The Rendition Read Online Free Page B

get up the hill. In Kosovo, it’s not generally understood that you have to keep a car’s engine tuned for it to run efficiently. Even when it is understood, there aren’t any tools or timing lights around to do the job. A civil affairs officer, a woman with a lot of experience in these parts, once told me that in Kosovo the people are obsessed by only one thing—their struggle for independence. When they talk about politics, they always end up discussing some battle they fought with the Serbs in the 1300s. Efficient engines are way down the list in importance.
    Kosovo ain’t America. Believe me.
    A few minutes later, Quemal and Fadilj pushed their way in through the narrow door, both of them talking a blue streak. Fadilj had a basketful of food, which he set down on the table and which Nadaj immediately began examining. Within seconds, he had a box of cookies open and was stuffing the contents into his mouth, indifferent to the crumbs falling into his beard. Quemal, I noticed, was carrying a camcorder.
    Fadilj pointed at me and laughed.
    The worst of it was, it was probably my euros that had bought the camcorder. I had an idea I knew what it was for. And I now knew why Vickie had been able to talk Nadaj out of cutting up my face. They wanted me to look pretty. I also had an idea that I’d remain alive only for as long as I was useful to them.
    While I sat at the table wondering if I should make a break for it right there, the four of them talked among themselves. Then Vickie said, “How do you like the idea of becoming a television star, Alex Klear?”
    The Assassin said something, and Vickie nodded. “Quemal says he’s going to make you famous. You’ll be on television all over the world, Alex.”
    Behind me, Fadilj and Nadaj stood in front of the bare wooden wall holding their weapons. Both had scarves wrapped around their faces. Nadaj now had a bandolier slung over each shoulder, his fatigue cap covering most of his face. Very macho. They’d moved the table, and I was on my knees in front of Fadilj, who was seated on a chair. I guess I was the star because they had the camcorder pointed directly at me.
    Vickie was standing off to the side sucking on a bottle of soda pop. She’d spent fifteen minutes explaining what they wanted me to say. She motioned to Fadilj to begin rolling the film.
    â€œYou can start now, Alex,” she said, smiling.
    With the camcorder rolling, I looked into it. “Mr. President. I’m in Kosovo. Through my own fault, I’ve been captured by freedom fighters. That’s what they call themselves. My only hope to be freed by these morons is if you take our troops out of Afghanistan and demobilize the army. Before you do, I hope you will send an air strike and completely exterminate these creeps and their—”
    Suddenly, Vickie started waving her hands and shouting, obviously telling Fadilj to stop filming. As she continued to talk, Nadaj, looking puzzled, asked what was going on. A second later, I felt what could have been a rifle butt against the back of my head. Two of them dragged me to my feet, and Nadaj drove his fist into my stomach. I wasn’t too aware of whatever else he did because at some point I passed out.
    Sprawled on the floor, I could hear voices, which grew loud and then faded. After a time, I could hear Vickie. Since she was speaking English, I knew she was talking to me. But it sounded as though she was in a tunnel. Then she was shouting my name. When I didn’t respond, someone kicked me. Then I got some water thrown on me.
    Then I was sitting up with everyone looking at me.
    â€œWe want to try it again. It’s important to us. We’ll keep doing it until you do it right.” She again told me what they wanted me to say.“It’s your only hope. You want to live, don’t you?” She grinned. “Even though you won’t have a nose?”
    Behind her, Quemal was smirking and