The train station was extraordinarily busy that afternoon with travelers from all walks of life going about their business. Annie falling in the flow of pedestrian traffic and heading to baggage claim, she couldn't get her mind off the fortune meeting with Eyal, what would he have called it, kismet. It took a while for her luggage to be unloaded and now she was off to find the KFC, fried chicken and a touch of home. The new train station is an update modern station with shops and food court, there she found the KFC. Quickly slipping inside for a drink, she took up position in front, slowly nursing her drink and waiting. Countless hours she has spent in airports or trains stations waiting, being a spy was hurry up and wait. In the past she would dwindle away these long periods talking with Auggie but now that was gone. She wondered if she should kill some time and start reading her paper back again, no way, stay alert and wait. There was a bench near the front and after twenty minutes, she sat down to continue her wait.
"You look like a lost soul. Are you lost?" Came the voice she knew well, Eyal Lavin.
"You again, I thought you were meeting someone?" Annie smiled back.
"I'm, and the question is, are you lost?" Eyal playing with her.
"No, no, it can't be. You aren't my contact."
"Come on Annie, answer the question so we can play out this game." Eyal was chuckling at Annie's astonishment.
"Uh... Uh... Can't you give me directions to ... Oh shit, I can't remember the place."
"At least you're on the right track, how about I show you Rick's Café Américain." Eyal holding his hand out for her to take. "Lets us find some place quiet so we can talk, I have a car outside."
Annie taking Eyal's arm as he grabbed the handle of her roll around luggage and started for the main entrance. Neither one saying anything as they walked, Annie was waiting to reach the car before bombarding Eyal with questions.
Reaching the car, "Before you start with your 101 questions let me say I'm delighted CIA sent you that my ID will remain safe and in good hands. Yes, I'm Lamorak." Eyal starting the car and smiling at her.
"Auggie told me that Lamorak had been a CIA asset for years. Is that true?"
"In a roundabout way yes. When I was with Mossad there was vital intel that need to be passed on to other agencies but higher up politicians were getting involved with using the free flow of intel to try to persuade allied countries into one way of thinking. That's when a network of agents became assets for other agencies, the UK, Canada, France, US and Israel formed this unofficial pack."
"Okay, your code name, Lamorak did you come up with it?"
"Yeah, kind of fitting, a knight of King Arthur's round table, a fearless warrior and lover. I do most of my work for Arthur Campbell and the United Kingdom. Grew up loving the stories of Knights of the Round Table and their valiant crusades."
"Fearless warrior and lover. I don't know about that."
"Hang with me girl and maybe you will find out again or have you so quickly forgotten the times I've pulled you out of trouble. Oh, by the way that gold bracelet you purchased, it's not real gold, and you got ripped off Neshama." Eyal was turning into a narrow street and slowing the car down.
"I knew someone was watching me, I just knew it. I could feel it, much like your spy sense."
"Glad to hear that, keep it up Annie, it may save your life one day, always follow your gut. Here we are, our home away from home." Eyal pulling in an alleyway next to a two-story building.
They climbed the steps to a second floor flat, a small but clean place with a living room and two bedrooms and kitchen. No less a safe house used by the CIA or was it.
"What is this place?" Annie taking a look at the bedrooms and noticing Eyal had already taken the small one.
"Canadian safe house. You have the larger room it is a little nicer since we haven't started the bed sharing mode yet." Eyal putting her suitcase on the bed and turning to look at Annie, "Once you get settled in, we'll talk but first I have to establish protocol."
Eyal hasn't changed at all, still with the sexual overtones. Annie put a few things away and freshens up a bit to join Eyal at a small table in the living room. "I take it you are the lead on this mission." She asked.
"We both are, I just have to bring you up to speed. You know your cover and I'm Mario Donati, art dealer from Rome with a gallery in Paris and working with you on your research for the Louvre Museum. It has been a well establish cover and has a good trail for verifying credentials. Whenever we are in public, only speak in French, we have no idea who is watching and we have to play the cover to the hilt. Our target, Abdoul-Haziz Eman is an art collector although not very knowledgeable but wanting to impress some powerful people in his homeland."
"Where is his homeland, isn't it Morocco?"
"No, he is some distance descendent of a Persian king and makes his home in Iran. He is starting to make a name for himself in that country and working towards holding political power in the near future. He has the full backing of al-Qaeda. His terrorist group is located here because of easy access to the illegal munitions trade."
"Okay that is his back ground, how do we as French art experts fit in?"
"We have a dinner meeting with him this evening; he is wanting to buy some European art for his collection and desiring some advice from us." Eyal turning his laptop screen to Annie, "His contract with Melvin Scott is about to come crashing down. This morning the British Royal Navy boarded Scott's ship heading north to the Port of Essaouira with the cargo hold filled with Abdoul-Haziz's weaponry and munitions order. The man is going to be in a predicament."
"So how does that play in with us?"
"During dinner tonight, I will receive a phone call and it will be implied that I have a side business, well-known illegal arms dealer out of France. He is getting desperate and hopefully turns to me for help. You keep your cover as an art expert and hopefully he will be attracted to you and you work the other side, use that remarkable appeal of yours to get him to confide in you. We need to find the location of his training camp, which is our mission."
Annie always amazed at Eyal and how he could go from playful charming carefree man to a serious downright solemn masterful spy within a split second and just as quickly transform back.
"We have an hour or so before meeting Eman, so you want to play around?"
"Stop it Eyal." Annie smacking him on his hand.
"Don't injure me, this is the hand I was going to use to was your back."
"No thank you. I'm quite capable to taking my own shower." Annie standing with a laughing smirk, "And what makes you think I would allow in the shower with me."
"Who said anything about a shower. I was thinking a hot-tub." Eyal also standing and turning toward the hallway.
"Is there a hot-tub around here?"
"Don't think so but it could get a little steamy with both of us in the shower." Eyal now passing the only bathroom in the flat and starting into his bedroom, "I going to take my shower first before you run all the hot water out. Now if you wish to join me, you know, a little water conservation and wash my back."
"Go ahead I'll wait."
Going to her bedroom, Annie starting looking for an appropriate outfit for the dinner meeting with Eman. How did she wish to present herself, her cover being an art history researcher. Perhaps a little bohemian for the artist side or more conservative because of representing The Louvre Museum. Eyal had mention to attract Abdoul-Haziz Eman and what draws a man, idiotic question, cleavage. Now to mix all three into one outfit. Black pencil skirt for conservative, several bright-colored long beads for bohemian paired with a colorful scarf and finish off with a white blouse with a dipping V-neck, boobs.
"Nice choice."
"What the..." Annie turning to see Eyal standing in her doorway with just a towel around him.
"Your turn and last chance to accept my offer to wash your back."
"I'm good alone on this task and hope there is a lock on the bathroom door."
"No, there isn't."
Annie standing naked just before the stepping into the shower heard some movement in the hallway, 'Hope to hell he behaves himself. He will I'm sure, he's just a damn big tease.' Annie thinking to herself but when the warm water started flowing over her body, 'Maybe a back wash would be nice.'
When she came from the bathroom, Eyal was in the living room at his laptop. Annie swiftly dressed, added a touch of make-up and fixed her hair. She was ready. Eyal standing when she entered the living room, he dressed in a dark suit and looked exceptionally handsome and sexy.
"Looking lovely Neshama. Shall we go and lure over Abdoul-Haziz Eman?"
The dinner that evening was absolutely delightful. Abdoul-Haziz Yusuf bin Khan Eman a handsome middle-east looking man in his late thirties, strong features with a brett style beard closely trimmed and eyes, well his eyes were dark pools of secrecy and enticing giving a seductive hint with a simple glance. Annie felt herself attracted to his enigmatic appearance in a way that was not only pleasing but a bit unnerving. He was charming and humors, the perfect host.
Upon arriving at the restaurant, Abdoul-Haziz was waiting for his guest, "Welcome to Morocco Madame Rousseau, delighted to have you join us. Mario has spoken highly of your knowledge in the art discipline."
"Merci, and please call me Anna Marie. I am pleased to be here." Annie nodding her head, as in the Arab world, a man does not touch a woman unless they are married although Abdoul-Haziz Eman seemed to be more western in his mannerism.
"We can have a seat here and enjoy a drink before going into the dining room, I have asked a friend to join us for dinner and she should be here shortly." Abdoul-Haziz was showing them to a nice little table near the entrance to the dining area.
Light conversation and delicious drinks while they waited for Eman's friend to arrive. She felt Abdoul-Haziz eyes tracing her body, taking in each curve and momentarily stopping at her breast line. Plan working Annie thought, he was taking notice in her. She ducked her heard in a bashful but flirting way when his eyes caught hers and both smiled.
Annie noticed Eyal spotting someone, she could tell by his eyes he knows the person. Eman also seeing the same person, stood and waved to an attractive woman who had just entered the restaurant.
"Welcome my dear." Abdoul-Haziz greeting the new arrival with a kiss on the cheek, "This is Mario Donati the art dealer I was telling you about and his associate, Anna Marie Jaquelin Rousseau." Putting his arm around her waist, "And this is Kaliyah Antar my very dear friend."
Pleasantries were exchanged and they now enjoying excellent conversation and a superb meal. Their seating arrangement at dinner made it awkward for Annie to watch Eyal but she could feel his atypical interest in Kaliyah. She could clearly see Kaliyah also had familiarity with Eyal and there were a few words spoken between them that Annie caught as being off the cuff for just having met. When he would speak to her, a sexy huskiness was in his voice akin to pillow talk. Annie brushed it off as a game, Eyal trying to refocus her form their target so Annie could make in ways with Abdoul-Haziz. Still there was something nagging her about the entire episode.
Abdoul-Haziz being seated next to his lady friend gave all appearances of being attentive and touchy, touchy companion but also finding moments to flirt with Annie by the way he looked at her. His eyes giving Annie the message of wanting additional interaction with the absents of Kaliyah. Annie in return gave smiles and used her charm to convey her willingness. He once gave Annie a compliment about the loveliness of how she wore her hair which brought fiery stares from Kaliyah.
About midway through the meal, Abdoul-Haziz received a disturbing phone call. Speaking in Arabic he was clearly distressed. "How in the shit did that happen...No I don't have another source now and we are committed for the 20th...Later tonight and bring Zaire"
Annie was at a lost with the discussion he was having on the phone as Arabic was not one of her many languages but she knew Eyal was fully aware of what was happening. She also noticed Kaliyah looking at Eyal a few times during the phone conversation, she also knew Eyal could understand the conversation.
After the phone exchange was over, Abdoul-Haziz still speaking in Arabic to Kaliyah, "After we are finished here sweetheart, I am going have to call it an early night. Something unexpected has come up."
They returned to their chat about European art and continued with their meal. As planned, Eyal also received a phone call, "...Don't worry about him cancelling the order we can warehouse the goods in Beziers and I'll locate another buyer... May take a few weeks... Move the stuff out tomorrow night, I will be in France by Monday..."
"Sorry about the distraction, slight business matter has come up and I will be unable to meet with you tomorrow as planned." Eyal directing his remarks to Abdoul-Haziz, "However I'm sure my associate would be more than happy to help you select the art pieces. You will be in excellent hands."
"Looks like we both have some distractions. Yes I'll be happy to meet with you, Anna Marie but please, shall we make it later in the afternoon as I too have some business matters to attain to."
"That would be lovely, about four in the afternoon will work well for me." Annie accepting the invite.
"Four is good for me also, I will meet you at the Theatre Royal across from the main train station. Easy for you to find." With that, dinner had come to an end and they were departing with plans made for the next day.
Standing near the door, Abdoul-Haziz gently touches Annie's arm and leans near her ear, "It was delightful meeting you, until tomorrow." It wasn't what he said but the tone in his voice, leaving Annie feeling a little excited with his endearing charm.
As they were leaving the restaurant, Annie sees Kaliyah slip Eyal a note. Now it's confirmed, they knew each other and her curiosity was in full force. Of course Eyal would have history with other women but Annie sought to know more about this woman, Kaliyah Antar.
On the drive back to their safe house, Eyal was the first to speak, "You have a mountain of questions to ask, right?"
"Yes I do. You know the woman with Abdoul-Haziz Eman?"
"Her name is Rita Venegas, an Interpol agent out of Spain. She is perfect for deep cover operations in the Middle East as she has the looks. Her mother is from Kuwait and her Arabic dialect is spot on."
Eyal was right about the looks, she was gorgeous. Standing about 5'3", she was petite but well endowed in the bust line and thick long dark brown almost black hair. Beautiful hazel color eyes that seems to seduce a man with a simple look and her lips and smile, hard to convey the alluring impression they had. It would be next to impossible for a man not to have sexual fantasies about being with her.
"Wonder what she is doing with Abdoul-Haziz?" Annie was wanting Eyal to give her more information.
"I would think a deep cover operation. At dinner tonight, it appeared they have been together for a while, lucky man" Eyal answered with a sneer.
"That kinda messes things up for me trying to get close to him." Annie was thinking he was in a deep relationship with this Rita woman but yet he had quietly flirted with her.
"Maybe or maybe not. He is known to be a philanderer. Your fair European looks could play into our hands. I noticed him watching you during dinner, yeah I think he is into you alright."
"She passed you note, what was it?"
"A phone number. I'll give her a call tomorrow and find out what is going down."