His second problem was purely scientific, or more correctly solving a forensic mystery. What did the scarf with the green specks contain? To get an answer he had to travel to Karlsruhe and hand the scarf over to his colleague at the Institute for Trans Uranium elements that was part of the European Joint Research Centers (ITU-JRC). As its website proclaimed the role of the ITU was to "provide the scientific foundation for the protection of European citizens against risks associated with the handling and storage of highly radioactive material". There were several daily flights from Berlin to Karlsruhe that took just under an hour and half. David reckoned that if he took a morning flight he could have the sample analyzed and return to Berlin in the same evening.
When he landed at Karlsruhe he was met by his friend, Dr. Kurt Myerson, who was in charge of the analytical department that specialized in nuclear forensics. On the way from the airport to the laboratory David explained that the scarf was given to him by one of the prisoners who were released from Evin Prison in Tehran. Kurt, of course, had seen the press conference and knew the story of the hostages.
The highly skilled scientists and technicians at the nuclear forensics laboratory immediately identified the green specks as a common uranium containing compound. When further analytical characterization was completed it was evident that the uranium was highly enriched meaning that it was suitable for construction of a nuclear weapon. The technicians had another surprise when they detected some minor traces of plutonium – another material that could be used in a nuclear device.
The implications of the analytical results were nothing less than colossal. The presence of nuclear materials in an unlikely site like Evin Prison indicated that the Iranians were violating the nuclear deal they had signed. Furthermore, the existence of these materials in the center of Tehran showed that the Mullah's regime had no regard for the risk to millions of their own people in the country's largest and most densely populated city. David wondered what they intended to do with a nuclear device and by putting two and two together he surmised that the only possible explanation was that they plotted to detonate it in Tel-Aviv. He thanked Kurt for his help and hurried to catch his flight back to Berlin. Although he wished that Kurt wouldn't reveal the results and their obvious implications he knew that even before he set foot on the plane the German government would hear the earth shattering news. Possibly the information would be shared with all the friendly intelligence services, especially NATO members and the Americans.
***
By the time David's plane landed in Berlin, a mere two hours after he had left Kurt and the laboratory, the secure lines between Berlin and the rest of the Western world were close to collapsing from intensive use. The commotion was unprecedented: cabinet ministers in a dozen countries were recalled for urgent secret meetings with the chiefs of their intelligence services. Experts on international affairs were brought in to those meetings to deliver their opinion on the implications. Scientists were consulted, advice was sought from political analysts and top military authorities were requested to develop operational scenarios. Politicians of all kinds just waited for the news to become public so that they could gain some credit, or at least get some time in the media. However, all governments, without exception, swore their members and consultants to secrecy with the threat of prosecution for high treason if a word leaked out. Surprisingly not a word did leak and even the most well-connected journalists and reporters didn't catch on.
***
David decided to cut short his stay in Berlin and return to Israel. However, due to the late hour, the next scheduled flight from Berlin to Tel-Aviv was due only in the morning. Julia met him at the gate and took him straight to her apartment. She had already received word from Mossad headquarters that David had discovered some troubling news about Iran and wanted to know more about it. David was reluctant to share all the details and just said "There are strong indications that the Iranians had deliberately and blatantly violated the nuclear deal that they had signed. There is some evidence that they had been working with fissile materials in a clandestine laboratory in the heart of Tehran".
Julia wanted to get more specific information "Does this mean that they are trying to build an atomic weapon?"
David replied "There is not much use for fissile materials of this type for other applications. Yes, we fear that they are up to something that goes way beyond conventional warfare."
Julia then hit the nail on the head and said "Is all this connected to the elimination of the Iranian nuclear scientists that Segan's firm had carried out?"
David just hummed "Possibly, but we have no evidence" he then added "I wonder if this is related to the murder of Sam and Ruby. Is it likely that they had found out something from the scientists they eliminated?"
Julia said "I guess we'll have to find Segan and ask him if they said anything about this, but I don't think that they had any type of discussion with their victims".
David said "I have to return to Israel on the first flight in the morning. Could you try to question Segan with your local people?"
Julia nodded and pulled David to the bedroom "Let's make the most of the couple of hours you have before going to the airport."
She drove David to the airport and he boarded his flight. He fell asleep even before the wheels of the plane left the ground. This time he wasn't bothered by the captain's announcement or the cabin attendants' antics – he was much too tired. He woke up just as the plane landed after a dreamless sleep.
October 30th, The PM's office, Jerusalem
The Prime Minister of Israel was a great orator and was considered as one of the world champions in manipulative public relations. His entrance was announced by the press secretary and he approached the podium with a brisk stride, took a long moment to look at the representatives of the mass media that filled the press-room. He was pleased to see that all the seats were taken and more reporters lined up along the walls of the room. He was especially glad to see that behind the last row of chairs a large bank of TV cameras that represented all the major networks were focused on him. He looked down at the prompter and decided to ignore the statement that had been prepared in advance. After welcoming the reporters and thanking them for attending he said "I would like to commend the humanitarian behavior of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its gesture of goodwill. I call upon Vicki and Morris Aladgem to come and stand by my side". The elderly couple rose from their seats in the front row and stood on both sides of the PM. He continued "They will answer your questions after my short speech. You all know that ever since the Islamic revolution in Iran that took place in 1979 the relations between Israel and Iran were not good". Some of the reporters appreciated the gross understatement and barely managed to refrain from laughing. "We were strongly opposed to the nuclear deal between Iran and the Six Powers and to the subsequent lifting of the economic and trade sanctions that were imposed on Iran. But once the deal was signed by all parties and Iran was reinstated as a regular member of the international community we toned down our opposition. We were glad to see the results of the 2016 elections in Iran that indicated that things were beginning to change - the ultra-conservative faction in Iran lost some of its power to more moderate representatives of the people". A round of applause interrupted his speech. The PM paused dramatically, made sure that all eyes and ears were focused on him, and said "The nuclear deal includes several clauses that impose much closer supervision of the declared nuclear sites and the right to carry out inspections at any suspicious site. In case a violation is found the economic and trade sanctions may be put back in place, and even more severe measures may be taken if the infringement is considered as a major or gross violation". The audience fell silent, expecting the PM to announce that something was afoot, but he stepped back from the podium and indicated that Vicki and Morris should take his place.
The senior reporter for Israeli television Channel 22 raised his hand and shouted "Mr. Prime Minister, will you take some questions, please" but the PM ignored him a
nd the press secretary intervened "Please direct your questions at Morris and Vicki" and gave the floor to the reporter from Israel's official channel. "Mr. Aladgem, can you tell us how you were captured?"
Morris was a bit uncomfortable by the unaccustomed attention he received. "I have been persuaded by a major publisher to write a book about that and what happened in the prison, so I'll be brief. My wife, Vicki, and I took a hot air balloon flight in Turkey. When we landed we were taken as prisoners by a group of armed men that threw us into a van and drove all across Turkey to Iran. We were placed in Evin Prison and locked up in a large cell with a few other Israelis. I must say that we were treated well from the moment we were captured until our surprising release a couple of days ago. I wish to thank Imam Mourtashef for allowing me to join my wife or else I wouldn't be here today". He looked at Vicki and hugged her as she started shedding tears.
A reporter from Channel 10 raised her hand and said "Vicki, could you tell us about the other hostages?"
Vicki took the microphone "I can only tell you that they are all well. We were advised not to go into any personal details". The reporter was disappointed but didn't pursue the matter. She realized that there were probably some sensitive issues involved. She recalled the case of the Air France flight to Paris that was diverted to Uganda by a mixed group of German and Palestinian terrorists in 1976. Among the captives were a man and a woman who had deceived their spouses and traveled together to the city of lights. The embarrassment that followed their release superseded the relief of their spouses when they returned home.
The press secretary took the podium "Morris and Vicki are still recovering from their ordeal. Please respect their privacy."
October 30th, Office of the Senior Assistant, Tehran
The television set in the office of the Senior Assistant was turned on to the France-24 channel in English that covered the press conference in Jerusalem. The Senior Assistant and Imam Mourtashef had taken seats on the sofa facing the TV set while General Aslawi paced to and fro while keeping an eye on the TV. After hearing the Israeli PM praise the humanitarian gesture they all smiled, but when he continued his speech they began to feel uncomfortable. They weren't sure if his warning about violation of the nuclear deal was just a continuation of his attempts to intimidate Iran or if he suspected specific foul play. In the back of their minds they worried if he somehow got word about the clandestine laboratory.
The Imam was the first to express this particular concern. "Could the Israelis know something about our plans?"
The general was getting worked up "Only if there is a traitor among us. I never really trusted the scientists. They may have inadvertently said something, or even worse, are working for a foreign power. I'll have every one of them interrogated".
The Imam held up his hand "Don't you dare touch them before the device is delivered to my hands. Each one of them is vital for the success of our grand plan. After that you take them all, parade them through the streets of Tehran and hang them in Meydan a Azadi".
The Senior Assistant just nodded and after some thought said "Do you think we should continue with our grand plan or abort it?"
The Imam said "If you remember, our original plan was to give them a Hannukah gift that they will never forget. I checked their calendar and discovered that this year the holiday is particularly early – on 29th of November. This also coincides with the very same date that the United Nations plan for the partition of Palestine was approved. This date is celebrated by the Zionist Entity and mourned by the Arabs. Yes, this would have been ideal, but in view of what's going on we need to implement our plan sooner."
General Aslawi had cooled down a little and said "What do we have to lose? If IAEA inspectors discover the laboratory the world will treat us as cheaters and impose the old sanctions on us, anyway. But if we demonstrate our ability to build nuclear weapons and our determination to use them then we'll be treated like North Korea or Pakistan and no one will dare mess with us. I say – let's go ahead as if nothing has happened."
The Imam wasn't so sure that this was the optimal course of action. He said "I understand the general's point of view, but I believe that we can close down the laboratory, clean it thoroughly. Perhaps we can even fill it with concrete so even the most accomplished inspectors will find no trace of any nuclear material. Then, general, you can interrogate the scientists and hang them 50 meters above ground from Azadi tower if you wish."
The Senior Assistant said "I will bring this matter to the Supreme Leader and we shall obey his decision, as always. This may take some time because he will probably wait for some divine guidance. I'll call you back when I hear his verdict."
***
The Imam went directly to Evin Prison. First he stopped by the cell in which the Israeli hostages were held. He went through the usual routine with Fatso accompanying him. He called the prisoners to turn around and face him and then informed them that Morris and Vicki Aladgem had held a press conference with the Prime Minister. He only told them about the first part of the PM's speech and the praise the Islamic Republic of Iran had received from the PM himself and from the freed hostages. Zorik was the first to speak, as usual "Honorable Imam, when will we all be released?"
The Imam looked at them and answered noncommittally "Soon, Inshallah, with the will of Allah you will all be safe and sound in your country".
Zorik thought that it would not be a good idea to pursue the matter and said "We all wish to thank you once again for letting Morris go with Vicki. We really appreciate this gesture".
The Imam smiled and left that part of the prison and made his way to Basement S. His unannounced visit found the entire staff of the clandestine laboratory in the small conference room apparently engaged in some technical discussion. Dr. Fathi was standing at the white drawing board with a red marker in his hand and was busy writing down some complicated equation. The Imam identified the black circle that was surrounded by a series of pie-shaped segments that were drawn with a blue marker as the core of the nuclear device and the segments as depicting the explosives used to compress the metallic core. Fathi had completed writing the equation and then added a small red pin-shaped line in the center of each blue segment. When he saw the Imam at the door he stopped in mid-sentence. The other members of the laboratory staff turned their heads and saw the Imam and all instinctively stood up as sign of respect. The Imam took a seat and motioned for Fathi to continue with his presentation. Fathi addressed the Imam and explained that the red pin-shaped lines represented the detonators that had to be programmed to explode simultaneously. The Imam nodded and then asked Fathi to conclude his presentation as he needed to discuss something with him in private.
After everyone else left the room the Imam said "Dr. Fathi we are running out of time and have to move ahead quickly. When can you have the device ready and packaged?"
Fathi said "We need more time for testing it and verifying its ruggedness. In principle it can be available for delivery tomorrow but then I cannot guarantee that it won't suffer some damage during transportation."
The Imam considered this and said "Can you quantify the probability of malfunction?"
Fathi said "Honorable Imam, as you are well aware that we have never manufactured a nuclear device in this country, and certainly never had the opportunity to do real testing. I cannot give you a solid, verifiable probability. All is in the hands of Allah."
The Imam didn't need a religious sermon from Dr. Fathi. He grimaced at the mention of Allah in this context and walked out of the room saying "Dr. Fathi, be prepared to deliver the device as soon as I give the order."
Chapter 19
October 30th, PM's Office, Jerusalem
As soon as the Prime Minister left the press room he returned to his office. Shimony, David, the Head of the Israeli Atomic Energy Commission (IAEC), as well as the Minister of Defense, Chief of Staff of the IDF and by the Commander of the Air Force (CAF) were already seated around the table in the PM's conference room. The PM opened "
Well gentlemen, I hope the Iranians got the message. How can we bring their military nuclear program to a standstill? How can we deter them from ever again trying to build a bomb? How serious is the threat?"
Shimony looked at David and gave him a sign to speak. David said "The green specks that were on Vicki's scarf were identified unequivocally as traces on high enriched uranium. This is the stuff the Iranians were working on clandestinely prior to the implementation of the nuclear deal. As far as the IAEA could verify all the enriched uranium, except a few hundred kilograms of low enriched uranium that is unsuitable for nuclear weapons, was removed from Iran. They may have managed to secretly accumulate, or acquire from foreign sources, some weapon grade uranium. The traces found on the scarf are really the first proof of that. The fact that they were collected from the shoes of Imam Mourtashef in Evin Prison probably means that they have a clandestine laboratory there. The nuclear forensics laboratory in Germany also found very minute traces of plutonium. As far as we know this must have come from a source outside Iran. These facts point to a gross violation of the nuclear deal and pose a clear and present danger to us if they manage to construct a nuclear bomb."
The Chief of Staff of the IDF asked "Do we know how advanced they are?"
The PM looked around the room and when he saw that no one volunteered to answer, he addressed Shimony "Haim, I expect this to be your top priority, although I believe that you have already designated it as such". He continued "If they make such a bomb how can they deliver it?"
The Commander of the Israeli Air Force said "We have a three tiered defensive system that enables us to intercept and destroy long range missiles, medium range missiles and tactical rockets as well as short range rockets. Our defense against aircraft consists of ground based anti-aircraft missiles and airborne fighter jets with the best pilots in the world". It was commonly accepted by the Israeli public, after five decades of persistent promotion and PR, that their pilots were indeed the best in the world. In fact, Israeli pilots shot down Spitfires flown by British pilots in 1948, British made Hunters flown by Jordanian pilots, Russian made Migs, Sukhois and a few other planes flown by Egyptian, Iraqi, Syrian and Russian pilots in the various wars since 1948. Even some Libyan pilots who dared challenge the Israeli air force were "splashed" in 1973.
The Dreadful Patriot: A Thrilling Conspiracy Novel (Techno thriller, Mystery & Suspense Book 3) Page 21