Istanbul Express by T. Davis Bunn

fast,” Pierre said grimly.
    â€œWhat we need,” Jake agreed, “is something that points to genuine wrongdoing. I sense in my gut that corruption is rife. We’ve got to locate a lever that will pull the lid off this mess and expose the need for something other than political shenanigans to be in control here.”
    Pierre’s face folded into deep furrows. “I did not know you spoke Turkish.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œThese shenanigans, they are the party in power, yes?”
    Jake had to smile. “It’s good to have you on my side in this.”
    â€œYes, you do indeed need me,” Pierre agreed.
    â€œI better get back to digging,” Jake said. Three days.
    â€œOn that, my hands are tied,” Pierre said. “But find something, my friend, anything that needs tracking down, and then together we shall spring into action.”
    Jake nodded, distracted by a tiny thread of thought that came and went so fast he almost lost it. Then it returned, gathering strands.
    Pierre saw it happen and declared, “You have a plan.”
    â€œSort of.”
    â€œI know that look,” Pierre insisted, and clapped his friend on the back. “Suddenly I am eager for the days to come.”

Chapter Seven
    Jake bounded down the stairs from the consul general’s meeting, and he entered Mrs. Ecevit’s office with such force that he almost startled her from her seat.
    â€œSorry,” he said, breathless from the chance that there might truly be something to do. “Can you arrange a meeting with the opposition party?”
    She settled back, but the startled expression did not leave her face. Instead, it deepened to outright consternation. “What?”
    â€œThe opposition party,” Jake said, unable to contain his impatience. Three days. “And fast. I need to talk with them immediately.”
    â€œBut,” she glanced at her watch, “it is after four o’clock.”
    â€œTomorrow morning, then. Early as possible.”
    Her impeccable English slipped a notch. “This meeting, it is most important?”
    Jake let his desperation show through. “If anything has ever been urgent, it is this.”
    â€œVery well,” she said carefully. As though in his demand he had uncovered something. “I can do this.”
    â€œOutstanding.” He felt the tension ease a fraction. “And could you come with me as translator? I’d be happy to clear it with your boss.”
    â€œThe man I have in mind speaks excellent English,” she said, finally gathering herself. “But yes, I would like to come.”
    ----
    â€œI do not like this,” Jasmyn declared.
    â€œIt’s too late in the afternoon to start playing tourist,” Sally agreed. “But Phyllis said this tour guide might have something important.”
    â€œ Could have information that might be important,”Jasmyn repeated. “And we have a thousand things waiting for us to do at our new home.”
    Sally stopped to smile at her friend, amused but pleased at her transformation from freedom fighter and desert princess to doting bride. “You are happy being married.”
    Jasmyn nodded shyly. “And Pierre has been so worried. I do not like him coming back to the hotel and finding our room empty.”
    â€œHe is a very lucky man,” Sally said quietly.
    â€œHe has made me very happy,” Jasmyn replied simply. “I want to do the same for him.”
    â€œIf there is something truly important here,” Sally said, “we should find it out.”
    Jasmyn hesitated, then decided, “Not a moment longer than necessary.”
    Beyond the square and the mosques stood the Topkapi Palace. From a distance, the buildings were lost within the surrounding park. Only the corner peaks rose higher than the trees, shadows of the past looming above the leafy green. Jasmyn and Sally followed the throng down the broad passage, slowed with