The Kazak Guardians (22 page)

***

I could see a smile on everyone's face as we entered our private executive-equipped Gulfstream the next morning.

"While in the plane, you can relax, be as informal as you would off duty, and enjoy yourselves. Kathryn will get you anything you want-within reason." I removed my
hijab
and
niqab
and settled in with Ann beside me.

"Well, Miss Layyah, what do you expect? Being around you probably won't be boring." Ann looked serious. I was glad she had started using my alias.

"Everyone," I raised my voice to get attention. "You should each make sure you use our aliases, even when you're off duty. A slip could mean the difference between a boring sightseeing trip and one dancing with Assassins. Ann, someone will have to keep track of my prayer rug. I'll need to observe formal prayers five times a day:
Fajr
first thing in the morning,
Dhuhr
at noon,
Asr
in late afternoon,
Maghrib
at sunset, and
Isha
before retiring for the night. If I were in a Muslim country the
Adhan
, call to prayer, would ring out over the land for each of the five daily prayers. For here, I have loaded a software program into a hand-held computer which will let me know the appropriate time." I handed Ann a small computer.

"You're kidding." Ann stared at the computer just as a voice announced the
Dhuhr
.

"No. My name is Layyah Al-Najjar, and I'm a devout Muslim." I stood and walked to the back of the cabin, and laid down a gray prayer mat showing the
Kaaba
, a cube structure in Mecca. I stood and began the
Salaat
. I had learned it on the Hill and had performed the prayers for practice and to know what it felt like to be a Muslim. The more I performed it the more fascinated I had become. In the end, I performed it periodically as it had a calming effect. When I finished and looked around, everyone was staring. Mithra, on the other hand, was nodding.

"I'd had my doubts about this working until now
...
Miss Layyah, it is a pleasure to welcome you to America."

***

I stood in the door of the aircraft looking down at the group waiting for me. I had dressed in a black Muznah long tunic with Aari embroidery accenting the front bodice, matching
hijab
, and a white chiffon
niqab
. I had to admit I looked gorgeous. Ann Marie had informed me that the mayor of Orlando and a few city officials would be there to meet me. There would be a formal dinner the following night with two congressmen who were up for re-election. I followed Gordon, Robert, and Ann down the stairs.

"Miss Layyah Al-Najjar, it is a pleasure to welcome you to Orlando, Florida. I'm Jimmy Franks, the city mayor, and these are Congressman Doyle and Congresswoman Peters."

"Thank you." I gave a small bow. "Please, call me Layyah. It is very kind of you to take time from your busy day to greet me. Your State Department has been kind to give me a tour of your great country, before we have talks next month. I did not wish to inconvenience anyone." Actually, I was providing them an opportunity to do what they do best-pontificate.

"It's our pleasure to assist you in any way we can while you're here in Orlando. If you have time, we would like you to be our guest at dinner tomorrow night," Franks said. The mayor seemed genuinely pleased to meet me. The two representatives seemed to be silently assessing my potential for their political benefit.

"
Shokran...
thank you. If you will have someone give my secretary, Ann Marie, the information, she will make sure I'm there at the right time." I spent a few minutes talking with the two representatives, then left in a limo Ann Marie had arranged. She had booked us at the Grand Bohemian Hotel where we were warmly greeted and shown to my suite. I could get used to this.

"Traveling with you is an experience-private plane, suites, and limos. You should invite me more often," Ann said as she surveyed the room.

"What about the Assassins?"

"I guess nothing is free."

The next day a limo picked us up and delivered us to Disney World. Robert spent a few minutes with park security before we started our tour.

"I made sure they knew we were here, so if there is any trouble they will respond quickly. National security and all that." He grinned.

Mostly I walked around looking at the various attractions for kids. With four men in dark suits following me, I got lots of strange looks and mothers pointing me out to their kids. The men's responses varied, including angry looks, indifference, and swiveling heads, which their wives or girlfriends didn't appreciate. I did try the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Ann sat there holding on to the rail white-knuckled.

"Ann." I nudged her. "Pretend you have an Assassin in front of you shooting and you're returning fire. As we go down a hill, he's at the bottom, when we go up he's at the top. You don't want to miss, so concentrate." Slowly she relaxed. By the end of the ride, she was somewhat calmer.

"Is that what you do? You seemed so calm and relaxed."

"Yes and no. I concentrate on what is around me: the attractions, people's clothes, faces, the scenery, and all the other details. It's the same as when you're guarding someone. For the most part, it distracts from the cold, heat, and discomforts in general. It also makes you a better guard." I watched as Ann nodded.

I tried Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. That was fun and required good hand-eye coordination. I did well, as expected.

As we were leaving the Hall of Presidents, I had my first and only incident.

"You damn rag-heads should be shot on sight. Bet you're an ugly bitch, that's why you hide behind a veil," he said while reaching for my
hijab
. As his hand approached, I reached up like I was protecting my face, blocked, and caught his arm as I twisted right. His momentum carried him forward. My hand pushed him in the back as I continued turning. That drove him back toward Mithra and Lauro. To anyone watching it appeared that the man had twisted me around as he stumbled forward. Mithra appeared to try and catch him, but I saw his foot move in front of the man's feet and an elbow strike his ribs as he fell.

"Can I help you, sir? You seem to have had a nasty fall. I think you should visit the first aid station to make sure it's nothing serious," Mithra said with a concerned look.

Meanwhile Sammie had called park security, which had men discretely following us. They quickly helped the man out of the area. He was howling obscenities between moans.

That night I changed into a beige Muznah tunic with red embroidery. I wasn't surprised when the dinner included over forty people. Political speeches require an audience. Mayor Franks welcomed me to Orlando, and the two congressional representatives gave their democracy and women's rights speeches, while sneaking looks at me in Muslim dress and a
niqab
. Finally, it was my turn.

"Some of you are wondering how I can be for women's rights dressed in a head scarf and face veil. I advocate for a woman to choose rather than being required to conform to one standard. To wear a
hijab
and
niqab
, to wear a
hijab
only, or not wear any scarf and dress in modern western clothes. Because of my religious views and for security reasons, I choose to wear traditional Muslim clothing. I wish for the women of Muslim countries to be free, like in America, to choose to wear what they want, skirt, long or short, pants, bra or no bra, and free to practice a religion of their choice or none if they choose
...
"

I removed my
niqab
to eat. The guests had been told they could not take pictures while I was eating.

***

"You were fantastic, Layyah. You had me believing you were an ambassador from an Arabic country advocating women's rights," Ann exclaimed when we met in my suite afterward. I noticed everyone nodding except Mithra, who smiled.

"I am," I said while removing my scarf and veil. I got smiles and snorts from most.

We stayed for three more days, during which time I was wined and dined by a variety of politicians and celebrities. On the fourth day, we boarded the plane for New Orleans. We arrived just in time for the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

Again, we were met by local officials, attended dinners, and heard the same old boring speeches. During the day, I wore different-colored mid-thigh blouses with coordinating-colored pants and matching
hijab
. I got lots of looks but they seemed inquisitive or genuinely interested. The third night we spent at the Palm Court Jazz Cafe, enjoying a night of jazz and a fish dinner. I was getting sick of eating fish, but it was the safest food that wasn't
haram
-forbidden.

We were just leaving the cafe when I saw a group of men spread out on the opposite side of the street. I pushed Ann behind a car to my right while grabbing Robert's arm and pulling him with me. I could see Mithra push Lauro, fire, and pull Gordon with him behind a car to my left. In the process, car glass shattered, chips of cement flew, and shop windows exploded. My hearing said it was an Uzi or two. Ann pushed me down, and she and Robert fell on me. More car windows blew out and I heard the sound of metal hitting metal as bullets slammed into parked cars.

"This is ridiculous. Me protecting you," she whispered while firing from under the car. She hit one in the leg. As he went down, I shot him in the head. I figured with Ann on top of me no one could determine that I was shooting. Another one fell, probably Mithra's shot, because a second later two bullets shattered his head. I suspected it was Mithra's and my bullets. Suddenly the street was silent.

"9-1-1, this is Ann Woehl from the FBI. We have several dead and wounded outside the Palm Court Jazz Cafe. We need emergency medical help
...
"

Rolling out from beneath Ann and Robert, I surveyed the area. The men were gone and Lauro looked all right; however, Mithra was working on Gordon, whose clothes were stained with blood. Robert had an arm wound. While we waited, I stopped Robert's bleeding with a tourniquet made from his tie. Then I heard the sirens. A few minutes late, police, ambulances, and rescue vehicles began arriving. I walked over to Mithra.

"Mithra, how's Gordon?"

"Not good. He took two slugs before I could get him down behind the car," he said, looking angry. I knew he was mad at himself for reacting too slowly, because I felt the same about Robert.

"Mithra, you and Lauro need to accompany the ambulance. There is going to be too many newspaper reporters taking pictures. Since security men were injured in the attack, their attention will also be on you. You or Lauro could be recognized. As soon as you can get back to the plane, stay there. Ann will give the excuse that the plane needs guarding. You'll have to stay hidden until the story gets old." I would have preferred having him at my back, but this arrangement would put Lauro at less risk. Ann joined me with an elderly police officer, as Mithra entered the ambulance.

"Since we've lost our security, the police have agreed to give us an escort back to the hotel and post a guard." She pointed to the two police cars and several officers standing next to them, before turning to the police officer next to her. "This is Captain Wilmore. Captain, this is Layyah Al-Najjar. She is a visitor under the protection of the State Department."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Layy
...
" he tried tentatively. I interrupted.

"Layyah, will do, Captain."

"Thank you, Layyah. I'm ashamed this happened in our city. I'm not denying we have crime, but this was unprecedented. From the three dead over there, it looks like it might be a white supremacy group that attacked you. To date they haven't caused any real problems, just the usual blogs, websites, and minor confrontations at certain rallies." He looked and sounded apologetic.

***

"Well Layyah Al-Najjar, what do you want to do now?" Ann sat with a half-full glass of amaretto, glaring at me. "Two of my men are wounded and one is likely to die to protect that killer. Your idea wasn't so great was it?"

"Maybe you should quit field work and take a desk job. I'm sure you've earned it by now. Less strain, less responsibility, and the same pay." I liked Ann, but her people, like Kazaks, die. We all know and understand the risks.

"Damn you and your Kaz
...
friends. Don't you care?" She had tears in her eyes as she spat out the words. She finished off the glass and filled it again. The bottle was almost half empty.

"My friends and I are in the business of guarding people, some good, some bad, some rich, and some poor. Hopefully we save lives and hopefully they're worth saving. Killing and dying is part of what we do. You either believe it's worth it or you don't. It's a life few would choose." I sat back and closed my eyes. I found it hard to grieve for any Kazaks who died, since I wouldn't expect anyone to grieve for me. I loved my life and would die happy. I would expect my friends felt the same way. When I opened my eyes, Ann had passed out.

***

"I hated you last night. This morning I'm just mad. You
...
and your friends seem so cold, yet you did everything you could to save us. We'd all be dead if it weren't for your reflexes and help." She glared at me. "Damn you. Yes, I love my job and don't want to sit behind a desk, but at times like this
...
it hurts. How, or should, we continue?"

"I plan to continue, hopefully with you. The plan is working, although the white supremacists have complicated it. Since we've received more publicity and news coverage than we wanted, Mithra and Lauro will have to stay out of sight, until things calm down. I'll confine them to the plane on the pretext of guarding it. We'll need a replacement for Gordon and maybe Robert. I'd expect more attacks, since killing their members is going to be a rallying call."

"All for a thug who should be hung."

"Yes, the powers that control our lives think his life is worth more than ours. I'll do everything I can to protect him, but I'm not a martyr. I'll pull him out of the way, but I will not jump in front of him," I said. Witton would approve.