What if

A short excerpt of my 12th book "On Both Sides of The Abyss".

Ken reached Goksu restaurant long before Jack's arrival, as the distance from the Israeli embassy was much further compared to the location of his embassy from that restaurant. The joint was empty and he sat there alone and waited some ten minutes on a double scotch, till Jack arrived at last and sat down without a word facing him.

'So what's new?' He asked Ken. He has returned from Israel yesterday night and the warning not to tell Ken what was already known to his superiors, was well embedded in his mind.

'May I offer you a drink?' Ken asked him taking his time, and forming in his mind his answer.

'I'll have coffee thanks. Jack replied with a hint of impatience.

'What's the matter have converted into Islam?' Ken asked him smiling.

'I've had too much wine at lunch, so what is it?'

Ken summoned the waiter and ordered coffee and waited till the waiter returned to the counter.

'There's a problem I wish to tell you about and discuss it with you.'

Jack did not say a word just looked at Ken and waited to hear what it was all about, although he was quite sure that the American is starting to doubt Nour's loyalty. The waiter returned to their table with the coffee, wondered aloud if there was anything they wished to have and left.

'I'd  a message on Tuesday informing me that there was no communication, while today I've received a second one in which I was informed again on the problem of the communication, which was checked and verified with the local authorities; and that as an answer to my request to send someone the check discreetly if everything is in order at the site; I've learned that he was stopped in mid way and was arrested and charged with spying. He was released after a short while of course, but he wasn't allowed to continue his trip.'

'Well there's no other choice but wait till she'll return.'

'You, I mean your organization doesn't have a reliable source that could check what's going on there?' Ken could not refrain from asking the embarrassing question.

'We hope that she'll get us a reliable source, that's what she's supposed to do.'

'I shouldn't worry but wait, is that your opinion?' Ken expressed his doubts with emphasize.

'Yes there's no other choice but wait, and when she'll be back with your experience you would surely realize if it's a coincidence or a serious matter.' Jack did his best to ensure the American indirectly that he appreciates the American's wish to discuss this matter with him.

'And what if she won't return?' He asked quite perturbed while pondering should he tell him the inquiries his colleague that  replaced him in Beirut made? I'd rather not if I kept it from him up till now…

'It's a possibility that we can't ignore, but if she won't return it would be the end of the project, as simple as all that.'

© Haim Kadman Nov. 17 2013 �" all rights reserved.