“Who are you?” I growled.

“Rashida, would be so kind as to introduce me?” he intoned with a casualness that I found mildly disturbing for a man with a gun leveled at his chest.

Rashida stepped to my side.

“Mr. Talman, may I introduce Herr Otto Jadger, CEO of Iraqi Consolidated Imports. Herr Jadger, Mr. John Talman,” she said with a wave of her hand.

“There. Now that we have been introduced, perhaps we can all be friends. Ahh.. would you mind..” He pointed at the gun in my hand. I hesitated, then pocketed the gun.

“I was shocked to learn of Michael’s death. Shocked and concerned. You see, we were not only competitors, but colleagues. Your arrival here is perhaps fortuitous. Am I correct that you will be taking over Michaels,” he paused and looked at Rashida, “business interests?”

There it was. Just what was I doing in Baghdad? What were my plans? “Michael was a friend of mine. I’d want to see that his affairs were put in order and tie up any loose ends he may have left.”

“Just so,“ said Jadger.