Screams in the Dark
Page 30
Rosie watched open-mouthed as the pictures moved to the mountain gorge, with the voiceover describing that this was the notorious spot where Serb soldiers massacred more than fifty Bosnians during the brutal ethnic cleansing that was one of the most lasting images of the war. She listened as the story continued.
‘Raznatovic, believed to have played a central role in the atrocity, was found hanging by his feet over the mouth of the 400-foot gorge, where the bodies of the dead Bosnians still lie. His throat had been cut.’
For the next two hours Rosie watched the footage over and over again as it came up on every Sky bulletin. She kept trying to phone Adrian, but his number rang out.
Then, early in the evening, as she was cooking dinner, her mobile rang. It was Adrian.
‘Adrian! Have you heard the news?’
‘Of course I have, my friend.’
‘Raznatovic. They found his body. He was hanging by his ankles or something. Swaying over the gorge, they said. I saw it on television. They had pictures of Paklenik.’
‘Yes. I know.’
Silence. She knew Adrian didn’t burst with excitement about anything, but she’d expected a bit more than this.
Finally, he spoke, his Slavic tones rich and thick, as he seemed to choose his words carefully.
‘It was important before he died that he feel the fear that my people felt when he and his men executed them. I know for sure that he felt it.’ He paused. ‘Risto and me could see it in his face.’ He paused again, and Rosie held her breath. ‘We wanted him to die looking down at the people he murdered.’
‘Christ, Adrian!’ Rosie couldn’t believe her ears. ‘But how? I mean how did you find him?’
In the pause that followed, Rosie could picture Adrian’s understated expression.
‘Remember, Rosie …’ His tone was measured. ‘Remember we told you that before the war, we are one people, Serbs and Bosnians – we are Yugoslavs, all friends, before all this happen? Well, some friendships last forever. I have friends who are Serbs, who are sickened by what Raznatovic and his men did to our people. Raznatovic’s own people organise his escape on the way to the hospital, but my friend who is with the guards knows about this, and he tells me where I can find him.’
‘My God!’
She heard Adrian take a deep breath and waited for him to speak.
‘Now, whatever happens to me in my life, Rosie, I did one good thing. For my people. For my country. For my Marija and Adrijane.’ The line went dead.
‘Adrian? You there?’ But there was nothing.
Rosie stood for a moment trying to take it all in. Her mind was flooded with images of their journey across Bosnia to Belgrade and back through Kosovo to Macedonia. She thought of Emir and of Gerhard. She went across to her window and opened the balcony doors and stood outside watching the afternoon traffic. Just another Saturday.
Her mobile rang. It was McGuire.
‘Have you heard the news, Rosie?’
‘Yes, Mick. I heard.’
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Much of what I’ve written in this novel is based on the many tragic souls I enountered in refugee camps in war torn countries from the Balkans to Somalia to Rwanda. I was humbled by the resilience of the masses of innocent men, women and children scattered to the four winds because of the brutality of others. I often wonder if they ever made it back home, or if their lives are still filled with the same uncertainty of those dark days. I hope this is an honest tribute to them.
I want thank the following people: My sister Sadie for her rock solid support every day, as well as my brothers Arthur, Hugh and Desmond. My talented nephews and nieces who keep me young and make me laugh. Great friends Mags, Anne Frances, Mary, Phil, Helen, Donna, Louise, Jan and Barbara. In Kerry, everyone in Mhurioch and Ballydavid who make me feel at home, especially Paud and Mary Kavanagh. Friends, Simon and Lynn, Thomas, Annie, Mark, Keith and Maureen, for the many shared happy hours and problems solved over Glasgow dinners and copious amounts of wine. On the Costa del Sol, thanks to Rosalind McCabe, who is a great support at book launches. And Franco Rey, for being there for me since this adventure began. My agent Ali Gunn who helps make dreams come true. Jane Wood, my fantastic editor at Quercus for her guidance and continued support, and her assistant Katie Gordon. Lucy Ramsey, Director of Publicity, and all the brilliant team at Quercus. Also thanks to Dr Bernadette Higgins for her expert medical background, and George Parsonage junior at the Glasgow Humane Society for giving me the benefit of his knowledge and experience.
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