get back to you."

"What about his mother? What can I tell her?"

"Fazzi said you were worried about that... well you can call her and tell her that while she is not to say anything yet to the press, you think that by Monday Ibrahim will be back home or on his way. Our ambassador has already informed the White House that Syria is going to get Ibrahim back safely and in such a way that it will reflect well on the young man. He has assured them that we are 'pulling out all the stops' and will move ASAP as long as Washington does not interfere. Now rest easy."

"Again my thanks to you and to the ambassador and I do owe you." Joseph said and put down the phone. He dialed Ibrahim's mother and after making sure she knew who he was, he told her that he was sure everything would work out.

"Everyone is saying that, but I'm not so sure. Until I hear his voice on free soil I'll worry. I'm a mother. What else can I do? I thank you for your call but I should leave the line free to let calls come in. I just hope one of them is from Ibrahim and it comes soon."

"I'll get off the line now, but I wanted you to know that we are doing everything we can to bring him home." He hung up the phone said to Fazzi, "that poor woman. I wanted so much to tell her everything but I did not want to raise her hopes now to have them fall later. I hope she can hold on."

"Look, you too have got to relax or I'll have you on more of those pills. Now no more phone calls just lay back and get some rest. Do you think you need another pill?" Fazzi said with concern in his eyes as he smoothed the bed linen. "No! It is too soon. Lay back and let the pill work. I'll take the phone out of here so you won't be disturbed. Would you like me to come back and stay with you while you sleep?"

"That would be nice; however there is something else I want you to do for me first. I want you to go back to the Mosque and get that Imam to issue a statement or edict or whatever, in "the name of Allah the Compassionate, and the entire Muslim community of Paterson", calling for the immediate release of their fellow congregation member and brother, Ibrahim Smith."

"Yussef, my darling, I don't have to power to do that! What do you think I am?"

"BULLSHIT, habibi, that is a load of bullshit, let's cut the crap. Do you think I'm blind or just an idiot? You are the most powerful man in this community. If you want something you just have to shake your finger and these people run to do your bidding. They respect and love you and will do anything you ask."

"Why is it so important that I get them to do this?" Fazzi asked. "Ibrahim is going to be set free with or without this."

"That, my lover, is just the point! The idea just came to me, in a bright crystal clear flash. As long as they are going to release him we have nothing to loose and a whole lot to gain."

"Gain? What are you talking about? You know as well as I do that when he is free,