Enemies Among Us

by Bob Hamer

  Chapter Thirty

  As they exited their car in the hospital parking lot, Caitlin turned to Matt. “I feel a lot better knowing Zerak won’t be here.”

  “Congress wouldn’t approve, but the wiretap’s paying off. At least, we know his plans for this evening. Since Jaana’s hospitalization, he’s been there every night, allowing Nahid to spend time here.”

  “Do you think he’s a terrorist?”

  “The phones at the market have been pretty active. We’re still waiting for transcripts from the calls in Pashto. I can’t say he’s not a terrorist. You can’t prove a negative, but other than the cigarette deal, he seems pretty clean.”

  “I guess that’s good news.”

  Caitlin and Matt walked through the double automatic sliding glass doors of the hospital entrance. The well-lit sterile lobby was empty of visitors. The white, nondescript walls were in sharp contrast to the warm, colorful, inviting entrance to the World Angel clinic.

  Everything about this place said “medicinal.” A middle-aged security guard, working a second job, sat near the door but didn’t even glance up from his newspaper as the two entered. Two elderly female volunteers dressed in pink smocks sat at the large desk beneath the sign reading “Patient Information.” Caitlin knew their destination and, at least for this evening, wanted to limit her contacts with the hospital staff.

  Matt walked by her side, wearing an oversized jacket, his hand inside the coat, Napoleon style.

  Caitlin had a coy smile on her face, but Matt was stoic. He was used to such adventures and did not want a smile to betray his mission.

  Caitlin whispered out of the side of her mouth as they waited for the elevator. “This is so exciting. Now I see why you get into this cloak and dagger subterfuge.”

  With a slight grin, Matt said, “Quiet. You’ll blow our cover.”

  Two young candy stripers walked toward the elevator as the doors opened. They entered ahead of Matt and Caitlin into the cavernous stainless steel cage, deep enough to hold a gurney and the requisite medical personnel. Caitlin pushed the fifth-floor button, and the girls pushed three.

  “Good evening, ladies,” said Matt.

  They both giggled a nervous, “Hi.”

  “Do you enjoy working here?”

  The shorter of the two, the brunette, said, “Oh, yeah, everybody’s great.”

  “I assume you want to be nurses?” asked Matt.

  Caitlin joined the conversation. “Well, of course they do. That’s why they’re volunteering here.”

  The blonde with shoulder length hair answered. “We’re both going to nurses’ school next fall.”

  The girls seemed uncomfortable with conversing on the elevator and kept their eyes on the lights above the door signaling the approaching floors. The elevator seemed to take an inordinate amount of time to reach the third floor. When the doors opened, the two girls quickly exited. The doors slowly closed, and the elevator inched up toward the fifth floor. Caitlin looked at Matt and laughed. “What was that all about, Mr. Undercover?”

  “Remember, Love, the walls may have ears.” Matt nodded to what appeared to be a surveillance microphone in the upper corner of the elevator and the sign that read, “For Your Safety and Security These Elevators Are Monitored.” “A good offense is the best defense. I needed to take the enemy off their game. I was afraid my stomach might start growling.”

  Caitlin rolled her eyes. “Oh, okay, 007. Maybe at the next stop we could get you something to calm your stomach. Shaken not stirred, of course.”

  The doors opened, and they exited past an orderly waiting to push an empty bed onto the elevator. They were face-to-face with the nurses’ station, a modern technological marvel with machines monitoring every patient in every room. At least from a medical standpoint, Jaana was in the best of care. An older, overweight nurse was chastising two younger nurses over a paperwork oversight and paid no attention to Matt and Caitlin.

  Jaana’s room was at the far end of the corridor. Caitlin sidestepped the “wet floor” signs as Matt trailed. Just prior to entering Jaana’s room, Caitlin whispered a prayer. “Father, please give me wisdom and strength.”

  Caitlin knocked on the partially opened door, and they walked into the dimly lit room. Nahid Anwari was sitting next to the bed. Jaana had her eyes closed but opened them as soon as she heard Caitlin’s voice.

  In a weakened voice, Jaana said, “Hi, Mrs. Hogan. Thanks for coming.”

  Caitlin walked over and kissed her on the forehead. “Hi, Jaana. I brought a friend.”

  “Yes, I see Mr. Hogan.”

  “No, honey, I brought you another friend.”

  With that, Matt pulled her kitten from beneath his jacket.

  Jaana squealed, “Palwasha! Oh thank you, Mrs. Hogan!”

  Caitlin winced. “We have to be very quiet. I don’t think the nurses would allow Palwasha in here. She just came for a short visit.”

  Jaana’s mother smiled. This was just what her daughter needed to lift her shattered spirits.

  Palwasha snuggled next to Jaana as she gently stroked the kitten’s soft golden fur.

  “Mrs. Hogan, I’m going to have an operation tomorrow morning.”

  “I know, Honey. Your mother told me.”

  “They’re going to take off my leg.”

  “I know.”

  As a tear began to race down her cheek, Jaana said, “I’m scared.”

  With Nahid seated on the other side of the bed and the lights casting a soft glow over the room, Caitlin pulled up a chair next to the bed. Matt stood in the background next to the door, on guard, blocking the entrance of any other visitor until Palwasha could be concealed. Caitlin gently ran her finger down Jaana’s cheek drying the tear. “Can I tell you a story?”

  “Of course, I love your stories.”

  In a soft voice Caitlin began. “Once there was a small kitten, maybe a little smaller than Palwasha. In fact, the kitten’s name was Palwasha.”

  Jaana smiled. “That means ‘spark of light’ in my country.”

  “I know, Jaana. Your mommy told me. Well, this Palwasha lived on a farm with her owner. It was a big farm with lots of land and plenty of places to play. Every morning the farmer put out food and milk for Palwasha, just like you do for your kitten. And every night the farmer held the little kitten and rubbed her back, just as you are doing now. Palwasha loved to run in the fields and play around the house and the barn. There was so much to see. Every day she explored new areas of the farm.

  “One day when Palwasha was playing in the field, the skies got very dark. It was the middle of the day, but black rain clouds covered the sun. Soon there was thunder and lightning. Palwasha got scared, and she didn’t know where to go. She had been exploring all day and didn’t know how to return home.

  “Then it began to rain. The loud thunder was frightening, and the quick strokes of lightning provided the only light to find the trail home. Palwasha was cold and wet and afraid.

  “The farmer went out into the rain to find her. But every time the farmer got close, Palwasha would run away. It was so dark and the rain was falling so hard she couldn’t actually see the farmer. She just saw this large shadow calling her name. The farmer was very sad. He loved his kitten as much as you love your kitten. The farmer had to figure a way to get Palwasha to trust him so she would come into the warm farmhouse where he could dry her off and feed her and love her. What could he do?”

  Caitlin paused and looked to Jaana for an answer. Jaana wrinkled her nose trying to think of a solution. Then Caitlin said, “What if the farmer sent another kitten, one that knew the way home?”

  Jaana said, “Yeah, that would work. If the farmer sent another kitten, who knew how to return home, then Palwasha would trust that kitten and follow her home.”

  Caitlin smiled. �
��That’s exactly what the farmer did. The farmer sent another kitten out into the rain. The kitten found Palwasha and said, ‘Palwasha, trust me and follow me. The rain may not stop, but if you follow me, I will lead you home.’ Soon both kittens were back at the farmhouse. The farmer was so happy. Palwasha was lost but by following the special kitten, Palwasha was home safely with the farmer.”

  Caitlin moved a little closer. “Jaana, God is even greater than the farmer. He has a beautiful home for all of us. He wants us to join him in that home, called heaven. Sometimes we get lost in the rainstorms, even when it isn’t our fault. And God calls our name, but we don’t listen, because we are afraid. So God became a man. That man was Jesus. And like the kitten who Palwasha followed, Jesus walked among men and women. He said to them, ‘Follow me and I will take you home.’ Jesus promises to take us to God’s home. All we have to do is ask Jesus to live in our hearts, and Jesus will guide us home to God. And when it is time, we can go to God’s house and live forever. No matter what happens tomorrow, Jesus will be with you. You don’t have to be afraid.”

  Jaana smiled. For the first time since the doctors met with her earlier in the day, she was at peace.

  Matt interrupted the tender moment when he blurted out, “Nurse alert! Quick! Give me the kitten!” Matt rushed to the bed and tucked Palwasha under his coat just as the nurse entered the room.

  “I’m sorry. Everyone but family will have to leave. This little girl needs her rest. She has a big day ahead of her tomorrow. I’m going to have to ask you two to go.”

  Jaana grinned. “You mean three.”

  The nurse looked confused as she ushered Caitlin and Matt out the door.

  With a still weakened voice, Jaana said, “I love you, Mrs. Hogan.”

  Caitlin turned back around toward the bed. She bent over and gave Jaana a kiss on the forehead and held her fragile little hand. “I love you, too, Jaana. I’m going to be praying for you all night.”

  The nurse continued to guide them out of the room.

  “Good night, Mr. Hogan. Good night, Palwasha.”

  AS RASHID STARTED TO pull into the motel parking lot, he saw two LAPD units camped near the motel room; a uniformed officer was standing near one of the vehicles. Rashid quickly swung the Explorer back onto the street and parked a few blocks north of the motel. He wanted to phone Omar but feared calling the room in case the police answered. He broke into a cold sweat, worried his activities had been discovered. Rashid chose to wait out the police, but he didn’t have to wait long. Within a few minutes both patrol units left, heading south on Lincoln.

  Rashid left his car parked on the street and headed toward the back of the motel, ducking in and out of the bushes concealing his activities. When he reached the back of his unit, he ripped the screen from the window and pulled himself up through the narrow opening.

  He was greeted by Omar, who heard the noises and grabbed a small lamp from the table. His arm cocked.

  “Were you going to hit me with that or provide light?” said Rashid, climbing down inside the bathroom.

  “Between the police and the strange noises, I didn’t know what I was going to do.”

  “Why were the police here?”

  “They were next door. One of the girls had a problem with a customer. The police arrested both of them.”

  “America is a nation of whores. Do they believe taking one off the street will make it any better?”

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Jaana’s operation was scheduled for 6:00 a.m. Caitlin stopped by the hospital before going to school, hoping to see her before she went into surgery. Caitlin was about five minutes too late. Jaana was already under the effects of the anesthesia when Caitlin arrived. She spoke briefly with Nahid and promised to return that afternoon. Because the Anwaris could not afford a cell phone, Caitlin left hers with Nahid so she could periodically call to check on Jaana’s progress.

  Caitlin taught that day, but her mind was at the hospital. The children were worried about their classmate, and everyone wanted to make more cards. Caitlin had a difficult time concentrating and welcomed the opportunity to do an art project rather than reading or writing. ABCs could wait one more day.

  Three times during the day, Caitlin called the hospital to check on Jaana. She was still in surgery the first time Caitlin called, and Nahid had nothing to report. They had been waiting several hours and still no word from the doctors when Caitlin called the second time. Caitlin knew God was in control, but the uncertainty of Jaana’s condition was unsettling. Results came with the third call.

  Nahid said the surgery took longer than expected because the cancer had spread beyond just the bone and affected the blood vessels and soft tissue surrounding the knee. The doctors removed the left leg at mid thigh. They were thankful they were able to preserve a portion of the leg so the transition to a prosthesis would be easier.

  Dr. Conway spoke with Zerak and Nahid following the surgery. He was confident they removed the entire tumor. Jaana was expected to remain in the recovery room for several more hours. In a few days they would begin chemotherapy to destroy any tumors that might have spread throughout the body. She still had a long battle ahead.

  IT WAS ONLY 11:00 a.m. and the club was closed, but Boris Gregorian was expecting a visitor. The back door was wide open, letting in the warm California sunlight. A fresh breeze did its best to mitigate the smell of stale smoke and alcohol. The Russian Veil was Boris’s baby. He was replacing a badly clogged draft beer line and was elbow deep in tubes, pipes, and kegs. His large frame didn’t fit comfortably beneath the bar, but the skilled technician knew his way around mechanical devices. Using a newly purchased HP 300 pump, he removed the buildup from one of the lines, and then he replaced a broken draft beer tower. Once he installed a new CO2 regulator, his handyman chores would be complete. With the income he made from the bar, the girls, and the counterfeit cigarettes, he could well afford to hire out the job, but Boris viewed this as an opportunity to hone his skills. Besides, he loved the chance to tinker. Even as a boy in a small town just outside Moscow, he enjoyed taking things apart, trying to determine how they functioned. In the military his intellect and manual dexterity served him well as a member of the Soviet Union’s highly secretive 12th Department, where he devised strategic weapons for the “godless Communists,” which his expected visitor jokingly called Boris’s previous employer.

  He heard a car pull up and park in the back alley. The engine sputtered as the driver turned off the motor, and Boris rose to his feet in time to greet his guest.

  “Dr. U, right on time as always. Maybe I should look at that engine. All that knocking and pinging can’t be good for your gas mileage.”

  Dr. Ubadiah al-Banna smiled. “Since when have you worried about my bottom line?”

  “If you want, I’ll take a look,” said Boris.

  “Maybe some other time. I’m sure it is just cheap Russian gas smuggled into America without the proper additives to prevent global warming.” He smiled. “We have business to discuss.”

  CAITLIN SAID SHE WOULD go over as soon as school was out. She had been visiting almost daily and wanted to be there for Jaana. She and Matt wanted to have children but wondered if that day would ever come. Caitlin miscarried twice, both experiences painful and traumatic. Caitlin was also aware how much suffering the Anwaris had been through with their children.

  Their first child, Matteen, was four years older than Jaana. He died at the age of five when he stepped on a land mine while visiting family at a small village near the Pakistan border. Nahid cried as she described the horrors of losing a son that way. Now her other child was also facing death.

  Nahid understood death in her country. It was more difficult to understand it in the United States. She thought she had escaped the daily fear of death when she and her family came here. She was wrong.

  When Caitlin arrived, Jaana had just b
een returned to her room. She was still tired and continued to sleep through the evening. The room was dark except for the light given off by the medical monitoring equipment and the hallway lights wedged through the partially opened door. Caitlin waited with Nahid.

  Under the circumstances Jaana seemed to be doing well. For the time being the pain medication was reducing the expected discomfort.

  After several hours Caitlin encouraged Nahid to go downstairs to the cafeteria for dinner. She agreed, leaving Caitlin alone with her favorite student.

  Caitlin sat next to the bed stroking Jaana’s hand. Jaana’s soft features and near-perfect complexion betrayed her suffering over the past several months. Caitlin closed her eyes and began to pray. Before she was able to formulate a complete thought, Jaana whispered.

  “Hi, Mrs. Hogan.”

  “Oh, Jaana, honey, I’m so thankful you are okay. Your mother just went downstairs for a few minutes to get something to eat. She’ll be back up soon and will be so happy to talk to you.”

  “Mrs. Hogan, I saw Jesus.”

  “What?”

  “When I was in the room with the doctors, I saw Jesus. He was right by my side. He held my hand during the whole operation and told me not to be afraid. He was there just like you said.”

  Jaana closed her eyes and fell back asleep. Caitlin wasn’t sure what to say or what to think. Was a child’s faith greater than hers? Caitlin looked toward heaven and whispered, “Thank you.”

  Chapter Thirty-Two