title: Baked Alaska and Other Short Short Stories: with Whimsy, Humor, and Tongue-in-Cheek for your Guestroom Bedside Table
author:  Daniel Hoyt Daniels 
description: Daniel Hoyt Daniels is a retired U.S. Foreign Service Officer who has translated many French and Italian classic comedies by Molire, Pierre Marivaux, Carlo Goldoni, and others. He has also written a collection of limericks and several short plays. He has lived abroad for many years and now teaches Romance languages in the United States, dividing most of his time between Galveston, Texas and Beaufort, South Carolina. "Baked Alaska and Other Short Short Stories" is his first published collection of short stories. A second collection is in progress.
zlib_text: ****
  
  **UNCOVERING JUSTICE**
  
  “It is slavery in the modern age. Every year thousands of people, mainly women
  and children, are exploited by criminals who use them for forced labor or the
  sex trade. No country is immune. Almost all play a part, either as a source of
  trafficked people, transit point or destination.”
  
  –United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon
  
  **One**
  
  Harper Matthews handed the twentyish-looking man his fourth flute of
  champagne. He mumbled a “thank you” as he set the glass on the tabletop in
  front of him. The passenger drew in a shaky breath, pushing it out with the
  same shaky breath. Chewing on his bottom lip, he clutched tight to a small,
  slim package as he looked out the window, then set it on the table. His hand
  lingered momentarily above the envelope before he snatched it back up with a
  startled gasp, looking around the plane. He cursed underneath his breath and
  closed his eyes. His mouth moved slowly as he counted.
  
  The same actions he had done several times 