Page 30 of Chasing the Past

Eli carried the dish out. “Oh, that looks amazing.” Several of the team responded eagerly and Asal smiled as she brought the salad and plates.

“Here, let me take those.” Gavin took the dishes from her.

She was grateful for the help. Soon the rest of the group was retrieving salad dressings and glasses.

The food was dished out.

“I think we should pray,” Eli said.

Everyone agreed and held hands.

Eli clasped her hand in his strong one and she felt safe. Just for this moment she felt safe.

“Father, we thank You for your blessings. And for the blessing of protection. Help us to protect Asal and find the answers she needs to move forward with her life. And help us to figure out what the enemy is up to before he can fulfill his plan. In Jesus name, Amen.”

Asal was overwhelmed by his prayer. She kept her attention on her plate and released Eli’s hand.

She could feel his attention on her and yet Asal couldn’t look at him. She couldn’t explain what was happening to her. Feelings she’d never experienced before came bubbling to the surface and she didn’t understand them. She didn’t know Eli until yesterday. Why these feelings?

“This is so good, Asal,” Janine exclaimed, drawing Asal’s attention away from the man at her side. “Where did you learn to make this dish?”

Asal started to say her mother taught her but she had no knowledge of that happening. “I don’t know.” There were so many things she did that she didn’t understand why.

Janine reached across the table and squeezed her hand. “Your memories will come back, won’t they JT?”

JT smiled. “They will. My wife Rachel went through something similar. She couldn’t remember her past for a long time. But her memories slowly returned. Yours will as well.”

She sure hoped so, because she couldn’t imagine living in this kind of limbo for the rest of her life.

Chapter Thirteen

The storm had finally abated though the skies were heavy with clouds. Eli turned from the window. “I don’t think we can afford to wait much longer. I’m going to call Fatima.” He pulled out his phone and redialed the number for Fatima.

The call went straight to voicemail and a knot formed in Eli’s stomach he couldn’t explain. “That’s odd. She’s not picking up.”

“Maybe she changed her mind and went to her appointments after all. I’m sure she’ll call back soon.” Gavin’s phone buzzed, and he studied the number. “This is work. Excuse me.”

Asal joined Eli at the window. “You’re worried.”

He turned her way. “I am. There are so many unknowns in this case, and we don’t have any real answers yet.”

She looked back over her shoulder. “Everyone is working so hard. Has there been anything new on Omar?”

He shook his head. “No. Will said they were able to locate some DNA at the house. We’ll need to do a DNA swab on you to rule yours out.”

“Of course. Anything you need.”

She was the victim and yet she was trying to make him feel better.

“I’m glad she had you,” Asal said softly, her hazel eyes holding him.

He swallowed deeply. “Thank you.”

“She was loved, and she knew it. I’m glad you were there even though the outcome was not what any of us wanted.”

It certainly hadn’t been. Sashi’s death had broken him.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw Gavin heading their way. Both turned.

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