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Authors: Kathy Herman

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Eye of the Beholder (6 page)

BOOK: Eye of the Beholder
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“If you’re ready to listen.”

Ellen nodded, then folded her arms and waited for his apology.

“For the past few months or so, things have begun to change with us. You’re consumed with everyone else and seem distracted any time I try to talk to you about what’s going on with me. I resent being made to feel like an afterthought. And now I can’t even reach you by phone. It’s got to change.”

Ellen bit her lip. “It’s interesting how our perspectives differ. It seems to me that the Brinkmont case and our discussions about it have dominated our conversations for weeks. I honestly don’t see that I’ve been inattentive. But if it happens again, call me on it right then so I’ll understand what you’re talking about. I’ve already apologized for not checking my cell phone for messages. I don’t know what else to say.”

“Good, because I’m really not in the mood to argue. The dinner last night was very nice, no thanks to you. I was so embarrassed you weren’t coming that I told Brent you were home negotiating a book deal.”

“What?”

“He mentioned it to the others in the course of the evening, but I’ll just tell them it fell through.”

“Why didn’t you just tell them the truth? It’s hard to believe you found it that embarrassing.”

“I did. And don’t ask me to apologize for how I chose to handle it.”

“You could apologize for hanging up on me.”

“Why? I thought it was the appropriate response.”

Ellen held his gaze. “Because I dared to have dinner with Blanche instead of beating myself up over the missed phone messages?”

“I don’t think you realize how disappointed I was.”

“And I don’t think you realize how disappointed
I
was. Don’t you think I’m proud that you won the case? It killed me not to be there last night. But wallowing in my mistake wouldn’t have accomplished anything.”

“Oh, I don’t know, it might have convinced me of your sincerity.”

Ellen breathed in and let it out slowly. “Guy, I’m not going to grovel. I’m truly sorry I missed the messages and missed the chance to revel in the kudos with you. But I didn’t do it intentionally. Can’t you just forgive me and put this behind us?”

“When I’m ready. I’m too mad right now.”

Ellen threw up her hands. “Okay, Counselor. The ball’s in your court.”

“One more thing,” Guy said. “I invited Brent and Donna to dinner Saturday night.”

“Yes,
Owen
told me. Seems I’m not the only one who isn’t communicating.”

“I would have cleared it with you first, but you weren’t returning my messages. When Brent told me he and Donna were going to be down here this weekend, I extended the invitation right then. I was afraid if I waited until you and I had a chance to connect, it might seem like an afterthought.”

Try showing me the same consideration
, she thought.

“Also, after the party broke up last night, I put Brent and Donna in a cab and sent them home. But Kinsey was too—”

The phone rang. Guy turned around and walked into the kitchen and picked it up. “Hello …? Hold on … Ellen, it’s for you.”

Ellen got up and went in the kitchen. Guy dropped the receiver in her hand and rolled his eyes.

“Hello?”

“Ellen, it’s Mina Tehrani. The FBI came to Cancer Center and took Ali! I’m scared! I don’t know what to do!”

“Why did they take him?”

“Because of boat with bombs Coast Guard found. Ali knows nothing of such things.”

“Where is Ali?”

“I don’t know! Please, they won’t hurt him, will they? He has nothing to hide! He is American citizen! He is fine doctor!”

“Mina, calm down. Where are you?”

“At home.”

“Stay right there. I’m coming over.”

Ellen hung up, her eyes colliding with Guy’s.

“I wasn’t finished talking,” he said. “Which of your mixed up friends am I competing with now?”

“Mina’s husband has been taken in for questioning by the FBI. She’s confused and terrified. I can’t just leave her home by herself.”

“What does the FBI want with her husband?”

“Something to do with a boat the Coast Guard seized this morning. Apparently they found bomb-making supplies onboard. I heard something about it on CNN just before you got home. I’m sure it’s a big mix-up.”

“There’s no way you can know that! I told you associating with Muslims would come back to haunt you. At least it’s reassuring to know the FBI’s on top of their game.”

“Not to a Muslim-American whose husband has just been hauled away.”

Ellen read the name Tehrani on the mailbox. She went through the wrought iron gate and up the steps of the elegant three-story home and rang the doorbell.

A second later, Mina opened the door and ushered her in, then fell into Ellen’s arms and began to sob.

“What will happen to Ali? He’s good man. He loves freedom in this country. My daughter Sanaz wants to come home from university and stay with me. I tell her no. She must not allow this to take her mind off education. I tell her everything will be all right. But I don’t know that.”

“Listen to me,” Ellen said. “The FBI won’t detain Ali for long; he’s done nothing wrong. I’m sorry you have to endure this. Maybe someday we’ll figure out a better way to sift out terrorists.”

“Ali became citizen ten years now. He works long hours and pours heart and soul into being fine doctor. He would have nothing to do with terrorists or anyone who would harm United States of America.”

Ellen kept her arms around Mina and rocked gently from side to side. “I know that.”

“If FBI thinks Ali is friend of al-Qaeda, they not let him go!”

“Shhh, don’t think that way. Ali has an impeccable reputation. As soon as the authorities realize he has no connection to any terrorist group, they’ll let him come home.”

“But who will respect him after this? Reputation will go straight down toilet!”

Guy finished watching the “News at Noon,” then turned off the TV and sat quietly for a moment. This morning’s confrontation between the Coast Guard and a suspected terrorist vessel off the coast of Seaport was all over the news. It seemed as though every conceivable branch of law enforcement had been called in. All he needed was for Ellen to be seen with Mina Tehrani right now. Why couldn’t she get involved with
normal
people who weren’t controversial and high profile?

Guy heard the front door open. He picked up the newspaper and pretended to be reading, aware that Ellen had stopped in the doorway.

“I got back as quickly as I could,” she said. “Mina is just devastated. Some women from the mosque finally came over to stay with her.”

“There must be a reason the FBI singled out her husband, Ellen. It’s not as though they draw names out of a hat.”

Ellen sat in the chair facing him. “Mina said Ali has a nephew who recently graduated from FSU. He’s been quite vocal with his disapproval of America’s involvement in the Middle East. Last month the Tehranis had a get-together of family members who live in the U.S., and this nephew was at their home throwing around his anti-American sentiments. Finally, Ali grabbed him by the arm, and the two left the house. Ali came back without the nephew and told the others that he was no longer welcome in their home. That’s the last she saw of him.”

Guy shook his head and exhaled loudly. “The FBI had
probably been watching the house! Why can’t you just stay away from these people before you get pulled into it?”


These people
are innocent of any wrongdoing and aren’t pulling me into anything. Why should I cower in fear of the FBI? The Tehranis cherish freedom more than both of us put together. One of these days you’re going to realize what beautiful people they are.”

Guy turned the page of the newspaper. “Well, like they say: Beauty’s in the eye of the beholder. All I see is trouble brewing.”

 5
 

J
ust after one o’clock on Thursday afternoon, Gordy Jameson looked around the dining area of Gordy’s Crab Shack and decided the noon traffic had thinned out enough for him to take a lunch break. He stuck his head in the kitchen and hollered at his fiancée.

“Pam, I’ll be out back with the guys, okay?”

“All right, love,” Pam Townsend said. “I’ll keep an eye on things.”

Gordy went out on the back deck and sat at the table with his lunch buddies, Eddie Drummond, Captain Jack, and Adam Spalding.

“You guys get enough to eat?” he said.

Each man nodded.

“Did you hear about the boat the Coast Guard seized between here and Port Smyth?” Eddie said.

Gordy shook his head. “What’s the deal?”

“They found five terrorists on board,” Captain said.

“Terrorists? Are they sure?”

Eddie lifted his eyebrows. “Gee, I don’t know … five Arabs … materials on board to make suicide bombs. Maybe they got lost on the way to the fishing tournament.”

“Come on, you’re pullin’ my leg,” Gordy said.

Adam’s eyebrows scrunched. “It happened just a mile off the beach where I hang out. Would I joke about a thing like that?”

“Where’d you hear this?” Gordy said.

“On the news, on the way over here.” Eddie chugged the last
of his iced tea, then stood and put a dollar under the saltshaker. “I’ve gotta get back to work. Want me to call if I hear anything else?”

“Yeah, keep me posted.” Gordy’s eyes followed Eddie to the back door.

“You look rattled,” Captain said.

“I was just thinkin’ of Pam and our wedding plans. Sure hope nothin’ awful happens to make us postpone it. I’m ready to take that woman home with me.”

Adam smiled. “So go for it. You can’t let the threat of terrorism put your life on hold.”

“Yeah, I know, but if somethin’ like 9/11 happens again, who’s gonna feel like celebratin’ a wedding?”

“By the way …” Captain leaned forward on his elbows. “Did you and Pam ever find a place big enough for the reception?”

Gordy arched his eyebrows. “Yeah, the beach. We’ve rented a couple of those huge gazebo-lookin’ tent thingies. Pam wanted to have one of ’em set up for a seafood buffet and the other for servin’ cake and punch.”

“Ah, did I detect a hint of traditional?” Adam said.

Gordy laughed. “In the rings and the preacher maybe. Everything else is gonna be anything but.”

“What if it rains?”

Gordy smiled and punched Adam on the arm. “It wouldn’t dare. But on the slight chance that Mother Nature decides to double cross us, bring your umbrella. I might do a little Gene Kelly number right there on the sand.”

“I never thought I’d see you this happy again after Jenny died,” Captain said. “Seems like Pam’ll make a good partner in the business, too.”

“Yeah, she’s lovin’ it. That’s the icin’ on the cake.” Gordy looked up, surprised to see Pam come out the back door and approach the table. “Speakin’ of cake, I bet I know what this is about.”

Pam sat in Gordy’s lap, her arms around his neck, her deep tan set off by her yellow sundress. “Okay, love. The cake will be chocolate inside and out, though I’m sure the bakery chef was cringing.”

Gordy kissed her on the cheek. “Works for me, darlin’.”

“Why is the bakery chef cringing?” Adam said. “Chocolate sounds great. You’re talking about the groom’s cake, right?”

Gordy winked at Pam and then turned to Adam, a broad grin stretching his cheeks. “Who said anything about a groom’s cake? Our wedding cake’s gonna be chocolate—and in the shape of a crab. Seems rather fittin’, I’d say.”

Guy Jones went in his study and shut the door, then picked up the phone and dialed the office.

“McAllister, Norton, Riley, and Jones. How may I direct your call?”

“It’s Guy. Let me talk to Kinsey.”

He sat back in his chair and put his feet on his desk.

“This is Kinsey Abbott.”

“How’s your head feeling?”

“Huge. I haven’t partied that hard on a weeknight in a while. Thanks for taking care of me.”

“You’re welcome. Lucky for you I’m a gentleman.”

Kinsey dropped her voice an octave. “Oh, I don’t know. It might’ve been fun to have
something
to repent of … oh, come on, laugh. I’m just kidding.”

“I don’t joke about things like that.” Guy turned over a pencil and bounced the eraser on his desk. “You didn’t say anything to the others about staying at my apartment, did you?”

BOOK: Eye of the Beholder
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