Wynn nodded slowly, glad she could put words to concepts that remained for him only half formed. Jackie seemed pleased with his silent assent, for she wrapped one arm around him and used the other to finger-trace the hair off his forehead. “Do you know a place that rents sailboats?”
“Down on the coast, sure.”
She kissed him then. Just a brushing of lips, the moment too full for anything more. But she must have felt the current too, for she shivered slightly in his arms. “I think it’s time you had your first lesson in how to ride the wind.”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
As anyone familiar with the Forex trading world will appreciate, the majority of my contacts spoke with me on the condition of strict anonymity. But I must thank them nonetheless. It was both heartening and frightening to discover quite a number of traders and investment banking executives who not only shared my concerns, but could clothe them in the reality of today’s international derivatives market. I must thank the executives of Bank of America’s investment banking division who helped by teaching, by making connections, and by shepherding me through their trading floors. Also I am most grateful to the traders on the newly computerized LIFFE exchange in London, who took time from incredibly hectic trading days to help a novice learn which questions needed asking.
Robin and Darryll Bolduc are both former Forex traders with major banks. Robin now operates a Forex fund of her own, and Darryll has recently begun law studies. They spent three days walking me through the murky labyrinth of Forex trading, helping to name the specters. In researching every book, one source always proves particularly invaluable. Robin and Darryll patiently supplied the answers I was desperate to find.
Timothy Canova, Assistant Professor of Law at the University of New Mexico, was my first source on linking the new banking situation to the arena of legislation and law. Conducting good interviews requires knowing what questions to ask. His expertise prepared me to approach time-starved officials on Capitol Hill and sufficiently impress them with my background knowledge for them to walk me through the halls of power.
Congressman Joseph Pitts and Congressman Dave Weldon were most kind to aid me in my work. Heartfelt thanks must also go out to their incredibly capable staff, most especially Stuart Burns, Stephen Piepgrass, Bill Wichterman, Brian Chase, Jimmy Broughton, and J. B. Kump.
Not surprisingly, all but one of the K Street lobbyists with whom I spoke did not want to be identified. Nonetheless, I was amazed at how open and aboveboard they were about their tactics. Tim Powers, principal at Podesta, is a most erudite political strategist, and the time I spent with him was a fascinating tutelage in Machiavellian tactics. I must also offer heartfelt thanks to Douglas Domenech, Director of Government Affairs at NCHE, and Mike Ferris, Director of HSLDA. Retired Justice Daniel J. Monaco also took patient care to walk me through the process of dismantling existing laws through amendments to priority legislation.
Some people are much harder to thank than others, usually because they have affected me so deeply. Ziki Zaki is one such individual. A lady of many accomplishments, Mrs. Zaki has done everything from running the Egyptian operations of an American mainframe computer company to operating one of Cairo’s leading art galleries. Nonetheless she took the time to open her home and her life to me, shepherding me about Cairo and unlocking a thousand doors. All the while I was taught from her store of wisdom, as she tried to show me the city through an Egyptian’s eyes. Many of the recollections found within these pages are in fact her own. To her, her husband, Hussein, and her daughter, Magda, I offer my humble thanks.
Sameh Mina has been a friend for more than twenty years. He is one of those most subtle of men, who teaches most clearly through example. His friendship remains a godsend.
In the very early days of my business career, while working in Africa more than twenty years ago, I was fortunate enough to be befriended by the Middle East director of a major British bank. Cyril Price took a naive young American under his wing, and in so doing saved my professional hide a dozen times and more. Since then, he and his wife, Nancy, have become two of my very closest friends. I remain indebted to them both, as ever.
Two other people whose memories of Cairo provided a background to scenes are Dr. Mohammed A. Allam, the American University vice president, and Dr. Tim Sullivan, university provost. Their frank discussions and very deep insights proved both beneficial to my work and personally very enriching. It was an honor to meet both these fine gentlemen.
Dalia Mabrouk is Public Relations Specialist at the American University of Cairo. She managed to share a remarkable enthusiasm for the region and its heritage. Professor Nazli Shabik is an Egyptian born in America, who returned to Egypt at the tender age of fourteen. She now teaches English and composition at the American University, and was most kind in sharing her early experiences of Egypt; it was these valuable lessons which helped to shape the world Sybel knew.
David Ballard is Press Attaché at the United States Embassy in Cairo and kindly took time the day before his U.S. departure to walk me through the compound’s structure and explain how a visiting freshman congressman might expect to be treated.
To my newfound friends with Saint Egidio, I can only hope that you find this book to be a worthy effort.
The more I work with Doubleday and Waterbrook, the longer grows the list of those to whom I am truly indebted. Profound thanks must first go to my editor and friend, Eric Major. I also wish to thank Steve Rubin, Michael Palgon, Elizabeth Walter, Harold Grabau, and Dan Rich. I stop here only because to continue would lessen the importance that must be given to the above names, and the innumerable ways they have helped and taught and directed. Thanks also to the outside editor who is becoming a fast friend as well as valuable teacher, Judy Kern.
Finally, my lasting gratitude goes to my wife, Isabella. Her wisdom and influence can be found on every page, both of this book and of my life. She is a true partner.
PUBLISHED BY DOUBLEDAY
a division of Random House, Inc.
1540 Broadway, New York, New York 10036
DOUBLEDAY and the portrayal of an anchor with a dolphin are trademarks of Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc.
WATERBROOK and its deer design logo are registered trademarks of WaterBrook Press, a division of Random House, Inc.
This book is copublished with WaterBrook Press, 2375 Telstar Drive, Suite 160,Colorado Springs, CO 80920, a division of Random House, Inc.
This novel is a work of fiction. Any references to real events, businesses, organizations, and locales are intended only to give the fiction a sense of reality and authenticity. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Bunn, T. Davis, 1952–
Drummer in the dark / T. Davis Bunn.—1st ed.
p. cm.
1. Debts, External—Developing countries—Fiction.
2. Debt relief—Developing countries—Fiction.
3. Developing countries—Fiction. I. Title.
PS3552.U4718 D78 2001
813'.54—dc21 2001028363
Copyright © 2001 by T. Davis Bunn
All Rights Reserved
September 2001
eISBN: 978-0-385-50479-9
v3.0
Drummer In the Dark Page 45
