Two Lonely Souls
Chapter 8
Meeting the Imans
The next day, the team decided that visiting the local mosques would be an appropriate next step. One of the Imans at the various mosques around Los Angeles might have recognized a new person of interest that matched their emerging profile. Don and Colby were going to loosely accompany Isabella, but she would actually do all the speaking and asking questions. She understood the customs and the language, and by showing the due respect, even though she was a woman, they were hopeful they would get some information or at least plant a seed of a person to look for. Almost without exception, most mosques and Imans were peaceful, religious people. But like all religions, there were usually those among them that had stronger, less popular, even violent views.
She showed up at the FBI offices with Cole at her ever present side. Now that everyone knew she was pregnant, his need to protect her, while strong before, was now ironclad. He drove her around in her armored Mercedes and accompanied her everywhere even with Colby.
She breezed into the war room dressed in a traditional Arabic styled outfit, silk pants and a silk long sleeved and high necked tunic. The tunic went to her mid-thigh. It was finely woven gold and black thread. She wore a black almost full length open sweater over the top and a headdress of the same fabric as the tunic and pants, tied in the appropriate manner. Her hair was pulled back by the headdress but hung loose down her back. Her eye makeup was extremely dark, but otherwise she appeared to have on no makeup at all. Once most women were no longer forced to wear the burkas of the Taliban, there were slightly more choices in clothing options, but not many. This would be an outfit for the wealthy, even a queen or princess, if such a thing existed in Iraq or Afghanistan any longer. But she had bought it there, and it was exquisite as well as very authentic. She would gain much respect by wearing such an outfit and honoring the Iman and the mosque in such a way.
Not realizing the effect her appearance would have on the people in the war room, she was a little shocked when the bustling room turned utterly silent. Even Colby had not seen her dressed this morning, and Cole stood at the door to watch the definite impact she would have on the team.
"What? Is something wrong? Change of plans?"
"Jesus, Isa, you look incredible. Maybe this is not such a good idea, sending you into the lion's den so to speak."
"Don, you are Jewish. Don't swear using His name, He is a prophet in your religion and the Messiah in mine. By taking His name in vain, you dishonor both our religions. And I thank you for the compliment, I gather from the silence the sentiment is shared. This is the only idea we have, at least that we have agreed on yet, and trust me, if you guys don't go around looking like FBI and flashing your badges, I will get us some information to use if it is to be had. Colby, Don you guys scream "FBI" so I think you should stay behind looking like body guards, with Cole close to me being my body guard, he screams danger not FBI. Taking my car will be appropriate and make things easier than the standard FBI issue sedan or SUV." Don tentatively agreed, insisting on a bubble light in front, and weapons, bullet proof jackets, and FBI paraphernalia in the trunk, even some for Cole if the need arose. Cole Porter was both surprised and pleased to find himself back in the good graces of Don and company. He knew he was already there with Colby and he would not let him down.
"I will not lie about who you are if asked directly, but I think if you walk far enough behind or stay within sight by the car, no one will question a clearly wealthy woman seeking out an individual who may have less than positive motives. I will use my middle name, Sonia, no last name. That will be accepted as well. Are we ready to go?"
Both men nodded while the rest of the team nervously wished them well. They got in the car and drove to the first Mosque. It was not one that they expected this individual to be in since it was in a poorer part of town, and their profile would indicate he would hide in some place more wealthy and educated. The Iman was very courteous and would have helped her gladly if he knew anything but could not help her. The dress, the knowledge of their religious practices, and her knowledge of languages was clearly making a positive impression with the Imans.
By the fifth mosque, they were starting to get into the wealth and education range their suspect might have. Cole and 'Sonia' were met at the door by the secretary of the mosque, who when addressed in Arabic by 'Sonia' he went immediately to retrieve the Iman.
"الله يمدح, [إيمن] [كيجير]. أنا كان أملت أنت استطاع أجبت [ا فو] أسئلة ل ي? (Allah be praised, Iman Kijir. I was hoping you could answer a few questions for me?)"
"غنيّة ويتمنّى إمرأة جميلة أن يسألني أسئلة. أنا كنت سعيد أن يجيب أيّ شيء أنت أحبّت أن يسأل. يتمّ جسمك حارسة يتكلّم العربية (A wealthy and beautiful woman wishes to ask me questions. I would be happy to answer anything you would like to ask. Does your body guard speak Arabic?)"
'Sonia' was immediately alert, sensed by both Cole and Colby and Don. "لما أراد أنّ أمر, [إيمن]?" (Why would that matter, Iman?)"
The Iman switched to English. "It does not I suppose. We are always suspicious when military or government officials come asking questions. But when their questioner is such a beautiful woman who clearly has traveled to our troubled lands, knows our customs, and our language, I am inclined to participate in the charade."
"Is it so obvious, Iman? Rest assured, I am neither military nor government, but have been asked by our government to track down a person who is threatening terrible things in the name of Islam. You and I both know the Koran teaches no such violence, that Jihadists have hijacked the Koran and its teachings of peace and tolerance and twisted it to their own ends."
"It is a sad time indeed. The damage done to our people around the world, but especially here in the US by these lost souls is truly terrible. How can I help?"
"The person we are looking for may have come from high in the Hindu Kush mountain range. We think that because of the dialect he used in his first letter. However he seems highly educated which would not be indicative of that region so he may just be trying to show off his knowledge of a rare and ancient language. We think he has just arrived in the area and may likely seek out a mosque where people of similar wealth and knowledge would be found. Have you seen or heard of a newcomer to the community? He may be living with other clandestine Jihadists."
"You think there is a sleeper cell in our community?" The Iman was afraid and angry at the thought.
'Sonia' took a risk and reached out to the Iman and touched his arm lightly to calm him. She immediately distracted him from his distress and removed her hand discretely. "Iman, we have no way of knowing if this man is here, or if there is a sleeper cell operating here. We can only go by past experience, and our knowledge that a single man is unlikely to fulfill the level of destruction he is interested in pursuing. Does anyone come to mind as part of your community, new perhaps, living with a group of others?"
"I think there is such a man, but I need to find out where he lives. He goes by the name Irji. Let me find out more for you and call. Do you have a card?" Cole immediately stepped forward with a business card that had no information on it except a phone number. The Iman looked surprised, and then looked at 'Sonia', "Are you with the CIA? This is very mysterious and covert."
"Do I need to be to get the information I am asking for Iman?"
"You are so charming I suppose I would rather not know. I will call in the next two days." He put his hands together and bowed slightly to her. "Allah be praised, go safely my child."
'Sonia' put her hands together and wished him the same prayer. She had no qualms of using Allah, God, Yahweh, or Hashem as is the Jewish custom. It was all the same God and He would answer to all the names, as long as the person calling out to Him meant it.