The Puppets of Washington Box-Set 2 (Books 5,6 & 7): The Puppets of Washington, #9

By Lavina Giamusso

From the deceptively staid halls ofthe capitol to the most exotic parts of the world, a complex conspiracy thatredefines international intrigue unfolds in The Puppets of Washington series.
   

BOOK 1 - They called me THE PUPPETEER 1 -
Both the CIA and CSIS want Tayla Kartz to play the bait in adangerous trap to capture the Puppeteer once and for all. But both Tayla andthe Puppeteer have their own plans, and the beginning of the end game as ThePuppets of Washington series spirals toward its explosive conclusion.
   
BOOK 2 - They called me THE PUPPETEER 2 -
Tayla Kartz is running low: low on options, low on allies, andlow on trust. Having barely survived a botched mission to capture aninternational drug lord, Tayla has to get out of the U.S. before theconspirators silence her once and for all. But before she can escape thecountry, she has to escape the ghosts of her own past.

BOOK 3 - They called me THE PUPPETEER 3 -
The heart-pounding conclusion to The Puppets of Washingtonseries leads Tayla Kartz to the Hotel de Crillonin Paris where she hopes to find the answers she needs to save her life.Meanwhile, the Puppeteer is looking for the final pieces of the puzzle tocomplete his criminal masterpiece; an intricate international plot that couldlaunch a war.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lavina Giamusso
• Release date: May 2, 2016
• ISBN: 9781533776747

Book preview

Prologue

When the director of Mossad said, ...I went ahead and organized an investigation of Sebastian Randall, Talya exhaled a sigh of relief. He has allegedly pulled the strings on the entire West African drug-for-armaments operation three years ago. But when he saw a way to become the drug lord he always wanted to be, instead of destroying the drugs that were confiscated, he made sure they were re-distributed throughout several continents. Richard Gillman and Abdul Rasheed were his first puppets. He groomed them and brought them to act on his behalf until it was time to mastermind his final move. He ultimately wanted to use his Washington position in the CIA to move drugs all over the globe unimpeded.

The director was right: I was the Puppeteer. And now I’d like to take you on the ultimate adventure which managed to see the noose being slipped around my neck.

PART 1:

Chasing after Talya

Chapter 1

When I looked from my vantage point above the cliff, I saw Maître Hassan Sangor, Talya Kartz’s lawyer, sitting down on the sandy beach. Khalid Sheik Sahab, otherwise known as Prince Saif Al Fadir, had walked away from him and Talya to stand some ways from them. I supposed he hadn’t wanted to intrude on their conversation. Nice of him.

Dressed in a black garment with a scarf tightly wrapped around her face and hiding her gorgeous blonde curls, Talya turned her gaze toward the ocean while he looked at her and then down at his legs. It would be a long time before he would be able to take Talya in his arms again, thanks to a little incident I had organized in Bamako some months ago. I would have liked to see the woman’s face when she learned of her friends’ troubles.

As I recall, I was called at the time with a report of what had transpired. Sir Gillian, the Canadian Ambassador in Senegal had phoned Talya himself with the news. Thanks to those very helpful listening devices, I heard what had been said.

Ms. Kartz, I’m sorry to have to tell you that Mr. Fade, Maître Sangor and Mrs. McLean have been viciously attacked tonight in the streets of Bamako...

Sir Gillian, this is Dr. Aziz Hendrix, Ms. Kartz’s physician. We haven’t had the pleasure, sir, but Mr. Flaubert has informed me of the problems she had in Dakar...

I’m awfully glad you’re there, Doctor, Sir Gillian went on.

Captain Sahab is here with me. Shall I ask him to listen to this conversation?

Yes, by all means, if Captain Sahab wants to hear what I have to say, put him on the line.

Just hold on a moment, sir, Captain Sahab will be listening on the extension.

Khalid, please go in the bedroom, there is a phone by the bed...

Sir Gillian, this is Khalid Sahab, I think we are now ready to hear the news.

Well, gentlemen, as I said to Dr. Hendrix, I am very glad to have you in attendance. What I have to report is in fact disturbing news. I, for one, received a shock when our consul in Mali, Mr. Broughton, phoned me earlier. Maître Sangor, Mr. Fade and Mrs. McLean have been brutally attacked last night. Mrs. McLean died as a result of her injuries; Mr. Fade and Maître Sangor have been badly wounded – knife wounds I’m told. They’re both in hospital.

Hassan took Talya’s hand and turned to her. As Allah is my witness, I heard him say, I..., I have loved you so deeply, Talya.

She bent her head. His fingers tightened around hers. I know, Hassan, and nothing I can say could undo the past or what I felt for you. But now – It was time!

I pulled the trigger.

Hassan straightened up in a last tremor of life, and then fell to his side and into her lap.

"Hassan! Hassan!" Talya hollered, putting her hand on the ugly red patch marring the white of his shirt, as if she wanted to hide the bullet hole from sight.

I didn’t wait. I was out of there, beating a retreat toward the garden’s hedges, which I knew would mask my escape toward the fishing port not far from the embassy house.

As I slipped and crawled under the bushes, I heard the commotion of people rushing to Talya’s aid. I turned around. It was too good of an opportunity. I saw Khalid rushing down to the beach and dragging Talya toward the sheltering rocks behind them. I cocked and aimed my rifle and fired again.

Talya hid her face in Khalid’s chest while they huddled for cover against the rocks.

She looked at her bloodied hand and put it to her face. "Oh God, please help us!"

In a blur amid her tears, I saw Khumar, one of their bodyguards, rush down the track leading to the beach and point his gun above them. A third shot rang out from above the cliffs. It had had a different sound.

I was still watching. I had missed killing the woman who had marred my life for the past year already. I wanted to get back to business but with her around I couldn’t think of nothing else, but how to get rid of the leech that was bleeding me dry.

Are you two all right? Khumar asked, replacing his gun in its shoulder holster.

Khalid nodded, still holding Talya close to him.

"Are you okay?" Talya heard Mark yell as he ran down from the rocky ledge overhanging the beach.

We’re fine, Mark. Talya and I will go back to the Meridien...

She pushed Khalid away roughly. "Oh no, we are not, she shouted, looking up at him while an indescribable rage was filling her whole being. I am going back to my apartment and you, Khalid – whatever your name is – you..., can go to hell."

Princess...? Khalid looked down at her, astounded.

"Don’t ‘Princess’ me. You are the most despicable person I have ever had the dishonor to encounter."

Mark couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Lady Sarah? he blurted.

"And don’t call me Lady Sarah – my name is Talya Kartz, Agent Gilford."

Please let’s go away from here..., Khalid pleaded.

Oh yes. We’re going away from here, but you are taking your leave and you are going to stay away from me. I don’t want to see you again. Do you understand what I am saying?

Madame Kartz..., I...

Shut up, Agent Gilford. And get Hassan’s body out of here. His father will fly him home – out of this hell-hole.

While climbing up the rocks towards the limo parked on the embankment, she took off her veil and abayah and flung them back behind her.

Talya, please... Khalid caught up with her and grabbed her by the arm to stop her. "Can I at least talk to you before I take my leave?" I had to laugh inwardly. The woman had punk.

Obviously, she had enough of the charade that had led her to this point. Perhaps she would finally give up this silly pursuit and let me do my job, I thought.

Let go of my arm, she barked, shaking his hand off. There is nothing to say. You’ve brought a man here to die. What else is there to say?

Yes, I have done that, I admit it. But I didn’t pull the trigger –

"Stop it! You might as well have. As I said, you can go your way... and I’ll go mine. I have nothing else to say to you." Her distress and anger were gearing her actions, and her words were lashing at Khalid’s face. I watched. You couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.

You can’t go on your own. You’ll be the next victim..., or is that what you want?

"Maybe that is what I want after all, but from now on, it shouldn’t concern you. I want you out of my life – forever."

Mark followed them. Khumar will take care of Hassan and if you wish I can accompany you to the hotel.

Yes..., fine, Talya said, stepping inside the limo.

Chapter 2

Posing as another agent, and using the pretext that I had an urgent message to deliver to her from Sir Gillian, the guard planted in front of the door of her suite let me in after checking my CIA ID. The name I used then was Antoine Gironde.

What do you want? Talya asked brusquely as I came in without knocking. The evening sunlight was streaming through her bedroom window.

Once the local police had come and gone, Talya had been pacing her suite for hours. I had killed the man she had loved. She looked haggard and lost. Maître Hassan Sangor had been the legal advisor in West Africa for Talya’s company, Carmine Resources. The shooting occurred a few miles from Dakar’s airport and outside the Canadian embassy house.

Watching her as she stood by the window, I knew she had only one choice now, and that was to evade Osnoir – a skilled French drug lord with whom I dealt on numerous occasion – until the French authorities would put their hands on him. He was still in Paris, probably, where she had had the displeasure of making his acquaintance. He had made her life a misery since she met his underling, Mr. Rasheed, a few months earlier. Rasheed was now in prison awaiting trial for attempted murder, drug trafficking, and a long list of other related offences. His cohort, Mr. Savoi, was in the neighboring cell, charged with embezzlement of her company’s funds, fraud, and other felonies. Even though my two collaborators had been burned, I fully intended to pick up where they left off. The only person who was still barring my passage to greatness was Ms. Talya Kartz.

Her eyes red, her arms crossed over her chest, she barely turned when I walked into the room.

"Good evening to you, too, Ms. Kartz."

Talya stared. Good evening. But my question was: what do you want?

I came to keep you company for a while, that’s all.

What are you talking about? Talya looked at me dispassionately. You know..., I was supposed to meet Hassan... The words died in her mouth.

I had not introduced myself yet, but she had seen me working alongside other agents on the grounds of the hotel. It will be okay, I said reassuringly. Khalid is outside; do you want to see him?

Talya stepped to the window again. NO! Not now and maybe not ever again.

And why not? He’s the one who got you all out of trouble. You owe him. The acerbity in my voice was undisguised.

Owe him what? For persuading Hassan to walk into a trap? No, Agent – whatever your name is – the day I’ll see Khalid again will be the day they’ll put me in a grave.

Agent Antoine Gironde, at your service, ma’am. She frowned. I went on. Is that what you want me to tell him? That vengeance is all you can think of? Or would you want me to tell him that your love for him was all a sham? Or maybe you would like me to tell him that you won’t rest until he gets killed himself?

"Shut up! I don’t want to hear this," she shouted to my face.

If you don’t want me to speak, then I won’t. But I’ll ask you a question: what are you going to do now?

I’m going to pack my bags and get away from this place. And if I don’t set foot on this continent again, I’ll be the happiest woman on Earth.

Where will you go? And what about the mining projects? Are you going to leave those, too?

Yes, I am. James can take care of them. He doesn’t need me. As he said to me once, ‘You have to face facts,’ and that’s what I am going to do.

And what ‘facts’ are those?

The fact that I am the next target in Osnoir’s little black book and the fact that if I stay here he’ll kill all of you one by one, until one day he’ll succeed in getting me killed.

So you want to make yourself available to be killed, is that it?

Maybe yes... or maybe I just want for all of you to be left alone to get on with your lives.

But we...

Enough, Mr. Gironde. I have made up my mind. I am getting out of here.

Inwardly I was very happy with her decision, but outwardly, I had to keep up with the pretense. Well, if that’s your decision, I’ll leave you and say good-bye. Have a great life, Ms. Kartz.

I then strode out of the bedroom without another word, slamming the door behind me.

Chapter 3

Yet, there were other influential parties, or pawns I should say, to consider on the chess board. Thanks to a couple of camera devices I had placed in the main actors’ hotel suites, I was all ears and eyes when I heard a knock at the door of Khalid’s room. I watched the scene from my laptop.

James. Please come in, Khalid said when he opened the door to James Flaubert, the President of Carmine and a good friend of Khalid. I’m almost packed and I’ll be ready to leave in a few minutes.

James’s lanky frame, his keen eyes and his amiable demeanor hid the strength of a man who had fought many battles and whose integrity had never been put into question. Have you seen her this morning?

No, James. She has refused to see me since it happened. And I think this time it’s final. She couldn’t cope with my betrayal. Khalid led James to the living room of his suite where they both sat down in chairs opposite each other.

You shouldn’t blame yourself for anything. Especially for having ‘betrayed’ anyone. No one could have known there was someone waiting on the rocks.

"I should have known, James. Everyone knew that Hassan was hiding at the embassy house and that he was Osnoir’s next target. I should have known that a killer would be waiting for him. Actually, Talya should be dead, too. They were sitting side by side on the beach but the shooter wasn’t fast enough and he was probably interrupted when Mark arrived on the scene."

But why is Talya behaving like this? She should be grateful...

Khalid shook his head. Oh no! She won’t be grateful. She needed my presence and my assistance until yesterday, but now she needs nothing from me. She has used me and I was blind because I love her.

I can’t believe that. I believe that you love her – don’t misunderstand me – but I won’t believe that she ‘used you’ as you say. She may be resentful of your actions because she’s hurting, but ‘used you’. No, Khalid, not Talya.

So, if it is only resentment that she feels, why doesn’t she want to see me? Her eyes are full of anger, James. I thought I knew how to get through to her, but I guess now that my usefulness has come to an end, she doesn’t need my support any more.

You know, Khalid, I have a lot of respect for you. I have always admired your straightforward manner and your insightful nature, but today I am disappointed. You don’t need to pack and go back to Paris, you need to go across the hall and knock on her door. I may be an old fool, but I believe Talya loves you, and I thought you knew that. She needs you now more than ever...

James, I don’t think...

"No, Khalid, you’ve got to impose your presence on her, right now."

I switched my computer off.

Chapter 4

If Talya was leaving for other shores, I had to think of what her destination could be. Maybe her traveling companions knew more than I did on the subject. I decided to go down to the breakfast restaurant and try getting a table close to them – if they were there. They were. I sat down and I was glad to see that not many other agents were about. I would have to listen closely to what was said.

Hi, Terry. Have a seat or go and get some breakfast, James said. I think there are some crumbs left for you.

Terry was then the VP Exploration at Carmine and had been James’s constant companion since they had arrived in Dakar.

Good morning, Terry replied. And yes, I think I’ll go and help myself to some eggs and bacon this morning. I am hungry.

James was reading a two-day-old Herald Tribune and only nodded when his friend left him to get his tray of breakfast items.

Good morning, Mr. Flaubert. Mark’s jovial attitude had not abandoned him apparently. He joined James at his table and sat down.

Mark. Good morning, my boy. How are you?

Fine, except that I have no idea what I should do now.

What do you mean?

Well, Khalid and Talya... That’s what I mean. Agent Gironde told me that Talya didn’t want any visitors this morning and that Khalid was ready to check out. Do you know what’s going on?

Mark Gilford, a young man, was by all outward appearances, with his curly blond hair and blue eyes, a mild-mannered fellow – one would even say benign – but when he exercised his trade, he was the deadly assassin he needed to be. Mark was an intelligence agent who had been assigned to the safety of Khalid and Talya by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) several weeks ago. I had to watch him like the proverbial hawk. He was the dangerous one.

James took his reading glasses off and looked at Mark fixedly. Yes, I do. You, my boy, have to realize that what happened two days ago has left an indelible mark on Khalid and Talya’s lives. Khalid is blaming himself for bringing Hassan to the firing line, and Talya can’t cope with the loss of yet another friend.

Are they going to go their separate ways then?

I don’t know, but I think you will see both of them coming through that door – James nodded in the direction of the restaurant’s entrance – very soon now.

What’s this? Did I hear the love birds are making up? Terry asked, coming back with his tray filled to the rim. Nothing would abate that man’s appetite.

Yeah, James said. I’ve sent Khalid to make his apologies and since I haven’t seen him for the past hour-and-a-half, I’d suggest they’re ‘making up’ as you say, Terry. The three men chuckled heartily.

James poured himself another cup of coffee; put his glasses back atop his nose and returned to reading the paper.

Debonair but somewhat visibly concerned, Louis strode through the restaurant to join the men at the table. Well, hello everyone. How are we this morning?

Louis Daniel was another of Carmine’s directors – an attorney – and co-founder of the company together with James. He had travelled to Dakar to join his partner when the latter had been shot in the shoulder; Osnoir had been on a killing rampage for weeks now.

Fine, just fine, the three men responded almost in unison.

Well? How did it go this morning, did you get Hassan on the flight? James asked from over his shoulder while keeping on reading the paper.

I sure did. He’s on his way home with his father. Besides the police wanting to conduct an autopsy, it’s been a never ending series of hassles at the customs’ office, but it’s done.

Good. By the way, have you seen Talya or Khalid on your way down?

No, Louis replied, not a sight or sound from either of them, but I saw Khalid’s plane being pulled out of the hangar this morning...

What? James blurted, tearing his glasses off and staring at Louis, expectant of an explanation. Mark and Terry turned their gazes to him, too, uncomprehending.

Well, I didn’t know what to make of it either, but I wanted to hear the latest from you guys before getting worried...

You stay here and have breakfast, Mark said in a rush, I’ll go up and see what’s happening with them, getting to his feet. In a moment, he was gone.

James was looking after him, his face betraying signs of troublesome thoughts. You see, Louis, I’ve sent Khalid to Talya’s room this morning. The man was ready to pick-up and leave after the way Talya treated him since Hassan’s murder. I told him to pull himself together and give it another shot. But now I think, and based on what you’ve just said, they’re leaving for parts unknown.

But why? We were going back to Paris together...

I guess that’s what everyone thought. But I think Khalid and Talya don’t want to go to Paris now – not until Osnoir is caught, Terry added with a semblance of re-assurance in his voice.

Louis shook his head in dismay. You mean they want to deflect Osnoir’s attention on them again? When will it ever end?

James looked down at his cup of coffee. When Osnoir is dead and buried.

A concerned silence fell around the table. Terry ate his bacon and eggs, grunting between bites. James folded the paper, crossed his arms over his chest with a cringe; his wound still bothered him. Louis, for his part, after waving to the server to bring him a cup of coffee, stared into space – they were waiting...

I, for one, had heard enough and could not wait. I knew Talya was on her way to find an answer – or several of them – regarding my operation in West Africa. I thought of the place she could be going. I knew Rasheed had told her about the drug coming from South America. Could she be thinking of going there? But how would she know? I had no time to wait. I left my half-eaten breakfast on the table and rushed out of the restaurant, but not before I heard James mention a name that was of great interest to me: ‘Sinosetu’.

...But..., that’s the name of our property in Guyana. Do you mean she’s gone to Cayenne? Terry queried.

Exactly. And they’ll probably contact us from there. That’s really what the note says.

Chapter 5

When I reached the airport, I went to the control tower. I flashed my ID in the security guard’s face and entered the room. As soon as I passed the threshold, the man in charge strode to me demanding what I was doing in there.

I explained that Prince Khalid Saif Al Fadir had forgotten to advise my colleagues and me of his change of plans. If you wouldn’t mind, sir, I said, I would like to have a look at his flight plan, so that I can arrange for him and his passenger to be met at his destination.

Sure, the man replied, apparently more relaxed now than when I first stepped in the ‘inner sanctum’. He rounded his desk, sat in front of his computer and scrolled through the departure list. Yes..., there they are, he said, raising his gaze to me. The prince and his lady left thirty minutes ago – destination: Charles de Gaulle in Paris.

Thank you so much, sir, I said, already striding toward the door.

Just hold on, sir, the manager called back. Do you intend to follow with another private aircraft?

I should say so, or perhaps we’ll take a regular airline once I have advised my supervisor of what’s going on. Why?

Nothing, the man replied.

I shrugged and left the control tower.

Chapter 6

I wondered why they were going to Paris. If they left a note for James saying they were on their way to Sinosetu in French Guyana, why would they go to Paris? Khalid’s aircraft could make the trip, I assumed. I didn’t stop to think. If Paris was their destination, that’s where I had to go.

When I reached the Hotel de Crillon, where I knew the prince would stay – as he always did – I rented a room and waited for their arrival. Yet, since I wasn’t supposed to be there or even know where they were going, I had to resort to some disguise. Nothing too drastic. Dying my hair black and wearing a pair of dark glasses was enough to fool the occasional onlooker.

As soon as I got my key, I went upstairs and into Khalid’s suite. I placed a couple of cameras in strategic spots and went down to the Conservatory – just in time to see the two of them walk in the door.

As soon as they were in their suites, I began to listen, and watched them on my laptop.

Okay, okay, just tell me again why we’re here in Paris. Talya’s stubborn streak shown in her demeanor and in her speech.

Khalid smiled, which seemed to unnerve her all the more.

We’re going to get my turbo-jet out of the shop and put this Otter in for an overall. Flying across the Atlantic is a very different story to flying over land. I don’t trust this little toy to be able to take us to South America. It’s been damaged when we landed in Siguiri on that track-road and it’s never been repaired properly. So this morning I decided to go and get the big toy out and give the mechanics this one instead.

Okay, that answers that question, but what about the two-day stopover? Don’t you consider that a little risky? Besides, what are we supposed to do locked in here while we’re waiting for your aircraft to be ready?

Wouldn’t that please you to be locked into a palace such as the Hotel the Crillon for two days..., with your Prince Charming?

Talya broke into a giggle. Have you ever tried to close the door when a cat is in the room?

Khalid turned his head and looked at her in surprise. Obviously, he never had a cat. No, I can’t say that I have, why?

Because, the minute you close the door, your cat is going to meow in front of it until you open it again.

Does that mean you’re going to meow all night until I let you out? By this time, Talya was laughing so hard that tears were running down her cheeks.

I had heard enough. So they were going to Sinosetu after all. Killing her in that godforsaken place wouldn’t be a problem. Yet, something told me Talya had something else in mind other than going to Guyana directly. I was afraid of answering my own question. On the other hand, I had to face the fact that she may stop over in Florida – and that presented a huge problem for me.

Chapter 7

What would you like to drink? Khalid asked when they were about to sit down at a table near the Baccarat crystal elephant, the centerpiece of the celebrated conservatory of the hotel. I had been waiting for them. They looked carefree, although I knew Khalid would be on his guard.

As if you needed to ask.

Danny came to the table to take their orders. Capitaine Sahab, Madame Kartz, nice of you to join us once again.

We will have champagne. Their incredulous server looked down at their patrons agape. I knew that Khalid being a practicing Muslim, wines were not on his list of favorite beverages. Given that he had been living at the Hotel de Crillon since his father died many years ago, every server knew that champagne or wines were never a suitable proposition for their esteemed guest.

Talya was all smiles. That’s a grand idea, Khalid. But if I may – she brushed a glance in Khalid’s direction, seeking his approval – could we have a dozen oysters with the champagne?

Of course, Madame, would that be a dozen for each of you?

Khalid raised an eyebrow slightly surprised by Talya’s request. I had to laugh in my beard as they say.

Yes. That should be fine. Danny left the table with a smirk on his face.

Do you realize that I am tired, Talya? Khalid’s brow furrowed.

Then it must have dawned on her. Oysters. She blushed from ear to ear and they both smiled.

I’m sorry. I just didn’t think... but I like oysters especially with champagne.

I think we will sleep very soundly tonight, Khalid remarked, stretching to the back of his seat.

The champagne arrived. The sommelier came with it, and asked, Would you like a ‘Veuve Clicquot’, Monsieur le Capitaine, or maybe a ‘Moët et Chandon’?

We will take the Veuve Clicquot – Brut – please, Jason.

Khalid didn’t even turn to look at the bottles on offer.

The sommelier uncorked the champagne and poured some in each of their glasses while Khalid continued staring at her.

Every time we’re sitting in this restaurant, you start staring at me. What is it? Talya asked.

At the risk of repeating myself ad infinitum, I can’t believe that you’re sitting across from me in my home.

But what is it about this place that makes you say it here and seldom anywhere else?

Perhaps because my father had been sitting in that very chair a long time ago.

Talya smiled knowingly.

That was beginning to be a little too mushy for me. Nevertheless, I had to have my coffee, and stay put.

They both sat in silence for a few minutes, seemingly reminiscent of their pasts.

I was thinking of their camel drive through the Sahara and the Sahel, continually dodging Osnoir’s men and trying to elucidate the reasons for the murders of their friends. Meanwhile, they had uncovered the drug routes that were travelled regularly from the central location of Sabodala where Rasheed had stashed huge amounts of cocaine amid the shipment of nitroglycerin to be used on site for carving the mining benches.

In a few moments, Danny brought the oysters to the table. Talya was ravenous.

Thank you, Danny. Khalid threw a quick glance at their cheerful waiter.

Seeing that Talya wanted to tackle her plate immediately, he grinned. Will you want something else after that? You seem quite hungry.

No, I don’t think so, thank you. Although I may want a dessert...

That will be all for now, Danny. Madame will have a dessert later.

Très bien, Capitaine, I will come back in a while. Enjoy the champagne with our best wishes, Danny said, departing instantly.

What’s going on? Why are you so hungry? Khalid asked. When we stopped in Marseilles for refueling we had a late lunch...

That’s the way I am. When I feel secure or when I am worried about something, I eat.

And which is it in this case?

I think it’s a bit of both. I feel secure here. But I don’t know how or why (yet) we’re going to spend two days here when I know that, one way or another, Osnoir will be informed of our arrival in Paris.

Before I answer your questions, would you do me the honor of drinking a toast with me?

I’m sorry, Khalid. Yes, of course, Talya said, after she swallowed another raw oyster. Can’t stand them myself.

To us, Talya, may our lives be long and our paths filled with joy and happiness.

To our friendship, Khalid.

Talya looked ill at ease. That sort of formal declaration didn’t sit right with her it seemed.

Now getting back to your questions; I don’t know quite yet how we’re going to spend two days in Paris hiding from Mr. Osnoir, while staying in this hotel, but I know that it will take two days for the Lear to be fitted to my specifications.

Talya practically choked on the second sip of champagne. You didn’t! You did, did you? she burst out, obviously as astounded as I was. I put my napkin over my mouth quickly before I would spit out my last sip of coffee.

Yes, Talya, I did. I got it through Pierre’s company. Air Location’s people did all the paperwork and brought the Jet down from the States last week. But the final adjustments could only be made between today and tomorrow night.

Talya stared goggle-eyed. Why? That’s not only a lot of money but what are you going to do with it? You can’t fly that baby to the mining camps or to any old airport. So is it going to stay in a hangar all the time? John told me about your intention when we were flying down to Nouakchott, but I thought it was only going to happen next year... Not now.

Don’t get excited, and I didn’t buy it. One of my extravagant uncles bought it for us. Talya had stopped eating. You see, my brother, Salamir, keeps in touch regularly with our family in Saudi and when he told my uncle that we would need to fly frequently between Africa and Canada, he decided that none of my planes would do, so he bought a Lear for us.

Good God! Talya blurted. Talk about a rich uncle!

Khalid smiled with satisfaction.

He has done it again, hasn’t he?

Tell me, Khalid, what does that mean; your uncle bought it for us? Does that mean that I’ll have to add it to my list of assets, like a wardrobe full of clothes, a television, a few pieces of jewelry and half of a Lear Jet?

Khalid chuckled and shook his head. You are absolutely priceless.

I don’t know about priceless; you’ve just added 5 or 10 million to my price tag.

Khalid was chuckling now. Talya was still staring and not eating.

How are your oysters? He now began eating.

Chapter 8

Yes, Marie, Khalid said in an even tone of voice as he picked up the phone.

We are fine my dear... I see... Have him come up, will you? And give him a room somewhere on this floor.

There was only one person I knew who would have known where they were and who would have wanted to intrude on them, and that was Agent Mark Gilford.

Don’t tell me. I already know, Talya said. I can’t believe that he couldn’t stay away, she added with some degree (reaching the boiling point) of annoyance.

If Mark is here, it is for a good reason. If you thought for one moment that CSIS was going to let us go on our own, you were deluding yourself. Even if we had gone directly to Cayenne, Mark would have followed us. We may as well get used to it – he is going to be with us for a long time.

A knock at the door interrupted them.

Mark. Good of you to join us, please come in... Have a seat, Khalid invited when he opened the door wide to let him in.

Khalid, Talya. I am sorry to disturb you... He sat down across from them and looked around.

The Boisery Suites at the Hotel de Crillon are known for their comfortable and manly décor. The oak paneling enhances the warmth of the surroundings, while the shimmers from the chandelier and crystal sconces accompany the soft light delicately and unobtrusively entering the room from the French windows.

Mark, why, why did you follow us? Talya asked with undue aggressiveness it seemed.

I said that I would be at your doorsteps in two weeks’ time...

Yes you did, Mark, but that was only a week ago. So why did you follow us? We are going to Cayenne the day after tomorrow and you told us that your next assignment would call for you to be in the South of France and to stay close by in the meantime. And unless the world-map has been changed drastically overnight, I don’t see Cayenne being anywhere ‘close-by’ the French Riviera.

I know, Talya, but the office in Ottawa thought I should follow you, so my assignment is to stay with you until further notice.

When you are involved with the powers-that-be, you run into these kinds of inconveniences very often.

We appreciate that you have your orders, Khalid began, taking up where Talya left off, but we are not intending to chase after Osnoir, nor are we in search of a stash of drugs at the moment. We have chosen to go to Cayenne for business reasons. As you are aware now, I’m sure; Carmine has a property in Guyana called Sinosetu. I am supposed to fly a work team out of the site in a week’s time, and that is what we plan to do. So, and as Talya said, we don’t see why we need a bodyguard on this journey.

Khalid, may I ask if you’re intending to stop over anywhere on the way to Cayenne?

You may ask, Mark, but you’re not getting an answer from either of us until we have had time to think of what the answer should be.

I knew it. I knew it! Mark was obviously thrilled.

"Well, Mark, if your senses are so acute at the moment, they should also tell you that it is time for you to take your leave. Talya and I are not leaving the hotel for the time being, so you can retire to your room in all tranquility. We can’t leave until