A Bombing Enigma

by Angelika Lansdale

  Elizabeth pondered for a few seconds and then nodded her head, “Yes. Cynara, can you please retrieve it.”

  Cynara quickly opened the document saved on the desktop. Amir approached the desk cautiously, as if afraid of what might be revealed. He stood in front of the computer screen and read the letter that commenced the entire affair. His face brightened as he completed reading. “Abaan no talk of plan to come to England. All it show that Jimmy want to become Muslim and Abaan write him!” he exclaimed excitedly. “Jimmy do bombing. Abaan no involved.”

  “Yes this letter does not talk about any plan,” Elizabeth agreed. She paused for a second and then added, “But we found a diary that did.”

  “Diary, what diary?” Amir asked.

  “Cynara found a diary,” Elizabeth said.

  “Yes I found Jimmy’s diary. He had entries that were dated after Abaan left England. It proves that Abaan used to send him emails and call him occasionally.” Cynara said. “And one of the last few entries in the diary mentioned Abaan coming to England for a plan.”

  “When did Jimmy write this?” Amir asked.

  “That entry was from May last year,” Cynara replied.

  “Before Jimmy kill himself?” Amir asked.

  “Yes a few months before that. The diary proves Jimmy was converting to Islam and Abaan knew this,” Cynara said.

  “Did diary say more? Why Jimmy do this? Kill himself?” Amir asked.

  “No. The last entry was in May and only talked about his conversion,” Cynara said.

  “Still no show Abaan guilty. Police now say Abaan kill my habibi, my wife,” Amir said. “Not true. I prove it.”

  “Prove it! How?” Elizabeth asked immediately.

  “I email cousins, friends in Iraq. They may have met Abaan. Soon find out where he is and what he do,” Amir said with a forced, almost desperate, bravado.

  “I hope you hear back from someone soon,” Elizabeth said.

  “I write everyone. They write others. Will find him,” Amir said.

  “Why did you never try to search for him before? Your wife loved him and had told us you had no contact with him,” Cynara asked.

  “Yes. He only write one time. Abaan very upset when he leave. So we give him time. Fatima think he will forget in few years,” Amir said.

  “Once you know where he is and if he is in Iraq, then it will prove he is not involved here at all,” Cynara said.

  “Yes this show police,” Amir said.

  “Please let us know what you discover. We want to know the truth,” Elizabeth said.

  “Yes I come back and tell you,” Amir promised before leaving.

  Cynara and Elizabeth both stood there for a few moments trying to absorb this latest turn of events. “It all gets stranger and stranger,” Cynara mused.

  “Yes, strange is the only word to describe it,” Elizabeth agreed.

  “Just when you think the plot is clear, it gets obscure,” Cynara said.

  The subsequent days brought no new strange events to light. Cynara felt they were all in limbo waiting for something to happen. She had spoken with Bradley and told him about Amir’s visit. Charles had a successful phone interview with the company and had a face to face scheduled for the following week. Cynara really hoped the job front would quickly yield positive results.

  Friday morning ended their state of uncertainty. Elizabeth received a call on her mobile. It was Amir. She listened baffled, almost swaying confusedly. Cynara looked at her in concern. She finally mumbled “Okay,” and hung up, looking at Cynara in a stupefied manner. “That was Amir. He has heard back from a cousin. Abaan was killed three months ago.”

  Chapter 35

  “Abaan is dead?” Cynara asked thunderstruck.

  “Yes,” Elizabeth nodded. “He was killed by a land mine three months ago.”

  “Three months ago. But that is even before we found the letter!” Cynara exclaimed.

  “True,” Elizabeth said sounding as confused as Cynara felt.

  “So Abaan could not have been involved in Fatima’s death,” Cynara said. “Or Sharon’s death.”

  “Or Qureshi’s murder,” Elizabeth completed.

  “If it was not Abaan then who was it?” Cynara asked.

  “I do not know. Amir is coming over. Let us see what else he found out,” Elizabeth answered.

  Cynara nodded her head, trying to think rationally. It was quite confounding. “This certainly invalidates all the current theories.”

  “Yes,” Elizabeth said slowly. “Absolutely. Do you want to ask Bradley to join us? Being a journalist, he might be able to make more sense of all this.”

  Cynara hurriedly pulled out her cell phone from her pocket and called Bradley. Luckily, he picked up on the second ring. She explained the situation to him and he said he would come immediately. “Charles is also home. Shall I quickly get him?”

  “Sure,” Elizabeth said.

  Cynara practically ran to the cottage. Charles was sitting at the dining table working on his laptop, still in his pajamas. He looked up startled as she burst through the door. Cynara told him about Amir’s call and Abaan’s death. He was as shocked as she was and rushed to change. They both walked back and went into the study. Elizabeth was not there. She probably had gone up to her room. They waited impatiently for Amir. The doorbell rang before long but it was Bradley. He and Charles made small talk. Cynara felt too stressed to participate. Elizabeth returned a few minutes later. All four of them sat silently until Amir’s arrival.

  Amir came into the study looking sadder than his previous visit. His distress was probably due to Abaan’s death. He was startled to see Charles and Bradley. Elizabeth made the introductions, Cynara’s brother and a friend. She did not disclose Bradley’s occupation. That was probably wise. It would have made Amir suspicious and put him on his guard.

  “I am sorry about Abaan,” Elizabeth said sympathetically.

  “Yes, terrible, terrible news,” Amir said sorrowfully. “He dead for three months and I find out today.”

  “Are you absolutely sure?” Elizabeth asked.

  “Yes. A cousin find out. He join rebel group in Basra and die just outside city,” Amir said.

  “How did your cousin get this information?” Bradley asked.

  “Abaan meet cousin one year ago and tell he live in Basra with group. Cousin has friend in group. He call friend and find out,” Amir said.

  “This group never got in touch with you or Fatima to let you know when this incident occurred. Why is that?” Bradley asked.

  “They know nothing about us. Abaan no tell anything. He just say he come back from England and want to fight for Iraq,” Amir said.

  “Is it possible this rebel group has ties here in England and is involved in some way with the recent incidents?” Bradley asked.

  “No. They only fight in Iraq for Iraq. Not here. No one here,” Amir said firmly. “I ask same question. My cousin say Abaan want to return to England. He angry with police here. He want to come and make trouble. But group no let him. They tell him fight in Iraq. Put anger there.”

  Cynara recalled what Jimmy had written in his diary, about Abaan returning to England for a plan. He had the intent but it never materialized. Abaan’s group did not permit him. “Are you sure about this?” she asked. “Abaan never returned to England?”

  “Yes, my cousin no lie to me,” Amir responded.

  “This proves Abaan had nothing to do with all these murders. You need to inform the anti-terrorist agents,” Bradley said.

  A sudden fear came over Amir’s face. “I no like police,” he said. “They no believe me.”

  “You tell them the facts just like how you told us. Maybe you can provide your cousin’s name and number so they can verify for themselves,” Cynara said.

  “You want to prove Abaan is innocent?” Bradley asked.

  “Yes,” Amir answered squarely.

  “Then you must talk to them,” Bradley insisted.

  “I will come with you,�
�� Charles said solicitously.

  Amir considered this for a few seconds and then bowed his head in agreement. Elizabeth telephoned Mr. Daniels and informed him that they had some vital information they needed to share and Charles was coming over to his office. Amir and Charles left right after the phone call.

  “That was some revelation,” Bradley said. “This certainly changes everything.”

  “Abaan is dead. Does that mean there is no terror threat?” Cynara asked puzzled. “Who wrote the email to Sharon?”

  “Good question. Who wrote that?” Bradley repeated slowly.

  “Is it possible that someone used his name? Maybe his rebel group?” Cynara asked.

  “Well someone definitely signed using his initials. We have to determine who,” Bradley said.

  ‘And how do we do that?” Elizabeth asked.

  “First we try to find out about Abaan’s group. If he really worked for a small rebel group then their agenda is usually small-scale and limited only to their provincial area. I have interviewed quite a few such factions in the last few years,” Bradley replied slowly. “In fact, I still have some contacts in Basra. Let me see if I can confirm Amir’s findings.”

  “That will certainly be most helpful,” Elizabeth replied.

  “If you can prove he is really dead and his group is regional, that still will not tell us who used his name in Sharon’s email,” Cynara pointed out.

  “Correct. But we have to take it one step at a time,” Bradley said.

  Charles had a productive meeting with Mr. Daniels and Mr. Watson. They were certainly stunned by Amir’s news of Abaan’s death. It refuted all their theories so far. They would have to rethink the murders again and look at the evidence in a new light. Additionally, they were equally stumped about the email to Sharon. However, they still assured Charles they would soon have the culprit or culprits in custody.

  Cynara did not share their belief of a quick resolution to the case. The entire premise had been based on terrorists and specifically terrorists related to Abaan. Jimmy’s suicide had been influenced by Abaan. However, the rest of the episodes had to be separate as Abaan was already dead by then. The agents had said there was an increase in chatter originating from the Middle East. Was it still some terrorist organization? If so, then what organization? How did they end up communicating with Sharon? Maybe Jimmy was the link. However, Jimmy’s affiliation had only been with Abaan.

  It was all too complicated. Not all the theories evolving in Cynara’s mind added up. The bomb outside the manor had made it personal. What terrorists would have a personal vendetta against them? Bombs were not something common people resorted to. They suggested terrorism. If these murders were not terrorist related then who planted the bomb in the mailbox? Who could be responsible? Was it someone who wanted to kill Elizabeth and used terrorism as an excuse? Jimmy had given credibility to the terrorist angle. Was someone exploiting it?

  Bradley came over early Saturday morning. Cynara had slept very deeply during the night and was still in her pajamas when he knocked on their door. Charles let him in while Cynara quickly changed. He had already heard back from a contact in Basra who also confirmed Abaan Fakhri’s death in May. The contact personally knew the leader of the rebel group that Abaan had been affiliated with. They were a small coalition and had no connections to the west. Their involvement in any of the recent events was highly unlikely.

  Cynara called Elizabeth and informed her as well. Elizabeth’s questions were the same as Cynara’s. Who had Sharon been in cohorts with? Who sent her that mail? Why did they use Abaan’s name? Bradley and Charles sat and discussed all possible scenarios without being fully satisfied with any of them.

  Cynara and Jane went out for dinner in the evening followed by a nightclub. They had a fantastic time. Jane met some local friends and they all danced non-stop for a couple of hours. The music was electrifying. Cynara had more fun than she had in a long time. By the time she reached home, she was exhausted but refreshed at the same time. It had been so good to get away from the murders and not think about them. Charles was still up. They shared a pot of herbal lemon tea before heading to bed.

  Cynara was woken by a loud noise. It took her a few seconds to realize someone was literally banging on the cottage door. She and Charles both sleepily came out of their rooms simultaneously. He seemed as disoriented as she did.

  “What time is it?” he asked drowsily.

  “I did not look at the clock. But must be early,” Cynara replied.

  “Who is that?” he asked slowly.

  His question jerked Cynara into wakefulness. “I do not know.”

  They both looked at each other anxiously before Charles strode to the door and opened it. It was Mrs. Simpson. “You must come quickly. Mrs. Stewart has been shot,” she gasped looking wild.

  Chapter 36

  “What? Elizabeth has been shot!” Cynara exclaimed, color draining from her face.

  “Yes, please come,” Mrs. Simpson repeated desperately.

  “Have you summoned the police?” Charles asked sharply.

  “Mr. Drake has called them. They are coming,” Mrs. Simpson said before bursting into tears.

  Cynara ran into her room and quickly pulled on a pair of jeans while Charles told Mrs. Simpson to go back to the manor. Cynara waited for him while he also changed. She felt very jittery with nerves and realized her hands were shaking. Charles came out of his room and they both sprinted to the main house. The two policemen who should have been patrolling the grounds were not to be seen anywhere. Cynara wondered what had happened to them.

  The front door was not latched. They rushed inside and found Mrs. Simpson and Mr. Drake sitting next to Elizabeth in the hallway at the top of the stairs. She was lying on the floor with blood everywhere. Mr. Drake had wrapped a towel around her gunshot wound and was applying pressure.

  “She has been unconscious since we found her,” Mrs. Simpson said tremulously.

  “Did you inform the police that someone has been shot? They need to send an ambulance,” Charles asked.

  “Yes, I told them,” Mr. Drake said.

  “Did you witness the shooting?” Charles asked.

  “No. I was sleeping upstairs in my room when I was jolted awake by a noise, a loud popping sound. I was puzzled as to what I had heard. Then I realized that it might be a gunshot. I leapt out of bed and came outside. Mrs. Simpson came out of her rooms at the same time,” Mr. Drake said.

  “I too woke up with the shot. It also took me a few seconds to understand what it was. I put on my dressing gown and hurried outside and met Mr. Drake in the hallway,” Mrs. Simpson said.

  “We both asked each other if it was a gunshot and then rushed down. Our stairs lead to the kitchen. We then came out into the main hall and ran up to check on Mrs. Stewart,” Mr. Drake said.

  “We found her lying in this pool of blood,” Mrs. Simpson said almost hysterically. “She appeared to be dead, but once we felt her pulse we realized she is still alive.”

  “We must keep calm until the police arrives,” Charles said evenly. “Did you catch a glimpse of the shooter or see anyone fleeing from the house?”

  “No there was no one here by the time we came down. I called the police from the phone in Mrs. Stewart’s room. Mrs. Simpson went out searching for our patrolmen,” Mr. Drake replied.

  Cynara felt faint with a buzzing in her ears. It was difficult to comprehend what was going on. The sight of the blood was making her nauseous. She just stood there observing shakily. Elizabeth had taken the bullet in her left arm. Charles pointed out the shooter had probably been aiming for her heart and missed. They soon heard the sirens coming their way. Charles went out to direct them.

  Charles returned with the paramedics and the police. The paramedics confirmed it was a shot in the arm. There was no threat to Elizabeth’s life. They swiftly moved her onto a stretcher and took her away in the ambulance. Cynara and Charles wanted to go along but the police asked them to stay back. Mrs. Simpson m
ade calls to everyone in the Stewart family and informed them of the situation. They were shocked to say the least. Jane and her father left for the hospital right away.

  Soon the house was swarming with personnel from local law enforcement and Scotland Yard. Two officers from Scotland Yard questioned them. Mr. Drake and Mrs. Simpson narrated the events of the last hour. Mrs. Simpson emphasized how the front door was shut but not latched when she had gone out to find the police officers patrolling the property. Mr. Drake was certain he had locked it before going to bed. Mrs. Simpson had searched for the men but not sighted them anywhere, even though their car was parked outside. She had then run over to Cynara’s cottage and roused her.