“Everything’s fine, mom, just fine. Yes, I finally got here. Don’t worry. It’s not cold, not yet, anyway ... No, I wasn’tafraid in the plane this time. There were a lot of Moroccanson board, I think that calmed me down a little ... Yes, myfriend came to get me. He’s here with me, we’re still at theairport. I’ll stay at his house tonight and maybe a few morenights. Yes, he’s real nice, a real nice guy ... I promise, yes, ofcourse, I’ll tell him you said hello ... You’ll say a prayer forhim too? Well, of course I’ll tell him, I’m sure he’ll be glad toknow that! Yes, mom, I told you, no, he doesn’t take advantage of people ... and he’s a really good cook ... He’s got threebedrooms and plenty of blankets, so don’t worry, I won’tcatch cold. He told me several times how he’d look after melike a big brother. I’ve got to go now, M’Barka, he’s waiting,we’re heading back to his place ... I’ll call you later ...What’s that? ... What did you say? He’s got a car ... Say aprayer for me ...”

September 30, 1998. Late afternoon.

Nobody was waiting to meet me at the Geneva airport. After two long hours, I had to face the facts: Jean’s friend,Charles, wasn’t coming to pick me up like he promised. Hewasn’t just late, like I had been hoping.

I called him at home several times. I got the answering machine every time: “You have reached Charles. You canleave a message, even two if that’s what you want. I’ll callyou back as soon as I can. It’s up to you.” His voice wasinvariably the same, warm, too warm for a Swiss person.Charles had a voice like some guy you’d love to gossip withabout anything and everything. An obliging guy, he wouldnever let you down, no matter what. A good guy, a reallygood guy.

First message. “Hi Charles, it’s Abdellah! I’m in Geneva ... at the airport. I’ve been looking for you for Fifteenminutes. I don’t see you. Are you hiding somewhere? Where?Well, you’ll probably turn up as if by magic ... I had noproblems at Customs ... I’m here, waiting for you ... I’msure you’re on your way ... I mean, on your way to the airport ... Maybe you’re stuck in traffic ... Anyway, I’m here.See you in a bit.”