Fatal Convictions

61

The Lebanese knew how to eat. Multiple courses spread over two hours. Exotic Mediterranean cuisine. The food was served mezze-in small dishes that formed a colorful array of textures, aromas, and tastes. For Alex, an eat-fast-food-in-the-car, I-don’t-have-time-for-dinner guy, it was an eye-opening experience. Two hours spent with Nara in the soft light of a restaurant overlooking the Mediterranean was not quite heaven. But it was close.

He didn’t get back to his hotel room until nearly nine, and he still needed to review some things before tomorrow’s deposition. He kicked off his shoes and lay on the bed. He was jet-lagged and now had a full stomach in a warm room. He didn’t quite have the emotional energy to deal with the upcoming deposition right now. Alex closed his eyes. Maybe he would take a short nap first. Just a half hour or so…

The BlackBerry always sounded twice as loud when it woke Alex out of a sound sleep. He jerked awake, disoriented in a room that he didn’t immediately recognize.

The next feeling that hit was a sense of foreboding. Nobody ever calls late at night with good news.

“Hello,” he said, his voice scratchy. He checked his watch. The display said 10:37 p.m.

“Alex, this is Nijad Abadi,” the voice said. He had a heavy Lebanese accent, and it took Alex a second to place the name-Hamza Walid’s lawyer. “I am sorry to disturb you so late.”

“It’s all right,” Alex said, but his stomach had dropped to his knees. This could mean only one thing.

“I am very sorry to inform you that my client will not be able to be deposed tomorrow. I just learned of this myself and wanted to let you know immediately.”

“What?”

“My client-Mr. Walid-he will not be coming in for his deposition tomorrow. I am very sorry that we must cancel on such short notice.”

Alex was fully awake now. “You can’t cancel. I came all the way from America.”

“I know. And I am terribly sorry. But as we both know, his testimony is entirely voluntary. And Mr. Walid has had a change of heart.”

“What happened?” Alex demanded. “You at least owe me an explanation.”

“I am not at liberty to say anything more,” Nijad said. “However, I am authorized on behalf of Mr. Walid to reimburse you for your expenses.”

“I don’t want my expenses reimbursed!” Alex said, practically shouting. “I need to take Walid’s deposition. A man’s life is on the line. A friend of your client.”

“I am sorry. That cannot happen.”

“Let me talk to him.” Alex had quickly gone from confused to furious. How could they do this?

“That is not possible, Mr. Madison. He has asked that you communicate only through me.”

The rest of the conversation was a blur. Alex expressed his frustration in no uncertain terms, trying his best to put a guilt trip on the Beirut lawyer. When he got off the phone, he quickly called Khalid to see if Khalid could get in touch with Hamza and talk him into showing up. When that didn’t work, Alex called Abadi back and said that he would show up at the lawyer’s office tomorrow morning at nine anyway, just like they had planned. If Hamza reconsidered, Alex would be there.

“I’m afraid that would be a waste of time,” Abadi said. “When I spoke to Ms. Deegan, she said that she would be taking the first plane back to the United States.”

Of course, Alex thought. Taj knew the deposition couldn’t go forward without her.

It was time to face the facts. There would be no deposition.

The one person Alex didn’t call that night was Nara Mobassar. He didn’t want her to find out over the phone. He would tell her face-to-face, first thing in the morning.