Jihad Warrior

By Earl Sands

Jihad Warrior is a rich and thrilling adventure that sweeps the reader from the backwoods of North America to the sophistication of Beirut, the deserts of Asia and the might of the USA.

The story centers on John Gordon, the son of a Canadian father and a Lebanese mother. John is brought up in Beirut, Lebanon as a Muslim but spent summers in the Muskoka area of Ontario. John and his friend Rafi Adra are inseparable friends in their boyhood years, and are caught up in the turmoil of civil war in Lebanon and rising Muslim extremism that sets them on opposing sides.

John and his father leave Lebanon for Canada for good after John’s mother is killed because of the rising sectarian violence in Beirut.

In his adult years John is recruited by the US government to help thwart a terrorist attack on the United States and learns that the head of the terrorist, in this threatened attack, is his boyhood friend.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Earl Sands
• Release date: Jun 25, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370320240

Earl Sands

Earl Sands, MBA, CGA, CPA, CIRP, LIT is a Licensed Insolvency Trustee. He founded his bankruptcy firm in 1990. When he sold his practice in late 2001, his firm had six offices and was handling the largest number of personal bankruptcies and proposals in British Columbia. His interest in bankruptcy goes back to 1981 when he wrote his MBA theses on bankruptcy prediction. He served on the Canadian Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Professionals (CAIRP) committee that developed the CAIPR website and contributed to the personal bankruptcy training course material that is studied by would-be trustees in bankruptcy. He also operates one of the best resources on the Internet in regards to bankruptcy in Canada; https://bankruptcycanada.com/.

Book preview

Jihad Warrior

Earl Gordon Sands

Published by Earl Sands

Copyright © 2017 Earl Sands

ISBN 9781370320240

The stories and characters in this novel are the product of the author’s imagination and are not based on real or actual events, nor on real or actual characters. Although the author strived through research to make the factual basis of the writing as accurate as possible, liberties are always taken in fiction, and the author apologizes up front for any mistruths or location inaccuracies, required by the story, and, as always, begs the forgiveness of the readers for any such errors, intentional or otherwise.

All Rights Reserved. This publication is protected by copyright, and permission should be obtained from the publisher prior to any prohibited reproduction, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying , recording, or likewise. Permission is granted for limited quotes for the purpose of reviews. For information regarding permission write please email me.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

Thank you for downloading this ebook. You are welcome to share it with your friends. This book may be reproduced, copied and distributed for non-commercial purposes, provided the book remains in its complete original form. If you enjoyed this book, please return to your favorite ebook retailer to discover other works by this author. Thank you for your support.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

Thank you for downloading this ebook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Earl Sands was born in southern Ontario and grew up in the Lake of the Woods area of northwestern Ontario

As a teenager he spent most of the summer and fall months in the outdoors swimming, hunting, fishing and canoeing. He enjoyed school, especially history and geography and ancient Greek mythology and history.

When he was twenty years old he left Kenora and caught a steamer to Liverpool. He planned on spending about six weeks in Europe. That six weeks turned into a year and a half when he hitchhiked throughout southern Europe then to Greece and Istanbul, Turkey; across Turkey and Iran and then into Pakistan, Kashmir, and Nepal. He travelled throughout India ending up in Madras where he caught a steamer to Penang, Malaysia.

After about six weeks of travelling throughout Malaysia he headed north for Bangkok Thailand. He got just a few miles over the border into Thailand and stopped at a little town called Pataloon. He was waiting to catch a bus north and spent time talking to a very pretty waitress and then the chief of police of the town. Later on in the afternoon, he met a gentleman who spoke very good English and was a teacher at a local high school.

Later that evening after many drinks at a bar and lots of good food, and companionship Earl was offered a job as a teacher at the local high school teaching English. He spent six months doing that and made many friends in that little town. He taught Buddhist monks English. He also spent two to three hours a week conversing with the governor of the province. The governor insisted that Earl accept a house to live in for free.

After the teaching stint, it was back home to Canada and to work on a career. Earl went back to university; acquired an accounting degree and a Masters degree at Simon Fraser University. Later on he became a Licensed Insolvency Trustee and eventually opened up his own bankruptcy firm in Vancouver.

Earl is married and has three children. He spent many happy summer days cruising the waters of British Columbia, which has some of the best sailing in the world. He loves to visit Maui for a few weeks every winter.

Earl’s hobbies are reading, hiking and watercolour painting. (The photo above is a watercolour painting of the Cliffs of Moher, painted when Earl was in Ireland in 2014.).

He's written two books; one on bankruptcy called the Canadian Insolvency Guide and the other a novel called Jihad Warrior. Both books are available for sale on online.

Chapter 1

The man entered the patio area of the restaurant/bar and stopped. It was busier than he had expected for an early afternoon at the end of July. Most of the tables were occupied and there was a loud buzz of conversation punctuated now and then by laughter.

His gaze panned the room taking in everything; the pretty young waitresses rushing from bar to table with drink and food; the brightly colored umbrellas protecting the guests from the hot sun; one of the tables rowdier than the others with what appeared to be bikers.

His eyes stopped. He had found him! John was sitting alone at a table just behind the table of bikers. John hasn’t changed in three years the man thought. His hair was still pitch black; his skin dark with attention stopping bright sky-blue eyes and his body slim with the hardness of an athlete.

The man walked over to the table. Hello, John. You’re a hard man to find.

John looked up. His face crinkled into a smile. Mitch, he said with warmth as he stood up and shook hands with Mitch.

******************************

John had first met Mitch when he was in his Delta Force OTC (Operator Training Course). Delta Force tried, and was usually successful in getting the best people in the world to put on training programs. Mitch was one of those people.

There were 15 men in the course on computer information technology. It was a two-day course and it was to cover all the things computers could do. The course would also offer a look into the future of the technology. The men were looking forward to this course and their introduction to their instructor, Blake Mitch Mitchell; the legendary Mitch Mitchell. He was the computer genius, who revolutionized the computer world and became a billionaire before he was thirty.

Mitch Mitchell was raised in the northeastern section of Minnesota. His parents realized when Mitch was four years old that he was brilliant. His parents never understood him and spent the rest of their lives in awe of their son. Mitch was accepted at MIT at the age of 16. He left MIT when he was 18. When asked later why he left so soon he said it was because he had learned all he was going to.

Mitch started a company that produced software to collect, organize and analyze data. Mitch had recognized early on that security was going to be very important. This led to his company developing security products such as voice recognition software. As the hardware improved, this developed into facial features and fingerprint recognition software and then retina or eye-scanning technology. His company's products were used by most of the large companies in the world, including most airports.

When the men entered the classroom to start their course there was a young fellow in the room. He had a slight build, blond hair and a fair complexion. The man looked to be about 25 years old. The men chatted while they waited for Mitch Mitchell to come and start their class. After a few minutes the young fellow cleared his throat to get the attention of the men.

Good morning gentlemen. My name is Mitch Mitchell.

The men stopped talking. This cannot be Mitch Mitchell they thought. This guy is just a kid!

Mitch continued talking. This course will not make you into computer experts, he said. What this course will do is give you an appreciation of computers and what they can do and what they cannot do. It will give you an idea of when you should get your computer experts involved. It will give you an idea of how you can use computers to help you in your counter terrorism work.

The men gave Mitch their rapt attention for two days. They were fascinated by what Mitch was telling them. He brought the subject to life and instilled in the men an inquisitiveness they never lost on the use of their new tool – computer technology.

They learned after hours over a beer that Mitch was 36 years old. A few months later they read in the paper that Mitch had sold his company for an astronomical amount of money. Even later they learned that Mitch was an advisor to Bill Clinton and later James Martin.

One day at a coffee break John and Mitch were talking about Judo. Mitch told John that he was a black belt in Judo. Mitch asked John if he had any training in Judo. John said that he had and that he too was a black belt.

"What's your full name?'

John Gordon,

The John Gordon? John Gordon the Olympic Gold Medallist? Mitch asked in disbelief.

That's me.

That introduction led to a close friendship between John and Mitch. They found they had much in common. Especially the lakes and forests they both loved. Mitch grew up in the Precambrian Shield area of Minnesota the same sort of country as the Muskoka, in Ontario, where John had spent his summers. Mitch and John used to get together at least once a year to canoe and spend time in the bush although now it had been three years since they had seen each other.

******************************

You’re a long way from home, Mitch. Good to see you. Pull up a chair and we can catch up. Let me get you a drink and something to eat.

Mitch sat down. One of the waitresses appeared at the table.

John looked up at the waitress. Hi Janis. My friend would like to order something.

Mitch ordered a roast beef sandwich and a beer.

Janis was about twenty years old and was a beauty. She had even features; clear skin; straight white teeth; blond hair and a slim healthy body. "Sure. I’ll be back with that in a few minutes. What about you, John? Would you like some more coffee?’’

I’ll pass, thanks.

Mitch observed, You always know the pretty girls John.

I've known Janis’s family for years, John said. In fact, they're the main reason I came here this year. Her dad's been trying to get me to the west coast for years. I finally made it this year. Janis is working here to help pay part of her university expenses. She'll be going into third-year at McGill this fall.

So, tell me all about it, John said to Mitch, Why have you come all the way from D.C. looking for me?

Mitch had observed the people sitting near John's table before sitting down. He knew that no one could have anticipated his being here. He also knew that if one spoke at the same general level as everyone else that people could not hear words of a conversation. I am here to ask for your help John, Mitch said. We have a very serious problem.

John looked at Mitch for a second or two before replying. I think you might have made this trip for nothing, Mitch. I'm not looking for work now. I think you know that I just finished a job about 4 weeks ago.

I know that John. Believe me, I wouldn't have come all this way looking for you unless it was critical. You know too, that I couldn't contact you any other way. You weren't answering your phone or replying to your phone messages or email messages.

I never reply to phone or email messages when I am on a job or on a break, John replied. I learned a long time ago that there's not much in life that can't wait a week or so.

I know, said Mitch. That's why I came here to see you.

I wasn't trying to hide, John said, but just out of curiosity how did you find me?

I know you weren't trying to hide, John, and that's why I was able to find you quite easily, in fact. I had all your credit card accounts reviewed for the past four months and we found one amount to a Nanaimo, BC marine outfitting company for $2,000. We contacted that company and told them that you had given us their name in case of an emergency and did they know where you were? They told us you would be returning the boat you had chartered in a few days and that you would be staying here at Silva Bay just prior to returning the boat. Apparently the boat's captain keeps in daily touch with the office. The outfitter was very helpful and even said they would put us in touch with you by radio. We thanked them and said it was something we had to tell you in person and please not to tell you or the captain we had called.

Now I know how you found me. So tell me what the problem is that is so serious it has brought Martin's top advisor to this little corner of British Columbia?

It's al-Qaeda, Mitch said. As you know, since September 11, 2001 al-Qaeda has not been successful against any major US targets although al-Qaeda has made attacks, or at least inspired terrorist attacks, all over the world, the latest being in London this month on the 7th. President Martin’s election on November 3, 2004 put pressure on Bin Laden and al-Qaeda to do something against the US.

Mitch leaned closer to John and lowered his voice, We got proof about four weeks ago that al-Qaeda has acquired at least one nuculear bomb. We also have reason to believe they have a time table for its use!

A loud shriek and uproarious laughter from the next table interrupted their conversation.

Mitch and John saw that one of the bikers from the next table had grabbed Janis as she was bringing Mitch’s sandwich and beer. Janis was sitting on the lap of one of the bikers. He had his arms around her. Mitch’s sandwich and beer lay on the floor.

Come on baby, the biker said. You know you want it and I can give it to you better than you have ever had it before!

Janis, shouted, Let me go. My boss is calling the police. Let me go right away or you’ll be sorry.

Sorry, The biker roared with laughter. Sorry. That’s great! Did you hear that guys?

Mitch stood up but John was faster. John was standing in front of the biker who had Janis on his lap.

Let her go right away my friend or you'll be more sorry than you ever imagined. John was very calm and very collected. Mitch had seen John like this once before. The biker had no idea of the danger he was in.

The biker stood up. As he did Janis darted away, Please John, don’t get involved. I’m OK. He's just a little drunk. It’s part of my job to duck these sorts of advances.

John looked at the biker. John was a littler taller than the biker at 6’ 3 but the biker out weighted him by at least 50 pounds. Is that right my friend? Are you just a little drunk? Are you going to apologize to the lady and are you going to buy my friend another sandwich and beer to replace the one you knocked to the floor?"

Fuck you asshole! the biker snarled. I'm going to beat the shit out of you and then I'm going to take your little waitress friend on a party and show her what a real man can do.

How many of you do you think it'll take to beat the shit out of me?

Something about John’s manner caused the biker to pause for just a moment. He looked to his biker pals. What do you think guys? Do I need any help?

Another biker stood up. Two of us should be more than enough.

The words had barely left the second biker’s mouth when John moved in a blur of action. A judo punch to the second biker’s throat knocked him to the floor clutching his throat. He started to writhe on the floor with short animal noises coming from him. John, after the judo punch, continued the motion. He pivoted on his right foot while bringing up his left foot, which propelled by John’s pivot and motion caught the first biker at the side of his head. The first biker said nothing. His eyes glazed over and he fell, like a tree felled in the forest - unconscious. It had taken no more than 2 seconds.

John turned to the three remaining bikers, who were now quiet with shock. It looks like your friend was wrong. Two of you weren't enough to beat the shit out of me. Do you think the magic number might be three?

The three remaining bikers said nothing and would not look at John.

I’ll tell you what, John said in his now deadly calm manner. Why don’t you gentlemen take your friends out of here immediately. And don’t forget to buy my friend a sandwich and beer and to pay your bill. One more thing, John warned. Don’t forget a good tip. I hate a stingy tipper.

The bikers got up, paid their bill and helped their friends out. The first biker was now conscious but unsteady on his feet.

Are you alright Janis? John asked.

I'm fine, Janis said. These things happen.

When are you off work?

I'm off at 4:00 o’clock, Janis said. About an hour and a half from now.

I'm still concerned about the biker boys.

Don’t be, said Janis. My boss'll call the police and they'll escort the bikers off the island and make sure the ferry workers warn the police if the bikers try to return.

You can do that? Mitch asked, incredulously.

Of course, Janis said, with a twinkle in her eye. For two reasons; one my boss is an ex-Mountie and two, this is Gabriola Island. We haven’t learned to be politically correct yet.

John and Mitch laughed. Will you do me a favor? John asked Janis. Ask your boss to come to see me after he talks to the police and let me know what is happening about the bikers.

Will do, Janis agreed.

About 20 minutes later a tall man came to John and Mitch’s table. I want to thank you, the man said. I just got a call from the police. They have the bikers in custody. They told me that the bikers have chosen to leave the island rather than face charges. They'll be catching the ferry leaving here at 4:15.

Well, that’s good news, John acknowledged. I was a little worried about Janis.

John and Mitch got back to their conversation.

Mitch, I am complimented that you came all this way to see me but I just can’t accept your offer. I promised myself after my last job that I'd take some time off and do some of the things I just never seem to have time for. There are lots of good people in the States who could do this job. Why not get one or more of those people involved?

Mitch looked thoughtful. He didn’t answer immediately. We want you for a number of reasons, Mitch explained. The most important reason is that you are the best person to do this job. The second reason is that you're a Canadian and we need someone from this country because there's a Canadian connection here.

John thought for a moment before replying. Sorry Mitch, the answer's the same. I just can’t take the job right now. I hope there are no hard feelings about this. In fact to prove it why don't you join me for dinner on my boat tonight? Come back here at 7:00 o’clock this evening. I’ll pick you up at the dock in my dinghy. My boat is out in the bay. I’ll make you a great meal; red wine, barbequed steak and prawns. What do you say?

Thanks, said Mitch. I look forward to that. I'll see you back here at 7 o'clock.

Mitch got up from the table. As he was leaving, Mitch suddenly turned back to John as if just remembering something and said: Oh, by the way John, have you heard about the Monet that is now available, Houses of Parliament, Sunset 1902?

John said nothing for a few seconds. The Houses of Parliament, Sunset 1902 ran through his mind. Monet first depicted the Houses of Parliament when he visited London in 1870-71 to escape the Franco-Prussian War. Thirty years later, when he revisited the city in 1900 and 1901, Monet returned to the theme. The Gothic spires of Westminster rising beside the river fascinated Monet. He completed 19 renderings of the site in different light and weather conditions. John thought that the Houses of Parliament, Sunset 1902 was the most vibrant and freely painted in the series. It is dated 1902 indicating that Monet completed it back in his studio in France.

John looked at Mitch thoughtfully. Sunset's in a private collection. If it's available its price will be about US $20,000,000.

US $22,000,000 actually, Mitch replied.

And what does your job pay? asked John.

My job doesn’t pay in cash, Mitch said. But a friend of ours is willing to contribute his painting to the cause. No record of the gift will be made and of course no taxes payable.

Our dinner tonight should be most interesting, John commented.

John had an hour or so to wait until he had to pick up Mitch. He sat on the deck of his boat to enjoy the late afternoon summer day. What a great spot Silva Bay is for boating he thought. It has beautiful scenery; a great base from which to explore the many islands in the area; a harbor protected from all kinds of weather, no matter from which direction it might come, and an anchorage in about 15 – 25 feet water with a mud bottom providing good holding for his anchor.

The sun was still warm. The boat swung gently on its anchor and the gulls floated in the sky. The gulls’ plaintive calls provided background music to this perfect moment. Occasionally a bald eagle hove into view, attracting ravens to pester it and to drive it away.

John’s mind started to drift off. He could not get over the thought of Monet’s the Houses of Parliament, Sunset 1902. Mitch is good, he thought with admiration. It's no wonder he was part of President Martin’s inner circle. Mitch was one of the most powerful and influential men in the US. Sunset 1902, he mused. John knew that he had to have that painting. Mitch knew it too, John acknowledged.

Well, my boating holiday in BC is over in any case. He had planned on taking the boat back to Nanaimo the next day. He was then going to visit his friend Bill McGregor, Janis’s father, in Nanaimo and then he had planned to return to his home in Ontario.

******************************

The thought of going back home to Ontario brought to mind John's father, Tom, who lived in Toronto. John recalled the stories his father and mother had told him of how they had met and his own start in life.

CHAPTER 2

John’s father, Thomas Gordon was a professor at the American University of Beirut in Lebanon in 1967. Thomas was 28 years old; had a brand new PhD and was just starting his job at the AUB that September. He was excited about his new job in exotic Lebanon. If they could see me now, he thought; a small town boy from St. Mary’s, Ontario. No more cold winters for me, he almost shouted out!

Tom was at the AUB campus for the first time. He was going to the English Department and then was going to spend some time orienting himself to the campus before his classes started in four days.

He noticed three young ladies who looked to be students. He hurried over to them. The three turned to him as he approached.

Hello, he said as he came up to them. I’m new here and I'm trying to find the English Department. Am I heading in the right direction?

The three girls smiled at each other. Only one of them looked at him. His breath caught and he could feel his mouth go dry and his face flush. She is stunning! It was not just beauty. There was something else. The way she carried herself and the confident look about her. As if to say: I am unique. Approach me at your peril. None answered him.

I'm sorry. I just assumed you spoke English, Tom said and he turned away.

Of course we speak English, the stunning looking girl replied in an insulted tone of voice. It’s just that you caught us by surprise by walking up and just starting to talk to us.

I'm sorry, Tom said. As I was saying, I’m new here. I just arrived from Canada yesterday. I'm going to be teaching English at the university. By the way, my name is Tom Gordon. What's your name? Perhaps if you'll tell me we won't be strangers any longer and then you can show me how to get to the English Department?

The stunning looking girl looked at him for a moment and then she looked to her friends. Her friends smiled at her with looks as if to say, Go on. You’re the brave one.

My name's Maryam. This is Yasmin, she said indicating one of the girls, and this is Alli, she said indicating the last girl. We all attend the university and are just going to begin our final year.

Well that’s good. If you've been attending the university for 3 years you must know where the English Department is. I have a big favor to ask. I have the most terrible sense of direction. Would you mind showing me where the English Department is so I don’t get lost?

Of course we'll help you. It's the least we can do to show hospitality to a new comer to our land. Come with us.

Maryam headed off in the general direction that Tom had been going. Have you been to Expo?

Expo ’67, in Montreal, Tom said in confirmation. Yes, I was at Expo just prior to catching the plane to come here.

Was it wonderful?

Why yes, it was wonderful. It’s a great success. There are huge lineups to see all the exhibits. Especially the USSR, US and Canadian pavilions.

Here we are, Maryam said as she indicated, with a small flourish, a door with the caption English Department written on it.

Thank you very much. Do you think you might have time to have lunch with me tomorrow at Souk el Barghout?

I am afraid that’s not possible.

Oh, I understand, said Tom. You’re married. That’s it. Isn’t it?

Married, Maryam said in shock. Oh, I see, she said; now understanding that Tom was teasing her. You are very clever Mr. Tom Gordon but trust me, it’s just not possible. I’ll say good-bye now. She turned and walked away from Tom.

Tom threw himself into his work and into Beirut. He was falling in love with the city. Atmosphere is what Beirut serves best he thought. Its mix of peoples, religions and cultures gives the city an air of excitement. Tom found that just watching Beirutis go about their everyday business was an interesting pastime. One of the best places to take this all in was along the Corniche. This long seaside promenade is a public gathering place where people of all ages, in all forms of dress come to walk, to eat and to visit. The Corniche also has wonderful views of the coast and is famous for its breath taking sunsets.

Another favorite of Tom’s was the market at the Martyr's Place known as Souk el Barghout. Hundreds of people visit here each day to shop, to sightsee and to enjoy a meal from almost any country in the world, or to enjoy a cup of coffee at one of the many outdoor cafes.

Tom had also made a number of day trips to Baalbeck, Byblos, Sidon, and Jounieh. Tom’s peculiar memory retained a number of facts he was sure he would never use:

Lebanon's name has been around for 4,000 years;

Lebanon's name has been mentioned in the Bible 76 times;

Sidon was mentioned 36 times;

Tyre (Soor) was mentioned 63 times;

Lebanon is the only Asian Middle Eastern country that has no desert;

Lebanon is the only non-dictatorial country in the Arab world;

Byblos is the oldest city in the world;

Lebanon has 17 religious Communities.

Tom found the weather hot and humid but not too different from summer in southern Ontario, where he had grown up.

Tom had also started to learn Arabic. He had an ear for languages and although most people found Arabic a difficult language to learn he was picking it up quickly. He found one of the secrets to making good progress in the language was to speak only Arabic whenever possible. This was difficult at first because many of the people of Beirut spoke such good English. Because they were so hospitable, they did not like to see Tom struggle to find a word or phrase. One of the first Arabic phrases Tom learned was: I appreciate your helping me but please don’t help me in English. If you do I will never learn your language. After repeating this phrase in Arabic, he always got a smile. Soon his Arabic was adequate enough so that he hardly had to use the phrase.

He keep looking for Maryam but never saw her. He never forgot her. Once he was walking along the Corniche and saw her up ahead, alone. He hurried to catch up with her. When he reached Maryam, he said in Arabic: Hello Maryam. I am happy to see you again. The girl turned to him in surprise. It was not Maryam. Oh, please forgive me, Tom said. I thought you were a friend of mine.

The pretty girl smiled at him and said in English: Who knows? In the future I could be a friend of yours.

Tom turned away in embarrassment. A little while later he berated himself. What's wrong with me, he thought? That very pretty girl obviously was giving me a chance to know her better. What did I do? Turned away like a fool. Tom had never been at ease around girls. The prettier the girl the more ill at ease was Tom. Yet, he thought, I was not that way with Maryam. I wonder why?

One of the important functions, the staff at the American University of Beirut were expected to take part in were the faculty parties. At least once a month, the head of a different department threw a party. The parties were very civilized. There was no heavy drinking. This was partly in deference to being in a Muslim country and partly because the AUB looked on these functions as a way of promoting cohesion and camaraderie amongst the faculty.

The next function was tonight. Tom was looking forward to this party hosted by the head of Arabic Studies, Dr. Malek Kamel. Dr. Kamel had a world reputation in studies of the Qur’an, the prophet Mohammad and Arabic history. Tom was hoping he would get a chance to talk to this scholar.

Tom knocked at the door of Dr. Kamel’s house. A butler opened the door. Good evening. My name is Thomas Gordon. I'm with the English Department.

Good evening, Sir. Please come in. We have been expecting you.

Tom stepped into the foyer and looked around to orient himself. It looked like the same old crowd. Tom waved to Joe Murphy, who was with the History Faculty and walked into the room to see some people he knew. As he entered the room, he noticed Dr. Kamel off to the right talking to some people. Tom headed in that direction and stood at the peripheral of the group waiting for a lull in the conversation so he could say hello to Dr. Kamel.

After a moment, Dr. Kamel turned to him. I’ll bet you're the young man we have heard so much about. The one who's been tramping around Ashrafieh, Corniche and Hamra, learning Arabic, and who has been speaking it better each succeeding day. Hello, Dr. Gordon, I am Malek Kamel.

Hello, sir, Tom said. I love the Arabic language. The more I learn of the language the more I realize I must study the Qur’an and Arabic history.

Well you've come to the right place, smiled Dr. Kamel. Have you met the other Arabic history scholar in the family? Dr. Kamel turned, beckoned to someone and then turned to Tom. I would like to introduce you to my daughter Maryam. Maryam, this is Dr. Thomas Gordon, the young man we have heard about who is learning our language so quickly.

Tom could not believe his eyes. It was Maryam! Of all the places at which to run into her this would have been the last he would have guessed. Pleased to meet you, he stammered.

Maryam smiled at him in that self-confident way he recalled and said, It's so nice to see you again Dr. Gordon. I hope you didn't have any trouble finding our house. I understand that you have a terrible sense of direction.

Dr. Kamel interjected, You know each other?

Tom spoke up, No sir. We don't know each other. It’s just that your daughter and two of her friends were kind enough to show me where the English Department was located, when I first arrived in Beirut about three months ago.

Oh, I see, Dr. Kamel nodded, who then said, I just noticed some people I must welcome so please excuse me. Dr. Kamel walked over to the new people who had just arrived.

Tom turned to Maryam. I've been hoping to see you again.

Maryam smiled at him. I must confess I wondered if you were coming to this party.

That lunch date is still open; the one at Souk el Barghout. Are you free this coming Saturday at noon?

Maryam thought for a moment. I'm not sure if I am free then. I have such a busy social calendar!

Tom looked at her with disappointment. He then smiled at her; having just realized she was teasing him. You're very clever Miss Kamel but trust me, it’s just not possible to fool me forever. Fool me for a long time; yes. But not forever.

They spent the rest of the evening talking. Maryam introduced Tom to Mrs. Kamel Maryam’s mother. Mrs. Kamel was a charming woman who immediately made Tom feel welcome. Mrs. Kamel asked him if he ever got home sick. Tom admitted that, as much as he loved his job and Beirut, he did get home sick at times. Mrs. Kamel said that was a natural reaction and a good thing as it meant he loved his parents.

CHAPTER 3

Tom and Maryam had lunch at a small French restaurant at Souk el Barghout that next Saturday.

Conversation was awkward at first as they were both a little uneasy and shy. They soon found that they had many things in common. Their families were both professionals and liberal. They talked about the movies they had seen and the books they had read and enjoyed. Each had an inquisitive and enquiring mind always ready to explore a new idea. They each