The Syrian (Natasha Kelly, Mossad Spy)

by Felicia Mires

  I can't believe it! How could he…

  At least he'd avoided giving her name.

  "You know Dirk, it sounds wonderful, but what's her name? She does have a name besides Mystery Girl, doesn't she?"

  Natasha felt ready to cry with exasperation. "Dirk, don't you dare!"

  One last time, Dirk turned into the camera. He smiled provocatively, one perfect blond brow raised, white teeth gleaming. "Oh yes, a lovely name. I'm sure she wouldn't mind. Her friends have seen the pictures, and I've told the family now. Her name is Natasha Kelly."

  The music blared as the show got ready for another station break. "Well, folks you heard it here first. Mystery girl, Natasha Kelly, to wed the elusive Dirk Sloan. And what a captivating couple they make. Sort of reminds me of Bonnie and Clyde." Jay Leno held up the picture of the couple posed in front of the car, and the show faded to commercial.

  Well…

  Natasha flopped against her pillow. Possibilities for disaster raced through her mind. It's a good thing she knew how to wear a disguise, because she'd be wearing it for the rest of her life.

  I…I need someone to talk to, and there's no one.

  That still, small voice inside her head whispered. Pray.

  "Oh, Father, my life feels like a disaster. I know it's not. I believe You work everything in my life for my good, so I have to trust You to take care of this. But, what about all those other people messing it up?" A tear slid down her face, and she reached for a tissue.

  "Lord, I feel like Dirk is trying to trap me. I don't even know if he's what You want for me…or what I want. Please move in that situation. How dare he think he can arrange my life without consulting me!

  "Not to mention all the people who'll be hurt because they think I kept secrets from them. How will I explain this when it never comes to pass? It's easy for him. Movie stars break engagements all the time. But my friends don't know I'm working with the Mossad. How will I explain meeting Dirk?

  "And what about the Mossad? My face was just plastered all over the TV. How can I be a spy if people are looking for my face? What about David…and his feelings?

  "Then there's the mess John's in. Father, I ask you again to watch over John. Send angels to protect him to keep him in all his ways, just as your Word says. And give him peace and rest.

  "Lord, about everything else...please bring resolution to all the questions I have. Protect those I love and make a way for me to explain all this.

  "I know I've asked a lot and maybe not the right way. Ok, so I'm whining, but...Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Not my will, but Thine be done. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen."

  She sighed. She might not have a clue about what to do, but she sensed the peace of God.

  Her mind catapulted to her training exercise. That picture of her and Dirk. No wonder they flashed it with all the others. What must they think of her? If only she could call David. Since that was out of the question, she might as well go to sleep.

  As she drifted off, Natasha remembered Dirk's comments about meeting her on the plane. When she'd finally appeared that day without a disguise, she'd assumed he hadn't thought much of her natural appearance. He'd taken one look then never said another word. But he just told the whole world she was everything.

  The next morning, Eitan issued instructions for their first practice abduction. "Memorize these details then set up a fake run-through at the mock neighborhood on the base."

  The members of Natasha's kidon exchanged looks. What assignment would she get now that they would venture into the real world? She didn't have long to ponder. Anya dropped a piece of paper in front of each person. Natasha unfolded hers without enthusiasm. Lookout. Which meant she was nothing more than a baby-sitter for a wall.

  They reached the mock neighborhood and practiced the drill over and over, eventually reducing their time of completion. Each member of her kidon performed a more active role, even the driver got to drive. Another attempt by Anya and Eitan to raise her ire. She kept her mouth shut and concentrated on the mission. She'd show them she could obey orders no matter what.

  The real test of her resolve came in their practice debriefing. After reviewing their mistakes, Anya told them what to expect for their night exercises.

  "Agent 409, expect a mock kidnapping to be conducted against you. Another team will be using you for practice."

  "Yes, Ms. Perez."

  Natasha's stomach turned over at the thought of being abducted. Could she handle the appearance of darkened figures who gagged her in her sleep and carried her off to who knows where? Did Anya know someone had already tried to kidnap her from the base? What if the terrorists came after her again? How would she know the difference?

  Anxiety tore through her at each baleful glare from Anya. The woman acted as if she hated Natasha.

  If only I could tell David.

  On their way to the canteen for lunch, Natasha prayed. Father, I need a way out. Your Word says You are faithful and will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear because You provide a way out so we can bear it. Help me, Lord.

  When Natasha walked in the door of the cafeteria, she saw a miracle. David Benjamin sat at a table. Tears stabbed at her eyes, but she blinked them back. She couldn't let Anya see weakness.

  If she proceeded with care, she could sneak a message to David right under the prying eyes of Anya.

  Natasha opened her notebook, wrote 911 on a corner sheet then tore it out and folded it up. She kept the note under her tray while she selected food. When she neared the end of the line, she saw Anya sit by David.

  She probably did that on purpose. But what a coup if I can communicate with David right under Anya's nose.

  Natasha searched for the right person to deliver her note to David. She'd had contact with precious few personnel on the base, but cafeteria workers happened to be in that number.

  When she felt she couldn't dawdle any longer at her food selection, she spotted someone she knew from her last visit. With a smile of surprise, she paused beside him.

  "Hello, again. It's nice to see you."

  "Ah, Miss Kelly. Enjoying your stay? I thought you'd returned to the US."

  "That's true, but I'm back."

  At first, Anya watched with narrowed eyes, but she quickly lost interest.

  Natasha whispered to her contact. "Please ask someone else, not you, to give this note to David Benjamin right now. No verbal message."

  The young man winked at Natasha then returned to the kitchen.

  Natasha chose a vacant seat that placed Anya and David at the corner of her field of vision. Their heads were bent in deep discussion when a cafeteria woman walked over to David and handed him the note. He opened it, read the contents, then stuffed it in his pocket with absolutely no acknowledgment.

  Anya never stopped talking, leaning to whisper in his ear. David's head jerked back in raucous laughter. He reached his arm around the back of Anya's chair to bend down and murmur against her ear.

  They were flirting! Anya practically laid her head on his shoulder, giggling like a schoolgirl. How pathetic. They might as well make-out at the table.

  While Anya's head rested on David's shoulder, he looked up at Natasha and winked. She glared, but he kept smiling. It didn't help that Anya looked fresh as a daisy, while several layers of red desert dust covered Natasha's body. She got up and left the room. She'd get more peace at the training grounds than she would watching them maul each other.

  Anya arrived more than a few minutes late and slightly out of breath. Natasha examined the heightened color and giddy smile lighting her face and wanted to wretch. Had flirting with David brought such a change in the termagant?

  Timer in hand, Anya led the way. "Begin."

  Agents scrambled. Natasha took up her post as look-out and stood at attention until the rest of the kidon brought back the dummy kidnap victim.

  "Excellent, Natasha. You certainly have a way of…standing. I'm sure nothing escapes that eagle eye. You should all pay hee
d." Anya strolled away. "The kidnapping is scheduled for 0100. Be ready."

  Agent 112 watched Anya leave then looked at Natasha and whistled. 329 shrugged, tucking her ponytail behind her back.

  547 shook his head. "What got into her?" He jerked to meet Natasha's eyes. "Not that you don't do a fine job of look-out."

  Natasha laughed. "It's ok. I know she dislikes me."

  She joined the other trainees as they packed their gear, and for the first time, she felt included.

  With the last bag zipped shut, 547 heaved a sigh. "Time to rest. Remember, here at 0100." Then he tipped his cap at Natasha and strode out of the building.

  Natasha longed for a shower. She could just imagine what she looked like after the morning's four mile run and all those practice sessions, the last of which included the liberal use of camouflage paint. She must resemble a refugee from a low-budget war movie. She returned to her room, flinging open the door with her foot as she juggled her heavy pack.

  "What took so long? My, don't you look awful." David Benjamin reclined on her bed as if he'd been lolling for hours.

  After what your precious Miss Anya does to me, what would you expect?

  She dropped the bag and sat in a chair, too tired to argue. The TV was missing from the table, but the disc lay to the side.

  David smiled. "Go ahead, take a shower. I'll wait."

  Natasha rose without a word, grabbed clean clothes, then walked into the bathroom. While the spray washed away the grit and dust of the desert, she conducted some soul-searching.

  I'm jealous. I have no right to be. He can do as he pleases. He's not a believer, anyway. But, he said he wanted me. And I don't know what I want.

  She ran a finger across her greasy cheek.

  Except to remove this paint.

  After some earnest scrubbing, nothing remained but shiny, pink skin. Still, she had no idea what to say to David. If she let him start the conversation, she could follow his lead as if nothing happened with Anya.

  She dressed and dried her hair. When she exited the bathroom, David stood and walked close to give her a quick hug. Taking hold of her hand, he leaned back to stare at her face. "How have you been?"

  Tears stung her eyes, but she blinked them away, forcing herself to remain detached. "Struggling, but I manage."

  "Hmm, the poised, controlled Mossad agent. Is that what you learned?"

  Natasha turned away to sit at the table.

  David sighed. "All right, Natasha. Why the 911? Are you ready to quit the Mossad and go flying back to the arms of Dirk because he wants to set the date? Fine, I'll get you out."

  What in the world?

  David shook his head and stepped toward the door.

  Natasha noticed the disc sitting on the corner of the table. The disc.

  Before she realized it, she had jumped up and wrapped her arms around David's neck and kissed him firmly on the mouth.

  He jerked back. "From now on, you will kindly thank me in another fashion."

  "David, come back and sit down. I need to talk to you...and not about Dirk."

  David assumed the bland visage of a Mossad agent. "All right, if you release me."

  She dropped his arm, and they both sat at the table.

  How should she begin? She studied David's poker-face. He could keep that up indefinitely. She gave him a timid smile but got no response. When she reached for his hand, he flinched.

  She blurted it out. "Ok...I was shocked by that tape…screaming mad! I wanted to talk to you immediately, because I didn't know how to handle all the problems that tape is going to cause me. But never did I want to fly into Dirk's arms. It didn't even occur to me." She took a deep breath. "I knew I wasn't allowed to call you, so I prayed about it then went to sleep." She scowled as he crossed his arms across his chest. "You got a 911 because your nasty Anya sent me into a panic. All I could think about was you, and how much I needed you to fix this for me."

  She caught the gleam of hope when it lit his eyes. "What put you in a panic?"

  "Perhaps I'm being irrational, but I can't help it. You decide. Anya informed us this morning that unknown agents will kidnap me out of my bed in the middle of the night. I've already been through that in real life." She pointed at the door. "There are people out there who want me dead, and someone knows where I am, or I wouldn't have gotten that note at the airport. How am I supposed to tell if the 'good guys' or the 'bad guys' are tying me up and hauling me off?" She threw her hands in the air. "I'd be too terrified to cope. I don't think I can pass that exercise."

  "She had no right. I'll remove her from your training…"

  "Whoa, whoa, I don't want you to beat anybody up for me. I just want to…I need to know I'm safe here."

  "Of course. I'll handle this."

  His snapping brown eyes made her a little afraid for Anya.

  "How?"

  David opened his mouth, closed it then raised a brow. "You have an idea?"

  "I do. I want a room that doesn't open to the outside, something like a suite. And if anyone gets in my room, they'll have to get through you first, because I want you sleeping outside my door."

  He laughed. "You don't want much. I think it would be easier to remove Anya from your training."

  "But you can do it?"

  "I believe so, yes." He grinned and leaned closer. "Now, tell me, weren't you the least bit jealous?"

  Natasha rose so he couldn't see her face.

  "Yes."

  He reached out and pulled her to his lap. "Tell me what you want from me."

  "I don't know." She kept her eyes on the third button of his shirt. "I realize that's not fair to you. I know I don't want that woman putting her hands all over you and laying her head on your shoulder. I wanted to scratch her eyes out."

  "Good, we're making progress." He stood, nearly dumping her on the floor. "I must go. You have a rendezvous tonight and need rest."

  "Wait. Dirk's made a mess of my life, and I don't know what to do about it."

  "It's not irreparable. Go to sleep. We'll talk again soon…I promise."

  Together they walked toward the door.

  When he leaned down to kiss the top of her head, she smiled. "By the way, thanks for all the fresh flowers. It really perks up my day."

  He raised his head and scowled. "They're from Dirk. He's determined to out-maneuver me in every way. Apparently, he knows your whereabouts."

  "That wasn't hard. He went to visit my parents and my brother. Of course, they'd tell him." She shook her head "It doesn't matter about the flowers, anyway. Thinking of you somewhere nearby cheers me up."

  "Shalom, Natasha, darling."

  "Shalom, David."

  Before going to sleep, Natasha spent a great deal of time at prayer. She no longer wondered if she wanted to get married, but to whom.

  David was certain to find salvation. The changes in him were obvious. And apparently Dirk had accepted the Lord, but she wouldn't be sure until she spoke to him. Or her family. They'd know the truth.

  She felt a wave of homesickness. She knew Katir and her parents were praying for her. Did they know how torn her heart felt? Between worrying about John, holding David at bay, and dealing with Dirk's shenanigans, not to mention what she went through on a daily basis in training...her soul felt weary.

  How nice if she could be simply a girl dating a boy, without worrying about terrorists out for world domination.

  If she were completely honest, she still believed that loving David could be a fulfilling, comfortable relationship. On the other hand, loving Dirk was like standing on the edge of a raging volcano, with molten lava spewing and boulders blasting…

  That might be a bit much, but only a little.

  Good thing she'd kept that picture of Dirk in her suitcase. David wouldn't like it. She climbed into bed and pulled the covers over her head.

  Much too soon, Natasha's alarm went off, and she dragged herself to the bathroom. What about the poor sap they were going to snatch? Israelis were crazy to offe
r themselves as practice hostages to be awakened in the middle of the night by strangers, then gagged, bound, and thrown in the back of a car.

  She pulled her hair back in a sleek ponytail. Time to kidnap someone.

  When Natasha stopped her jeep at the training facility, the darkened building revealed the absence of her team. She sat on the steps, staring into the vast, starry sky, and sighed. What a glorious example of God's handiwork. How could those living in God's Promised Land not feel His divine Presence?

  Years before, she'd envied the Jews, God's chosen children. One day, God spoke to her through Galatians: "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ."

  Natasha Kelly was a beloved daughter of the Most High God. More than just adopted, she'd been sought out. That was a reason to rejoice. As she gazed at the heavens, the indescribable Presence settled over her, the Israel Factor, a palpable atmosphere that flowed through her.

  Once, she'd tried to explain it to some friends, and they looked at her as if she were a little strange. She ended up telling them, "When you get there, you'll understand." And they had.

  Lord, please don't ever let me take you for granted.

  Chapter 3

  The other four trainees arrived all at once. With a minimum of conversation, they packed all the gear in one jeep and drove to Tel Aviv. The silence in the jeep rattled Natasha's nerves. Were the other agents uneasy?

  She reviewed their instructions: Agent 112 was their driver and would remain in the car as their street lookout to hasten their departure. Agent 268 was on point at the north end of the building. He watched the stairs and hallway on that side while agents 329 and 547 carried out the abduction of their target. Natasha, also on point, covered the south stairs and hallway. When 329 and 547 came out of the room with their target, Natasha and 268 became the advance team to protect the escape route.