The Watchman of Ephraim (Book Club Edition) by Gerard de Marigny Page A

I’ve been acting in the capacity of president since my brother-in-law left!”
    “ In fact … I’m calling my brother-in-law now and I’m going to get this straightened out.”
    Ricci stepped close to the desk and put his index finger on the button to disconnect the call then took the phone out of the shaking man’s hand and hung it up.
    “ Les, I want to point out the errors in judgment you just made. First, your brother-in-law no longer owns this firm. MY brother-in-law Cris De Niro does. Second, I think you were trying to intimidate me by picking up the phone, my phone, by the way …and as long as I’m pointing errors out, moving yourself into this office ... my office … without authorization from me … BIG error in judgment!”
    Pastak’s face turned white as snow as he looked around at both Lynch and Santappia. Both stood behind Ricci staring at him with blank expressions.
    “ I …I want to speak to De Niro. I want—“
    “ MISTER De Niro, Les!” Ricci cut him off. “From now on, you refer to him as MISTER De Niro and you refer to me as Captain Ricci. Are we clear?!”
    There was silence until it occurred to Pastak that Ricci was expecting him to answer.
    “ Yes … sir, Captain Ricci, but I still want—“
    “ You can speak to Mr. De Niro tomorrow, when he arrives here,” Ricci cut him off again. “For now, I want you out of my office.”
    A look of abject fear appeared on Pastak’s face.
    “… Out … out of your office, yes sir. You mean, just leave your office now? … Where should I go?”
    “ Les, for now, just leave the room. After I speak to Major Santappia and Ms. Lynch, you can come back, retrieve your things and move them back into your office while Major Santappia and Ms. Lynch join me for a late lunch. I would invite you, but I want my office ready for me to move into when I return.”
    Pastak’s relief when he realized he wasn’t being fired covered up some of his embarrassment.
    “ Yes sir, Captain.”
    Just as he was about to walk out the door, Debbie Lynch called out to him.
    “ Mr. Pastak, you forgot your latte!”
     

 
     
     
    Chapter 6
    In a limo parked in front of the proposed site of the “Ground Zero” mosque
    45-51 Park Place, New York, New York
    2:30p.m., Monday, May 16, 2011
     
    “ It’s not exactly being built on top of ground zero, is it,” De Niro remarked. Sitting in a limo with him was Keith Tompkins and Joe Carbone, a former advisor to Mayor Giuliani.
    “ That’s not the point or the perception it will make Cris and you know it!” exclaimed Tompkins.
    “ What do you think, Joe?” asked De Niro.
    “ Your friend is correct, Cris. Two blocks is just too close to build a mosque. That is, if your intent was to create peace and harmony between Muslims and non-Muslims.”
    “ I see,” replied De Niro, “so, playing devil’s advocate, just how far away would be acceptable to most people, for them to build their mosque?”
    “ Most people I know say that if the street had debris blown onto it from the collapse of the towers, no mosque should be built on it!” replied Tompkins.
    De Niro nodded then exited the limo with Tompkins. He told the driver to take the former mayor’s advisor wherever he wanted to go then to meet the two men down by Ground Zero. Before pulling away, Carbone lowered the window in the back of the limo.
    “ Cris, I didn’t have to tell you that they have the legal right to build here. As far as this Mayor is concerned, he supports their right. I can also tell you that I’ve heard from reliable sources inside the White House that the President still supports their right to build here.”
    “ This isn’t a question of legal rights though, Joe. It’s a question of wisdom, is it wise to build here …and motives …what are they trying to accomplish by building here?”
    “ Well, I told you Rudi’s feelings on the matter. He believes it’s insensitive to build it here. Do you want me to set up a meeting between you and