The Lioness Read online

  She turned over and snuggled down into the bed. At least the Palestine Hotel had decent beds. She could feel herself getting sleepy again. She hoped Ty was asleep and somewhat safe. She willed herself to not think too much about his condition, hoping for the best. She was going to do her best and then some. She would get him back alive.

  Ty woke and couldn’t tell if it was morning or night still. He didn’t hear anything at first, then heard low voices.

  “I know Daoud, but I don’t know if I can find out anything. You need to give me some time.”

  Ty listened. Was this the Daoud who was Rose’s driver? He rolled over and tried to listen. The vents up near the ceiling provided ventilation and the ability to listen to conversations.

  “Will you be driving her today?”

  “Yes, she has a couple places she needs to go. I was hoping you might be able to help. I know you know people. I don’t want to know how but if you could help her. She loves this man and Noori is worried sick over her.”

  “Why don’t you bring her for lunch? Fatima can cluck over her. You know how she is. She will take her under her wing and feed her and send her with food.”

  “That sounds good. I will. Noori wanted to have her come eventually to meet the family. Your sister is a good woman.”

  “Well since her husband is dead, she takes care of me. With no children she needs someone to take care of and I’d rather it be someone other than me. I am too busy.”

  Daoud looked at his cousin. Not one to ask, but his cousin lived in a shadowy world. He wasn’t sure he wanted to know how he found out things or was able to get things like he did. He and his sister always seemed to be better off than his. He worked all hours and still had a hard time.

  “Can I bring anything?”

  “You know my sister. If you did that she would be very upset. You and Noori come and bring the American woman. Fatima will be fine. I will give her what she needs to make the meal.” Daoud’s cousin looked at his cousin. He would be a good one to bring in to help them but now it was too complicated. Daoud always kept his feelings to himself. Their family was Sunni but his cousin said to him it didn’t make a difference. Just like the Americans were no different, well the good ones.

  “Come at 8 tonight and make sure she is covered. You know the attacks on journalists have risen and this neighborhood won’t be safe for her, since she is an American. Make sure her hands are covered too.”

  Daoud looked at his cousin with what he knew was a blank stare. He just couldn’t think quickly, not since his brother’s death.

  Abdul saw the look and knew Daoud was still working out his grief. Her hands are a giveaway. “She is too light. We don’t want problems.”

  “You’re right. Maybe Fatima could apply some henna to her hands.”

  “Just make sure she is covered,” Abdul said.

  Abdul sat and thought. Things were too complicated. They had taken this journalist because he was known for his concern for the people of Iraq, Afghanistan, and the region. Their cause needed to be known. He and others were fighting for Iraq, not like the foreigners who invaded their country and said they were fighting for the Iraqis. He shook his head as he got up. He needed to clear his head. He would take the American, Ty Madison, out into the courtyard for a few minutes. His older brother was firmer, thought the prisoner should have been moved more, but Abdul said it was too risky. Better to keep him in one place now that he had been moved almost six times already.

  Abdul was about to open the back storage room where he was keeping the American when he heard his sister give a yell from the courtyard.

  “Abdul, where are you? I need to go to the marketplace to get today’s food.”

  “I’m glad you came to tell me. We are having company tonight.”

  “Company? Abdul, I wish you would give me more warning! How many? You always do this…”

  “Stop complaining, Fatima. I know you enjoy cooking for a lot of people, though this isn’t like the old days when we had big family gatherings. Three will be coming. Our cousins Daoud and Noori and the American journalist.”

  Even though she complained, she enjoyed making meals and could make up anything at any time. She had things she could make at a moment’s notice.

  “Well it’s early and I have all day. I will make kebabs and Masqouf. I will have both rice dishes, amber and neggaza.”

  Abdul thought about the mounting violence. “Give me twenty minutes and I will bring you to the market.”

  Fatima looked at her brother. He really was a good brother. Even though he was the youngest, he took on most of the family responsibilities. The bookstore with the stationary shop still ran and he was always working on some project or another. Sometimes he wouldn’t come home at night and she worried. The last week he had been home every night. She was happy when he was home. At least part of her family was safe. Her husband had died. He who had been the gentlest of souls had taken on the cause to help Iraq from within, work against the foreign extremists. He was trying to find a better way to get the freedom their countrymen wanted and deserved. He had been labeled a bad man, an extremist. One day he had walked out the door … that was the last time she saw him alive. He had been visiting friends at lunch but it ended up being a place where the US forces had been watching. He had been killed right away, along with everyone else.

  She wasn’t bitter, just sad. She loved her husband and missed him greatly.

  “I will be ready Abdul, just give me ten minutes.”

  Rose sat back in the car as they wove their way through the streets and checkpoints. They were in the Red Zone now. Iraqi army personnel were seen everywhere. She was completely covered up, from head to toe, even her hands. Noori didn’t want the risk of extremists seeing her and targeting them. So she sat enveloped in black, even her hands. She sat looking down at her hands. Her parents would laugh but they would be happy that Noori was taking the precautions. Daoud had been the one to bring the gloves. “From my wife,” he had said and then walked away. The meeting at the embassy had been what she thought it would be, a dead end. She had talked with the Deputy. He had assured her that everything was being done that could be. He said he had heard from her Congressman, her parents, Ty’s mother’s and Ty’s congressman. He said half of congress was working on this because of pressure from the people. She knew the US had a standing policy, no negotiations. Deep down she had known this was the way it would be but she still was upset.

  “My advice to you, Miss O’Malley, would be to get on the first plane out of here and let us take care of it.”

  She stood, ready to burst. “I have been here a little less then twenty-four hours and you want me to go home, without even trying?” She had picked up her bag and gloves and she was going to walk out but turned and looking into his eyes she said, “If you were a private citizen and a member of your family, a loved one, was taken, what would you do, turn tail and run for safety?” She stood there for just a few moments and he looked at her, uncomfortable but straight in her eyes, the first time since her arrival. “Off the record. I probably wouldn’t have the courage that you have, but I would try to stay, stick it out.”

  He cleared his throat and his voice went low. “My, I mean the US government, asks that you rethink what you are about to do and leave Bagdad on the next plane for Jordan.”

  Rose felt the tension, the current that was running through the air. She knew the whole conversation had been recorded. Looking him straight in the eyes, she dared him to look away. “Is that a suggestion, an order, or is it possibly a threat? I’d hate to think that the mighty US Government would stoop so low. You see….”She pulled out a tiny recorder. “I have my own recorder. I’m sending this to my congressman. It’s y insurance policy.” She held it tight. “I won’t be leaving till I have Ty, one way or another. Let your superiors know that.”

  Chapter 14

  Thank God for the black gauze that covered her face. She lay her head back in the car and let the tears run down. She would ha
ve this silent cry and then she would go to the market. She wanted to buy some presents for Daoud’s family that they were visiting tonight at eight. She was looking forward to the meal. She knew they would be stretching to make sure there was a good meal so she wanted to contribute as much as she could without insulting them.

  “Rose, are you okay?” Noori looked in the rearview mirror and watched as Rose collected herself. He could see she was upset. He had seen the way she walked out. Determination was written all over her stride. He could see it even though she wore the burqa. He had worked with her long enough to know when she was happy. Since she hadn’t spoken since climbing back in the car he knew she needed a few minutes.

  Daoud spoke to Noori in Arabic, forgetting Rose could understand.

  “I will be okay and we can talk in a minute. Just give me a few minutes to clear my head.”

  Noori looked at his cousin. “Whatever you talk about, it’s fine around Rose.”

  Looking in the review mirror, he saw Rose taking deep breaths and wiping her eyes. She shouldn’t be here, it was too dangerous. If Ty knew she was here under these circumstances he would have his head. If he made it out alive.

  “Don’t worry Rose, take your time. You knew you probably wouldn’t get anywhere with them anyway. We will use the channels we have and make more contacts.”

  He sat back as his cousin maneuvered the car out into the street. They were back in the red zone. He felt like getting a huge armored car to protect Rose. She needed protection. Who would watch out for her if something happened to him? He shook his head. He couldn’t think like that.

  Rose sat up and steeled herself. She needed to forget that interview. The hell with them. She knew when she came that would happen. Might as well go to part two of plan A.

  “Daoud?” She saw him look in the mirror.

  “Yes, Rose. Do you want to go see the Mullah?”

  “Yes, Daoud. Though I would like to go to the market area first. I would like to get some things for tonight’s dinner. I want to bring some gifts for your family.”

  Rose’s thinking was get to know the people. She knew she didn’t have the time to relax, start a project, but what she wanted to do was put out a line with bait. Let the Mullah know she was here, though she was sure everyone knew. Their grapevine worked quicker than the spotty internet. She wanted the Sunnis to know that she was lending a sympathetic ear. Rumor had it that it wasn’t Shiites that took Ty. She hoped that was the case. She was praying it was a small group, a small faction that would be easier to work with. She also knew it wasn’t unheard of for the US Government to secretly work with hostage takers, through other parties.

  “Noori, I have to make a call when we get back to the hotel. I want to contact my father, see how he is doing with his contacts.”

  Daoud looked over at his cousin Noori. “His contacts?”

  Noori watched as his cousin maneuvered around obstacles. “Yes, Rose’s father worked with the Mujahedeen when the Soviets were in our country. He was a freelance photojournalist and also helped get a lot of the medical help. He knows the president of our country.”

  Rose felt a ray of hope. They would go see the Mullah and she would volunteer to set up an NGO. It had worked in Afghanistan. She had the people, namely her family, who would do the paperwork and leg work while she was here but wanted to get something going for the women and children, a safe place. This would help open doors and get her in to talk with people, when they saw she wasn’t fooling around and was really here to help the people. She needed to make real contacts, needed to quickly but she also knew some things took time. Like in Afghanistan, there were going to be many cups of tea to get what she wanted.

  She replaced her veil but laid her head back for a minute. She wanted to cry, so badly but had to stay strong and appear strong. She had to do this for Ty. She had to get him back in one piece, alive.

  She heard Noori’s voice. “We are here Rose. Daoud will go in first and then come get us.”

  Rose sat up. “Noori, what do you think the chances are that the group that took Ty is a small one, maybe not all that organized? Maybe trying to free Iraq or better their country by whatever means they can think of. Do you know of anything like that?” She looked at him through her veil from the rear view mirror. She knew he couldn’t lie and when she had him like this he would tell her.

  “Rumor has it, Rose, that a small unnamed group has Ty. You are right. They are trying to free Iraq and trying to also get the foreign fighters, who say they are fighting for their country, out. They feel it’s not for Iraq’s best interest. Daoud’s cousin’s husband was part of such a group and died. It’s his cousin who will be cooking for us tonight. She lives with her youngest brother. There is an older brother but I haven’t seen him yet since arriving. Now I don’t think it’s the same group and I doubt her little brother knows anything. He is so busy with the family business. A computer geek, you might say. He teaches the kids at a youth center too. We will talk but we will listen too.”

  Ty sat up when he heard the knock. Abdul came in with a tray of food. Setting the tray down, he came and sat on the floor near Ty.

  “I thought you might want to know we are having company tonight.” He watched his captive to see some reaction. So far he showed little emotion.

  “I ask that if you don’t want to jeopardize your life you keep quiet. Because not only will your life be on the line, but so will that of our guest.” Still seeing the blank stare. “You aren’t curious who it might be?”

  Ty knew, but wouldn’t give Abdul the satisfaction of seeing his emotions. “I suppose an American journalist.”

  Abdul leaned closer, “not just any American journalist, but your girlfriend… Rose O’Malley. I have never seen such a beautiful woman and from what I have read she loves the people of the Middle East. Maybe she will give up on you and marry one of us.”

  Abdul had never gotten a reaction out of Ty. He saw it now. He saw the look of hate and the need to get a hold of him and kill. He could very well do that, standing seven or eight inches taller and outweighing him, but Abdul carried a gun so there was no fear.

  “I will allow you to stay in this room and will give you extra time in the courtyard tomorrow if you are quiet. If you are not, not only will we capture your girlfriend but we will kill your friend Noori.”

  Ty found his voice. “You wouldn’t kill your own cousin, would you?”

  Abdul was glad he had finally gotten some kind of reaction out of Ty. He had wondered what he was made of.

  “If he stood in my way. Though I don’t think he would stand in my way once I tell him what we are fighting for. We aren’t like the foreign fighters that have come in. We don’t need them or the cause they fight for. Our plan is simple, free our country of tyranny, free us from within. We were close to getting rid of our leader when the US came in. Now there is a mess and we have more violence than we have had in a very long time.”

  Ty sat straighter. “What do you want?”

  Abdul knew he had Ty’s attention. This was the reason why they had captured him. He was a powerful person in the news circles. He had won a lot of awards, was well liked, respected. He would help them to draw up a list of the demands. They had them, but he wanted it to be said just right. If they could get a couple of them then Ty would go free. If not he would stay till something was done. He was known for his compassion; his girlfriend was also well known in the Middle East for being a mover. She set up NGOs, helped women and children to get medical help, schooling. Between the two of them they would get the respectability they needed. They wanted to be part of the government. The people of Iraq needed fair representation.

  “If you are quiet, all will be well. I would hate to see your girlfriend hurt…” He saw the reaction and frankly he had expected it. He would think him less a man if he hadn’t reacted.

  Ty stood up, his fists clenched at his sides. He knew he was being baited but he didn’t care. This was Rose this man was talking about, his Rose.
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  He looked Abdul straight in the eyes. “I give my word I won’t say anything, make any noise… I will be quiet but I swear, if anything happens to her you will only live so long. She is everything to me, she’s my world.” Ty thought he’d kill anyone who hurt Rose. He wasn’t a violent person but the protectiveness that he felt was working overtime. He couldn’t stand the thought of anyone even mentioning they might hurt her. After all, he had seen her lying hurt after the grenade in Afghanistan, seen her so sick when they had been with the Northern Alliance troops. There, all the men would have done anything for her. He would do anything for her. He would sell his soul to keep her safe.

  “I will do anything to keep her safe… You don’t have to worry, I won’t do anything stupid. Not only that, Noori is a very good friend.”

  Abdul knew he would have Ty’s cooperation. He had all the cards and they were winners. His ace was this Rose O’Malley.

  “We will talk tomorrow. Enjoy your meal and hearing her voice.”

  Abdul got up and gave what he knew was a wicked grin. “Don’t worry, I will make sure she is well taken care of. She will be safe here, with my family, and me.”

  Ty buried his head in his hands. What was he to do? He had to get her out of here. She and he were to be used. He had to get her out of here, away from this. Somehow he had to get Noori to get her back to Jordan. He would talk to Abdul. He would do what he wanted but he would ask him to get Rose out, somehow convincer her.

  Chapter 15

  Rose’s stomach was all worked up. It shouldn’t be but after the meeting with the Mullah she just couldn’t relax. Something was up and she couldn’t put her finger on it. She wondered how Ty was, where he was. She looked out the car window and saw the neighborhood that they were in. Right in the middle of the red zone.

  Her conversation had gone well with the Mullah, who was happy she wanted to set up something for the women and children. She said she wanted to start there and work out something for the other neighborhoods.