Page 57 of Stand Fast

Now here she was, alone in her cell of a room, questioning her role here, as well as her capability as an analyst. Hell, as an agent in general.

She glanced at the paperback on the table that Zaid had loaned her. A military thriller. Reading was one of her favorite pastimes but there was no way she could concentrate enough to get anything out of the story. She wanted Zaid, or at least to hear his voice.

Her gaze strayed to her phone, sitting beside the book. It was the middle of the day, but sometimes her mom finished teaching early on Wednesdays.

Needing to hear a familiar voice, she picked it up and called home. After three rings she expected the answering machine to kick in, but then someone picked up.

“Jaliya?”

She automatically tensed at the sound of her father’s voice. “Dad? What are you doing home?”

“I’m packing for a conference in Atlanta. I leave first thing in the morning.” He paused. “How are you?”

“I’m fine.” She tried to sound cheery, but hard to say whether she pulled it off.

“You working hard?”

“Constantly.”

“And? How’s it going over there?”

She bit her lips as tears threatened, hitting her in a painful rush.

“Hello? You still there?”

“I’m here,” she managed in a whisper.

“What’s wrong?” he asked sharply.

“Nothing.”

“Jaliya. Why are you upset? Tell me.”

Even after all the years she’d spent proving her independence, that stern tone had the desired effect. “I’m… It’s just been a tough couple of days, that’s all.”

He was silent a moment. “Are you all right?”

“I’m okay.” Mostly. “We…lost some people yesterday. Last night. I saw it happen live.”

“I’m sorry. That’s terrible.”

She nodded, even though he couldn’t see her. “It was tough.” She bit her lip, bracing for the words she dreaded but knew were coming.This is why I never wanted you to take this job. You should be here, with a job that isn’t dangerous.

“Is that why you called?”

“Well, I got your card today. Thanks, I needed it.”

He sighed. “Your confidence is shaken because of last night. And now you’re blaming yourself for what happened.”

She swallowed against the sting of more tears. In spite of their differences, he knew her well. “Yes.”

“And wondering whether you should be there at all.”

Here it comes.

“Well, let me tell you something. That agency is lucky to have you. You’re smart and hard-working, and you’re loyal. You would never jeopardize people’s lives, I know that without question, and therefore I know that you did everything in your power to prevent the tragedy that occurred.”

Jaliya listened in stunned silence, hardly able to believe her ears. Was this really her father? Or an imposter that simply sounded like him?

---