A Bombing Enigma

by Angelika Lansdale

  “We scare, very scare. We see what police do to Abaan. Want no trouble. We move to Leeds. We find job and settle. Then police come. They ask about letter you find,” Fatima said turning towards Cynara. “We know nothing. Abaan no get in touch again.”

  “Did he give you an address in the letter he had sent you?” Bradley asked.

  “No, no address. All I know he in Iraq. He join group. They fight there. He no here in England. He no terrorist here in England,” Fatima said passionately.

  “Do you still have the letter?” Bradley asked.

  “No I burn. Don’t want trouble with police. They all bad,” Fatima said vehemently.

  “I am sorry the police harassed you,” Cynara said.

  “Yes they harass. Ask us again, again, again. They come back in few days. Ask about Qureshi. But we no know him. We no go to Leeds Islamic Center,” Fatima said.

  “You never met or saw Mr. Qureshi anywhere? You also live in Leeds,” Bradley asked.

  “No. No see him. No know him. We go different Mosque,” Fatima said.

  “Okay,” Bradley said. “Did the agents visit you again?”

  “Yes. Qureshi killed. They ask what we do in night. We home. No go anywhere. They take us to police station. We scared. Take fingerprints. Then let us go,” Fatima said.

  “I am sorry,” Cynara said. “They have to investigate everybody in order to find the truth.”

  “They take you to station? Take fingerprint?” Fatima asked.

  “No,” Cynara replied.

  “Then they no take everybody. Only Arab,” Fatima retorted.

  “You are Abaan’s sister. There was a letter from him to Jimmy and Jimmy killed many people. They will question you. It is their job,” Bradley explained honestly.

  Fatima just glared at him. Bradley asked her to continue.

  “Agent come after few days. Ask about Ruth. We tell we no know her. She Abaan’s girlfriend. We no meet,” Fatima said. “Too much police asking and asking. We think it end but no, no end. They again take us to police station.”

  “When?” Bradley asked.

  “On Wednesday. They question for hours and hours. Put us in separate rooms. I very afraid,” Fatima said with a fearful look on her face. Just recalling it made her shiver in fright.

  “I am sorry you had to go through that. What did they want from you?” Bradley asked.

  “Ask about Sharon. We no know Sharon. Ask about Abaan. Is he here? Who his friends? We no know other friends. Only my cousin from butcher shop. He also know nothing,” Fatima said. “They keep saying Abaan here. He no here. He in Iraq. He no terrorist. No terrorist!”

  “Are you sure Muslim Radicals is not a terrorist organization?” Bradley asked.

  “No, they no terrorist,” Fatima literally shouted. “They fight only in Iraq. No here.”

  “Okay, please calm down,” Bradley said.

  “Why police no believe us? Why?” Fatima asked.

  “There are signs that another terrorist attack is going to occur somewhere in England. They just want to prevent it,” Bradley explained.

  “It not Abaan. He no terrorist here,” Fatima repeated stubbornly. “If he here in England, I know. He meet me. But I no see him. So he no here.”

  “If he is not involved then the police and agents will realize it as soon as they complete their groundwork. Do not worry,” Bradley said confidently.

  “Not worry. Not worry. How you say that? They follow me. Follow to work. Follow to mosque. Follow to shop. Stand outside house. Always look,” Fatima spoke of her grievances.

  “If they are trailing you, then they must have followed you here?” Cynara asked.

  “No. I clever. Go to Mosque and come out back. No follow,” Fatima said confidently.

  “You sure?” Bradley asked.

  “Yes. Check,” she ordered. Bradley swiftly went to the door and opened it. He looked outside carefully and established that there really were no agents lurking around.

  “Fatima also smart,” she smirked. However, her bravado ebbed away instantaneously and she beseeched, “Please help. Abaan no terrorist. Make police understand.”

  “Okay Fatima. I will try my best to prove the truth and find out who is involved. And if Abaan is not, then it will be confirmed,” Bradley assured.

  “Inshallah,” Fatima said fervently. “Thank you.”

  “Why did you come here?” Cynara asked.

  “I not sure. I just angry. Want to come and shout. Scare you,” she said truthfully. She then stood up. “I leave.”

  “How will you go?” Cynara asked.

  “I take bus. I sorry I mad with you. Life hard after you find letter. I know not your fault,” Fatima said and then left.

  “Wow,” Cynara remarked after the door closed behind her.

  “Wow is right,” Bradley agreed, switching off his tape recorder.

  “Did all that really transpire? Abaan’s sister was actually here, or did I dream it?” Cynara asked.

  “No, she was here,” Bradley remarked. “Bloody insane!”

  “Yes. When I chanced upon the letter, I never imagined that I would be tangled in something like this. Did she actually come here to attack me?” Cynara asked puzzled.

  “We will never know now what she would have done. I am just glad that I was here. Please, from now on, be careful. Do not open your door to strangers,” Bradley said.

  “Yes, I will be very cautious.” Cynara agreed readily.

  “In the diary, was there any mention of Abaan’s current whereabouts? Where he was calling from?” Bradley asked.

  “No. Jimmy wrote that Abaan left for Syria, but no country or area was specifically mentioned after that,” Cynara replied.

  “Will you be fine on your own or shall I wait for your brother’s return?” Bradley asked.

  “I will be fine and refrain from opening my door for anyone else tonight. Enough socializing!” Cynara said jokingly.

  Bradley and Cynara swapped mobile numbers. After thanking her a little formally, he picked up his bag and walked towards the door. Just before he reached, he paused and asked, “Did Jimmy write anything in the diary about George Stewart’s affairs?”

  Chapter 25

  “Affairs!” Cynara repeated stupidly. “You know about them?”

  “Yes. Initially I would have never guessed. George was bewitched by Elizabeth. Then he had an illicit relationship with my friend, Christine, whom you met today. She expected he would divorce Elizabeth and marry her. However, once she realized it was a habit of his, she was humiliated to say the least. That is why she left York,” Bradley said.

  “I am sorry to hear that. He must have been a real womanizer,” Cynara said.

  “Yes. He was a pompous bastard, too much in love with only himself,” Bradley said.

  “I don’t think Elizabeth knows. She is still grieving him,” Cynara said.

  “Oh he was extremely shrewd. He only had relationships with women who had genuinely good natures, women he knew who would never tell,” Bradley said.

  “Why did they get involved in the first place, if they were all so nice? I mean he was a married man!” Cynara exclaimed.

  “I am not sure what women saw in him. Nevertheless, they were always swooning, even though they knew he was married. He must have spun some yarn about Elizabeth,” Bradley said.

  “Christine never told you exactly why she got involved with him?” Cynara asked.

  “No. And I never questioned her. I respect her privacy,” Bradley replied.

  Cynara nodded in understanding. Bradley left and Cynara just stood there for a few minutes thinking about everything that had materialized. She was exhausted. Now that she had a chance to reflect, it was curious why Bradley had sought her out for his article. He had explained his reasons but they seemed a bit flimsy. She wondered if he had an ulterior motive. Was he even trustworthy? She had revealed everything, including George Stewart cheating on Elizabeth.

  Cynara made herself a sandwich and sat down to eat
, feeling disturbed. Fatima literally landing at her doorstep was also quite unsettling. How did she even know which cottage to come to? Was it a setup between Bradley and Fatima? He had nothing to gain by it. Cynara had already been straightforward with him. Moreover, she was just an onlooker, hardly a key witness, or hardly the guilty culprit. There could not be any conspiracy. Pushing the negative thoughts from her mind, she got into bed hoping to read until Charles returned. However, the minute her head touched the pillow, sleep overpowered her.

  Cynara woke up the next morning feeling refreshed. It was early still. Charles seemed to be fast asleep. He must have come in late but Cynara was not sure when. She had slept too deeply. Her rumbling stomach galvanized her into action. After changing, she went into the kitchen and started preparing a big breakfast, eggs, pancakes, toast, and coffee. Charles emerged from his room groggily just as she finished cooking. He helped her set the table and carry out the food.

  “Someone is hungry today,” he murmured looking at what all she had dished up.

  “Starved actually,” Cynara commented. “Let us eat. I have so much to tell you.” She meticulously detailed everything that had occurred. Charles was quite dumbstruck. It was hard for him to believe that Abaan’s sister had actually paid her a visit.

  “How did she find you?” he asked mystified.

  “She knows I work for Elizabeth and so must have come to the manor. I am not sure as to how she knew the correct cottage. Neither of us thought to ask her,” Cynara said.

  “She could have turned violent,” Charles said grimly. “She is the sister of a terrorist.”

  “I know. But all she wanted to do was to make us believe Abaan is innocent.” Cynara tried to placate her brother. “He has joined a group back in Iraq to fight for their homeland. She is adamant that he is not running any terrorist operations here in England.”

  “How can she be so certain? He has not been in touch with her. Instead, he did contact Jimmy who wrote in his diary about a plan. What was that plan? In addition, Jimmy strapped a bomb to his body and blew himself up. He did that for someone or something, for a cause. So this group that Abaan belongs to is definitely a terrorist organization!” Charles exclaimed. “Fatima has to accept it.”

  “I know but she really has faith in her brother,” Cynara said.

  “I have no compassion for her,” Charles looked alarmingly harsh. “She had the gall to come here! What was she going to do?”

  “I think she just came without thinking, on an impulse. She was harmless,” Cynara construed.

  “Well I am glad the reporter was here. But even that is strange, his cornering you like this,” Charles snapped.

  “Relax. Yesterday was just a strange day.” Cynara tried to lighten the mood. They continued to discuss Bradley and Fatima at length. Charles felt Cynara needed to be on her guard and not let any strangers into the cottage, especially when alone. His warning extended to Bradley as well. She tried to convince him that Bradley was just a reporter out for a story, with no hidden agendas. Besides, he was hardly a mere stranger. They had both met him at Ruth’s funeral. Her brother, however, was not satisfied. They finally left it at her promising to take all the precautions in the future.

  The remainder of Sunday was a productive day for Cynara. She cleaned the cottage, stocked up on groceries, went for a run with Charles, and finished her laundry. After an early dinner, she lazed in front of the TV. Charles had to go out to meet another of his old school friends. He left only after she swore she would not open the door to anyone.

  Jane called her later in the evening and wanted to stop by. Cynara was quite delighted to have her company. Her promise to Charles certainly did not apply to Jane. Cynara made tea for the two of them and they both sat and chatted. Jane confessed she was in love with Jade. He also seemed to like her a lot but never asked her out. Jane wanted some advice. Cynara felt Jade reciprocated Jane’s feelings but was hesitating due to the fear of rejection. She suggested that Jane should take the initiative and make her feelings apparent.

  Cynara filled her in on all the excitement from the previous day. Jane was flabbergasted. She could not believe that first Bradley and then Fatima had paid a visit. Cynara outlined everything they had discussed other than George Stewart’s affairs. She asked Jane to keep it to herself. Jane stayed for another hour. Cynara called it a night as soon as she left.

  Monday started out as an ordinary day. Cynara and Elizabeth finished reviewing a few bank documents by lunchtime. Neither of them mentioned the events of the past few weeks. Cynara did not want to burden her with Bradley and Fatima’s visits. The staff also seemed to be back to normal. They went about their duties in a routine manner. Cynara joined them in the kitchen for lunch. It was heartening to listen to their incessant chatter. They all were back to their customary good-humored selves.

  Charles was in the cottage when Cynara reached there after work. He had gone to the company and turned in his application earlier in the day. Now it was just a waiting game. Hopefully, they would call him in for an interview. He suggested going for a jog. Cynara quickly changed into her exercise clothes and they walked to the gate of the manor house. It was latched. They opened it and came out onto the main road.

  As they passed the mailbox, Cynara heard a strange noise. “Do you hear that? What is it?”

  Charles stopped to listen. “Yes it sounds like a clock. It is coming from the mailbox.” He walked up to it, pulled open the handle, and stood there thunderstruck.

  “What is it?” Cynara repeated worriedly. She hastily glanced inside and saw a metallic black box with flashing blue numbers on the top. It looked like some sort of a timer.

  “Shit!” Charles shouted clutching her shoulders urgently. “I think it is a bomb!”

  Chapter 26

  “A bomb! What are you saying?” Cynara stood shocked, unable to move.

  “Yes looks like a bomb. The timer seems to be at forty-five. Probably forty-five minutes,” Charles gave her a slight push. “Run in and let Elizabeth know. Everyone in the property should be informed. I will call the police.”

  Cynara galvanized into action and sprinted through the gates to the main house. She rang the doorbell multiple times. Mr. Drake opened the door. He took one look at her face and immediately asked, “What is wrong?”

  “There is a bomb in the mailbox,” Cynara babbled, trying to catch her breath.

  “A bomb?” Mr. Drake asked obtusely. “Whatever do you mean?”

  “It is a bomb which has been activated,” Cynara explained. “Where is Elizabeth?” Cynara asked.

  “Upstairs in her room,” Mr. Drake was struggling to comprehend what Cynara was saying.

  “Call her right away. The timer on the bomb is set at forty-five,” Cynara said urgently.

  “Forty-five minutes?” Mr. Drake gasped in alarm as he headed for the stairs. Cynara ran to the kitchen. Mr. Keene and Mrs. Simpson were sitting at the table. Mrs. Keene was stirring something boiling on the gas. They all looked up startled as Cynara rushed in. Before they could enquire about her apparent stress, she requested them to follow her. They all trooped out behind her and met Elizabeth and Mr. Drake coming down the stairs.

  “What is going on?” Elizabeth demanded.

  “Charles and I were going for a jog and heard a ticking noise from the mailbox. We looked inside and found a bomb. The timer is set at forty-five minutes.” Cynara explained.

  “What? A bomb!” Elizabeth, Mrs. Simpson, and Mrs. Keene all stared at Cynara in horror.

  “Yes. Charles has called the police. He is outside,” Cynara spoke almost feverishly. “We must leave the premises immediately.”

  They all filed out of the house and walked swiftly to the gate. Charles was pacing anxiously on the pavement. “Is that everyone?” he asked.

  “Yes,” Elizabeth replied. “Is there really a bomb?”

  “I cannot say one hundred percent but that is what it seems like. You can see for yourselves,” Charles suggested. Each of them peered
inside.

  “It is a bomb,” Mrs. Simpson concluded in terror.

  “Yes I agree,” Elizabeth whispered in alarm. Mr. and Mrs. Keene clung to each other for support. They seemed to have been rendered speechless.

  “The timer is at forty-one,” Mr. Drake said nervously. “Is that forty-one minutes?”

  “Yes seems to be in minutes. When I first looked, it was at forty-five. That is when Cynara went inside to fetch you. And four minutes seems about right for all of you to have come out,” Charles said.

  “What do we do?” Elizabeth asked. “Get far away from here?”