Free Desperate Situations by Abby Holden Page A

pockets.
    A white Toyota pulled up down the street that caught his attention. He nonchalantly watched it. Two men stepped out. One was dressed in traditional pants with a long vest garment. His hat was the round, flat type worn by most Afghans in Kabul. The other was dressed in a more traditional Muslim way. He had a full beard and turban.
    Jake was puzzled. Something isn't right. The fully dressed man was very short and his walk familiar. Both men looked to be nervous and entered a jeweler's shop.
    Jake turned to see Gunner walking out with a medium sized, rolled up rug draped over his shoulder. He smiled at the Chilean. "Haggled him down, huh?"
    Gunner smiled. "I learn from bestest in Iraq."
    "The Iraqis are shrewd negotiators."
    Gunner nodded then hefted the rug to a more comfortable position. "However, I miscounted."
    "Miscounted?" Jake asked.
    "Very heavy. Cannot walk all day with rug. Must take back to base."
    Jake did a silent 'Ah hah .' "You meant miscalculated."
    "That too." Gunner smiled thanks to the American. He told Jake to correct his English. He wanted to be able to speak flawless English by the time his contract was up. "We go?" He thumbed back toward the White Pine compound. "We come back then."
    Jake stopped Gunner with his hand. "Let's check out one more shop, then we'll head back. Okay?"
    "Yes. That is okay."
    Jake led the way down the street toward the jeweler's shop. After crossing the street and dodging bicycles, they came to the run down shop. Grimy, dust covered windows obscured some of the merchandise, but several beautiful pieces of jewelry could be seen. Jake was amazed at the artistry. He pointed at one and looked at Gunner.
    "Most beautifly."
    "Beautiful," Jake corrected. "Yes, it is. I think my oldest sister would love this piece or something like it."
    "How many sisters do you have?" Gunner asked leaning closer to the glass.
    "Five."
    Gunner chuckled. "And other, uh, brothers?"
    "None. I was the only boy. Four older sisters, one younger sister."
    "I am sorry."
    Jake laughed. "Yeah. Tell me about it. You? Siblings?"
    "Two brothers survived. One sister. She is married and has three children. Her husband dead and she now lives with my parents. I am baby," Gunner said. "I send her rug to put on floor of her room. I wait here. Rug big for store."
    "I'll be right back." Jake stepped into the store and waited for a few seconds letting his eyes adjust to the dimmer interior. It was empty except for the clerk.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

C HAPTER 5
     
     
    Immediately the store clerk stepped up to wait on him. He smiled broadly and waved to the display, inquiring if Jake wanted to buy something. The store was darker than Jake anticipated, and smaller, but lined with display cases overflowing with jewelry of all sorts.
    "Lovely stuff," Jake said with a smile, knowing the guy probably couldn't speak English. He pointed at the piece in the window. "Can I see it?" He pointed at his eyes then the piece again.
    The clerk nodded his head as he reached for the necklace. He handed Jake the item. The clerk's smile got even bigger with pride as he patted himself on the chest and pointed at the piece. Jake took it to mean that the guy probably made it. He went back to looking at the necklace.
    What caught his eye in the window was the incredible deep blue of the stone and the symmetrical beads cut from it. There were dozens of round, identical blue beads each separated by a small bead of silver. At the clasp was a stone about the size of a thumb with streaks of gold flecks in it. This was encased in a bed of silver. Jake studied the clasp and noticed that it looked like the necklace could be worn with the pendant on or off, as the clasp was an integral part of both sides of the pendant.
    "What is it made of?" Jake asked, holding the necklace up. "Uh…"
    The clerk seemed to understand the puzzled look on Jake's face. He rattled off something then