Excerpt

Ian had no idea that his death would create such a stir. After all, this is the first time he had ever died. He had been through a few close scrapes before, but this was a new experience for him.

Leonard asked: Ian what is it like, when you get in touch with the spirit realm? They were always relating on a deeper level than anyone else around them, either that, or they were being totally foolish, like a couple of over-grown kids.

Ian had so much practice, that he could just about will himself into a spiritual state.

Well, Leonard, its kind of like self hypnoses. Hypnoses takes you right out to the edge of consciousness, to the place where you loose inhibitions and open yourself to suggestion. Ian continued, To take it one step further, is what some people call Out of the body experience. You see, you have to leave your body behind because you have to be in a place where gravity is not going to hold you down and time is of no importance.

Leonard stood behind the podium and said, Ian was a dreamer, but Bishop liked to live his dreams. Some people dont dare to dream, and some only dream. Ian lived his life to dream and then pursued his dreams.

This philosophy took Ian Bishop down a lot of roads, across oceans, through the friendly blue skies, and some not quite so friendly.

His dreams took him through many adventures and even to a few dead ends. But, what a journey it was!

That evening Jean and Ian walked the deck of their grand ship, toward the outdoor theater under the stars. There was a balmy breeze blowing through Jeans hair and the full moon added a golden glow to her face. She turned to Ian, and said, You were wonderful tonight. I adored the way you performed your song. I really believed that you were looking to fall in love.

Ive been looking for love in all the wrong places. But, I have discovered that love does not come unless you stop looking for it. You can not make it happen. It just happens! Ian exclaimed.

Two ladies passed Ian and Jean as they were leaning against the rail, over looking the sea. They said, Not to interrupt you, but I just wanted you to know that I loved your show tonight.

The other lady added, Ian, your song has been playing in my head all evening and I cant get it out of my mind.

And the moment that I feel that, you feel that way too, is when I fall in love with you. The song continued to rattle around in his head also.

Ians mind was always over-active, but tonight, Jean had sent his world spinning with thoughts of love. Is it really possible to experience love at first sight, at my age? Bishop didnt trust his own feelings. Maybe, I am just in love with love. He had a tendency to do that too.

Then again, it could be this place, this time, this ship and a beautiful lady so close to him, he could feel her warmth.

It must have just been the fairy tale atmosphere weaving its magic on both Jean and Ian. They both felt it, It was as though love was in the air.

They almost stumbled through the opening door, and into her beautiful stateroom with a balcony over looking the ocean. As the ocean slowly passed by, Ian realized that his heart was racing as fast as their time together was fleeting.

They walked over to the balcony as if in a trance, holding hands, opened the sliding glass doors without even speaking. They stood there for a moment, over looking a full moon reflecting in the waves of the Gulf of Mexico. Their minds were rushing, no words would come, but they were communicating at a much deeper level. There was the sound of the ship cutting through the waves and the scent of the sea foam laying heavily on the air, and a faint smell of the fresh cut flowers in her state room. Or, maybe that flowery scent was emanating from Jean.

Once more they were caught up in each others gaze. It seemed like forever, but it was only a moment before they found each other in an embrace.

A kiss filled with passion and need, passed between them.

John recalled; The last time I was this angry, a deal had gone wrong and it was up to me to make the problem disappear. That man was just like Ian Bishop! He just would not follow proper protocol! I sent you guys after him. I told you that he had ten thousand dollars in cash, but you killed him before you got your hands on the money. You made me look bad in front of the organization. THAT WAS REAL SMART! John Tegi yelled at them sarcastically.

But, Mr. Tegi, It wasnt our fault. That man was going to go to Scotland Yard. We had to stop him. said the larger thug that looked like he could have been a pro wrestler.

There were other ways to stop him. Dont you ever do that again, unless I tell you. If he didnt have the money on him, we could have at least held him for ransom! Now, about Bishop. He slipped right past you at Gatwick Airport this week and has ended up in Germany. He probably had the $10,000.00 on him and you let him get away. What Ian Bishop is doing in Germany, I dont know, but he will be coming back for the twenty five million dollars this next week. We have a sweet deal here, John said. Lets not ruin it.

But Mr. Tegi we had all the departing flights covered at Gatwick! repeated the other man.

Tegi said, I dont want to hear any excuses. So far we have managed to stay under everyones radar.

The Diplomatic Courier Service out of Africa gets a cut of our take. We get paid our administrative charges, and the man that Bane Maleke sent to us will get everything that he has coming to him. chuckled Tegi with no mirth.