Tehran, 1969: The best stories are true stories: The author is posted on a temporary assignment to Iran to estimate the costs of one of the Shah’s most prestigious construction projects. Following his arrival, John receives an unexpected invitation to the races where he catches sight of a breathtakingly beautiful Sophia Loren-look-alike young woman sitting with her friends who, to his utter astonishment appear to be pointing at him. Stunned by her appearance, and bewildered by their attention, his heart is in his mouth. Unknown to John, Mahin is a minister’s secretary and well connected in the Shah’s regime. Her family hails from the valleys of the legendary medieval Assassins, whose notorious leader was Hasan-i-Sabah. For all John knows, Mahin could as well be a perfect reincarnation of one of Hasan’s most exotic houris that he used to deceive young men into carrying out political assassinations. Just a few months earlier, an Assyrian fortune teller with an established reputation at the royal court had told Mahin that she would soon meet a young man with blond hair and blue eyes and travel the world. On seeing John, she has no doubt what will happen next. Any reader of this true story who considers fortune tellers to be charlatans, will need to think again.