“It's worth the effort. The files could be very helpful to you with the amount of detail they have.”
“Is Guttmacher's office part of the bank's security setup?”
“That's my guess. I didn't see any metal doors between his floor and the main business floor. Looks to me like his office is less secure than the rest of the bank.”
“Do you know where he keeps the Iranian files?”
“No, and I didn't see any file cabinet or vault in his office. When I left the conference room the file was still on the table.”
“OK,” said Eric. “I need a report from you on anything you saw in his office. And we'll need a floor plan. Once I see your report, we'll take it from there.”
It was clearly time for me to leave. Tom drove me back to my hotel.
I went to the restaurant to get a bite of good German schnitzel. When I returned to my room, the phone was ringing. It was David Stone.
“Dan,” he said, “Call me from the outside.”
I went out to the street and called him from a pay phone.
“Dan,” he said, “I just finished a phone conversation with friends at the Company. They were satisfied with your performance. What have you done this time?”
“That's nice, but I haven't made any progress on my real assignment. I still haven't clearly identified our guy's asset-protection scheme. The stolen money is my top priority, not playing spy games with mean-looking Iranians.”
“Really?” said David, with a grain of sarcasm. “I get the impression that this is exactly the kind of operation you enjoy.”
“I do,” I conceded. David was familiar with my Mossad past and knew me well enough to pick up on my zeal to close the case.
“They want you to continue in this game,” he said.
“You know me,” I said. “I won't be the problem.”
“I'm sure of that. It seems that you could be part of the solution.”
I went back to my hotel. There was a message from Eric waiting at the front desk. I couldn't call him from my room, so downstairs I went out to the street once more.
Eric got right to the point. “We need to talk,” he said in a tone that, as always, sounded like an order. “Wait outside; Tom will pick you up in fifteen minutes.” I knew what he was going to say; David had just told me the CIA wanted me to continue. My hunch was that the topic would be the break-in.
“I'll be back outside in fifteen minutes,” I said and went upstairs to change. I wondered at my sudden burst of energy. Maybe it was the spirit of the chase kicking in.
Ten minutes later, as I prepared to leave, my old in-field training came into focus. The Iranians were in the picture now, and knowing their aggressiveness I had to assume that they'd be watching me, as they promised. I had to raise my level of caution and alertness. I went to my suitcase, looking for anything that might have a connection to Israel. I checked all my clothes for Israeli laundry labels. I emptied all my pockets, removing coins, business cards, and receipts. I put all my receipts from Israel into an envelope. I opened my briefcase and removed anything that had to do with Israel or with my work for the U.S. government. The bulk of it was already in the hotel vault but I checked again anyway. Then I went to my laptop. I deleted all the files with an Israel connection. I transferred anything to do with my work to a new directory and protected it with double-entry passwords. Finally, I installed a new ten-character password to enter the entire system. Although I was sure that neither Guttmacher nor the Iranians knew where I was staying in Munich, I left the room carrying the laptop and the envelope with me. I turned the TV on and put the “do not disturb” sign on my door. I had also marked the door with a hair. I'll run out of hairs soon, I thought. I should develop some new tricks.
I went outside to my car. A day earlier I'd removed it from the hotel parking garage and parked it in the street. If I was under surveillance then the car was also being watched. By parking it publicly, it was easier to spot watchers without letting them know that I was aware that I was under surveillance. The car was where I'd left it. I gave it a quick look and walked on by. I went into a bakery, bought a pastry, and watched the street while the clerk made change. I spotted a dark fellow who seemed to have his eye on my car and decided to take no chances.
I left the bakery and continued walking to a bus stop. When the bus came, I got on and stood next to the door. I got off at the next stop, crossed the street in front of the bus, and went up a one-way street, against traffic. No one seemed to be on my trail, so I went through a convenient shopping arcade and then back onto the main street. Everything looked normal. I caught a cab and went back to the hotel. Tom was waiting patiently.
Eric was already nervous when I walked in.
“Where were you?” he demanded, as if I were his teenage daughter coming home at dawn with smeared lipstick and a wide smile.
“There was a watcher on my car,” I said quietly. “I don't know whether he was just a lookout or if he was going to follow me.”
“So what did you do?”
“I went on a short trip, made sure I wasn't followed, then went back to the hotel for the pickup.”
Lovejoy walked in, and I handed him the envelope containing my ID and odds and ends, including a spare key to my hotel room. I asked him to send the stuff to my New York office with the diplomatic pouch and to keep my laptop and the spare key in his office.
“Dan,” said Eric, “I checked with the Company. They want the Iranian files in Guttmacher's office.” He looked at me for a reaction, but I simply sat waiting for him to continue. “We reviewed the audiotape of your meeting at the bank. It's obvious that the Iranians won't let you walk with even one file. The only way to get the files would be through a break-in.” He paused again. I continued to play the calm, attentive listener.
“There isn't much time. And under ordinary circumstances it would take a while to organize it properly.”
Was he telling me that the job couldn't be done? Why bother?
“So what are you going to do?”
“There is another country closely monitoring the Iranians,” said Eric, as if he were revealing a secret. “Israel.”
I saw what he was getting at.
Eric continued, “We know that right now there are some Mossad people in Munich making preparations to approach the Iranians.”
“Approach?” I asked.
“Well, you know what I mean, either lightly or deeply.”
“Do you mean steal their information?” I called a spade a spade.
“That's light,” he said, leaving me with a clear understanding that “deep” meant elimination.
I was too familiar with Mossad procedure to believe that Eric had received such information from them. It was unlikely that the Mossad would ever alert another foreign-intelligence organization of its intention to eliminate a rival. It would stand in violation of basic operational rules and could cause serious legal and political problems. Any cooperation between intelligence organizations, even of friendly nations, is always based on an “honor him but suspect him” basis. Operational or intelligence cooperation, yes, but information on assassination plans – never. I wondered how Eric had found out. Did he have a mole inside the Mossad? It was a question that would remain unanswered.
“So you want the Israelis to do the job?” I asked, doing my best to seem surprised.
“Almost,” said Eric. “With our active assistance, of course. Langley has already contacted Mossad headquarters in Israel and they've sent here a senior representative to discuss it.”
Eric looked at my face, but I didn't react. I was sure now that he knew about my past. Langley would never have authorized my unrestricted access to the details of such an operation unless they'd first reviewed my file, and if they'd authorized my involvement it must have been in spite of my past rather than because of it. Yes, Eric knew, but I wasn't going to give his smug ass any satisfaction by looking guilty for not telling him earlier. Strictly a need to know basis – and he didn't n
eed to know this detail about my past.
“Fine,” I said unconcernedly. “What do you want me to do?”
“The Israeli government agreed to discuss the matter, but they didn't promise they'd send their people in. This is where you come in. You were there, you met the Iranians, you saw the lists, you know what catastrophe it could wreak on Israel, and you can help their representative get all the facts.” And then he added nonchalantly, “And you've worked with their representative so you should know how he thinks.”
Now he did surprise me.
“Who is he?” I asked, ignoring Eric's revelations and thereby affirming them.
“He's right here,” said Eric and, with a total lack of drama, opened the door. Benny Friedman entered the room.
“Greetings, Daniel, long time no see.” I tried to keep a straight face, but Benny knew me better than that. “Gotcha!” he smiled at me.
Of course! Benny was the head of the American desk at Tevel, the Mossad's branch in charge of cooperation with foreign-intelligence services. That made him the right person for this meeting. How did they know I knew Benny? I couldn't ask now, but I would have to find out. Were the Langley boys watching me as well?
There were only four of us in the room but it was already too cramped.
“Mr. Friedman,” said Eric solemnly, “let's not waste time. You know why we're here, but there have been some alarming developments. Through Dan and other sources we hear that the Iranians are planning to increase substantially the destruction power of their yet-to-be-built atom bomb. They plan to insert a few grams of tritium and deuterium directly into a plutonium warhead. The result is a huge boost of power. That process allows the Iranians to reduce the amount of plutonium, which is, as you know, heavily regulated and expensive to manufacture. Now, add that to our mutual knowledge of the progress the Iranians have made in their missile program and their threats against Israel, and you get the bottom line: the Iranians have the intention and could have the means to destroy Israel. They've shown their aggression against U.S. allies by sponsoring terror attacks. It is typical of Iran to use proxies for its dirty war. The Iranian government rarely sends its soldiers but instead uses their state-sponsored terrorist organizations, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon or Al Dawa in Iraq, to do the job. Even the capture of the U.S. embassy in Tehran and the taking of the hostages was not carried out by the Iranian army or police, but by so-called ‘revolutionary students.’ The Iranian fanatics won't hesitate to use doomsday aggression against another U.S. ally, Israel, through one of their clandestine terrorist organizations, and then offer their help treating the surviving victims.”
Benny scratched his head and said, “And do I know what all this adds up to?”
“Of course you do, it's written all over your face,” said Eric. “First, the file Dan saw at the bank would tell us exactly what they expect him to do and allow him to continue with his charade. And second, that file and hopefully the others kept at the bank would give us an insight into their capabilities. Our scientists would be able to predict how advanced the Iranian development of the bomb is and how long it would take them to join the nuclear club. That could give us several options: hit the suppliers, the buyers, or both. You hit the Iraqi nuclear reactor at the last minute, just before it became ‘hot.’ I don't think Israel would want to wait and risk missing an opportunity with the Iranians.”
Eric looked at me, waiting for me to fill Benny in with further details and comments.
“Hey, I'm here for DeLouise's money,” I said. “That's my prime mission. I need to bring ninety million dollars back to the U.S. Treasury. When this thing is over, I'm back looking for the assets.”
“Hang on,” said Eric, “there could be some dividends for you from this matter.” Then turning to Benny he asked, “What do you think?”
“Do you need our manpower for the break-in, or do you just need intelligence?” asked Benny.
“Well, I was about to suggest Israel could actually do it with our active assistance. Israel has a lot to gain from the operation and a lot to lose if we let the Iranians continue with their plans. Besides, I think you have a score to settle with the Iranians.”
Benny gave him his brown-eyed shrewd look in anticipation.
“I need to bring this matter to the head of the Mossad,” said Benny. “But before I can do that, I need to collect essential elements of information, what we call EEI, and risk assessments on both political and operational levels. Based upon the results of these evaluations, the director of the Mossad will decide whether we're in or out.”
“That's good enough,” said Eric. “Although it'll be an Israeli operation, we'll have joint investment and joint profits.”
Benny nodded to show he'd heard Eric, but knowing him I knew it didn't necessarily mean an approval. “OK, let's roll up our sleeves and do some research. The results, whether we play or not, should be useful to you.”
“Fine,” said Eric.
Benny continued, “I took the liberty of bringing two of our men with me. One is an expert in break-ins and the other is a logistics man. Do you have anyone here you want to attach to them while they look around?”
“How long do you think your EEI will take?”
“We'll be done here in one or two days, but that could change based upon the operational needs and risks evaluation. Then we'll continue in Israel with the political risks review. Finally, I don't know how long it will take for the director to decide once we submit the report for his review and approval. Bear in mind that even if he approves, he might want to consult with the prime minister.”
“Give me a time frame for your country's decision,” insisted Eric.
“A week,” said Benny.
“Good,” said Eric. “I have three men available to join your EEI team.”
Benny turned to me and said, “Well, Dan, you didn't think we'd ever work together again.”
“No,” I admitted. “Life is full of surprises.”
Benny pressed me. “Tell me what you think. You were inside the bank.”
I thought for a moment. “From an operational point of view, I don't think there will be a problem breaking in to the bank. Guttmacher's office is not physically protected with bars on the windows or with a safety door. However, there could be some invisible protective device such as a sonic or infrared alarm system. Although I didn't notice any, that doesn't mean they don't exist. The EEI would give you all the facts you'd need to make a decision.”
“That's enough for a start. Let's get our teams organized. I'll be working with Shimon, my break-in expert. What about you?” he asked Eric.
“Tom and Jeff,” said Eric. “And, I think, Dan Gordon.” He looked at me for approval.
“Sure,” I said, “I'll be glad to, but I need to work alone.”
“On the logistics assessment side, we'll need help,” said Benny. “I only have one man with me to survey the needs and I don't know if you have the technical means here. If not, we'll have to bring them in from our European center in Brussels.”
“Let's see the list of what you need,” said Eric. “We could do that after the operational team recommends a course of action.”
“OK,” said Benny.
“Who handles the German police?” I chipped in.
“We'll treat that as part of the EEI,” said Eric. “We'll consider the German police from two angles. First, we'll fake an event and monitor their radio to hear if an entry to the bank was reported by an individual or automatically by a silently triggered system.
“Second, we'll work on a contingency plan in case the police stop a member of our team before, during, or after the operation. We need an immediate cover story, a plausible explanation, and a political decision about what nationality to claim if caught.”
Benny nodded and turned to Eric. “I expect your team to do the drill on the German police. You have the right equipment for that. As to the cover story, I suggest we handle that in Tel Aviv as part of the operation structuring.”
<
br /> “That's OK with me,” said Eric.
Benny added, “During the EEI period, even before we go into planning, we'll need a native German from this area, preferably someone who understands police jargon. I need to study the police routine here.”
“I can take care of that,” said Eric. “We'll record one or two days worth of police-radio activity. You could take it home with you for analysis.”
“What about a cover story during the EEI period?” I insisted.
“We'll fabricate something. In fact my men are working on it as we speak,” said Eric.
“Good,” concluded Benny. “Are your men here? Mine are outside.”
Tom and Jeff were called in, and Benny brought in Shimon, a skinny, dark Israeli with a wide smile. He looked as if he could infiltrate a keyhole.
Eric pointed to his guys. “They'll do the intelligence first, and Dan will join them.”
Benny nodded and said “OK, Shimon, what about you?”
“I'll do some research on my own. I'm a burglar, remember?”
“I guess we're set for now,” said Eric. “The next meeting will be here later today. Let's make it at eight tonight.”
I went outside and Tom drove me back in his cab. I knew what I wanted to do. I'd been a lone wolf for a long time. As a child I had learned the Jewish sage's wisdom: “If I'm not for myself, who will be for me? And if not now, when?”
“Tom,” I said, “change of plans. Take me to the bank, but let me off before we get there. I want to check out a few things.”
Tom looked like a serious Robin Williams. “What do you mean?” he asked.
“Well, I've been inside the bank twice, so I know my way. I can wander around and get a better view of the security arrangements. The bank is open for business, so my presence shouldn't raise any suspicion. I'd be just another customer.”
Tom said, “I don't have to remind you that if you're caught, you're on your own. Even so, I think you should talk to Eric about it; you could risk the entire operation.”
“Don't worry,” I said. “I intend to go back to the second floor to see what the visible security arrangements are and anything else I can learn. I met with Guttmacher, including one unscheduled meeting, so if I'm stopped I can always ask to see Guttmacher again.”
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