Problem is, she has gone to the Kuwaiti front with a news crew, leaving a bewildered Rik at the mercy of the sadistic Tariq Yuhana, head of the Iraqi State Police. But in the end, he stays in Baghdad to save the woman he loves. You'll swear you are standing beside Rik through every agonizing moment of uncertainty, fear and outright intimidation by Saddam's goons as he makes plans to go to Riyadh to escape almost certain death. It is the eve of Saddam Hussein's invasion of neighboring Kuwait, and this thrilling book gives a true-to-life account of covert activity surrounding the event, weaving in some very realistic diplomatic dialog from 1989. Sensitive files are burned and hurried plans are made to leave Iraq, under threat by Saddam's secret police.īut what's the cause of all this dire activity? The remark proves to be prophetic and sets off a flurry of frantic activity at the U.S. 'The desert winds have shifted,' she says enigmatically one evening. It's a strange way to start a romance - and an even stranger way to begin a clandestine relationship, feeding each other choice bits of information from highly placed sources.

Thankfully, he steadies himself with a firm look into Ingrid's lustrous, approving, emerald eyes and the two continue getting to know one another on the outdoor restaurant patio in pre-war-torn Baghdad. The entire affair began with sheep brains and falafel - Saddam Hussein's favorite dish.ĬIA operative Rik Bogart is trying to impress famed TV correspondent Ingrid Johansson at lunch one day in downtown Baghdad when the dubious delicacy threatens to rocket right back up into Rik's bowl. Resigned to his fate, he draws on relationships and talents unused for more than a decade knowing that even if successful he must let her go. That night he finally learns what happened a decade before and why decides to undertake a dangerous mission that will not bring her back to him, and will make their reunion impossible. Rik must overcome a decade of emptiness, and feelings of betrayal to react when he realizes she is in the New York World Trade Towers on the morning of the terrorist attack. Understanding he cannot resurrect the love that has haunted him, Rik refuses, but comes face-to-face with his continuing love for her. But on a September evening a decade later, she walks into his club seeking his help.

Rik spent nineteen months in prison after going back in a failed attempt to get Ingrid out safely. Ingrid Johanssen, an international news correspondent living in Baghdad, did not show up at the airport to accompany Rik when Saddam Hussein instructed him to leave in 1991, just before Desert Storm.

Rik Bogart built the ‘In’ Club in lower Manhattan with his separation check from the CIA and the anguish of a lost true love at least it was in his mind.

Rik's by D.H. Treichler