Sergeant Navarro didn’t waste any time. As soon as they had ordered, he said, “I’m not here for myself. I want you to meet with my uncle who recently moved here from Israel. He lost his wife a little over two years ago and has not been the same since. He doesn’t date and he shows no interest in other women. He mustn’t know that I’ve hired you.”
Mika gave him a puzzled look. “How the hell am I going to pull this off?”
“Because I’m going to give you all the information you’ll need.”
Mika smirked, “And what if I think this is just a bunch of crap and I don’t want to be bothered?”
At that point Sergeant Navarro withdrew an envelope from his inside sports jacket. “Here is a down payment of five thousand dollars to make you think it’s worth your time and trouble. There will be weekly payments of the same amount, until I think it has continued far enough.”
Mika as she counted the money, arrogantly replied, “And what if it goes further than you want? Are you prepared to pay more?”
The sergeant reached across the table, picking up Mika’s hand. He slowly increased pressure on it. “Don’t push your luck with me. Just do as I tell you and everything will be fine. When the time comes to break off the relationship, you’ll do just as I say.”
Mika, looking into his dark piercing eyes and feeling the pressure on her hand, was frightened. She pushed the envelope back to him. “I don’t think this is for me.”
“You’re Mika Rudolph of Apartment 620 in the Park Tower Condos and you drive a Silver 2006 BMW E60, vanity license plate number MIKA CG. You entered the United States from the Ukraine on a visitor visa in 1997, overstaying your visit. You’ve never applied for your residency or citizenship. I guess that makes you an illegal alien.”
Mika felt her body tense up. Who is this man? How the hell does he know my last name and so much about me?
Trembling, Mika took back the envelope and stuffed it into her purse. “You drive a hard bargain, but I think we can make this work.”
Sergeant Navarro spoke, “First of all, we’ll meet tomorrow at the north entrance of the Miami Beach Mall at eleven. I’ll help you select the proper outfits for your rendezvous with Benjamin. This dress you’re wearing, although stunning, is not conducive to your role as a new patron of antiques and Middle Eastern antiquity.”
“Middle Eastern antiquity, what the hell is that?”
“My uncle’s hobby and you will learn a great deal on the subject over the next few weeks.”
As the sergeant spoke in detail about her role and the person she would pretend to be, Mika became less apprehensive and more curious.
Mika asked, “Why would you go through such lengths to have us meet instead of just introducing us directly?”
“He won’t even entertain the thought. It must be an accidental meeting and his idea to ask you out. I think you’re up to the task.”
They continued to discuss how Mika was going to interface with Benjamin over dessert.
As the sergeant escorted her out of the building he spoke. “Mika, I’m looking forward to seeing you tomorrow at the mall. The train has left the station, you understand.”
“I understand,” replied a wary Mika.
On the trip back to Coral Gables, Mika was both nervous and excited. I feel like I’m the main character in a Hollywood movie. This could get interesting.
Mika, back in her condo, tried to relax. This has always been my refuge from the seedy world that I participate in. I’ve never before allowed a client to my home or to even know my last name. I’m very disturbed that this man Paul Kramer not only knows my address, but also most of my private life.
After taking a long hot shower, Mika crawled naked on top of the plush nine-denier silk sheets. Turning on her vibrator, she masturbated for almost fifteen minutes. Unable to achieve an orgasm, she fell into a restless sleep.
The Investigation
After Benjamin’s suspicious encounter at Beekman Estates, he commenced his own investigation of the guards who worked for MetroMax South. He contacted Mark Heckman, who had taken over his position of Head of Mossad Special Operations. Since Benjamin had retired, Mark had kept in contact with him, asking advice. Now it was Benjamin’s turn.
“Mark, I would like you to investigate a security firm called MetroMax South in Florida and MetroMax of Washington, D.C.? I need to have a complete dossier on the company and a background check on the owners.”
Several weeks later a package arrived from Mark Heckman containing the investigation request. Benjamin took only thirty minutes to read and underline key sentences in the forty-five-page report on the Lieberman’s. Interesting, MetroMax in Washington has contracts with key Federal agencies within the D.C. area. How could the United States government rely on only one company for the majority of its building and site security?
As Benjamin read further he became more intrigued. MetroMax South has established itself as the security firm responsible for both of the FEU nuclear reactor sites in Florida. Coincidence, I’m not sure about that.
He continued. Howard Lieberman is a naturalized U.S. citizen who emigrated from the United Kingdom. He studied at Cambridge Universities, Faculty of Oriental Studies and is fluent in both Arabic and Hebrew. I can’t believe what I am reading. He even spent three years with the FBI as an Arabic translator?
Benjamin read with great interest the background check made by the FBI through British Intelligence on Howard. So far I can’t find one thing that could make me suspicious of this man.
Benjamin just completed the section on Howard’s personal friends, Daniel Schonfeld and Jonah Meyerson. It’s odd that all three men are Jewish orphans. They just happened to immigrate to the United States from the United Kingdom about the same time and have settled into South Florida?
What he read next made him bolt out of his chair as he read the report out loud, “Jonah Meyerson’s hobbies are fishing and scuba diving. He owns a large fishing recreational vessel called The Phoenix Rising!”
Benjamin stood rereading the sentence, recollecting the events of September 1983 when the three Arab teens were killed in an automobile accident in Bath, England, and the statement that came from the Syrian embassy. “The Phoenix has risen.”
What’s the probability of this happening? Are these three Arabs alive and posing as Jewish businessman? Have all the intelligent agencies been deceived?
Benjamin pondered all of the scenarios that could have taken place. It’s inconceivable that this elaborate of an operation could have taken place without raising suspicion. If this is a group of terrorist cells, it’s the most cleverly conceived covert action I’ve ever witnessed. He immediately sat down at his table and drew a timeline based upon all the information he received.
Benjamin finally left his condo at noon to take lunch. I need a break from investigating Howard Lieberman and his two friends. The fact that Daniel Schonfeld is an electrical and chemical engineer, and at one time worked at a company that made explosive detonators, makes me even more skeptical about the three men involved.
Benjamin had previously called Mark Heckman in Tel Aviv.
“Mark thanks for the information. I’ve had your package a few days.”
“Ben, it’s the least I could do. I owe so much of my career to you.”
“I’ve studied everything and came upon something very interesting.”
“What’s that, Ben? I only glanced at the report. The agents in London did most of the investigation.”
“Howard Lieberman is the co-owner, along with his wife, of the Washington, D.C. security firm MetroMax. He is the sole owner of MetroMax South, in Boca Raton, Florida. He emigrated from the United Kingdom, as did his two closest friends. One is a chemical engineer and explosives expert.”
“Yes, Ben. I know that all three are from the UK.”
“They’re now all wealthy Jewish businessmen located in South Florida. What I found interesting was his closest friend Jonah Meyerson has a fishing yacht called The Phoenix
Rising. Do you remember the statement in ‘83 from the Syrian embassy after the death of the three Arab teens that we had under surveillance? The Phoenix has risen.”
“Ben, do you ever let go?” asked Mark. “Your findings are pretty interesting, but they’re three Jewish businessmen. Last time I checked, the world community didn’t have any Jewish businessman as suspected terrorists. I’ll do a background check of the other two men, Jonah Meyerson and Daniel Schonfeld, when they lived in the United Kingdom. But it isn’t a pressing matter. I’m sorry, but I don’t see the connection between a fishing boat and three dead Arab teens.”
Benjamin hung up the phone. I don’t expect much after hearing Mark’s comments, but I have no choice but to wait.
Mika Rudolph
Mika and the man she knew as Paul Kramer watched every move Benjamin Werner made outside of his condo. They spent time reviewing the antique shops that Benjamin frequented. Mika would go in and become familiar with the articles for sale and the shop owners. She would purchase a few small artifacts, suggested by Paul, which she placed on display in her condo.
Sergeant Navarro bought Mika a complete wardrobe to fit her new role with tailored three-piece ensembles, pantsuits, dresses and separates in neutral colors with matte finishes and classic styles. Gone was the provocative look with see-through blouses and dresses. The flashy overuse of jewelry was replaced by a moderately conservative look.
Mika Rudolph had been watching Benjamin’s condo complex for a week as previously instructed. She saw Benjamin leave and get into his automobile. Mika quickly drove up Las Olas Boulevard anticipating that Benjamin, a creature of habit, would be taking lunch at Beckett’s Café. She found a parking spot and quickly went to the café.
Benjamin drove his car west on Las Olas Boulevard to municipal parking and walked across the street to Beckett’s Café.
The waitress looked up from the seating chart. “Mr. Werner, it’s good to see you again. I’ll have a table for you in a moment.”
“Thanks,” said Benjamin. Mark said I never let go. Bad habits are hard to break, but it’s always worked for me.
Benjamin looked around the restaurant. Interesting, the woman sitting alone is looking directly at me. I guess I should be flattered. He paid no more attention to her as he sat down and ordered his lunch.
After lunch Benjamin would frequent many of the antique and art shops that abounded on Las Olas Boulevard for items to furnish his new condo with. He took a short walk over to the Lauderdale Art Center, which was his usual first stop after lunch. He liked the spaciousness of the gallery and had previously purchased two original works from local artists.
Benjamin was reviewing some recent additions when the same woman he had seen in Beckett’s Café was walking in his direction. She entered the gallery where he was standing.
“The art center has some very interesting works. Don’t you agree?” she asked.
Benjamin acknowledged, “They exhibit a wide variety of artists, which I haven’t seen in the other local galleries. Have you found something to purchase?”
“Not today. I just walked in because I saw the gallery from the road and thought it looked interesting. I drive all the way from Coral Gables because there are many antique and specialty shops located here.”
Benjamin looked at the impeccably dressed woman. “You’re looking for antiques?”
“Heavens no, my condo is furnished in contemporary Italian furnishings and the clash of styles would be atrocious.”
“Then why make the trip?”
“Because I’ve just started collecting some Egyptian artifacts and I was told that some of the shops have items from Egypt.”
Benjamin’s inquisitively asked, “You collect Middle East artifacts? I’ve been collecting for years.”
“Not Middle East, just Egyptian. I’m learning about Egyptian antiquities and I only have three items so far: a Predynastic pear-shaped red clay vessel dating between 4000 to 3000 B.C., a light green glazed limestone ceremonial boat, dating from 1570 to 1342 B.C., and my best piece is a Egyptian wall fragment which is a Sandstone carving of the Atum, also dating between 1570 to 1342 B.C.”
Mika had Benjamin’s attention. “Well, that’s a fine start. You’ve some very unique items. How did you discover them?”
“An acquaintance introduced me to the artifacts. He has since moved back to South America so I’m on my own.”
Benjamin found the woman intriguing. “If you don’t mind, I could help you locate some items. I could give you my opinion about the price and of course the history of the artifacts.”
“I certainly would appreciate some help. What do you think about my collection?” Mika asked.
“To be frank, the ceremonial boat and clay vessel are nice and will gain value over time, but the Sandstone carving of Atum is very unique. Did you know that Atum was called ‘The Completed One’ or ‘Finisher Of The World’? He was credited with being the creator of all underlying substance of the world including himself as a god. He created everything through masturbating or spitting as the first god on earth, and from one of his hands he made woman. He embodied the setting sun and was reborn every morning. He could be seen mainly as a serpent but also in other forms, like a mongoose or lion. He was considered to be the ‘Supreme Being’ and his body was considered the parts of all physical matter.”
Mika remarked, “He created everything by masturbation? Well, he must have been a very virile man. In my experience, most men are not quite up to that task.”
They both laughed as Benjamin pointed to the street. “Would you like to explore some of the other shops on Las Olas Boulevard?”
Mika nodded and said, “I would like that.”
The afternoon was spent rummaging and haggling with shop owners over costs while Benjamin gave Mika lessons on the Egyptian artifacts.
Leaving a shop, Benjamin asked, “Let’s take a break and have a glass of wine?”
“That would be nice. I need to sit and relax. You have filled my head with so much information.”
Later Benjamin raised his glass of wine. “Here’s to a wonderful afternoon. Hope we can do this again.”
Mika reached across the table and touched Benjamin’s hand. “I hope so, too. It’s been a wonderful experience. Tell me a little about yourself. All I’ve learned this afternoon is about people who have been dead for centuries.”
“I’m a widower and I just relocated back to the United States from Israel.”
“Did you live there long?”
“Over forty years. I’m a retired professor of Mathematics. I taught at the Tel Aviv University,” Benjamin lied. He had used the professor story for years as a front.
“I’m also Jewish, but I haven’t been active in the faith since I was a little girl in the Ukraine,” said Mika.
As they departing the café, Benjamin did something that hadn’t crossed his mind since the death of his wife. “Would you like to have dinner with me Saturday evening?”
“Yes, I would. You’re a charming and very interesting person.” More than I expected, thought Mika.
After exchanging phone numbers and addresses, Benjamin arrived back in his condo. He walked past the report that Mark had sent him. I’m not looking at another piece of paper.
Ignoring the pile, Benjamin went to his bedroom and lay down with his clothes on. It was seven o’clock the next morning when he awoke. He had been exhausted with his obsession of the report and for the first time in days he was able to sleep.
Mika was returning to Coral Gables. I need to call Paul Kramer. She picked up the cell phone and dialed. All she heard was, “You have some information for me?”
“He took the bait and we have a date for dinner on Saturday.”
“Good. Remember you’re to make the man as comfortable as possible, but make sure you don’t push yourself on him, for he could be turned off by aggression. Let him be the one to drive the relationship.”
Mika listened politely. You’ve no idea how easily I’ll
seduce this man!
The Phoenix Rising
Jonah maneuvered the yacht out of the Boca Inlet just after dawn. It was mid-August and the seas were flat. He headed east to the western edge of the Gulf Stream out of the range of eavesdropping devices. Aboard were Howard and Daniel. Even though Sergeant Navarro had completed an electronic sweep the night before, Jonah always proceeded with caution.
After a careful surveillance of the area with binoculars, Howard got down to business. “We surmised that Benjamin Werner has contacted his cronies back at the Mossad and probably has opened an investigation into our lives. I’m confident that their inquiry will go nowhere. Our problem is that he has an obsession for detail and may come across something that will lead to other agencies investigating us. We have to eliminate him without raising suspicion.”
Jonah leaned against the boat railing. “We need to get him out of the country. It must look like he’s had an accidental death. If we can get him to San Andrés, I can have Abu Abbas Ismail take care of our problem. We’re totally dependent on this woman moving the relationship to the point where he’ll travel with her. Have Sergeant Navarro get this woman to show an interest in scuba diving.”
“Do you think she’ll want to participate?” asked Daniel.
Jonah looked at Daniel, his brow wrinkled. “She’ll do just about anything to keep from being deported. When the time is right, she’s to suggest a diving trip to San Andrés. Make sure Sergeant Navarro knows our intention.”
“Won’t this take time, and couldn’t this leave us exposed?” Daniel asked pacing.
Jonah continued. “I suspect it’ll be three to four months before the pieces all fall in place, but we’ve no choice. If we do otherwise, we could raise suspicions to his theories and could find ourselves under surveillance.”
Howard was sweating as he reached into the cooler for cold drinks. Handing them out he said, “It seems like this is the only action that can be taken. I’ll meet with Sergeant Navarro this evening to set up the plan.”
The Third Cell Page 30