Herve,
A couple of things. You say your devious life as a spy was well behind you when you got to Dubai.
Well, to be fair.......you did NOT divulge yourself as a spy to the Sultan did you?
So when HE found out who YOU were, he changed his opinion of you !!
There you were BEFRIENDING HIM......WITHOUT TELLING HIM YOU'D BEEN A PROFESSIONAL SPY !!
So you had duped HIM somewhat!! He did not find out what YOU were until a journalist shopped you!! So how do you expect him to REMAIN A FRIEND?? You had not been honest with him.
Besides, how would ANYONE know when you CEASED BEING A SPY??
SPYS ARE SPYS!! LIES ARE THEIR STOCK-IN-TRADE!!! WITHOUT LIES......SPIES WOULD NOT EXIST!!!
I'm sorry, but once someone says THEY WERE A SPY......IT PROVES THEY WERE ONCE DISHONEST, BECAUSE SPYING IS ABOUT DEVIOUSNESS , NOT HONESTY!!
Once someone is dishonest......they NEVER CEASE TO BE DISHONEST, SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY ARE DISHONEST PEOPLE.
And I do not mean dishonest in a minor way !!
Spying requires MAJOR LEAGUE DISHONESTY!!
IT IS ......KNOWING HOW TO LOOK SOMEONE IN THE EYE , WITHOUT BLINKING, AND LYING THROUGH YOUR TEETH!!
I cannot even do that.