Indicted

by Tom Saric

  He took another sip of coffee. Although he had barely slept the night before in anticipation of his visitors, he didn’t feel the slightest bit tired. Nervous energy ran through him.

  A white Ford Fiesta slowed in front of their building and parked on the shoulder. Luka leaned over the balcony and saw Braun and a woman step out. They scanned their surroundings, and Luka waved and called out to them.

  He ran down the stairs to greet them.

  He hugged Braun. From behind, a petite young woman with short blonde hair and tattoos down her arm approached him apprehensively.

  “Mr. Pavić,” she said. “I’m Natalia Nemet.”

  Luka extended his hand, trembling slightly. Seeing her again was surreal; she looked nothing like he remembered, except for the blue eyes. Those had not changed.

  They spent the day at the beach and ate freshly caught tuna at a local food stand. Natalia chatted with Sara and played in the sand with Natalie while Luka and Braun talked about the investigation. Six months, Braun estimated, and Luka could bring his family back to Canada.

  The day passed, but Luka had barely spoken to Natalia. There was too much to say. Seeing her alive and healthy made him feel better, but he was still filled with regret.

  While the five of them sat on a blanket on the beach, Natalia stood up and looked at Luka.

  “Will you come for a walk with me?”

  They walked up the beach in silence until they found a spot on some rocks underneath a cluster of palms. Natalia sat down and looked up at Luka, inviting him to sit beside her. He hesitated, his thoughts stirring. The smell of salt water was briefly replaced by tarry smoke, as though it were rolling in from the sea. The slapping of waves became the crackling of fire. He was back in Nisko.

  “You are different than I remember,” Natalia said.

  Her voice brought him back. He looked at her, no longer the little girl that ran away. The smell of smoke faded, and he could hear the waves lapping against the rocks again. Those images were from a time long past, he reminded himself.

  “You too.” Luka managed a smile. Could he look at her without seeing the little girl under the sink?

  “But your eyes are still kind.”

  He brought his hand to his face and pressed his eyes, but the tears came anyway.

  “I’m so sorry, Natalia. I look at you and still see a scared little girl. And I didn’t help you. There hasn’t been a day where—”

  “Stop.” She shot up and lifted her palm in front of his face. “Please stop talking and listen to me. I’ve thought a lot about what I would say if I ever met you again, so I’m not going to let you take the chance away from me.”

  She slipped her hand into his. Luka felt her warmth as she squeezed. He was here with her now, he reminded himself. She pulled him down beside her and touched his cheek, turning him towards her. Tears filled her eyes and dripped off her chin.

  “That was the worst day of my life. I don’t really remember all of it. Bits and pieces. But I remember that I was scared. I don’t think there is a word to describe that fear.” She wiped her tears. “And I often wonder how I made it through all of that and still think that the world is okay. It doesn’t make sense, does it?” Through her tears, she laughed. “And it goes back to your eyes. Your kind eyes. Even in all of that fear, that terror, I remember your eyes. That goodness. It gave me hope that the world is not completely filled with evil.” She looked directly into Luka’s eyes. “Thank you.”

  They embraced. Luka held her tightly, until he knew that it was all right to let go.

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  Acknowledgments

  This novel took seven years to write. It went through much iteration, and I owe a great deal of gratitude to the people who helped the story along. My parents provided constant feedback, especially about historical accuracy of the breakup of Yugoslavia. Their stories and those of their friends and family informed the world the characters inhabited. My wife patiently listened as I threw out half baked idea after idea, until the characters and plot began to crystallize. My kids made the relationship between the main characters and the children in the novel all the more visceral. Michael Redhill, whom I met through the Humber program, taught me how to tell the story I wanted to tell.

  I’ve been lucky to connect with Andrew Watts and the Severn River Publishing team. Their efficiency and professionalism has made the process from manuscript to publication a wonderful experience.

  This novel was written through a transitional phase in my professional career. When I began writing the novel, I was simply writing about a soldier falsely accused of war crimes. But as I’ve worked with soldiers affected by war, I began to appreciate the impact that war has on an individual’s psyche and the slant of the story changed. I came to understand that the casualties of war are also the ones who come home with all their limbs still attached. So, to those who have shared their stories with me, thank you.

  About the Author

  Tom Saric is an author from the Canadian prairies. He spent the summers of his youth on the Adriatic coast. During half of the week, he provides treatment to people affected by war. During the other half, he writes thrillers. He also watches hockey, drinks beer, and barbecues a mean beef brisket.

  Keep up with Tom at TomSaric.com