Next Day

The seven suspects are sitting around the living room in almost the same seats they did two weeks ago.  Mehrak smiles knowing how it seems to be human nature to keep picking what is familiar to you instead of trying new things.

When the men are settled and the chit-chat is over with about the trip to Houston Mehark begins the meeting.  “What did each team learn?”

Alborz spoke for himself and for Feroze.  “We found that there are enough overpasses the procession will travel under where we could use some RPGs. We know the car will be armored but roofs of armored cars are their weakest portions.”

“Sounds interesting,” replies Mehrak.

Gabr spoke for himself and for Babak.  “We felt we could arrange an accident on the highway to block the procession and attack the third vehicle from both sides with fifty caliber weapons.  We don’t feel bullet proof glass will hold up very long under fifty caliber bursts.  Then we take him out when the glass is down.”

Javid speaks for himself and for Ebrahim.  “We like the idea of blocking the procession but not on the highway.  We feel that is too vulnerable for us and leaves too much to chance.  We want to block the procession along Main Street in Houston.”

Mehrak looks around the room and pauses a moment before continuing, “I like the idea of using the RPGs if we can get two of them.  Causing the whole procession to be stuck

Houston

The three FBI agents following the three Iranian drivers didn’t need to be directly behind their cars because of the tracking technology.  It is close to one hundred fifty miles to Houston.  Knowing they wouldn’t lose the vehicles made their surveillance a little easier.  

Arriving in Houston, the agents learn the suspects checked into a Holiday Inn.  Because of the different departure times from the suspects neither of the other two agents arriving in Houston knew there were others doing the same thing. 

Each agent called Tom Johnston to inform him of where he was.  Tom has the address of the Holiday Inn Mehrak is located in.  It is the same location.  He advises his agents to give him some time to think this out and will call them back.  Tom directs the six agents traveling to Houston for backup to where the Holiday Inn is located.

Finding Three More

Three days later the agent tailing Mehrak calls Tom Johnston.  “Mehrak pulled into long term parking at the Austin airport.  Do you want me to follow him inside?”

“Yes, see what he does and if he purchases a ticket I want you to go to that airlines office and identify yourself to management.  We need to know where he is headed.”

Dave Harrigan quickly makes a second swing around the parking area so he can park in short term parking.  He gets out of his vehicle and he spots Mehrak heading into the terminal.  It will not be difficult to tail him.

Mehrak walks up to the Southwest terminal holding his carry-on bag in his left hand.  He purchases a one-way ticket to Houston. 

After he leaves, Dave follows Tom’s instructions and makes his way to the office of Southwest Airlines.

Course Decision

Last Friday Anoush checked on classes with the art institute in the city.  Watercolor painting classes were booked.   The decision he needs to make is should he wait until the next round of classes begin or should he try acrylic painting.  He debates the issue in his head. 

Before making his decision, he stops by the school at the end of Monday and hopes to see his art instructor who taught him to do watercolor painting.  At the front office they tell him, the professor has not left the building and he could find him up in his room.

Anoush walks up the stairs to the second floor.  The office told him which room the professor would be in.  He walks down to the door and knocks on the door molding to make his presence known.

“Anoush how are you?  I remember you saying you would be away.  When did you return?”

The art professor is a short fellow with bifocals to aid with his vision. His hair is balding and he could use some exercise looking at his stature.

“I returned last week.  I contacted the school last Friday and found your next series of classes is booked.  I’m glad for you.  I need to make a decision which I am uncomfortable with.”

“What decision do you need to make, are you going away again?”

“No professor, I learned while I was away how much I missed painting and don’t want to wait until the next set of classes to begin painting.”

“Then what do you want help with, what kind of decision needs to be made?”

“You made me feel comfortable with painting with watercolors.  I am tempted to try an acrylic painting class.”

The professor looks into the serious set of eyes Anoush is broadcasting.  “You are a talented artist, you don’t realize it yet.  You have a gift, not everyone has.  My first suggestion is if you are not comfortable taking a different art medium, you should continue to paint on your own with watercolors.   My second suggestion is you should take an acrylic class.  You may find that you like it.  That doesn’t mean you have to give up something you like such as watercolors.  It means you have two mediums to paint with.”

Hiking

As they walk along on their hike Anoush says, “I have a question for you?”

“What is your question?”

“Since I’ve come into a great deal of money I would like to do something for Kamil’s parents and also for my own parents.  I have been thinking of sending them a sum of money but I don’t want to place either of them in any jeopardy.  Nor do I want anything to come back to me.”

“How much money do you want to send them?”

“I am thinking of a large sum equal to one hundred thousand dollars each.”

“Most countries are tied into systems to monitor large cash transactions.  That amount would be a red flag.  How old are your parents and Kamil’s?”

“Mine are close to sixty and his are likely to be around the same age.”

“Do you know what trusts are?”

“Yes, and there are different kinds.”

“Let me suggest you set up a non-reconcilable trust and have the money transferred into a separate bank account in Switzerland.  You can even use a different bank.  Let the trust send them small amounts of money anonymously every year for twenty years.  By using a different bank there is no ties to your account.  The bank will disburse the money according to the instructions of the trust.  At the end of twenty years they can divide any amounts left in the account.”

“That is an excellent idea.”

Planning

Inside the white cottage, seven men are seated around the living room.  Each of the men gives his opinion on how the plot should be handled.  After two hours of emotional discussion Mehrak holds up his arms and says, “Right now we have four different approaches to the task.  This is what I want to do.  We are going to send three teams of two into Houston after I go there myself and find what route the prince’s procession will take.  Alborz and Javid will be one team.  Babak and Feroze will be the second.  Ebrahim and Gabar will be the third.  I want each of the teams to meet me at the hotel I will be staying at.  When I give you the route of the procession I want each team to ride the route up and back three or four times.  Then we can meet back here afterwards and make definite plans on what the teams have concluded.  Do you have any questions?”

The Weekend

Anoush is clearing some small branches that fell while he was away.  He hears a vehicle approaching the house and looks up to see Edina coming up the driveway.

When her car is parked she reaches into the back seat and carries a large grocery bag in her hands.

“What is all this?  Are you moving in?”

Smiling she says, “I would if you owned the place but I have my own home.”

“I’m saved by a lease.”  She pokes him in the arm.

“Do you want some help with the branches?’

“I’ve got most of them the rest can wait for another time.  Did you show everyone in the office your pictures yet?”

“Yesterday, they loved them.  As a matter of fact the other two agents were drooling over them.”

Anoush laughs at her comment.”

“So tell me what’s in the bag?”

“Come inside while I unpack and you will see what I am cooking for dinner.”

They head inside into the kitchen.