Deception in Cairo (The Nikki Sinclair Spy Thriller Series, #3) by Jaye Rothman

Author:Jaye Rothman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jaye Rothman
Published: 2021-02-10T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

“You’ve certainly put the cat among the pigeons.”

Nikki raised her eyebrows but continued to stir her coffee as Kathy Wood slipped into the seat opposite. Nikki had wrapped a note detailing the time and place of the meeting around the canister of film she’d taken of Bergmann and placed it in the cigarette packet she’d given to the intelligence officer at the reception.

She had chosen a light, airy café located next to a traditional coffee house. The white-painted walls and ceiling provided the sense of space, and photographs of London landmarks hanging on the wall furnished feelings of familiarity. A ceiling fan churned the air above their table. Apart from two women discussing their shopping expedition, the café was empty of customers.

The owner, Herban, who used to own a café in Stoke Newington, ambled over to their table. Kathy ordered in Arabic. She tracked him with her eyes until he’d moved out of earshot and then said, “You speak the language, don’t you?”

The question was unexpected. Nikki picked up her cup and took a slow sip of the strong brew. “How did you know?”

“I didn’t, but you’ve just confirmed it.”

Herban had returned with her coffee and ambled off again before Kathy said, “I’ve received confirmation from head office.” She lowered her voice and switched to Italian. “You’ve photographed one of Eichmann’s deputies, Sturmbannführer Hans Seidel.”

Nikki sat back in her chair. She’d guessed as much. Otherwise, why would a German man in his sixties need two forged passports in different names?

“Was he in Budapest in forty-four?”

“Yes. Yes, he was. We have several eyewitness accounts confirming his presence and ...” Kathy’s teeth gnawed at her lip. “... his cruelty to women and children.”

“What happens now?”

“Nothing.” Kathy brushed tendrils of blonde shoulder-length hair off her face. “Finally, peace with Egypt is foreseeable. An assassination might rock the boat and upset the Egyptians. Jerusalem doesn’t want to take that risk.”

Lowering her voice, Nikki said, “Bergmann’s planning to leave Cairo. He’s already taken delivery of two passports, and a third will be ready for him next week.”

“How do you know?”

“Yesterday, in a café, a courier handed a package to Bergmann. I saw the transaction. And then I followed the messenger and extracted the intel.”

“That’s an unfortunate loose end. What if the courier reports back to Bergmann?”

“He won’t. He can’t.” Nikki didn’t expand on the statement.

“I see.” Kathy raised her eyebrows. “I didn’t expect that from you.”

“Here’s your dilemma.” Nikki leaned across the table. “You allow Bergmann to leave Egypt, and he’ll disappear.” She stared into the Israeli spy’s eyes, looking for any reaction. “He could go anywhere. South America or maybe a tropical island, and your company would never find him again. This is a chance to right terrible wrongs.”

Kathy frowned. “I can’t do this off the books.”

“How will this sit with you in ten years?” Nikki lit a cigarette and regarded the woman through a cloud of smoke. “When you’re retired and lazing on the beach with your girlfriend, you’ll think back to this moment, knowing you had the chance to terminate him, but you let him go.

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