other-side-of-deception-victor-ostrovsky

THE OTHER SIDE OF UECEI'TIOU / 171Fadllal was smiling. He put his hand back on his gun. "The firstthing you already got was your life, my friend.""That is a lot of bull, and you know it. I came here under theprotection of Zuhir's honor, and unless you can prove that I am notwhat I say I am, it's as if this conversation is taking place in Washington.You don't have the advantage here, my friend. So back to myquestion." I paused and looked around the room. "What will youpay me?""What do you want?" It was the man who looked like Albert'sbrother."I want a lump sum and then a salary for one year, after which wewill renegotiate.""What is the lump sum?" the young man asked."Twenty thousand U.S. Sort of pocket money." I knew I could askfor ten times that much, but I wanted to make things easy on them."Then five thousand a month.""Will you stay here in Jordan?""No, I'll go back in about a week, like we agreed before I camehere, and I will do whatever we decide should be done.""If we agree, what will you do in return for all that money?"Albert wanted me to get it; I could see it in his eyes. He was going tobe my case officer, and this assignment was going to propel him to thetop of his organization. He wanted me and was going to make sure hegot me."That will depend on what you want. I can help you install a systemthat will prevent anyone from recruiting your people and help youcatch those who have been recruited already, almost guaranteeing thatany you don't catch will quit on their own. That will be stage one.""So there's more?" It was Fadllal, wiping some humus? lookingat me with his small black eyes as if he wanted to see right throughme. The man didn't trust me and wanted above all to be the one tonail me. From the way he was staring at me, I was almost certain hehad a way to do that. Maybe he was going to the following day."Yes, there'll be more. Once you've secured your rear, you have togo on the offensive; what I mean is, actively recruit Israelis. First ~ou'llneed a good basic level of military expertise, and then from there thesky is the limit."2. Wiping humus: A term used in the Middle East for eating the humus dip. Youscoop the humus off your plate with a piece of pita bread and bring it to yourmouth."What about recruiting Palestinians?" It was the young managain."What about it?""What if we want to recruit Palestinians? Could you help usthere?"All eyes were on the young man. He instantly realized he'd made amistake. I felt sorry for the guy; he'd revealed to me a problem theyhad, which was more than they'd wanted to do. I wanted to get himout of it and calm the atmosphere. "Very funny. What is this, a trickquestion? Me recruit Palestinians, like you need my help? What doyou take me for?"The young man could feel the soft landing. He smiled. "You cannever be too careful, now can you?"I changed the subject. "Okay, what do you say? Do we have adeal, or do you people have to go and talk it over with your bosses?" Icould see I hit a raw nerve there with the heavy man, who was probablya top-ranking officer, if not the top man in the Jordanian service.Even though I'd worked on the Jordanian desk for a short while duringmy time in research, I didn't know much, if anything at all, aboutthe Jordanian service. I was sorry about that now."Twelve and a half thousand walking money," the heavy mansaid, his face frozen in a blank expression. The tattooed smile wasgone. "Three thousand five hundred a month for six months, then werenegotiate. Take it or leave it. We will talk again tomorrow night ifyou are still here." He got up, signaling to his assistant. "Meantime,my friend Isa, enjoy your stay in Jordan, and if you decide not to takethe deal, have a nice trip home."I shook his hand, and he headed for the door. The young manmade a mock salute as he trailed him. The one who looked like Albertleft almost immediately after them, and Fadllal stood up, smiling. "Iwill pick you up tomorrow at six-thirty in the morning. Dress casually."He lit a cigarette and dropped the almost full pack on the table."I see you're almost out of cigarettes. Allow me to offer you mine.""Thanks. I can use them." He walked straight for the door, wherehe stopped. "Don't go out of the hotel on your own, and lock thedoor.""Will do," I said, but he didn't stick around to listen. What wasthe SOB preparing for me for tomorrow? Albert was now seated onthe larger chair where the heavy man had sat before. "We need totalk," he said, sounding worried.I sank into a chair opposite him and opened another of the smalltequila bottles from the mini-bar. "What's on your mind?" In fact, I