Free Welcome to Dubai (The Traveler) by Omar Tyree Page B

Center.
    Abdul studied the tremendously tall building and used it as an inspiration.
There is nothing in this world that man cannot do when he is Blessed with power and wisdom of Allah,
he thought. He then rubbed his eyes in exhaustion. It had been a very long day.
    He mumbled, “Merciful Allah. What have I gotten myself into again?”
    The lightning-fast development of Dubai was extremely taxing. But after Abdul had challenged himself with the question, he stood at his office window with the vigor of his youth.
    My work must continue to be done. For it is the will of Allah alone who drives me.

Chapter 9
    Gary Stevens used his bathroom at the Hilton Dubai Creek for the first time and felt squeamish about the toilet douche. He had noticed the two-foot long water pipe that was placed in a holder to the right of the toilet when he first inspected the room earlier, but to actually use the contraption was another story.
    He laughed, feeling self-conscious, as if it would be unclean
not
to use it.
I guess they’re serious about being spic-and-span here in the Middle East,
he thought, grinning.
    He had gotten in a couple of hours of sleep before feeling rejuvenated. It was nine at night in Dubai, an eight-hour time difference from his home in the Washington, DC, area.
Time to check in,
he thought.
    A worldwide access code from Jonah made it easy to connect with her at all times
    “The U.S. military has all kinds of perks if you can afford it,” he mumbled while dialing the coded number. He figured speak ing to Jonah first would be quicker and less stressful.
    “Hey, Gary, how’s Dubai? Have you checked into a hotel already?” Jonah asked.
    Gary began to smile, feeling comfortable with the familiar sound of her voice.
    “Yeah, I decided to crash at the Hilton at Dubai Creek.”
    “But you’re still in Dubai as soon as you walk out that door,” she said. “And getting a room at the Hilton was a safe decision. But have you called to check in with your lady friend yet?”
    Gary chuckled, guilty of nervousness. “Not yet. I wanted to talk to you first.”
    Jonah chuckled back. “Another good decision. You’re batting two for two. You’re getting close to home base. Get all of your words together first,” she teased him.
    “Yeah, so what exactly do I say to her? I haven’t been in this position for a while now.”
    “What did you say before you left?”
    Gary smiled even wider. “I kind of told her that I couldn’t tell her,” he commented. “You know, I made it sound like I had a secret mission or something.”
    Jonah broke out laughing and said, “Oh, my God. So you totally went James Bond and CIA on her?”
    “I didn’t know what else to say. I mean, she knows that I’ve been training with you guys out in Northern Virginia.”
    “You told her that?”
    “Not exactly. She kind of assumed it. She grew up around military men. I told you, she’s a Navy brat. Her father was a lieutenant commander. So she kind of insinuated that I was buff and fit like a military guy.”
    “Oh, my Lord,” Jonah stated. “Guys and their egos. You should have just told her that you like to work out and left it at that.”
    “What, you wanted me to
lie
to her?”
    “Well, isn’t that what you did when you flew over to Dubai? Does she know you’re over there to ah, find yourself?” Jonah hinted.
    Gary continued to laugh. He said, “I just told her I had an ah, errand to run for a couple of weeks that I couldn’t really go into too many details about.”
    “And she went for that?”
    “She said she trusts me.”
    Jonah paused, contemplating it all. “Okay, well, keep on going with what works.”
    “Yeah, but what if she asked me where I am now?”
    “Ah, that’s not my problem. You’re the one who got yourself in it, so keep playing Mr. James Bond.”
    Gary laughed, feeling totally comfortable with her. “Wait a minute, I thought you’re supposed to be my protector and mentor.”
    “And where does that say