Read Online The Watchman of Ephraim (Book Club Edition) by Gerard de Marigny - Free Book Online Page A

the smile fade from his face.
    “ Take the limo back to the hotel. I want to stay here awhile. I’ll catch a cab later and meet you for dinner.”
    “ You sure you’re alright?”
    De Niro shook Tompkins hand, “I’m sure. I’ll see you later.”
    De Niro turned back to look out at what was now a construction site. To me, this will always be a burial ground. It’s where the lives of my wife and unborn son ended and all those others. Part of me died with them and resides here. This is a place I never want to visit …but can never leave!
    De Niro didn’t even notice the limo with Tompkins in it drive away, nor did he notice the other limo pull up with three men stepping out of it. He paid no mind to the person who took a position next to him.
    “ It will be a remarkable complex when it is built, will it not?”
    De Niro turned to see who was talking to him. It was a man about his age, taller than him, dressed impeccably in an English-tailored suit. The man was dark-skinned, obviously Middle Eastern but with crystal blue eyes. His face was adorned with a meticulously trimmed moustache.
    “ I apologize if I’m intruding on your privacy.”
    De Niro’s squinted eyes showed a bit of annoyance but then he resumed looking back out over the site.
    “ That’s okay.”
    “ You are Mr. Cris De Niro, are you not?”
    De Niro turned back to the stranger, this time showing more than a bit of annoyance in his eyes.
    “ Mr. De Niro, I meant no offense. I attended a conference some years ago where you spoke.”
    That calmed De Niro down some but left him curious. I’d definitely remember if I met this guy, just from those eyes of his.
    “… And who might you be?”
    The man bowed his head slightly. “My name is Prince Farouk al-Hassan. I am visiting from Kuwait. As a matter of fact, I was about to fly home when I decided to see the famous Ground Zero for myself.”
    De Niro nodded.
    The two men stood silently for a few minutes; then Zamani spoke again.
    “ Mr. De Niro, would you mind if I asked you a question of a personal nature?”
    De Niro looked straight into Zamani’s eyes.
    “ Shoot.”
    Zamani hesitated for a moment.
    “ Ah, you Americans and your colloquialisms, shoot, yes, well ... I wanted to ask you what your feelings are on the … what do you Americans call it … the Ground Zero mosque? May I ask, are you for or against it being built?”
    De Niro looked at the man before him; he’s asking me questions about the Ground Zero mosque less than an hour after I was parked in front of it. This guy obviously is unaware of the innate cynicism of an Italian born in Brooklyn. I’ll play along though.
    “ Are you sure you’re not a reporter Prince Hassan?”
    “ A reporter …?”
    “ You know, a journalist looking for a quote for some article you’re writing.”
    Zamani played up his part.
    “ Mr. De Niro, I assure you, I am not a reporter. I merely thought I could get a real American’s viewpoint instead of just listening to what they tell us on Fox News. I will admit, I do not think that most Muslims really understand why there are such negative feelings to a mosque being built so far from where we are standing. If I have been indiscrete, I apologize.”
    “ No need to apologize … Your Royal Highness. If you really want to know, I think building a mosque that close to this place is indiscrete.”
    “… But you realize they have the legal right to—“
    “ Prince Hassan, the disagreement is not over the legal right to build there; it’s a question of the wisdom of building there. The United States is a country unlike any other on earth. We’re a true melting pot of nationalities, religious and ethnic backgrounds. On top of that, we have a democratic form of government that, although it is ruled by the majority of opinion, is sensitive to the rights and opinions of our various minorities. Our very nature is to be tolerant and understanding and our laws reflect that nature. That’s why the owners