Page 91 of Grave Danger
“Isaac, cut the bullshit. One thing has come clear today. Theonlypublic narrative the US government has a problem with is that the Iranian government killed Ava.”
“You knew that long before today.”
“But today puts things in the proper context. Isn’t it a bit odd that the only version of Ava’s disappearance that wasnotsupported by Yasmin’s testimony is the theory that Jack originally advanced in Zahra’s case: that Ava was murdered by the morality police in an Iranian prison?”
“Jack was wrong. You should feel vindicated.”
“I don’t.”
“What’s your problem now?”
“For all the times that Jack has taken a position in the courtroom that embarrassed or even infuriated me, he hasneverbeen so dead wrong.”
“There’s a first time for everything.”
“Do you really expect me to believe that?”
Isaac’s tone changed again, more like that guy on their previous call. “Andie, be smart. Leave this alone.”
“Thanks for the advice,” she said, and ended the call.
There was a double celebration at Zahra’s town house. At his client’s insistence, Jack was there to raise a nonalcoholic toast to the courtroom victory and to fend off any unwanted journalists. Righley and a dozen other girls had come to wish Yasmin a happy seventh birthday. Andie drove her straight from after-school dance classes.
“Tavallod-et mobaarak, Yasmin!” said Righley—literally, “May your birthday be blessed.”
“Ah, you speak Farsi?” said Zahra.
“No. My mom googled it.”
Zahra laughed and took both girls by the hand. “Come on, Yasmin. Let’s introduce Righley to your friends.”
They headed into the family room, leaving Jack and Andie alone near the long line of shoes the guests had taken off near the front door. Jack and Andie removed theirs and then moved into the living room, stopping at the stack of colorfully wrapped birthday gifts on the coffee table.
“I guess congratulations are in order,” said Andie.
“Yeah. I guess.”
“Oh, come on. Don’t act like it was just another day at the courthouse. This was big.”
“Definitely big,” said Jack. “But I have to say I’m a bit ambivalent about the way it went down.”
“Ambivalent in what way?”
“Maybe it’s the criminal defense lawyer in me. I understand better than anyone that this was not a trial by jury, and that Farid wasn’t entitled to all the rights afforded to a criminal defendant. But it just doesn’t sit well when a man gets accused of murder, and the judge doesn’t give his lawyer the chance to cross-examine the only witness against him.”
“That witness just turned seven today, Jack.”
“I get it. I really do. The rules are different in a Hague proceeding.”
“And the reason they’re different, I assume, is to protect children like Yasmin.”
“That’s totally true. But still, things need to be... fair.”
“Are you saying Farid didn’t get a fair shake?”
Jack took a breath. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m happy Zahra and Yasmin are together. It was the right result. It’s the way we got there that makes me uncomfortable.”
“I’m sure everyone in the courtroom was uncomfortable. From what I heard on the news, it must have been shocking.”