He went out into a windswept rainy road. There was no one at the late night bus stop. He waited. In a few minutes, Molly drove out of the main gate at the wheel of a Land Rover. She pulled up and opened the passenger door.

“Get in. It’s the least I can do.”

“Why, thank you,” and he accepted it with every appearance of gratitude.

“I’ve seen you coming out of that corner shop in Delamere Road,” Molly said.

“My uncle and aunt own it.”

“Where are you from?”

“Right here in good old London. I’m a Cockney Muslim.”

“I’m sorry.” She laughed uncertainly.

“Nothing to be sorry about. I like being what I am.”

She felt in deep water for some reason, “Your parents…”

“Are dead,”Abu said. “They were originally from Iraq. Two years ago, they returned for family reasons and were killed in a bombing.”

She felt the most intense shock. “Oh, Abu, that’s terrible.”

“So far to go, and so little time to do it.” His face remained calm. “But as we say: Inshallah, as God wills.”

“I suppose so.” She pulled up outside the shop. “I’ll see you soon.”

She was so nice and he liked her very much. It was such a pity she was what she was, but Allah had placed this duty on him, and he got out.

“Sleep well, Doctor. Allah protect you.” He walked to the side door of the shop and she drove away, more tired than she had ever been and the electronic gates swung open and she was home.

IN THE SHOP, Abu and his uncle embraced. “A foul night and you are wet. Put this on.” The old man handed him a robe. “I’ll put some tea on. Your aunt has been called to Birmingham. Her niece has gone into labor.” He busied himself with the kettle. “Now tell me what has happened.”

Abu held the offered cup of tea between his hands. “Our quarry, Dr. Molly’s husband, the Bedouin Rashid, arrived off the plane from Hazar and was apprehended. We had two sweepers working close enough to the action. He was seen walking away pursued by two individuals, who turned out to be some kind of government officials. This was confirmed by one of our brothers working on a passport desk nearby. He said they were called Dillon and Salter. Another of our people saw them get into an Aston car with Rashid and drive away.”