JET - Ops Files by Russell Blake

Author:Russell Blake [Blake, Russell]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Reprobatio Ltd.
Published: 2014-04-22T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24

Amman, Jordan

Maya stepped off the bus and pulled her backpack over her shoulder before setting off for a nearby hotel where she’d be meeting Rudi in the lobby restaurant for a late lunch. The sun blazed high overhead as she made her way down the bustling sidewalk. It was her first time in Jordan, and the city was more cosmopolitan than she’d expected. She wore European clothing, lightweight baggy pants, and a shapeless long-sleeved shirt, and felt conspicuous without a hijab, as many of the Muslim women were wearing.

At the large contemporary hotel, the doorman didn’t give her a second glance when she entered the mammoth air-conditioned lobby and looked around for the restaurant. Once she was comfortably seated at a table near the door sipping iced tea, she began reading one of the guidebooks that had been thoughtfully left in her care package.

Ten minutes later she checked her watch and saw a tall man in his late twenties approaching, a shock of dark hair hanging over his brow. His face lit up when he saw her, and she marveled at the look of supposed genuine recognition that warmed his features.

“Theresa,” he said as he arrived at the table. She stood, and he kissed her on each cheek.

“Rudi. I thought you’d never get here. I’m famished,” she said in French, reciting her code phrase.

He appraised her with intelligent hazel eyes, a faint look of amusement playing across his face. “Well, we can’t have you starving to death. What would the locals think?” he responded in kind, his accent flawless. “Have you had a chance to check out the menu?”

“Of course. Everything looks wonderful.”

“Then we shall have one of everything.”

“Well, perhaps a more sensible approach is in order.”

A waiter in a starched white shirt and a red vest arrived with a second menu, and after glancing at it, Rudi ordered for them both. When the man had departed, Rudi smiled easily and studied Maya as if memorizing every detail of her.

“You look well. How was your trip?” he asked.

“As expected. No surprises.”

“Excellent. I hope you’re looking forward to discovering the wonders of Jordan. It’s a miraculous place.”

“Of course. I can’t wait to get started.”

They made small talk, outwardly innocent to any eavesdropper, and bantered over their lunch, which was indifferently prepared but edible. When the check came, Rudi paid, and then they made their way out the door, arm in arm like lovers.

“Where to?” she asked.

“I’m parked in the lot a block down. Let’s make sure you didn’t pick up a tail, and assuming you’re clean, we’ll get out of here.”

“What about the others?”

“Don’t worry about them. Just worry about yourself for now.”

Rudi stopped abruptly to tie his shoe, and Maya checked the sidewalk behind them for signs of surveillance, but saw nothing. Rudi glanced around, and his eyes roved over the cars parked on the far side of the street. When he stood, he looked satisfied. “I don’t see anything odd.”

“That’s good, right?”

“Couldn’t be better. Not that I’m expecting a welcoming committee, but you can never be too careful.

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