Free Istanbul Express by T. Davis Bunn Page A

well.”
    â€œWay I see it,” Barry went on, turning back to the room, “every day’s a gift. My job is to enjoy it as much as I can. I love my work, love being overseas, love serving my country. I just can’t let any of the memories or any of the current pressures get between me and appreciating the gift of life.” Another thoughtful sip. “Or between me and my God.”
    â€œFaith has helped me a lot,” Jake said carefully. “But I’ll never get to where you are. Not in a thousand years.”
    â€œYeah, I thought maybe you and your wife were believers.” He snatched up another sheet of paper, scribbled busily, then passed it over, all without shifting either shoes or cup. “Address of the church where a lot of the expatriate community worships. Good place. You’d be most welcome.”
    â€œThanks,” Jake said, and suddenly found it necessary to duck his head and hide how much the simple gesture meant to him just then.
    â€œWe’re cut from two different stalks, you and I,” Barry went on. “My way of dealing with the world suits who I am. Same with you.”
    â€œIt doesn’t mean,” Jake said, lifting his gaze, “that I couldn’t learn from you. A lot.”
    Barry eyed him thoughtfully over the rim of his mug, then said, “I hope the situation changes, Jake, and gives us the chance to become friends.”
    â€œMaybe we already are,” Jake replied.
    â€œYeah, maybe you’re right at that.” The brisk cheerfulness returned. “So what else can I do for you this morning?”
    â€œI need all the accounts and correspondence dealing with the first two outlays of funds.”
    â€œThat ought to stick a feather up old Fernwhistle’s nose.”Barry grinned as he scribbled a note. “Consider it done. Anything else?”
    â€œA car and driver. Available day and night, short notice, maybe no notice at all. Somebody competent, safe, and able to keep his trap shut.”
    â€œCompetent and safe are words that don’t exist on Turkish roads. Confidential isn’t a problem, though. These guys are so grateful for a job they wouldn’t dream of yapping.” Another scribble. “Car will be placed at your disposal day and night, driver available days only unless you give prior notice. See Sergeant Adams for how the roster works. What else?”
    â€œKeep Ahmet off my back.”
    Barry grinned. “Heard about your little escapade with the hiring process. Pretty neat the way you did the end run on him.”
    â€œWhy do you put up with him?”
    â€œI don’t, personally. As to the others,” Barry shrugged. “You got to remember, most of the Americans here have had years experience back in Washington learning how not to make waves. Most of them are so grateful for the chance to serve overseas they’d eat a yard of wet laundry to keep the job.”
    â€œThat guy is a menace.”
    â€œYeah, well, I could push my weight around, but if I do, I’d tip our hand. So I’m going to have to let you handle this one on your own.”
    â€œThanks a million.”
    â€œHey, what are pals for, right?” An easy grin across the desk, then, “Anything else?”
    â€œJust one point. I’d like to meet with your assistant.”
    â€œYou want to spend time with Mrs. Ecevit?” For once, Barry registered genuine surprise. “Why?”
    â€œYou’re not supposed to be asking me that,” Jake said. “You were the one who hired her.”
    â€œOh, don’t get me wrong. She’s fantastic. But she’s also fairly high up the hard-to-handle scale. My two staffers callher Mrs. Prickly Pear. Personally, I love her mind, but not her attitude.” He waited, granting Jake a chance to opt out. When he did not, Barry continued to press the point home. “Even I prefer to keep her at arm’s length and receive everything