Assassin’s Revenge–A David Slaton Novel
Chapter 6: Six
by Larsen, WardAfter returning to the harbor amid the storm’s abrupt end, Slaton secures his boat, Sirius, and scans the piers for any sign of his missing wife and son. The ordinary activities of tourists and workers contrast sharply with his growing dread. He resists questioning bystanders, fearing it would waste time or draw suspicion. A search of the boat reveals subtle clues—unwashed dishes, scattered toys—hinting at an unplanned departure. Slaton’s anguish deepens as he recalls his last glimpse of his family, now a haunting memory.
Slaton shifts focus to the boat’s electronics, hoping for leads. The navigation system and satellite phone yield nothing, but the laptop remains untouched. Before he can act, his phone vibrates with a chilling text from his wife’s number. The word “kidon”—Mossad’s term for assassins—sends a jolt of terror through him. The message demands he carry out an assassination in Vienna, with the promise of his family’s safe return upon completion. The cold, impersonal instructions confirm his worst fear: Christine and Davy have been taken to force him back into his lethal past.
The abduction’s precision suggests a state-sponsored operation, with Israel or the U.S. as likely culprits. Slaton analyzes the lack of evidence, recognizing the hallmarks of a professional job. His family could be anywhere, leaving him with no immediate recourse. The message’s demand—to “do what you do best”—implies his unique skills as a former assassin are being exploited. Slaton grapples with the realization that his lack of ties makes him both a perfect tool and expendable. The target’s identity, hidden in an attached photo, could reveal who is pulling the strings.
Slaton memorizes the instructions, knowing compliance offers the only chance to see his family again. Yet he also considers defying the rules, leveraging his expertise to turn the tables. The Vienna location and timing provide scant clues, but the target’s identity may hold the key. As he prepares to open the photo, an old adage echoes in his mind: tracking the prey may lead him to the hunter. The chapter ends with Slaton poised to uncover the face of the person he must kill—and the shadowy forces behind his family’s abduction.
FAQs
1. What key discovery does Slaton make upon receiving the text message, and why does it unsettle him so deeply?
Answer:
Slaton receives a text message from his wife’s phone that begins with the word “Kidon,” a term used by Mossad to refer to its assassins. This unsettles him because it reveals that his family has been taken by someone who knows about his past as an assassin for Mossad. The message is a cold, impersonal set of instructions demanding he carry out an assassination in Vienna in exchange for his family’s safe return. This confirms his worst fear—that his hidden past has caught up with him, and his loved ones are being used as leverage to force him back into his old life.2. How does Slaton assess the professionalism of the abduction, and what conclusions does he draw about who might be responsible?
Answer:
Slaton recognizes the abduction as a highly professional operation due to the lack of evidence left behind and the fact that even his observant neighbor noticed nothing amiss. He deduces that this level of precision suggests state-sponsored involvement, likely by Israel or the U.S., given their prior dealings with him. However, he also considers that organized crime or a terrorist group could be responsible, though this would pose even greater danger to his family. The cyber intrusion into his secure communication further supports the idea of a well-resourced, sophisticated actor behind the abduction.3. What internal conflict does Slaton face when deciding whether to open the full message and target photo?
Answer:
Slaton hesitates before opening the full message, torn between his desperate need for answers and his fear of what they might confirm. The moment mirrors the tension of a bomb technician cutting the final wire—uncertainty and dread weigh heavily on him. He knows that opening the message will force him to confront the reality of his family’s abduction and the grim task demanded of him. This hesitation underscores his emotional turmoil and the gravity of the situation, as he balances hope against the likelihood of devastating news.4. Why does Slaton consider himself an ideal “cutout” for an assassination, and what risks does this pose for him?
Answer:
Slaton realizes that his unique background—a presumed-dead assassin with no formal ties to any nation—makes him the perfect deniable asset for a high-stakes assassination. His skills and anonymity allow a sponsoring entity to maintain plausible deniability. However, this also makes him expendable; if caught or killed, no government would claim him. This duality places him in extreme danger, as his success or failure could both result in his elimination. The lack of accountability for his handlers means they have little incentive to uphold their end of the bargain regarding his family’s safety.5. How does the chapter use Slaton’s search of the boat to heighten the emotional stakes of the abduction?
Answer:
The detailed search of the boat emphasizes the abruptness of the abduction and Slaton’s growing despair. Small, mundane details—a half-full coffee pot, an unwashed mug, scattered toys—paint a vivid picture of a normal morning violently interrupted. These traces of his family’s presence amplify his grief and helplessness, as he realizes they were taken without warning. The contrast between the ordinary mess of daily life and the extraordinary crisis he now faces deepens the emotional impact, making their disappearance feel both intimate and horrifying.
Quotes
1. “Slaton felt a cresting sense of urgency, as if Christine and Davy were slipping farther out of reach every second.”
This quote captures the protagonist’s growing desperation as he realizes his family has been taken, setting the emotional tone for the chapter and driving his subsequent actions.
2. “It was the worst possible scenario, the one from which they’d been running for so long. A living nightmare condensed to a few lines of bland prose.”
This powerful statement reveals the gravity of the situation - Slaton’s worst fears about his past catching up with him have materialized, presented in chillingly impersonal terms.
3. “An assassin long thought dead. A man without a country. And best of all, a shooter who didn’t miss, and who had a knack for disappearing without a trace.”
This insight shows Slaton’s self-awareness about why he’s being targeted for this mission, highlighting his unique vulnerabilities and skills that make him the perfect pawn.
4. “The only alternative: to set his own rules.”
This terse statement marks a key turning point where Slaton begins transitioning from victim to active protagonist, foreshadowing his likely course of action.
5. “Track the prey to find the hunter.”
This memorable adage encapsulates Slaton’s strategy for uncovering who’s behind the abduction, demonstrating his professional mindset even under extreme duress.