The green zone is that part of the city that is literally walled off from the rest. Giant concrete blast walls prevent vehicle borne improvised explosive devices or VIED’s from doing damage to the government and military installations inside.

I found the building for the Iraqi National Police and was soon in the Allied forces liaison office of Capt. Rodgers.

“I thought I told you that if you were smart, you would be leaving Baghdad today.” Rodgers growled at me.

“Maybe I’m not as smart as you gave me credit for,” I smiled at him. He gave me a cold hard stare, and then the corners of his mouth started to lift. He shook his head and waved at the seat in front of his desk. I sat down and said, “you got any more of that coffee?”

“Help yourself ,” he said as he leaned back in his chair. I took a Styrofoam cup and filled it with the hot liquid. “So to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?”

“I spotted a team tailing me this morning. Were they yours?”

“If they were mine, you wouldn’t have spotted them.”