by Uzi Eilam
“Thank you, Gideon,” said Bernard. “Dr. Deutsch, do you have anything to add?”
“Yes. I’d like to agree with Gideon’s assessment. I’d also like to make it clear that the American delegation to the task force has mobilized all the relevant professional entities operating within our embassy in Paris. The intelligence effort to find the kidnappers and bring Dan back unharmed is currently our highest priority.”
“The same is true of our intelligence bodies,” said Bernard, making eye contact with General de Villiers and the director of the Counterespionage Division. “The task at hand takes priority over all other concerns at the moment. I’ve asked General de Villiers to direct the intelligence effort, as well as the preparations for a rescue operation—once we acquire the information we need to move forward.”
Now General de Villiers addressed the group. “As I promised Professor Bernard, I have cleared my schedule and will devote myself entirely to this task. “I’m counting on each of you for your utmost cooperation.”
“Okay, people,” said Bernard. “Thank you all for agreeing to help deal with this monumental challenge. Now let’s get to work.”
***
“There’s an old Parisian restaurant with a celebrated past I wanted to take you to,” Gideon said to Binyamin and Arik as they sat down at the long table in the Defense Ministry Delegation’s conference room to meet the delegation’s director of security. “I promise to make it up to you after we find Dan—hopefully, safe and sound.”
“What’s so special about this restaurant?” asked Binyamin.
“I first ate there with a stunning student from the Sorbonne while I was working abroad in Paris for a summer.”
“Dominique de Saint-Germaine, no doubt,” said Binyamin matter-of-factly.
Gideon froze. In the chaos of the past few days, he had completely forgotten that Binyamin knew about his past with Dominique and that he had actually been the one to point out the problematic nature of their relationship.
“Is this related to Dan’s disappearance?” interjected Arik, in an attempt to steer the conversation back to the reason they had flown to Paris. “You know, I served with Dan. We were on the same decoding team.”
“In the legendary unit of the Israel Defense Forces’ Intelligence Directorate?” Gideon asked, looking impressed. “So you truly are the right man in the right place at the right time. Actually, Dominique’s story is related to Dan’s abduction.”
The three men sat in silence as an administrative assistant placed a tray of black coffee and a basket of fresh butter croissants in the middle of the table.
“Okay, Gideon,” said Binyamin once she left the room. “Start again. And this time, focus us in on the most important points.”
“Dominique de Saint-Germaine was a mole who was leaking information about task force plans and operations to the Iranians. Her position gave her almost full access to all the issues we dealt with. At a certain point, we started to suspect a leak from within the task force. It was Dan’s communications monitoring and excellent decoding that enabled us to expose Haim Bar-Oz, and then Dominique de Saint-Germaine, as moles and traitors.”
“And she’s in custody now?” Binyamin asked.
“Yes. And that’s not all. The Iranian who recruited her has also been detained and is still in interrogation. We’ve made sure all three arrests have not been made public. Only a few people know about them,” Gideon explained.
“Where did the Iranian come from?” Binyamin asked.
“Dr. Kayghobadi was planted in France by the Guardians a few years ago. He was a professor of business administration at the University of Paris. He gave the impression of being a staunch critic of the Iranian regime who was volunteering to serve France in gratitude for providing him with refuge.”
“And you started to work with him, just like that?” Binyamin asked incredulously. “Without thoroughly scrutinizing him first?”
“He was checked out, but obviously not to the extent that he should have been. I’ll admit it. I also bought his touching story. Kayghobadi operated effectively as a double agent and was an important source of reliable information on Iranian activity here. Dominique was assigned to handle him, and he turned her using astronomical payoffs.”
“It would sound like a story straight out of a spy novel if we didn’t know it to be fact,” Binyamin said. “Is this also how the Iranians identified Dan as a key source and the task force’s intelligence expert?”
“It is. That’s why I’m concerned that this might be an abduction not for the sake of negotiations but for the purpose of assassination.”
“Based on everything you’ve told us,” Arik cut in, “the most promising way to find a lead would be to step up the interrogation of the two you’re already holding: Dominique and Kayghobadi.”
“I agree with Arik,” Binyamin said. “You need to bring this to that professor who is overseeing all the French work. What’s his name again?”
“Bernard,” said Gideon.
“Right—Bernard. You have to bring this to Professor Bernard’s attention and convince him to focus on investigating Dominique and Kayghobadi for a link to Dan’s abduction.”
“I’ll take care of it immediately,” Gideon assured them, standing up just as the secretary arrived with another tray of coffee and croissants. “I’ll be at Professor Bernard’s office if you need anything.”
Late that night, after convincing Bernard of the wisdom of a focused interrogation of Dominique and Kayghobadi, Gideon returned to his hotel room and crawled into bed, physically and emotionally sapped and badly in need of a few hours of sleep.
Chapter 42
Paris had just woken up, and Gideon was already in a taxi on his way back to Professor Bernard’s office. Everything seemed normal for that time of the morning, when the city was stretching its limbs and starting its day. Green garbage trucks rattled by, stopping periodically for their operators to load the contents of tin trash cans. Water tankers washed the sidewalks. Long lines had already formed at boulangerie entrances as Parisians across the city waited to buy their morning baguettes. Gideon had hardly slept. He had been worried about Dan.
“Good morning, Gideon. Have there been any developments? Is there anything new I need to know?” Despite the early hour, Bernard was all business.
“It’s been days since Dan disappeared, Eugene, and it’s as if the earth has swallowed him up,” Gideon began, shaking his head despondently. “I couldn’t sleep last night. And as I was tossing and turning, I could have sworn I received a transmission from him. I haven’t told you this, but I have a special connection with that kid—a kind of telepathy. I could feel he was in trouble, but that he was alive. I updated my superiors in Israel yesterday, and they sent me two men with experience in such situations. They arrived this morning, and I’ve already briefed them. They know everything that I do.”
“You are right to be worried, Gideon,” Bernard admitted apologetically, “but we still have no leads, that is, unless someone has tried to make contact with you or demand a ransom.”
“No. I haven’t heard anything. But we have to do whatever we can to free him. You and your colleagues know the city. How have we not even found a clue yet?”
“I’ve put my best people on it from the counterespionage unit, the gendarmerie, and the blue uniformed police. They’re conducting searches and staking out possible hiding places—all of this, Gideon, based on the assumption that it’s the Iranians who are holding him.”
“You are the experts, Bernard, and it’s your turf. I’m sure you’ll find something helpful soon. I just wanted you to know that I’ve cleared my desk of all other matters. I will not rest until Dan is found.”
“Of course you won’t, Gideon. This morning I’ll be meeting with some of our veteran experts on the history of France’s relationship with Iran. I thought I’d do some brainstorming with th
em, you know, thinking outside the box about possible courses of action we haven’t considered. I was hoping you could be there. You’ll have no problem following the conversation in French.”
“Sure. I’d be happy to. It’ll keep me occupied. And it may be productive.”
The internal office phone rang, cutting through the silence that had pervaded Bernard’s office, and the secretary patched through a call from the gendarmerie’s commando unit.
“Monsieur Bernard,” the commander’s voice thundered. “My men have been staking out the apartment on Rue Sainte-Croix-de-la-Bretonnerie in the 4th Arrondissement since the day before yesterday. This morning they observed suspicious movement in the building.”
“And?” Bernard asked impatiently.
“We’ve blocked all the exits of the building and raided the apartment we suspected the Iranians were using.”
“Well, was he there?!” Bernard asked anxiously.
“No, sir. I’m sorry. There was no one in the apartment, although there were indications that it was in use. I left a special team to search the premises and try to find something linking it to Dan Avni and the kidnapping. I’ll report back if and when I receive any further information.”
Bernard hung up and briefed Gideon. “Our men raided the apartment that was being used by the Iranians in the 4th Arrondissement, but there was no one there. A team stayed behind to try to find a lead, but I wouldn’t get my hopes up. Go get something to eat. You look like you need it. We’ll meet here for the brainstorming session in two hours. I’ll see you then.”
***
“Excellent, you’ve arrived,” Bernard said when Gideon returned to his office. Bernard immediately introduced Gideon to the others who had assembled for the consultation. They included the commander of the gendarmerie commando unit, a police officer from the 5th and 6th Arrondissements, the Interior Ministry’s director of counterespionage, and two of Bernard’s aides.
“Good morning,” Gideon replied. “I’m glad to see you all, and I’m grateful for your help.”
“Gideon, perhaps you’d be willing to start the meeting with a brief account of the situation?” Bernard suggested. “That should help us focus our brainstorming on possible courses of action.”
Gideon nodded and began to outline the situation for what seemed like the hundredth time since Dan’s disappearance. “Two days ago, Dan Avni didn’t show up for breakfast in the hotel. From the very outset, we were concerned that he had been kidnapped. As background, I should point out that the Guardians of the Revolution sent over an experienced Quds Force team that is well trained in terrorist tactics. Based on Dan’s decoding of intercepted Iranian communications, we knew that I was being targeted. Professor Bernard and the security team at our embassy here in Paris recommended that I take personal precautionary measures, which I tried to do.”
“As most of you know,” Bernard interjected, “Dan warned us about Iranian intentions to target Gideon. Fortunately, through undercover monitoring of Gideon’s movements, we were able to prevent them from doing so.”
“Indeed.” Gideon nodded. “You handled the situation exceptionally, and I’m forever in your debt. Dan’s name was also mentioned once in Iranian communications as a possible target, but we didn’t assign it much importance, and we didn’t think he would be kidnapped. I personally instructed Dan on the necessary precautionary measures, and I have no doubt that he followed them.”
“Gentlemen,” Bernard cut in again. “Our working assumption is that this was indeed a kidnapping. Our initial investigation has ruled out all other possibilities. We used the gendarmerie’s special unit to search the Iranian safe houses that we know about, and we have the safe house on Rue Fresnel under constant surveillance, including regular monitoring of the cameras in the tunnel between the apartment and the Iranian embassy. So far, we’ve found no sign of activity there.” He paused and, satisfied with the tense and attentive expressions of everyone in attendance, he continued. “Earlier this morning, suspicious activity was observed at a safe house in the 4th Arrondissement. But when we raided it, we found no evidence that the kidnappers had been there.”
“Professor Bernard,” said the police officer. “It’s my understanding that we are supposed to be coming up with places that are well suited to the kidnappers’ methods. Although it cannot be taken for granted, I think we can assume that Dan is being held in Paris. Personally, I would focus on the area immediately surrounding Gideon and Dan’s hotel.”
“All right,” said Bernard slowly. “If we’re thinking about the Latin Quarter, that would mean the 5th and 6th Arrondissements. Does anyone have any ideas? Is a hotel room worth considering? Or is there another safe house that we don’t yet know about?”
“Professor Bernard, sir,” continued the police officer, “yesterday, right after you informed us of this morning’s discussion, we reviewed our records to identify unusual apartment rental activity in the past year, and we found nothing relevant. On the other hand, we did find some interesting historical information.”
“Please, go on,” Bernard said.
“In 1978, an apartment at 31 Rue Jacob was purchased by a French citizen, a businessman of Iranian descent. It’s a modest fifth-floor apartment that was used to house Ayatollah Khomeini during the few months he spent here in France. It’s where he decided to establish the Iranian Revolutionary Council, which he used to overthrow the Shah. It’s also where he left Paris for Tehran immediately after the Shah fled the country. The records show that the apartment has remained in the ownership of the original purchaser and has been rented out from time to time.”
“Now that’s interesting!” exclaimed Bernard. “So, this is an apartment we should be keeping an eye on?”
“Yes sir, it is,” the officer responded. “The apartment is located in an area we thought was relevant and is owned by an Iranian. We can assume that its owner is a man with whom the Guardians have kept in contact over the years. After all, there’s also a religious messianic dimension to using an apartment that housed Ayatollah Khomeini for an act that they regard as defending the regime.”
“Mark the location and arrange covert surveillance in the area immediately,” Bernard instructed his aides. “We’ll need to set up surveillance in other places around the city but, in this case, I suggest we also do the opposite.”
“What do you mean?” asked the commander of the gendarmerie’s commando unit, looking confused. “Visible surveillance, against regulations?”
“No, no. I mean measures that will make the Iranians who are monitoring our movements think that we’re advancing in other parts of the city. Under no circumstances can we allow them to catch on to our interest in the apartment on Rue Jacob.”
“I understand,” said the commander. “I’ll take care of it.”
“I’d like to thank you all for coming,” Bernard said. “There’s much work to do, and the time factor is critical. Gideon, can I have a word with you?”
“I hope we’re on the right track, Eugene,” said Gideon, after the others left. “You ran that consultation well.”
“I’m glad you think so. I prioritized activity that’s intended to find Dan. It’s ironic how his absence is felt most sorely now, when we’re in such great need of his ability to acquire information in real time.”
“All we can do now is put everything we have into finding him and getting him back. I’ve been thinking about setting up a position for myself somewhere I can observe what’s going on in the apartment on Rue Jacob.”
“I completely understand, Gideon. How can I help?”
“Ask your people to set me up somewhere where I can watch both the building and the apartment. It’s important that they know I’m there and that they agree not to take any action to breach the building or the apartment without coordinating it with me first.”
“Consider it done,” Bernard said. “I’ll also assign you two
of our best men from the gendarmerie’s special unit. Anything else?”
“Yes, and this is critical. I’d like to ask that we refrain from a loud breach—that is if, in fact, the apartment is the safe house being used by the kidnappers. The pressure could cause them to hurt Dan. Also, I want to be there when anyone moves in—of course, along with the team of the gendarmerie unit.”
“Okay, Gideon. I trust you.”
***
Dan awoke in a narrow bed with his hands bound, and he immediately remembered where he was. His sleep had been troubled. It had been three days since a car had pulled up alongside him on the boulevard and two muscular men had jumped out and dragged him into the backseat. Although they blindfolded him, he was still able to follow the car’s turns and the directions in which it traveled. He was also able to calculate the time they had traveled. Dan estimated that he was being held not far from his and Gideon’s hotel in the 6th Arrondissement. He made up his mind to try to convey a telepathic message to Gideon in hopes that perhaps it would help.
The two guards did not bother having long conversations with him and limited themselves to only a few words and hand motions. By listening to their conversations with one another, Dan learned their first names: Amin and Hafez. Based on his knowledge of the Persian language, Dan knew that “Amin” meant “trustworthy,” although Amin was certainly not someone he could actually trust. It was also clear that, although “Hafez” meant “protector,” Hafez would not protect him.