The Watchman of Ephraim (Book Club Edition) (9 page)

Straightening his tie, he got his anger under control.

“
Nevertheless, we cannot allow the spotlight that this American may focus on it to grow in intensity, to the point where it illuminates operations we need to keep cloaked in darkness. Besides, I have always wanted to meet him. He is something of a legend in the global financial circles.”

Fard nodded his understanding then peered out his window.

“
Sir, is that not him standing by that wall?”

Zamani ordered his bodyguard/driver to pull to the curb. He stepped out of the car then ordered both of his bodyguards to wait outside by the car while he approached De Niro.

Zamani knocked on the limo’s window, motioning for Fard to lower it.

“
You will wait in the car, while I go speak to him. Do not be concerned, Fard. I will keep my identity from him. I think it is an acceptable risk for me to see if I can determine what this man De Niro’s interest is in Park51. I’m sure those back in Tehran would want to know.”

Chapter 7

The Viewing Wall at Ground Zero

Church Street, New York, New York

3:00p.m., Monday, May 16, 2011

De Niro and Tompkins stood silently for several minutes looking out over the site where almost 10 years before, both men met, on that fateful September morning.

After they had been standing there for some time their limo pulled up at the curb behind them.

Tompkins walked over and told the driver to wait there. Then he approached De Niro, who seemed to be lost in thought. He put his hand on De Niro’s shoulder. De Niro started speaking to him without turning.

“
You know Keith, that’s exactly what you did when you first met me in the stairwell – you put your hand on my shoulder. I can still remember it like it was yesterday.”

“
So can I, brother, so can I …”

De Niro turned to face his friend.

“
If it weren’t for you, Richard and Louis would have lost both of their parents that day. I’m not sure I can ever thank you enough for what you did.”

“
Cris, you did more than thank me, you enabled me to take care of my wife and kids for the rest of their lives. I should be thanking you, broth.”

De Niro smiled at his friend but then let the smile fade from his face.

“
Take the limo back to the hotel. I want to stay here awhile. I’ll catch a cab later and meet you for dinner.”

“
You sure you’re alright?”

De Niro shook Tompkins hand, “I’m sure. I’ll see you later.”

De Niro turned back to look out at what was now a construction site.
To me, this will always be a burial ground. It’s where the lives of my wife and unborn son ended and all those others. Part of me died with them and resides here. This is a place I never want to visit …but can never leave!

De Niro didn’t even notice the limo with Tompkins in it drive away, nor did he notice the other limo pull up with three men stepping out of it. He paid no mind to the person who took a position next to him.

“
It will be a remarkable complex when it is built, will it not?”

De Niro turned to see who was talking to him. It was a man about his age, taller than him, dressed impeccably in an English-tailored suit. The man was dark-skinned, obviously Middle Eastern but with crystal blue eyes. His face was adorned with a meticulously trimmed moustache.

“
I apologize if I’m intruding on your privacy.”

De Niro’s squinted eyes showed a bit of annoyance but then he resumed looking back out over the site.

“
That’s okay.”

“
You are Mr. Cris De Niro, are you not?”

De Niro turned back to the stranger, this time showing more than a bit of annoyance in his eyes.

“
Mr. De Niro, I meant no offense. I attended a conference some years ago where you spoke.”

That calmed De Niro down some but left him curious.
I’d definitely remember if I met this guy, just from those eyes of his.

“…
And who might you be?”

The man bowed his head slightly. “My name is Prince Farouk al-Hassan. I am visiting from Kuwait. As a matter of fact, I was about to fly home when I decided to see the famous Ground Zero for myself.”

De Niro nodded.

The two men stood silently for a few minutes; then Zamani spoke again.

“
Mr. De Niro, would you mind if I asked you a question of a personal nature?”

De Niro looked straight into Zamani’s eyes.

“
Shoot.”

Zamani hesitated for a moment.

“
Ah, you Americans and your colloquialisms, shoot, yes, well ... I wanted to ask you what your feelings are on the … what do you Americans call it … the Ground Zero mosque? May I ask, are you for or against it being built?”

De Niro looked at the man before him;
he’s asking me questions about the Ground Zero mosque less than an hour after I was parked in front of it. This guy obviously is unaware of the innate cynicism of an Italian born in Brooklyn. I’ll play along though.

“
Are you sure you’re not a reporter Prince Hassan?”

“
A reporter …?”

“
You know, a journalist looking for a quote for some article you’re writing.”

Zamani played up his part.

“
Mr. De Niro, I assure you, I am not a reporter. I merely thought I could get a real American’s viewpoint instead of just listening to what they tell us on Fox News. I will admit, I do not think that most Muslims really understand why there are such negative feelings to a mosque being built so far from where we are standing. If I have been indiscrete, I apologize.”

“
No need to apologize … Your Royal Highness. If you really want to know, I think building a mosque that close to this place is indiscrete.”

“…
But you realize they have the legal right to—“

“
Prince Hassan, the disagreement is not over the legal right to build there; it’s a question of the wisdom of building there. The United States is a country unlike any other on earth. We’re a true melting pot of nationalities, religious and ethnic backgrounds. On top of that, we have a democratic form of government that, although it is ruled by the majority of opinion, is sensitive to the rights and opinions of our various minorities. Our very nature is to be tolerant and understanding and our laws reflect that nature. That’s why the owners of that property have the legal right to build a mosque there. However, there is a spirit of responsibility and moral or ethical judgment that each citizen of this great county should have, with respect not only to one’s own rights, beliefs and feelings but to the rights, beliefs and feelings of their fellow Americans.”

Nodding his head in the direction of the construction, De Niro continued.

“
This place is known as Ground Zero because the two towers fell here, but the rubble, including the dust, to which so many of the victims were reduced, was scattered for many blocks, including to the block where they are proposing to build the mosque. In effect, I believe all of the surrounding blocks that were covered with, what very well could be those human remains should be considered Ground Zero too. So to me, they are proposing to build a place for Muslim worship on Ground Zero. As a friend of mine once said, it is tantamount to ‘… building a shrine to Emperor Hirohito at Pearl Harbor.’ No, your royal highness, the question is not one of legality, but one of wisdom.”

Zamani stood quietly for a moment.
Although an infidel and an enemy, this man is obviously intelligent and shrewd …and quite possibly dangerous to our cause. It makes it even riskier for me to try and find out his intentions. I must be careful.

Zamani asked in a light tone, with just a hint of sarcasm.

“
So, do you intend on joining the others who will hold up picket signs in front of that property?”

“
You understand that they too have the legal right to do that, your royal highness – but that’s not exactly my style.” De Niro paused before adding, “Nor is flying a plane into a building filled with innocent people. We each have our ways of expressing dissension.”

Zamani raised his eyebrows but knew he could not press the question further.

“
I see. I can understand your feelings, Mr. De Niro. They are quite understandable for someone who has lost loved ones here.”

De Niro didn’t reply, but he also didn’t miss the fact that this man knew a whole lot about him.

“
Well then, I will leave you. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me, Mr. De Niro.”

De Niro watched as the man got back into his limousine, followed by the two burly men that looked like his bodyguards getting into the front seats. He whistled for a cab as the limo pulled away.
What was that all about?
One thing’s for sure, my dad taught me to know when someone is pissing down my leg and telling me it’s raining.

As soon as Zamani got into the limo he pulled his iPhone out and hit an autodial button.

(In Farsi) “Payam, I want you to find out what you can about the man in the blue suit. His name is Cris De Niro. He may try to look into the funding for Park51 and he has many connections. Alert all of our friends here; if they receive any inquiries from him or his associates, I want to know about it immediately. Oh and Payam, find out where he lives, if he has any relatives, what businesses he owns. I will be out of the country for a week, but you can reach me on my cell.”

Fard waited for his boss to put his phone into his pocket.

“
Is there a problem, sir?”

Zamani stared out the window as their limo drove north on West Street, heading for his Gulfstream G650 (G6) which was fully fueled and waiting for them at Teterboro airport.

“
Americans, Fard … they are arrogant and decadent but they can also be tenacious and resourceful. Like a dog, sometimes they can be very difficult to shake off once they are onto your scent.”

Zamani rested his head back and closed his eyes, then added, “Sometimes the only choice with which one is left … is to shoot the dog.”

Chapter 8

The Watchman Agency

Executive Conference Room - Alpha

Arlington, Virginia

10:00a.m., Tuesday, May 17, 2011

The entire executive staff of the newly named, “The Watchman Agency” were sitting at the long, sleek, mahogany conference table. To the right of the head of the table were, in order: Mugsy Ricci, Karla Matthews and Les Pastak; and to the left: John Francis, Charlie Santappia, and Michelle Wang. Debbie Lynch was sitting at the opposite end of the table and De Niro was standing at a small podium just beyond the head of the table. De Niro called the meeting to order.

“
Good morning ladies and gentlemen. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Cris De Niro. As you all know, I have recently acquired Liberty Defense Contractors and as you may have seen by the new signs being hung all about, it has been renamed, The Watchman Agency.

"Before I explain the reason for the name change, let me first introduce each of you to one another, along with your new titles and job responsibilities. In some cases you may have been promoted into your new position and in other cases, your title might have changed along with your new role within the agency. Each person in this room has been chosen because our new president and I both feel you are the best at what you do. You will also notice that I have brought in two new people, both of whom I have known for a long time and for which I have the utmost respect.”

“
Let me begin by introducing the new president of The Watchman Agency, Captain Louis “Mugsy” Ricci United States Navy, retired. Mugsy Ricci was one of the most decorated members of the elite Navy Seals. He was last stationed as Commanding Officer of the Naval Special Warfare Center. Captain Ricci will speak with all of you later, but for now, let me say that I am confident that you will all find him to be a fair but firm leader.”