ROCK THE CASBA (Part 6), a short story by Sun Tzu. Date added: 2012-01-25. Times viewed: 2107.
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- Intro: Whiteslaver action in 1990's Morrocco
Rock the Casba
Part 6
Full Circle
The van continued heading down the streets making it’s way towards the old business warehouse district. The traffic was very busy making progress painfully slow. I sat in the back with Saleem and four of his best men. Saleem was clearly enjoying himself, the past week had been extraordinary for him, as he put it “I am being like James Bond no?” I had to agree, his help had been invaluable, and he seemed to have a real flair for this type of work.
"I think you will need this”. Saleem handed me a walther ppk in a shoulder holster and three magazines.
“I’m planning a rescue not all out war”.
“I know my friend, but I have doubts as to how this will, how you say play out?”
"I nodded. “I share your feelings something tells me that all is not well”.
As we continued on our journey the driver switched on his battered radio. As he twisted the tuning dial the van was suddenly echoing with the sound of a familiar tune. “Rock the Casba! Rock the Casba!” I smiled as the Clash blared out of the speakers, how appropriate was that song? I wondered as I began to check my pistol. Kabire was about to have his Casba well and truly rocked, right to its very foundations.
----------------------
Meredith stood in line with the other women, she watched as men in business suits followed Kabire along the line inspecting each of them. She was disgusted by the way they checked the teeth of each woman felt her breasts and legs. Meredith, had been touched by three men; who clearly were arguing over a price for her.
Each woman in turn was inspected and slowly but surely the line grew smaller and smaller until only she and four other women were left.
Kabire stood by her grinning. “Enjoying the show Miss Vana?” He asked.
“You sick fuck! This is the twentieth century, you can’t sell people like they we're animals!” Meredith exploded.
“You know for a well educated and accomplished woman you really are quite stupid!” Kabire laughed “Slavery has been a business for thousands of years, back to the Romans and before. Do you really think things will change that much? Any way I have a very special buyer for you Miss Vana a man who appreciates such loveliness and spirit.”
Meredith watched as a figure walked in and began to inspect the remaining women. This truly did look like the end of the road.
-----------------------------
We arrived just around the corner from the warehouse, Mondales and Banks stood waiting, along with their men. Mondales excitedly informed me that he had alerted his SWAT team, who were now awaiting the order to move in. Intrigued by this I went over to meet them, my worst fears were confirmed. They were no elite unit but a bunch of armed thugs, who clearly relished breaking down doors and roughing up suspects.
Knowing that there were hostages inside I couldn’t risk letting these men go in first, it would be a bloodbath if a firefight broke out. I could see that Banks was not too impressed by them either.
I thanked Mondales and told him to hold his men back while I did a recce. Then we would move in, he agreed and went about getting his men ready.
I pulled Banks aside and asked about his security team.
“I’ve got two from a top quality team one is ex marine recon and the leader is a former SEAL, who I know was an ace sniper”.
I had Banks introduce these men to me. I could tell straight away that they were fellow pro’s.
The ex seal sniper introduced himself as Andy and his marine colleague as Ralph. I told them that I wanted a quick recce and a quiet neutralisation of the outer guards. There was a gleam in Andy's eyes. “You got it man, be just like the old days”.
With that, he produced two high powered sniper rifles from the rear of one the security team cars. High powered with telescopic sights and silencers. “I keep em for emergencies ya know”.
I nodded understanding.
The recce, did not take long the warehouse was basically a compound with one set of main doors for entry and egress and a small fire exit to the rear. We soon located the sentries all well positioned, clearly Salma’s work. Altogether, there were six sentries to take out.
I had Mondales send some of his men to cover the rear of the warehouse compound. The rest would move in with Banks and his security team through front of the building; once the sentries were taken both.
I had Andy and Ralph move into a firing position while Saleem and I took up another. Quietly and methodically we took out the sentries, surprisingly two of the six were asleep at their posts, those that were awake, were taken out first.
“I have one.” Saleem said “Three o clock of the blue car”.
Through the telescopic sight I could see the sentry he was standing looking quite bored and smoking a cigarette, it would be the last one he’d ever have. There was a quiet pop as I squeezed the trigger and the sentry dropped to the floor without a sound.
Saleem made a very good spotter, together we took out three of the six sentries, while Andy and Ralph did the others.
Once we were sure it was clear I gave the signal to Mondales and Banks to move in.
-------------------------------
Kabire was sitting counting his money, when the doors to the warehouse suddenly exploded. There then followed a lot of shouting and a few shots rang out, but the surprise was complete what few of Kabire’s men that were left gave only a token resistance. They were pushed to the ground and cuffed, Kabire was held by two Mondales’s men at gun point, he was clearly shocked by the raid.
“What is the meaning of this?” He shouted “How dare you break in”.
I walked in through the smashed doors of the warehouse to see Banks holding Kabire by the throat. “Where are they Kabire?” He demanded.
“I, I do not know what you are talking about”.
“The women you kidnapped, where are they?” Banks was quite angry.
“I do not know what you are talking about. I am an honest businessman”. Kabire protested.
It was at that moment that three women suddenly appeared escorted by two of Banks security team.
“We found them out back sir.” One of the men said.
“Any sign of the Miss Vana?” I asked.
“No sir, there were only these three”.
“Good work, get them to the consulate and see they get full medical attention, we’ll debrief them later”. Banks ordered, then turned back to Kabire.
“I want to know what you’ve done with Miss Vana”.
“Kabire began to shake, he was clearly unaccustomed to this sort of treatment”.
I moved up by Banks “Tell him what he wants to know Kabire”.
“You will pay for this outrage, I will have you all killed, do you know who I am?”
“Sure I do”. Banks replied. “You’re a scumbag white-slaver, who abducts beats up and murders women.
“As for having us killed”. I added “I afraid Miss Salma is somewhat indisposed, she's visiting some, ah old friends and will be away indefinitely”.
“Now for the last time where is the Miss Vana?” Banks demanded
With that, Kabire began to laugh like a madman. “You’re too late, I’ve rid myself of that snooping bitch once and for all, you’ll never find her, never! NEVER!”
I stood watching, a stark realisation hit me ‘I was, once again too late to save Meredith”.
Rock the Casba
Part 7
NO MANS SANDS
Her name was Valerie Wells, a 29 year old accountant fromTorontoCanada. She had come toMoroccoon a vacation and had been kidnapped on her second day while on a shopping trip.
I sat watching her as she sipped an ice cold coke. She was a real looker, with shoulder length flaming red hair, green eyes and a figure that models would die for.
“You want to know what happened to Meredith don’t you?” She stated.
“Yes I would Valerie”. I replied gently. “Do you recall anything that can be of help to us?”
“I think so”. She stammered. “I remember seeing her brought in just before the auction. The tall man in the white suit and hat was being really rough with her, he had his men drag her in. I recognised her from the tv, I was really surprised to see her ya know”.
I nodded. “What happened next?”
“Well there was about a dozen or so of us were in stood in line and then these men came in and began to inspect us, like… like we were animals”. Tears welled up in her eyes. “They fondled us, touched us intimately and talked Arabic and French. This old guy I think he was Italian bought me along with two other women, the two you found with me, we were to be sent on later”.
I sat listening to her story, Banks and Saleem sat behind her quietly observing me as I questioned her. Banks had at first been very reluctant to allow me to talk with the women. Kabire meanwhile had, had what the consulate’s doctor described as a complete mental breakdown. He just sat in his cell laughing like a mad man, completely oblivious to all around him. Kabire was in no state to answer any questions and I had no leads as to the whereabouts of Meredith or the other women that had been sold.
“What happened to Meredith, Valerie?”
“She was bought along with another woman by this Arab. He was a really important guy I can tell you that”.
“In what way?” I asked intrigued.
“Well.” She took a long drink. “He was dressed like an Arab, you know like in those movies? Like Rudolf Valentino, and he had this air about him, he walked in a really self important way, sort of… sort of like those royal people walk. You know like the Queen of England and other royal people do”.
“That’s very good Valerie, very good”. I was now very alert she had just provided me with a very important clue. “What else do you remember?”
“Well he took his time examining us he was very interested in Meredith. He seemed very surprised to see her. There was an angry exchange between him and the man in the white (Kabire). He said something that sounded strange because he repeated it a number of times”.
“Strange in what way?”
“It sort of sounded like an order to do something! The Arab said something like Bredaga, Bredagle? No it was ‘Bregeeda’, yes ‘Brageeda’. He said it at least four times, It seemed to mean something important”.
An hour later I had Valerie escorted back to her room, after thanking her for her help.
“Brageeda, does that mean anything to either of you?”
Banks shook his head. “Means nothing to me, but I can have it looked into”.
That is not necessary”. Saleem declared. “I know what Brageeda is, and it is not good”.
“Well Saleem, what is it?” I asked impatiently.
“It is an oasis, an ancient site about two hundred miles south east of here. It is used by a tribe of bedouins called the Torague”.
“Oh that is just terrific!” I exclaimed. The Torague!
“I take it, that’s bad”. Banks asked.
“It is not good Mr Banks”. Saleem replied. “The Torague are not known for their liking of outsiders. If Miss Vana is there it will be very dangerous to attempt a rescue”.
“But what of Miss Vana? Is she and the other woman in any danger?” Asked Banks.
“I would think not”. Saleem replied. “You see the Torague only come into Morocco very rarely to trade, particularly for women, which are highly prized among the tribe”.
I sat thinking, the situation had changed dramatically. I now knew where Meredith was being held. I would of course have to go after her, but doubts began to surface. It would mean returning to the desert, an inhospitable and unforgiving place. Yet above all it represented the foundation of all my nightmares. TheArabian desert, during the Gulf war, where I had lost my best friend and been captured to the Iraqi’s and tortured by Salamar.
The desert held the memories of a violent and terrible period in my life. For a second I seriously considered ending the whole thing. I’d done far more than I had intended, Kabire was out of business. Salamar was being entertained by the Kuwaities and we had located Meredith; It would be so easy to walk away now and let Banks contact his government, maybe they’d send in a Delta force team to rescue her and the others.
Maybe they’d…
I must have fallen asleep
“Hey Nath, what ya doing?”
I awoke to find my old army friend sitting across from me. “Sparks? That you?”
“Course it’s me. Who’d ya think it was the Lone ranger? What ya doing here? Why ain’t ya off rescuing that woman of yours?”
“I ah”.
“Oh come on Nath since when did you ever chicken out of anything?”
I suddenly found myself standing in the desert looking at my long dead friend. He sat on a rock looking just as he had back when we were operating behind Iraqi lines searching for Scuds, over eight years ago.
“Well?” He demanded. “Why aren’t you off rescuing Meredith What’s her name?”
“I don’t know”. I replied “I guess, I guess… I’m scared”.
“Scared of what?” he demanded angrily, his face suddenly nose to nose with mine. “What the fuck are you scared of?”
“I’m scared of fucking up again!” I replied I could feel myself beginning to shake.
“Fuck up? When did you fuck ever up Nath? Tell me, when did you ever fuck up?”
“I fucked up on the mission, I caused the mission to be aborted, I was responsible for your death."
"Oh yeah? And how do ya figure that?"
"I was responsible. Don’t you see that?”
“No I don’t Nath! I don’t fucking see how you caused my death. Or how you screwed up the mission. Tell me how you did all that?”
“I… I was… I was in command, and the lives of those under my command were my responsibility. I.”
“Spare me the military morality lecture Nath, I know you, I know there is more to it than that”.Sparks shouted at me.
“Alright!” I was now really shaking tears began to run down my face. “Alright, I disobeyed my orders, I compromised our presence to the Iraqi’s”.
“Ok, you made a command decision to disobey orders. Why did you do that?”
“Because of the scud’s we found”. I replied. “Because of those fucking scuds”.
“What about the Scud’s Nath? What about the Scud’s?”Sparks demanded.
“They were armed with Biological warheads and were going to be fired at Israel”.
“And what did you do when you realised they were Bio warheads?”
“I ordered an air-strike to take them out”.
“And what happened then?”
The scene around me changed, I saw myself as I had been eight years ago lying on a sand dune over looking an Iraqi scud missile sight.
“We got three Scuds, getting ready to launch”. Wilks reported.
I nodded. “Sparks, get air support tell them I need an immediate air strike, tell them it’s an Alpha one!”
Sparks started to send the message. Alpha one designated the site as Biological war heads and therefore required an immediate response above any other missions.
Sparkssuddenly spoke. “Boss I got Yank air on the way they are being diverted to our location”.
“Good work sparks”. I replied “Q get the LD ready”.
Q was our quartermaster, known affectionately as Q because he was our electronics expert and dealt with the looking after of all our high tech gadgets.
The laser designator was prepared, sending a signal that the bombers could lock onto.
The scene changed againSparks sat on the rock facing me. “So what happened next?” He asked.
“The planes were too far out”. I replied. “They wouldn’t have reached the site in time before the scuds launched”.
“So you decided to attack the site, despite orders to remain covert right?”
“Yeah I made the decision to attack and disobey orders”.
“Which resulted in the prevention of those scuds being launched and saving countless lives in the process”.Sparks stated.
“Maybe!” I replied.
“There’s no maybe about it Nath!”Sparks appeared again nose to nose with me. “You took out those scuds, prevented them being launched at Israel. Possibly even stopping Israel being drawn into the war; and that would have escalated things well beyond the short shooting match that it ended up being.”
“Maybe," I mumbled.
“Yeah it’s a possibility, we all understood the ramifications had those scuds launched. You did the right thing ordering that attack”.
“I caused your death!” I shouted back. “The Iraqi’s were alerted to our presence and tracked us down, or don’t you remember that?”
“I remember good Nath. I remember you leading us towards the extraction point. I remember you ordering us to get there while you planned to hold the pursuing Iraqi’s. I insisted on joining you to act as rear guard. I remember you putting up one hell of a fight giving our guys the time they needed to get out”.
“True, we held off the Iraqi’s for quite a while, they thought they were up against a large force”. I smiled a little recalling how incensed they were, upon discovering they had been held off by only two men.
“You did what we were sent out to do Nath. You helped prevent needless deaths by destroying the scuds. You helped prevent the gulf war escalating. You helped save the lives of our friends, I understand that”.
I nodded recalling the events, six men of my eight man patrol had managed to get to the extraction point.
“You did good Nath, You did good”. With that Sparks began to walk away.
“Sparks, where ya going?” I called after him.
“Gotta go Nath, gotta go now”. He turned and smiled “One last thing Nath, do me a favour will ya?”
“What?” I asked.
“Promise you’ll go get Meredith, and stop feeling so fucking guilty about me ok?”
I promised myself that I would find Meredith, and bring her back safely and I wasn’t about to break my word. No! Regardless of my discomfort at returning to the desert once again; I was going to keep my promise, to myself and toSparks. I had been unable to save my best friend back then, I'd thought for all these years I had failed him; but by God I was not going to fail Meredith.
Rock the Casba
Part 8
Final Reckoning!
The oasis encampment was huge I counted some forty large tents and about twenty smaller. I'd been watching now for some six hours and most of what I'd observed did not sit well. The camp was awash with armed Arabs, although the weapons varied in quality and vintage they posed a serious threat to any attempted rescue.
To his credit Banks had offered to contact his superiors and get a Delta Force team sent in. I had opposed this and having seen the opposition I was glad I had convinced Banks to let me deal with it. As good as the Delta guys were I had severe reservations about the number of casualties that might be sustained.
He had reluctantly agreed and at my request supplied me with a helicopter which I had fly to within five miles of the Oasis at night. From there I led Saleem, with two of his men, Banks, Ralph and Andy on a fast march to a small ridge overlooking the encampment.
Andy and Ralph were in there element and from time to time would comment "Just like the old days."
As I continued to scan the camp my heart skipped a beat. Standing in the middle of the camp next to a large Arab was what looked like Meredith and possibly the other woman. I worked the focus on the binoculars and zoomed in then watched as both women followed the Arab into a large tent in the middle of the camp.
"Got her!"
"Where?" Banks asked. "Strike that I got her, that the other woman too?"
"I'd say so from the description we were given, well at least we know they are safe."
"Yeah that's a relief, but how do we get them out? We don't dare risk a fire fight there must be over two hundred armed Arabs." Stated Ralph.
I was already formulating a plan. "This is what we are going to do gentleman so listen up."
The weight of the pistol in its shoulder holster felt reassuring as I walked slowly towards the encampment. Shouts were heard as I approached and a dozen Arabs on horseback appeared in front of me. I had approached from a wide semi-circle so that I could not be tracked back to where the others were positioned.
For a moment I wished I had listened to Banks.
"Are you out of your fucking mind Kent? What you going to do just go down there and ask them to hand the women back?"
"More or less; yes." I replied rather matter of fact . "If you have a better idea I'd be happy to listen."
Banks said he hadn't.
"Good luck Kent." Andy had said giving me a thumbs up.
I kept walking towards the line of mounted Arabs, a number of shots suddenly rang out and sand jumped in front of my feet. I had to fight very hard not to stop and kept walking. This was a test of courage mine versus the warriors of the camp. The gun shots were a challenge and I had ignored it. Saleem had been most emphatic that I must under no circumstances stop or show fear. No matter what I must keep walking. One slip and they'd slit my throat for cowardice.
The first challenge had been met now for the next. It came quickly as an Arab warrior charged me on his horse and threw a spear that embedded itself in the sand directly in front of me. I pulled it out then broke it across my knee and threw the pieces to the sand and continued walking.
I was drawing closer to the middle of the encampment and the tent where Meredith and the other woman were being held. By this time the large Arab had come outside to see what the commotion was about. As I approached he nodded to an Arab warrior standing next to him. There was a scream and the warrior rushed waving a large curved sword above his head. I dodged as he brought the sword down. I kicked out hitting him in the stomach and brought the flat on my hand down on the back of his neck. He slumped face down in the sand. Picking up the sword I used my foot to turn him over so we were face to face, he was regaining his senses. I held the sword briefly against his throat then threw it away, indicating that I was sparing his life.
I continued to walk towards the large Arab, no further attempts were made to impede me.
On the ridge Saleem, and the others watched my progress. Ralph and Andy kept their sniper scopes trained waiting for my signal. Banks and Saleem and his two men were setting up our little surprise should it be needed.
I finally came close to the big Arab and stopped. We stood staring at each other. The large Arab had seemed very familiar from the ridge and now close up I realised why! He was the same Arab who had so casually offered to buy Meredith in the Nomad bar. Talk about a small world!
---------------------------------------
Meredith sat inside the tent wondering what all the commotion was about. Next to her sat Rochelle the other woman who had been bought with her. The past two days had been like a dream. One moment she was being placed in a line of naked women to be auctioned like cattle. Kabire had stood leering at her and gloating.
"You wished a story on white slavery Miss Vana." He had giggled lighting a cigarette. "Well now you have as you Americans say, the scoop." He had laughed at this and blown foul smelling smoke into her face. Then he had strutted off to meet his guest buyers.
Meredith watched with total disgust as each woman was poked, prodded and fondled by the potential buyers. One tall well dressed man had tried to place his hands on her breasts, that was to prove very expensive for him. Meredith brought her knee up which impacted with considerable force between his legs. The man gave a loud yelp and doubled up on the floor. Kabire was outraged, and had slapped Meredith so hard that she was knocked to the floor her lip trickling blood.
"American bitch!" Kabire had screamed. Grabbing her by the hair and pulling a small pistol from inside his jacket. "You will pay with your life for that!"
For a moment Meredith feared he was going to shoot her in front of the other women, to make an example of her. If it was to be Meredith had been resigned to accept her fate; It would be far better to be dead then end up as a sex slave.
As Kabire brought the pistol to her head there was a loud shout and his hand was roughly pulled away.
Meredith watched as a large Bedouin Arab snatched the gun out of Kabires hand and started shouting at him angrily. Kabire was clearly shaken by this outburst. The large Arab seemed to be giving Kabire orders for he was nodding a lot and looking extremely uncomfortable. The next thing Meredith knew her bonds were cut and removed and a sheet was placed over her and she was gently led away along with another woman.
After this she had been fed, washed, her wounds treated and dressed and given clothes, before being led to a bus where she was driven out of the city. After some time the bus had stopped in the desert to meet a camel caravan. From there she had ridden a camel to the Oasis encampment. Upon arrival she and Rochelle had been led into a large tent, fed and allowed to sleep for a while.
Later Meredith had been gently aroused by a pretty looking Arab woman who, after giving her a drink had led her to another tent. She entered to come face to face with the large Arab who had rescued her from Kabire, he sat smiling and beckoned her to sit. Meredith did so, it was then she recognised the Arab. It had been the same one who had offered to buy her in the Nomad bar!
"You welcome desert flower." He had said. "Guest, no harm here."
He spoke no English and only a smattering of French which Meredith spoke well. He had made it quite clear that she was welcome and his honoured guest. Thinking back Meredith realised that the Arab had seemed truly surprised to have seen her in the line up of women, which perhaps explained the angry scene with Kabire; as well as rescuing her from being executed.
Meredith felt reassured although she understood little of what he said his actions spoke volumes. She was for the first time in what seemed like ages safe. Later falling into the bliss of sleep she wondered what had happened to Kent?
-------------------------------
"You are either very brave or very foolish coming here my friend." The large Arab spoke first.
"Perhaps a little of both." I replied.
"What is it you wish?"
"I have come for my woman." I stated firmly.
"You seek the desert flower that I now possess."
"I do." I replied knowing he was referring to Meredith, it was exactly how he had described her in the Nomad bar. "She was taken from me by force I have come to reclaim her."
"Do you believe that I was responsible for this?"
"Before Allah, 'praise be his name' I know you were not." I paused. "I caution you however, that those who were responsible have been destroyed."
"Will you seek to destroy me too if I do not hand over your woman?"
"If I have too. Yes!" I replied.
His dark green eyes bore into me, his face showed not a flicker of emotion. I could only imagine what was going through his mind.
"You are indeed a fool, I could have you killed with a wave of my hand." He stated.
My pistol was in my hand and pointing directly at his head before he could blink. There was an audible click as my thumb released the safety catch.
"Then I will not die alone." I replied impassively.
The second I'd raised my pistol there was a series of clicks as some thirty or forty rifles pointed directly at me.
I raised my left hand and a number of small explosions went off just at the edge of the encampment. Saleem had set up the two light mortars. The explosions caused a bit of a panic among the camp. My little surprise!
"I can raise your entire camp to the ground with another wave of my hand."
The large Arab nodded. "Is this what is known in your language as a stand off?"
I nodded. "A Mexican stand off to be precise."
"We will go to paradise together."
"If that is Allah's will 'praise be his name." I stated. "I will take you and many of your people with me."
"At this the large Arab seemed to show a hint of nervousness."
On the ridge Banks and the others had been watching nervously I had left strict instructions not to act unless I signalled. I knew they would comply, despite the tense situation.
"That need not be so." At a nod from him the rifles pointing at me were lowered. "I do not fear death." He stated.
"Neither do I." I replied lowering my pistol.
"Come." The large Arab beckoned me into his tent. " We will talk." I nodded replacing my pistol into its holster and followed.
"Kent!" Meredith exclaimed, throwing her arms around me. "I, I thought you were dead!"
"I'm not easily killed." I replied feeling her warm tears on my neck "Are you ok?"
"I'm fine." Tears were streaming down her face. "I'm fine now, how did you find me?"
"It’s a long story, I'll explain later, right now I have to negotiate for your release."
"Are you here to rescue us?" Came a voice with a distinctly French accent."
"Yes Miss Clunay, I'm here for you both."
The large Arab sat on some cushions and indicated that I should follow suit.
What took place next was a long drawn out ceremony of hospitality before negotiations.
In the desert hospitality is very important and right now I was an honoured guest. The cuisine was something I had not had in many years and it took a little effort to eat. But eat I did rather than insult my host. Meredith and Rochelle sat quietly watching as I'd asked them to do.
After the food and the required belching had been done to show the quality of the food discussions began in earnest.
The large Arab called in an advisor that spoke quickly and I had a great difficulty in understanding what was being said. He kept pointing to a scroll The fragments that I did catch involved reference to their laws. Finally the advisor left.
"I will give you your woman." The large Arab stated. "She belongs to you. Our law is clear on this."
"I am grateful." I replied. "What of the other?"
"She may leave too if she wishes, you are a brave man I give her to you."
I had come with nothing but my weapon. Slowly I removed my shoulder holster and handed it to the large Arab.
"I came in peace to recover my woman, and I will leave in peace, please accept this humble gift as a token of my respect and friend ship."
The Arab smiled accepting the pistol and holster, as small a token as it was, it was all I had to offer, he knew this and took it. A little later I left the encampment with Meredith and Rochelle.
EPILOGUE
It had been some eight months since my trip toMorocco, things at home were quite boring compared to what had I experienced of late. Saleem was happy his position was secure, thanks to Mondales being in our pocket now. It was agreed that Saleem and I would be kept out of what had happened. I allowed Banks and Mondales to take all the credit for Meredith's rescue. Banks got a promotion for his part in the affair as did Andy and Ralph. Mondales continued as Chief of Police on a higher salary than before. Kabire was placed in a mental hospital still suffering from a total breakdown it was believed he would never recover.
Meredith and Rochelle were given medical treatment and a full debriefing before being sent back home. As a result of our efforts a number of kidnapped girls were located and rescued from Kabires clients his little empire was finished.
No sooner did Meredith get back home, she was doing news paper interviews and the talk show circuit describing her experiences, while at the same time working on a book. I caught her on Larry King, man she looked good, amazingly so after what she'd been through.
Would there be a film to follow all this? Who knew knowing Hollywood! I figured Banks would be played by Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt! After all he had been the main man in her rescue. Boy did that guy owe me big time.
For myself I had returned home and made that phone call to the Psychiatrist after a number of sessions he declared that I was doing well, my post traumatic stress had reduced but he was at a loss to understand why!
The Morocco affair had clearly done me more good than I had realised. Truth to tell it was my guilt over Sparks death that had been the mill stone round my neck.
That now was well and truly gone.
I had made my peace with the demons of my past. As we had walked out of the Arab encampment I could have sworn that I saw Sparks on a sand dune waving at me.
His voice whispering in my ear "You did good Nath, you did good."
Over a year had gone by when I received a package from Saleem, inside was a hardback book entitled
'Rock The Casba'
by
Meredith Vana
Inside was a simple inscription… 'To my very own knight in shining armour thank you for rescuing me.'
love always Meredith.
XXXXX'
The End
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