Chapter 26

Abstract

Just before sunrise, Omar’s plane landed at Charles de Gaulle airport. It was a misty morning and the fog-shrouded airport buildings looked eerie. Omar walked into the terminal, got his passport stamped, retrieved his luggage, and put himself into the taxi line. The damp chill of Parisian air shot through his body. Although he had pulled out his warm jacket, he shivered as he waited for a ride home. He had told Chantal that he’d be home for breakfast—it was a Saturday and the kids would be there. Omar didn’t want a “public” reunion at the airport. He had always loathed public reunions. If he had learned anything from Issaka Dia, it was that a person should approach pivotal moments with cool resolve. That’s what he wanted to do. He wanted to let things unfold as naturally as possible.