Free The Kazak Guardians by C. R. Daems Page B

the president is that his plane waits for him." She snickered. At Concourse A, I found the gate where my plane was parked, gave Clare a last-minute hug, and boarded. After a few minutes waiting in the takeoff queue, the plane lifted for Richmond.
    Clare was right. It was a strange life. I was pampered between assignments, had my own condo, free medical, more money than I needed, and a private plane to pick me up when I was on vacation. Of course, nothing was free. I risked my life for these benefits, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

CHAPTER NINE
    A limousine picked me up at the terminal and an hour later I sat in one of Witton's comfortable leather chairs with a hot cup of coffee. Although it was late, it seemed there were always people working on this floor. I think they worked shifts, just in case Witton wanted something or someone like me.
    "A top Iranian security official is coming to the U.S. for talks with several senators and State Department officials. You'll be his Kazak. Like Raifah, he'll not only have Iranian security guards but also State Department security while he's here. His presence in this country is being kept on a need to know basis. Of course, visits like these are hard to keep secret. We have to assume that people who want tension between Iran and us have contacts here and in Iran. This visit is a golden opportunity for them. Killing or even wounding him would certainly increase the tension between our two countries."
    "Sounds like fun; however, I thought Iranian women were required in most communities and encouraged in others to wear a hijab . What will our guest think of a woman who doesn't?"
    "No problem. You're going to wear a hijab . It'll make you appear less of a threat and pass you off as a traveling companion."
    "Unless he has a death wish, he better keep his hands in his pockets." Ironically, I didn't mind wearing the hijab . Unlike many Muslim women, I wasn't required to wear one. It was just a convenient disguise.
    "We've warned him that we're providing him with a woman Kazak, who will wear a hijab to appear as his companion. He wasn't trilled, but it won't be a surprise.
    By the way, the 'Lynn Board' where I've posted your new rules, complaints, and letters of commendation is getting quite a lot of attention and laughs. So far, you have seven complaints and two commendations. Governor Masson made two complaints, one for insolence and one for nearly killing one of his aides. Senator Gregor made one before you saved his ass, and Capitol Security made one for roughing up their men. Raifah didn't file any; however, the State Department issued a total of three: one for getting in the way of their diplomats, one for being in rooms you had no business in, and one even implied that you got in their way of protecting Raifah. I also posted the letters of commendation. You had one each from Senator Gregor and Raifah al-Ayyubi. The way you're going, I'll soon need a bigger board. The consensus among the Kazaks is mixed. About twenty-five percent don't like your rules, another twenty-five are adapting some of them, and the rest remain undecided."
    ***

    A horde of security men and I were there to meet Minister Yazid al-Rashid as he stepped off the plane. He was a small man with a tightly trimmed mustache and beard, and a little overweight. His two guards towered over him. They were solid looking and clearly alert. I didn't know how they expected to keep a high-level official like the minister a secret when he had as much security assigned as the vice president.
    I stood close but off to the side as the diplomats shook hands and made nice. The minister gave me a disapproving look as I fell in behind him. When we reached the limousine, his two security men blocked the door. One stood in front of me with his hand out and the other behind me, attempting to stop me from entering the vehicle. The one behind me put his hand on my shoulder. Big mistake. I stepped back and rammed my elbow into his solar