Amsterdam

An excerpt ot the thriller THE DEATH SCIENCES.

Amsterdam

The Death Sciences

An excerpt

Samir pulled out a packet of cigarettes out of his breast pocket, and offered it to Abas. The gesture was well timed, Abas was smiling at last. The thin layer of enmity that was menacing their meeting, faded away.

‘That's my favorite brand.’  Abas noted with satisfaction, drawing a cigarette out and rolling it eagerly between his fingers. Samir brought out a lighter, and extending his hand toward his guest, he offered him the tiny flame.

The waiter on his way back with fresh coffee reached their table and waited patiently to the end of the ceremony �" holding his platter above their heads almost.

But Abas took his time, and getting hold of Samir's wrist with the lighter in it, scrutinized it and its tiny flame for a few seconds �" then pulled Samir's hand closer to his face, lighting his cigarette.       

The lousy b*****d is patronizing me! Samir thought with bitter disapproval. He was frustrated, but managed to keep a serene expression.

With the ceremony over the waiter made his move, laid the table anew and left right away.

‘Well how are you doing?’ Abas asked after a short while �" puffing smoke and talking at the same time.

‘Il hamdoulila’ (Allah be praised=I'm okay) answered Samir briskly.

‘Don't you find the whole thing tiresome; don't you have any ideas of, say, how to improve procedures etc.?’ He went on asking.              

‘What procedures, what things, what exactly do you mean?’ Samir asked him with a feigned surprise, avoiding the open and obvious trap.

‘The way of life you're bound to lead from now on, that's the thing.’

‘As far as I know I'm bound to carry on my studies and thank god, I don't find anything particularly tiresome in that. That answer was too straight and had a hint of impertinence, though it was said quite politely.

‘ In that case I'm sorry to disappoint you my young compatriot, it’s the organization alone that will decide the course of studies you'll take; and for the time being you're planned to join a three months course �" to learn the art of guerilla warfare, in Yugoslavia.’

‘You must be joking!’ Samir answered he didn't have to pretend to be surprised this time. ‘I've just came from Belgrade. I flew there just three days ago �" and you expect me to believe I've been travelling day and night, nonstop to reach Amsterdam just to return to where I've started?’

Although he was shocked, he did not lose his temper, did not raise his voice, but kept whispering in Arabic his objections. Aware at the same time, with much relief to learn that when Abas mentioned ‘ideas’, he was checking his character, his temper; anyway he did not refer to his flight, which was an offence by all means. I did fly in spite my instructions! I broke the rules and should be punished gravely for it... But it seems that I’m the only one that knows it �" the sole and only one...!  I was on my own all along that trip, nobody watched me or took care of me! They were all too busy, curse the mothers who gave them birth �" to explore the many bars, the cabarets and the brothels of Amsterdam no doubt!                           

‘So what,’ Abas hissed at him. ‘These are your orders and that round about trip of yours, was meant to mislead our enemies. Nothing went wrong and here you are, safe and sound and the trip is behind you.’ Abas paused for a short break, taking a deep breath �" there were other ways to persuade that young man. ‘Besides, it’s your chance to get on within our ranks, don't you wish to become an expert of automatic weapons, or of high explosives; a demolition man mind you, who blows up bridges, railways; or be an expert in the martial arts, a black belt! Well...?’   He made another break chuckling slightly. ‘It won't interfere with your future studies, and if you ask me, I don't happen to know anyone, who was offered such a chance that early! And I haven't met anyone yet, who said no thank you!’

They were both leaning forward on their elbows, watching each other’s face, trying to figure each other out.

‘I say, it did confuse you a bit, that trip, didn't it? You need some rest, that course is due to begin next week �" there’s still time enough left for a second thought.’

But Samir was not persuaded at all by Abs's arguments.  Thus with some hesitations he decided to move against it. ‘Well, you're probably right and I'm no expert in that kind of business �" and I'm terribly sorry to let you down, but I've no intention to become one...!  I've been sent abroad to carry on my studies. I'm sure the chairman was briefed about it, and knows my case.’

Abas is some four or five years older than himself; he had to be careful not to hurt his feelings. What did he know about him, nothing at all. He might be a powerful figure with someone to push him up the ladder. But in any case, Samir did not intend to fall into their rank and file and become some dubious hit man, prepared rather poorly in a three months course… A hit man who would be an easy prey to the ‘Mosad’ experienced and efficient pros.’ He gave his share in that particular field and had had enough. If he would persist, if he would stand up for his rights, to carry on his studies, there's a good chance that whatever he did... back home... would soon be forgotten �" as an unsolved riddle, an enigma. Il fat mat! (The past is dead)  He told himself encouraged. Why risk my neck again...? Why live in constant terror, of booby-trapped cars and avenging gunmen on motorbikes...! Now about that promise which nobody ever gave me... If anyone would ever probe deep into that matter, I could always claim that Abu-razek brought me an oral promise; it'll be all right, it'll work! Abas was right in one thing, certain people might end up confused no doubt after such a trip, but not me! He kept encouraging himself

© Haim Kadman 1991 �" all rights reserved.

 

THE DEATH SCIENCES

SYNOPSIS

During a clandestine meeting in the old city of Jerusalem, not far from the holy shrines to Islam, Christianity and Judaism; Samir Mashrawee is persuaded in a sophisticated brainwash procedure to murder his ex rector in the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and thus gain the right to become a member in a terror organization.

The story is told through Samir’s viewpoint, a Palestinian youth who lives in Silowan, an Arab village at the outskirts of Jerusalem. After the war of 1967 Silowan was annexed to the state of Israel, its habitants became Israeli citizens. Thus Samir carries a blue identity card and is entitled to work in Israel and study in its academic institutes. He is a tall good-looking youth, and his appearance does not reveal his Arab origin. His social connections during his studies at the Hebrew University were mainly with his compatriots, the few Israeli Arab students and with Ghill, the Israeli student with whom he shares an apartment not far from the university.

Right after slaying his ex rector, he is whisked to the southern resort region of Taba near Eilat, on Egyptian soil; by two organization members, Leila and Taher, an Israeli Arab taxi driver. According to their cover story Leila is his just wed bride, and they are on their way to their honeymoon. He spends about a week with Leila at the luxurious five stars Hilton hotel at Taba.  The fact that their relationship is a cover story, and the fact that Leila in on her way to wed her fiancé, who is a prominent P.L.O leader, does not impede Samir from raping her, on the first opportunity he has, when they are left alone in their luxurious suite. A week later, on reaching Cairo he parts with Leila, who proceeds to her awaiting fiancé in Tunisia.

According to clandestine rules he has to keep away from the P.L.O. offices and await instructions. As the whole operation including his rescue, has been executed not long ago and in haste; his compatriots in Cairo are eager to get rid of him. They fear the Mossad long vindictive arm, and send him on a roundabout course to Amsterdam, to join the local P.L.O group over there. His arrival causes mistrust and alarm among the small group members Thus they decide to send him on to the London group �" that group’s lack in manpower is well known. Samir lands in Heathrow Airport to meet Karim, who becomes his operator and trusted comrade. There he hops to pursue his academic studies. But things change in a very drastic manner, when he is suspected that he is an Israeli, a spying mole inside their organization.

This thriller includes 120 pages and 71.373 words

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