The following morning, Baba Suleiman left the apartment before sunrise.
He wore his oldest coat and carried a walking stick. Amina was still asleep when he quietly closed the door behind him.
When she awoke and discovered he was gone, panic overtook her anger.
“What if he has fallen somewhere?” she asked Malik.
They searched the nearby streets and called the few people who still spoke to him.
Nobody had seen him.
Malik was preparing to contact the police when his telephone rang.
It was an unfamiliar number.
“Is this Mr. Malik Suleiman?” a man asked.
“Yes.”
“My name is Idris. I am calling on behalf of your father. He is safe. I am bringing him home this evening.”
Malik gripped the phone.
“Where is he? Who are you?”
“You will understand soon. Please make sure your family is home at six o’clock.”
The call ended.
Amina stared at her husband.
