Page 68 of Grave Danger

Zahra stared back at Jack, her eyes conveying a mix of confusion and reluctance. “I’m not sure I understand what you’re asking.”

“Rephrase your question, Counselor,” the judge said.

“Yes, Your Honor,” said Jack, and then he addressed the witness. “Ms. Bazzi, did you, personally, see or hear Farid express any kind of anger after hearing the news about Ava?”

“Yes.”

“What did you see?”

“I—I can’t remember.”

“What did you hear?”

“I don’t recall, exactly.”

Jack gave her a moment. Dr. Vestry had warned Jack that survivors of abuse do not always make effective witnesses. Even in the privacy of a psychiatrist’s office, it is difficult or even impossible for them to describe what has happened to them. A courtroom setting is even more difficult.

“Did you see or hear Farid direct any kind of anger toward Yasmin?”

“Toward Yasmin? No.”

Not a helpful answer, but not unexpected.

“Did you see or hear Farid direct any kind of anger toward you?”

“Yes.”

“Can you provide any details?” asked Jack.

She paused, as if searching her mind. “I don’t remember,” she said, then she caught herself. “I can’t recall at this time.”

In their prep session, Jack had reminded her to say that she couldn’t remember“at this time.” It left an opening to come back to the question later if her mind went blank on the witness stand.

“That’s all right,” said Jack. “We’ll come back to this later.”

Jack took a moment to collect his thoughts. Despite the disturbing tale of Farid’s abuse that she had shared with Jack in his office, Zahra seemed unwilling—or afraid—to say in open court that Farid had abused her. Jack could only hope that Farid’s abuse of Ava would be within her comfort zone—that talking about Farid’s abuse of someone else would somehow be easier for her.

“Was Farid ever abusive in any way toward your sister Ava?”

“Yes,” said Zahra.

“Verbally or physically?”

“Verbally. He would... berate her.”

Can you give us any examples?” asked Jack.

“Farid said she was a terrible cook. That she was a messy housekeeper. Basically, he would say that she could not do any of the things a wife is expected to do around the house. That she had no business being a homemaker—which is a very hurtful thing to say to a mother.”

“Did Farid merely complain, or did he actually try to do something about it?”

“He... he forced her to improve.”

“Forced her? How, exactly?”

Zahra didn’t respond right away. Jack prodded.

“Zahra, please tell us how Farid forced her.”

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