Notice:  Includes adult themes and violence not suitable for young readers.

Chapter 2

April 15, 1999 – Kandahar, Afghanistan

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed entered Osama’s tent and bowed deeply.  An imposing figure at six feet, six inches, Osama stood some distance away.  Seeing Khalid, he placed his hand over his heart and quickly closed the distance between them.  He embraced him.  Khalid kissed the tips of the fingers and touched the top of his head and bowed again.  Osama turned and sat down on a Persian carpet off to his right.  After coffee and polite talk Osama met and held Khalid’s eyes.

“Khalid, I have approved your inspirational plan to hijack American planes and crash them into buildings.  However, instead of ten planes, I believe, only four would be wise -- all leaving from east coast cities with east coast targets.  I have already put into action another strategy to strike fear into the rest of the country.  Revise your operation to hit the World Trade Center twin towers, the Pentagon and the White House.”  Mustafa watched Khalid’s reaction.  He deduced that he was not upset by the order to reduce the number of planes.  “May Allah guide your way.”  Khalid was excused.

A few minutes after Khalid departed Osama summoned his “adopted” son, Mustafa.  The coffee and small talk ritual repeated, Osama once again became serious.  He stood, then addressed his lone guest who remained seated. 

“The time will soon be near to execute the plan you rehearsed in America.  Choose your men and begin training.  Instead of Mexicans we’ll have placed bereaved,” he dragged ‘bereaved’ for emphasis, “Arab women in all the targets’ homes by the time you’re ready.”  Osama reached down toward Mustafa and handed him a folded paper.  “Here, read this later, memorize, then destroy it.  Go now.  It’s almost time for prayer.” 

Mustafa rose up and walked hurriedly to his tent.  Uncustomary, he skipped evening prayers.  Alone, he anxiously opened the note and read the names:  Tom Brokaw, Peter Jennings, Dan Rather, Oprah Winfrey, Bonnie Baker, Megabucks McDonald, Senator McGuire, Steven Spielberg, Tom Clancy.   Mustafa smiled.  He realized the beauty of eliminating all three network news anchors at the same time – who would report the others assassination?  His smile grew even wider.  He’d assign the actress, Bonnie Baker, to himself -- her home’s layout still vivid in his head after twelve months – as was the picture of her lying naked on the bed.

"3 Wishes"   11" x 14" oil on canvas

Note:  All art in this website by my wife Judith Redner,
please visit www.jdiart.com for more of her work.

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Copyright ©2009 Charles J. Redner
Manuscript excerpts provided for review purposes only and may not be reproduced without  written permission from the author.