Red, Hot & Blue 09 - A Prince Among Men Read Online Free

economy and better wages, more business, a constitution, a free press and so on. All of this proves that Afghanistan has not been forgotten. Next question.”
    Amid the sea of waving limbs, Vicki raised her hand higher.
    “Yes, Ms. Vanover.”
    Pleased the prime minister knew her name, Vicki rose from her seat. “Thank you, Prime Minister. The tangible and measurable progress, such as advances in the transportation infrastructure, education and healthcare is commendable. But what will Britain do to further secure the rights of Afghan women who continue to be mistreated within a culture that accepts and condones such abominable treatment of its females?”
    “The advancements and continued efforts that you just commended, Ms. Vanover, are the very things which will further the rights of women, as well as of all Afghan citizens. Mr. Feld. Your question?”
    And with that, Vicki’s question was dismissed. It was exactly what she had expected—a non-answer, which was precisely why Vicki was traveling to Afghanistan herself.
    He fielded a few more questions about everything from troop levels, to NATO, to the final question about the situation of a journalist being held by the Afghan government for circulating blasphemous materials, which was when his press secretary stepped forward, poised to end the press conference. The prime minister very briefly answered that the matter of the journalist was being handled by the Afghan judicial system, which did nothing to calm Vicki’s fears, and then he was bustled out of the room.
    Journalists being held by the Afghan government. Vicki was left to wonder what the hell she had gotten herself into by pushing so hard to go there.
    Mel reappeared next to her. His familiar presence had Vicki feeling a little better. “I forgot to give you my satellite cellie number,” he said, smiling.
    She glanced down at the business card Mel had dug out of his cargo vest pocket and handed to her. She sighed. “Am I doing the right thing, Mel? Going there, I mean.”
    He squatted down, bringing him eye-level with her as she sat. His head wobbled back and forth in a maybe-yes, maybe-no kind of motion which made Vicki even more nervous.
    “You having doubts, love?”
    “It’s just that journalist who’s being held on bogus charges…”
    Vicki didn’t need to finish the thought for Mel to understand. He asked, “You said you’d be at Kandahar Air Field?”
    ”Yes.” She nodded.
    “That region is still heavy in landmines and warlords, but if you stay within the fences of KAF, you should be safe enough, love.”
    Landmines and warlords.
    The fear must have shown on her face, because Mel covered her hand with his. “Like I said, stay safely within the fences at KAF, listen to what the Army tells you to do, and you’ll be fine.”
    Vicki sighed. It was good advice. The problem was, she had a feeling the real story, the one she wanted to tell, could not be found within the fences. Vicki wanted that story, no matter what.

Chapter Three
    There had been one constant in Ryan’s life while growing up. Even if as an Army brat he’d had more first days in a new school than any of his non-military cousins. Even though he had so many new bedrooms his posters had no corners from being repeatedly hung up and taken down again. Through it all there had always been the “Field of Poppies”.
    Of course, it hadn’t been the real painting. The original one was by Claude Monet and hung in some museum somewhere, but the framed print was his mother’s favorite possession. Even when some pieces of furniture had to be sold because the new base housing they were moving into was smaller than the old, the colorful print still came with them, carefully wrapped in plastic bubbles so the frame wouldn’t get nicked during the move. Whether they had been living in the States or outside the continental US, it had always hung in a place of honor where his mother would often gaze at it. Her personal piece of home no