Fatal Convictions

25

The media soon caught wind of the story, and Alex followed the developments on the local news channels. At 4:00, Alex watched Virginia Beach Police Chief Moses Stargell appear before a bank of microphones for a hastily called press conference. The chief was a big bear of a man, universally admired for his quick wit and street savvy. Today, he looked uncharacteristically glum.

The chief reported the following facts: Ja’dah Mahdi had not been heard from or seen since she left her home at approximately 7 p.m. Saturday. Using phone records and cell tower information, the police had determined that Ja’dah had sent text messages from the Sandbridge area late Saturday evening. Ja’dah had no apparent connections with Sandbridge-no friends or acquaintances who lived there.

The police were combing the area for signs of Mrs. Mahdi. The chief described her car, gave her license-plate number, and displayed a recent photograph along with information about whom to contact with any leads.

The reporters started firing questions, but the chief spoke over them. A white male named Martin Burns was also missing. His absence had first been noticed when he failed to show up for work on Monday morning. The chief displayed his picture and said there was no information about his last known whereabouts.

By early evening, the local stations had begun piecing it together. Unnamed members of a Virginia Beach church said that Ja’dah Mahdi and Martin Burns were part of a group of friends who attended Saturday night church services together. There were rumors that Ja’dah had converted to Christianity. Channel 13 ran an interview with her husband, Fatih Mahdi, who pleaded with Ja’dah, if she was listening, to come home. Various reports implied that Ja’dah had run away, perhaps because she feared reprisals from the Muslim community. Some speculated about the nature of a possible relationship between Ja’dah Mahdi and Martin Burns, but fellow church members dismissed such claims, saying the two were merely friends, part of a larger circle who met together following the church services.

By eleven o’clock, the story was picking up steam on national cable channels. There was video footage of search teams at Sandbridge and snippets of an interview with a square-jawed Fatih Mahdi, his lips trembling as he looked into the camera and asked Ja’dah to at least call and let him know if she was okay.

Alex flipped from one channel to the next, until one newscast nearly jolted him out of his chair. The CNN host was teasing a segment that would air after the break, promising exclusive interviews with the two men who found themselves at the center of the storm-the young pastor of the church attended by Martin Burns and “a prominent imam who leads the Norfolk mosque attended by Ja’dah Mahdi.” The host paused momentarily for effect. “I think you’ll find their perspectives very interesting.”

Alex couldn’t believe what he had just seen. Khalid wouldn’t talk to the press without calling Alex. Would he?

The interview with the pastor added nothing new. Khalid was a different story. It looked like they had placed a backdrop in Khalid’s living room and filmed him there. The cameraperson had used an unflattering angle that somehow accentuated the coarseness of Khalid’s skin, his black beard, and the dark circles under his eyes.

The reporter started with some questions about Ja’dah’s rumored conversion to Christianity. Had Khalid heard about this? Could he confirm or deny it?

Khalid looked stiff and nervous. “Ja’dah was faithful at the mosque and a good Muslim,” he said.

“Did she ever express any doubts about the Islamic faith?”

Khalid shook his head. “I am not at liberty to talk about counseling situations with a member of my mosque.”

“There has been some speculation that perhaps Ms. Mahdi converted to Christianity and thought she was in danger. Would you care to comment on that?”

“In our mosque, she would have nothing to fear,” Khalid said. “Whatever faith she chose to follow, she would always be treated with kindness and respect.”

The reporter looked unconvinced. “There are those who say the Islamic Learning Center has ties with Hezbollah. I think it’s only fair to give you a chance to address those allegations.”

Fair? Alex wanted to shout. Ambushing the imam on the air with a question like that is fair?

Khalid bristled at the question. “We have no ties with Hezbollah,” he insisted. “We are just people of faith, trying to coexist in this country.”

“Khalid Mobassar,” the reporter said, “lead imam at the Islamic Learning Center in Norfolk, Virginia. Thank you for being with us.”

“You are welcome,” Khalid responded, his face still tight with anxiety.

When the show segued back to the studios, Alex dialed his client.

There would be no more interviews.