Destiny

NINETY-ONE

Jacob led Marcus and Alicia to a vacant teacher’s lounge. He switched on the television and handed the remote to Alicia. She scanned the channels, stopping when she came to a Breaking News BBC — Ahmadabad graphic on the screen. She said, “I’m connecting to the Islamic Republic of Iran News Network on my laptop, too.”

On the television screen, the image cut from a news anchorwoman at her desk in London to live video of a jet on the tarmac at Tehran International Airport. The video then cut to shots of Brandi being escorted under guard from a black Mercedes through the airport. Part of her face was covered by a dark blue khimā.

A TV news anchorwoman said, “Iranian television is providing this live feed of American citizen Brandi Hirsh being escorted through Tehran International Airport near Ahmadabad. The Iranians have held the twenty-three-year old woman for more than seven months awaiting a ruling on charges of espionage after her and her boyfriend, Adam Spencer, allegedly walked across the border between Iran and Turkey. Spencer was released earlier. They said the border was poorly marked and they’d been picking berries and taking pictures of wildflowers.”

“She looks so young,” Jacob said, his eyes filling with compassion.

The anchorwoman continued. “Iran’s president said Hirsh was being released as a humanitarian effort and to reach out to the West in a gesture of good will. U.S. Secretary of State, Merriam Hanover, in a statement released by her office, said that she’s cautiously optimistic that Hirsh will be released and would have more to offer when and if the young American boards the plane and leaves Iran.”

Alicia hugged her arms watching Brandi walk up the steps leading into the jetliner. When Brandi entered the plane and the portable ladder was rolled away, Alicia held her breath while the plane taxied down the runway and lifted off in the air over Iran. She turned to Marcus, tears rolling down her cheeks. “You did it, Paul. Brandi’s coming home.” She stepped to Marcus and hugged him. Jacob beamed.

Taheera’s cell phone buzzed in his left pocket.

He pulled it out and held it for a second. Alicia stared at the phone. “Don’t go. You don’t have to go now. Brandi’s gone from that damn hellhole of a country. Screw them! Don’t answer it.”

“I have to.”

“No you don’t!”

“Trust me, Alicia.” He answered the phone and touched the speakerphone button.

Rahim said, “Mr. Marcus, we assume you saw the girl board the plane. What you didn’t see was the package that boarded with her. It’s a bomb. We call it insurance. If you do not make our appointment, the plane will explode. You will be responsible for her death and the deaths of the other two hundred people aboard. Meet me in one hour at Emek HaMatsheva Park. It is called the Valley of the Cross, and the place is located off Lilyan Road near the Israel Museum. Bring the drive that will continue the protection of our operating systems. One hour or the plane will explode over the Mediterranean Sea, and your girlfriend will never find the smallest pieces of her niece’s body.”