Chapter 37
The team bounced back to a norm reasonably quickly and dived into their work. Steve did a good job pretending that he too was fine. If it wasn't for their closeness, he would have fooled everyone. However, they knew him too well and, as a sign of respect, they went along with it. Danny found himself contradicting Steve against his wishes. He wanted to do what any good friend would do in a situation like that and agree with everything Steve said, but that would be against their norm, so Danny forced himself to remain as he's always been.
Between his daughter being somewhere waiting for a good time to contact him, Malina disappearing without a trace, and his mother's funeral, Steve found it difficult to make sense of life. He welcomed the challenge of the case they were facing. It gave him escape from himself, from thoughts he never knew he'd have. It took him a while to realise, or accept on some conscious level that his mother is gone for good. The empty feeling that overtook him was a great surprise. He never thought that a person could miss something that they never had. That thought made no sense, so he thought perhaps he hoped she would become something and now that she's gone, that hope was gone too. Perhaps he missed the hope? But he never thought he had any hope, so he was back to just being confused by the cold, empty feeling that he couldn't deny.
If it wasn't for the thoughts of Sofia and the fact that no matter what happened he was a father to a wonderful woman who will be back into his life, Steve would have been angry with Malina, the kind of anger that many people confuse with hate, the kind of anger that leaves a person alive on the outside and devours something precious within them so they become bitter. How could she leave without a trace? The message she left on his pillow, written in ink on the white cotton, was barely something; 'I will always love you', it said, and then a print of her lips in red lipstick. That message couldn't replace her presence. His bed was no longer his own and he hated to look at it. He took comfort in the thought that some day the longing will disappear and all he'll be left with is a chance to move on, see the whole experience as something positive. In time…
For two weeks, Steve chased clues, suspects and eventually the culprits with his team by his side. It turned out that his and Lou's case were a warning, while Danny's, Chin's, Jerry's and later Kono's case were attention seekers. Kono received a box of food, all common brands taken out of the package and thrown together into one large box. Inside the box, with all the food, they found a rat that died of starvation. Jerry found out that the scribble was with reference to a small business. It was a shock to discover that a small business was hiding a very large operation. It's not natural for something small to hide something large. In the end, all Steve could recall were the scientists who could pronounce and understand large words that resembled nothing at all yet made perfect sense to them. Steve focused on the main point of the operation: the ocean was being used to created chemicals that were sold to all the common brands, all over the world, to poison people. The chemicals had a slow and dangerous effect on the brain making people irrational and unstable. The operation made billions. When it was discovered and stopped, many very rich individuals were extremely unhappy; some because their businesses were being abused by some small corporation, others because they stopped benefiting from the large operation they grew to depend on.
Finding out that Timothy Fisher was going to be blamed for bombing a school, except that by then Timothy would have disappeared and only Danny would exist put the whole operation into perspective. When the team looked over the plans and realised that Danny wouldn't have been saved from prison perhaps even a death sentence, they wondered why Steve and Lou got off so easy. It turned out that Steve and Lou were only at the beginning of their journey. Unknowingly, they arrested a few individuals who were key to the expansion of the operation. Divers of the operation wanted revenge and freedom to expand. They needed H50 out of their way.
Steve thought back to how the case started unravelling. It started with Robert Dougal. He really didn't care about his diamonds, but he cared about the safety of his family, so he received help without even asking for it. Since he helped so many, many were happy to help him. A little help from a lot of people added to large help until a miracle happened and even the most unlikely individuals were willing to step up. The mystery victim had 14 identities and none of them seemed real. The message he wrote on his body 'I did the best I could' was meant for Robert.
Humbled and honoured to have served the humanity in such way, Steve sat at home, enjoying his good fortune. It should have been enough. Yet as he sat in the silence the voices in his head became louder, driving his attention to the hollow feeling. It was no longer as painful as the moment he got back home to find the house empty, their things still just as they left them. But it was there mixed with the same longing. Contrary to what he believed time would bring, that the longing would subside, in time the longing grew and all other emotions subsided. He found it hard to remember why he was so angry.
"Where did she go?" Steve said to himself, out loud, gesturing to the ocean as if he was expecting the water to speak back to him.
He got up, packed a few things and headed out the door. On the way to the airport he called Danny and told him that he needs to take a trip and that he'll be away for about a week or two. Danny knew where and why, so he didn't ask any question, just wished him luck and told him:
"If you need anything…"
"I know." Steve nodded.
At the airport Steve found himself applying his organisational skills just to purchase a ticket. The best that the attendant could offer was a flight with three stopovers going through Vancouver.
"Otherwise, there is Qatar airlines, but the flight is longer." The attendant said.
Steve looked at her inquisitively. "Alright, Nolani, here's what I need from you," Steve said, "can you check your flights to New York?"
Nolani checked her system. "Yes, we have flights to New York." She relied.
"Great. Now, can you check flights from New York to Munich?" Steve asked leaning over the desk.
Nolani typed, focused on the screen. "We have a flight. You will need to check in again at New York airport, but you have plenty of time."
"Good. That's fine. Now, for the last leg of the travel, flights from Munich to Sarajevo, Bosnia?" Steve said.
"Oh yes, I've got it. These two airlines have an agreement, so you won't need to check in again, but, the flight arriving to Munich is 10:45 leaving you only 20 minutes to catch the flight to Sarajevo."
Steve wondered about the risk. He knew that the key is the distance between the gates. There is no way Nolani would have that kind of information. "I'll risk it. I'll get all those tickets." He said.
The flight from New York to Munich felt a lot longer. Steve tried to tell himself that he's been on long flights before, but this was different. He was in a different state of mind. As the pilot turned on the seatbelt sign to indicate that they are about to land, Steve felt relieved. He asked for a seat close to the exit so that he can run for the other gate.
Despite his best efforts, he missed the connecting flight from Munich to Sarajevo.
"Alright sir, there is another flight from Munich to Sarajevo at 18:35, which means you'll be in Sarajevo 19:55. Or, there is a flight from Vienna leaving at 13:40, arriving to Sarajevo at 14:45." Larisa at the Information desk said.
"Is there a flight to Vienna?" Steve asked.
"Yes, in ten minutes. The gate just around the corner." Larisa pointed to her left.
"Perfect. I'll take that." Steve said.
By five o'clock, local time, Steve was in his hotel room, ready to pass out.
When he woke up in the morning he looked for his phone not check the date; between the long flights, the time difference and passing out, he felt knowing the date was far more important than knowing the time. But when he found out the information he was seeking, it no longer mattered. He was extremely hungry. He thought about the sensation and wondered how to articulate it as he went about getting ready to go out. The best he could come up with was 'you feel like you really need to eat'. He smiled at his reflection in the mirror and thought 'people spend their life trying to articulate love, let them articulate starvation'.
After breakfast, Steve went out, through the car park and to the bridge when he heard a male voice call out his name. For a moment Steve was certain there was some confusion. But when he heard it again he turned. A familiar man, tall, dark hair that was turning grey randomly all over his head and thick beard, his dark brown eyes set in and crowned with thick eyebrows, square jaw and straight nose, it was Amir. Steve recognised him from Sofia's photographs.
"Steve?" Amir said standing barely three feet away from Steve, on a bridge over the fast waters of river Bosna.
Steve nodded.
"I'm Amir." Amir said, his lips turned into a faint smile, his hand extended to Steve.
"I know." Steve smiled back and shook his hand.
"We need to talk." Amir said gesturing for Steve to follow him.
"We do." Steve nodded and followed. "In fact, I was on my way to the Civilian Victims of War organisation."
Amir's face became serious and concerned "No, no, no. Buddy… That's where the women are. Are you fucking crazy?" He said.
Steve looked confused.
"Look, you know how one bee is not a problem? Yeah. Unless it has like a samurai on her butt, one bee is fine. But a swarm of bees is a different issue, right?" Amir said walking. "You want to go into their hive. Do you think that's smart? I mean, if you're here looking for a dangerous adventure, I know a landmine field you can plough."
Steve laughed. "No, I'm good." He said wondering what he did.
"Lucky I caught up with you." Amir said.
"How did you?" Steve asked.
"My niece works at the reception. She checked you in yesterday." Amir said.
"Oh…" Steve was disappointed. "I was hoping to catch Malina off guard."
"Good." Amir nodded checking the street before stepping to cross it. "You should. In fact, I'm gona help you. We'll get to that. You should know they left yesterday."
"What? Where?" Steve asked keeping in step with Amir.
"Relax. It's a good thing. Sofia and Hana start uni in two weeks. They've gone to settle in." Amir said.
"She's in UK?" Steve asked. "How? For how long?"
"She's going to Hawaii from UK and then back here in December. Don't worry…" Amir said sensing that Steve had a lot more questions that Amir. "But… My wife will never forgive me if I don't ask, so this question is not from me, it's her. Did you, by any crazy chance, sit in seat 21 A or B on your flight from Vienna to Sarajevo?"
"I did. 21 B. How did you…" Steve replied.
Amir laughed "Sanela, my wife, is going to love that. Malina sat in your seat about an hour after you. The same aeroplane that brought you here, took them away. We calculated that as soon as we heard you're here. When I say we, I mean my wife was all over the case and I was like 'what are the chances' and 'who cares'. How am I going to tell her that it really happened?" Amir shook his head, walking through some tall wooden gate, more suitable for residential house. And it was, except that the front yard was full of tables and chairs, occupied with people enjoying the sun. Amir walked through the crowd, into the empty interior decorated in the style of 20th century Austria. He waved at a member of staff with his two fingers stretched out and went up a wide staircase, into another large room, almost identical to the ground floor. In the far corner of the space was a very narrow staircase with red rope hanging from wall to wall. Amir removed the rope, went up indicating to Steve to watch his head on the low ceiling and to put the rope back on.
They came to a quiet room decorated in old Bosnian style, with modest but carefully crafted furniture. Small windows overlooking the garden had little flowerpots with real flowers blossoming in them. Amir sat near the corner of the divan, Steve sat on the other side of the corner.
Amir took out a box of cigarettes "Do you smoke?" He said.
"No, thanks." Steve replied watching Amir take one out and light it.
A young man came up carrying two trays of Bosnian coffee. "Do you want anything else?" Amir asked Steve.
"Coffee is fine." Steve replied looking at the small copper jug full of thick coffee, small coffee cups dressed in copper outing to prevent heat transfer, and a copper bowl with sugar cubes and Turkish delight.
Amir watched the waiter leave before he turned to Steve and said "I figure, if I tell you my side, and you tell me your side, we might get closer to what really happened."
Steve smiled and nodded.
"You're a guest so you get to choose, do you want to go first, or do you want me to go first?" Amir asked.
"I'll go first." Steve said surprising himself. Ordinarily, he would hear the other side first. But, we are masters of the words we keep silent, and slaves to the words we speak out. He already made the decision so he began his side of the tale. He told Amir everything except that it was his mother who took Sofia. He just couldn't say the words, even though he understood why she did it.
Amir listened attentively without disruptions. "A woman beat you?" Amir asked at the end of Steve's rendition. "You remember anything about her?"
"I remember the whole thing, I just didn't see much." Steve replied.
"Did you notice the eyes?" Amir leaned in.
"No. Why?" Steve asked.
Amir shook his head "If it was Vildana, you would have noticed her eyes. The woman has cat's eyes. Piercing green. But if not Vildana, than who?" Amir said. "You know what? Wait! I'll tell you my side and then we'll go back to questions and see if we can make sense of it between us." Amir suggested and Steve nodded. "I get an SOS C at about quarter to six from Malina's emergency phone. Shit has hit the fan. I'm with my men in less than an hour. We're trying to locate Sofia and find a pair of wings. My daughter calls me to tell me about the article about Malina coming out. I'm just freaked out. I know she's going for all or nothing. I flick the posts, not one mention of Sofia. This was telling, right? We also knew that it's not one of our psychos, it had to be someone on your side. I'm taking that into consideration and picturing her in South America. No problem, we're already heading to the airport, to get a head start. We figured you'd be get there and start looking for her before we make it to the Atlantic. Sofia's locator signals nearing Mexico, we're ready for lift off. Nedim says we wait for just half an hour to see if they're landing, because if they're not, they're heading our way. So we sit. The same as you, we're tracking her. They are heading to us. I can't believe it. If not South America, then where. Russia? I've got buddies there, I'm making a list of my friends in Serbia who have practically family in Russia. I'm fearing Israel, not too many contacts there and I know how bad it is over there. But, it's not impossible. We've got a new plan now, we're going to tail them, except Ramo, our pilot, doesn't want to tail them, he's insisting we stay on their wing. We take flight and we're circulating over Bosnia to let them catch up. Because we were on their wing, we flew over every country in the Balkan. I was on the phone the whole time." Amir rolled his eyes and shook his head knowing that Steve understood what this meant. "We get to Turkey and I'm just thanking God. But when they started their descend in Turkey, oh buddy, we couldn't believe our luck. Zaim said whoever took Sofia is just stupid. Honestly, what kind of idiot takes a kid from Bosnia to Turkey, all the way from Hawaii? That's when I should have realised that something else must be going on. I didn't. The thought never crossed my mind. I went there to give you guys support to get Sofia out."
"You knew we were coming?" Steve said.
"Well… I know the difference between protecting children and protecting your child. However, Dragan asked what if you guys don't show up. We agreed to give you about eight hours. We were in positions just before nine and you guys were taking positions about three, so… Anyway… We landed almost the same time they did, we just a bit to the north. I already think that there's bound to be blood; there was only one entry and we'll have to hit them there. We get off the plane and there are like thirty locals already there. Orhan says they all volunteered. I told him where she was, and he waves and says 'no problem abe, there's secret tunnel. We make it every time new'. Turned out, that compound was used before. They rescue whoever and then bomb the tunnel. Obviously, I'd prefer to avoid taking her out that way, just to save them the trouble. But, I was relieved to hear this. We had plan B. I split up the group and set up positions. And then we just waited. You guys came, everything was going fine, you were setting up just as I assumed you would, and then, all of a sudden, you are heading down, they are just watching you, you go in, three come out. By my calculation, you were inside with one woman. And then all your guys came down as well and joined the others at the entry. So everybody is just standing at the entry, leisurely kicking the dust. And then… Nothing. Just standing around. So… I made the call. If I made the wrong call, please forgive me. But, at that point, I didn't know what to think. I told my team to just get her out. Again, if I am sorry if…"
Steve shook his head, imagining what that must have looked like to Amir. "No, no, no need to apologise, I would have done the same." He said.
"They spoke to Sofia through the floor, got her out. I'm watching you guys and I can't believe my eyes. Nothing is happening. Everyone is just standing around. Nedim calls and tells me there is some guy with Sofia and that she wants us to take him with us. I'm hearing Sofia say something about being Iranian, her friend, but you know Sofia, she makes friends faster than other people make coffee. Then she says he had a little accident and found a way to neutralise uranium. She's giggling about it, trying to convince me that he's really nice. Zaim is dumbfounded. By the time he turned around, Khalid was gone. Everyone else was there, but Khalid disappeared. I think he just saw an opportunity and took off. I'm calculating how long did Sofia spend with the man and will anyone assume he said anything important to her. She was with him about eight hours, so I'm thinking she's safe and I tell Nedim to get our whole team and head to the plane with Sofia that Khalid is not our concern. I mean, what would we do with a guy like that, auction him? I tell them to prepare for lift off and wait for me for half an hour. If I don't show up, they should leave without me, or if there is any problem that they should just go. That's when a number of your friends and a number of kidnapers go in. It's all still looking highly suspicious. There was the bomb and then you guys came out. I saw you barely able to stand on your feel and the woman was dead, bullet in the head, execution style. You attack a woman, and after that you become two groups. But not exactly a danger to one another. I check my time and decide to call it. The locals go back home and I make it to the plane. We're in air and I ask Sofia if she has your number. She says she didn't memorise any numbers, that she had uncle Lou's number on the emergency phone, but she left her phone behind. Then she remembers she has Lou's daughter's e-mail. I tell her to send an e-mail, just to let you know she's safe. After that we went off line to see how things will play out. In fact, we're still off line. Anyway… We got home, Malina is there, and Vildana has a bruise on her shoulder. Both are a bit odd. Now… Neither of these two lets the opponent get a punch in. We've tried to tell them that that's just not right, I mean, if you're gona fight someone, it's only decant to let them get a punch in, at least one. They don't agree. So, did it feel like she's not letting you move?"
Steve thought back to the attacker "Yes it did." He said nodding. "Is Vildana the same height as Malina?"
"A little shorter. But, I don't know if you would have noticed it." Amir replied.
Steve knew Malina's body too well. He was sure he would have noticed. "Is there a chance she got a local woman?" He asked.
"They do have a network of women. It's informal, few thousand members, all highly capable, and they are all over the world. But… I don't think she would have trusted anyone with the task. I'm not surprised that she didn't even mention it to me. I would not have allowed that. But then… I mean, I'm expecting a call from the court any day. I didn't do anything wrong during the war, but that makes no difference. So…" Amir shrugged. "Anyway… Next thing I know, the biggest threat to Sofia is no longer a threat because, wait for this, her mother is a psycho. How is her mother a psycho in those circles? I mean, it couldn't have been Malina, how did she get there? You said you saw her in Hawaii that night. Are you sure it was her?"
"She wrote the code on my arm, I spoke to her, held her, kissed her, it was her. I am sure." Steve said.
"How did she get there? She couldn't! I mean, it could not have been her, right?" Amir said.
"I don't know. If it wasn't for the distance, I could swear it was her. What did she say about the whole thing?" Steve asked.
"She said she made it to Bosnia in time to welcome us, how much more do I expect from her. That's what she said. I'm unlikely to get any more from her. I know her from the moment she spared my life. And I'm telling you, I was never as close to death as that day when I met her and Sofia. I'll never get over it." Amir laughed, shaking his head. "But that's a different story for another time."
"What did Vildana say, where did she get the bruise?" Steve asked.
"Oh, this is a good one. She says she was baking, and while she was using her rolling pin and a big bee appeared as if from nowhere, she waved her arms in defence, and accidently hit herself with the rolling pin. The bruise looks like the sort you get when someone steps on your shoulders. You know, when you're giving someone a lift." Amir replied. "Here's what we know. We know Malina believes in the 'human factor', we know she knows how to make the best of it. We also know she believes that sometimes the best cause of action is to follow the rats. And we have a network of women who would drop everything and help her. Using this, is it possible, humanly possible to make the distance?"
"The article!" Steve said. "She published the article so that she doesn't need identification."
Amir sat up. "You think that would have helped her in Hawaii?"
"Yes." Steve nodded. "If I didn't know her and I only read the article and she came and told me her life is in danger and she has to leave the country, I would have helped her."
"Right…" Amir said thoughtfully. "This might sound like a stupid question but… Is there something called nation in Hawaii? Like an organisation, or a movement or something like that?"
"Yes." Steve said.
"Yes! Couple of women in the network are from there… I think." Amir sounded uncertain.
"I can check that." Steve said. "As soon as I get home. Might be tough though."
"It will be tough. They don't share. So it is possible, humanly possible, for her to get there in time to… But why did she beat you? I mean, she's currently sad but she keeps wearing the ring. All the women are blaming you…" Amir said.
"Why? I didn't do anything. She left without a word." Steve said.
Amir laughed. "It's great that you think that matters. Here's how they see it: she's sad, you are the cause, you should suffer."
Steve laughed too.
"What took you so long?" Amir asked. "In the compound, when you went in…"
Steve froze. He had to reply, he had to confess. "The dead woman, the kidnaper… Err… She was my mother."
Amir sat back. His eyes wide open. "Oh! I did not see that coming." He said.
"We weren't close. I didn't know until we got there." Steve tried to explain.
"So you were talking to your mother… and that's why it took you so long… Well, buddy, that's why you got beaten. I get it. She won't. As far as she's concerned, your job was to get Sofia."
Steve could see a sense in that. He tried, but Doris kept pulling him back. "You think I've done the unforgivable?" Steve asked.
Amir examined him. "Well, you're alive and you've got both your legs. I think your chances are still pretty good. Plus… So… Assuming it was her, she executed your mother?"
"Kind of." Steve said.
Amir exhaled quickly. "Yeah… That's… I know the line between brave and stupid is really thin. Seriously, I live on it like some fucking acrobat, but I wouldn't advise it to anyone, unless you're already there?"
Steve shrugged.
Amir shook his head, lit another cigarette and said "Oh buddy, with that sort, it's either heaven or hell, it's never something in between. I, personally, wouldn't want it any other way, but I have help for the 'hell' times. You'll need help. I'll tell you what. Here's my suggestion. Malina will be in Cambridge for three days. I will go to Cambridge in three days, unless you go. I mean, I'm going to do all the preps which is sort of your role anyway. You know, check the pluming, the electrics, the locks… She made me a list. I've sent three kids to uni, she makes me a detailed list. Hana's dad would go, but he's a doctor… Anyway, you go to Cambridge, do all that, and we say that you didn't want to see Malina only Sofia."
"I like where you're going with this." Steve said.
"Then in Hawaii, when she's on your turf, you'll have an advantage. But don't get cocky." Amir warned.
"Oh no, I'm not that brave." Steve smiled.
Amir laughed. "Yeah, you know that's just over the line. You don't want to cross the line. You wonna stay on the line!"