Littelton came in. He leaned back against the dark oak desk.

“Mister Hashim.”

“Yes, Your Honor.”

“As part of this confession you seem so eager to give, are you prepared to provide specific information regarding the workings of Al-Qaeda, ISIS, and other terrorist organizations? What plans for attacks have been made? Locations of cells? Names of those with whom you have worked? With whom you have conspired, here and abroad? Banks? Financiers?”

“What information I have and know is yours, Your Honor.”

Littelton told the Marshall to bring the court stenographer into chambers.

He turned back to Hashim.

“Hassan al Banna, founder of the Muslim Brotherhood has said, ‘It is the nature of Islam to dominate, not to be dominated, to impose its laws on all nations and extend its power to the entire planet.’ I’ve studied your history, Hashim. So, why should I trust anything you say?”

“I understand it’s hard to believe me.”

“That’s an understatement.”

The Marshall escorted the court stenographer in and sat her next to Littelton.

“What information would you like first?” Hashim asked.

“Do you know where and when the next attacks are planned?”

“Yes. But I assume most, if not all, of those plans are being changed since my surrender.”

“You’re a clever man, Hashim. I don’t trust you. And, if I can’t trust you, then all of what you say to me is worthless.”

“Your Honor. I was a young boy who once dreamed of peace. Those who had inculcated in me a belief, and those to whom I chose to listen, were caught in an ancient barbarity. Once inside that world even ordinary people will commit evil. But what happened to me in the warehouse transmuted that hate, and I came out from that with a different purpose—a soldier who would renounce our violent jihad. Our grievances mask a deep fear. Fear of a godless world, of chaos and loneliness, fears we all have. They also mask greed for power, land, and money. A type of masculine wound America knows well. I was taught to intensify these needs in order to ignite holy war.”

Littelton peered at Hashim a long time. It made the others restless.

“You’re a smart man, Hashim. Tell me. What about the others? Did they transform from this near-death experience?”

“I don’t know, sir.”

“You’ve had no contact with them since the warehouse?”

“No,” Hashim said, lying to protect them.

“Your purpose in sneaking into this country wasn’t to finish what you’d started there?”

“No, sir.”

“What about the woman, Catherine Book? The CIA told me about her.”

“I know nothing of her.”

“These individuals seem to have had an intimate experience of you and yet you know nothing of them?”