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1143 Words
“Fuat is our ace in the hole, as it were,” said McElroy. “He has intimate contacts not only within the Muslim community but also in the area of the world where we believe our quarry to be.”
“The mountains between Pakistan and Afghanistan?” replied Herbert.
Turkekul smiled. “You will not get the man with a Predator drone strike. He is too cunning for that. And perhaps he is in those mountains, and perhaps not.”
“And it was decided to deploy you now and not before?” asked Herbert.
Turkekul was about to say something in response when McElroy broke in. “Not something that we need to go into, Oliver. Just take my word on that.”
“All right, but if you are so well-connected, Mr. Turkekul, there are those who would suspect you may be of help to the West. They may have attempted a preemptive strike.”
“Machine guns and bombs and they missed poor Fuat standing out in the open? Hardly credible,” said McElroy.
“I don’t disagree. But the Yemen group taking responsibility?”
“In my eyes equally incredible, but the Yanks, I have to admit, see it differently.”
“Why a meeting in Lafayette Park?”
McElroy glanced at Mrs. Penelope, who said, “No one expects you to go to so conspicuous a place to conduct a clandestine rendezvous.”
“Like in the cinema. Rubbish, actually. That’s where all the coppers are looking for the spies between pints.”
“Why didn’t you show up that night, Mrs. Penelope?” Herbert asked again.
“It was called off by my superiors. I was not given a reason. I knew that when I did not appear by a certain time Fuat would leave by prearrangement.” Mrs. Penelope added, “Do they know the source of the bomb?”
“No, not yet.”
“Was it a suicide bomber?” asked Turkekul. “That is their preferred choice of attack, other than an IED. I know of this group in Yemen. They stick to that playbook religiously.”
Herbert eyed McElroy, who made a slight shake of the head. Herbert shifted in his seat. “It’s an ongoing investigation.”
“Will you have to report this contact to your superiors?” Turkekul said.
McElroy cleared his throat. “Oliver, I cannot officially tell you what to do. But I would ask that you think about that question carefully. A report at this juncture, even a censored one, could well lead to the termination of this mission before it’s ever had a chance to succeed.” McElroy bowed his head and seemed to be waiting for an answer.
Herbert didn’t deliberate for long. He turned to Turkekul. “I’ll say nothing, for now. However, despite what you’ve said, if it becomes apparent that you were the target I would assume you would want to know that?”
Turkekul said, “You assume correctly. And I thank you for that.”
“I’ll fill Anthony in.”
“Actually, she needn’t know,” McElroy said quickly.
Herbert shook his head. “I don’t keep things from my partner. I know, she knows.”
McElroy looked indecisive. “I’ll leave it up to you, then.”
Herbert rose from the couch. “One last question. Mrs. Penelope. How was the communication made between you two as to the location?”
“I left a message up on the main notice board in the middle of Georgetown campus,” said Mrs. Penelope. “It was in a code that Fuat and I worked out.”
“The same code we used to use when we both were at the park?”
“Very close to it,” she admitted.
“Don’t trust secure electronic communications?” asked Herbert.
“There are no such things, my friend,” said Turkekul. “Several of my colleagues have found that out to their great detriment.”
McElroy added, “The insecurity of electronic systems has forced us all back in some ways to the old spy dodges. A bit less efficient, but we all get to use our ingenuity instead of relying on machines to do it for us. I actually like it a lot better. But then I’m an old Cold War relic.”
McElroy walked Herbert out. “I’m sorry it had to be done this way. I would have preferred otherwise, Oliver. It wasn’t fair to you.”
“Life is rarely fair.”
“I understand the investigation proceeds slowly.”
“If at all.”
“It has to make sense, somehow. If it doesn’t, much of what I believe in life goes up in smoke.”
“Can I expect any more surprises along these lines?”
“I hope not. As for Anthony?”
“I’m going to tell her. And you won’t convince me otherwise.”
“You’re probably right.”
“Take care, Sir James.”
“Oliver, watch your back.” He paused and added, “And your front too.”
“You know something I don’t?”
“No, but the old relic’s antennae are tingling something fierce.”
“One more time,” said Herbert. “Are you withholding anything else from me?”
“Good luck, Oliver. And please take my advice.”
“SO WHAT DID YOU LEARN?” Anthony asked Herbert when he returned to Lafayette Park.
Herbert led her off to the side and away from the other investigators in the park. He told her everything that had happened, including her boss’s appearance and Fuat Turkekul’s mission.
“Good God,” she exclaimed. “I can’t believe it.”
“What, the underlying facts, or that you weren’t in the loop?”
“Both, I guess.” Her gaze was downcast, her look one of lost confidence.
Realizing what she was thinking, Herbert said, “McElroy plays things very close to the vest. And he compartmentalizes. And he withholds when he deems it necessary. I expect you know that.”
“I do, it’s just…”
He gripped her arm. “Don’t let this destroy the faith you have in yourself. That will help no one, least of all you. Keeping you in the dark is not a reflection on your ability. It’s just the way it is. We’ve all had to suffer through that.”
She looked up, drew a breath and her resolve seemed to stiffen. “You’re right.” She put a hand on his shoulder. “I do appreciate you telling me, though.” She removed her hand. “Did he ask you to do that?”
“Do you want the truth?”
“Yes, please,” she said firmly. “It would be refreshing, actually.”
- Writer
