The Fourth Assassin: An Omar Yussef Mystery

by Matt Beynon Rees

  “My congratulations to you.” Omar Yussef sensed that Hamza had something else to talk about. He waited.

  “I’m still very sorry to have shot that boy, ustaz,” Hamza said. “I heard the gunshot and—”

  Omar Yussef detected deep contrition in the detective’s voice. He had wished many times that Hamza hadn’t shot Nizar, though he also felt the boy wouldn’t have wanted to survive after Rania had been killed. His part in the girl’s death troubled him, too. Remorse is a heavy thing for a man to carry, he thought, but to give a little kindness will make my load lighter. “I insist you feel no regret over that, Hamza. You were doing your job.”

  Hamza’s voice became wistful. “By Allah, what is it like to be home, ustaz?”

  “Praise be to Allah, it’s wonderful.”

  “What’s Bethlehem like now? How is my hometown?”

  It’s the same as it always was, Omar Yussef thought, though I’ve changed. I’ve seen people I loved do dreadful things, yet I’ve also come to love one of them even more. I’ve seen New York, a city I never imagined I’d visit, and I’ve experienced it at its worst. But I also found people there to trust. “Bethlehem has no policemen as dedicated as you, Hamza.”

  “Thank you, uncle. Let me reminisce about the old town with you a little. You’ve eaten lunch, I assume. Where will you go now for the afternoon?”

  Omar Yussef glanced at the muted television. The satellite channel was broadcasting footage of the president’s abortive speech at the UN. Over the politician’s shoulder, Omar Yussef noticed the green windows of the translators’ gallery. He caught the outline of a dark head through the glass of the last booth. “This afternoon,” he said, “I’m going to visit the parents of a friend.”