The Watchman of Ephraim (Book Club Edition) by Gerard de Marigny Read Free Book Online

tried not to show his emotions, only blinking gave away his anger.
    “ I read about it online.”
    Tompkins put his beer down on an end table.
    “ What’s your take on it?”
    “… My take? … In what way?”
    Tompkins leaned forward.
    “ Come on, what do you think about it?”
    De Niro took a long pull from his bottle.
    “ I think it would be a desecration … but I don’t think they’ll be able to build it there. Understand, they have the legal right to build it, but I agree with Bill O’Reilly, there won’t be a construction crew in New York that will lift a finger to build it.”
    Tompkins sat back and looked away.
    “ That’s not what I’m hearing around the city.”
    “ Really, and just what are you hearing?”
    “ I’m hearing the media start that whole thing again about how anyone against building the mosque there is a bigot, including survivors of 9/11 and families and friends of victims. I’m hearing the mayor restate that they have the right to build there and I even heard some say that the President will support their right to build it!”
    De Niro finished his beer and put the empty bottle on the end table nearest him.
    “ Keith, there’s no question they have the legal right to build a mosque there. We don’t need the President of the United States to tell us that. The question is, is it morally right, morally appropriate to build it there.”
    “ Cris, can you believe they’re saying that there are families of 9/11 victims that are for the building of the mosque? It gets me sick!”
    De Niro leaned in.
    “ Keith, they have a right to feel any way they want to feel, but that’s not the point here either. If the building of the mosque that close to Ground Zero upset even one family or friend of a victim, it shouldn’t be built. It would incite discord between Muslims and many non-Muslims and the hurtful nature of it will be seen as a profound dishonor by anyone attached to it. I thought that even the Muslim backers had backed off of the idea.”
    Keith leaned back in.
    “ Cris, they did, until someone came forward to finance it. I hear that they’re gonna use Iranian money to build it. Some are saying that it will end up being a recruiting center for terrorists … and can you imagine the parades they’re gonna have in all those Muslim countries when that mosque goes up! I mean, it’s like building a friggin’ shrine to Emperor Hirohito at Pearl Harbor!”
    De Niro’s face flushed with rage, but after a moment, he flashed his friend a small smile.
    “… and you’re telling me this, why? You want me to fly to New York and go ten rounds with the Imam?”
    Tompkins replied without breaking a smile, “Something like that.”
    De Niro’s smile disappeared for a moment then he flashed it again.
    “ Keith, I was joking. They have a legal right to build it there but there’s still a lot for them to do. Even if they did raise the money to build it, which I’m not sure they did. They only paid for the property, so far.”
    “ And what if they did raise the money?”
    “ Then they’ll still have to find construction crews to build it and permits to build it … and deal with the picketing that will inevitably surround the building.”
    “ Cris, you’re not listening, from what I hear, they’re gonna have powerful allies … the mayor of New York, for one … not to mention the President!”
    “ Keith, the President made his thoughts known about the subject, but I don’t think he’ll do more than that. If I was one of his advisors, I would be advising him not to get involved in what is really a local affair, but even if he does weigh in again, President Obama isn’t going to grab his tool belt and start pouring the foundation, you know.”
    Both men were interrupted by a knock on the door, followed by Ricci walking in the room.
    “ Sorry to bother you guys, but Cris, the boys wanted to know if they can break out the ice cream and marshmallows now.”
    De Niro looked at