


Skiles returns to Riley's apartment to search for clues, where he encounters Crowder.

Before releasing Skiles, Karim threatens that unless Rafid is returned later that night, he will sell Riley to Iran. Karim brings him to Riley, who covertly tells Skiles that the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) is holding Rafid and that Gaines is not to be trusted. In the ensuing chaos, Skiles is instructed to leave to meet Karim. The next day, while Skiles is conducting the lecture at the American University of Beirut (the official reason for his visit), a car bomb is set off outside the building. Alice holds Skiles responsible for Riley's abduction, believing that Riley has remained in Lebanon over the guilt he feels for Nadia's death. The Israelis reveal that they do not have Rafid, and Skiles returns to Beirut to meet with Alice, Riley's wife. Skiles suspects that Israel is holding Rafid, and travels with Ruzak to secure his release. Karim demands the release of his brother in exchange for Riley, despite the Americans' protest that they do not have Rafid in captivity. The group meets with the kidnappers and find Karim heading the organization. The kidnappers have specifically requested Skiles as the negotiator. He meets several government officials, including CIA Officer Donald Gaines, CIA Officer Sandy Crowder, Colonel Gary Ruzak of the National Security Council, and Ambassador Frank Whalen, and learns that Cal Riley was recently abducted in Lebanon.

Skiles is initially resistant but decides to travel to Beirut. Sully discloses that Skiles has been requested for an academic lecture in Lebanon, and hands him money, a plane ticket, and a passport. While arbitrating a labor issue between particularly intransigent parties and struggling to keep his small firm afloat, he is approached by Sully, an old client, on behalf of the U.S. Ten years later, Skiles has become an alcoholic and is working as a self-employed labor arbitrator in New England. The party is attacked by Karim's brother, Rafid, who abducts Karim in the ensuing gunfight, Nadia is killed. While hosting a party, Skiles is confronted by his friend, CIA Officer Cal Riley, who wishes to question Karim, whose brother Rafid Abu Rajal has been linked to the 1972 Munich massacre. They have recently begun caring for Karim, a 13-year-old Palestinian boy who claims he is without a family. diplomat in Lebanon living in Beirut with his Lebanese wife, Nadia.
