'Friend'?" Joseph asked.

"Before I tell you that, I must have your assurance that you will agree to continue in this matter. I know I can order you to do it, but your enlistment is over in six months. I have the power to extend it, however, it might look suspicious if I did and that would put you in more danger. No, the best thing is let you return to civilian life and it will appear that you are free to do whatever you want."

"Appear???" Joseph questioned.

"I meant that you would not have to worry about the army interfering with your undercover duties. You would be a U.S. citizen and free to pursue whatever life you wanted. The Emirate might be more inclined to trust you as Fazzi's son rather than as Sgt. Joseph Benson. As Fazzi's heir you are in charge of all that money and they would love to get their hands on it without causing any international problems. What better way than to use an American as a front?"

"You don't really think I could gain their trust that much. They are not fools and I'm not that good." Joseph protested.

"Joseph," the president said, "You were good enough to fool Fazzi. If he had not been killed you would have been right up there. It was one of the reasons we asked 'our friend' not to kill him; and they did not. His own people did it. Now 'our friend' wants you to try to take his place."

"And if I can not gain their trust.... What then?"

"In that case-we will at least be able to keep an eye on that money and keep it from falling into the wrong hands." He said. "You will have plenty of protection. Our friends have an undercover agent that will be able to watch your back and help you if you should require it."

"I do not want that kind of protection. I don't need it and it will only get in my way."

"It hasn't so far and from what I'm told this agent has been watching you since the first time you entered Fazzi's house!" he said and then mustering his most sincere manner he added. "Joseph, we know everything there is to know about you and while I don't understand or approve of your sex life, I for one will always be proud to have known you. Both your country and I personally owe you a large debt, one that we can never repay. No matter what you decide, thank you. I will not order you to continue, but it would please me if you finished this thankless job."

Joseph thought about it for a few moments and then told him that he would have to talk it over with his partner first. "I think he will go along with it, but I still have to consult him."

"Who is that?"

"Rich Worth, the actor, who is the son of Richard Worthington Senior." Joseph said. "He and his family have been involved in this from the beginning. I would not want to do anything without them."

"Yes, as you know the father is a very close friend of mine and I know he has been involved in this from the beginning. I am sure the family will agree with this, but I'll be glad to talk to him myself if you want me to." He said.

"I would rather do that myself if you don't mind."

"Good,