The Other Half of My Soul (31 page)

* * *

Omar banged on the heavy wooden door, identified himself, punched in four digits on the keypad, and entered the dismal space. Flaunting a pistol, Abdallah stepped aside.

“Where is Saleem?” Yousef spouted.

“I do not know.” Omar eyed Rayna hanging like a piece of meat. A blinding light glared in her face. She turned her head toward Omar and opened her eyes. Two dark sockets pleaded with him. Then Rayna’s eyelids shut. Her lips moved, mumbling something over and over. Omar inched closer, but he did not understand the words.

“
Shema Yisrael, Adonoi Elohaynu, Adonoi Echod
.” Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. In Hebrew, Rayna was reciting the central prayer of the Jewish faith, the single sentence affirming God’s wholeness, the final words just before death.

“Omar, where in the hell is Saleem? Why isn’t the prick here when I need him? He did return from Mexico with you?” Yousef’s volatility was on the rise.

Still eyeing Rayna, Omar nodded. “I already told you he did.”

“Then where is he? Did Saleem shoot Rami?”

“Yes, he did what you ordered . . . what you wanted.”

With her eyes still closed, Rayna’s body jerked, then slumped.

The room was musty and dingy. It had no windows. The only furniture was a metal desk and two chairs. Yousef grabbed some-thing off the desk and shoved it into Omar’s hand. “A tape of the Jewish whore,” he snickered. “Get it to Al-Jazeera. The Arab satellite network will show the world that no one will save a slimy Jew. Muslims everywhere will praise the beheading of this Jewish whore who seduced one of our own men. Until she speaks and tells us what she knows about the bacteria, Abdallah will cut off her fingers, one by one.”

Abdallah let out an eerie, contemptuous snort. Omar put the tape in his pocket. “Yousef, I have something for you.”

“Not now, Omar. First the tape to Al-Jazeera. Later we talk. Now, go!”

Omar did not move. “What if I told you that I have the bacteria . . . and the formula? What if I told you that nothing was destroyed and Doctor Nolan had lied?”

“Omar, if this is a joke . . .”

“I would not jest about something so serious.”

Yousef looked at Abdallah, then, with skepticism, back at Omar. “You have the bacteria?”

“Yes, Yousef, I have the bacteria.”

“Where? Show it to me. Now!” Yousef’s mouth curled up sardonically.

“Be careful, boss,” Abdallah warned.

“After Saleem carried out your orders, I had him retrieve a large carton that Rami brought with him. It sat on the ground when Rami fell dead on the landing strip. The bacteria is enclosed in a glass tank. A manila envelope with the formula is taped securely to the back.” Omar smiled, “Yousef, the power to rule has just become yours.”

“Be careful, boss,” Abdallah warned again.

“Have I ever given you reason to doubt me, Yousef?”

“No, Omar, you haven’t.” Surrendering to temptation, Yousef drooled at the prospect of supremacy, at the thought of controlling the world, at the pleasures of unimaginable riches. He took the bait. “Omar, you’re a genius. I will reward you greatly for this.” He turned to Abdallah. “You stay here with the Jewish harlot. Do not harm her, yet. Not until I return. I’m going out with Omar.” Indulging in thoughts of ascendancy to a diadem, Yousef eagerly followed Omar, pulling the door shut behind him. A false sense of infallibility lured him.

* * *

Out in the corridor, Omar coughed twice, signaling to Rami. Silently lifting the lid off the tank, Rami firmly grasped the serpent in two places—just below its head and right at its tail. Moving swiftly, he approached Yousef from the rear, catching the man unprepared.

Fumbling for his gun, but not quickly enough, Yousef swung around. The sight of the boa constrictor froze him in terror. Rami shoved the snake’s head into Yousef’s face. Omar pushed Yousef to the ground and surged back. Rami released the snake and jumped away. Swiftly, Omar drew his gun, firing the silencer into Yousef. Sensing danger, the constrictor rapidly coiled itself around Yousef, choking the breath from him. Omar fired more shots. The boa constrictor wriggled erratically, then lay motionless. Sprawled in his own blood, Yousef expired. Rami quickly retreated to the alcove and waited.

* * *

Abdallah opened the door to investigate the commotion. Omar pretended to be in distress. “Abdallah! Abdallah!” he screamed. “A snake. It was in the hallway when we came out. It attacked Yousef, strangling him. I shot the creature trying to save Yousef. Help me! Yousef needs a doctor.”

Abdallah glared at Omar, then down at Yousef.

“Hurry, Abdallah! We need to get Yousef to a doctor or he will die.”

Abdallah vacillated, “What about the Jewish whore inside?”

Rami flinched.

“We will lock the door. No one can get to her . . . now help me, Abdallah!”

Looking up and down the empty hallway and seeing nothing, Abdallah tucked the gun into his waistband and bent over to inspect Yousef’s motionless body. From behind, Omar pointed his gun and fired four shots into Abdallah. Blood spurted. Abdallah fell over and choked out his final breath. Omar coughed once, indicating all was clear.

Rami bolted toward the door. Omar quickly unlocked it and hurried in to turn off the blinding light shining in Rayna’s face. “Raynaaa!” Rami shrieked, dashing to her side. Swiftly, he scrambled to unchain her. Just as urgently, Omar moved in to help.

“Rrawhee, my love. I am here with you now. I have come to take you home. No one will hurt you anymore.” Rami carried Rayna’s blood-soaked, listless body to the car.

* * *

“We need to get out of here.” Omar’s foot hit the accelerator. He sped toward the small airport, grateful it was in the opposite direction of the slow-moving Amistad Bridge. “I see you had your own encounters,” he said to Kamil, who sat beside him.

“I took out two men. They were about to enter the building. One of them did not give up easily.”

“You did well, Kamil. I almost tripped over their bodies rushing to the car. Would you like to know who they were?”

“Significant players in Yousef’s court?”

Omar nodded. “They were the two who kidnapped Rayna from the mall and brought her here.”

“Whew! We got them all, didn’t we?”

“It sure looks that way. No witnesses. Even Saleem is gone.”

Kamil turned around to check on the young couple in the back seat. Rami was cuddling Rayna. Tears trickled down his cheeks, “Hurry. Rayna needs a doctor. She is hot with fever.”

Leaning in toward Omar, Kamil spoke softly, “Rayna’s in bad shape. How soon can you get her to a hospital?”

“Not here. We must get out of the Triple Frontier before Yousef’s people find us. We did not go through this to wind up dead by someone else’s hands. And beside, the medical care here is quite bad. Rayna will surely die if we leave her to doctors in this place. I am going to take a chance and get us all out of here. East to Brazil. It is Rayna’s only hope. There is an excellent hospital in São Paulo, probably the best in all of South America. Patients are the rich and famous. It is less than a two-hour flight.”

Rayna’s limp frame shivered spastically. Rami covered her with his body, trying to keep her warm. “Rayna, my rrawhee, hold on. We are taking you to a good hospital.”

* * *

Omar raised the aircraft into the sky.

“Two hours?” Kamil asked uneasily, shaking his head in despair. “I pray she makes it.”

“In the compartment behind you is bottled water. In the overhead are blankets and pillows.”

Kamil took the provisions to Rami, who was removing Rayna’s blood-soaked clothes. Her skin was burning. Her body convulsed. “Would you like me to stay and help?” Kamil asked, sensitive to Rami’s need for privacy while he undressed Rayna and wrapped her in dry blankets.

“Thank you, but I want to do this.”

Kamil put his hand on Rami’s shoulder, “I’ll be up front with Omar if you need me for anything. I’ll come back and check in a little while.”

Rami clutched Rayna to his chest. Lifting the water, he carefully drizzled some into her mouth. He patted droplets of the liquid onto her burning face and kissed her lips. “Rayna, I am here. Never again will I leave you alone. Squeeze my hand if you feel me with you. Squeeze my hand, Rayna. Please squeeze my hand.” She lay spiritless. Her breathing was shallow. “Yousef is dead. Abdallah is dead. No one can hurt us anymore. You will get better. I know you will get better. Just do not leave me. I cannot make it without you. I love you, Rayna. I love you.”

* * *

“Kamil, I need your help,” Omar called out to him while concentrating on the skies. “I am headed toward one of the best medical centers in all of South America. We must alert them to Rayna’s condition so they will be ready for her when we arrive. The hospital has a small runway. It’s for their affluent patients. I want to set the plane down on the hospital grounds. Someone will need to guide me in. Use your satellite phone and see what you can do.” Omar provided as much information as he knew, but he had no phone number. “I cannot risk asking for help over the plane’s communication system. You understand?”

“Yes, I understand.” Kamil dialed Alexis.

* * *

“Kamil, we’ve been sick with worry. Abe is here with me. He’s falling apart . . .”

“Alexis, don’t talk. Just listen. I need your help. Yousef and Abdallah are dead. So are the two men who kidnapped Rayna. Rami and I are with Omar. He’s flying us to São Paulo in a private plane. Rayna is with us. She’s in very bad shape. Here’s what I need you to do . . .”

* * *

An hour later, Alexis called back. “Everything is set. There’s a small, private landing strip by the hospital. It’s used a lot. They will guide you in. A medical emergency vehicle will be waiting. Here’s the number you need to contact. They are expecting your call.”

“You’re the one person I can always depend on. I’ll be in touch as soon as I know more.”

“Kamil . . . how bad is she?”

“Close to death. Prepare Abe . . . I love you. I miss you.”

“Me, too. How’s Rami holding up?”

“Not good. But he’s fully there for Rayna.”

thirty-six

There is no god beside Me. I deal death and give life; I wounded and I will heal. None can deliver from My hand.

—Deuteronomy 32:39

The plane touched down. Rami nestled Rayna’s listless form against him and carried her out to the waiting medical vehicle. Kamil and Omar stood at the cabin door. “Well, my friend, here is where we part company. It feels good to be rid of Yousef. I can now breathe without choking.”

“Rami and I owe you our lives, Omar. We can never repay you for all you did.”

“Oh, but you have. I needed you and Rami as much as you both needed me. Alone, it would have been impossible.”

“What will you do now?”

“I must first go back to the Triple Frontier and clear my name. Then I will return to Syria. My family needs me. It has been a year since my father’s death.” Omar placed his hand on Kamil’s shoulder. “I will be fine. I am a free man now. Nobody owns me.” Feeling more confident than he could ever remember, Omar grinned, “I am a pilot, a good one. I can always get a job . . . and it is time for me to find a wife.” The two men embraced and said goodbye.

Kamil started to deplane. “Wait, Kamil.” Omar held out a tape. “Yousef asked me to get this off to Al-Jazeera.”

“Of Rayna?”

“Yes. Of Rayna. I trust you to destroy it.”

Kamil took the tape. “No one will ever see it. Not even me.”

“I have something else.” Omar gathered Rayna’s blood-soaked clothes. He stuffed them inside a large plastic bag. “If you will get rid of this, too, I will clean up all traces of blood in the aircraft and in the car. Not a hint of evidence will remain.”

“My part will be done when I walk off this plane. Thank you.”

“And I thank you.” Omar smiled.

“Whenever you pass through New York, I expect you to stay with us. It will give Alexis much joy to know you.”

“You are most kind. One day I may surprise you. Say goodbye to Rami for me. Tell him I will never find another friend like him. I pray to Allah for Rayna’s recovery.”

“I will give Rami your message. Salaam.” Kamil stepped down and walked toward the hospital.

* * *

To clear his name in the Muslim community, and to avoid becoming a prime suspect and a hunted man, Omar had to return to the Triple Frontier. Going back and feigning shock at the massacre would divert attention away from himself. Omar was sure he could pull it off. Murder investigations in Ciudad del Este were primitive and corrupt.
Besides
, Omar reasoned,
I am well liked and have made many friends, neither of which is true for Saleem. I can easily point a finger at the dead man. No one would suspect the truth, that we killed Saleem back in Reynosa. Saleem’s sudden disappearance will shed enough suspicion on him to initiate a futile manhunt in the belief that Saleem is still alive somewhere out there.
Omar breathed a sigh of reprieve.
One more knot to tie and my freedom is absolute.

* * *

Kamil made his way through the hospital’s interior, searching for Rami. He found him slouched over with his head in his hands. Kamil compassionately touched Rami’s arm and sat with him in silence. In time, the doctor’s presence broke the quietude.

“Mr. Mahmoud?”

“Yes?” Rami jumped to his feet, desperately searching for a glimmer of hope.

Speaking in almost flawless English, the doctor delivered the grim news. “I must prepare you. Your wife has lost a lot of blood and her pressure is dangerously low. We are working to bring down the fever. Toxins have invaded her bloodstream, and she has gone into what we call septic shock, which is . . . her chances are slim.”

Rami begged, “Do not let Rayna die. Please . . . please.” He broke down and cried.

The doctor looked away, not wanting to give Rami more bad news. “We are doing all we can. The baby did not make it. I am sorry.”

With tears streaming down his face, Rami pleaded, “Rayna cannot die. She is all I have . . . she is all I have.”

“Your wife is in the best hands. A team of us are doing everything possible to save her. Now I must get back and help.” Politely, he turned and left.

Losing his unborn son tore a piece out of Rami’s heart. Losing Rayna would finish him.

* * *

All of Kamil’s words could not comfort Rami. Only his presence mattered. So Kamil held Rami and let him cry. Haunting images of the Hamah massacre flashed before him. Terrifying wails from his three-year-old brother being yanked from his arms pounded in his ears. Holding Rami now, Kamil felt the same intensity, the same familiarity.
Don’t let go. This time, Kamil, don’t let go
. “Rayna will get well. She’s strong and tenacious. You must believe that.” Kamil offered hope, but he himself was worried about Rayna’s survival.

“I did this to her. I exposed Rayna to Yousef. If it were not for me, Yousef would never have known Rayna . . . Rayna would not be . . .”

“Rami, this is no more your fault than it is Rayna’s. But Rayna did insist on leaving the house when you asked her not to.”

“No!” Rami sat upright. “If Rayna had stayed in the house, Yousef’s men would have found their way in, endangering Alexis as well.”

“I’m so sorry, Rami. I was not placing blame on Rayna. I was just . . .”

“I need to be alone.” Rami edged away from Kamil and closed his eyes.

Kamil backed off, giving Rami his space. Stepping outside the complex, Kamil called Alexis.

* * *

“It’s my fault,” she cried. “I should never have let Rayna out of my sight. Oh God, if Rayna dies . . . I did this to her. I did this . . .”

“No. You didn’t do this to her. Yousef was determined. His men would’ve gotten to Rayna no matter where she was.”

“What am I supposed to tell Abe? He’s inconsolable.”

“Tell Abe that Rayna’s a fighter, and with our prayers, she will recover.”

“Abe and I have a direct flight into São Paulo. We’re leaving Kennedy tonight and should arrive early tomorrow. We’ll get a taxi straight to the hospital.”

“It will be good to have you here . . . Alexis, does Rayna’s mother know?”

“Yes, Sarah knows, and she’s still the same Sarah. Abe said she won’t ever forgive Rayna for marrying Rami, or me for betraying her son by marrying you.”

“How sad for her. I love you. You know that, don’t you?”

“Yes, I know. I love you back. Kamil . . . I want Rayna to get better. God, I want her well again.”

“She will . . .”

“I have to go. Patients are waiting, and Abe is coming to pick me up in two hours. See you tomorrow.”

“Wait! Alexis, did you speak with Simon?”

“Yes. He’s already alerted the police to call off the search. He told them that Rayna was kidnapped, a ransom had been paid, and she’s safe. When she’s up to it, she’ll make a statement. But for now, Rayna needs her privacy and is in seclusion. And, for her protection, no charges will be brought against the kidnappers.”

“Good. Simon handled it well. But then again, he always does.”

“Bye. Love you.”

* * *

Kamil’s stomach growled. He could not remember the last time he and Rami had eaten. Inside the hospital, he found a coffee shop, and returned with food for both of them. Rami’s eyes were shut. Kamil sat beside him and gently nudged his arm. “You must eat something.”

“I am not hungry.”

“Yes you are. You must get some food in you to be strong for Rayna. She will need your strength to help her recover.”

Rami pushed away the food. Kamil persisted. Another hour passed. A nurse came out. “Mr. Mahmoud?”

“Yes?”

She spoke English with a heavy Brazilian accent. “Your wife’s condition is steady. We are monitoring her closely. Be patient. It will be a while.” She turned and left without giving Rami a chance to speak.

An excruciatingly long five hours passed. Kamil concentrated his energy on consoling Rami. He was extra cautious with his words, sensitive not to add to Rami’s suffering.

In time, the doctor returned. “Your wife is a fighter. The next seventy-two hours are critical. If she makes it through, then her chances for a full recovery are excellent. We are in the process of moving Rayna to a private room. Nurses will observe her around the clock, and I will be on call and checking in. Intravenous tubes are keeping her alive. She is heavily sedated. Someone will come and get you once your wife is settled in. You can hold her hand and talk with her, but she probably won’t know you are there. Be patient.”

* * *

Sitting by Rayna’s bedside, Rami held her hand and tenderly stroked her face. He focused on her every breath and heartbeat. Seven years of memories flooded his mind.
The first moment I saw her. Our deep-seated conversations. Our long walks. The beginning of our intimacy. Our bantering and laughter. Our marriage. Our belated honeymoon to the Triple Frontier. The months she cared for me after my ordeal in the jungles of Colombia. Our trip to Spain. Our grief over losing Eli. Her determination to keep us both on track to finish school.

Their love was everlasting. Their trust, indestructible. Their commitment, timeless. Rayna was the essence of Rami’s being. Without her, he would not go on living. “Rayna, rrawhee, I am here. I have your hand.” She stirred. “You will get well. Our lives will be better and safer. I swear this to you. Yousef is dead. Abdallah is dead. Those who did this to you are all dead. No one can harm us anymore.” Rami bent over and softly kissed Rayna’s face. “We have come too far to throw it all away now. Once, I told you that I am not strong enough to live without you. I am telling you again. I am not strong enough to live without you. You must get better. Fight, Rayna. Fight.” Rami’s tears flowed. “I love you so much.”

* * *

By late morning, Abe and Alexis arrived. Kamil hugged his wife. Abe rushed to Rayna’s side. “Rayna, it’s me. It’s Daddy.” She did not respond. “Oh God. Oh God,” he sobbed, clutching his daughter’s hand. Rayna’s body fluttered and she gave out a frightful sound.

Kamil scrambled to guide Abe from the room. “Any kind of agitation is not good for her. I know how hard this must be for you, especially after losing Eli.”

“No. You don’t know! How could you?”

“Shhhh.” Kamil steadied Abe while attempting to keep his own irritation in check. “Don’t you dare preach to me about loss. My entire family was killed. My parents. My brothers. My sisters. In front of me, savages beheaded my father. Syrians. Muslims. My own people did this. My three-year-old brother was torn from my arms. I have lived with my loss since I was sixteen.”

The information seemed to catch Abe off guard. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

“Well, now you do.”

“Of all my sons . . . well, Eli was special. His death was my fault. I should never have asked him to go to that meeting in the World Trade Center. May God forgive me for what I have done. I killed my son. And now, Rayna. If I lose her, my life is no longer worth living. Do you know that I am only now beginning to understand what Rayna has always known. Life is not about lots of money. Life is about something much deeper.”

Kamil’s heart softened.

“I love my daughter. She’s from my blood. She’s my seed. I wish I had never let her leave home . . . never allowed her to go away to school. What was I supposed to do? When I found out about Rami, she was already married to him. He did this to her. He . . .”

“Abe, don’t go there. Stop now. Don’t say something you may regret later. Learn from what Rayna has tried to teach you. Life is about something much deeper. Isn’t that what you just said?”

“I’m sorry about your tragedy. Losing one child or a whole family leaves an open wound . . . forever.”

“Yes, it does.”

* * *

For three days, Rami did not leave Rayna’s side. He watched the peaks and valleys on the screen, observed her vital signs, tracked the medications and nourishment dripping into her veins, and prayed with Abe. Alexis monitored Rayna’s care. Kamil provided a balance that kept everyone from falling apart.

The seventy-two-hour safety margin approached. Rayna opened her eyes. Hope erupted in the room, then quickly faded when her eyelids went down. Rami looked up at the monitor just as the last peak flattened. A horizontal line signaled Rayna’s demise. Short, rapid beeps emitted from the machine.

Rami wailed, “No, Rayna! Noooooo! Come back! Come back! The other half of my soul is with you. Do not take it from me. I want you to bring it back. Bring it back . . . bring it back . . .”

Alexis dashed to the bedside. Nurses quickly moved in and called for help. In split seconds, emergency life-saving efforts were set in motion. The flat line peaked. Then another peak. Then a stronger one. Miraculously, Rayna’s heartbeat fell back into rhythm. It would be another forty-eight hours before she regained consciousness.

* * *

Opening her eyes, she searched for Rami. Her gaze fell upon him. “I came back to you. My jidaw and Eli, they kept calling, but I told them you were waiting.” Rayna closed her eyes and slept. Two more days passed before Rayna was fully out of danger.

* * *

Abe sat holding his daughter’s hand while she slept. Kamil and Alexis prepared to leave for home. Rami stepped out into the lounge to express his gratitude and say goodbye. “In the bottom desk drawer in the study, there is a purple file folder with Rayna’s passport. Please have it couriered as soon as possible. In another few days, when I take Rayna home, I do not want any attention brought upon her.”

“We can do better than that.” Alexis reached into one of her shopping bags. “This morning, Kamil and I went browsing in the Muslim quarter.” She pulled out a long flowing black garment and a matching black headscarf. “No one will recognize her.”

Rami looked at Kamil and shook his head, not quite certain. Keeping Rayna’s identity hidden from the press, the police, and the public was crucial. If her whereabouts and rescue were discovered by those loyal to Yousef, it would throw Rayna’s life back into crisis. Yet, given the Islamic attack on American soil, Rami was not sure that flaunting Muslim attire was wise. How best could he protect Rayna from the invasive scrutiny? Rami vacillated before coming to a decision. “Yes, we will do it, except . . . well . . . Abe. He is not leaving this hospital until his daughter is ready to walk out with him. How do I explain to Abe about Rayna’s clothes?”