Chapter 1
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Chapter 1Talya said, “He’s not in Australia, is he?”
Samuel shook his head. “I don’t think he’s anywhere close to the action – or close to where the action was.”
“Why would you say that?”
“Because of something that was said in passing to me.”
“What’s that?”
“I can’t remember where or when I heard it, but I heard someone mention the fact that Sadir received messages from a computer in the CIA’s offices.”
“Yes, I heard that too, but that was probably the computer Lypsick used while he was in Washington.”
“That’s what everyone thought at the time, I suppose, but did anyone ever check what was stored in that hard drive?”
“I have no idea, Samuel. And even if Lypsick had been as stupid as keeping anything on that computer, I’d think the whole thing has been wiped clean as soon as Van Dams was killed.”
“Maybe you’re right... and that brings me to another point that seemed to have been lost in the confusion; what happened to that investigation? Did they ever find Van Dams’s killer, do you think?”
It was Talya’s turn to shake her head. “We’ve left only a day or so after his assassination. And I don’t think anyone at the CIA would be too keen on giving any information at this stage.”
Samuel smiled and stretched to the back of the chair. “You know, I can’t help but think that we’ve been enlisted to find this guy for one reason only...”
“And what is that reason, in your opinion?”
“Bernstein still thinks we’re traitors. He wants our heads on a platter.”
“But that’s ludicrous. He’s the one who cleared us, remember?”
“Oh yes. In fact he made his duty to ensure that we were in the clear as far as the CIA and CSIS were concerned so that no one would try following us or try anything else.”
“You mean Bernstein just took the lead and agreed with everything the US Attorney uncovered during the trial or even told us while we were questioning the correspondence between Lypsick and Sadir?”
“Yes, I think he put on a good face, agreed with our findings or deductions and saw to it that our Saudi princes played ball with him and us—until we had done our duty.”
“So, what you’re saying is that he’s not convinced of anyone’s innocence at this point, is he?”
“You’ve got it!”
“But why would I risk life and limb—literally—demonstrating that we were innocent if Bernstein is all but convinced of the contrary?”
“Because, according to Lypsick, the man doesn’t like coincidences.”
“What coincidences?” Talya asked.
“Look at it from his point of view. First, we’ve got you finding 60 packs of cocaine stashed in a mine that your boss wants to buy. Then we’ve got you forcing the issue with the Paris guy and chasing two traffickers across Africa—supposedly to make them pay for murders that, in reality, they didn’t commit. What’s more, when you get to Paris—what do you do? You go and meet with Ishmael Assor—another of Mossad’s agents—saying to everyone who wants to hear it that you knew he was an undercover agent for the CIA.”
By this time, Talya was staring. She had not heard the summary of events put in such a way before.
Samuel stood up from his chair and went to sit at Talya’s feet—he didn’t want to look at her while he continued enumerating the evidence that was starting to pile up in front of her eyes. She caressed his shoulder in a silent assent for him to continue.
“Before that even happened, I met you, Aziz and Mark on the road to Chattanooga, and you didn’t acknowledge knowing me.”
Talya pushed his shoulder with her knee. “Yeah, but that’s only because you didn’t say who you were really...”
Samuel chortled and turned his face up to her. “You should have said something, Little One. I was waiting for your assault with words. I was hoping that you would rip the mask off my face and explode either with joy or resentment, but instead you stayed mute. That’s what Bernstein never understood. I tell you, if you had claimed that you knew me and asked me hundreds of questions there and then—like you use to do when we were together—we wouldn’t be here today.”
“What would you have done differently, if I had unmasked you, as you say?”
“I would have contacted Lypsick and have him explain this charade to me in detail—I would have stopped the train before it crashed.”
“How could you have done that?”
“Your explanation would have sufficed and it probably would have saved Ishmael’s life as well.”
“You mean just because I didn’t want to recognize you on that darn road, you had to pull the trigger?”
“Yes, Little One, that’s what happened.”
“But why didn’t you say something—anything—at the time?”
“Because of Mark, Talya. He planted his gun in my ribs, remember? As soon as he saw me, he jumped me—and that’s not a good sign, in anyone’s book.”
“What about you then?”
“What about me?”
“We’re both accused of treason—why would they accuse you, if it’s all down to me. You’ve done nothing but follow orders...”
“Yes, that’s right, but you know, that was a test for me as well. I didn’t want to recognize you on that road... and frankly, I didn’t know you were involved. Your name didn’t come up at the time. When I saw you, stepping out of the van, I thought I was dreaming...”
“I wish you had been, Samuel, I wish you had been.”
“Well, can’t change the past, can we? But you know there’s another thing that Bernstein still cannot accept...”
“What else is there? Don’t you think it’s enough incriminating evidence for now?”
Samuel wrapped his arm around her legs. “Hang on, Little One, when you’ve heard this last piece, I promise there won’t be anything else.”
“Okay then,” Talya said. “Go ahead—I’m ready.”
“Prince Khalid Saif Al-Fadir is the thorn in your side.”
She pushed his shoulders forward. “You know he’s got nothing to do with all of this!”
“Now-now, don’t go all defensive on me, Talya. He’s got a lot to do with all this.”
“But...”
Samuel turned to her, got to his feet, took Talya’s hands and brought her up to embrace her. “I love you, Little One. There’s nothing that will come between us anymore, believe me...”
Lifting her head to his, Talya asked, “Tell me what they’re thinking, Samuel, please.”
“Let’s go to the beach.” he replied, releasing his embrace slightly.
“Tell me first... Is it because he’s a Saudi prince, or because his father was involved in the original CIA operation?”
Samuel nestled his head against her neck. “Both, Little One; both of these reasons are relevant to suspect him to have abetted our alleged criminal activities.”
“And when he suggested that we went to his embassy for a few days, it was construed as a covert gesture on his part, is that it?”
“Yes, Talya, that’s it, except that Khalid didn’t make the suggestion, CSIS did.”
“You’re right; we’re looking at a whole heap of trouble from all sides. I think I want to go swimming now...!”
Samuel smiled and held her tight. He didn’t care how much trouble they were in, all he cared about was being with the only woman he ever loved. Those are words used very loosely in this day and age, yet Talya and Samuel had been in love for a long time and were now only discovering how much that love meant to both of them.
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