The Templar Heresy by James Becker

Author:James Becker
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781448170111
Publisher: Transworld

36

Jerusalem

Farooq sat opposite Khaled in the hotel room the Iraqi had booked, and for a few seconds just stared at him. Then he shook his head slowly, trying to choose his words carefully.

‘I understand what you want us to do,’ he said, ‘but I’m not sure that we’re the right people for this kind of work. My men are freedom fighters, fighters for Islam. That’s what we know, and what we’ve trained for. When you first requested our services, you told me that we would be facing infidels, legitimate targets that we could engage in the name of the prophet, peace be upon him. And what you asked us to do we did, to the best of our ability. But this is not our fight.’

Farooq paused for a moment, his dark brown eyes fixed on the face of the older man.

‘I have no complaints about your work,’ Khaled said, ‘but I would like to remind you that you and your men have been extremely well paid for what you have done so far. You may be fighters for Islam, but you’re also mercenary soldiers.’

‘I don’t dispute that, but the point is that this has nothing to do with money. We came to Jerusalem on the understanding that you needed us to perform the same kind of services, to locate and kill more of that group of infidels who had opposed us in Iraq. We have obtained weapons as you instructed, but what you are now asking us to do is completely different.’

Khaled nodded. ‘I would agree with you if this were just a simple matter of exploring a cave or cellar, but what I want doing is far more dangerous than that. It is possible that we might encounter the couple who escaped us in Iraq, in which case we can cut off that particular loose end, but we will also probably have to contend with armed Israeli police and soldiers. This will not be a simple matter of exploration, and I really do need the protection and help that only you and your men can offer. And, let me remind you, I am offering you a substantial fee for your services.’

Khaled paused for a moment, sensing that he would have to do far more to convince the younger man to provide the assistance that he needed. It would mean taking him even further into his confidence – something he was reluctant to do for several reasons. But he saw no real alternative.

Marshalling what he hoped would be the final and most decisive argument, he leaned forward in his seat and unconsciously lowered his voice, despite the fact that they were quite alone in the room.

In the other armchair on the opposite side of the small glass-topped coffee table, Farooq mirrored his actions.

‘I have never explained to you what this quest is for,’ Khaled began, ‘or not in any detail, anyway.’

Farooq nodded. ‘I have had all the information necessary to complete the tasks you set us.’

‘Exactly,’ Khaled replied. ‘But for

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