Major Barzeeve

The first chapter of the thriller "An irretrievable step".

An irretrievable step

Chapter one

At about a quarter past five pm Lieutenant Doron Seri was on his way to the base mess hall.

He was off duty that evening, no night training once a week; no sudden emergency exercises thank God he thought relieved.

As he was walking on the narrow sidewalk along the camp main road he heard rushing footsteps behind his back, before he managed to look back a hand touched his shoulder.

‘Howdy Seri?’ it was the base adjutant, Major Yoel Barzive.

‘I’m fine thank you,’ he muttered surprised. He didn’t expect such a friendly gesture from haughty Barby.

‘On your way to paint the town in red, aren’t you?’ Barzive kept on chattering rather friendly, accompanying young Seri to the mess hall.

‘Well I do hope I would but after supper,’ he answered with a surprised smile.

‘I’d like to have a few words with you young man.’ Barzive added with a slight cough.

The astounded Lieutenant Seri did not comment and not a word was exchanged between them till they entered the mess hall,

Haughty Barby was known for his subtle pranks, and that was exactly what young Seri believed was going to happen. He hoped to God that Barby won’t come out with some news about some emergency case, which might mean replacing tonight's officer on duty, or some other sort of unexpected tasks.

Major Barzive chose the table and they sat down facing each other, without a word yet. The Major was waiting till the mess hall would fill up, and thus no one would disturb them or ask to join their table, seeing him sitting opposite a junior officer.

'Tell me Seri, have you ever thought of serving abroad?' He asked lieutenant Seri after a few moments of an embarrassing silence.

'No I haven't thought about it, why? I'm well off here.' Seri answered briskly, letting the major realize that he is satisfied and has no complaints what so ever, if that is what the Major is after.

'Well I'm glad to hear it,' the cunning major hastened to remark.

'You're one of best young officers that we've, and that's why I bother to talk to you at all… But let's talk to the point, do you have any idea about the advantages that such a job has? Say salary increase, quick promotion, and a very pleasant working environment, which would broaden your horizons.'

'No but I'm willing to listen.' Seri answered smiling.

'Fine but you'll have to meet someone else to learn all the details, and that's his phone number.' The Major said while pulling out a small writing pad from his shirt's pocket. He tore a page out of it and handed it to Seri.

'When should I call him?' Seri wondered watching the Major's eyes with a quizzical look.

'Whenever you'll feel like it, eat up and I'll give you a lift to town.

The Major dropped him at his home in town, and Seri thanked him and took the lift up to his small apartment; even before he changed he dialed the number that Major Barzive gave him.

'Hello good evening,' he heard a young woman's voice.

'My name is Seri I was asked to call you by Major Barzive.' Seri muttered hesitantly, wondering whether it is not a very sophisticated hoax of haughty Barby repertoire.

'Be at the Eliot café next Thursday at seven pm sharp.' The young woman instructed him.

'But I'm on duty on Thursday…'

'You'll be off duty next Thursday, it's been settled…'

'Who am I supposed to meet, how do I recognize him?'

'Just be there wearing your uniform, we know who you're, bye.' She said and hung up.

@ Haim Kadman 2014 �" all rights reserved.