A Bombing Enigma

by Angelika Lansdale

  Cynara barely had time to freshen up after reaching home before Jane came to pick her up for dinner. They drove to her parents’ house. It was not very far and they reached in less than ten minutes. Cynara took an instant liking to Jane’s mother, Sophia Clemmons. She was delightful, a short petite woman of about sixty with a very warm demeanor. Jane had a striking resemblance to her. From afar, they looked like two sisters rather than mother and daughter. Jane’s father, Mr. Lawrence Clemmons, was a tall, quiet man. He must have been very handsome in his younger days.

  They seemed to be a close-knit family. Watching them with each other brought back memories of her evenings with her parents. It made her heart ache with her loss. She still missed them terribly. It was hard to tell Jane’s mother about them when she enquired after her family. Time is a good healer of grief, as they say, but it never really fills that chasm of emptiness left behind. Mrs. Clemmons immediately started regaling some silly incidents about David, Jane’s brother, and made sure Cynara shook off her sadness.

  Mr. and Mrs. Clemmons both totally doted on Jane. She was the baby of the family. David was quite a few years older. He lived in London and usually visited once a month. Jane’s father had been an investment banker before retiring and David was the same, a very successful one as his mother proclaimed proudly. Jane was not just the baby in her immediate family but in the Stewarts clan as well. All the rest of her cousins were older.

  The Clemmons were the most gracious hosts. It was a delightful evening and Cynara enjoyed every minute of their hospitality. Mrs. Clemmons was a gourmet cook and every dish had a distinctive flavor. By the end of dinner, Cynara had eaten so much that she felt like a glutton. They did not discuss Elizabeth or the letter at all. Cynara was grateful for that. The evening ended with Cynara promising to visit again soon.

  Cynara settled down on the sofa with the article Peter had given her, the minute she got back to the cottage. It gave a synopsis of each of Jimmy’s twenty-one victims and was very well written. There had been seventeen present in Mr. Stewart’s box and four in the adjoining one. Cynara felt saddened to read about each of them. They had all been relatively young, less than forty-five. It must have been so hard for all their families, especially for the children left behind. Her heart went out to the orphans. Cynara hoped they all had a support network. She put the article away with a heavy heart. It had been a tragic day for York.

  After changing into pajamas, she snuggled down in bed reading one of her favorite classics, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. She had borrowed it from the bookshelves at the manor after taking Mrs. Stewart’s permission. There was quite a collection and Cynara hoped to read a lot of them. She stayed curled up with her book for the remainder of the evening.

  The following week started on a quiet note. There seemed to be no further developments and no news from the agents. Mrs. Stewart and Cynara worked together in the mornings and then Cynara continued on her own after lunch. Mrs. Stewart usually spent that time of the day in her bedroom. She had asked Cynara to call her by her first name, Elizabeth. Their relationship was at a friendlier and more informal level but they did not discuss the case at all. Cynara also did not broach the subject, as she did not feel she had the right to probe.

  Suddenly, on Wednesday, as Cynara was eating lunch in the kitchen, Elizabeth came in looking disconcerted. She informed Cynara that Mr. Daniels had just called and would be coming over later in the afternoon. He had been brief on the phone and did not specify the reason for the visit. Elizabeth asked Mr. Drake to show the agents into the study when they arrived and to fetch her from her room. She went back upstairs while they finished their meal.

  The next few hours dragged while Cynara plodded through her paperwork and waited for Mr. Daniels. He finally arrived with his usual companion, Mr. Watson, just a little before four. The three of them made small talk while waiting for Elizabeth. Mr. Daniels enquired about how Cynara was settling in York and how she found the city. Elizabeth walked in after a few minutes. Without wasting any time she asked, “Do you have any new information?”

  “Yes. Jimmy and Abaan Khalid Fakhri were friends indeed, very close friends,” Mr. Daniels proclaimed seriously.

  Chapter 8

  “So Jimmy definitely knew him?” Elizabeth asked sharply.

  “Yes. We have managed to track down Abaan Khalid’s sister and brother-in-law, Fatima and Amir Abdullah. They along with others have confirmed their friendship,” Mr. Daniels said.

  “How did you track them down?” Cynara enquired.

  “A few people at the Mosque were acquainted with Abaan Khalid. We have been interviewing all of them. Nobody has seen him for almost the last eighteen months. But a couple of them do remember Jimmy frequenting his butcher shop.”

  “Is that so? Then why did they not divulge this when the bombing occurred. The story was all over the media,” Elizabeth interrupted.

  “They were scared and did not want any trouble with the police. All of them stayed silent,” Mr. Watson replied.

  “The last person we questioned had recently bumped into Abaan’s brother-in-law at a Mosque in Leeds. We made some inquiries and the Imam provided us with their address,” Mr. Daniels said.

  “They live in Leeds?” Elizabeth asked.

  “Yes. They apparently moved there shortly after the suicide bombing,” Mr. Daniels continued. “Mrs. Stewart, are you familiar with their names, Fatima and Amir Abdullah?”

  “No. I have never heard them before,” Elizabeth replied.

  “Did you pay them a visit and find out anything?” Cynara asked.

  “Yes we did. They confirmed Jimmy’s friendship with Abaan. He had even visited them in London several times with Abaan. Fatima remembers they had first met about seven years ago. Abaan Khalid introduced him as a friend who had come to his aid during a street fight. They both liked Jimmy. He was always very polite and soft spoken. The last time they saw him was after the Bradford riots, when Abaan Khalid was in custody. Jimmy had contacted them and requested their help. He had been most upset by the arrest. At his insistence, they had travelled to Bradford and met the authorities,” Mr. Daniels replied.

  “The last time? Why? What happened to their friendship after that?” Elizabeth asked.

  “Abaan was released in about three weeks and was quite embittered by the incident. Within a month, he sold his butcher shop and moved back to London with his sister. A few weeks later, he disappeared, leaving them a one word note, ma`a as-salāma,” Mr. Watson answered.

  “What does that mean?” Cynara asked.

  “Goodbye,” Mr. Watson replied.

  “Do they think Jimmy’s suicide had something to do with Abaan Khalid?” Cynara asked.

  “They feel very strongly that Jimmy acted alone and Abaan was not responsible for the bombing. Jimmy and Abaan were very close. They think Abaan’s dreadful experience with the police had a negative impact on Jimmy. Then Abaan left. That could have further intensified the disenchantment,” Mr. Daniels said.

  “Do they know where Abaan is?” Elizabeth asked.

  “No. There has been absolutely no contact. We informed them we have knowledge of Abaan having flown to Syria. His sister feels he was terribly mistreated here and might have joined an Islamist group there,” Mr. Daniels replied.

  “What are the sister and brother-in-law like?” Elizabeth asked.

  “Both of them seem to be honest law abiding citizens. Their background checks show no illegal activities,” said Mr. Watson.

  “And they never saw Jimmy after Abaan was freed?” Cynara asked.

  “They never met him or talked to him again. The next time they heard his name was after the bombing at the races when they watched the news,” said Mr. Daniels.

  “Why did they not step forward with this information after his suicide?” Elizabeth asked. “It was so vital.”

  “They were terrified and did not want to be implicated in any way. After having witnessed Abaan’s ordeal, they decided to stay quiet. They left Lo
ndon and moved to Leeds,” Mr. Daniels said.

  “The brother-in-law works in a factory and the sister works in a grocery store. They are leading a quiet private life and do not want any trouble with the law,” Mr. Watson added.

  “Was Abaan Khalid involved in those Bradford riots?” Cynara asked.

  “The investigators failed to find any conclusive evidence and that is why he was ultimately released,” Mr. Watson said.

  “So it is possible that Abaan Khalid was innocent and falsely accused by the police?” Cynara asked.

  “We cannot justify the actions taken by the authorities. However, at times like these, you have to question all suspects. That is what prevents many terrorist attacks from actually taking place. I am not making excuses, just giving you hard facts,” Mr. Daniels said.

  “I understand that. Maybe Abaan’s sister and brother-in-law are right. Abaan’s erroneous imprisonment planted the seed of hatred. This led to Jimmy’s discontent and then ultimately his suicide,” Elizabeth said.

  “I am not sure that we can be one hundred percent positive but it is a definite possibility. That is what we are trying to further investigate,” Mr. Daniels said.

  “Did Jimmy ever visit the sister with anybody else? A girlfriend?” Cynara asked.

  “No. There was never any mention of Jimmy’s girlfriend. However, Fatima believes that Abaan had a special girl in his life. He never talked about her directly but hinted there was someone for a while. But it only seemed to last a short time,” Mr. Watson said.

  “The sister and brother-in-law, you are sure they have told you everything?” Cynara asked.

  “We questioned them at length and are quite satisfied. They also took polygraphs and passed,” Mr. Daniels replied. “They have promised to let us know if Abaan gets in touch with them.”

  “Do you trust they will?” Elizabeth asked. “They kept quiet in the past.”

  “They realize the seriousness of the investigation. If they do not cooperate, we can charge them for obstruction of justice,” Mr. Daniels explained. “We are looking at every possible angle. This letter has come to light nine months after Jimmy’s death but I am confident that we will be able to uncover the full story behind the intrigue. Rest assured.”

  “We will soon find the woman referred to in the letter. It might be someone who was associated with Abaan Khalid as well,” added Mr. Watson.

  Elizabeth continued sitting on the sofa looking perturbed even after Mr. Watson and Mr. Daniels left. “How I wish I could know why. Why did this happen to us? We were so happy. I loved George so much. The ache is still there. I cannot bear it sometimes,” she whispered brokenly.

  Cynara commiserated with her employer. She wished she could console her. “You have to be brave. This time will also pass,” she said softly.

  Elizabeth looked at Cynara and said hesitatingly, “I am glad you are here. You must find it strange that I have been sharing my confidences with you. I am so cut off from everyone else other than my in-laws. The few close friends I had are either dead or widowed. It is difficult for me to approach them.”

  Cynara desperately wanted to advice Elizabeth to reacquaint herself with her old friends. There was no need for her to lead this solitary life. Her friends were also probably waiting for a reconciliation. It would help them all and fill the void left by the deaths. Life had to be lived and Elizabeth needed to embrace it again. However, Cynara felt uncertain of Elizabeth’s response. She did not want to offend her and decided to bide her time and wait for the right moment. Instead, she said, “I am happy to be of some help.”

  “Thank you,” Elizabeth said quietly as she stood up and slowly walked out of the study.

  Cynara did not see Elizabeth the rest of the day or the next. She tried to keep busy with the paperwork but her thoughts kept straying to Jimmy. Was his friendship with Abaan and then Abaan’s consequent arrest really the source of his disillusionment with England, the government and Christians? Could it lead to such strong convictions that you actually commit suicide in such a diabolical manner? There had to be more to the story. Maybe that girl friend of Jimmy’s was the other catalyst to light the fuse. Who was she? Was she still alive or did she also perish in that blast? The chain of events that Jimmy’s short letter had triggered was astonishing.

  Ruth came to visit Friday afternoon, while Cynara and Elizabeth were reviewing a document. She looked furious and said authoritatively, “Elizabeth, I need to talk to you.”

  Elizabeth, surprised to see her, immediately stood up. “Yes, certainly. Shall we go into the sitting room?”

  “No, we can talk here,” Ruth replied. “The agents visited me last evening and told me about Abaan’s sister and brother-in-law. They wondered if I knew them or had ever met them.”

  “Yes they are probably questioning everybody about it,” Elizabeth said.

  “I already told them that I do not know any Muslim associates of Jimmy. I hardly ever talked to him.” Ruth was very irritated. “You are the one he spoke with the most. He was constantly with you. He drove you everywhere.”

  “That was his job. Of course he drove me everywhere!” Elizabeth exclaimed.

  “Then they should ask you. I am sure you must have driven with him even to Leeds, because you did go there a lot. So if any of us know the sister, then it must be you,” Ruth accused.

  “The agents have already asked me. And yes, Jimmy did drive me wherever I went, including Leeds and all the other nearby cities. He was the driver Ruth,” Elizabeth said calmly.

  “Do you know Fatima or Amir?” Ruth asked venomously.

  Cynara was appalled by her aggression but Elizabeth seemed unfazed. She replied composedly, “No I do not. Even though I drove with Jimmy to Leeds numerous time, I never met the sister or the brother-in-law. Jimmy never mentioned them to me. Now please calm down and do not make such a spectacle of yourself.”

  “I am not making a spectacle. I am just fed up of these agents and their questions. I have already repeatedly explained that I do not know anything. Then why are they hell-bent on badgering me with their inquiries again and again,” Ruth ranted.

  “Ruth, calm down. Don’t get so worked up,” Elizabeth said firmly.

  “Worked up, I am not worked up. I am bloody upset!” Ruth spluttered.

  “The agents are just doing their job. They have to explore every angle with this new evidence. I did not take any offense when they questioned me. They are just trying to find all the connections between Jimmy and Abaan,” Elizabeth said evenly.

  “I still do not like it one bit. Why are they involving us, one of the victim’s families? They need to take their questioning elsewhere,” she snapped.

  “I am sure they are talking to everybody who knew Jimmy, even your other classmates. They have to,” Elizabeth said.

  Ruth continued complaining while striding back and forth across the room for a few more minutes. Elizabeth sat patiently and kept trying to pacify her. Finally, after venting all her frustration, she sank down onto a sofa and looked at Cynara. “I am not crazy!” she exclaimed.

  Cynara was quite taken aback by this sudden statement and did not know how exactly to respond. “Not at all. This is an extremely stressful situation for all of you,” she replied diplomatically.

  “Yes it is most distressing. I better go.” Without bothering with any goodbyes, Ruth rushed out.

  Cynara and Elizabeth sat quietly for a few seconds after her departure. It felt like the calm after a storm. Cynara decided she did not care for Ruth or her attitude. She was overreacting. According to Elizabeth and Jane, she had been very close to Mr. Stewart. Then, did she not want to resolve this? Didn’t she want to know the reason behind Jimmy’s actions or find his associates and arrest them. Did she not want justice for Mr. Stewart?

  Elizabeth determinedly shrugged off the ill effects of Ruth’s unpleasant visit and continued with their proofreading. Cynara admired Elizabeth’s resolve to persist with work after what had indisputably been a distasteful encoun
ter. They actually completed more in those few hours then what they had achieved in the last few days. As they wrapped up for the week, Elizabeth apologized for Ruth’s behavior. Cynara told her it was not necessary. Elizabeth had no control over Ruth’s attitude. It was Friday evening and Cynara just wanted to unwind. She hoped Elizabeth would do the same.

  Chapter 9

  Cynara’s weekend turned out to be quite entertaining. Jane had called Friday evening and invited her out for drinks and dinner on Saturday with some others from the school. The group consisted of a Ben and Sherry Mason, both taught History and had met at the school and subsequently married a few years ago, Jade Hunt, taught English, in his late 20’s, Barry Wilde, taught Mathematics, in his 30’s, Cheryl Smith, taught Arts, in her 30’s, and Jane.