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Mustafa Yassin was the man in question, and Ke
When Colonel Fine finished giving the background on the individuals, Ke
"Sure, but let me caution you, Yassin is a fairly common name over here, so this might not be the same guy. The last Mustafayassin is an Iraqi.
We don't have a lot of information on him, but what we do have all revolves around the invasion of Kuwait. Since then there has only been one update added to his file. According to our intelligence, his alias is the Thief of Baghdad When the Iraqis rolled into Kuwait and started looting, it was this Yassin fellow who they put in charge of breaking into all of the bank vaults."
"What else do you have on him?" asked Ke
"Not a lot, but this isn't the guy I would worry about. My bet is Aziz recruited this eighteen-year-old fellow from Gaza as ca
Ke
"Can you locate him?"
"I already have my people checking on all three. So far I've only been able to confirm the whereabouts of the Jordanian officer."
"I thought you kept close tabs on these dissidents."
"We do" started Fine, "but things are a little stressed over here right now. What is the phrase you like to use?… The natives are restless. We have another indfada on our hands. Aziz seems to have motivated every Palestinian between the age of two and seventy to pick up a rock and protest."
Ke
"Ben, it would be a big help if you could track down this kid as soon as possible."
"I have my best people on it, Irene. I can assure you of that."
"Thank you, Ben. Is there anything else?"
"Well…" There was a four-second pause.
"The word on the street is that you grabbed Sheik Harut, the night before last."
"Where are you hearing that?"
"Several sources, actually. The Huns are all guessing it was either you or me, and since I know it wasn't me, then it must be you."
"I'm not in a position to discuss that matter right now, but I can assure you when I know anything about it, you will be briefed fully."
Fine didn't say anything for a long while and then said, "Irene, this is uncomfortable for me, but there are those in my government who are very unhappy with the way this crisis is being handled."
Ke
Fine continued.
"It is our fear that you may make a short term decision that could be catastrophic to Israel's interests." Ke
There was no doubt that Israel had a lot on the line, and it didn't take a Rhodes scholar to figure out how they "would like the crisis resolved.
Ke
Having said that, however, I can assure you that at every juncture of this crisis, there have been those of us who have forcefully stated our concerns over our relationship with your country—our concern that we don't lose focus on our long-term commitment to Israel's security and stability in the Middle East."
Fine again digested the comments in silence and then added tensely,
"There are those in my government who are very nervous." Pausing, again Ke
"There are many who don't like the fact that you are dealing with Aziz… that you have done an about-face on your position of not negotiating with terrorists."
Ke
"There are many in my own government who do not like this change in policy, but this is an extremely difficult situation."
"Who has made these decisions to negotiate?"
"Ben, you are moving into an area that I am not comfortable discussing."
"Well, then let me say this last thing. We have a good idea where this is headed, and we will do whatever it takes to protect our own security." Fine stopped and then repeated himself.
"Whatever it takes."
"I understand," replied Ke
"Is this something that I should pass on as an official or unofficial position of your country?"
"It has always been our position that we will do whatever it takes to protect ourselves."
"Then why the need to remind me?"
"Because," started Fine,"this is an unusual situation, and we would not want anyone to question where Israel stands on this issue."
"Fair enough, Ben. I will make sure that your position is well known."
Ru
"Of course. When can I expect to hear more about Sheik Harut?"
Ke
"You can expect me to brief you fully when I have a chance to take a breath." Ke
"I understand. Please keep me informed, and I will do the same."
"Thank you, Ben." Ke
Quickly, she punched in seven numbers, and when the person on the other end answered, she asked to be co
"Jane," started Ke
Specifically, ask him if Yassin is a teenage Palestinian or an Iraqi."
"May I ask what this is all about?"
"I can't really get into it right now; I just need some verification."
"All right. I'll see what I can do."
The door to General Flood's office opened, and the general himself entered with General Campbell and Director Stansfield. Ke
"I don't know… We seem to be losing him a bit."
"How do you mean?" asked Ke
"The techniques we use are not exactly beneficial to the long-term health of the human brain."
"You mean you're losing him as in, he's turning into a vegetable?"
"Crudely put, yes… but we have extracted an extraordinary amount of information. I have found out some very interesting things that will give us terrific insight into the minds of—"
"That's fine, Jane," Ke