Speaking Arabic had certain advantages in my line. You picked up all sorts of information that most westerners just didn’t get. But right now I really wasn’t following the TV as the announcer described the chances of Dubai winning their next soccer match.

They walked into the bar. The ACU uniform made them Americans. A captain and a staff sergeant. They spotted me and came over to my table.

“You Talman?” the sergeant asked.

“Is that an official inquiry, or is this a social visit,” I replied.

“Social, for the moment. I’m Captain Rodgers and this is Sergeant Clarke.” replied the officer. “May we join you?”

“It’s a moderately free country now, so I’m told” and waved at the chairs opposite me.

“May I ask your business in Baghdad?” Rodgers asked as he sat down. The sergeant, a tall black man with ranger tabs on his shoulder sat silently but watched the room.

“I’m meeting a friend to talk about a job”.

“If that friend was Mike Wright, then I’m sorry to tell you it won’t happen.”

“Why not?”

“He’s dead.”