The Speculator

By Michael Thoreau

My day began fairly well and I was just returning from a good run. I had jogged for fourteen miles and the sweat ring on my shirt was all white with salt loss. The spring heat had been unrelenting. May is supposed to bring rain; yet the grass fires were constant from the lightning storms, and Farmers and Ranchers were selling their stocks in order to save their livestock while some were resorting to auction sales in mass to save homes and families.
As I ran alongside the ranch land, the poor critters seem to be begging me to save them with a low moo; there was no drooling, because, the little bit of fodder that was dropped for them was too dry. The creek bed was so dry, even the red dirt had turned into a white sandy trail. I thought of my yard which had turned brown and kept me on guard always; because, reckless drivers flick cigarette butts out their windows could easily start a grass fire. Our Fire Department had been busy lately, and there was nothing I could do to help but adhere to the strict rules. I kept on going till I rounded the street-corner to my house and saw my wife standing at the door waving me on.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781503511842

Michael Thoreau

Michael Thoreau is a retired (disable) Army Master Sergeant who lives in Oklahoma with his wife. He grew up in the Caribbean (ST. LUCIA) until he came to the U.S. and was inducted into the Military. After 24 years in the Army and retired as a Master Sergeant in the medical field, he was injured during The Desert Storm and returned to Oklahoma for surgery.

Book preview

Copyright © 2014 by Michael Thoreau.

Library of Congress Control Number:      2014919518

ISBN:                  Hardcover             978-1-5035-1182-8

              Softcover               978-1-5035-1183-5

                             eBook                    978-1-5035-1184-2

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,

without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the

product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance

to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 10/28/2014

Xlibris

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

696431

CONTENTS

Prologue

Daycare Wedding

Who Is In Charge

Tasky’s Center

The Turkish Trip

Road To Mosul

Coffee Shop Visit

Green Zone Home

End Of An Era

The Friendly Dragon

Smasher Got Smashed

The Divorce

She Just Left

The Paintings

The Lydia Room

Goodbye, My Friends

PROLOGUE

Mr. Dunston, what is your first name?

Joseph. He answered.

I was hoping that you would say that; last year, my brother Joseph came to London to kill people and blow up a train Station, so, I killed him with his own gun. Well Akho shlickeh (brother of a whore) I will kill you with my hands since you do not carry one. Uncle Haabib!

So, Mr. Kahlal, you brought my niece here to rape her? Smile for your boss. He sliced Kahlal’s throat and pushed him at Dunston’s feet.

Joseph, I wanted you to see it before you join him in Allah land. Whenever you feel froggy, Boofta. (Transvestite) His eyes almost came out of their sockets.

I can always buy more men and guns. I will make her my bitch, then, I will kill all of you to include the whole building. He took a stance. I had already crept up to him. Without hesitating, I sliced up and sent his face to his brain. He didn’t feel a thing as he fell.

I, we have company! He opened his laptop and smiled.

It’s OK. Wow! She looks good." I opened the door. An almost naked girl stood there with an attaché in her hand. She was dressed in bikini shorts and a skimpy bra with only the nipples were covered. Wow! Those boobs are huge. I am sure they were 46gx3.

My name is Sharli. Mr. Haabib said that you were cute. He gave me this for you. You like these? I had them done in Madison. These babies cost me three thousand Dollars. She pushed up on her breasts. I turned to Ashar.

OK Dummkofp, are you going to claim her, or I throw her out?

Darn girl, I was told that you were wild. I am Ashar. This is Mike and his wife. She fell to her knees and tried to cover her body with her hands.

Oh Allah, please forgive me, he told me that I would see Mike in the morning. I was sent to meet Ashar here. My name is Sharli. I went to the University of Madison, Wisconsin and lived in Oshkosh. After those men died, my family moved back here.

SUNDAY

Morning Message

My day began fairly well, and I was just returning from a good run. I had jogged for fourteen miles, and the sweat ring on my shirt was all white with salt loss. The spring heat had been unrelenting. May is supposed to bring rain, yet the grass fires were constant from the lightning storms and farmers and ranchers were selling their stocks in order to save their livestock while some were resorting to auction sales en masse to save homes and families.

As I ran alongside the ranch land, the poor critters seemed to be begging me to save them with a low moo; there was no drooling because the little bit of fodder that was dropped for them was too dry. The creek bed was so dry, even the red dirt had turned into a white sandy trail. I thought of my yard that had turned brown and kept me on guard always because reckless drivers flicking cigarette butts out their windows could easily start a grass fire. Our fire department had been busy lately, and there was nothing I could do to help but adhere to the strict rules. I kept on going till I rounded the street corner to my house and saw my wife standing at the door waving me on.

You had a phone call. The number is on the table. The airport people want you to call them immediately.

I have no one coming here, and if they come, they should call first. You don’t wait till you get to the airport to call ‘I am here at your airport!’ Brother, cousin, uncle, or friend. I have to cool down, take a shower, then I will think of calling.

She said that it was urgent, Mike, My wife said and went about her business.

I don’t care much for airports. I have lost quite a number of bags there, and all I got was a few dollars and a sorry excuse about how it was loaded from the other airport. I took my time to cool off and went for my shower, and after a light breakfast, I decided to call the number that my wife had written.

Mr. Thoreau, my supervisor told me to ask you to come to the airport office to see him. He says that there is an important message here for you. Ask for Mr. Jacobs. She clicked off before I could say anything. I could not tell my wife anymore except that I had to get to the airport for a message. I took my time driving the mile and a half to the parking lot. That’s going to cost me three dollars if she keeps me.

I met an old army buddy, and we sat on his tailgate for a chat. We parted and I walked to the front desk to ask for the airport office. I was directed to an office in a back hallway that read MANAGER. I knocked and heard Come in. I pushed open the door and was shocked to see a man I knew and loathed, and instantly had a flashback from last year. Special agents Jacobs and Ross had been to my house with air force police to get me to come with them.

Come in, Mr. Thoreau, welcome. He put out his hand, which I did not take. The airport manager looked perplexed but kept mum.

I deserve it. Thank you for coming, please take a seat. I pulled the other chair a little away from him and sat.

Before I begin, first, allow me to apologize for the incident last year. I am truly sorry, our orders were to get you there in a hurry. Secondly, I have been sent here to see you and did not want to come to your home and face your wife. Will you give her my sincere apologies? I hope that she is all right. He was looking at the manager who wasn’t impressed. He started to explain, but she waved him on.

My bosses have sent me to ask you to come to Washington DC to talk to a Mr. Marin. I was told that you know him and that you might understand how important it might be. I can get you on any flight at any time. The decision is yours. I was also told to tell you to get there as soon as possible and that it was very important.

I have a doctor’s appointment in the morning, so you will have to get me out of here later or the next day. Providing that it is OK with Your Majesty? I see that your Ross decided to stay away. His face suddenly looked drained.

I can meet you after one, and you can decide then. There is a 2:00 PM flight for DFW and a connecting flight for DC at 4:00. If it’s not possible, the manager can get you another flight whenever you are able. The manager was looking at me with pleading eyes. Say something to get this goofball out of my office.

Agent Jacobs, before I give you an answer, I must call my wife. I know that she is not going to be too happy, so I will not mention you. Ma’am, may I use your phone please? She handed me the piece, turned the base to face me, and I dialed my home number.

Honey, my phone call was a message to get me to DC ASAP. I don’t know what the problem is, but it seems that I am to appear in person. Will you be able to call the doctor’s office and cancel my appointment? I am on my way home now. I hung up.

I will wait for the manager and check for a flight for you. His phone buzzed, and he stepped outside. He returned and said, I’m sorry, but I’ve been called away. Mr. Mike, please try to make it. Ma’am. He walked away, and the manager took a deep breath.

Mike, you don’t like that man and I see why. He was getting to me too. I told her how I had come to loathe Jacobs and his people and she said, If you still want to go, Mike, I will have a ticket for you here.

Thank you, Carole, I know Jimmy has told you what I do for them. I will go on behalf of my family. I came here not expecting to stay and had to park in your lot hoping the bastard would pay the ticket out. She reached in her desk draw and handed me a ticket, and we walked to the lobby.

Mike, I’ll tell Jimmy that you will be gone. You take it easy over there. I went to my car and drove home.

It was the fall of last year when it started. A brother that I had not seen or heard from for over thirty years surfaced on the government’s radar as the head of a terrorist group with all intentions of interrupting the everyday lives of Americans and her interests. Their plans were to blow up the U.S. Embassy in Spain and a train station in Britain. The good old Special Agent Jacobs and his colleague came to my home with military police and handcuffs to arrest me in order get me to come with them.

Then just two months ago, I returned to London on another escapade. My brother’s two wives came from Kenya to make retribution for their husband’s murder. They had come looking for me. I had my work cut out for me as I had to convince them that I was out of the country when the husband died. No one had killed him and that it was suicide. His disciples had met and had been fatally shot by the British police. He could not accept it and had to resort to putting a bullet in his head, the report had so stated. Now, it seems that something has happened and they are again trying to get me involved. I seem to remember telling the group in London that I would be moving to Montana, Siberia, or the Gobi Desert in China. I went home to talk to my wife and to pack my bag for a trip once more.

So, when are you leaving? I told you once that I was getting tired of all this, I am very tired now. She looked tired. I tried to tell her something, but she went to the bedroom and slammed the door. I will talk to her in a while. I went to the storage for my suitcase and backpack and went back in to pack and packed enough for a few days; it should be hot in DC. Even though I did not know my destination, I was sure that Joe Marin had some special plan. My wife came out to tell me to be careful and slammed the door once more. I had a neighbor drive me to the airport, and the ticket checker handed me a boarding ticket.

Carole, my break partner’s wife, manager of our airport, had gotten me a flight to DFW and a twenty-minute wait time for the DC flight. My suitcase would go with me. She had a message to call a number in DC of my flight and arrival time. Someone will meet me at Dulles International. My ticket allowed me a first-class seat.

When I arrived at DFW, the overhead announcement requested my presence at the ticket counter. An airport policeman handed me the phone as he took my suitcase and handed me a stub.

Michael Thoreau, I said in the mouthpiece.

Mike, Jas here, thank you for coming. We were a little busy and could not come for you, I’m sorry. I will meet you at Dulles, see you then. The pilot announced that it was 85 degrees at landing time. Heck, it was 92 when I left DFW, so that was mild compared to my home. Yesterday’s temperature reached 103, and this is spring. I walked up the ramp and saw Regina standing at the end. That’s a pretty little thing. She must have just met the height requirement for the CIA. She ran to hug me.

Hello, Mike, it’s so good to see you. The boys are getting your luggage, and we will meet with them on the other side. How have you been? How is the wife?

She is angry with me. You people keep taking me away. Regina, what is this thing about? Why am I here?

I am not sure that I am qualified to tell, Mike. Joe and Jason are best suited to tell you. Joe is at the hotel meeting with some people. I can tell you that this has nothing to do with your brother or anything like that.

We shall see, won’t we? I said and we walked to the exit where they were already waiting. Tony was handling my suitcase; and Jason, Gerald, Pete, and Paul were all standing next to a black SUV.

It’s the Mike! How have you been, my friend? It’s so good to see you. Thank you for coming. Jason grabbed my hand and shook. The others followed without a word. They were just smiling. We got into the truck, and Gerald started moving. I could only look at Jason and Regina.

Mike, Joe is at the hotel, but he is with some people right now talking about you.

Me? What have I done? Why am I here, Jason? I remember telling Jack that I was moving to Montana, Siberia, or the Gobi Desert. Why are they looking for me? What do you want with me? Did one of my brothers come looking for me? He was looking at the others with big grins. When we arrived at the Embassy Suites Hotel, Tony helped carry my suitcase to the elevator and to room 305. The same room I had a couple of months ago. Was it reserved for people like me? Regina knocked on my door with a service lady in tow carrying a tray with a bottle of wine, seven glasses, and two bowls of strawberries.

The others are coming, Mike. She sat and pulled her laptop out of her case. She threw the case on the chair next to her. Jason also came in, carrying two bowls of strawberries while Tony followed with another bottle of wine.

I brought the wine, Mike, what’s shaking?

I don’t like surprises, but next time, which I hope that there will be none, please, please do not send Jacobs to my home. My wife is angry with me because she had heard the name Jacobs before. She remembered him from the first episode. He was the clown you sent to my house with military police and that other goofball, Ross.

We did not tell them to bring police to your home. That was probably Franklin’s doing, Jason said.

Well, Jas, you sent the wrong messengers. I was ready to knock one of them out, but the local uniform saved them. Franklin made it worse when he tried to prevent me from calling my wife. I had to hurt his wrist some. He could not do anything because the air base commander was present.

That’s why he told me that you didn’t take his hand.

He was an annoyance to the airport manager. She is a nice lady, and I work with her husband. She just wanted this shit face out of her office.

Wow! It was that bad? Tony asked.

You need to get him back here for a class on professional courtesy.

It is duly noted, sir. Jason made a face.

Mike, I didn’t get to ask the last time, how was Pat? Tony asked.

Good, Tony, she was as beautiful as ever. I actually handed her the keys to my apartment as I stepped out of it. I had made arrangements with the security man to talk to the manager to give it to her. Her husband should be back by now. You people are mistreating your folks over there. The building that I was in had empty apartments while six guys stayed at a hotel. It costs five times the price of two apartments, which is practically ten minutes from the office and restaurant. Since I am talking about restaurant, do you know if they got through with my uncle’s restaurant?

Yes, they did, Regina answered. Is he really your uncle, Mike?

Strangely, no. I met him four years ago while I was at attending a NATO meeting. I was driving around on a day off when I stopped for a quick lunch. I found out that the place was Greek, so I ordered a soup and sandwich. I told him that my grandparents were Greek. His first name is Theo with an e. Uncle in Greek is Thio with i. His name is Theo Padapolous. So I call him Thio Papoules. He liked it and fell in love with me, he is an uncle and I love him. Plus, he fell in love with Jack and Beverly. He fed my crew of eighteen three times for free. I talked him into allowing the Brits to tear down his restaurant to accommodate their needs. Where is Beverly? Did she make it back to the States?

She is stationed near her family, Regina answered as a young man knocked on the door and asked. He was well dressed.

Is this the place to meet a Jason Norton?

Yes, please come in. I’m Jason.

Great! The boss sent me. I am to talk to a Mr. Michael Thoreau.

I am Mike Thoreau, I told him. He looked Asian, about late twenties or early thirties, average height, thick beard, and a smile that is impossible to forget. He handed me a piece of paper that read, Ganaat Shabim. I read it aloud and shook his hand—and of course, the smile. One could see all his back teeth.

As-salāmu ’alaykum, alyawwu haarrun alyawu (Peace be upon you, the weather is hot today), he said and smiled.

I looked into his eyes and answered, Wa ’alaykum as-salāmu. Aljowwohuna yu jibunii, wa naam, anaa al akalla mul Arabiyyah. (And peace be upon you, I like the weather here, and yes, I speak Arabic.) Ismii Malik bin Aziz al-Jabeau. (My name is Malik bin Aziz al-Jabeau.) He was impressed. I can actually count all bottom sixteen. They are perfect.

Gentlemen, I think that my work here is done. Thank you, I will tell them. He walked out.

Mike, what was that all about? Tony asked, and they were all looking at me.

Tony, I just passed the test. I guess that his boss or whoever sent him to see if I can handle the language of the Ottoman Empire. Jas, I think that by now, I know when to keep shut, but this is overbearing. What the hell is going on? I said.

Well, you sure surprised him, and he left smiling. I like that smile, nice young man, Gerald said and the others were in disbelief. Jason then said.

Mike, you have to tell us what was said, the others echoed as I passed the piece of paper to Jason.

We started with the standard ‘peace be upon you.’ Then he handed me this with his name and then told me that the weather was hot today. My answer was that I like the hot weather, and yes, I spoke the language very well. I told him my Arabic name.

Mike, I did not know that you spoke Arabic. Pat said that you spoke to your uncle in Greek and that you spoke to a young lady in Italian. I thought that she was joking. I am beginning to feel helpless. Some of our people went to language school, but they are not like you just answered that young man. It was so fluid, Regina told me.

Jason, you guys are missing the point! Why am I here? His phone went off.

I am impressed, Mike, you have made a believer out of me, Jason said to me as he answered his phone.

We’ll be right down. Let’s go to dinner, guys. He went to Regina and mumbled something.

Yes, sir! she answered and ran out. The others were looking at him. We took the elevator down to the lobby and walked to the restaurant. Joe Marin was at the waitresses’ desk. He grabbed my hand.

It is great to see you, Mike, how are you? I am sorry to get you out here, but there are some people who would like to talk to you. Come, folks, let’s get our seats. We followed him into a closed room where seven people were seated at a long table. I recognized four of them while the others were strangers.

Mike, I will let everybody introduce themselves, Joe said and Regina almost stumbled on the table; she had been running.

I walked over to the first person and said, Please don’t stand, Madam Secretary. It’s a pleasure to see you again, Ladies. I held her hand.

How are you, sir? I shook hands with her companion John that I remembered meeting on my last visit. To the other person, I shook his hand.

I have spoken to you before, but we’ve never met, sir, I told the secretary of Homeland Security.

This other man shook my hand and said, My name is Kaalim Rabaat, the assistant to the ambassador of Turkey. Isn’t it hot today?

I like it hot wherever it is. I am from the Caribbean, my pleasure, sir. Ganaat was still smiling.

I see that you met Professor Ganaat, Mike, Sec State told me. The young lady stood to shake my hand.

I am Tammy van Houston, aide to the secretary. Pleased to meet you.

Professor Ganaat said that you do not need prepping. I agree most definitely. I looked at Joe, and he shook his head no. He had guessed that I was going to ask why I was brought here.

Please sit, everyone. Let’s eat, he said and went to the door, and a waitress came in with menu tablets.

I have a hankering for lamb chops! Miss, I want—oh, I’m sorry, excuse me, folks, I’m truly sorry. Please forgive my manners. You have me all confused. Go ahead and order. The sec state made their order, and the Turkish aide told me to go.

Thank you, I said. You see, I was taken away from my home in a hurry and left without eating. I had gone jogging and had no breakfast. I feel for three or four lamb chops; some thick-sliced turnips and two whole carrots baked in foil; cubed potatoes, boiled, and a white creamy sauce over everything; the chops brushed lightly with honey mustard; also a glass of Aghiorghitiko wine. Do you carry that wine? A bottle please. The Turkish aide gave her back the menu.

This sounds very interesting and delicious. Make mine the same please. The sec state handed over her menu tablet and cancelled her original order.

Please make mine the same. Joe and the others asked for the same also.

Miss, I told her. Just two bottles of wine please. I noticed that when everybody ordered the same, not one of them paid attention to the wine, which means we would have fourteen bottles of wine on this table. They all laughed.

This sounds delicious, do you cook, Mike? the sec state asked.

Yes, it’s a special hobby of mine, I answered.

That’s why they all loved you over there, Joe told me.

I took eighteen people to my uncle for ribs, to Jackie for lamb chops, and a Jamaican restaurant for curried chicken and fresh tuna. They loved it all. The waitress brought the wine, and another brought salads.

Can you cook Arabic food, Mr. Mike? Professor Ganaat asked.

Yes, sir. As long as I can get my hands on some chickpeas or lentils, I think I can handle it. Mr. Rabaat looked at the sec state and shook his head in approval. The main dish arrived, and all you could hear was Mmmm, great! across the table.

This is very delicious, Mike, the sec state told me and everybody agreed.

All I had was a dry piece of bread before I was kidnapped this morning.

I am truly sorry about this, Mike, she said. John, we have to get some more wine.

Be mindful of this wine, it will bite you quickly. These are cherries from the Chania White Mountains of Greece and cost about sixty dollars a bottle. I am surprised they carry it here. It is celebrated as the best wine in Europe. Second to it is the Barolo from Northern Italy.

I love it, Mr. Rabaat said, and there was a Hear! Hear! across the table.

The French have their Cabernet Sauvignon, but I will take the Aghiorghitiko anytime, I said as Professor Ganaat took out his pen and pad from his jacket pocket.

He asked, Mike, what is the wine from Italy?

The Barolo, forty euros or sixty dollars here. He wrote it down and took the name off the bottle in front of him. When we had finished, Joe stood and addressed the table.

Ladies and gentlemen, shall we take our leave to the conference room upstairs? We stood and filed out to the lobby and the elevators.

Regina had set the room. After we had seated, she pushed a disc into her computer, and the large screen came alive. A tall, beak-nosed, bald-headed white man was standing with a group of men at a hotel lobby. The screen changed, and the same man looked Arabic, black hair with a thick beard talking to three Arabic men holding American M-16 and AK rifles. They were removing the weapons from a truck behind a shop. There is something strange about this man. Leave it alone, Mike.

The first photo showed a name: JOSEPH DUNSTON, Attorney, Boston, Massachusetts.

The second photo had him as KADAMA IZI-ZADAARI, Spring Street, Zayouna, Baghdad, Iraq. I remember Zayouna. Bad experience. I shuddered. The sec state asked Regina to stop as she stood.

Mike, as you saw, this man is an American claiming to be from London, but he is a gunrunner. We call him ‘THE SPECULATOR.’ He is getting American weapons from someone or somewhere and selling to the locals to kill innocent Iraqis, and the officials blame it on American soldiers. We have a lead on that as we speak. The Turkish ambassador asks that we pass it through you before we act. I, we, would like to send you. Why? Before you ask, we suspect that one of our people is involved. I looked over toward Joe and Jason.

Not any of us here! The Brits don’t know where to start, so Sir Winfred suggested that you might be the one to help. I agreed and brought it up to the Security Council, and I quote, ‘How about the fellow who helped with the African group? He is a linguist and a disinterested person, please ask him. Be careful, he might flip you.’ I also spoke to the general, and he told me that if anybody can get it done, you can. So, Mike, on behalf of any and all concerned, I ask you for help. When you get to London, there will be more briefings from Sir Winfred, Jack, and crew. They have the blessings of the POTUS and Prime Minister. By the way, your film is being used at Langley and Quantico. It is very impressive, but they do not know how to counter it.

I tried to show it to Kassi who didn’t take either.

Who is Kassi, Mike? the sec state asked.

Ms. Kassinga Jamodo. She was a British cop I asked to be brought to help with the Kenya wives. I call her the Nubian Goddess of Wrestlers.

What did she do for them?

She took them shopping and walked them through the Kenyan and Somali districts as I wanted to make them sick. Her parents are from Tanzania, and she is a martial arts expert. The districts are a lot like the barrios of south Texas or the communities of South Chicago. They do not speak English, and police do not go there. She was born in one of them and became a cop, a martial arts expert and bodybuilder, and of course, beautiful.

And she didn’t take the counter of your flip?

It was too fast for her. Master Lo Bin taught us that since I was seven. He would be sitting when he called us and would say, ‘Touch my shoulder from behind.’ Then he would drop us.

So he taught you how to do it and counter.

Yes, it never fails. It took me six years to drop him. The old Chinaman died at ninety-six. You know, he was in his seventies and still that good. He was about ten feet in front of me, smiling, then bowed. I smiled back and bowed.

Wow, wow! All that came from the room.

Mike, Joe and Jason will get you to London and Jack will take it from there. What do you think? Should I tell them that you did not flip me?

Madam Secretary, I was a soldier for twenty-four years, all I did was to take orders. I am still a soldier, then by all means, yes, I may not have a wife when I get back if I return, but I will go for you. The Turkish aide clapped his hands.

Then I will call my friend Mashaad to tell him to expect him. It has been my pleasure meeting you, Mr. Mike. You are a very interesting man, indeed, sir, thank you. Madam Secretary, ladies and gentlemen, you have a good evening. Professor, shall we? We all shook hands and they left. Ganaat was still smiling.

The sec state and her companion stood and told me, Mike, Joe will brief you. Good luck, my friend, and thank you. Good night, everybody. Joe, keep me posted, will you? They shook hands, and Joe walked with them. Tammy came back in.

Mike, what was the name of that wine? Regina handed her a piece of paper as Joe came back.

Jas, we need to get some of that wine, she said.

Who is going to pay for it? I just paid for four bottles and food that set our budget back over two thousand dollars, Joe said and I answered it for them.

Charge it to the sec state’s entertainment fund. She has such funds, just tell her that she is doing it for world peace. They busted out laughing. I looked at them and asked Regina, Regina, can you continue on the disc there? I would like to see a little more of this Dunston.

There isn’t more, Mike. Jack is working on getting it. They got it from the Turkish Iraqis. What do you think of the professor?

He looks very young to be a professor. What is his specialty other than language? I can’t forget that smile. You can practically count all his teeth when he does that. I like him, I told them.

Well, he was impressed with you, Mike. He stated that you could teach his language. His parents are from Iraq, American-born. He is thirty with a PhD in language and physics from Washington U. He is also a tutor at Langley, Joe Marin told me.

I was impressed with him. We spoke only one sentence and he told me that he had nothing to add. I think that he was looking at how I pronounced the words. You know that his name is not what it looks like. It is pronounced Gha-knaut. He was looking for that. If you want to hear slang, you would have to go down to the port near Basra where foreign ships dock or get Tony mad. The screen came alive with the face of Dunston.

OK, Regina, thanks. Joe got up and said that he would see us in the morning.

Mike, grow your beard and hair. Good night, guys, Regina. He looked at Jason and walked out. I had shaved just last night.

I’ve got to get you a flight out, Mike, and will talk to Jack in a while to meet you. They will take care of you. Good night, folks, Jason said and left too. We went to our rooms. I called home to find a more pleasing wife. She said that she loved me and warned me to be careful. I took a hot shower and went to bed. As soon as I put my head down, there was a knock on my door. I opened to see Regina standing there.

Mike, Joe called me to see if I can get you on a flight out. I can’t seem to find anything right now.

Come in, Regina, you should be asleep right now. She put her laptop on the coffee table and tried to check for a flight.

Regina, leave it alone. Check on that tomorrow. Go to bed, I told her.

Mike, are you really going through with it? I mean, going to Iraq. I wouldn’t like you to get hurt.

Oh, you are so sweet, come here. I gave her a hug. She brought up her face to mine and opened her mouth to be kissed. She did not really want to let go and pressed her body against mine, and I felt the tension. I pressed a little harder toward her, and she began to pull down my shorts. I walked her toward the bed.

Your boyfriend is going to kill you, I said as I help her remove her clothes.

I don’t have any, don’t really have the time. She was hungry, and I obliged her.

OH my goodness! I would have missed that. I could stay the rest of the night.

No, girl, your people might check on you. You better go back to your room. You were only following orders. She half dressed herself and left as I went back to bed. I began to wonder, Was it orders, from whom? Did the sec state or Joe send her to guarantee my answer? Oh well, I would have gone anyway. She was a delicious temptress.

MONDAY

DC Visit

The phone in my room went crazy, and I tried to gather my senses. It felt good to have sweet dreams. I was in my hometown in the Caribbean, talking to the old people on my way to the beach to meet with an old school friend who had asked me to go diving with him. We dove behind the reef to grab lobsters.

Hello, this is Mike, I answered the phone.

Mike, Jason here, just wanted to know if you wanted to go for breakfast.

Give me a few minutes to get dressed. I got out of the bed and ran to the shower then got dressed and went to the hallway. Tony was walking toward me.

I was just coming to get you for breakfast, he said. We went to the elevator and down to the restaurant.

Thanks, Jas, I was in the sea diving for lobsters when you woke me. What a dream!

Good afternoon, Mike. Had a good night? Regina asked. I looked at her and smiled.

Boy, I slept like a log. I had jogged fourteen miles when your goofball came for me. I dreamed that I was on my island.

What I would give to be on an island right now, Regina said.

My grandpa lived to be 105. He never opened a can of anything. He didn’t understand why someone would prepare something and can it for later use. His philosophy was to get it fresh from the tree, plant, or the ground. With thousands of acres of land, you could plant whatever you want.

Breakfast, Mike, pick from the tree. It’s a buffet, Jason said. We filled our plates and went to our table as Joe Marin walked through the entrance. He sat at our table as a waitress brought juice and water. As we ate, Joe talked.

Mike, I got you on a flight for tomorrow afternoon at 14:05. BOAC 278 bound for London. I really appreciate what you are doing for us, Mike, I don’t know whether people higher up are that grateful. I am, however, going to quote. ‘Please tell Mike that he has to report to no one and he can do whatever he sees fit to stop that man from embarrassing the US.’ End quote. VOCIC: POTUS (Vocal order of the commander in chief: president of the United States). I can only say, be safe, my friend, and leave it in your hands. Jas, you have work later. I will call you. This should give you a start, Mike. Jack will take care of the rest. He handed me a brown envelope.

Until then, my friend, I will leave you with these people. See you later, guys. The travel code is on Regina’s laptop. He got up and walked off.

Jas, have you talked to Jack? What did he have to say?

All he said is that they will meet you at Heathrow when you land. Quote: Everything stays the same.

Mike, what are you going to do today? Tony asked.

I had no plans since I didn’t know what you had in store for me. You know something, I have been here a couple of times, traveling with congressmen, previous sec state, vice POTUS and even former POTUS. I have even spoken to Mrs. B. on the switchboard but have never seen that building. Do you think that you can take me near the fence even? I might see and learn something. Please? They all started laughing.

I’ll go with you, Mike, I might learn something too, Tony said and I heard, I’ll go, I’ll go.

Why don’t we all go? Jason screamed, and the people turned to our table. We finished the rest of our breakfast quietly. Jason suggested that we head upstairs to the conference room or my room. We took the elevator to my room.

Mike, I had overnight to think about what you are getting yourself into. Have you thought of what you are going to do? The place is a no-man’s-land, and you will be alone with these people. You cannot call for help or get none from anyone. They are thinking that our own people might be behind this. You were in Desert Storm, and you know that any of these people will sooner slit your throat than help. I want you to take this matter very seriously. He is a lawyer, and if he feels threatened, you will pay dearly. Do you understand what I am saying, Mike?

Yes, Jas, I have thought about it. I promise to be very careful. I never underestimate my foe or any contact, even the friendly ones.

Good, because I know that you might be going over there with strangers or even Iraqis. They might decide all of a sudden to become faithful to their mother land and turn you over. Sooo, that’s been bothering me all last night.

Thanks, Thio, I will be careful, I told him and Tony laughed. The girl brought a pot of tea and coffee with cups.

Are we ready to go? Ten minutes in the conference room. Gerald, is the van ready? Do you think that you can sit to drive? We busted out laughing. It felt good to laugh. The drive was pleasant enough as we took our time to drive to the capital. He drove slowly enough to satisfy me. I asked that I be dropped off at the shopping mall nearby so I could buy something for Papoules. I asked Regina to come with me to get something for Pat, Denise, and Kassi. A T-shirt would do for them. The men went off somewhere, and she suggested that I buy a small replica of the White House for his office. The man wanted to know if I wanted engravings on the plaque. I thought, why not? So I wrote, To Thio Papoules, S’agapo poly. Mickey, USA.

Regina asked me to translate. It simply read, ‘To Uncle Papoules, I love you very much. Mickey, USA.’ Regina went to get some T-shirts. I told her to get large or one size fits all. I also got a small gift for Robert: a desk set with a plaque that read, HEAD SECURITY. THE BUCK STOPS HERE.

Regina returned with four T-shirts with bold USA letters on the front and I LOVE AMERICA in the back. I had to explain the S’agapo poly when we got back in the truck.

After we arrived at the hotel, Jason told his crew, You people can stay here with Mike. I’ve got some things to take care of, but I’ll be here later for dinner. Wait for me, Tony.

When he left, I told the others, I have to get used to this Arab garb. I should forget it and just wear suits. I can wrap my head, but this thawb and izar (robe and PJ bottom) with sandals, I will pass. They were laughing at me.

Tony then said, Mike, we have a few small things to get done and will give you time to think about your new dresses. Regina can stay, but we have to service the truck then cross the River. Let’s go, guys. They laughed and walked out.

Hey! I hollered after them. Bring back some wine. I removed my shoes and asked, OK, Regina, what are you going to do? We should send an e-mail to Pat, ask her about a place for me. I gave her my apartment when I left, but there should be an open apartment in the same building.

She typed the message and pressed Send, folded her laptop, and told me, Mike, we can finish where we left off last night. Boy, I haven’t done this in quite a long time. I had a boyfriend, but he could not take my hours and travelling so we squashed everything. That was two years ago, and as you can see, I am hungry, Mike.

Go put the DO NOT DISTURB sign on the door and let’s feed you, my dear. I removed my shirt and went to the bedroom. She followed me, trying to remove her shirt.

Don’t do that, girl. I will remove it for you. I put her to stand in front of me while I sat on the bed and slowly unbuttoned her shirt. I then reached behind her to unhook the bra, kissed her nipples, and they pointed at me like rosebuds. I pushed up on the fair-sized breasts and sucked on the buttons. She could no longer take it. She dropped the shirt and pushed me on the bed and straddled me.

Good lord, Mike, I can’t take it anymore. She dug her fingers into my chest as she cried out. I hugged her until I felt her relax. Then I rolled her on her back and we went at it again. Exhausted and spent, I rolled off. I started thinking about Baghdad and how I would take it. I should go in as a businessman. How about a hat and coffee shop with a television and satellite dish for news? The people can watch TV while drinking their coffee. They can try some hats or hats while in there. I will try to see if someone can smuggle some brandy. A squeeze of brandy will give them a little pep for the day’s work. I will also need a few bottles of vanilla and hazelnut cream. Something that is different from the usual cup of Joe. Funny, I cannot drink coffee, yet I will sell it to others. I will need guns for protection for my store. I have to find a way to talk to Dunston. What if I turn him in as a fraud? He may have someone on the inside and reverse it on me. I cannot let that happen.

I looked down