Kiss the Sky

by MK Schiller

  Tristan’s expeditions ran similarly. He became the main point of contact. Sometimes strangers in the climbing group became friends and chatted on their own. But it didn’t always happen.

  “When did you meet Malcolm in person?”

  “At the Shalimar about a week before we left for K2. He was pretty quiet. I could tell he did not approve of me coming. I’m not sure if it was because of my gender or age, but I sensed he didn’t have faith in my abilities. When we divided up the workload, he always suggested I cook. I thought he just didn’t like me until I realized he treated everyone the same. He climbed Kala Patthar with Edelweiss, but even they didn’t seem very close.” She grew quiet for a minute.

  That was true. They didn’t exhibit many signs of camaraderie. Farah shivered beside him, her mouth curved down.

  He squeezed her hand. “What is it?”

  “I can’t believe he’s gone.”

  Tristan held her. “I know.

  “What about Edelweiss? Do you remember anything about him?”

  “He was fixated on finding his grandfather from the start. He paid extra. Ahmed didn’t agree at first, but then he realized the Magic Line Route had some benefits. He asked all of us if we’d accept the new route. We all agreed except Lino. Not at first anyway. He argued there were more fatalities on that route and less chance of success. Eventually, he came around too.”

  He looked at the cab driver. He didn’t want to divulge what he knew in front of this man. After all, what if he reported it all back to the inspector?

  “When we get to the hotel, we’ll figure it out.”

  She looked out of the car window and back at him. “Tristan, I need to go back to Hunza. I have a class starting soon.”

  “You’re going to cancel it.”

  “But—”

  He shook his head and placed a finger over her mouth. “I’m sorry. I’m calling the shots right now.” He winced. Poor choice of words. “We’re going to Islamabad. There is something going on that we’re a part of. We need to find the answers together.”

  “So you think the shooter was there for Malcolm?”

  And maybe us too, he wanted to say, except that didn’t sound right either. Tristan turned to the cab driver then back to her. “We’ll talk about that later. But until we know anything for certain, I’m not letting you out of my sight. We stay together. We’re better together.”

  “We are. We keep each other safe.”

  She had used present tense. They were better together in every way two people could be good for each other.

  Chapter 28

  Tristan had scoured the airport, searching every face they passed. Did any of them wish them harm? He hadn’t been sure and, therefore, hadn’t trusted a soul. They finally arrived back at the Shalimar. Where they had started. God, how different he was now from the man who’d asked a mysterious girl to let him join the expedition a few months ago. They had been too exhausted to dissect the shooting and Malcolm’s connection. Instead, they had fallen asleep in each other’s arms, just as they did when they returned from the mountain.

  This morning wasn’t any clearer, but he had come up with a plan to keep her safe. That is, if Elliot agreed to help. Tristan had left Farah at the hotel, instructed her to keep her phone close, lock the doors, and not let anyone in. At least the hotel had excellent security. He didn’t want to leave her alone, but he needed to speak to Elliot, and his chances were greater if he went alone.

  Elliot paced back and forth across the ornate Persian rug in his office. The vein in his forehead was getting more prominent by the minute. “Let me get this straight. You want me to use my influence, the influence of this office, to obtain a US visa for this girl you just met?”

  Tristan stood from the chair. It felt too much like he was in the principal’s office getting a smack down. He walked over to the chessboard set up on a round table in Elliot’s office. The look Elliot was giving him told him this would be an uphill conversation. In a corner of the office, there were boxes packed. Some were labeled home and others noted the names of other Embassy officials. “I didn’t just meet her, Elliot. I’ve known her for three months.”

  “Well, three months is a lifetime.” Sarcasm dripped from his voice.

  “We climbed a mountain together. We saved each other’s lives. If anyone can understand our bond, it’s you.”

  “Which is why I think you’re acting irrationally and your judgment is clouded. You’ve been through a set of extraordinary circumstances. You’d feel a survivor’s bond, perhaps a survivor’s guilt. I’ve never climbed with a female before, but I can see how feelings can develop.”

  Tristan’s hands flexed into fists. “A female? Are we caveman? She is one of the most capable climbers I’ve ever met. Do you think I’m so fickle I’d fall for just anyone?”

  Elliot held his hands up. “I’m not saying that. You’d feel a certain devotion to anyone whose life you saved. It’s human nature.”

  “She saved my life too.”

  “Even more reason.”

  “I’m clearer than I’ve ever been.” Tristan spun the globe on Elliot’s sideboard around. He watched the world rotate for a moment. Strange, beautiful fucking world. “I loved her before then.”

  Elliot’s expression softened. “I’m sorry, son. Even if I could help, you’re asking for the impossible.”

  The impossible? Elliot didn’t understand. Tristan would move mountains for her. There was no way on this earth he’d go back home without making sure she was safe. “First off, I know you can help. You have a lot of power here. You forget how much I’ve seen you do. Things like making sure my permit gets declined and getting us out of that police station in Hunza Valley. Your best friend is a US senator. Your father was golfing buddies with the former Secretary of State. Not to mention, you are one of the best lawyers in the world.”

  “This is different. A visa isn’t a climbing permit. Have you opened a newspaper? They’re not exactly clamoring to let people enter our boarders right now. Certainly not from here.”

  “Her passport is active. She has dual European citizenship. That has to help.”

  He threw his hands up. “Oh well, in that case.”

  Tristan stared at the pieces on the chessboard. The game was in progress with a Queen’s Gambit opening. He felt sick. “So, you’ll do it?”

  “You have no idea what you’re asking for.”

  “Lucky for me, I have an uncle who is a high-ranking official of the US Embassy to Pakistan.”

  “Don’t joke, Tristan.”

  It was time to lay down all his cards. “I’m not. Look Elliot, I’m in love with this girl. We’ve both been through a lot of trauma. We need time to heal. I want to take her somewhere where we can do that. Can you help us?”

  “What happened on the mountain?”

  He’d called Elliot as soon as the plane landed. He’d given a broad account of events from the hospital, but he was careful not to reveal too much. “I told you. Everyone in our group died except us. Well, Malcolm made it off the mountain but he wasn’t lucky for long.”

  “They say the shooting was a random act. Do you have another theory?”

  “No. But I’m not certain, and until I am, I’m going to exercise every precaution possible.” He should tell Elliot how the man at the hospital had a chance to take a clear shot of him and didn’t. He wasn’t sure if that would help or harm his cause right now.

  He rubbed his jaw. “An American citizen is dead, and you want me to get a visa? The shooting makes it even more difficult. The shooter came from the tribal areas.”

  That didn’t sound right either. “If you can’t do it, then I’m staying here with her.”

  “Oh no, you won’t. You’ll go home to your family like you promised.”

  “Then she comes with me. We stay together. At least temporarily.”

&
nbsp; Elliot pounded his fist on the table. “Fine, then I’ll get her a damn visa. But the two of you leave on the next flight. I’m coming back myself. When I get there on Wednesday, we can get together and discuss next steps regarding this situation.”

  “You’re coming back?”

  “Don’t look so surprised. I told you I was retiring. Now, anything else I can do for you?”

  “We need the emergency contact list for the others in our group. The Expedition Office should have a copy, but I’m not sure if they will release it to me.”

  “You know it was a rhetorical question, right?”

  “I’m sorry. I would not ask if it wasn’t important. Men died, and I owe it to their families to make more phone calls.”

  “The government offices would have notified them.”

  “It’s not the same, and you know it. We were there. Farah and I. The families deserve to know more than where or when.”

  Elliot’s expression turned contrite. “Yes, I do. I’m sure I can obtain the list for you. Let me make a few calls. I’ll work on the visa and have my secretary check on flights.”

  “Thank you. We need to go to Albany first.”

  “Albany? As in New York?”

  “I want to drop off Malcolm’s belongings to his family.”

  “I can arrange it.”

  “And Elliot?”

  “Yes?”

  “Do you know where I can purchase some tin plates?”

  Chapter 29

  Farah wondered what was keeping Tristan. He’d left hours ago to visit his uncle, instructing her to keep the door locked and stay close to the phone. Finally, the knock came. She checked through the eye-hole first. His frame was so tall she saw only his chest, but it was enough confirmation. Here in Islamabad, they had been careful to keep separate rooms. She peered out the door and checked around the hallway before letting him in. It had been over twenty-four hours since the shooting, and they still had no answers. Only more questions.

  He had several sacks in his hands. He laid out all the materials in piles. There were a dozen shiny metal plates, two wooden blocks, two awls, and hammers. He didn’t need to explain anything more.

  “I’d forgotten,” she said, ashamed of herself.

  “Me too, sweetheart. But they deserve this. Their names need to be on the memorial.”

  Traditionally, fellow climbers were the ones who created or commissioned the plates that hung on the Art Gilkey memorial.

  “You’re right.”

  “I figured we can spilt up the work. There is a porter I trust. We can pay him to take the plates back to Hunza Valley. From there, a Baljit local will place them on the memorial for us.”

  “Why so many plates?”

  He set a plate over a wooden block. “In case we mess up. I’ve never done this before. Arts and crafts aren’t exactly my thing.”

  “I have.”

  He tilted his head. “When?”

  “My last expedition. We lost someone. I made his plate.”

  She took the awl and hammer. “I’ll start with Lino.”

  “I’ll do Edelweiss.”

  They sat on the floor. She traced out letters with a non-permanent marker noting the names of the climber, the date of the death, and the location. Like so many of the plates on the memorial, they all died during descent. Once she had the spacing, she began punching small holes into the plate until they formed letters. The letters became a word. He watched and followed her lead. The work created a much-needed distraction and a chance to mourn each member of their expedition. They talked about each man, exchanging stories. Farah even had some positive things to say about Malcolm and Edelweiss. She struggled with Rana’s plate so Tristan helped her finish it.

  “How did your meeting with your uncle go?”

  “You’re coming to America with me.”

  “What? Tristan, have you gone mad?”

  “He’s going to work on a visa for you. He’ll expedite it. It helps that you’ve lived in Europe.”

  “Tristan…”

  He sighed and dropped his awl. “Do you not want to go?”

  “I didn’t say that. Why don’t you ask me instead of telling me? You’re acting strange.”

  “Strange? Yeah, well, I’ve had a pretty intense few days. Is there a protocol when you almost die…twice?” He groaned in frustration as his awl dug too deeply into the plate, ripping a wide hole in the center. He flung it like a Frisbee onto the bed and pulled out new materials. Maybe he saw the fear in her face because his features softened. “I’m sorry.” He scooted closer and took her hand. “Here is the situation. I have a feeling that shooter was looking for Malcolm. The shot was too dead-on to be a coincidence.”

  “I know. We talked about that.”

  “I also think he was looking for something else.”

  “Us?”

  “I don’t think so. He had a clear shot of me, Farah. He didn’t take it. But he was going from room to room. There had to be something he was looking for. Maybe it was just an escape route. Or maybe it was us for some other reason.”

  “Why would anyone be after us?”

  “I’ve been trying to figure it out. Maybe it has something to do with what we saw on the mountain. I don’t buy that this was a political statement. Not when he went straight for Malcolm, execution style. Yet he fired all those other shots and missed.”

  “That could just mean he was a bad shot and support the story he was a villager.”

  “Not really. You were there. The hospital was crowded. It would probably take more skill to shoot and miss than hit someone.”

  “You think he was purposefully missing to make it look that way?”

  Tristan shrugged. “I’m not a detective. I honestly have no idea. Either way, there is something else going on. My main focus is to keep us both safe. I think distance will do it. So, I want you to come to Albany with me.”

  “Albany? I thought you lived in Richmond.”

  “I do. But Malcolm lives in Albany, or at least his family does. We can ask them a few questions and try to get some insight.”

  “Did you tell your uncle any of this?”

  “Not yet, but I plan to. Once we’re safe in the States, I’ll tell him. Right now, I just want to get us both out of the country.”

  “So you’re whisking me off to America to keep me safe?”

  “I would have liked the circumstances to be less dire, but for lack of a better description, yes. Does it sound too archaic?”

  “It sounds like you really care about me.”

  “Is that even a question, milady?”

  “We can’t hide out forever.”

  “Just until we figure it out.” He took out a scrap of folded paper from his back pocket.

  “What’s this?” she asked when he handed it to her.

  “The next of kin for everyone. Elliot’s secretary printed it for me before I left. I need to make some difficult calls.”

  She took the sheet from him. “We’ll both do it. Together.”

  He kissed her head. “Okay.”

  “Ahmed’s family lives here. I want to go visit them in person.” He opened his mouth, no doubt to object, but she kissed him. “Listen to me, I have to pay my respects the proper way. They live close. I’m sure they already know about his death, but I would not feel right calling them.”

  “I understand why you want to go in person. Let’s do it together, though.”

  “I agree. Do you think Malcolm’s family is going to just invite us to visit them?”

  “Well, you have photos of him on the summit. They will want those.” Tristan patted the battered pack. “Besides, we can also go under the guise that we need to deliver this. Maybe they have no idea what he was involved in, and if that’s the case, I don’t want to spread any rumors. We’ll feel it out and
just see.”

  “I think we’re in over our heads.”

  He laughed and put his arm around her. “You’re telling me? I have no clue what I’m doing here. Ask me to ski down the side of a mountain or paraglide across a volcano, I’m your guy. But Jason Borne, I am not.”

  “That’s a good thing.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “The women in his life always seem to die.”

  Tristan laughed. He got better with the plates once he focused on the task. When they were done, they piled them on the table. He began putting away the tools.

  “Wait.” She put her hand on his shoulder. “You have one more to do.”

  He looked at the plates on the dresser and counted them once more. “We did everyone. We’re done.”

  She kissed him on the cheek. “You are not finished.” She handed him a fresh plate. “Make a plate for Drew. He deserves a plate.”

  He took the piece of tin from her. He didn’t have the right words to convey what he felt for her. All he knew was that she made his life better. He had almost walked away from her. Even then, if he had, he knew without a doubt, his life would have been colorless and bland. He’d have come back for her. She was his ground and sky.

  She was his normal.

  Chapter 30

  Ahmed’s family had invited them to dinner. The evening had been emotional, but they had shared all the information they could remember. Ahmed’s uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends turned out. There were so many people at his haveli Farah wondered if all of Islamabad had turned out. He was loved and respected by everyone. She’d had the digital photos printed and gave them to his mother and sisters. They smiled through their tears at the sight of him holding up the flag of his country with fierce pride.

  Tristan was especially sweet with Ahmed’s mother. He told a few stories about her son and said all the right things. The woman barely spoke English, but somehow she seemed to comprehend. Then he handed her an official bank check with so many zeros the woman had to ask if the number was correct. Once it was confirmed, she burst into tears along with her daughters. The money would mean education and dowries and futures for all of them. When they left, Farah asked him how he knew just what to say.