Hafthah Hope Home is a private run shelter by a group of American and Kuwaiti women and funded through the Catholic Charities International. Located in the next town of Jeleeb Al-Shuyoukh in a middle class neighborhood and as Annie turned the corner she had to chuckle, there was the golden arches of a McDonald's to greet her.

"What's so funny?"

"Looks like McDonald's are here also. Can't seem to escape the golden arches."

"Oh, that." Penelope looking at the restaurant, "I remember Margot saying she had been to a McDonald's once before.'

"She may have come here before looking for the shelter. Usually it takes two or three tries before someone gets the courage to enter and ask for help."

"Possibly hard to admit you picked the wrong man. Ashamed, embarrassment and maybe a little feeling of being at fault." Penelope watching Annie as she parked the car, "Is this the place?"

"Yes. Doesn't look all the inviting with such drab walls. Let's go and ask if she is here."

Pulling the handle of some sort of bell mechanism and quickly the iron door swung open. "May I help you? And please do step in out of the heat." The short woman in her thirties and wearing white jeans with a tunic and her short black hair neatly framing her face. Her dark eyes behind silver wire rim glasses were friendly and she giving a pleasant little bow to Annie and Penelope.

Once in the outer room nicely furnished with cozy furnishing, a deliberate use of colors and furniture to make the visitor feel safe and welcome. The woman motioning for the them to have a seat, "Please have a seat and may I offer you some tea?"

"Nothing for me but thank you." Annie in her best Arabic and struggling, she was just learning the language and not doing all that well.

"Would you perfect we speak in English."

"English would be fine." It was Penelope speaking up, "Unless you know French."

"A touch of French but English is better for me." Replyed the woman.

"English is the best for me... outside of French that is." Annie trying to cover for a slip but the slip was only in her mind as the others didn't notice.

"You have come to Hafthah Hope Home for a reason. Looking for information about our work here?"

"My name is Nicole Remy and this is Penelope Thibadeau. We are looking for a friend of ours that we haven't seen in two weeks and dreadfully worried for her safety. Hoping to find her here in safe hands." Annie guessed the woman well trained and there was no need to lay any superficial ground work.

"What is your friend's name?"

"Margot and she is French." Penelope blurted out.

"Margot Montagne." Annie added.

Even with hearing Margot's last name for the first time and from a relatively stranger, Penelope showed no expression, she remained cool and collected to the delight of Annie.

"You say that you are friends?"

Penelope smiled before answering, "She and I have lunch together once or twice a week and she has failed to come into our café for two weeks. Very unlike her to miss spending time with a fellow Frenchman and enjoy the back home French cuisine."

"And you Nicole. How do you know Margot?"

Now was the time for the truth to come out or part truth as was Annie's ball game to gather information about Margot. "I have never met Margot. I work for a French Publishing company as a researcher doing an in-depth study on French nationals living and working in foreign countries. In speaking with the Thibadeau family and learning of Margot I wanted to help find her. Penelope believes she is one of many battered women and worried sick about her friend. With the people I know and some of my connections I think I can be of help."

"I see. Help in what way?"

"Get her away from her abuser and back to France, back to her family."

"What if her family doesn't want her back?" The woman questioning Annie for good reason, protection of Margot.

"We certainly wouldn't just dump her without first discovering the welcome home she would receive. It's a critical time in her life and trained social professionals would have to be involved in each step. Like I said, I have many connections because of my past work in research."

"She was here for ten days until an elderly woman came to visit. We try to shield our clients but Margot said it was alright to speak with the woman. After about an hour, Margot decided to leave and go with the woman. That is the last we saw of her."

"You know who the woman was?" Penelope taking her turn at asking.

"She gave her name as Jabala al-Asiri. She had a driver and an awfully expensive car and Margot's clothes were also expensive, not our regular clients. There is money involve because the next day we receive a very large donation - anonymously of course but I'm sure it was from this woman."

Thanking the woman for her time, Annie and Penelope departed. "What now." Reaching Annie's car and Penelope looking over the top at her new partner.

"About time to call one of my friends and find out about this woman Jabala al-Asiri. Who is she and where is she. You know someplace cool and private so I can make my call?"

"There is a lake side outdoor café park like surroundings with plenty of empty areas for resting and it is cool with fans and believe it or not, small canals of swift running water."

Penelope was right and the place was beautiful and cool. Sitting on at a stone table with a tall fruity drink Annie made her call to Eliam. Speaking to him in English, not to give away any connection to Israel she asked about Jabala al-Asiri, giving him a quick rundown about why she was asking, not for his benefit but to keep her cover to Penelope. After talking with him, Annie disconnect and took a long slip of her drink, "It will take a while for him to call back." She smiled at Penelope.

For the next thirty some minutes, they chatted about the counties Annie had been to as a researcher. Penelope was intrigued with what Annie was telling her about the different places. "I going to Paris next year to attend the university there. I have family in France so it's not like I'll being alone. Maybe adventure out and do some traveling around Europe."

"There should be school sponsored trips you can sign up for. I did a few and they were grand and you learn more than just being a tourist." Annie's phone buzzed, "Hope you have good news... Yes I've got it and yes we shall have that long overdue dinner the next time i'm in town. Thanks again."

"Well?"

"Our mystery woman is the wife of Dawar al-Ayaaz and one very wealthy oil tycoon." Annie placing her phone back in her pocket.

"That explains the large donation to the shelter. You think Margot is with them at their home?"

"Could be but not sure and before we go knocking on any doors we should try to find out. Here is my cell number and she may have the freedom to move about, return to the café for lunch as if nothing happen. Call me if that happens and I will also form time to time come in for lunch in hopes of being lucky."

"Anyway of finding out if she is living with that woman or has gone back to her boyfriend... can think of worse names to call him."

"Me too. Right off-hand I can't think of anything outside of parking in front of their house and that is certainly not wise. Let me think about it and maybe make some more calls. Anyway, I'm not going to run out now."

"Good Nicole. I'm glad you came in for lunch today."

"I am too and this is surely adding to my research. Give the story a human touch although I will not use her name but some erroneous one."

Being about all they could do for the day, Annie took Penelope back to Le Cafe L'Escargo Blanc where they had dinner together and more friendly exchanges of life in Kuwait, this time with Penelope's sister, Beatrice.

Back in her hotel that night she trying to decide what her next move should be. She wished she had the same ability that Eyal processed - first-rate strategist. She could call and ask but her determination to succeed was way too powerful. She had to prove to herself that she was capable of being a field spy without the help of Eyal Lavin.

The next morning with still no plan of action, Annie drove by the address Eliam had given her the day before. Damn she thought, a gated community of the very wealthy and one large one at that. How was she going to get in? Parking her car she sat, hoping to see something or my some great magic her target would appear, like a rabbit popping out of a black hat. After about an hour she started to drive off but her gut feeling kicked in and hard. Annie was now operating on her sixth sense, that of being a spy. She stayed put and by not leaving she spotted her way in. There were several women in a group, all dress in dark clothing with their heads cover came walking to the gate and they were allowed in. The domestic day help and Annie took note of the time. She quickly called Penelope to ask what she knew of a group of domestic working for the wealthy.

"They are the cooks. Late morning is when the meals are started for the evening as it is a grand affair in the Muslim world. We are in the middle of Ramadan and after of day of fasting and prayer, their evening dinning is an event of lavish proportions and last for hours. I have helped out at a couple."

"You have an end, I mean you know how to get within with a group."

"When there is a special request for something French the food provisions provider will call us."

"I'm on my way to you café for lunch and I have an idea. Will explain when I see you." Annie disconnected. Now how to get Dawar al-Ayaaz wanting to dine one evening on fine French cuisine.

After lunch both Penelope and Emile sat down with Annie while she laid out a plan to get inside Dawar al-Ayaaz home. "It would be a long shot even if Dawar al-Ayaaz used the outside cooks or did he have his own staff of chefs."

Emile smiled with a thought. "We don't know if Margot is even living there, but I have an idea. We do catering and I can prepare a sampling of some tasty food and send it to Dawar al-Ayaaz with an invitation to allow us to serve a complete meal for his family and guest." Emile was getting into the finding of Margot after her daughter told her about the visit to the shelter. "We have done it many times with other oil VIPs so it wouldn't be something new. The menu will be in keeping with foods Muslims are allowed to eat like chicken and lamb."

"That way we can get inside his home, great thinking." Penelope smiling at her mother for buying into their little plan.

"I can't even boil an egg so how would I fit in?" Annie looking at Emile, almost ashamed of her lack of cooking skills.

"A few days in the kitchen my dear and no one will ever know you are not one of the blonde headed French caterers."

"Okay it is a go. But still let's hope Margot finds her way to the café for lunch one day soon." Annie holding both women's hands in an all for one and one for all grasp.

Feature food on the next day's menu - Poulet aigu de Tarragon and Rack of Lamb encrusted with Dijon mustard flavored bread crumbs with a special Cabernet Sauce made without using wine.

"Unsweetened grape juice is the best substitute for wine in our French cooking. I just sweeten it to suit my taste if the dish needs it." Emile cheerfully instructing Annie about French cooking in a Muslim world. It was the next morning and Annie was in her first cooking class with Emile Thibadeau and today she was learning to make the Cabernet Sauce to be served with the lamb.

The sample dish was prepared for delivery to Dawar al-Ayaaz of chicken and lamb with tasteful fruit salad and several short loafs of French bread. Packing a pretty basket, again in French style using bird toile fabric for lining and graced with French lace. "This should do it." Emile smiling at the finished basket.

"Beautiful to look at but is it suited for a man?"

"He will take it home to his wife as a gift and there is something for both, terrific food for him and lace for her. If we don't get an invite from this then... well then I have lost my touch." Emile laughing as she gave the basket to her son for delivery and the invitation and sample menu offered.

Two more days went by, Annie pulling kitchen duty and she being a quick learner should have done this training long ago. But time wasn't in her favor back with Danielle trying to teach Annie the basics, maybe plain ham and eggs wasn't her thing.

Happy days on day three, the invite to serve a full course French meal for ten people came from Dawar al-Ayaaz for Sunday evening. They had their in and now time for preparation. Le Cafe L'Escargo Blanc had their own catering uniforms, soft blue long type dress with fitted sleeves and the Hijab in fine French provincial blue on white silk print. Franc, Penelope's older brother was called into service, the van driver and general kitchen help. He being like Annie wasn't the chef type but could pass in a pinch. The day arrived and all was ready.

The van loaded and Emily, Penelope, Beatrice, Nicole with Franc all chatting as they drove to the gated neighborhood of the very wealthy. The proper papers presented at the gate, oil tycoons are at high risk for kidnapping and certainly when a van is driven. A quick inspection of the van and they were allowed in. Late afternoon and the meal couldn't be served until sun down but there was much to do in the kitchen - yes the kitchen a dream to behold for any chef's eyes. Two kitchen helpers were there to aid but the five had decided to only speak in French which put a monkey wrench into how much help the two could give. They seemed to happy not to be involved and soon were nowhere to be found.

Nearing the time for the meal to start being served a woman entered the kitchen, "Bienvenue dans notre maison."

Penelope turned at hear the welcome in French to see her friend Margot. It took a second for Margot to comprehend seeing Penelope and then a beautiful smile spread across her face. "What are you doing here?"

"Looking for you. We have been so worried and decided to go looking. Found out you had gone to Hafthah Hope Home for help."

"I'm so ashamed. My dear friend Penelope how can I say thank you but my place is here."

"I don't believe that Margot. Look." Pointing toward Annie, "This is Nicole Remy. She has connections and can help you, please Margot let us help."

"I don't know how. Sorry I have to get back before they become suspicious. You can speak freely in French because no one in this house understands but I'm not sure of our guest."

After Margot left the kitchen Penelope almost threw the plate of fried dumplings for dipping but Franc quickly took the plate from her hands, "Calm down sister. We did find her."

Annie walking to stand beside Penelope, "It went well and believe me it is not over. The first encounter many times goes much worst. We have an open door and it's going to be a long evening."

The dinner service turned out perfect. There were seven men seated at one table and three women seated at another all in keeping with Muslim tradition. It was Beatrice and Annie assigned to serve the women and Franc leading the other two women to serve the men. Annie first established the women could not speak French and from that point on she would say small things to Margot telling her to translate as if telling about the food but all the while telling Margot she could help.

During the course of the evening, Margot started to think maybe this Nicole woman could indeed help and finally, "In three days Nicole I shall be at Le Cafe L'Escargo Blanc for lunch. Will you be there?"

"Yes, I shall be waiting for you."