Codename by William Speir

Author:William Speir
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Progressive Rising Phoenix Press, L
Published: 2022-07-26T00:00:00+00:00

The next morning, Isabella drafted a name trace request cable on Nazim, to which Headquarters responded with a No-Derog—No Derogatory information—cable, clearing the way for Isabella to pursue development of Nazim as a support asset.

Following old dating advice—don’t call within 48 hours because it might seem too desperate and don’t wait more than 96 hours because the object of your interest will start to forget you—Isabella called Nazim three days later.

“Nazim, this is Ishah, she of the griwech. A friend of mine has a problem with her phone. Could you help us, please? Off the book?”

Nazim agreed. She gave him the address of a no-longer-used safehouse scheduled to be vacated at the end of the month. They agreed to meet there at 7:00 that evening.

When Nazim arrived, she told him, “My friend is spending a few days in La Madrague, but she’s asked me to take care of her apartment.”

“La Madrague should be nice.”

“You should take your family there. I’m sure my friend would lend you her villa for the weekend. How is your wife?”

“Her arthritis is bothering her.”

“I have a friend who is a rheumatologist.” Isabella reached into her purse and produced a small plastic canister. “He suggested two of these pills should help your wife when the pain is really bothering her.” Isabella pressed the canister into Nazim’s hand.

“Shukran, Ishah.” As he pocketed the pill container, Nazim asked, “Where is the phone I should check?”

“Maybe my friend is paranoid, but she thinks her phone might be tapped. Could you please check the junction box?”

“This is a strange work order.”

“What harm could there be in humoring my friend? It would be such a relief for her if you could check.” Isabella watched his eyes closely. “Please, Nazim?”

“This is not my normal area of town.”

“But you could give the box a quick check, couldn’t you?”

“Yes, but—”

“And this time of night, what are the chances of the regular Algérie Télécom lineman being within sight of the junction box? He’s probably already off duty, isn’t he?”

“Yes.”

“And you are a clever man. I’m sure you could think of an excuse to be checking the box if the regular lineman happened to come along, couldn’t you?” Isabella conjured up her most beseeching look.

“Alright. For you, Ishah.”

They left the apartment. Isabella followed him three blocks to an Algérie Télécom junction box, and she watched from a discreet distance as he produced a key and opened the box. After several minutes, Nazim returned to her and announced there was no indication of tampering with the lines in the box. “If somebody is monitoring her line, they are doing it at a higher level than this box.”

“I think she was letting her imagination run wild. This will help put her mind to rest. Shukran, Nazim.” She pressed an envelope into his hand. “For your trouble.”

This time Nazim pocketed the envelope without either a glance into it or hesitation. “Shukran, Ishah.”

“Afwan. May Allah watch over and protect you and your family. I hope to see you soon.”

“That would be nice, Ishah.

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