Chapter Fifty-One Early December

“Is everything all set for us to start degreasing the reducers and placing the lead containers inside?” asks Hussein.

“Yes – and no.” Dimitri says, his face a mask.

“What do you mean ‘yes and no’?” Hussein asks, shocked.

“So far we have removed nine of the material portions you are purchasing. I will need another week to remove the other two.”

“Why do you need another week, if you have already removed nine in two weeks?”

“Our regular man who does this became ill. We are looking for a substitute for him to finish the job. That person will arrive in three days.”

Just as he finishes his explanation, the wine steward returns to the table and all conversation ceases. “Would you like me to pour a sample for you to try, Dimitri?” he asks.

“Yes, I would.”

The steward pours a small portion in Dimitri’s wine glass, then stands back waiting for him to check its flavor. Dimitri knows how to sample wine. He goes through the whole process of holding it in various spots in his mouth and then swallows what he sipped, which Dakham finds amusing. He dares not make eye contact with Hussein or he knows he will laugh out loud.

The hovering wine steward seems to be taking all this using-wine-for-mouthwash business seriously, however, Dakham observes. When Dimitri finally swallows, the steward asks anxiously, “Is it satisfactory, sir?”

“Yes, my friend,” Dimitri responds warmly. “You can fill the glass and leave the bottle.” He does as asked, then withdraws. Dimitri picks up the conversation where it had been dropped.

“So, as I was saying, our man got ill. Sometimes such things happen in life. Another week is the latest we expect.”