by Farah Zaman
Looking surprised they all answered in the negative, except for Heba.
“I thought I heard a voice,” she said. “But it could have been the wind in the trees.”
“Or an animal or bird in the bushes,” Layla said.
“I suppose so,” Adam said, his eyes probing the trees once more.
“I think it’s the heat playing havoc with our heads,” Heba said. “Let’s go over to my house now.”
Zahra gave a long sigh. “All I can think of right now is sipping on something cold.”
“Oh, yeah,” Layla said.
“It will be good to see Danyal again,” Zaid said.
With eager feet, they set off for the village, taking turns to push Zaid. When they reached Heba’s house, Danyal was delighted to see them. In no time, the picnic bag was emptied on the table and they were tucking into shawarma sandwiches. While they ate, Adam recounted his previous night’s adventures to Danyal, who listened in shock.
“I’m sorry,” Danyal said after Adam was done. “It’s my fault you were in danger.”
“No, it’s not,” Adam said firmly. “I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Layla went on to tell Danyal about their search in the cemetery and their plans to search the vaults tomorrow.
“I wish I could help you,” Danyal said. “But I think you’re doing great on your own.”
“What time will we search the vaults tomorrow?” Heba asked.
“We’ll meet you in the atrium at two o’clock,” Adam said. “By then, everyone will have gone upstairs to rest.”
“There might be no classes again tomorrow if the students and teachers are not feeling better,” Heba said.
“What happened?” Danyal asked.
Heba told him of the outbreak of stomach complaints.
“That’s too bad,” Danyal said. “I hope everyone feels better.”
“Which of the teachers got sick?” Zahra asked.
“Ms. Rima and Ms. Mahveen.”
“Heba, can I use the computer in the office?” Danyal asked. “I’d like to catch up on the news.”
“Of course,” Heba said. “Come with me and I’ll give you the password.”
The teenagers left Heba’s house in good spirits. The indoor picnic had been a welcome interlude of relaxation after a stressful week. They had no idea that things were about to get worse.
That night, Hassan and Hakeem crept into the sitting room upstairs while the teenagers were watching a game show. Wearing matching brown plaid pajamas, it was apparent that the twosome had snuck out of bed.
“What are you doing up?” Layla said. “Didn’t Mouna put you to bed?”
“Yes, but we have something to tell you,” Hakeem said. “We didn’t want to wait until tomorrow.”
“What mischief were you up to today?” Adam asked.
Hassan scowled. “It wasn’t mischief. We were playing a game with Bishr and Burhaan. They were glad to see us, ‘cause some of their other friends were sick.”
“What game were you playing?” Zahra asked.
“It’s called Searching for Secrets,” Hakeem said. “We thought it would be fun to find out what secrets everyone was hiding.”
The teenagers stared at each other, aghast.
“Please don’t tell me you snuck up and listened to people’s conversations.” Layla glared at them.
“No, we didn’t,” Hassan said earnestly. “We hid from them. They didn’t know we were there.”
Adam raised his eyes heavenward. “Where was Mouna while you were playing that game?”
“Um…she thought we were playing hide and seek,” Hakeem said, looking abashed.
Sharing a rueful look with the others and feeling a bit of a hypocrite, Adam said to the twins, “It’s not nice hiding and listening to people’s conversations, okay? Don’t do it again.”
“Don’t you want to know the secrets we heard?” Hassan said.
“Absolutely not,” Layla said. “Keep it to yourselves.”
The twins shared a pained look.
“But we have to tell you.” Hakeem plucked at his pajama collar. “They’re important.”
“Unless it involves someone getting hurt, we don’t want to hear it,” Adam said.
“But it does involve people getting hurt,” Hassan said, his face solemn.
The teenagers exchanged uneasy glances. “Alright, tell us,” Layla said.
Hakeem rushed into speech. “Burhaan and I were partners in the first game. We hid in the library but didn’t hear any secrets.”
“Bishr and I went to the kitchen but we didn’t hear any secrets either,” Hassan said. “All we heard was a lady yelling at a man. She said he’s going to end up poisoning everyone because he didn’t check the exploration date of the tomato sauce.”
The teenagers exchanged a comical look.
“It’s expiration date,” Layla said. “But go on.”
Hakeem said, “Mom and Dad were working late, so they let us stay on. Before dinner, we played another game of Searching for Secrets with Bishr and Burhaan. This time, the two of them were partners and Hakeem and I were partners.”
“They hid in the bathroom,” Hassan said. “They said they heard three boys laughing and talking about the doctor’s brats and their friends going to have a shock.”
“I guess that’s the Troublesome Trio talking about us,” Zaid said. “I wonder what nasty new scheme they have up their sleeves.”
“Did they say anything else?” Zahra said.
Hakeem nodded. “They said it had been a good idea to take the stuff from the dorms and let everyone think it had been Muk-Muk. And they’re glad the ugly little critter is going to the zoo.”
Adam grinned. “Tell Bishr and Burhaan they can share that secret with all their friends.”
Hassan beamed. “We will. Now we have to tell you what Hakeem and I heard.”
“We hid in the closet in the staff lounge so we could hear what the teachers were saying,” Hakeem said. “One of them came in and…”
“You don’t need to tell us that,” Layla interrupted.
“But it’s scary.” Hassan opened his green eyes wide. “He was talking about the oryx.”
The teenagers exchanged startled looks. While they were still dumbfounded, Hakeem quickly continued, “When the teacher came in, he went to the fridge and took a can of juice. We heard him opening it. Then he sat down on the sofa next to the closet. His phone rang and he started whispering but we heard him.”
“What did he say?” Zahra asked.
“He said he’s glad to hear the good news,” Hassan said. “And that he knows getting the oryx was a lot of trouble, but it will soon be dead, and they won’t have to worry about hiding it anymore.”
“After that, he was quiet for a bit,” Hakeem said. “Then he said they’ll go and take everything the book says. He left after that. When Hassan and I came out of the closet, we peeped down the corridor, but we didn’t see who it was.”
“Oh. My. God.” Layla exchanged a look of horror with the others.
“You didn’t recognize the voice?” Adam asked.
“No, he was whispering too much,” Hassan said.
“He was talking about Mazooma from the zoo, wasn’t he?” Hakeem said with rounded eyes.
“Yes, we think so,” Layla said.
“You think they’ll really kill her?” Hakeem asked.
“Not if we have anything to do with it,” Zaid said.
“What do you mean?” Hassan asked.
“We’ll try to find out who the bad man is,” Zahra said.
“Did you tell Bishr and Burhaan what you heard?” Layla asked.
“No, we didn’t want to scare them,” Hakeem said.
“Good, you did the right thing,” Adam said. “I wa
nt you to promise you won’t play this game again. Or tell anyone what you heard in the closet. Not even Bishr and Burhaan.”
“Okay, we won’t,” both boys said in unison.
“Off to bed you go now,” Layla said.
After the twins left, Zaid said, “The book can only be referring to The Hour of the Oryx. Now we know for certain that our murderer and magician is a man. Either Mr. Mazin, Mr. Talish or Mr. Rakin.”
“And there’s an accomplice who stole the oryx from the zoo,” Zahra said. “I wonder why they’re planning to kill it.”
Layla said, “When we went to the Lighted Scrolls, Omar Alkhalaf told us we should call him if we need his help. I think we should do it now.”
“Yes, that’s a good idea,” Adam said. “Give him a call, Zaid. If he doesn’t pick up, we’ll try back tomorrow.”
“I hope he won’t be upset we’re calling so late,” Zaid said as he dialed the number.
“I don’t think so,” Zahra said. “I’m sure he’ll be glad to hear from us.”
Omar picked up on the third ring. Zaid turned on the speaker so the others could hear the conversation.
“Salaams, Mr. Alkhalaf. I’m Zaid Alkurdi. My friends and I came to the bookstore to ask you about The Hour of the Oryx. I’m sorry for calling so late but we have an urgent question to ask you.”
“It’s fine, young man.” Omar’s quavery voice came over the line. “I’m not an early sleeper. What can I help you with?”
Zaid told him.
After he was done, there was a long silence. Then Omar said, “From what you tell me, I think it’s clear why they want to kill the oryx. The grimoire must have stipulated it as a sacrificial ritual to summon the jinn.”
Chapter Twenty-Four:
The Book, The Boy and The Oryx
“A sacrificial ritual?” Adam echoed.
“Na’am. Didn’t I tell you that summoning the jinn will require sacrilegious acts? I’m not surprised by your tale. I suggest you go to the police and tell them all you know. Involving yourselves any further may place you in danger.”
The teenagers exchanged sober looks.
“Shukran, Mr. Alkhalaf,” Layla said. “We’ll certainly take your advice.”
After they hung up, Zaid said, “He’s right. We have to tell the police about this.”
“We’ll let Heba know when we see her tomorrow,” Adam said. “Then we can all go together to the police.”
Heba and Mahmood were waiting for the teenagers in the atrium the next day. Mahmood was minus Muk-Muk, a decision which Adam approved. We certainly don’t need distractions from the little furball when we search the vaults.
“How are the patients doing, Heba?” Zahra asked.
“They’re much better today. The source of the stomach ailments was some expired tomato sauce.”
Layla could not conceal a grin. “Yeah, we heard it over the grapevine.”
“Did you have classes today?” Zaid asked.
“No, the administration decided to give the students another day to recover. Are you ready to search the vaults now?”
“Before we go, there’s something we have to tell you and Mahmood,” Adam said.
Heba looked from one of them to the other, her face apprehensive. “It’s something bad isn’t it?”
“Yes,” Zahra replied.
Heba took a deep breath, her face set. “Alright, tell us.”
The teenagers took turns telling them of the twins’ revelations last night and their conversation with Omar.
When they were done, Heba placed a hand over her heart, her face pale. “Even though I know the murderer had to be someone here, I’m still shaken to learn it’s true. Yes, we’ll go to the police first thing in the morning and tell them everything, insha Allah.”
“Now that we’ve got that settled, let’s get the search going,” Adam said. “We were only able to find three flashlights at Villa Wadha so we’ll have to use the cell phones too.”
At the door of the vaults, they turned on the flashlights. Adam wheeled Zaid onto the ramp, the others following behind. The wheelchair moved easily down the sloping walkway and soon they were standing in the fire-ravaged first vault. Zaid, Zahra and Heba stared at it with wide eyes.
“It looks horrible,” Heba said. “No wonder the students find it scary.”
“Alright, we’ll split up again and search,” Adam said. “We’re six and there are five vaults to search. I’ll search the first vault. I’ll take a flashlight so I can examine the charred areas better.”
“Since I’m wheelchair bound, Mahmood can use a flashlight to search with me,” Zaid said. “We’ll take the second vault.”
“I’ll take the third vault and use my cell phone flashlight,” Zahra said.
“And I’ll take the fourth and use my flashlight too,” Layla said.
“I guess that leaves me with the fifth vault and the last flashlight,” Heba said.
“Alright, it’s showtime,” Adam said.
All became quiet as they dispersed to their vaults and began to search. Adam had chosen the first vault because it was the most difficult one. A crack or crevice could easily be concealed amidst the charred and sooty remnants of the fire. He was examining an indentation when Heba’s voice came faintly from the fifth vault, “I’ve found something!”
Adam hurried over. He was the last one to arrive. “What did you find?”
Pointing her flashlight at the ceiling, Heba said, “Look up there.”
A rusted hook of about five inches long was embedded in the ceiling.
“Something must have been hung up there in the past,” Zaid said.
“No,” Heba said. “I found something on the ground that looks as if it might open that hook.” She walked over to a heap of planks and pipes and shone the flashlight on a long, dusty rod with a hook at the end.
“You’re right.” Adam’s eyes shone. “Maybe there’s a secret compartment up there.”
“Try it and see,” Layla said eagerly.
Adam handed his flashlight to Mahmood and picked up the rod. As the others shined their lights, he raised the rod and inserted the end into the hook in the ceiling. He pulled downwards and a trapdoor swung open with a creaking sound. A folded-up aluminum ladder was affixed to it.
“Open sesame!” Layla said in delight. “I feel like we’ve found the cave of treasures in Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.”
Adam reached up and unfolded the ladder until it rested on the ground. “I’m going to see what’s up there. Hand me the flashlight, Mahmood.” Clutching it, he ascended the ladder. At the top, he aimed the light into the hutch. It revealed an attic space about four feet high.
He almost fell off the ladder when he saw what was in it. “Oh my God, I don’t believe this.”
“What is it?” Zahra’s voice was breathless.
“It’s a magical altar. There’s a whole bunch of stuff here. Candles, crystals, feathers, something that looks like a witch’s cauldron, a chalice, an incense burner, and two double-edged knives.”
“The murderer must have used one of those knives to kill Uncle Issa.” Heba’s voice was heavy with grief.
“Ms. Yusra had crystals in her room and Ms. Tubaa, feathers,” Layla said. “I wonder if they’re part of the magician’s coven.”
“Maybe there’s stuff in there that will reveal everyone who’s involved,” Zahra said.
“I can go in and take a look,” Adam said.
“No, don’t do that,” Zaid said. “We don’t know what lingering evil might be up there. Besides, we can’t tamper with the evidence.”
“Zaid’s right,” Heba said. “It’s best the police handle this. Now that we’ve found the murderer’s magical lair, we’ve got solid proof. The police won’t have any problem believing us tomorrow.”
When the teenagers retur
ned to Villa Wadha, there was a sealed envelope sitting on the dining room table with Adam’s name scrawled atop it. Next to it was a note from Umm Kifah. They read Umm Kifah’s note first. It simply stated, A boy brought this envelope. He said someone asked him to bring it to Villa Wadha. He doesn’t know who it was.
Adam quickly slit open the envelope. The message inside was even shorter than Umm Kifah’s note. It stated, Can you come by tonight? But be careful. D.
“It’s from Danyal,” Zaid said. “I wonder what’s up.”
“It sounds urgent,” Layla said. “I hope nothing’s wrong.”
“I guess we’ll find out when Adam goes tonight,” Zahra said.
“Zahra and I can come with you if you’d like,” Layla said to her brother.
“No, it will be quicker if I go on my own,” Adam said. “I’ll be careful.”
Adam set off from Villa Wadha at a slow jog that night. The waning gibbous moon rising above the sidra grove was ambushed by bluish-gray clouds that tried to stifle its light. It made for a murky kind of night, with shadows collecting in all the corners. Adam jogged past the lake and cemetery at a fast clip and did not slow his momentum until he reached the village. When he came to Heba’s house, he gulped in air and rang the bell three times.
Danyal opened the door and ushered Adam to the sofas. “Thank you for coming. I wasn’t sure the boy would deliver my note even though I paid him.”
“It sounded urgent. What’s up?”
There was a moment of silence. Then Danyal said, “I’ve decided to return home now instead of waiting for school to start.”
Adam stared at him in surprise. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’ve got Uncle Nidal right where I want him.” Danyal’s eyes shone.
“How?”
“Last night, I read the news about my kidnapping on Heba’s computer. It mentioned that my kidnapper had demanded two million dirhams in cryptocurrency and the snake had paid it.”
“Yes, it was on the news.” Adam gave him a puzzled look.
“I didn’t know.”
Adam was taken aback. “We assumed you knew. You did go to the village a few times, didn’t you?”
