he spouted out. “Your Excellency this whole thing was my fault. I ordered Hassan to do another background check on Yussef. Hassan was following my orders. If there is to be any retributions, let them fall on my head and my head alone.”

Fazzi sat there stunned. He had not expected an outright admission of guilt. It just was not the 'Arab way' of doing things. He was at loose ends to know how to proceed. However he quickly recovered and in an aggressive manner continued his interrogation. “That is very commendable of you to take the blame you worthless piece of camel dung, but Allie it still does not answer my question… WHY? And one thing more you are never use the term 'Your Excellency' when we are in public. In my home it is permitted. But no one is to know of my elevation in rank just yet. Now tell me why you felt the need to do this? Were you ordered to and if so who ordered you?”

“No your Excellency no one ordered me to do it, I just felt that this man Yussef was distracting you and that perhaps he was creating a danger to yourself and to our government's plans. I felt that I just had to ascertain if he posed any threat to you or our mission here in the United States. You of all people, having been a security agent from way back, must recognize the danger of us becoming involved with 'outsiders'. And you must admit that this Yussef is, shall we say, too good to be true. So for my own sake as well as the nation's I felt it imperative to check one more time.” Allie said defending himself.

“Well I'll be damned, an agent with the guts to take the blame as well as one who will take the responsibility of leadership. That's very commendable, if it is indeed true. Rather unusual for our people. I like that in an agent. We need more of that, but from now on you had better get it through your head that I AM IN CHARGE. We cannot nor will we have people or groups running off in different directions. Now tell me, for the last time, did you find anything at all about Yussef that I should know about. Anything at all! Was there anything which justifies any further investigation?”

“Well Excellency,” Allie said stammering. “There was one thing…”

“Well what is it?”

“Well sir…”

“Well - OUT with it!” Fazzi screamed, “Stop stammering and come out with it. When I ask you for the truth, I ALWAYS WANT THE TRUTH FROM MY AGENTS. I know that it has been the custom to lie to your superiors; Allah knows I have, but I need to know the truth, all the truth, all the time. We are all men of the world. Believe me, in this day and age here in America, there are few things that surprise or shock me.”

“He spent time with and most likely had sexual relations with one of the Dancers that works at the Cafe Casablanca.” Allie finally got out.

“The female dancer, the one called Dina, I hope!” Fazzi said smiling. “Is that all? Is that all you were able to find out?”

“Well according to her he is a very accomplished lover. That is all, Your Excellency.”

Relieved Fazzi said, “I'm glad to hear that. I'm sure that bit of 'intelligence'