.”

  “My presence will only ruin your concentration. Besides, there’s a sunbeam over on that chair with my name on it. I’m going to sit there and warm up.”

  “Are you sure?” Joey said.

  “I am.”

  The idea that someone might be stalking her, albeit not very well, was disturbing, but Joey felt safe with Sam here and was actually enjoying the day. This would be the last part of her series on Clara’s show, and Joey was beginning to get excited with thoughts of going back to England to start her new life.

  As she walked through the door that led to the studio, she glanced back to see Sam settling in her sunbeam.

  It was an hour and a half later when Joey returned to the lobby. After the recording, Clara hadn’t wanted to stop talking, and then Sherry had intercepted her on the way down to ask her over for dinner at the weekend.

  “Bring your vicar. I want to see the woman who’s won your heart.”

  Sam’s face brightened the minute Joey entered the foyer, and she stood to join her. Joey was in a state of happiness and about to tell Sam about the dinner invitation when she saw the smile disappear from her face. Sam was looking over Joey’s shoulder into the street and whatever she’d seen had alarmed her.

  Joey followed her line of sight. At first she saw nothing but regular people going about their business. But then she spotted a bearded man of Arabic appearance crossing the road. He was coming toward her and fast. Her heart started slamming in her chest and she heard Sam whisper, “Dear God.”

  The man at reception saw him too. “I’ll get help,” he said.

  Joey stared at the man and became aware that something about him seemed familiar. “Wait. I know him.”

  He entered the building then paused for a second before they hugged each other like old friends.

  When Joey stepped back from the embrace, she looked at Sam. “It’s all right,” she said. “This is Abu Rashid Ibrahim, one of the Syrian interpreters.”

  She watched Sam’s panic give way to understanding. They had spoken of him not long ago. This was the man who had warned Joey not to go to Balshir.

  Several men pushed through the door Joey had earlier
disappeared through. It wasn’t clear if they were security or office staff. They rushed forward and surrounded Ibrahim.

  “It’s all right,” Joey said. “I know him. He’s a friend. He means me no harm.” She looked at him, smiling. “You don’t do you?”

  He was standing mute and wide-eyed.

  “They think you’re a fundamentalist out to get me,” Joey said.

  “Never,” Abu stated.

  It took Joey a while to convince everyone that he wasn’t a threat. It was only when Sherry appeared and told everyone to stand down that the men disappeared.

  She saw Sherry and Sam catch each other’s eyes and share similar understanding. They were both on edge and trying to safeguard her. Joey eased the tension by doing brief introductions. It seemed to return the moment to a level of normality.

  Sherry eventually left but not before voicing her displeasure at Abu’s surprise appearance. She turned to Sam. “I look forward to meeting you properly and under more relaxed surroundings this weekend.”

  “I didn’t mean to frighten you, Joey,” Abu said.

  The smile on Joey’s face was forced. His reappearance after all this time was disturbing. It was bringing memories back, and they weren’t good. “It’s okay,” she said. “They didn’t understand and were only trying to protect me.”

  Though the commotion had died down, he remained tense, and Joey wasn’t sure why.

  “What are you doing over here?”

  “I applied for political asylum. I am one of the few lucky ones to be given it.”

  “And your family?” Joey asked.

  “My wife and child also.”

  Joey turned to Sam. “Abu has worked with the military and international humanity organizations for years acting as interpreter.”

  “Everything became untenable and too dangerous,” he said. “Attempts were made on my life and my family. We had to leave. Your government has been very generous.”

  “I’m glad,” Joey said. “It’s a bad time to be an interpreter out there.”

  He gave a single serious nod. “I have been most fortunate.”

  “You’ve also been very persistent,” Sam said.

  “You’ve been seen here many times—” Joey said.

  “I had to see you, to tell you something, Joey,” he interrupted. “It’s very important.”

  At that moment, a large truck rattled past them making it difficult to speak without raising their voices.

  “There is a park about a block and a half away,” he said. “Can we go there and talk?”

  Sam kept her counsel but wasn’t keen. She could only believe Joey when she said she and Abu were friends, but if they wandered off, and anything went wrong, they no longer had the protection of NPR. She knew the area of green he was referring to. It was off New York Avenue. It was where she’d walked to calm down after being thrown out of the building the last time she was here. If Joey and Abu were going there, so was she.

  “I know it, Joey. It won’t take us long,” Sam said.

  Her personal invitation to join them appeared to worry Abu. He stopped. It was clear he didn’t want her to join them.

  “What I have to tell you, Joey, you may find sensitive.”

  Sam stuck like mud to Joey’s side. She was rewarded with an arm wrapping itself around her shoulder.

  “Abu, this is Sam…Samantha Savage. There is nothing you can say to me that I wouldn’t want her to know. I’d place my life in her hands and know it was safe. There is no one I want more at my side than her.”

  Joey looked at her, and the love Sam saw snatched the air from her lungs.

  Abu eyed her respectfully.

  They walked in silence until they came to the park. Abu wasted no time.

  “When I heard you were doing these radio talks, I knew I had to see you. I wanted to tell you I am sorry for what happened to your team…and to you. I am here to ask your forgiveness,” he said.

  “For what?” Joey was taken aback.

  “For what happened to you in Balshir.”

  “Why? You’re the one who warned me. You begged me not to go, but I didn’t listen. You have nothing to be forgiven for.”

  His eyes grew sad. “I did not tell you all I should have.”

  “You were very clear, Abu. You spoke of how dangerous it was…the area, the people.”

  He shook his head. “You do not understand. There was more I should have said. If I had, you would never have gone.” He seemed reconciled to what he had to say. “You were betrayed.”

  Sam heard Joey’s intake of breath.

  Abu continued. “The evening before you departed camp, Mohammad came to see me.”

  “Mo.” Joey straightened.

  Abu nodded. “He was crazy, mad. I could see on his face that he carried some terrible burden. At first I did not think he would share it, but I made him tell me. He told me the rebels had his family and that they would be butchered, his girls raped, if he did not tell them where you were to be. They wanted the blood of Westerners to feed their propaganda machine. They wanted your blood.” Abu lowered his head in shame. “I was torn. If I betrayed him, my old friend, he would lose everything, his family, his work. If I said nothing, then you and your team were placed in danger. I did try to stop you, but my reasons were not strong enough…and you left.”

  Joey was expressionless as his words sank in. She didn’t move. Sam couldn’t either. She felt like she was witness to a murder. She could only worry how Joey was taking this revelation.

  “His family?” Joey asked.

  “Butchered. All dead. They killed them anyway.” He opened his hands in a fatalistic gesture.

  “They killed him too,” Joey said. “I saw his head on a spike.”

  Only now did Abu’s resolve falter. His eyes grew moist.

  “I should have told you the truth. Mohammad would have lived, as would your team. I carry such guilt and the blood of my friends, but no road I would have taken could spare life.”

  Sam’s heart pounded in her chest.

  Joey was first to break the unbearable tension that now hung in the air like dampness.

  “Poor Mo,” she said. “We sensed something was wrong but didn’t know what. He was quiet and withdrawn. Usually, we couldn’t shut him up.” A small smile graced her lips. “I thought it was something we’d said, but I see what was really wrong. He loved his family. Poor, poor Mo.”

  The strain showed on her face.

  “Knowing this has weighed heavy on me. I pray you can forgive me. I know that its secret cost dearly. I can never make this right, but I wanted you to know. Since I have been here I have heard how you suffer. I carry much guilt,” Abu said.

  Sam’s attention switched between Joey and Abu. Both were remembering events that neither wanted to.

  Joey puckered her lips before staring Abu in the eyes.

  “There’s nothing to forgive,” she said. “You didn’t betray us. You were trapped. Mo had no choice. The only guilt rests with those that attacked and murdered. This isn’t our guilt to carry.” She touched his hand. “It’s taken a lot for you to tell me this, and I thank you.”

  “Do not hate Mohammad for what he did.”

  “I don’t hate him, Abu. What would any of us have done in those circumstances? I don’t know.”

  “Then what I wanted to do is done, and I will leave you now. I doubt our paths will cross again. Perhaps I hope they won’t. I begin my new life in a new land. I no longer want anything to do with what has passed or be reminded of it. You must do the same. I wish you and all those you love, the fortune of your Gods.” He bowed his head. “Take care, my good friend. Find peace.”

  He was already walking away as Joey said, “And you. Be happy.”

  Abu didn’t look back, and Joey watched him until he disappeared out of sight.

  Sam moved closer to her. “Are you okay?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “What now?”

  “Let’s go home, Sam. Take me home.” />
  *

  “Thank you for not asking me questions, Sam. I know you want to talk, but I don’t want to just yet. Okay?” Joey said.

  “Okay,” Sam answered.

  It was later that same day, and they were back at the apartment.

  Their journey home had been quiet. Sam had driven. When they had spoken it was only of incidental, mundane matters. It was all Joey felt capable of. Her head ached as she replayed Abu’s words over and over.

  She glanced at Sam and loved her for her understanding and ability to remain as good-natured as always. But she saw the concern and knew that Sam was worried for her. What Abu revealed today had shocked them both.

  “Shall I make us a drink?” Sam was moving toward the kitchen, but Joey stopped her.

  “Would you mind if I went for a walk…alone?”

  Sam looked outside. “It’s getting dark, and it’s cold.”

  “I know, but I want to think. I just need to be alone to process it all. Make sense of it.”

  “I can walk with you and not say anything.”

  “Won’t work.”

  “Then I’ll leave you here if you want. I can go see a movie.”

  Joey smiled. Everything Sam was doing was for her. She was lucky to have her in her life…finally.

  “No. It’s the fresh air on my face that I want. You stay here.”

  “Will you be okay?”

  Joey rubbed a hand up and down Sam’s arm. “I’ll be fine. Don’t worry. I just want to think, that’s all. I promise not to go near any dark alleys or cross any roads without looking.”

  “You’ll take your cell phone?” Sam asked.

  “I’ll take it.”

  “You’ll call me—”

  “Stop worrying, Sam. I’m just going for a little walk, that’s all.”

  “And don’t talk to strangers.”

  Joey grinned as she left the apartment.

  It was three hours later when she eventually returned from her walk.

  Sam was faking a relaxed look on the sofa trying to read a book. Joey wasn’t fooled.

  She removed her heavy overcoat, the scarf Sam had wrapped around her before she left, and her gloves. Then she sat next to her, snuggling up close. Sam placed an arm around her shoulder, waiting for her to talk.