Randy Singer: Fatal Convictions

Ramona informed him that the shooter was Ahmed Obu Mobassar, the son of Ghaniyah and Fatih Mahdi. “He faked his own death years ago so that he could work undercover,” Ramona explained. She told Alex the authorities had found Nara tied up in a vacation home in the Outer Banks, traumatized but unhurt. Ahmed had tried to convince Nara that Khalid Mobassar ordered the honor killings, and he also tried to frame Khalid with a suicide note, but none of that worked.

Taj Deegan had immediately gained access to the pen register for Fatih Mahdi’s home and checked out the two months prior to Ghaniyah’s automobile accident. Just as Alex had suspected, they found sites explaining various aspects of closed head injuries. They also found searches for Sandbridge rental properties and numerous visits to the Beach Bible Church Web site. Most importantly, the pen register for Fatih showed that he was on the bank’s Web site at the exact moment that someone used Khalid Mobassar’s password to wire funds to Beirut.

It was enough to arrest Fatih and Ghaniyah, according to Shannon. In confidence, Taj had told Shannon that Ghaniyah’s lawyer was already talking about cutting a deal. She would testify against Fatih in exchange for a reduced sentence.

Alex remembered the shots that preceded the one that hit him and asked about fatalities. Three deputies had died and two were seriously wounded, Shannon told him. Kayden Dendy had undergone reconstructive surgery on the left side of his face. Because of the threat she had received prior to trial, Taj Deegan had been wearing a Kevlar vest, or she might be dead as well. Ahmed had died from numerous gunshot wounds, including a bullet fired from a gun Taj Deegan kept in her briefcase.

“There were lots of heroes,” Shannon explained.

“Including Shannon Reese,” Ramona added.

The drugs kept Alex on an even keel as he absorbed the news. His mind told him that the deputies were somebody’s father and somebody’s husband. But his emotions barely registered, suppressed by the magic of narcotics and the calm demeanor of the nurses and doctors who took care of him.

It wasn’t until evening on the second day that the full force of the tragedy began to register. Shannon peeked into the room and asked Alex if he was ready for some visitors.

Honestly, he just wanted a little peace and quiet. Visitors made small talk until Alex could no longer keep his eyelids open. When he responded, he sometimes caught himself rambling in and out of cohesiveness, depending on his level of fatigue.

But Shannon apparently wasn’t asking for permission. She disappeared and a few seconds later returned, followed by Khalid and Nara Mobassar.

Khalid and Nara approached Alex gingerly, and it dawned on Alex how awful he must look. He hadn’t showered in two days. He had that forty-eight-hour unshaven look and a scummy taste in his mouth that came from sleeping so much. He felt like he was getting behind on his pain medication, despite his efforts to push the button on the morphine drip every time he woke up. His side throbbed. It felt like somebody had taken his insides out and beat on them with a hammer before sewing him back together.

He reached over and took a quick sip from his water bottle. “Thanks for coming by,” he managed. He smiled, but he knew it looked halfhearted.

Shannon stood on the left side of his bed, and Khalid and Nara stood next to his tray table on the right. Khalid started to talk and then swallowed hard to regain his composure. Alex was still a little groggy for this much emotion.

“I feel like I owe you my life,” Khalid said.

“She’s the one who knocked you to the floor,” Alex said, rolling his eyes toward Shannon.

“I don’t mean just that,” Khalid said. The sadness etched into his eyes made Alex remember how much this man had lost in the last few days. “I mean the way you stood by me in court and believed in me. There’s no way I can repay you for that.”

As Alex looked up at his client, he realized that he had never seen Khalid cry, even after everything the imam had been through. But there were tears in his eyes now, and he placed a hand on Alex’s forearm.

“You are one of the bravest men I’ve ever met,” Alex said. “If I had half your courage, I’d be unstoppable.”

Khalid shook his head slowly. “I’ve heard it said that success is when those who know you best love you most. By that standard, with the exception of Nara, my life has been quite a failure.”

Nara reached over and held her father’s hand.

“That’s not your fault,” Alex said. “People make choices. Even when you love them, they make choices we don’t understand. Nara is your legacy.”

Alex locked eyes with her. Nara looked tired, but her expression conveyed a deep sense of gratitude… perhaps not only for what Alex had done but for what he was saying now. He tried to concentrate, but his thoughts started running together.

“I’m sorry I doubted you, Khalid. There were times… I don’t know…” The sentence seemed to fall off a cliff. Alex wanted to somehow convey his admiration for this man’s unwavering convictions and for his trust in Alex as his lawyer. But he couldn’t quite string the words together.

“I’m sorry… I forgot what I was trying to say. But what I meant was that you can’t blame yourself. What you’ve done, and the way you handled yourself in this case, is amazing. And you’ve also got a pretty amazing daughter.”

The comment actually made Khalid smile. A thin smile, with a trace of irony, but it helped Alex realize that the only things Khalid had left were his faith and his daughter.

A nurse walked in and took some notes about Alex’s vital signs. While she did this, Shannon and the Mobassars chatted as if Alex had left the room. By the time the nurse finished, the mood in the room had lightened. Khalid and Nara asked the expected questions about Alex’s injuries and how he was feeling. Alex started fading fast, and after an awkward silence, Khalid said that he and Nara should probably be going.

“I’d like to stay in touch,” Alex said.

“I would like that very much,” Khalid responded.

Nara looked apprehensive and turned to Shannon. “Would it be okay if I had a moment with Alex?” she asked. Shannon looked a little surprised but didn’t object. Khalid touched Alex on the shoulder and thanked him again. He promised to come by the next day.

When Alex and Nara were alone, he started to tell her how thankful he was that she was okay, but she cut him off. “I need to say something, Alex. And I need you to just listen. Is that okay?”

Alex was losing strength, but he sensed the importance of this moment to Nara. He nodded and focused on her eyes, those alluring eyes that had first drawn him to her.

“I’m going back to Beirut, Alex. My mother will be in prison for a long time, and my father is committed to finishing his book and rebuilding his mosque. I have to finish my studies, and I believe that I have been given a special opportunity to speak about the plight of women in the Muslim faith. Right now, the whole world is listening. I can’t walk away from that responsibility.”

Alex wanted to tell Nara that she could do that here in Virginia Beach. What about Hezbollah? What about the men who had threatened them both with death if they tried to tie Hezbollah to the honor killings?

“It’s not safe there,” Alex said.

“Beirut’s my home.”

“Make your home here with your father. Your voice can be heard from America.” Alex turned up his palm and reached out for her. “I was hoping we could spend some time together.”

She took his hand in both of hers and moved a half step closer to the bed. “You’re one of the most remarkable men I’ve ever met, Alex Madison, and the things that happened between us were real.” She stopped herself and thought for a moment. Alex could tell she had more to say, and he squeezed her hands for reassurance.