by Ty Patterson
No one replied.
‘Why is this different? You see all these people?’ she gestured at the civilians who were milling in the lobby. ‘None of them knew that the negotiators weren’t here. Only the hotel manager knew. Not even his staff. We aren’t entitled to know just because we are kidon. This plan was primarily the commander’s, Moshe Abhyan. He decided who would know the full details. Not Zeb or I.’
‘You are sheltering behind him,’ Yakov said roughly.
Carmel lost it. She sprang forward and grabbed him by his shirt. ‘Yakov,’ she said contemptuously, ‘You are the only kidon I haven’t worked with. Everyone here knows me. I don’t hide behind anyone. I don’t make excuses. I don’t need Abhyan to cover for me.’
‘Yakov, back down,’ Uzziah warned the kidon when he made to speak. ‘I know Carmel. You are in the wrong.’
Yakov walked away angrily when the team leader released him.
‘Any more questions?’ Carmel regarded the remaining operatives coolly.
‘One,’ Eliel raised his hand. ‘How come the hotel didn’t come down? It took so many missiles and yet is still standing.’
‘It is designed for such attacks. Reinforced steel, highly toughened glass, many other features. Besides, we got lucky. The attackers were using missiles that are outdated. Modern ones would have inflicted severe damage on the building.’
‘This attack … it proves no kidon was involved, doesn’t it? None of those captured or killed are Mossad operatives. We are clear, aren’t we?’
All the operatives turned to Zeb, who nodded. ‘Yes. Mossad is clear.’
* * *
‘You don’t sound very confident,’ Levin commented. He was with Zeb and the sisters, on the third-floor balcony.
It was five pm. Alice Monash had left for the embassy after congratulating Zeb on a plan that had worked. She had been scared, she said, not terrified, because there was this female soldier who kept wisecracking and helped her relax.
Zeb thought he knew who the soldier was. The same woman who joked with me and greeted Eliel. He had sought her out later and had thanked her.
Mopping-up operations were continuing at the Galaxy. Of the fifteen attackers, six remained alive. Only two were in a position to talk. They said they were guns for hire, Lebanese mercenaries. They claimed that a man named Karim had hired them and didn’t know who the ultimate paymaster was.
Karim was, unfortunately, dead. The clearing teams were searching for his cell phone. Simultaneously, the backgrounds of all the attackers were being checked. The police investigative apparatus had kicked in.
Even as they watched, EMS personnel wheeled a gurney across the lobby and loaded it into a waiting ambulance.
‘How many injured?’ Zeb deflected Levin’s query.
‘Ten. One soldier is serious but should recover. Those hostiles were poorly equipped. That kept the casualties down,’ the ramsad replied, grim-faced.
That there were no deaths on the Israeli side wasn’t that much of a surprise. The soldiers and police officers who had volunteered to pose as civilians were highly experienced. They had sought shelter the moment firing had commenced. They had thrown themselves to the floor and were away from windows. The hotel staff had rushed to the basement, where they had remained until the attackers were overcome.
Those tourists, they died, Zeb reminded himself. The bodies that had fallen out of the car were Japanese visitors. The gunmen kidnapped them, killed them, and used their bodies as shields.
His hands clenched the rail as a gust of anger surged through him. Innocents. They had nothing to do with what went down. It’s on me.
‘It’s not on you,’ Levin took one look at his face. ‘Everyone in this hotel was a volunteer. Those tourists … all of us bear responsibility.’
‘I want to know who they were. Where they were from. Their families. Everything.’
‘You’ll get it.’
‘You didn’t answer my question,’ Levin asked after a pause. ‘You said my people are clear. I know you, however. You sounded uncertain.’
Zeb was aware of the sisters regarding him sharply. He hadn’t confided his reservations to them.
Heck, let me tell them.
‘I don’t know, Avichai,’ he confessed and shifted to ease his throbbing leg. ‘It doesn’t make sense.’
‘Explain,’ the ramsad rapped out.
‘Not a single gunman entered the hotel. How were they planning to kill the negotiators?’
‘By bringing the hotel down.’ Beth didn’t conceal her surprise. Why didn’t Zeb see what was so obvious?
‘It didn’t, however. So, what was their backup plan?’
‘They didn’t have one. They threw everything they had at the hotel.’
‘What about escape? They sure weren’t thinking of getting away.’
‘Suicide attackers,’ Beth snapped her fingers at his face. ‘Heard of them? They exist!’
He nodded half-heartedly.
‘What else is bothering you?’ Levin asked him.
‘This attack. It did what we wanted. It drew out the hostiles. But were these shooters the ones behind the first attack? That first killing was so different.’ Zeb threw his hands up in frustration. ‘It was meticulously planned. We still don’t know who those assassins were. Masih’s attack was like this one: Brute force. No refinements.’
‘It’s possible that today’s hostiles were behind the first one. They decided to go with two assassins, then. This second time, they had no choice but to throw numbers and heavy weapons, because the negotiators were securely protected.’
‘What about the EQB?’
‘I don’t know if they are linked to the first and last attacks. However, the police will confirm that with their investigation.’
‘Uh-huh.’
‘You still aren’t sure.’
‘I am sure none of the kidon in this hotel are involved. None of the remaining operatives showed up. You know that. You can read that two ways.’
‘Either all the kidon are innocent—’ Meghan watched Carmel talking with her team in the lobby. They were smiling, slapping backs. It looked like the previous rancor had disappeared. ‘—or the rogue operatives decided to stay away.’
‘Yeah, and these Lebanese shooters saw an opportunity and took it.’
Levin looked at the activity in the lobby and made a snap decision.
‘Come to the IDF camp. The three of you. We’ll get Carmel, Dalia and the rest, too. I’ll get Carmel to brief the agents.’
‘You want the same setup?’
‘Yes. That’s an IDF show; however, more Mossad eyes on possible traitors will be good.’
* * *
Moscow
* * *
Andropov jerked awake when his cell rang. He glanced at his watch. Eleven pm. Of course, he wasn’t sleeping. Spymasters like him never did. He was merely resting his eyes. He yawned lustily and glanced at the TV. It was replaying the events in Jerusalem.
His phone buzzed again. He checked the number on his phone and frowned. It didn’t register on him.
‘Da?’ he growled.
‘It’s Mikhail.’
‘Mikhail, who?’ Andropov grunted. What was the world coming to? Why couldn’t people introduce themselves properly?
‘I am the police officer at Raskov’s apartment. You gave me your card.’
‘I remember. You have something for me?’
‘Nothing on the killer. I was searching his apartment, however, and came across a concealed hollow behind the bookshelf in his bedroom.’
‘And?’ Why did this Mikhail have to draw things out?
‘It had a thumb drive in it.’
Andropov sat straighter, his mind clearing up in an instant.
‘What’s in it?’
‘I don’t know. I found it ten minutes back. I haven’t checked it out.’
‘Who else knows about it?’
‘No one. I am alone. I told my boss I wanted to follow up on some leads.’
‘Why were you searching the place?’
‘I wasn’t, really. The forensic team had already gone through it. But it looks like no one thought of looking behind that shelf.’
‘Don’t tell anyone. Don’t give it to anyone. Don’t leave that place.’
‘I have to record the evidence,’ Mikhail protested.
‘What evidence?’
* * *
Ein Kerem, Somewhere in the Middle East
* * *
‘Does Carter suspect you?’ the handler asked Magal.
The two kidon had returned to their apartment in Ein Kerem after another briefing with the American, Levin and Carmel.
‘No. We would either be dead or in a Mossad interrogation center, if he knew.’
‘He duped us.’
‘Yes. It was a smart play.’
‘You admire him?’
‘I admire good tradecraft.’
‘I still want those Palestinians killed.’
‘It’s almost impossible now. They are in the military camp.’
‘You’re going there, aren’t you?’
‘But we will be surrounded by soldiers.’
‘I thought you two were the best kidon the Mossad had. No mission was beyond you,’ the handler goaded.
Magal looked at his phone and then at Shiri, who was listening.
‘We’ll try.’ He took a deep breath. ‘But you have to realize—’
‘Trying isn’t enough. I want the Palestinians dead,’ the handler retorted, losing his temper. ‘I cultivated you. I let you carry out missions in my own country. I could have captured you during any of those. It’s time to repay now.’
‘We will do it.’
‘Good. This is the only opportunity you will have. It will be too late after the announcement.’
* * *
The handler replaced his cell in its cradle and rocked in his chair. He had put on an act for Magal, that he was angry. He was genuinely disturbed, however. He had been confident the kidons’ plan would come off. So confident that he had almost boasted to the Supreme Leader to watch the news.
He was thankful he hadn’t.
However, he had committed to victory to the leader, and that was still some distance away.
A chill raced through his spine.
Does Levin know I have access to his emails? Is that why the hotel had only soldiers and police?
His fingers twitched, but he didn’t reach for his keyboard. Instead, he analyzed scenarios in his mind. The hotel’s details had been in the Mossad director’s emails. As had been the deployment of the kidon to the Galaxy.
No. The Israelis are in diplomatic trouble with the Japanese. They wouldn’t have allowed the attack to happen if they knew about my virus.
He had to consider his future, though. Magal’s concerns were valid.
If the two men can’t kill some or all the Palestinians, I won’t be able to blame Mossad.
And if Cantor and Baruti made their announcement before blood was shed, the Supreme Leader would go on a tearing rage.
The handler had no intention of being in the country if that happened. He would flee.
He would also expose Magal and Shiri.
* * *
‘Are you out of your mind?’ Shiri exploded when Magal hung up. ‘There’s no way we can kill any Palestinians and get away alive. Not in an IDF base.’
His partner smiled mysteriously.
‘You think we can?’ Shiri asked, dumbfounded.
‘Did you see how those soldiers reacted when the attack happened?’
‘They reacted like any soldier would.’
‘No. Did you see what they were wearing?’
‘Combat gear. What’s special about that?’
‘Full face helmets.’
Shiri’s face cleared. ‘The guards at the conference room. They, too, had their faces covered.’
‘Yes. There’s no way to know who’s behind those.’
‘We still will need to get away.’
‘We can work on that. We’re going to the camp tomorrow. We still have a few days in hand.’
‘And if we don’t get an opportunity?’
‘Then, we have failed.’
‘The handler will not let it rest. He is a vengeful man.’
‘I have thought about that. We will have to disappear after the announcement. Our first assignment as killers will be for ourselves.’
‘What’s that?’
‘We take out the handler.’
Chapter Fifty-Seven
Beit Aghion
Eight days after Assassinations
Three days to Announcement
‘You have seen the news?’ Prime Minister Yago Cantor addressed his visitors: Jessy Levitsky, Nadav Shoshon, Jore Spiro, Avichai Levin, Alice Monash and Zeb. They were seated around a conference table, newspapers strewn on its polished surface.
Seven am. They had finished breakfast and were sipping their beverages.
‘Don’t need to.’ Levitsky pushed one publication away with his forefinger. ‘I have been in meetings and press conferences all night. I know what the headlines are.’
‘EQB CELL STRIKES AGAIN,’ Cantor read out. ‘That’s just one of them.’
‘That’s our spin on it,’ Shoshon grunted. ‘We told the media that the killers were from that organization.’
‘No one’s talking of Mossad anymore,’ Spiro grinned slyly at Levin.
‘And no one should,’ the ramsad said resolutely.
‘What about the investigation? In the first killing?’ the prime minister asked his team.
‘That’s progressing slowly, Yago,’ Levitsky admitted. ‘We have had to move resources to the EQB and the Lebanese attacks. Frankly, I don’t think we’ll find those killers before the big day.’
‘What about you?’ Cantor asked Levin.
‘The investigator and the trusted kidon were at the Galaxy. They helped foil the attack. They have moved to the IDF base and will remain there until the press conference is over.’
‘What about the remaining operatives?’ Shoshon questioned.
‘I think they, too, are good, but I want to be absolutely sure. That investigation will go a little slower. For the same reason Jessy mentioned.’
‘Once Baruti and I make the declara—’ The prime minister shot a swift glance toward Zeb and checked himself. ‘I guess all the media will be focused on that day. If those killers are Mossad, we can manage it. After the event.’
‘Yes, sir.’
For the first time in several days, Cantor was feeling hopeful. Yes, there had been another shootout in the streets. One in which rocket launchers had been deployed. Sure, there was clamor from the opposition that terrorists were ruling Jerusalem. And he had to deal with Japan. However, that attack had served an unexpected political purpose. It had helped bring most of his parties together. The American ambassador was dealing with the recalcitrant ones.
‘Alice, how are you doing? Recovered from yesterday?’
‘Everything happened too fast for me to panic,’ the ambassador said, laughing. ‘Besides, I was surrounded by your soldiers. They were relaxed. They told me to stay down on the floor. They were joking. The hotel was getting hit, windows were breaking, the building was shaking, but all these soldiers could talk about was how bad the attackers’ aim was.’
‘They are Israeli soldiers, Alice,’ Cantor said proudly.
‘Yeah.’ She looked speculatively at Levin. ‘The Galaxy. Choosing it was your idea. Why didn’t it come down? Any other hotel anywhere in the world would have collapsed.’
There was silence in the room.
‘Am I missing something?’
‘That hotel just might be,’ Levin made a show of coughing, ‘a Mossad front. Built specially to withstand such attacks.’
‘You fox.’
‘He’s that and more,’ Cantor agreed. He brought the meeting back to business. ‘Alice, you met Omet Zeev?’
‘I will be meeting h
im, later today.’ She smiled mischievously. ‘Did you know he has a mistress? In Tel Aviv?’
Cantor’s jaw dropped. ‘Omet Zeev? Are you sure?’
‘Brown,’ she looked at Zeb, ‘found a money trail. That led to her identity. It was easy after that.’
‘Isn’t he the one who talks about family values?’ Shoshon chuckled.
‘Yeah, and that’s why we hold an ace. His party will disown him if they come to know.’
* * *
‘You’re heading to the base?’ the ambassador asked Zeb as they walked out.
‘Yes, ma’am. Beth and Meghan are outside. We’re going straight away.’
‘I’ll be joining you in the afternoon.’
‘You, ma’am?’ he looked at her in surprise.
‘Yes. I need to be there. The U.S. has to be visible. I will stay there until the press conference.’
‘Where will it be held?’
‘Didn’t Levin tell you?’
‘I think he has a lot on his plate.’
‘It will be in Teddy Stadium. It’s a good venue; I have seen it.’ She threw a sidelong glance at him. ‘You know what’s going to be announced?’
‘I worked it out, ma’am. Many people in this country will be ready to die to stop it.’
‘Millions more on both sides and across the world will be ready to die for it.’
* * *
IDF Base, Negev Desert
* * *
The Negev Desert covered over half of Israel’s land area, in the south of the country, with the Gulf of Aqaba at its base and Beersheba, its capital and the largest city in the region, to its north.
Despite the region’s size, it was home to just over half a million people, a quarter of which were Bedouins. The government had invested heavily in the desert to make it more habitable and to entice people away from the larger cities. A major IDF base was being constructed in the desert to house ten thousand soldiers and over two thousand civilian staff. A host of high-tech companies had sprung up around the military center.