Ransom Read online

  »»•««

  Layla was barely conscious. A cacophony of harsh, brittle sounds rang in her ears. Her breath came in shallow gasps, and she couldn’t see beyond the stream of blood trickling down her face. The smoke made her choke. The world seemed tilted. No, it wasn’t the world that was tilted, she was tilted. The explosion had flipped the Kia on its side. She couldn’t move with her body wedged against the door. She tried to see out of the spider-webbed windshield. Her blood pounded against her temples, and her mind spun in circles as she tried to reconstruct what had happened.

  She heard the whimpering of a child. Oh, dear God, Cerise. She tried to speak, but her voice came out hoarse and raspy, more like a groan. She tried again, her voice barely above a whisper. “Cerise, talk to mommy. Are you all right?”

  “Mommy, I’m bleeding.”

  Panic seized her. “Don’t worry, help is coming.” She tried to turn her head to look at Cerise, but couldn’t. “Can you see where the blood is coming from?”

  Cerise didn’t answer, and fear gripped her.

  “I think my head, Mommy. It hurts.”

  “Help will be here in a minute. I promise we’re going to be okay. Don’t cry baby, be brave.”

  Hearing her weeping child was worse than the searing pain pulsing through her body. Did a bomb strike Tel Aviv? All she could remember was being cut off and nearly being hit by a crazy driver in a Mercedes and slamming on the brakes. Then there was an awful explosion. The bus.

  The ringing in her ears continued, but now she could hear voices and sirens. People were banging, and the sound of metal scraping metal made her jump. Rescuers were cutting through the door opposite her. The door tore from its hinges, and fresh air poured into the car. Arms reached for her and fingers tried to unclick the seat belt, but it wouldn’t release. The exploded airbag pressed heavily against her chest pinning her. “My child, save her first,” she pleaded. Oh dear, God, please take care of Cerise.

  A male voice answered. “Don’t worry. She’s safe. It looks like she suffered only a few scrapes and bruises. Just breathe, and we’ll have you out of here in no time.”

  She nodded, the sting of tears in her eyes. She needed to breathe, but the pressure of the airbag on her chest felt like a ton of bricks. “Thank you,” she mumbled through the waves of nausea and dizziness seizing her.

  After several minutes the airbag was disengaged, and the seat belt was cut freeing her. Strong arms lifted her out of the Kia and gently laid her onto a gurney. Her gaze flitted around her. The bus was a blackened hull of mangled metal. There were body parts strewn across the road. Chaos surrounded her as rescue teams searched for any survivors. She closed her eyes and swallowed the bile rising in her throat. Cerise and I are alive. We’re the lucky ones.

  She was in a state of shock and unaware of her own body’s trauma. Panic seized her when she felt the warm gush of blood between her legs. Her defense mechanisms set in, her body began to shake uncontrollably, and her screams pierced the air. “My baby. I’m losing my baby.” The last thing she remembered was an oxygen mask covering her face and her muffled screams fading as she slipped into unconsciousness.

  »»•««

  Hadassah Hospital

  The Prime Minister arrived at Hadassah Hospital after visiting the site of the terrorist attack. In a televised address to the nation, he’d sworn to the families of the dead and injured that there would be a day of judgment. Afterward, he’d gone straight to the hospital.

  Outside the entrance to the intensive care unit enhanced security was everywhere. The hospital looked like a border crossing checkpoint. Soldiers armed with Uzi machine guns guarded every entrance as they eyed and inspected everyone, including the doctors and nurses who shuffled in and out.

  The Prime Minister stood with the Ramsad. His gaze fixed on Layla lying in a bed inside the ICU with her eyes closed. Shabak the internal security division responsible for investigating terrorism within the state believed Cyrus’s wife and child were the actual targets of the terrorist bombing. The hospital was now in a semi-lock-down, and the prime minister had ordered the nation on high alert. It had been some time since a bus in Israel had been blown up by terrorists. The return to madness put everyone on edge.

  Noam Levi interrupted the silence that had settled upon them. He addressed the Prime Minister familiarly with his nickname. “Dodi, I have to bring Cyrus home. I can’t shield him from what has happened.”

  “I agree, but it must be carried out in complete secrecy. We need him back in Beirut as soon as possible. The welfare of the nation rests on the success of his mission. Tell me, how do you plan on managing this?” The prime minister’s worried gaze never wavered from Layla.

  “Cyrus will fly to Nicosia with Ben for an excursion tonight, and we’ll have a private jet waiting to take them to Israel. I’ve talked to Layla’s father and grandparents, and we’re all in agreement she and Cerise will be much safer in the safe house in Ramat Ha Sharon. So long as Cyrus is in Beirut, they’ll remain there, which should placate Cyrus’s worries. Layla’s grandparents will move into the safe house with them.”

  “Excellent. Even Aleck should be satisfied with the arrangement.” Layla’s father and the prime minister had been roommates in college. Since Aleck’s move to Israel the two men had renewed their friendship and developed an even deeper bond.

  “She’s waking up.” They watched Layla’s grandmother, Dina, approach the bed and lift a cup of water to Layla’s lips. Then the eagle-eyed Holocaust survivor sat on the edge of the bed and took Layla’s hand in hers patting it. The two spoke for a few minutes, and then Layla closed her eyes.

  Dina joined the two men outside the room. “Layla is devastated at the loss of the pregnancy. She needs Cyrus.”

  “It will take some doing, but we’re bringing him to her. But only for a brief reunion. She needs to understand he must return to the operation,” the Prime Minister stressed.

  “She is in no shape to understand anything, but we will do what is required. Thank God, Cerise’s injury is minor, but Layla’s taking the loss of the pregnancy hard.”

  The Prime Minister nodded. “There will be other children, but I’ve lived through enough losses to know there is no magic pill to erase the pain of what she’s going through.”

  “We’ve all lost. To be a survivor means you carry scars deeply embedded that nothing on earth can erase. It pains me to see my granddaughter made to bear those scars.”

  “Cyrus will bring her comfort,” the leader of the nation assured.

  “We’ll see. Right now Layla’s irrational and blaming Cyrus for not being here.”

  “She will forgive him. Those two share more than just the love of a man and a woman. They owe their lives to each other. If adversity demands a trial by fire, Cyrus will prevail.”

  Dina’s eyes flashed a distant storm without thunder, reminding the Prime Minister of heat lightning. “Do we know who did this?”

  The Ramsad answered. “Security cameras caught footage of who we believe is the murderer sitting in a nearby coffee shop. Facial recognition technology found a match. He’s Hezbollah.”

  He put his arm around the frail old woman’s shoulders. “Dina, rest assured he will receive justice.” The Prime Minister was fond of Aleck and Cyrus’s family. He particularly admired the Holocaust survivor matriarch whom he considered a woman of great moral integrity and strength.

  “God willing.” The old woman sighed. “Excuse me, gentlemen, but I want to be with Layla should she need anything.” She squared her shoulders and returned to the ICU.

  “It breaks my heart to see her having to do deal with more personal tragedy. Dina’s had more than her share of tragedy between the Holocaust and losing a daughter,” said the Prime Minister.

  The Ramsad’s forehead lined with worry. “Yes, but she’s a soldier and survivor, stronger than all of us.” He waited as one of the nurses walked past on her way into the ICU. “Dodi, we’ve identified the terrorist as one of Nasrallah’s he
nchmen. He could have gotten to Layla and Cerise any number of ways, but he chose to make a statement. The blowing up of the bus was meant to send a deadly message from Hezbollah and Iran. There is no safe place for you. We can kill you at will. The message will be clear to Cyrus.”

  “What else do we know?” The Prime Minister asked.

  “Shortly after the bus explosion, the bodies of the suspected mole and his Palestinian Israeli lover were found in a hotel room dead. Video at the hotel caught footage of the same Hezbollah operative who blew up the bus. Elsewhere in the city, a store clerk discovered the body of an Israeli Arab in a trash bin. The man had worked the night shift at the bus maintenance facility.”

  “So all three crimes were perpetrated by the same assassin? Do we have any clue where he is?”

  “The likelihood is the monster has already left the country and is on his way back to Lebanon.”

  “How did he get through border security?”

  “False identification papers. We’re investigating it now.”

  “I want the team tasked with eliminating him. He must pay for his crimes.”

  “I’ll notify Cyrus.”

  “Tell him when he’s here. He has enough to contend with.” The Prime Minister was worried, nothing must get in the way of eliminating the EMP attack. “In the meantime, let’s hope Aryeh makes headway with Hezbollah.”

  “We should know soon whether Nasrallah has taken the bait.”

  “Hopefully he does.”

  Chapter Nine

  Beirut, Lebanon

  Horsh Beirut Park

  Yitzak had picked up from the drop box Aryeh’s missive that he needed to meet with Cyrus. Cyrus, disguised with contacts and beard, followed a path near the deserted tennis courts at Horsh Beirut Park in search of his fellow operative, the man known as the Lion of Judea. A steady rain had kept most people away. However, a few braved the heavy showers and strolled with their umbrellas held high through the pine-scented open paths.

  Cyrus strode toward a dense forest of pine trees.

  At first, he didn’t recognize the man sitting on a park bench. He appeared to be an older gentleman bundled up in an oversized raincoat. Leaning forward the man rested his hands on a cane. Cyrus walked past him paying him no heed. Then the computer in his head kicked in, and he turned. A second glance raised his suspicion. The old man’s wink left no doubt confirming who he was.

  Cyrus joined him on the bench. “Not a bad disguise. I nearly missed you.”

  “It’s a necessity. It seems I’ve made Hezbollah’s most wanted list. I’m trying to meet them on my terms and not theirs. I’ve got quite a few things to discuss with you.”

  “I figured.”

  “Have you informed the team of what’s going on here?”

  “I plan on doing it after I talk to the Ramsad.”

  “I spoke with him, and he okayed it. It’s time to bring them up to speed.” He changed the subject. “You know about Zara?”

  “A little.”

  “Zara’s attracted the attention of Mustafa Mugniyeh, the mysterious son of Imad Mugniyeh.”

  “That’s significant. It seems the cockroaches are beginning to show themselves. Have you told her about the nukes and rockets or Hezbollah’s planned EMP attack?”

  “Yes, I filled her in.”

  Cyrus studied Aryeh’s face. “You're sure she can be trusted?”

  “Not only can she be trusted, but she may be our best op to bring this house of cards down. From his own words, we suspect Mustafa is involved. Maybe even running the operation.”

  “What proof do you have?”

  “No proof, just innuendo, and instinct.” Aryeh tapped his cane on the ground. “It’s going to put her in significant danger, but she intends to get as close as possible to him.”

  “Should we put the team on her?”

  “Yeah, put Ben and Daniel on it. I’m going to suggest she see him in public places. I’ll have to inform her of the tail because she’ll pick it up anyway.”

  “What’s the plan?”

  “We need to find where they’re building the rockets. Zara can make a difference if she gains his trust. If he is involved, she’ll persuade him to take her there, or at least close enough for us to figure it out. I’m also waiting to hear from Nasrallah about the diamond exchange for my nephew.” They both grew silent as a teenage couple approached. They were giggly and affectionate, obviously looking for a place where they could be alone. The teens ignored the two men and continued up the trail.

  “You haven’t spoken with the Ramsad?” Aryeh asked.

  “A day or so ago. He wanted to wait until Elon had everything secured.”

  Aryeh nodded. “I spoke with him yesterday. It’s a bit odd, Noam is usually incessant and hands on. I’ve never known him to allow such latitude.”

  “I’m sure we’ll both hear from him soon.”

  Aryeh reached into his pocket and retrieved a vibrating cell phone. “I’m here.”

  Cyrus waited quietly. He knew it had to be important. Aryeh wouldn’t have taken the call if it wasn’t. “Tomorrow night?” Aryeh nodded. “Yes, I know the place. I’ll be ready.” He stuffed the cell back in his pocket. “That was Zara.”

  Cyrus’s brows lifted quizzically.

  “Nasrallah wants to meet, which means I’ve passed the first round of trust. They’re taking me to Gideon as an act of good faith.”

  “It’s possible they could be doing it just to lure you in.”

  “I don’t think so. Nasrallah knows the diamonds are hidden safely somewhere here in Beirut. He’s not going to do anything that might jeopardize getting his hands on the treasure. Besides, Zara says they’re after more than the jewels.”

  “It’s a daring but dangerous risk.”

  Aryeh smiled. “I live for the risk, my friend. Unlike you, I have no one waiting at home for me.”

  “True enough. The phone you used with Zara, untraceable, I hope?”

  “Totally. The phones link only to each other. Zara’s suggestion.”

  Cyrus nodded. “Would you consider wearing a tracking device, just in case?”

  “Absolutely, not. I wouldn’t put a strip search past these bastards.”

  “New technology. It’s foolproof. You’d be the guinea pig or guinea lion as the case may be.”

  Aryeh laughed at Cyrus’s attempt at a joke. “Okay, have someone from the team leave it in the drop box.”

  “This technology will allow us to monitor you. I’m putting everyone on high alert until I know you’re safe. If anything goes wrong, we’ll come for you.”

  “Sounds good.”

  “Oh, Yitzak and Nira checked into the same hotel as the North Korean physicists. They’re closely monitoring them. Hopefully, we’ll have a wiretap on their rooms shortly.”

  “We need someone at Mossad headquarters who speaks Korean to translate the tapes once the wiretaps are in.”

  “I’ve already seen to it.”

  “Good.” Aryeh stood, and leaned heavily on his cane. “I’ll check in when I return tonight.” Without a goodbye, he turned and shuffled away. When he’d disappeared, Cyrus stood and followed the path in the opposite direction. There was much to do, and he was anxious to get back to the team.

  »»•««

  Cyrus returned to the duplex and found Ash lying on the couch in the living room with his shirt off. Cartons of take-out food lay empty on the coffee table. His focus was a big screen television, where every few seconds the image switched. He was monitoring the security cameras surrounding the duplex. In preparation for the operation, Nira and Yitzak had deployed hidden cameras in every room and at every window and entrance. It was Ash’s shift to monitor.

  Ash was tireless. He’d been working around the clock since his arrival in Lebanon, procuring and stockpiling arms in the barn of a property he’d purchased in the Beqaa valley. Several days of stubble shadowed his cheeks.

  Ash’s face lit with a smile when he saw Cyrus. “Hey, boss.”
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br />   “Haber? Good to see you back. How did it go?”

  “I’d say we have enough to take on the entire Lebanese Army and defeat them if that’s what you have in mind.”

  Cyrus chuckled. “I have our sights set on something a bit more manageable.” He eyed the considerable amount of real estate on Ash’s body covered with tattoos. He’d meant to ask him about it. “You wear a lot of body art. Any significance?”

  Ash grinned. “Yeah, every mission since I’ve been with the team.” He pointed above his heart. “Except this one, the bullseye is for luck.”

  “Do you have one for saving my daughter?”

  He sat up, displaying his back, where a snowcapped Matterhorn held a place of honor. “My tribute to Cerise.”

  “It’s a beauty. What do you think you’ll get for this mission?”

  “Well, it sure as hell won’t be a picture of Aryeh, but a lion might be cool.”

  “I think you’re going to have a slew of choices after my discussion with the team today. Where’s everyone?”

  “Yitzak and Nira are babysitting the North Koreans. Elon’s in the technology center upstairs, and Daniel and Ben are trying not to be caught out by Zara.”

  “I have some news to share, but I want everyone to hear it at once. I’ll get Elon to set up a secure satellite Skype with everyone.”

  A few minutes later Ash and Cyrus had joined Elon in the technology center. On the big screen appeared the live image of each member of the team.

  Cyrus turned to Elon. “Everything secure?”

  Elon monitored a laptop. “Yeah, all of their cell phones are routing through our satellite. We’re as secure as we’ll ever be.”

  Cyrus revealed the true reason for their mission to Beirut. “Aryeh’s not our target.”

  Daniel pounded Ben on the back coupled with a, “Thank God.” Nira wiped her eyes, and Yitzak grinned putting his arm around her shoulders. Elon showed little or no reaction, but Cyrus knew he’d figured it out already. Ash, pumped his fist and brought it down to his side, flexing his muscle. “Yes, the lion lives another day!”