Terms of Extraction by Ethan Jones

Author:Ethan Jones
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General Fiction
Publisher: Knightsville Books
Published: 2023-02-18T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-four

North of Batumi

Georgia

“That’s all the intel I have, Stahl, and I’m relaying it to you as I’ve received it,” Jack said in a frustrated voice. “My contact told me that he couldn’t find anything once Nassar left the Palestinian territories. He disappeared, but as we know, he joined the extremist group.”

“That’s nothing new,” Stahl said dismissively and in a cold tone. “So your man and this intel are useless.”

“Not at all,” Jack retorted in almost the same tone. “We know about Hamas’s suspicions and the reasons why Nassar was involved with the terrorists.”

“We only know that allegedly he was trying to show Hamas that he was doing something worthy with his life. Showing it in a sick sort of way by joining a terrorist group.”

“That’s one of the reasons. But there’s another alternative.” Jack spoke slowly, measuring each word very carefully. “Another option we need to consider.”

“What is it?” Stahl asked impatiently.

“Nassar could have been working for a foreign intel service.”

“The CIA?”

“Potentially. Or someone else more deeply involved in the region.”

“Jack, do you realize what you’re saying?” Stahl demanded in a strong voice. “Are you accusing Mossad of running Nassar?”

“Far from it, Stahl. I’m only suggesting we look at—”

“No, I’m not going to sit here and allow you to discredit Mossad—”

“Cool down, Stahl. That’s not what I’m doing—”

“But you are. You’re saying Nassar worked for Mossad. I would know if that was the case.”

“Would you? Would your boss tell you everything? What if your boss didn’t know either?”

“Jack, this is crazy. What are you saying?” Stahl’s voice turned louder and gruffer.

“I’m saying ask about it. Bring up Nassar’s name and his activities to someone you trust within your agency. Not your boss; not anyone else involved directly with this op.”

Stahl scoffed. “Jack, maybe that’s how you do things in the CIS, but that’s not how we operate.”

Jack sighed. “Stahl, you know better than anyone else that what I’m saying is possible. Or have you forgotten your own experience?”

Stahl didn’t reply right away, and Jack knew he had hit a nerve. He didn’t regret it. He wanted Stahl to admit the possibility that someone inside Mossad was running an unsanctioned mission using an unsanctioned asset, like Nassar. It had happened in the past with someone very close to Stahl, and it could certainly be happening again.

Jack thought about adding more details about that past experience but decided against it. He gave Stahl space to think about her answer and waited, albeit impatiently. He turned around and glanced over his shoulder at Friedman, who was standing guard over the two Georgians. They were all beyond earshot, but Jack had a direct line of sight to them.

When Stahl came back on the line, she said, “Okay, Jack. You’ve made your point. I’ll look further into this matter. It is going to be a waste of time, but I’ll entertain the idea so that we can get this out of the way.”

“Perfect. And I will do the same. I’ll have someone check with the Jordanian GID and, if there are no answers, with the CIA.

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