Two hundred meters outside the Parliament Building, at an outdoor seat of the "Tigris Shore" restaurant, Song Heping sat alone.
The sunlight was scorching, as if pouring molten lead.
The restaurant's canvas awning barely blocked the direct rays but couldn't stop the omnipresent heat.
Song Heping chose a seat on the outermost side of the terrace, right next to a low stone railing, with the muddy waters of the Tigris River ten meters below.
This position offered an excellent view.
To the left, one could see the newly restored dome of the Parliament Building, to the right, overlooking the entire Karrada District, and directly ahead was the Republic Bridge spanning the riverbanks, where Illigo soldiers and American soldiers stood side by side at the checkpoint, each guarding their own side.
Four people in plain clothes with bulging waists were scattered around.
