Page 75 of Tom Clancy Line of Sight

“Thank you, sir. It’s a pleasure for me as well.”

“An American accent. Is it East Coast? Washington, D.C., perhaps?”

“Close.” Too close, Jack thought. “I live and work in Alexandria, Virginia.”

“Just across the Potomac.” Topal smiled. “I apologize for sounding like the class know-it-all. I was stationed at the Turkish embassy in Washington many years ago. It is a great and historic city. It was a good posting, despite the summer heat. Tell me, Mr. Ryan, what kind of work do you do?”

“I’m a financial analyst for the firm Hendley Associates.”

“Hendley? I once knew a senator by the name of Gerry Hendley.”

“One and the same. He retired from public life and started the firm.” Technically, Gerry lost his bid for reelection after his emotional collapse following the death of his wife and three children in a car wreck, but Jack didn’t feel the need to fill in that tragic detail.

“Senator Hendley is a fine man. If you work for him, you must be one as well. Please tell him I said hello.”

“I certainly will, sir. May I ask how you and Ms. Curic know each other?”

“Ambassador Topal arranged for the funding of the Peace and Friendship refugee center. Without him, my work there wouldn’t be possible.”

“Nonsense, Aida. You were already doing the work. We were proud to partner with you.”

“Thanks to the ambassador and people like him, Bosnia will have a great future.”

Topal turned to Jack. “Aida is a fine administrator, but an even greater soul.” He paused. “So, tell me, Jack, what brought you to Sarajevo?”

He stole a glance at Aida before answering. “Sort of whatyou said about D.C. Sarajevo is a great and historic city, and I always wanted to visit it.”

“And I see you found the perfect tour guide.”

“She has great reviews on TripAdvisor, for sure.”

“I use her company for all of my new staff, to orient them to the city, the history, and the culture. There is simply no one better.”

“You are too kind, Your Excellency,” Aida said.

One of Topal’s aides signaled for his attention. Topal turned to Jack and Aida.

“I’m sure you two have better things to do. I just wanted to say hello.”

They shook hands again, but before leaving, Topal said to Jack, “You must stop by my office before you leave.”

“Thank you. I will.”

“Please be sure to greet Senator Hendley for me. And let him know about all of the good things you’re discovering in this wonderful country.”

“Yes, sir.”

Jack and Aida headed back out onto the street, each even more impressed with the other than they were before.

“Hungry?” Aida asked.

“Sure.”

“Have you ever hadcevapi?”

“No, but I’m dying to try some.”

“I know the best place in the city. Let’s go. My treat.”