’ To Arram’s surprise, the merchant removed his eye patch and threw it away, revealing a perfectly healthy eye underneath. His beard, too, was fal...e, and he disposed of it in some rubbish. ‘What do you mean?’ said Arram. ‘Who are you?’ ‘Haven’t you guessed?’ said the merchant, standing tall and winking. ‘I am Haroun al-Rashid.’ Arram’s jaw dropped. ‘You’re Haroun al-Rashid? Ruler of the city of Baghdad?’ ‘Is there any other Haroun al-Rashid?’ the man said, and laughed. ‘But that’s impossible!’. Joe knew that after she sent money, Abbey liked to spend a few hours wandering through Malls and window shopping – only occasionally buying something for herself.Those few hours were enough for Joe to arrange the food and drink for the afternoon gathering. This was not going to be a formal party or a dinner party, but one where he demonstrated to Abbey and the world that he was her Master.Abbey was not aware that of Joe’s plans, but he had told her as she left the apartment in the morning that. His wife Miko had objected to the expense of the secondary implant,calling it an "extravagance," but Darren had bluntly reminded her of herown expensive tastes, which shut her up. Besides, he'd told her, heneeded it for his work.In truth, his need for the additional wetware wasn't because of workingfor her father at the Saito-Maddox Conglomerate, but rather hisunderground moonlighting in cyberlarceny. His offenses, which had startedas simple embezzlement--unnecessary if they had simply paid him. And that was the best kind of lawman, in my opinion. On the other hand, anyone who carries a weapon would want to know the best way, the most efficient way, to protect himself.I said, “With my scattergun, it was just the opposite. The first time I fired it backwards, resting on my shoulder, it flew up and I missed a man-sized target high and wide.”Autry nodded, “Recoil. That 8-gauge must have one hell of a kick.”“Fortunately, I’m blessed with some considerable hand-strength. And the key next.