other-side-of-deception-victor-ostrovsky

PLO offices. That false sense of security could bring worse calamityfurther down the road.The sun had come out, and it was slowly turning out to be a niceday, in New York terms, of course. There was still a slight chill in theair, which kept whatever amount of freshness the city would allow.I knew what was expected of me, and 1 wasn't about to foolaround. This was something I had to do, and I wanted to get it overwith. I entered a small coffee shop across the street from the PLOoffice. I had to take my time. As before, if the team following me wasslightly behind, I wanted to give them time to catch up and take positionso that they could see exactly what was going on.After another coffee and an excellent croissant, I started slowlyacross the street. I was nervous. I had dealt with Palestinians before.but always from a position of strength, with the entire military orMossad mechanism close behind me. Today was very different. It waspossible that the Mossad was still behind me, but for totally differentreasons. And the PLO people I might meet were not in any way subjectto my power or will. I was armed only with self-confidence andthe hope that things would go smoothly.The reception area of the suite was lined with brochures andposters, the light blue and gray colorings giving the place a sophisticatedaura. The front room was deserted for several minutes until atall, well-dressed man entered. His gold-rimmed glasses droppedslightly on the bridge of his nose as he looked at me over the top of hisbifocals. He was about six foot two. on the heavv side. His black suitwas well tailored, and he smelled of an expensive aftershave. I feltslightly out of place in my jeans and black leather jacket."Can I help you, sir?" His voice was deep, friendly, and withoutany traceable accent."I'd like to talk to someone in charge, please.""I'm in charge. My name is Yasin. What can I do for you?""Well, can we talk freely here?""That depends on what you want to say. I'm sure that there aremore people listening in on this room than are present," he said, smiling.I drew my Israeli passport out of my pocket and handed it to him."I wonder if you might join me for a coffee," I said. "There is a nicelittle place just across from here."He seemed somewhat surprised as he leafed through the document.He then handed it back to me, smiling. "Actually," he said, "Iwas just on my way out. There is an even better place down the street.Would you care to join me?""I'd be delighted." I smiled back, feeling great. I'd made contact,and if the Mossad were in fact watching me, they'd see me with a man,horn I had no doubt was known to them. We would know for surein a very short time what was going on, if anything."Let me just get my coat," the big man said and disappeareddown the hall. I looked out the window at the scene below. Eventhough the streets were not overly crowded, there was no way I couldspot any surveillance. I had no doubt that the Americans were watchingthis office-the feds, certainly, and probably also the city police,wanting to observe any subversive activity stemming from this placeand at the same time attempting to stop any attacks on it.The only thing that worried me was the possibility that someonemight get a photo of me with the PLO man and send it to the Mossad.Then I'd be in deep trouble. Even though Ephraim had promised methat this particular aspect of the operation was covered, I knew thatthe graveyards were full of irreplaceable people, lying next to thosewho had good intentions.This was the point of no return for me, and I was happy to havepassed it. From now on, it was the life again.We didn't speak on the way to the small restaurant, which wasabout a block away from the office building. The place was badly litand looked like a scene from a Bogart B-movie. I ordered coffee, andhe did the same. I got the impression that he wanted to get this meetingover with as fast as possible."So what was it you wanted to talk about?""As you know, I'm an Israeli."He nodded. "What do you want?""I just wanted to give you a warning." His eyebrows archedslightly, hardening the look in his eyes."Nothing personal or imminent, just a general warning, that'sall.""About what?"Ephraim had made it very clear that I was not to go into anydetail, only give the general information and then throw in an exampleor two to make them realize I was not some loony off the street."It's important that you tell your top brass that everything theysay, on any phone they use, is listened in on. Just to give you an example,when your people were talking to Felitsia Langerl before the war1. Felitsia Langer: A well-known Israeli attorney who stood up for Palestinianhuman rights.