moved them back and forth. He nodded as several elderly men greeted him in passing.
“But why come back here to Beirut?” Herr Hofer looked around nervously. “I’m a little uncomfortable being out in the open like this. Especially after what happened to Jorge in Brazil.”
“We are perfectly safe in this city, my friend. I’m not normally one to brag but I practically own this town. At least all the important and most expensive properties. Not to mention influential government officials.”
“And we do own a bank here as well.” His Swiss companion relaxed a little. “So what’s the big surprise? What have you got planned?”
They continued down the street. Ten thirty and another night of vibrant social activity was about to begin in the city once known as the Paris of the Middle East. At the bottom of the street, the cliffs of Ras Beirut overlooked the dark Mediterranean. A small restaurant stood at the very edge. Red and yellow bougainvillea flowers covered a rooftop terrace.
“The place looks empty. Are you sure it’s open?”
“Of course it’s open. For us that is. I own this little gem. Some of the best mezzas and seafood in all of Beirut. I bought it in the late 60’s. There was an unexplained explosion that destroyed the former cafe and the old man who owned it didn’t have the heart or the money to rebuild. It’s been an excellent investment as well as a very private meeting place.” Mohammad al Nagib laughed. “And the irony is so perfect.”
“What was that?”
“Nothing. Just a private moment. Now to quench your curiosity we are having dinner tonight with one of my best placed informers. A top person in the NSA. I’ve done numerous favors for him over the years. And of course he has reciprocated.”
“I never cease to be amazed at your capabilities, my friend.” The Swiss banker began to feel more confident with each step. “I assume you have another plan that will continue to increase our profits?”
“The best and boldest yet. Now I am starving and since we have the entire restaurant and staff to ourselves tonight I suggest we quicken the pace. Our guest is undoubtedly waiting inside. And we are right on time.”
Parked cars lined both sides of the busy street. Traffic honked at numerous groups of people crossing and entering the many upscale restaurants lining Rue Bliss. Several new Mercedes taxis stopped to let off diners for the evening. Mohammad al Nagib and Helmut Hofer negotiated a break in the traffic and briskly stepped up onto the sidewalk in front of the quiet, brilliantly lit restaurant. A blue neon sign glowed over the large double doors. Restaurant Bliss.
An apt name thought Mohammad al Nagib. He stopped in front of the door. “Now where is the doorman? He should be outside waiting for us.” Annoyed he grabbed the ornate brass handle and tugged. “Damn thing must be stuck.” He jerked at the handle.
The blast shook the tables of a dozen nearby restaurants. The empty Restaurant Bliss erupted. Mohammad al Nagib and Helmut Hofer were instantly incinerated. The very spot where Samir Hussein died 35 years earlier.
Two blocks away Karl van Ness sat in a parked car and placed an international call on his secure mobile phone.
The End
About the Author
John R. Childress is a senior executive with over 35 years experience building and running an international consulting firm and also consulting and coaching CEOs and senior leadership teams. Born in the mountains of Oregon, raised on the California coast and educated at Harvard, John brings a penetrating insight, creative solutions and sense of humor to his work.
After deciding that a Ph. D. in marine ecology wasn’t his best path, John co-founded, in 1978, a groundbreaking leadership consulting firm with Dr. Larry E. Senn. By 2000 The Senn-Delaney Leadership Consulting Group had grown significantly with offices in Los Angeles, New York and London, over 100 consultants and a Blue Chip list of clients. John and Larry pioneered much of the early work on corporate culture and the technology for culture change.
In 2000 John retired to the south of France to write novels and “stop travelling for a while”. After two novels and a new daughter, John and his family moved to London where he coaches senior executives, works with global clients on special projects and continues to write novels and business books. John is also active in a music charity for young musicians, www.youngvirtuosi.com.
You can find out more about John’s life, work and novels at his website: www.johnrchildress.com. You can reach him through email at: john@johnrchildress. com.
Also be sure to check out John’s blog on leadership, business, parenting and flyfishing: http://blog.johnrchildress.com.
