PC was the United Nations top official. I was thrilled when PC called the next day to request a meeting at his house, which was also in Greenwich, CT, to assist him with his PC. He said he cannot trust anyone with this information. During our first meeting, the subject came up that I was good at computers. I was a Mac, and he was a PC. His PC was a trusted workhorse, but it sometimes resisted his commands. I, on the other hand, thrived in the Apple ecosystem, preferring the seamless interface and creative flair of Mac.  

 

PC greeted me warmly at his elegant Greenwich home, his demeanor admirable. He led me to his study, where a large PC monitor dominated the desk. "I suppose you’re going to tell me to switch to a Mac," he joked. We both laughed, acknowledging the friendly rivalry. PC and Mac became close friends. 

 

I helped PC troubleshoot a few persistent issues, organizing his files and updating his software. Our friendship spanned decades, and throughout this time, I assisted PC with his PC happily during decades of friendship.

 

Our business discussions began with an in-depth analysis of petroleum but soon blossomed into far-reaching conversations about topics such as admiration for America and our planet, energy infrastructure, global politics, counterterrorism, anti-money laundering, commodities, art, antiques, religion, and humanitarian projects.

 

For decades, we made it a tradition to meet every Wednesday, either at our favorite Italian restaurant on Greenwich Avenue or at my house. These gatherings were filled with laughter, hard work, and a shared vision for making a positive impact on the world.

 

During a conference call assisting a group to secure buyers for crude oil, I addressed BB's interest in participating in a petroleum transaction. BB was going to travel to the Middle East to secure a ten-year crude oil sale and purchase agreement. BB was a retired United States high-level intelligence officer.

 

The petroleum deal discussed during the call was described as exceptionally lucrative, promising BB both a "royal treatment" and financial gains that appeared unusually generous. Throughout the conversations, I noted that the offer seemed "too good to be true." Multiple warning signs and red flags were identified, raising concerns about the legitimacy and safety of the proposed transaction. While BB was initially enticed by the prospect of significant rewards, the presence of numerous red flags underscored the need for caution and further due diligence before any engagement in the petroleum transaction.

 

Deep down, I could not shake the conviction that something was amiss. Either he was motivated by factors he was unwilling to disclose, lacked the necessary experience to succeed, or was simply blinded by the allure of immense financial gain. The prospect of 'billions' seemed to cloud his judgment, making it difficult for him to objectively evaluate the risks and challenges ahead.

 

I thought it was the last one, a greed trap. When I gave him my honest advice, I did so out of genuine care and a desire to help him avoid foreseeable pitfalls. My warning was serious, intended to highlight risks that I believed were real and consequential. However, instead of considering my perspective, he responded defensively, choosing to rely on his own explanation and disregarding my concerns.

 

I expressed strong concerns about the authenticity of the transaction, highlighting the risks associated with proceeding blindly. The possibility of severe consequences, including kidnapping, was emphasized as a critical factor in the decision-making process. BB was so enthusiastic about the deal that he didn't pay attention.

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Providing sincere advice can be a difficult task, especially when the recipient is not open to hearing it. The experience of offering genuine guidance and a serious warning, only to have it dismissed or poorly received, often leads to a sense of frustration and concern for the other person's well-being.

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Like thousands who came to me for advice and disappeared without a thank you, BB vanished. Four months later, Erny I., whose uncle was our country’s former president, called me. His voice carried a sense of urgency. "You probably don't remember BB, but we need your help," he began, pausing as if expecting me to fill in the silence. "It's BB," Erny continued, lowering his voice. He should have listened to you. He has been disappeared without leaving any trace. We need your help locating him in the Middle East. “The circumstances of his disappearance are concerning, and there is currently no information regarding his whereabouts”.

I was confident about what had happened to him, but I chose not to take any action immediately that might cause unnecessary confusion. To avoid harming his case or interfering with his situation, I decided it would be best to wait for an official statement before proceeding further.

 

Throughout the challenging process to secure BB's release from captivity, I dedicated significant effort and worked closely with PC. Together, we explored every possible avenue to ensure BB's safety and freedom. Recognizing the urgency and gravity of the situation, I encouraged PC to persistently press the foreign minister for action. Unfortunately, despite our relentless advocacy, it became clear that the foreign minister was more preoccupied with safeguarding his own position rather than prioritizing BB’s life.

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Risking life to save life.
 

I conquered many and won many. My journey was marked by determination and resilience, overcoming countless obstacles along the way. Each victory strengthened my resolve and inspired me to pursue even greater challenges.

I was scheduled to attend several meetings in Dubai, including one regarding the release of more than $35 billion in blocked funds designated for the purchase of pharmaceutical and agricultural products, as well as industrial equipment, from the United States

The day before departing the United States, I met with PC at our favorite Italian restaurant in Greenwich, Connecticut. He entrusted me with a confidential letter for Sheikh N., which he asked me to deliver personally. He explained that a member of BB’s family had once again reached out to him through our former President to request assistance in BB’s case. PC and I had previously worked together on his case, and I assured him that I would do everything possible to help. I believed it would be an appropriate opportunity to combine efforts toward BB’s release, particularly since the CIA had shown no interest in assisting him.

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I always stayed at Four Seasons, Jumeirah Beach and had office and conference facility. The convenience of having everything under one roof made my work trips seamless and efficient. This time, I was overbooked and did not even leave the hotel for 6 days.

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Most of my meetings were in a private outdoor area by the swimming pool. The tranquil setting, framed by the gentle sound of water and the warmth of the sun, became the backdrop for meaningful conversations and moments of inspiration.

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The negotiating team requested additional time and adjourned to consult with senior leadership regarding my proposal. Specifically, I proposed facilitating the release of their blocked funds for the purchase of American goods in exchange for the release of the hostage.

 

After several days of nonstop meetings, I was feeling extremely fatigued and believed I was coming down with a cold, so I decided to fly back home. When I landed in ignored and disrepair JFK, although I was coming from the super modern Dubai airport, I still wanted to kiss the ground in JFK, but it was too dirty. Despite the stark contrast between the two airports, there was something about being back on American soil that felt deeply reassuring. The familiar chaos and imperfections of JFK made me realize how much I had missed home.

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I was greeted by my four dogs, and with only two hands and one head, I simply couldn’t respond properly to all their love and affection. Their enthusiastic tails wagged as they circled around me, each vying for attention, making it nearly impossible to pet them all at once. The joy in their eyes made me wish I could multiply myself just to show each one how much they mean to me.

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Next morning, I was tired like having a cold and stayed home with my dogs. The fatigue lingered, and I couldn’t shake it off despite resting. The following days got worse and while expecting the cold gets better, one morning, all of a sudden, experienced loss of vision, tumbled down one floor and at least fractured my toe. The shock and confusion from the sudden vision loss made it difficult to comprehend what was happening. Without a clear vision and unbearable pain got to the phone and called 911.

Returning from Dubai while experiencing a serious medical condition was an extremely difficult ordeal. Upon entering my room, the medical team, wearing masks, immediately commenced a thorough evaluation, which included the insertion of needles and tubes, diagnostic imaging, and assessments for injuries and fractures sustained as a result of the fall.

 

The professionalism and care I received at Greenwich Hospital were remarkable. The medical team worked efficiently and communicated with me every step of the way, ensuring that I felt safe and informed throughout my treatment. Their dedication truly made a difficult situation much more manageable, and I am deeply grateful for their expertise and compassion.

The physician conveyed both reassuring and concerning clinical findings. The reassuring finding was that the condition was not Ebola virus disease and that I was not contagious, indicating no transmission risk to others. The concerning finding was that I had been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease and that the prognosis for survival was poor.
The nurse even told me that I should arrange for my personal belonging to be taken by a family member.

​

I required multiple invasive lines and respiratory support, experienced profuse diaphoresis, and had extensive bleeding, including significant rectal bleeding. Despite the severity of my condition, I remained in good spirits, continued to joke with staff and visitors, and kept my computer and phone nearby. I was also afforded privacy and accommodations in a comfortable suite comparable in quality to those of the Four Seasons.

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I had not fully understood what Legionnaires’ disease was or the seriousness of its effects until I learned more about it. Even then, I was not prepared to accept the possibility of death. Despite discovering how many people had died from the disease, how quickly it could progress, its mortality rate, and the severe side effects and consequences of its treatment, I never stopped trying to joke and laugh. In some cases, if the disease itself does not prove fatal, the treatment can be equally devastating.

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Nevertheless, I missed my dogs every day and worried about them constantly, even though they were in the care of a compassionate sitter, and I repeatedly asked to be released so that I could return home. “Impossible,” the doctors told me. “Without treatment, you will die within a few days.

​

After three weeks of treatment, with medical expenses exceeding $100,000, I was discharged home. However, I was required to arrange for ongoing follow-up care, including supplemental oxygen, medical tubing, and a prescribed dietary regimen. By that point, both the beneficial and adverse effects of the intensive course of continuous injections, antibiotics, and other medical therapies had taken a significant toll on my body.

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I attribute my survival, in part, to eating raw garlic every week. For more than forty years, I did not experience even a cold or sore throat. I also endured the loss of tens of millions of dollars in New York City on September 11, along with the resulting stress and severe thyroid disease.

 

At the sight of my dogs, I felt a profound sense of relief, happiness, and a renewed awareness of life’s beauty. During the final week of my absence, two of them neither ate nor drank water. They gathered quietly around me, watching with visible concern, as if they understood that something was wrong.

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Four weeks later ......

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