Cold, wet, snow mixed rain in London, Eyal pulled his coat's collar tighter around his neck and turned his back to the blowing wind and freezing rain. It had been a little over two hours since he talked to Annie but knew she was going to ride the mission out which gave him time. A good spy wouldn't tip their hand until their asset target is in sight and in this case safe; Annie is a good agent - no wrong, an excellent agent.
His phone buzzed. "Hello Arthur."
"Somewhere we or Mossad has a mole. Joan using proper channels in the negotiations with Israel to accept our asset and her information from Syria in exchange for extraction of both Annie and the asset. It was a good faith move on our part as Syria is a bigger threat to Israel than to the US. You know the routine one favor deserves another in return."
"So where is the break down?"
"Joan spoke directly with Hen Shechter one of her normal contacts. It was eavesdropping but no clue on which side. Mossad has dispatched a recovery team to find their agent, the real Mossad agent that was to meet Annie. By using code names played right into their hands, making it easy for someone to assume the true agents' ID."
"Do we have any idea who the fraud is attached to?"
"We don't believe it is Syria but a high probability it's Russia or Saudi Arabia. Our Mina Mustafa could know intel about Russian's financial aid to the Syria military or the Saudis are aiding the rebels in an overthrow of the government."
"All of that is well known in the Mossad camp."
"True. But if it ever became public knowledge, especially with public outcry could force the hand of both countries government into actions they don't want to take."
"Never liked the political side of this damn business."
"Fully aware of your position but can't be helped. Now we can't get extraction to Cyprus for another ten hours..."
"That much I've got covered. I'm on my way there as we speak. On the ground within two hours tops." Eyal disconnect, seeing a British soldier coming toward him.
"Agent Lamorak?"
"You found him."
"This way sir." Walking across the tarmac to a waiting Harrier Jump Jet. Deicing equipment being pulled away and the pilot making his pre-flight walk around. Eyal had made a name for himself over the years and now being Lamorak had its privileges. MI6 was just as interested to getting the administrative assistance to General Nasir Al Din Qureshi out of the Syrian army hands and to Israel. Annie's simple asset escort mission has turned into an all out effort to save Mina Mustafa.
Touching down in British control section of Cyprus on the south-east coast, Eyal went about his first stop, to blend into the Turkish strong hold of the island. Stopping at a men's shop specializing in Muslim wear, he purchased a Kurta shirt and Kufi cap. With his looks, it was easy to go unnoticed in an Arabic area and the loose fitting Kurta hid his two guns stuffed into his jeans pants. MI6 had a cover car waiting for him with papers to cross the green line. He was on his way to Mora.
Eyal has spent a considerable amount of time in Cyprus but on in the southern half, much richer and more prospers than the Turkish dominated territory. Up to date infrastructure was greatly lacking. Eyal made good time in reaching Mora and checking Annie's GPS he found she was still in the same location, hopefully this pig Cimon hadn't discovered her phone.
Eyal found the traven/inn on the outskirts of the small rural village where the road was dusty and only covered in crush stone. Driving by he noticed a car parked outside the tavern and clean, that must be the car Cimon and Annie drove from Nicosia. Not stopping he drove on to find an out-of-the-way place to park his car - out of sight of the tavern and to walk back. Checking his three guns, two in his belt, one on his side and the other on this back and the third smaller one in a leg holster, he picked up a tiny GPS tracker. Looking at the tracker, he hoped it wouldn't be need, shoveled it in his jeans pocket, he was half ready. Standing in front of his car, he starts scuffing his feet together, griming up his boots the very comfortable boots he love, oh they will clean up, this is not the first time. Scooping up a hand full of dirt and rubbing on the tops of both legs, the place someone would rub their hand to get rid of dirt. After enough dust had been rubbed into the Kurta he with clean hand tried to rub out the dirt, making it look well worn and genuine. He hadn't shaven in five days so he's normal scruff was more like a short beard.
Reaching Cimon's car, Eyal noted a fairly large sticker on the back bumper advertising the auto leasing company he assume the car came from. Punching in his no trace code on his phone he dialed the number on the sticker.
"Greeting this afternoon to you. This is Cimon Nadir and I have a small problem... Rented a 2012 Volvo and now have locked my keys in the car...I don't know the contract number, its lock in the car...If you please unlock the doors, you can arm the no start engine device, I'm not trying to steal the car, I just need the door open so I can retrieve the key... Thank you.
Click, Eyal heard the doors unlock, damn he hasn't lost his power of persuasion. Quickly he popped the hood and finding the small ignition coil, he pulled it and with a hefty pitch threw the part over a wall and into a stand of bushes. The car was going nowhere.
Walking down the narrow street, Eyal is looking for a back or side entrance to the tavern or the inn part. If Mina Mustafa is hiding here it would most likely be somewhere in the inn. And the next question, where is Annie? Call for Maghrib prayer should be less than two hours away, just after sunset. Now if Mina's captives are Saudis as believed, they would be engrossed in prayer. That would give Eyal less than two hours to find Mina and Annie. His best bet would be to check into a room at the inn, so off to the general store to buy a well used canvas tote with a long strap, prayer beads and change of underwear.
Glancing around the tavern as he entered, there were three men enjoying an afternoon drink of ale. A young girl washing to tables getting ready for the evening meal and an older women plainly dressed with hijab of soft green and gold necklace with coin like disk standing at counter type desk.
"Greeting to you and how may I be of service." The woman had a sweet welcoming smile and friendly eyes but one could tell by the lines on her face that life had been hard.
"Greetings to you. I am in need of overnight lodging and wish to lay my head in your inn." Way too many words used to ask for a room but that is the custom, superfluous chit-chat.
"My husband and I are delighted to have you be our guest for the night. We have a lovely room overlooking our courtyard you will find inviting for evening prayer." She pushes the log book toward him, "We have planted mock orange climbing vines and they are in bloom now. The fragrance is wonderful."
"Wonderful and a meal for a famished traveler." Eyal singing the log in Arabic.
"Served after Maghrib. Tonight will be a fest you will get pleasure from. Let me show you to the room, I think you will find it most accommodating."
The woman led Eyal into the courtyard and to a room on the lower level near a gate that lead to the street - perfect location for him. After spend a few minutes in his room he removed the prayer beads, putting them in his pocket he returned to the tavern for a drink of ale and wait.
Time passed slowly before the call to prayer. The young girl that was washing the tables brought prayer mats to the guest as time was close for prayer. Soon the distance call over loud speakers rang out, and men in the tavern moved to an open area to roll out the prayer mats, Eyal included. He had spent two years in deep cover in Saudi Arabia that Muslim prayer was almost second nature to him, especially the radical Islamic group he had infiltrated.
Pray came to an end and the evening meal would be served shortly. Several inn guests begin to filter in and find their seats and more patrons meandered in from the street. Eyal had taken a small table in the corner, keeping a watchful eye on the people gathering for an evening fest. There she is, Annie wearing a mundane blue tunic and lighter blue hijab to cover her blond hair. He guessed that either she or Cimon had purchased them so her fair appearance wouldn't stand out.
She looked natural showing no signs of stress, still very much in mission mode. Their eyes met as she was being seated, Cimon standing behind her and didn't see the beautiful smile that rapidly flowed across her lips. Eyal with an ever so slight tilt of his head and he was relieved to see her unharmed.
They were back together but yet apart. No way to communicate any plans however Annie was quick in falling in line with Eyal's actions, they worked in tandem. The chatter calmed down when the meal was served, everyone intent on eating. About midway into the meal, Eyal caught Annie looking around the room, when she saw him watching her, she gently rubbed her cheek under her left eye - a signal they had developed in Zurich that she has seen the target. With that minor gesture Eyal knew what he was going to do.