The Spy with the Golden Mask

The year was 1975 , the Shah of Iran was at the height of his power and had created great wealth for the upper classes . My father's wealth alone was over fifty million U.S. Dollars .

II shall never forget that evening in November 75 when I was a guest at the Rudaki Opera house to enjoy Frank Sinatra's live concert . My mission was complete and I was flying back to London the next day.

IThe concert was very private, being performed in front of Empress Farah Pahlavi and selected guests . My father who owned the building next to the Opera house (rented by Rudaki hall for the use of the Performers) had an invitation which he passed on to me .

IThe box on the upper floor that I was sitting in was next to the Royal Gallery and watched very closely by SAVAK agents (the secret police). A gorgeous looking woman sat next to me who looked like a Persian version of Cindy Crawford . "Why are you here alone ?" She asked me with a beautiful smile . " Sinatra is my favorite singer and I would not have missed his show for all the tea in China." I answered . I knew she was a SAVAK agent. The purse that she held on her lap was not typical of a lady's evening purse in terms of size and looked like it contained something heavy . Her name was Homeira (code name : Layla), and when I told her that I was flying back to England in the morning, she asked for my U.K. telephone number which I gladly gave to her.

IThere were many faces and characters at the Grand Reception, but the most beautiful young lady who stood out from the crowd was "Shahrazad"who was married to a friend of mine by the name of Amdal .
"What are you doing here alone?," Asked Amdal.
"I'm here to see ol' blue eyes . Isn't that why you're here ?" I answered, as we walked up the grand stairs.

The Golden Mask