other-side-of-deception-victor-ostrovsky

"What are you telling me?""They want you out of the way. You know, dead. You wouldn't bethe first one.""So, what, they'll shoot me? Or run me over?""No, they'll have you called for reserves and posted as a liaisonofficer to the South Lebanese army. How long do you think you'll livein South Lebanon?""They know me there as Mossad," I said with a bitter smile."Probably a few hours. Sure would be a neat way to do away withme. There is only one flaw in that ~lan.""Really?" Ephraim said."Yes, according to regulations, I can't be called up for reservesbefore I cool off for one year. Then I can only be posted in what isregarded a safe environment.""You have friends in the navy, don't you?""Yes.""Why don't you call one of them and see if you're being called upor not. Just so you know, the paperwork is already on the way. Ifyou're not out of the country in a day or two, you're a dead man."It was starting to sink in. Up to this point, it was as though wewere talking about someone else, a hypothetical situation. But weweren't. We were talking about me and about my demise. I didn't feelscared. I was tense, the muscles in my neck stiffening. I stared out theback window into the black night. In my mind, I could see myself in aditch on the side of the road leading to Marj Uyun."What can I do?" I was calm. "If the papers are already in preparation,the military won't give me a release. Without that bloody paperand computer confirmation, I can't get out of the country. I wouldappreciate if you could take me home now so I could spend what littletime I have left with my family.""Do you really think we'd drive out in such a night and sit in a carand wait, just to tell you what is going to happen without some sort ofa solution?"I smiled. "I'm listening.""When you get home, you'll tell your wife that you were kickedout of the Mossad. You will then tell her that you just met with somefriends who told you that you should get out of the country fast.""What do I do for money?""Sell that clunker of a car.""What can I get for that?""Just to get out of the country, you'll need about five grand.""The car isn't worth more than two.""I'ut a sign on it and sell ~t for six. Trust me, you'll sell it. Then geta ticket on Tower Air to London. You will arrive at Gatwick A~rport.Stay at the Skyway Hotel. I'll contact you there.""Why are you doing this? What's in it for you? What do you wantfrom me?""You have my offer. I recommend you take it. I'll tell you the rest\\hen we meet in London-that is, if you get there." He got out of thecar and walked around to the driver's seat."Do what he asks you to, Victor," said the general in a raspingvoice. "Trust him, it'll be good all around.".'What about the military release?"Not turning his head, Ephraim handed me a small manila envelope."The papers are in order and registered on the computer. They\\.ill expire in seventy-two hours. And if you're not on your way toLondon before that, so will you."