All's Fair
34,000
Insurgent Attacks
65,000
Iraqis in California
5
Calls to prayer
1
GOD
There was a hockey game at the Eppes house. Larry, Don, and Espa were all sitting in front of the TV. Espa was between Don's legs on the floor. She was leaning against his thigh as they watched the game.
She reached up. He offered her some of the chips he was eating. She smiled at him as he shook his head. He then smiled and dipped for a kiss from her. She smiled and caressed his neck affectionately.
A man made a shot on goal. Larry grunted. "Test that man for steroid use."
Charlie walked in. "You know, Dad, um, analysis of classic Sudoku has revealed six and half sextillion possible completer grids and five and a half billion essentially different grids."
"But none of that is gonna help me with this particular problem I have." Alan said.
"Well, you could also save time by using a program to solve the puzzle." Charlie said.
"Charlie, the object of doing the puzzle is to relax by wasting time." Alan said smiling at his son as he looked up from his Sudoku book.
"Using a solution program is relaxing for some people." Charlie said as he stretched a little in his seat.
Espa reached up for her glass of mint iced tea. Don sipped his coke was he watched the game intently. He had explained the rules to her a week ago. She had explained soccer to him. He watched as she stood up to stretch a muscle. She turned her body on her hips. Though still invisible to everyone else in the room, but him, he could see her slightly fleshed belly where his child was growing deep in her body.
He had really messed up a couple of weeks ago by nearly ending the relationship with the woman he adored more than any other he had had before and who was now carrying his child, though secretly at the moment. He had spent those two weeks making it up to Espa. Now things were comfortable and he was content.
She then stood against the wall.
"Charlie, are we still on for lunch tomorrow?" Larry asked looking over at Alan and Charlie in the other room.
"I was meaning to tell you, I, uh, have to cancel." Charlie said. "'Cause I…I have an appointment tomorrow. Well, not necessarily an appointment, but…"
"Might we say a date?" Alan asked.
"Uh, Susan Berry's in town." Charlie said.
"Ah." Alan said
"So, uh, we'll just reschedule, all right?" Charlie said.
Larry held up his hands. "Okay."
"Susan Berry?" Don asked. "Wait, she lives in London, right?"
Espa leaned forward looking at them all curiously.
"She does. She's a neuroscientist there."
Don arched an eyebrow. Espa leaned over his shoulder and took a chip.
Don's cell phone rang. He looked down to see who was calling. Espa cocked her head at him and smiled. She could guess what it was.
"So what's she doing in Los Angeles?" Alan asked.
"She's here on her book tour. Book's called The Neurology of Ecstasy." Charlie said looking at them.
"Eppes." Don said as he picked up the phone. Espa caressed her boyfriend's neck gently.
"Oh, the old nucleus accumbens, eh?" Larry asked.
"That's right, and she's invited me to a reading on campus." Charlie said.
Don looked at Espa and then his watch. "All right, on my way." Don said to the person on the line. "Hey guys, I got to go to work." Don said standing up.
"Okay." Alan said.
Don caught Espa before she could drop into the chair he had vacated. He pulled her to him and kissed her. He rubbed her back softly as he held her against him a moment. "I will see you in a while alright. You gonna stay here?"
"Maybe."
He nodded. "So say hi to Susan for me."
"You got it." Charlie said.
Larry rose to his feet.
"I'll see you guys later. Make sure you tell me what the score is, huh?" Don said to Espa and Larry as he clapped on Larry.
"Okay." Larry said.
"Dad, I'll see you later, huh?" Don said heading for the door. "Keep an eye on Espa will you?"
"Sure." Alan said.
"So it sounds like you're still carrying a torch for this woman." Larry said.
Espa cocked her head as she munched a chip.
"Not at all, no. You know, we're talking years ago." Charlie said. "I mean, I know, I know...I don't…we're talking…"
"Yeah, well, what are we talking? What happened?" Larry asked.
Espa stood up and walked over and leaned on the back of Alan's chair listening.
"Um, careers, long distance." Charlie said. "It'll be great seeing her again."
"Oh, definitely." Larry said walking over to look at Alan's Sudoku. "Nine, Nine, nine." He said pointing.
"Back off, Rainman." Alan hissed.
Espa smiled as Larry stood up and crossed his arms. She giggled and patted Alan's shoulder.
Don needed a consultant that had knowledge of Islam and Islamic politics. He knew who he wanted to go to. Working together with his lover would help them finish working through the problem they had had. Espa was an FBI approved consultant and often consulted about Islamic Affairs and was a translator for them.
Espa had come in with Don in the morning. She immediately went to work looking into things for Don. She called her contacts in Iraq. Colby listened to her speaking in Arabic. When she had information she stood up and walked with Colby and Megan to go see Don. She held a file.
"The victim was an Iraqi was an Iraqi citizen here on a work visa sponsored by the Women For Peace and Justice. They're making a documentary." Megan said.
"She was an activist?" Colby asked
"Definitely." Espa said. She shook her head. "Kafaji. I met her." Espa said looking at the file. "She was very outspoken."
"There were death threats against her by an extremist cleric in Baghdad." Megan said.
"A Fatwa?" Colby asked.
"Not officially." Megan said. "I mean, the cleric who threatened her is so extreme that the ayatollahs want nothing to do with him."
"Well…" Espa said.
"Well, officially, maybe they want nothing to do with him, but unofficially he could be doing their dirty work." Colby said looking at the two women.
They walked in.
David had run down the tape that the victim Saida Kafaji, a Iraqi national who was a lawyer. They put in the video in as the other three came in.
Don nodded to Espa as she came and sat on the table next to where he was sitting in a chair with a file on his knees. She nodded at the other visitor to the room. "Asad…" She said with a half smile of welcome. Don patted her leg gently before turning to the video. Charlie was seated next to Espa. He smiled at her as well.
"We had more rights under Saddam than with these extremist clerics. Iraq is a modern nation. I am a Muslim, a lawyer, a feminist, and a patriot for Iraq. Should I be beaten because of a dress code? Stoned to death for saying what I think?" Saida spoke on the large plasma screen.
"That was taped yesterday in Altadena two hours before she was killed." Don said.
"Saida Kafaji was organizing Muslim women internationally, gaining political momentum." Asad said.
"In other words becoming a threat." Colby said.
Espa nodded. "Yeah, they do not take well to women speaking out against them." She said. "Or finding things that contradict their set way of life."
Asad nodded.
"Guys, uh, meet Agent Allawi from Immigration and Customs." Don said.
"Or as we like to call it, ICE." Asad said. He looked back at Espa. "Good to see you again Esperanza."
"Like wise Asad." Espa said with a smile.
Don arched an eyebrow. Espa smiled and just dipped her head softly.
"Now, your victim had an ongoing fight in the press with radical Shitte cleric Mustapha al-Badr." Allawi said bringing up a picture on the screen.
Espa sighed. Oh she knew him.
"Wouldn't it be more convenient to kill her over there?" Charlie asked. "I mean, why do it in the United States?"
"It is possible she was fleeing, and they pursued her." Allawi said.
"Or they wanted to send a message that the West isn't safe for women." Megan said.
"Or at least outspoken women like her." Espa said. She opened the file she held.
"Uh-huh." Don said fiddling with his pen.
"And there's a mosque." Allawi said. "Right here in LA and the sheik on the left has a strong connection to al-Badr and Islamic radicals living in California." He said bringing up both a picture of the mosque and the cleric with his assistant. "But, uh, you know, there's no way of knowing who's capable of murder."
Colby and Espa nodded.
"I may very well be able to determine who's ready to commit murder." Charlie said.
"How Charlie?" Espa asked.
"Logistic regression models." Charlie said. "Now, they can be used to estimate the probabilities of things like a lighting striking and I can apply them to these circumstances."
Espa leaned down and leaned down pointed to something in her file as she whispered to Don.
"Charlie, just break it down for the guy." Don said seeing Allawi's confused look.
"Hmm. For a bolt of lightning, clouds must have certain internal conditions. Moisture, turbulence, negative electrical charges. Similarly, an individual's internal conditions, violent tendencies, religious extremism, and history with women can be quantified. Now, I cross that inner data with external conditions. Loyalty to a radical cleric, geographic location, and financial pressure, and we see where the lightning strikes. What I need is data on Islamic radicals living in California, as well as on the recent arrivals."
"What kind of data?" Allawi asked.
"Colby." Don said after nodding at what Espa had told him. Colby got up and went to them. Don passed the file.
"Data on attacks by radicals in the United States, and well as in other countries. I also need public information, like arrests, age, ethnicity, religion, length of time in the United States."
"Good." Don said standing up. "I'll interview the cousin and…and…" He looked at Espa. "Can you go with an agent and go to the mosque to…"
"He won't want to see me Don." Espa said.
Don looked at her and then nodded. "All right. You speak Arabic?" He asked Allawi.
"Mmm-hum." Allawi nodded.
"So why don't you try leaning on that sheik you told us about, okay?" Don said.
"Why don't I do it?" Megan said. "Let's see how he responds to a woman."
"Yeah, all right, that's a good idea." Don nodded.
"He will not take well to you." Espa said looking at her.
"You know him?"
"Yes…kinda." Espa said. "We know each other by reputation more than anything. We do not get along."
"You can do that together. I'll set up surveillance." Don said looking at Megan and Allawi.
"Actually, ICE has him under surveillance." Allawi said. "I can have them sent over. Esperanza will help you there."
"Get me those tapes, and we'll check them against anything Charlie comes up with." Don said pointing to everywhere.
"And, Colby, why don't you take the cell phone."
"You got it Don." Colby said putting up pictures on a clear board.
"Esperanza. Can you talk to people in the office?" Allawi asked. "Then we can just pick them up. Also see what your contacts say."
"I will." Espa said.
Don rubbed her back as everyone left the war room. "Are you all right?" He asked.
"Yeah. I will stay seated while I am calling." She said.
"That's my girl." He smiled. He kissed her softly as he went to go see to Nasreen Kafaji, the victim's cousin, in whose garden the victim was found.
Espa spent much of the time Don was gone sitting at his desk calling some of her friends in the Middle East to ask her friends about al-Badr and the Kafaji family.
Don came back after talking to the cousin. He looked at her as she sat with her hands on her head as she rubbed her temples. Her elbows rested on her knees. Don came to her. He bent down. "Espa?"
She looked up. "Hey."
"You, okay?"
"Yeah. I just talked to a bunch of people. It is not easy to get information about some of al-Badr and his men."
"Well, anything you have would help."
"Over lunch?"
He chuckled and held his hand out to her. "Sure." She took his hand with a smile and they walked to the entrance of the building side by side.
"You look good in that tie I gave you." She said pulling the silk through her fingers playfully.
He smiled as he opened the door.
"Don."
They both turned around to see Colby running to catch up for us.
"Hey." Don said. "Anything with the cell phone?"
"Yeah, it looks like she was on a call when she was killed." Colby said. "We traced to a motel in Hermosa Beach, but it was a dead end."
Espa sighed. "Well, whomever was on the phone was totally off the hook for murder." Espa said.
"All right. I got some names from the cousin. People who spoke out against Kafaji's organization. I could use the help running those down." Don said. "I will work on it as soon as we come back from lunch to talk about her contacts."
"Okay." Colby said.
Don and Espa turned to go.
"Listen, Don, we found a knife in a storm drain about a block and a half from the crime scene." Colby said lifting a file. "Sent it off for a blood and a DNA match, but the size of the blade, the shape of it, I'm pretty sure we have the murder weapon here."
"All right, so?" Don asked spreading his hands as Espa stood back listening as always.
"Here's the thing. Boot prints from the scene and now this knife…" He pulled out pictures from the file. "They're both military issue. American military issue."
"What?" Espa asked stepping forward to look at the pictures.
"You're kidding." Don said.
"Same stuff we used in Afghanistan. Same thing that's being used in Iraq right now." Colby continued.
Don looked at the pictures with Espa.
"The thing is, you can also buy it in any army surplus store." Colby said.
"Sure. I have a knife like that. I got it in Idaho Falls from the store there." Espa said.
"Oh, really? Where?" Don looked at her. "Oh, should you be on my suspect list?"
"Maybe if you didn't know where I was." She said smirking at him.
He shook his head at her.
"The American Military would never do this."
"Yeah, these are crazy times, Colby." Don said shaking his head as he looked at the knife. He then nodded to Espa to come with him.
They had a lovely lunch of panini and side salads at the corner deli. He smiled at her. "Well, what did you find out?"
"Not enough." She said sitting back having eaten ever speck of food on her plate. She sipped her milk chug and sighed. "Saida had a lot of enemies Don."
"That was what I was afraid of." He nodded.
"What do you think about the knife?"
"Murder weapon, but it was clean for prints."
"So the guy wore gloves."
"Why do you think it a he?"
"Women like quieter ways of killing. It is not easy for a woman to kill in such a way." She said.
He nodded. "I will keep that in mind." He smiled and kissed her cheek. "So I was thinking we should have a nice dinner with dad soon. You know tell him about the baby." He said.
"And nothing else?" She asked looking at him.
He took a breath. "Espa, I told you I need to work out things."
"Yes. I know." She said.
"Hey, I love you." He took her hand and kissed it. He sighed. "Let me take you to see dad."
"All right." She nodded.
Don dropped Espa at his brother's home. She needed to talk to Charlie while he went to talk to the cousin again.
Espa walked into the garage where Charlie was working. "Hey, Charlie."
"Espa. How are you?"
"Tired." She said her hand going middle subconsciously as she walked to look at a chalkboard.
The movement was not lost on the mathematician. "I am not the world's best judge of women, but, listen, Espa…the way you are touching your…"
She jumped and lifted hand away. She looked up at him in horror.
"Espa are you…pregnant?"
She took a deep breath. She put her hands on her hips. "How did you know?"
"I didn't, but you touched you stomach…I have seen you paler and you have thrown up." He sighed. He touched her arm. "My God…Does Don know?"
"Of course he does."
"Wow…are you engaged? When did…how far a long are you?"
"Four months." She said.
He took her hand and led her to the couch. "Wow…" He looked at her as she sat down. "I mean…wow…"
"Yeah."
"When are you guys getting married? I mean Don never said anything about you guys getting married."
"Well…" She took a breath. "He has not asked me yet."
"What?" Charlie looked at her. "You are pregnant with his child and he is not going to step up and be a dad to his own kid."
"Charlie…it is a little more…"
"No." He looked at her. He took her hands. "If…" He swallowed. "I love Amita Espa, but if my brother is so stupid he will not be there for you and his own kid…" He bent and kissed her hands. "I can…I mean to say is…" He touched her face. "If my brother does not see fit to be…be…a father and a husband…" He looked at her. "I will be for you and the baby." He pulled her into his arms and kissed her brow. "I will marry you and raise it."
"Charlie…"
"No." He pressed a finger to her lips. "Don't say anything now."
She nodded and she hugged him. "Thank you Charlie…but I have not given up hope yet."
"Charlie, I need…" Don walked into the garage and saw his brother holding Espa. She looked up and wiped the tears from her eyes. His jealously flared instantly, but he took a breath to calm himself. They had come too far to mess up it up by a small thing like that.
"Espa…honey." He smiled. "You all right?"
"Yeah." She said wiping her eyes as she stood up. She came to him and hugged him. She kissed his cheek. "I need to see what Alan is doing for dinner."
He caught her arm. "Hey, I love you." He told her and kissed her fully on her mouth. She half smiled and walked by him.
"No, you don't." Charlie said turning to the chalkboard.
Don turned to Charlie. "What?"
"You do not love her."
"How the hell would you know anything about it?" Don asked his voice gaining volume.
"I know plenty."
"Do you?"
"Yes. I know I would be man enough at least to stand by a woman who was going to have my baby."
Don took a step forward as though to attack his brother, but he froze. "You know she is pregnant?"
"She told me, yes."
Don took a breath and dropped down onto the couch. "You are prying into my love life and I do not appreciate it. You should clean your own house first before you start into mine."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
Don eyed him. "Exactly what I said."
"Don…she needs you step up man. She has your kid in there and you are just content for it to be a bastard?"
"Wait, hold on, it is not a bastard…I…"
"It is until you marry her." Charlie said.
"You do not understand all that has to be thought over in this Charlie. I am not the most stable home life guy."
"Espa knows that Don. That is why she had stayed with you, but she will get tired of it soon enough and move on to try and find someone who will care for her and the baby in ways other than sleeping with them."
"Hold on, that is not fair, Charlie." He took a breath and lifted his hand. "What were you talking about with her?"
"We are discussed you not stepping up and doing right by her."
"Charlie, stay the hell out of my personal life."
Charlie shrugged and moved to go to the house. "If you do not step up and marry her Don, for her and your kid…I will." He said and left.
Don stared after him. He realized two things. Espa and Charlie told each other secrets. They were confidants. He swallowed. Second, his brother was being more of a man than he was at that moment. He had offered her marriage and security for her and Don's own kid that he had fathered. Don swallowed he had to do that for Espa, for his coming baby, and for himself.
He loved having a woman waiting at home, though he would never stop worrying about her and worrying about her worrying about him the nights he had to work late. Trust was an issue that they would have to settle and work through after he had nearly lost her for good. He would marry her to keep her and his baby with him.
Don took a breath as he stared at his phone. He finally took a breath as he heard Alan and Espa talking in the kitchen. They were cooking. Espa was laughing. Don could not hear the conversation, but he knew that she had sworn not to tell Alan until they had the time to do it.
He dialed. "Hello…Is this Lupe…It's me Don…Hello sweetheart…yes…still catching the bad guys…listen, can I talk to your daddy?" He took a breath. "Thank you…Hello sir…My name is Don Eppes…yes I am the boyfriend…well sir, I need to ask if you can come out here as soon as you can…well sir…I would like to ask you in person…if I may marry your daughter…and then marry her while you are here…" He sighed. "Well, I would prefer she not know about it until I ask her…of course sir. Thank you. Goodbye then…what…oh yes I can pick you up at the airport…good enough…see you soon. Goodnight."
Espa came out wiping her hands on a towel. He smiled up at her as the delicious smell of steak and cottage fries
"Who was on the phone?"
"Your Dad. He was put through when he tried to call me."
"I see. What did he have to say to you?"
He looked at her and then sighed. "Well, he wanted to surprise you, but…" He smiled. "He and Lupe are coming."
"Really?" She asked clapping her hands excitedly. "Oh, Don. That's great. You will be able to meet my dad."
He smiled at her pleasure. He then looked at her. "I have a favor to ask of you."
"Yeah?"
"Can you come with me to talk to someone?"
"Sure…why?" She asked
Don drove Espa to Nasreen's apartment. "Listen I need you. You understand this culture. Maybe you can help her open up."
"I can try." She said.
Don walked up to the second story flat. Espa stood with him as Don knocked. She heard footfalls and then the locks being thrown back.
"What are you doing here?" The woman who was no doubt Nasreen. "Who is this?"
"My girlfriend Esperanza." Don said as he glared at Nasreen trying to intimidate her.
"Hello. I am the FBI consultant for Islamic Affairs here in LA."
"Nice to meet you." Nasreen said.
Don stared Nasreen down. "The man who accompanied Saida to America is named Joseph Karens, he's a lieutenant in Criminal Investigations."
Espa looked up at him. He could have given her a little warning he was going to fillet this woman. She looked back. Nasreen looked into the hall and she looked nervous.
Don looked back and then back again at the young professor. "I need to know specifically what she was working on and who she was investigating and I need to know." He said his voice angry. Espa knew the tone. The girl had crossed him a bit.
"Okay, please keep you voice down. Come in." She said nodding to them. Don gently laid a hand on Espa's back and had her go in first and then followed as Nasreen shut the door behind them.
"Now, you said she told you everything." Don said. "What, there was no mention of him?"
"It's not what you think." Nasreen said drying her robe about her shoulders.
"What, you had something to do with her death?" Don asked eyeing her.
"No, why would you say that?" Nasreen asked shocked. She walked into her apartment. Espa followed tossing a look back at Don as she shook her head. Don followed and continued to growl at the woman for answers.
"Because you have been holding something from me from the get-go all right? I know it, I can tell!" Don said. Espa shook her head. Don could read people and he was a good interrogator to get information when he needed to, but that was not a way to get a distort woman to talk.
There was a tea kettle whistling.
"Now, people's lives could be in danger here, Nasreen." Don continued. "Anyone who helped her, anyone who gave her information!" He growled passing Espa as Nasreen turned off the kettle.
"They met while they were working together." Nasreen said looking up at him.
Don stared at her as she walked passed him into her living room where Espa was standing and waiting. "Yeah?"
"They fell in love." Nasreen said.
"What?" Don asked looking up at Espa's look that matched his own look of surprise.
Nasreen pulled down a curtain as Espa moved to stand beside Don. "Joe and Saida were married."
Don and Espa looked at each other. "They were married?" They said at once. It suddenly explained a lot.
"No one was supposed to know." Nasreen said looking out as she pulled another curtain down.
It made sense suddenly to Espa. "He wasn't a Muslim, the family would never approve." She said nodding.
"What, some sort of…" Don cocked his head in confusion.
"Honor killing? I don't know." Nasreen shrugged looking at Espa. "You understand."
"Yes." She looked up. "Don. That changes everything." She said softly.
"So, your family…" Don looked from on to the other of the women.
"Saida and I were progressive, our families are not." Nasreen said.
"They would kill their own daughter?" Don said a little horrified and disgusted at the same time. He was going to be a father and he would never thing to remove a daughter for marrying a Muslim or anyone.
"When I was in Saudi I saw a twelve year old who had been raped at a party, give birth at the hospital where I was being attended for my broken arm. She was removed by the religious police and her own father drowned her in his pool." Espa said. She looked at him her face swirling with emotion at that memory. "Her eyes…were so haunted. She knew she was going to die and that her family was going to kill her. Who knows what a family would do for honor."
Nasreen nodded. "It is deeply ingrained in our culture. Her father, her mother, her brothers, all of them would be shunned because of her action."
"I tracked her family and they weren't in the States." Don said still not believing that.
"There are surrogates." Espa said softly. Her arms were wrapped about herself.
Nasreen sighed. "Our families have many friends."
Don nodded. "Thank you." He put his arm about Espa. "We will be in touch."
Nasreen whispered something to Espa in Arabic. Espa nodded and smiled. She patted her arm and walked out with Don.
"What was that about?" Don asked.
"She just thanked me for understanding." She said as Don started the suburban.
"I can not believe there is such a thing as honor killing."
"The world is an evil place." Epsa shrugged.
They went home, got ready for bed, picked up Gretchen, and then gently made love together to reaffirm their bond. Don Eppes was a demanding lover. He could be aggressive and fast or he could be gentle and slow. He was both this night.
After Don held her as she lie on her side. His hand caressed her back, side, hip, and then the distinctive roundness of her belly.
"When should we tell Dad?" Espa asked feeling the light caress on her sensitive skin.
"Yours or mine?" Don said gently against her hair. "I forgot to tell you that your Dad and Lupe are coming for a visit. Dad told me."
"Yeah, Dad told me that he had some time to come out here to see me. He is not a fan of California, but he can stand it for a few days." She looked over her shoulder. "And Lupe will be thrilled to be around you again."
He rolled his eyes. "She is cute, but I have no idea what to do with a girl like that."
"Love her."
"Oh, I do." He said and he bent and kissed her mouth as he rolled her body back against his a little.
"Married a non-Muslim." Megan said putting Joe's picture up next to Saida on the clear board in the war room.
"Put her life in danger." Charlie said.
"Well, it's perceived as a disgrace to the family." Colby said.
"Yeah, it changes everything." Espa said leaning against a chair.
"Where are we on locating Karnes?" Megan asked.
Espa looked at their pictures on the large screen.
"I talked to the people at the motel in Hermose, they recognized the photo, but they said he left two days ago, so we're sweeping the room for DNA and fingerprints." Colby said. "We're pretty sure he was on the phone with her when she was killed."
Megan looked at the crime scene photos.
He heard his wife being killed." Charlie said softly.
Espa sighed. "Well, if that is true, than he is not her killer, that makes a good alibi right?"
"Yeah, he is not our assailant." Megan said.
"And yet, now he's gone." Charlie said
"Someone's trying to set him up you, know." Colby said. "Which means they obviously knew about the relationship."
"Or they killed her for being a radical." Espa said. "Do not discount that."
"So our murderer can still be linked to the Fatwa perhaps or the legal cases." Megan said.
"Yeah, I mean, people that worked with them would know they were a couple." Colby said. "It's hard to keep that a secret."
"Who's motivated to frame him?" Charlie asked.
Espa turned. "Any one with a grudge against her that wants to have the non-Muslim go down for a killing against a woman. "Two birds with one stone."
"Or her family, to restore honor." Megan said.
Espa nodded. "That too."
"Or somebody she was prosecuting." Colby suggested.
"All of these could have accomplices in Southern California." Megan said.
"And all would have ties to the Mosque." Espa said.
"So we're back to hundreds of suspects again." Megan said with a sigh.
"Well, no." Charlie said. The other three looked at him. "Because I took the one hundred and twelve names we came up with yesterday, and applied Social Image Typology to generate a more targeted list. A list…" He said pointing to screen. "…of possible murderers. Now we pose the question, 'Who's most likely to commit fraud?'" /he said handing them papers. "Fundamentalists believe that God is behind them, they're not gonna shift blame so we can eliminate them. This wasn't a religious killing."
"Can you be sure about that?" Colby asked.
"The most likely group are career criminals. See, because she was not killed here and not in Iraq, this is an opportunity for someone who lives here."
"She was prosecuting was criminals outside Iraq." Megan said.
"And, you know, that's been bothering me all along. That, uh, you, why would… why would anyone go through all the trouble to set up an international murder when you don't have to?"
"True enough." Espa said.
"Some of these names are in her legal cases, the Ex Baathists, Saddam's men." Megan said.
"So she was going after scum of the world." Espa said.
"Professional criminals with something personal to gain from her death." Charlie said.
"There's eighteen names on this list, that's still a lot." Megan said.
"So we're gonna leave Karnes to the Army?" Colby asked.
Charlie had a distant look in his eyes for a moment. "Wait. We know that Karnes is innocent. And he's been gone since the murder. I am going to posit that he's probably out to avenge the murder of his wife."
"And if I'm Karnes and I'm trying to track the killer…" Colby looked up. "But avoid the Army, I'm gonna need cover. A place to work out of…"
"A sympathetic ally." Espa agreed. "An army buddy."
Charlie nodded.
David and Colby went to go check out the main person on the list of buddies of Karnes. It was the home of a disabled veteran from the Iraq war.
Two days later Espa got a surprise call at the end of a lecture to come and meet her Dad and Lupe at the airport. He had bought stand-by tickets and lucked out in getting to come on the first flights to LAX.
Espa called Don to see if he could drive with her to get them. His team was out on assignments for loose ends so he could leave to take them to the Eppes house. He had cleared it with his brother the night before when her father had called to tell them they would be there the next day. They would stay in Don's room.
Charlie and Alan were excited to meet Espa's father and to see little Lupe again.
Don and Espa waited at the luggage claim for them. "DON!" A shrill voice cried over the crowd. Don turned to see a petite girl with a bear backpack running towards him at full speed from a man who had a strong resemblance to Lupe and her elder sister. He waved and Espa smiled and waved back.
Don sighed and dipped down to grab Lupe. He swung her, holding her under her arms a moment as she giggled before pulling her up to hug her in his arms. He was grinning as well. "Hey Munchkin!" He laughed at her as she hugged his neck and kissed his cheek. "How are you doing?"
"I missed you Don!" She said sitting up on his arm to look at his smiling face.
"I missed you too darling." He said and kissed her cheek. He grinned down at Espa who watched him with the small girl. Oh, he would be a good father and a good big brother-in-law if he decided to marry her. Well, even if it was Charlie who married her…she broke off that thought as Espa's father came to them.
He had a beer belly under his shirt that said 'I am a consultant, ask me anything'. He smiled as Espa came to him and hugged him close. "Hi, daddy."
"Hey, punkin. My little professor." He said and kissed her cheek as he held her close for a few moments. He looked up at Lupe as she held onto Don's neck and had her cheek against his chest watching her dad. Don held her and smiled at the reunion.
Don passed Lupe to Espa as he straitened and offered a hand to the girl's father. "Nice to meet you, sir. I am Don Eppes. Welcome to LA."
"A pleasure to meet you." The father said with a smile as he took Don's hand. "I am Dr. Ysidro Urriolabetia. Call me Ysidro."
Espa smiled as did Lupe. She set her sister down on the ground and played with her hair.
Lupe giggled "Daddy. He is Espa's boyfriend."
Don swallowed. "Well, yes, I am." He looked at Ysidro a moment. Then he looked at Lupe. He arched his eyebrow at her and pursed her lips. She giggled.
"I can see my daughter's taste has improved. She is now dating an FBI Special Agent and not losers." Ysidro
"Dad…" Espa warned.
Don smiled. "Well, I try, sir."
"Sir, is my father, boy." Ysidro said looking up at Don. "Call me Dad." He smiled.
Don arched an eyebrow fearful that Espa would hear her father's play at the secret between Don and Ysidro. "All right Dad." He nodded. Was fair. Espa called his Dad, 'Dad' already.
Espa and Don drove the two to the Eppes family home where Ysidro met Charlie and Alan. Alan hugged and held Lupe as she chatted with him as a bubbly preteen who had things to tell her adopted grandfather.
Ysidro loved the home and he nodded to Don as Don left. They had made plans to go out later to have some man to man discussion.
Espa settled in and played cribbage with her sister.
Don went back to the office for a couple of hours. They had found Joe Karnes. He listened while Colby and Megan interviewed him. He gave them a name. Qari Qassim, a Republican Guard who had raped Saida as a girl of fifteen. His cousin, Sami Qassim, as in the States. He was the one who had killed her, Karnes was sure of it.
Don gathered his team and had Espa on speaker phone. "Sami Qassim, who was on Charlie's list." He said looking at his computer where there were pictures of Sami.
"Baathist war criminal, Republican Guard missing since 2003." Allawi said looking at a file.
"So a buddy of Oday." Espa said on the speaker. "Great. So he has connections."
"We haven't been able to locate him." Allawi said nodding.
"Well, we have hair and DNA samples from the crime scene." Megan said. "If we can find him, we can match it."
"Yeah, but this guy was able to hide himself in his own community." Colby said.
"It does not mean they know who he is Colby." Espa said.
"Yeah, there's a pretty good chance no one really knows who he is." Allawi said.
"Or they do, and they support him anyway." Megan said.
"Prehaps…" Espa said. "But the people would not support him. They do not like them. Maybe out of fear of him…"
"Well, you think its worth reaching out to the Imam again?" Don asked as he stood up.
"There's no way he's gonna turn in Qassim." Megan said sitting back.
"Unless…" Espa said softly
"Unless we can prove Qassim isn't a sincere Muslim." Allawi said.
"But how are we gonna do that?" Colby asked.
There was a moment of silence as everyone thought about things.
"Nasreen, Don. She is the key." Espa said.
"Nasreen says she and her cousin were like sisters when they were kids. My guess, like Espa thinks, is if she were raped, I mean, Nasreen would know, right?" Don said looking at them.
"And she could tell Saida's story to the Iman?" Megan asked
"That is my guess…" Espa said.
Don nodded. "Good work."
He met with Nasreen to speak to her about it. Nasreen knew her cousin had disgraced her family, but she knew she could ferret Sami Qassim out of his hole. Don reluctantly agreed to her plan. It made sense.
He started Colby and David on it as he drove to pick up Ysidro.
"So how long have you been dating, my daughter?" Ysidro asked. His tone said he knew the answer. Don knew Espa talked to her dad multiple times a week.
"About five months." Don said as he drove downtown to a small jewelry store that Ysidro had recommended because he collected rare gems. His friend who was a dealer recommended the small store.
"I see." Ysidro coughed a little. "And how long has it been since she found out she was pregnant?"
Don jumped and looked at his future father-in-law. Ysidro's look was steady. "How did you…?"
"Know? I am not so innocent that I do not see her ripening figure. I have known her a lot longer than you." He smiled a little. "And I am the father of three." He chuckled. "Do not worry I am not angry. I am glad you are marrying her. Otherwise I would hunt you down."
Don swallowed. "I am glad I am as well. What is it like being a father?"
"Amazing…" Ysidro smiled.
They parked and got out.
Don held the door for Ysidro as they walked in. Ysidro stepped forward as a man came to them. "Hello. I'm Ysidro. Greg Harlton sent me."
"Oh yes of course." The man said. "What can I do for you, sir."
"My future son-in-law here needs a ring."
"Ahh…we have many bridal sets." The man said as he nodded to a case.
Don looked down. "Do you have anything without diamonds? Espa does not like them she told me."
Ysidro smiled. "Exactly." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. He handed it to Don. "Those are her favorite stones Don."
Don looked at him and then opened the box. There were a pair of matching rubies and a beautiful orange stone that flared pink. "What are they?" He asked softly.
"A Padparadscha and twin matching Burmese rubies." Ysidro smiled. "Welcome to the family."
Don smiled. He knew that Pads were the most expensive and rarest form of sapphire and rubies of that quality were also rare. Ysidro was giving him stones from own collection to make a ring for his daughter. Don would get a nice and inexpensive white gold ring set to put it in since Espa liked simplistic things. The Pad and the rubies were lovely together.
"No one will know the true value of the ring. Besides the sentimental value the stones are worth about six-thousand and five-hundred dollars." Ysidro said
Don swallowed. And Ysidro was giving them those stones…He was amazed.
Ysidro smiled. "Like I said Don. Welcome to the family." He patted him on the back. "I know these will make her happy. When she is happy everyone is happy."
Don nodded. Don looked at ring settings and found the perfect ring. It was simple with a beautiful design around it. He smiled at Ysidro who nodded in approval.
Don turned to Ysidro as he looked at the ring in his fingers. The metal smith took it from him and set about setting the stones for him so he could take it home with him. "I know it is a bit old fashioned and it is a bit rushed, but I wanted to ask if I could marry your daughter?"
Ysidro smiled at him. "You better boy or I will get my shotgun."
"Yes, sir." Don said.
That night the Urriolabetias and the Eppes' went to dinner together at a very nice restaurant. Again Lupe charmed the wait staff with her sweet nature and quiet smiles. She sat beside Don. On Don's other side sat Espa in a beautiful dress of green. The men were in suits. Lupe was in a beautiful dress of lilac.
Charlie had put Susan Berry on the plane after a date with her. He had told Espa that he had feelings, but knew that it would never work.
The dinner went very well. The two families got along as though they had always known each other. They were having dessert and coffee when Don coughed a little. "As you all know we have been dating for several months now." He stood up and smiled at them. "I have not been one to keep steady relationships, but I feel that I need to do the right thing and keep the best woman I have ever had." He grinned at her. He dropped to his knee pulling a box from his pocket. He opened it and took her hand in his free hand. He caressed her softly.
Espa put her hands to her mouth as tears appeared. "Don…"
"Espa. I love you dearly. Will you marry me?" He asked looking up at her hope and love in his gaze.
Espa saw everyone else looking at them. She looked down at Don. She had wanted this to come, but it had robed her voice when it had finally happened. She swallowed and smiled. "I…yes…Don…yes, I will marry you…"
He laughed and leaned up to kiss her.
The others clapped as Don smiled and whispered to Espa gently loving words. She giggled and he wiped her eyes gently. Lupe bounced down and poked her head up between them.
"Hello." Don said and reached and caressed her hair softly.
"Wow, Mouse, that is a cool ring he got you." Then she grinned at Don. "See you are going to be my brother after all."
He smiled. "You're right sweetheart." He grinned. "I am going to be your big brother." He grinned and pulled her into his lap and looked up at Espa. "I am marrying your big sister and going to be your brother-in-law."
"And you're going to be a Daddy too." She grinned and then her hands went up to her mouth. "Oops." She said sheepishly looking at her sister who gave her a look. Don blanched and then looked over at the other three where the conversation had suddenly stopped.
Don smiled a bit guiltily at the look his father gave him. Espa flushed and smiled at her future husband.
Don looked at little Lupe and shook his head. He took a breath and inhaled slowly. "Ahh…well so dad…" He coughed.
"We're pregnant, Alan." Espa said smiling at him.
Alan's draw dropped. "All the trips to the bathroom." He said looking at her. He then looked at his son. "And you didn't tell me?"
"No, sorry dad…we were waiting for…"
"How far along is she? Are you?"
"Four months." She said.
He looked her up and down. "You look good." He grinned. He sat back looking at Ysidro. "We're going to be grandfathers."
"Yeah…" Ysidro grinned.
"This calls for some good wine and a toast." Alan said flagging down the waiter. "Yes…we need a bottle of Champagne and two glasses of milk." He grinned at the ladies.
"Sure, right away sir."
Charlie smiled as Don whispered to Lupe and Espa.
Everyone in the Eppes' home did not get to bed until late. They had been laughing and having good talks about the future. Don and Espa were going to get married before Ysidro and Lupe had to return to Idaho. They agreed they would return in a month or so for the reception that would be in the Eppes' back yard. Alan insisted on that.
Don and Espa went home about one in the morning. Don helped her to the bed. She was tired and she stumbled. Don stopped her and picked her up in his arms. She leaned against his shoulder. She opened the door for them.
He kissed her and then shut the door. He walked and laid her down on the bed beside Gretchen as he went about to lock up and set things right. He returned and found her in a T-shirt resting on her side.
He removed his own clothing and pulled on a pair of sleep pants. He smiled and laid down. Gretchen was snuggled against the curl of her hip. He laid down and kissed Espa's cheek.
He smiled. "Thank you…you have made me a happy man."
"Your brother offered too."
"I know. Thank you for letting me be a father to my own kid. Actually I was glad he made me realize I was hurting you, but not offering." He kissed her. "I love you."
"I know." She said sleepily. "I love you too." She kissed him and then laid back and soon drifted off.
Don went to work early. He dropped Espa and Gretchen off at his brother's home before he went. He did not want Espa to come to the mosque with him. He had told her on the way that though she knew the culture, there was likely to be shooting, and he would not allow her to be near that.
He then went to the FBI command post.
"Sami Qassim." Colby said passing out his picture to the agents about him as they were gearing up. "He was a leader in the Republican Guard under Saddam. This guy is brutal. And he's got nothing to lose so we want to stop him before he even makes into the mosque. Now remember, our first priority is to protect Nasreen Kafaji."
"No matter what goes down, you stay with her." Megan said locking a clip into her gun. "Qassim could have accomplices we don't know about. All right, let's do this."
"All right, guys, let's go." Colby said. "Let's hurry it up."
Don was to drive Nasreen to the mosque. Espa had been there to give her encouraging words on the phone and they had prayed in Arabic together while Don waited. Don then got into the car and drove her there.
Nasreen was shot, but she had been protected by the flack jacket that had given her. Sami Qassim was gunned down by Megan when he had turned to fire on her. Don had come in to tell Nasreen the good news. She told him that she was taking Espa's suggestion and going back to Iraq to spread the word for women and pick up where her cousin had left off.
Don went and picked up his father and brother. They were dressed and ready to go. Espa was being taken to the courthouse by her father and sister.
Don walked in. Don did not take his eyes off Espa who wore a dress of green satin with her hair made in curls about her head. He only half listened as the judge spoke.
Alan stood to one side with Charlie watching with smiles on their faces. Ysidro stood on the other side with Lupe standing before him grinning. She wore a matching green dress to Espa's and looked equally as stunning. Oh, yeah, Don was going to have his hands full.
"Do you Donald Alan Eppes take this woman, Esperanza, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health until death do you part?" The female judge asked standing before them.
"Yes, I do." Don said looking into her eyes.
"Do you Esperanza Mariah Urriolabetia take this man, Donald, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to honor and obey him, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health until death do you part?"
"I do." She said softly.
"Do you have your rings?" The judge asked.
Don produced them. He lifted her ring. The judge spoke and he repeat. "With this ring I give my promise to be yours. We are bound together with these circles and they can never be broken."
He slid it onto Espa's finger. He smiled at her.
She took his ring and repeated the same words after the judge. She slid it onto his finger and caressed it gently before lifting her eyes to his again. He smiled at her.
"By the authority invested by me by the State of California, I pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride." The judge grinned at them.
Don reached forward and pulled her to him. He kissed her deeply and caressed her neck as the other four cheered behind them. Don pulled back and grinned at her.
"I now present to the four of you here Mr. and Dr. Don Eppes."
She led them to fill out the marriage license and then the six people grinned at each other. It was a great day for both families. Alan hugged his new daughter-in-law. Charlie hugged Espa and welcomed her to their family.
They ate dinner together again and there was much celebration, teasing, toasts, and fun among the six people there. Don and Espa sneaked away about ten to go have their wedding night at home. It was a wonderful night of wonder talk intermingled with lovemaking.
Three days later Don was at home after work. He was thinking about something Nareen Kafaji had said. Espa was in her normal spot on the floor between his legs as they watched a hockey game on the Eppes' family big screen. For some reason it was comfortable. Alan had stopped arguing with her a month ago. Gretchen was sleeping on her lap.
Don and Espa were often around the home. It was a comfort zone for them both.
Life for the Eppes' was pretty much the same only Don and Espa had rings on their fingers. Life really had not changed. Don, however, was a little more protective and coddlely than Espa liked. Alan wanted to be, she could see it in his eyes, but he knew women found that annoying at times, no doubt from his own wife's pregnancies.
Lupe and Ysidro had returned home to Idaho, but they would return in about six weeks for the reception that Alan was holding for Don and Espa at the family home.
Espa was watching the game and drinking a can of sprite.
Alan came in with nachos for them. "What happened?"
Espa looked up startled as well. She had dozed off against Don's leg. She looked up at the food before her face with a grin as Alan set it down.
"Huh? Oh. Uh, I don't know." Don said taking a sip of his beer.
"What do you mean you don't know? You're sitting right here." Alan said nodding to the game. "Espa?" He asked his new daughter-in-law.
She rubbed her eyes. "Sorry…I dozed off."
"You are allowed to." Alan said gently.
"Dad, those look good." Don said looking at the nachos hungrily.
"Yeah, well, next time, you're the cook." Alan said
"Well, that's not a good idea, you know that." Don said. He looked at his wife as she picked up a chip loaded with cheese. "Have Espa make it." Don put some on a napkin to eat as he took back his beer.
"Espa is pregnant and deserves to have us wait in her not her on us." Alan said.
Espa smirked into her chip.
"What are you two moping around here all night? What's going on?" Alan asked.
"What do you want from me?" Don asked biting into a chip. "Leave us alone. We're watching the game with family." He said sounding like a scolded teenager.
"All of a sudden you're interested in the game?" Alan asked.
Espa looked up. "I can't hear." She said her hand on her belly as she grabbed some more food. Alan seemed very much to want her around. In her belly was his grandchild and Don had done his duty for now. That was the only reason he did not send his son home to try for a kid.
"Hey, Don, Espa, what's happening." Charlie said looking at them through a hole in wall as he came down the staircase.
"Hey, chuck." Don said.
"Charlie!" Espa smiled.
"Where's Susan?" Don asked.
Charlie sighed and shot a glance at Espa who gave him a smile. "She flew back to England a couple of days ago."
"You know, if I were you, I'd make up some excuse to go see her, because, well, that girl was worth pursuing." Alan said with a smile.
Espa rolled her eyes at the banter between the Eppes men. It would take them a while to remember at those times there was a new member in the household and she was female.
Charlie picked up a chip. "You know what? I don't want her to get the wrong idea, you know." He said biting into the chip.
"What do you mean? What's the wrong idea?" Don asked taking a sip of his beer.
Charlie shrugged. "I'm really not that serious about her." He said bringing over a chair to sit in.
Alan laughed. "I'm sorry. What the hell does it take for you to be interested? Amita is beautiful, this girl's a stunned. What do you need?"
"I think he just wants to be the cutest in bed." Don smirked over at him.
"Shut up." Charlie hissed as he took another bit.
Espa looked up at Don. "Boys…" She hissed.
Don was not done yet. "You got a neuroscientist with a body like that…"
Espa pressed her nails into his calf. He gasped and looked down at her. She shook her head a little in warning. He smiled and took a drink of his beer and nodded at her. He would stop for now. He cupped the back of her head and caressed her hair as she leaned against his thigh again.
"Who's winning?" Charlie asked.
"I don't know. Apparently, not us." Don said.
Espa looked up at him and he gave her a lopsided grin.
"Well, at least you two aren't." He said making a recovering.
She rolled her eyes.
"Speak for yourself." Alan said. "I've got a date tomorrow night."
"Oh really?" Espa asked
Don took a drink of his beer. "Oh yeah? With who?"
"With whom." Alan corrected looking back at his son.
Espa giggled.
"All right, with whom?" Don asked making a face.
"I'm not saying." Alan said
"The caterer." Espa said with a grin.
"I'm not saying." Alan repeated.
Don and Espa laughed at that.
"I don't want to jinx it." Alan said. "You two have the worst luck when it comes to the opposite sex. I'm not gonna jinx it."
"Hey, I resent that." Don said. "Which one of the three of us is married?" He said as he caressed his wife's hair messing it up. She looked up and glared playfully. "Besides I never had bad luck."
"You were on a pretty bad losing streak until you met Espa." Charlie said.
"What do you mean, Charlie? Look at you." Don said. "You are not even dating and I married a girl."
"Me? I got them coming out of the woodwork." Charlie said with his mouth full of nachos.
"Listen, all I wanna know is when do I get grandchild?" Alan asked. He looked down at Espa and smiled. "I mean Don at least has a girl with a baby on the way."
"In a few months Dad." Don said. "Leave me alone. You try and doing my job and try to keep a home life and a relationship with someone. I admire Espa a lot for putting up with it all."
"Me too." Alan said.
"Go ahead and try it Charlie." Don said.
"Oh, woe…woe is Don." Charlie said
"Poor Don." Alan said.
"Boys…the game." She said looking up getting annoyed at not being able to watch the game because of their harassment.
"Right…sorry." Alan said.
They all chuckled.