Chapter 25
When Don finished his phone call, Charlie was sitting up, looking intently at him. "Well," Charlie said, "Now they think it was Jamila."
"Jamila?" Don asked.
"Mrs. Abu-Hassan. Why do they think it was her? She seemed like a nice lady."
"Charlie, so far you've thought the whole damn Abu-Hassan family was nice. Someone tried to kill you," Don said, his voice rising in frustration.
"Maybe it wasn't one of the family members. They do have servants. They buy their food in the market like everyone else. And, yes, they were nice people. They're supporters of the new government. They're glad the Americans came to their country and got rid of Saddam. Ali told us that his brother was tortured to death by Qusay Hussein. Jamila's sister was raped. They have no reason to want the old regime back in power, and they have no reason to attack Americans." Charlie leaned back and closed his eyes, sighing.
"Okay," Don said softly.
Amita leaned forward and said, "But, Don, are they bringing charges against her? Is there anything you can do to help?"
Don shook his head. "This is so far out of my jurisdiction it's not funny. I don't know if anyone is bringing charges. I have no idea if our government is going to do anything about it." He glanced at Agent O'Connell. "Mike, do you have any idea?"
"Sorry. No. Like I said, my only involvement..."
"Has been to keep an eye on Charlie," Don said. He turned to Charlie, "I think it's time to give your buddy Bob another call. You want to call him, or should I?"
"I will." Charlie held out his hand.
"You know you're not supposed to use this in here," Don said, handing him the phone.
"I won't tell on you if you don't tell on me," Charlie said as he took the phone.
"If you go through my recent calls list, you'll find..." Don stopped, amazed as Charlie dialed the number without a second thought.
Charlie noticed Don's expression, and grinned. "I tend to remember numbers." He waited, listening to the ringing on the other end.
"Tompkins."
"Bob, it's Charlie Eppes."
"Charlie! How are you feeling?"
"Much better, thanks. I have a question. Is any American agency investigating who gave us the anthrax? As far as you know, of course."
"Why?"
"Don's sources told me they suspect Jamila Abu-Hassan now. I don't think she did it. In fact, I don't think any of the Abu-Hassan family did it. I don't want to see them railroaded, and I want to know if any American agency is involved in the investigation."
"Well, you know I'm limited in what I can tell you..."
"Of course."
"But since you are personally involved, I can tell you that we are investigating it. I'll pass your concerns on to the investigator. May I have him contact you?"
"Yes, please do. Could I contact him?"
"I'd rather not, Charlie. I'm sure you understand."
Charlie sighed. "I understand. One more question, if you don't mind. Is Jamila facing criminal charges?"
"Possibly."
"Bob, she didn't do it."
"What's your evidence, Charlie?"
Charlie rubbed his eyes. "No evidence. I just don't believe..."
"Charlie, your heart is in the right place, but I can't proceed without evidence. You know that. Listen, I've got an incoming call I need to take. If you think of anything at all, please call me, okay?"
"Okay. Thanks, Bob." He hung up, and handed the phone back to Don.
"Well?" Alan said.
"The NSA is investigating it, and the man in charge of the investigation may call me. Or he may not. And I need evidence. He's not going to act on my beliefs. Not that I blame him."
Dr. Chase entered, carrying a printout. "Good news, Charlie. Your blood counts are improving. And Dr. Adukalil is very happy with the antibody levels. The bacteriophage are working."
He checked Charlie's temperature. "And your temperature is down to 99.3. Dr. Foreman said you were in some pain. How are you feeling now?"
"Still a little sore."
"Nausea?"
"A little, but not bad."
"Hungry?"
Charlie smiled. "Yeah, now that you mention it, I am."
"All right, then. Why don't we start you on clear liquids now, and if that goes well, go straight to a soft diet tonight?"
"Sounds great," Charlie said.
"I hope you're a big fan of Jello," Chase said as he turned to leave. "I think today's special is green."
"Green, huh? My favorite flavor."
"I'll have the nurse bring you lunch, then."
"Excuse, me, Dr. Chase," Alan said. "I haven't seen Dr. House recently. Is he still involved with the case?"
Chase grinned, "Only in a supervisory position. He loses interest in his cases once he solves the mystery. Charlie's mystery is solved, and House is on to the next challenge. But don't worry. Charlie is in good hands."
"Oh, I know that," Alan said. "I ... well, this is going to sound strange, but I kind of hoped he was off onto something else."
Chase laughed. "Oh, no, that's not strange at all. While most patients and families appreciate House's skills and his results, they're not terribly thrilled with his bedside manner."
"Now, that is the understatement of the year," Alan said, chuckling as Dr. Chase headed toward the door. "See you later, Doctor."
Don leaned forward and gave Charlie a playful punch on the arm. "Green Jello for lunch, eh, Buddy! Next you'll be graduating to slyders."
Amita gasped and glanced at Larry. "I don't think Charlie will be interested in White Castle any time soon," she said.
"Why not? You love White Castle," Don said, studying Charlie's face.
"Uh, right now they don't sound very appetizing," Charlie muttered.
Don looked from Amita to Larry. Finally, Amita said, "Charlie's last meal was about half a dozen slyders."
Don nodded. "You're looking positively green, Buddy. Let me guess. They didn't taste anywhere near as good the second time around."
"Don!" Alan scolded. "Stop picking on your brother."
"Sorry, Charlie," Don said, grinning. "So," he settled into his chair and leaned back, stretching, "What kind of evidence does Tompkins need?"
"Something more substantial than my feelings about the Abu-Hassan family."
"Well, duh," Don said. "You've already told us some interesting things about them. What else do you know?"
The nurse entered with a small bowl of green Jello and a cup of apple juice. "Hi, Charlie. You ready for lunch?"
Charlie nodded. "It looks great, thank you."
The nurse gave him a skeptical look as she put his lunch in front of him. "Okay, I've heard this stuff called a lot of things. 'Great' is a new one on me. Enjoy."
Charlie took a spoonful of Jello and savored it before answering Don. "I know that Ali and Jamila have two children: Mohammed and a twelve year old daughter named Areej. Ali is the Deputy Minister for trade, and Jamil is studying to be a lawyer. Mohammed wants to be a doctor, and is planning on studying in the US. They have three, no, two servants who work in the house and would have access to the kitchen. The servants have been with the family for years."
Don sighed. "Okay. I can see why you don't think it was them. Who was at dinner that night?"
"Ali, Mohammed, the four of us, and our guide and translator, Asif Kamil." Charlie paused to take another spoonful of Jello.
Amita said, "That's the first time you've mentioned the translator. What do you know about him?"
"He was supplied by the NSA. Other than that, I don't know anything about him."
"All right," Don said. "I'll pass it on to Colby." He stood and took his phone out. "And I'm going to get some lunch. That Jello is making me hungry."
Alan laughed. "Now that is scary."