We left Abu Tariq to finish cleaning up and went to the office. The office windows were of frosted glass and the lights were off inside. I was about to reach for the door when I smelled burning tobacco. Wordlessly I signaled Rashida to stop and drew my pistol. I crouched to the side of the door. With a swift movement I opened the door and swept the room with the barrel of my gun.

The office was not very distinctive. A couple of file cabinets, a desk, a computer, and a leather chair. What made this memorable was the man sitting in it. He was a westerner, thin, clean shaven, mid forties, with close cropped white hair. He sat in the chair with his elbows resting on the armrests and fingertips pressing against each other. The ash tray contained several cigarette butts. I leveled the pistol at his chest and finished sweeping the rooms with my eyes. He was alone.

I stood and entered the room with Rashida behind me.

“Good Evening Mr. Talman, a pleasure to make your acquaintance," he said calmly.