Marisca knew Ahmy would not kill Frank himself but would hand her husband over to those that would no doubt torture then execute him. A CIA director in their midst with all the “company” secrets would give the terrorists and other anti-American/anti-Israeli groups an advantage. That is if they could get Donovan to talk. Marisca had been trained as her husband had and it was standard procedure if there was no possibility of escape and it came to a point when you could no longer keep control that an agent would take their life. Usually a cyanide tablet in a tooth, which she had retained after years, but Frank had removed long ago.
“So do we have a deal Marisca?” Ahmy asked again wanting her to seal the bargain with a first kiss.
“Do I have a choice?” she muttered as she looked up at his handsome face. “Ok. We have a deal,” she finally answered.
Before he could grab her for a kiss Marisca stood on her toes to reach his lips and gave them a peck. The Sheik laughed and shook his head.
“I suppose that will do for now” he remarked in a chuckle. “Come with me” he said taking her hand and leading her from the room.
“What are you going to do now?” she asked as they hurried down the massive white marble hall.
“Getting your husband out of Saudi along with my first wife. That was my part of the bargain, Ishka.”
“Ishka?” she questioned what he called her.
“My name for you. Get used to it” Ahmy replied, as he wanted her to have his own name for her.
“God! You’re as bossy as Frank is!” Marisca snapped back at him. “Ishka. I guess I can live with that.”
Marisca was not afraid. This was a situation somewhat similar to one she was in with Ivan when they were undercover in China. Only she was never in love with Ivan nor were they married, only pretending. Her thought was to get Frank out of Saudi, assassinate the bad guy, go along with the Sheik no matter what it took, and plot a way out of there. It was a simple as that so there was nothing else to do but try to find some humor in humorless circumstance. She also knew the Sheik was not stupid enough to realize she would try to find a way out. The thought came to mind that Ahmy might be the type of man that only liked the challenge. That when it was over and they had played their cat and mouse game and she escaped he would merely go on to another game. Or maybe he was simply in love with her.
Donovan was outside with the other guests getting their bikes ready for a lesson from him, the so-called expert racer. They were chatting then all of a sudden the Sheik came out holding Marisca’s hand with two of his armed guards by his side. Frank did not like the picture he saw. His wife was smiling but it was that fake smile she sometimes put on that said, “I have to smile and look like I’m enjoying myself but you know I’m not happy.” It was a look he had mastered having been around her so much. Everyone else thought she had succumbed to their friend’s charms. It was even stated to Frank as they stood there.
“I think Ahmy wants your wife, Aakre!” shouted the one from Iraq as they came closer.
“You’re right! I do!” shouted Ahmy back with a smile.
“I want him too so he’s getting rid of Turk! Throwing him out of Saudi!” shouted Marisca.
Ahmy did not think she would be so overt. There was little he could do after she made some verbal contact with her husband so he just laughed, leaned around to face her and gave her a solid kiss on the lips. Marisca was attracted to him and when they kissed she could not deny she liked it. Frank did not like them kissing but before the guards knocked him unconscious he saw Marisca roll her eyes meaning she could not believe all this was happening. But he could believe it. That was his final thought before he was hit in the head by the butt of a gun and blacked out.
“Allah! Ahmy! Are you serious?” questioned his friend from Jordan as the guards dragged Donovan away.
“Perfectly serious. And Ishka has agreed to remain here with me” answered the Sheik. “She’s going to take over my first wife’s position. The woman never gave me children so I see no point in keeping her.”
Marisca had a hard time not looking around as Donovan was being taken away. Her heart was aching but she knew if anything at least he would be safe. And she knew he realized something was going down and that she had to make the “call” in what to do. The two guards got him in the back of one of the limousines and tied him up incase he woke then they waited until Karima joined him with all her things. The woman was in tears thinking she was being sent home to her father until she was put in the back of the auto with the American woman’s husband. Nothing was explained until the Sheik’s assistant rode with them to the private plane and got them settled in for the short trip to Israel. Karima was given a briefcase full of currency, her passport and a letter from her husband allowing her to leave Saudi which was required if she chose to live in another Emirate country.
“Who are you?” Frank asked when he woke up just as the jet was making its descent in to Ben Gurion Airport.
“Karima. My husband decided he wanted your wife and not me. But I am not sure why I am being sent to Israel with you?” she stated confused.
“I don’t know” Donovan replied as he put his hand to the right side of his head where he was hit. “I need something to drink.”
“We are going to land in a few minutes. I have never been out of my country. I do not know what to do or where to go” Karima said in a panic then she remarked. “I thought you were British. You do not speak with a British accent.”
Donovan had reverted back to the slight Israeli accent he had which had been softened by his time in America. The Arab woman was not stupid despite what others would believe because of her circumstances. She realized he was not Arab but Israel however she remained silent of that fact as the Sheik’s guard that sat up front watching them had pistol in hand ready to shoot. If he found out Turk Aakre was really Jewish he might do so. And it was only the Sheik and his assistant that knew about the deception.
“General. I have the flight tower on the line asking your permission for Sheik Ahmad El-Sayad's plane to land. The pilot says he has instructions to drop off Turk Aakre and one of the Sheik’s wives,” reported General Yotum’s secretary David over the intercom.
“Permission granted. And David, have the plane met. Bring Donovan here” ordered the General.
“What about the lady, sir? Do you want her questioned now? Or should I have her checked in to a hotel first?”
“Have her taken to a hotel in a separate car. We’ll have her questioned after I speak to Donovan,” ordered the General. “Get George Tenent on the line for me also, David.”
“Right away, General” David replied.
George Tenent, the CIA Director was in a meeting in his office at Langley when he was told General Yatom wanted to speak to him. Since the Israeli/Palestinian situation was at its hottest he had the General’s calls put throw immediately no matter where he was.
“Danny. What’s up?” asked George after he got the people from his meeting out of the office.
“Donovan’s been brought back to Israel. With one of the Sheik’s wives” said Danny. “He’s landing right now.”
“What about Marisca?” question the CIA Director.
“Obviously not with him. I’m having him brought to my office. I’ll have him phone you when he arrives.”
“You’ve put my man in a difficult position. If it were another operative of mine but one of my Directors? Well, I don’t want to get in to that again or that fact you thought you could use him without me knowing” George remarked.
“Desperate measures for desperate times, my friend” exclaimed Danny.
“You should have cleared it with me first. You should have given Donovan a choice instead of putting him up against the wall. Our stance may be pro-Israeli but we are also friends of Saudi and putting my man in there undercover just doesn’t cut it! Well, as I said I don’t want to get in to it again. Just have him phone me.”
George was mad because he had just gotten Frank Donovan back to the CIA. The young man was Israeli and he had an allegiance that might prevent him from being impartial in his work at the Agency. But he had to speak to Frank and hear from him his point of view of how this all transpired. If he in fact had been up against the wall with no choice but to go in to Saudi with his wife or if he had volunteered for the mission. Marisca was another subject he had to deal with. Why was she still in Saudi?
“So which one is it?” asked Marisca after Ahmy came back from riding a bit with his friends.
“Which one? Oh, yes. Jabbar Kamal. One of my fellow countrymen” he replied. “There’s a weapon waiting in your room. You can do it after dinner. And after you do I want you in my room.”
“I suppose I have to move in to the harem now?” she asked sarcastically.
“No. I just told you my room, Ishka,” he repeated with a big, beautiful smile as he reached and touched her cheek. “I’ll leave you for the remainder of the day to get used to your new home. Dinner is at eight. Please wear the sapphires.”
Ahmy turned and began to walk away smiling as he heard Marisca mumble.
“Do this, do that. Blow my nose, wipe my butt.”
The Saudi Sheik was determined to have her as his and amuse himself a bit as her last statement amused him. The estate was open to her so she walked around thinking, going over all the scenarios and going over in her head the bio of the Saudi import/exporter. It was very clear to her that Ahmy wanted Jabbar Kamal taken out by someone not from Saudi. Marisca felt the circumstances of the Sheik finding out about her and Frank gave him an opportunity to utilize one of them for that purpose. But she also knew the Sheik truly had feelings for her so of course given the choice he would chose her. A marriage with the man would be unlikely but a few nights of sex was more what Marisca thought Ahmy was expecting before she made her escape attempt.
“She was informed Ivan contacted the Sheik,” said General Yatom as Frank sat across from him in his office. “I don’t understand why she didn’t tell you.”
“Obviously the Sheik made a deal with her to get me safely out of the country” Donovan remarked. “I’ve been going over his bio and it might be possible he wants my wife to do his dirty work. He’s a patriot and I truly believe if he found out one of his friends was financing innocent killings he’d try to find someway to stop him” Donovan stated then he just stared at General Yotum for a few seconds.
“What is it?” the General asked and Frank smiled.
“The man we’re looking for is the Saudi. Jabbar Kamal” Frank exclaimed. “The Sheik has to have someone other than a fellow Saudi do the hit. And we just happened to come at the right time.”
“Do you think Marisca will kill him?” asked the older man.
“I don’t know, General. She’s the expert analyst and I know she doesn’t like to make deals,” replied Donovan. “I need to call Tenent.”
“I know. He’s not happy with either of us. But Frank I think your country needs you more now. I need you at the Mossad permanently” stated Danny Yotum.
Marisca did not like making deals and Frank did not like being set up. General Yotum was desperate and he did need Donovan but the way he went about “high jacking” him in to the mission to Saudi left a bitter taste. He went along of course because he was first an Israeli but it was not going to be Yotum that would get him back in to Saudi.
“So what’s the plan?” asked Frank’s father when he arrived at Frank’s hotel room in Tel Aviv.
“Tenent contacted the Secretary of Homeland Security and he contacted Prince Bandar Al-Aziz, the Saudi Ambassador,” reported Frank as he poured two glasses of whiskey. “He informed him that Sheik Ahmad El-Sayad’s first wife had been flown to Israel pending divorce and that my wife was to take her place. Unwillingly.”
“How did he explain her presence in Saudi territory?” asked Bill Donovan as his son handed him a glass.
“He told the Prince Marisca was there on the Air Force base in her capacity as a CIA analyst. Nothing that she had not done before. That she had met the Sheik who took a fancy to her. She was able to get word to me that he had invited her to his estate and that he’s keeping her there. The Ambassador got in touch with Crown Prince Abdullah and he’s allowing me to fly in officially to Riyadh. They’ll assign me an escort to go get her.”
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud was the First Deputy Prime Minster and Commander of the National Guard in the Kingdom his brother ruled over. Ahmy was a wealthy Sheik but he was not of royal blood so the Crown Prince kept his eyes on such men who had power and title in Saudi.
“Did Secretary Ridge say anything about one of the guests being a financier of the Jihad?” questioned his father.
“No. And I’m actually hoping Marisca’s doesn’t do anything either” Frank responded as he stared in to his glass at the warm liquid.
“Your upset she might sleep with this Sheik, aren’t you?”
“Yeah! I know I shouldn’t because it’s just part of the job. And I know she can do it without feelings just to get what she wants. But I still don’t like it. I don’t know how I’m going to be if I find out they’ve had sex,” exclaimed Frank then he looked up at his dad who was smiling.
“And you haven’t had sex with women as part of your job? I have!” stated Bill in a chuckle. “While I was married to your mother! Of course she never knew but I never felt anything for those women! It was just part of the job, son!”
“I know, but this is different! This one I think she might actually fall for!”
“Oh, come on! You’re over reacting. She fell in love with you and I can personally vouch you’re one of a kind!” said his father seriously.
“But you don’t understand Dad! He’s just like me!” shouted Frank then he downed his drink.
“Just like you?” inquired Bill.
“Well, he’s a little mellower” Frank retorted and his father laughed.
“Mellower, huh? In that case you’d better go get her quick! I see your point now! You’ve got to watch out for those mellow fellows!” remarked Bill as he took his son in his arms for a hug.
“It’s six and Marisca’s jet won’t be ready until at eight. Let’s go have some dinner,” said Frank as he looked at his watch. “Why don’t you come with dad? I could use some backup.”
“Sure! I’ll call you mother and tell her I’m staying over.”
The Sheik’s stronghold had the Nafud desert to the west and the Persian Gulf to the east. That made that night extremely cold, as it was still only February. Marisca had spent the day walking around a bit, then reading in the library then finally in her room laying on the bed thinking. That was the Sheik’s mistake allowing her time to think and not react. If he had handed her a gun right after their last discourse she probably would have just found the import/exporter and shot him. But this was playing out all too easily and Marisca never believed in the easy answers. So she decided to proceed carefully. After putting on a black strapless gown and the sapphire earrings per Ahmy’s order she made her way down to the foyer where the assistant who took her to a private dining room she had not been to greeted her. The Sheik was there dressed in an elegant black caftan edged in gold looking all too wonderful she thought. Just too wonderful she said again as he approached her with an open jewelry box containing a sapphire necklace.
“You compliment me by trying so hard” Marisca said as she looked at the diamond and sapphire necklace with a single sapphire hanging down. “Thirty carats?”
“Forty-two. Turn around” he ordered and she complied as he took it from the case and placed it around her neck. “There. Now you’re dressed.”
“I thought we’d be dining with the others?”
“On our first night together? Don’t be silly” Ahmy said as Marisca turned and looked up at him. “I’m going to have a hard time finding jewels for you.”
“Why’s that?” she asked breaking from his eyes and going over to the table.
“You know the answer, Ishka? Because you’ll outshine them all” he said in his most sensual voice. “I’m having your things taken to my suite.”
“So what are you going to do with the body?” she questioned about the man she was suppose to kill that night.
“My men will dispose of him in the desert” he answered avoiding her eyes.
That was a lie Marisca said to herself and that got her thinking. If she killed the Saudi and it was discovered, instead of being taken by the authorities the Sheik could grant her his protection. That would be one way to ensure she stayed with him permanently. Very clever she thought as Ahmy held her chair out at the table for two. But why should she kill him? She was not getting paid for it nor was it in her interest, just Frank’s because he was Israeli. Why not just get out of the current situation, get word to the Mossad and have them assassinate the man? That really was the first plan. The only question was getting the proof he was indeed financing the Jihad. And why exactly was she taking Ahmy’s word Jabbar Kamal was the man? Why was she? Because Marisca liked the Sheik and found him sexually attractive and the worst of all she was aroused by him. These were all her internal thoughts as they ate and spoke on pleasantries. By the time they were finished she was throbbing so hard he could have easily taken her on the table then and there. It was a difficult decision but Marisca had to go with her gut instinct that had been so obviously misguided by the handsome Sheik. She brushed passed him as she walked away from the table in the most subtle way giving him a whiff of her perfume knowing he would not be able to control himself.
“I have to have you now” he said taking hold of her right arm and bring her to him for a kiss.
Marisca began her act as she pushed away from his body, which engulfed her and his lips, which pressed hard on hers. Then she succumbed, wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back, fully and deeply. They kissed and before long his hands were seeking her breasts trying to bring her strapless gown down so he could feel them.
“No here” she moaned out. “God! I shouldn’t be doing this!” she stated breaking with all her force away from him.
Ahmy truly believed that Marisca was not playing a game. That she was torn between her love for Frank Donovan and her desire for him. He could feel the desire in her kiss and her body as it melded with his. Her display of guilt made her all the more appealing. Marisca walked out of the dining room and passed a server and the assistant who were on their way to see if dinner had finally ended. The two men watched as Ahmy paced by them after the American woman.
“Ishka! Wait!” he exclaimed as she got in the elevator.
This was just too hot for even her Marisca said to herself as she pressed the button for the second level. Just as she thought the door would close and keep him out it opened and the Arab got in. He was as breathless as she was but he stood his distance, leaning against the railing on the other side of the elevator car.
“I have a job to do before we continue this,” she said and he nodded his head.
“Yes, of course. Jabbar” he replied. “I know you want me and I know you feel guilty about your husband. But don’t you see how much more I can give you? Clothes, jewels a beautiful home. I’m not going to force you to share my bed. Go and find Jabbar then come to my room with your decision. I hope you’ll decide in my favor.”
Ahmy took her to her room then went to his suite to wait. His assistant had taken the Sheik’s private elevator up and was waiting for him at end of the other wing.
“Kamal and the others tried to get away. They were shot” the assistant stated. “Do you think the woman will realize what is going on?”
“No. She’s not that smart” Ahmy replied in a cocky tone. “Anything else?”
“Crown Prince Abdullah wishes you to phone him immediately. Shall I get him on the line for you?” the assistant asked and Ahmy nodded.
Jabbar Kamal’s room was three doors down the hall so Marisca found her way over finally with gun in hand to find the Saudi businessman. But he was not there so a quick search of his room was in order. She was sure the surveillance camera was on so she was discrete with any findings one of which was a bracelet she recognized as Karima’s. The first wife of the Sheik and Jabbar had obviously been lovers. That in itself would have made Ahmy want his friend dead but there was more to it. Where was Jabbar? If he was being watched and had left the room why did the Sheik tell her he was in his room? Marisca riffled through all the dresser drawers, the wardrobe and the bathroom. All his things were there except the laptop she and Frank had seen him carry in.
Marisca put the final piece of a complicated puzzle together, left the room and went directly to Ahmy’s. She was now back to being all business. She had been jerked around and that was something no one did to her. A guard stood in front of the Sheik’s massive suite and when he saw her he knocked once signaling the woman’s arrival. Marisca handed the guard her gun just as Ahmy opened the door. She walked up to him; he motioned for her to enter, then dismissed the guard, shut the door and locked it.
“He wasn’t there,” she reported as she entered the bedroom and gave it a once over.
“I know. He and the others left while we had dinner. I was just informed,” the Sheik said. “I suppose I should let you go. I did promise you your target.”
“I just wanted to know who it was, Ahmy. I really didn’t want to kill him myself,” she answered. “That wasn’t my mission. But I did make a deal with you. So I’ll keep my part of the bargain. If just for a little while. You can’t expect to keep me here forever.”
“No, I can’t” he said. “But I will always keep you in my heart forever.”
He really meant what he said she thought to herself as she finally turned to look at him. But like all men of money and power they played to win. She did not know that the Royal House informing him that Donovan and a group of soldiers were on their way to retrieve her had phoned the Sheik. Nor did she know he was going to make sure her husband looked at her differently upon his arrival.
“Would you like a drink?” he asked as he followed her as she took a tour of his room.
“No. I’d like you to give me some proof you’re financing the Jihad” Marisca replied and he laughed.
“So you figured it out?”
“Sure. You wanted me to kill Jabbar Kamal because he knew you were the terrorist supporter. And since I’m a foreigner your government would take my killing him more seriously. You were trying to set me up so you could make a deal and keep me here under your protection. I’d never get out of Saudi legally. And you thought I’d be too stupid to figure you out.”
“I thought it was a clever plan! When I found out you and your husband were CIA and Mossad I had to take advantage! And you’re right! I had to have all my friends shot when they tried to leave. I knew Jabbar finally told them!” he exclaimed as they got to his bedroom.
“How did he find out?” she inquired.
“He overheard me. It was foolish on my part,” he stated as he came up and took hold of her shoulders. “You know I really liked Jabbar! He was an excellent biker. I’ll make another deal with you Ishka. Let me make love to you now then I’ll give you ten minutes on my computer. It has all the proof you need. You just need to find it.”
“All right!” Marisca replied as she began to reach behind and unzip her dress.
“As simple as that, Ishka?”
“As simple as that” she retorted as the dress fell to expose her in only a black silk thong.
Ahmy removed his caftan then went over to the bed and sat to take his shoes off. His chest was not bare like Frank’s whom she preferred but it was muscular none-the-less. And when he took his slacks off and his underwear Marisca was taken aback as he was not as large as her husband.
“Come here” he said and she complied walking up to him allowing him to feel her full breasts.
“You don’t know what you’re in for” Marisca said as she broke from his touch, got up on the bed and positioned herself behind him kneeling and massaging his shoulders.
Then before the Sheik knew what was happening Marisca put her hands on the sides of his head, jerked it hard and snapped his neck. He was dead with his eyes and mouth wide open as she brought him back to lie on the bed.
“These are the last boobs you’ll be feeling up, Ahmy!” she said under her breath. “You’re stupid like the rest of them. No way am I having sex with anyone but my husband.”
After she got him up on the pillows and covered him she went to find his computer. Ahmy did not realize she was a genius in hacking into programs so when she found his laptop on his desk she proceeded to do just that. Just as she discovered the password the door of the suite burst open and there was Frank and his father who turned his back when he saw her sitting naked.
Frank and Bill Donovan flew Marisca’s Lear in to the airport at Riyadh and were met by a representative of the Crown Prince’s office along with several armed National Guard. It was ten in the evening when they got on an armed forces copter transport to make the trip north to the estate on the Golf. They had set down on the helicopter pad the Sheik had at the back and because the estate building was so massive she did not hear it. Nor did she hear any commotion as there as none since none of Ahmy’s men were going to fight the Crown Prince’s guards.
“He’s dead,” reported Bill after he checked the Sheik’s body on the bed.
“Put your clothes on!” Frank shouted to his wife looking at the new sapphire necklace. “We’ll be downstairs!”
Donovan left quickly because he was the angriest he had ever been. He told his father he did not know how he would react if Marisca slept with another man undercover. Bill honestly did not think his son would react so violently. The older man could hear it in the tone of his son’s voice and the look of disgust on his face. Bill remained behind to find out what happened as Frank should have but did not. Marisca got up immediately after Frank yelled at her, walked over to her gown on the floor and got it on quickly.
“Decent, my dear?” Bill questioned as he still avoided looking at her.
“Decent” she replied then he turned to meet her eyes which had tears streaming from them.
She wiped them away just as the Colonel, the leader of the soldiers entered.
“What happened?” the guard inquired.
“The Sheik confessed he’s been a major financier of the Jihad. He was trying to make a deal with me. Make love to him then he’d give me ten minutes to hack in to his computer. I obviously didn’t make the deal,” she explained and the soldier nodded. “I lured him in to bed then broke his neck. That’s why I was naked Mr. Donovan. I just didn’t think to put any clothes on and then you came in.”
“All right. We’ll fly back to Riyadh and take your statement, Mrs. Donovan,” said the soldier as he took the laptop in to his keeping. “We’d better go.”
“I’d like a minute with my daughter-in-law, Colonel” said Bill and the man nodded then left. “You know once you explain to Frank he’ll understand.”
“I’m not explaining anything! He didn’t even give me the benefit of the doubt!” she said at the older man. “I can’t live with someone like that! And I don’t want you telling him! I mean it!”
Marisca paced out the door with the senior Donovan following. Two of the National Guard soldiers went in after to get the Sheik’s body and carry him to the helicopter. Frank was talking with Ahmy’s assistant who was handcuffed and sitting up front of the transport when his wife and father got in. They watched as he punched the Arab in the face because he would not answer his question then frustrated he turned, saw Marisca, darted his eyes from hers then took a nearby seat. The copter was too noisy for any kind of civil discussion but she could tell Frank was not interested in hearing her side of the story. He had already decided she had cheated on him. And during the one-hour flight he just kept looking everywhere but at her. She felt in this avoidance he had already cut her out of his life.
“Mr. Donovan. You and your father will go in this car to meet the Crown Prince,” said the Colonel as they stood by a gray sedan on the tarmac of the Riyadh airport. “I’m taking your wife to headquarters. It shouldn’t take long to take her statement.”
Frank did not reply but he did finally look at Marisca with that “look” that said to her he was disappointed. Disappointed in her. She at once felt belittled by this “look” so she jerked her eyes away and with it her body and headed over to the other car that would take her to her interview with authorities.
“You’re an ass,” remarked Bill to his son as they drove off.
“I’ll talk to her later” Donovan retorted.
“Sure son. It’s always later with you.”
The car that drove Marisca and the Colonel did not go to National Guard headquarters but to the royal palace where she was escorted in to a small waiting room. During her transport she was giving a head covering which exposed only her eyes, a required way for women to go about Saudi. But it was really given her for anonymity as she walked through the palace hallways. Once in the highly ornate room she took the black covering off, put her right hand through her hair to comb it then waited for her friend.
“You do get in the most peculiar positions, Marisca” greeted King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud the leader of the Kingdom.
“I know. Trouble always finds me,” she said rising from her chair and extending her hand to take the one he offered. “How are you, your Highness?”
“I’m well. I just came from another boring dinner so thank you for taking me away from that. Please sit down again,” the king said motioning with his hand to do so.
King Fahd had met Marisca years ago when he was Crown Prince. She had worked for the Saudi Intelligence agency twice in conjunction with Soviet Intelligence. And she had been to several functions in Riyadh where they socialized. But it was not until that night when he had been contacted by his brother the Deputy Prime Minister and George Tenent that he knew she was connected with the CIA. And that Marisca had just married one of its directors. A director who was born in Jerusalem.
“I’m sorry I had to kill Sheik El-Sayad but you understand why?” she said as she sat down.
“I don’t want anyone in my country supporting those murderous pigs. Especially one giving them money” he replied seriously as he shook his head. “I honestly would have never guessed he was doing so. I disliked him but he always purported to be a patriot and a man of peace and non-violence.”
“Yes, and he played that part very well. I was even taken in by him” Marisca remarked as she looked down at her wedding ring.
“I heard the state your husband found you in. I was informed he dismissed you without an explanation.”
“I love him but I can’t continue walking on eggs shells around him. And I didn’t appreciate being highjacked in to doing all this” she exclaimed still angered by Yotum and his antics to get them to do the mission.
“Director Tenent phoned my himself on the sly. He told me General Yotum entrapped you but I understand his motivation,” answered the King as his secretary came in.
The secretary walked up to King Fahd, bowed then leaned in to whisper something. After he was finished he bowed again and left the room.
“The financial records of the Sheik have been retrieved,” he reported as he stood up with Marisca doing the same. “I wish to personally thank you for stopping such a terrible man. Now I must do some thinking about how to make this look not so bad for me. Oh well, I must go now Marisca. I will have you driven to the airport. Your Lear jet is there and I suggest you, your husband and his father leave and return to the states tonight. I cannot promise the Jihad will not retaliate. I’m sure the Sheik’s men have already contacted them.”
“I thought as much” she replied as she once again took his extended hand to shake but this time he kissed it.
“May Allah be always with you.”
At that the king kissed his right thumb then brought it up to his forehead. He paced out of the room while two guards came in to escort her out of the palace once again with her head covering in place. Marisca was taken to the Riyadh airport where her Lear jet was waiting. She was told Frank and Bill Donovan had flown it over from Israel and that they were in fact on their way to the airport also.
“What’s mom going to say when you call her from Washington?” asked Frank as they were given instructions to leave the country and fly home that night.
“You know, son. I think I might just sit her down and tell her the truth. I’m tired of all the lies” his father responded.
“I’m tired of the lies too, dad” he answered grimly. “I think I’ve made a mistake getting involved with Marisca. She pushes my buttons too much. I don’t feel like myself anymore.”
“From what I’ve seen you’re finally acting like yourself. Not the stiff, unanimated Mr. Donovan I’ve watched take over my son. But I’m talking to the wind” Bill remarked as Frank was not listening just watching the Lear jet as they approached it on the tarmac.
The automobile that drove them pulled up to the small staircase that led in to the jet. Frank had fully expected to his wife walk out with her hands on her hips looking as mad as he was. But she did not only the Colonel that had escorted her away when they had arrived. Donovan and his father jumped out of the car as the Colonel walked up with an envelope in hand.
“This is from Mrs. Donovan,” he said giving it to Frank.
“Where is she?” he asked as he took the letter from the envelope.
“The lady decided to return home another way, sir” the soldier replied. “She is perfectly safe.”
Bill saw there was something at the bottom of the envelope so he grabbed it.
“It’s her wedding ring” Bill said as he and Frank looked at it in his hand. "What does the note say?”
“It says she can’t live with someone who will always think the worst of her. She says she loves me but that’s not enough” he reported.
Frank took the ring from his father and with the letter shoved them in the pocket of his leather jacket. He was always a stubborn child Bill reflected and he knew what his son was going to say next.
“If that’s the way she wants it, fine! Let’s get the hell out of here! I want to go home!”
Home was America as Donovan had had his fill of the Middle East from that vantage point. It was too close and too personal and he knew he could do more as a Director in the CIA and on a bigger scale. Not only in regards to the mid east but in all the other countries of the world America had its concerns. So now he would do this alone. So much for love he said to himself. He knew he was going to get burned eventually and he did. He just was never meant to be with someone especially someone so beautiful and infuriating as Marisca Donovan. Just after Frank got the Lear out of Saudi air space finally told him.
“You know she didn’t sleep with him?”
Frank kept staring out the front window of the jet and replied sadly.
“I know, dad. I know.”