Assassin’s Revenge–A David Slaton Novel
Chapter 7: Seven
by Larsen, WardIn Chapter Seven, Slaton examines a photograph of a man in his thirties with unkempt hair and a melancholic expression, sensing a vague familiarity he can’t quite place. Frustrated by the lack of advanced facial recognition tools, he avoids seeking help from intelligence agencies like the CIA or Mossad, wary of their potential involvement in the situation. His thoughts shift to his family—his son Davy and wife Christine—and their disrupted travel plans, symbolized by a Lego boat they built together. The mundane act of reattaching a fallen block underscores his need for control amid growing uncertainty.
Slaton reflects on his traumatic past, recalling how Mossad exploited his grief after losing his first wife and daughter to mold him into a lethal operative. The pain of that loss resurfaces as he grapples with the fear of losing Christine and Davy, threatening to plunge him back into darkness. He struggles to maintain composure, recognizing that rationality is his only hope of saving them. Small details, like new curtains and dishes, remind him of domestic stability, contrasting sharply with the chaos of his current predicament.
Determined to act, Slaton retrieves a hidden stash of emergency supplies, including cash, passports, and a spare phone, noting that some items are missing. He deduces Christine may have accessed them voluntarily, though paranoia creeps in—could this be a trap? The old habits of suspicion and circular logic return as he prepares to travel under a false identity, aware that time is critical. He secures the boat, masking his urgency with a casual demeanor when speaking to a neighboring sailor, who agrees to keep an eye on it.
The chapter closes with Slaton’s pensive acknowledgment of the sailor’s remark about karma, hinting at his internal turmoil and the cyclical nature of his struggles. His blank expression belies the storm of emotions and calculations beneath the surface, setting the stage for his next moves. The chapter masterfully intertwines personal history, tension, and tactical precision, painting a portrait of a man balancing past trauma with present danger.
FAQs
1. What techniques does Slaton use to analyze the photograph of the mysterious man, and what does this reveal about his professional background?
Answer:
Slaton employs two key techniques to analyze the photograph: close visual examination and a “shooter’s trick” of closing and reopening his eyes to gain a fresh perspective. He scrutinizes details like the man’s unkempt appearance, glasses, and pen, while also noting subtle facial features suggesting a once-cheerful demeanor. This meticulous approach reveals Slaton’s intelligence/assassin training—his ability to extract maximum information from limited data, his reliance on instinct honed by experience, and his frustration at lacking institutional facial recognition tools. His methods reflect tradecraft typical of Mossad operatives, blending observational acuity with psychological insight.2. How does the chapter use physical objects (the Lego boat, coffee mug, hidden compartment) to reflect Slaton’s psychological state?
Answer:
Physical objects symbolize Slaton’s struggle to maintain control amid emotional turmoil. The Lego boat’s detached “lifeboat” block mirrors his fractured family security, while his precise reattachment shows his compulsion to restore order. Cleaning the coffee mug represents an attempt to impose mental clarity through mundane actions. The compromised hidden compartment—with missing passports and money—physically manifests his destabilizing crisis. These objects collectively illustrate his operational mindset: using tangible tasks (inventory checks, housekeeping) to anchor himself against overwhelming grief and paranoia, echoing his past trauma when he preserved his late daughter’s laundry for solace.3. Analyze how Slaton’s interaction with the Scotsman demonstrates tradecraft techniques versus emotional vulnerability.
Answer:
The exchange showcases Slaton’s operational discipline masking inner distress. He fabricates a casual cover story about sightseeing in Spain, employing plausible deception (a spycraft staple) while requesting the Scotsman’s contact info—a one-sided security measure. However, his forced grin and pensive nod at the proverb “what goes around comes around” betray emotional weight, hinting at his fear of cyclical tragedy. This duality reflects his professional ability to compartmentalize: executing tradecraft (securing the boat, avoiding phone traceability) while privately grappling with trauma resurfacing through the “crushing weight” of potential loss.4. What does the revelation about Slaton’s past with Mossad contribute to understanding his current crisis response?
Answer:
The backstory reveals Mossad weaponized Slaton’s grief over his first family’s death, molding him into an assassin by exploiting his desire for vengeance. This history contextualizes his extreme reaction to Christine and Davy’s disappearance: past trauma has rewired his psyche to associate loss with existential threat, triggering both operational hypervigilance (document checks, contingency planning) and psychological collapse (“descending blackness”). His awareness of being manipulated—coupled with “storming insecurities” resurfacing—adds layers of distrust and self-doubt to his current actions, illustrating how espionage exploits emotional vulnerabilities only to have them reemerge catastrophically later.5. Evaluate the significance of the missing passports from the hidden compartment. What hypotheses does Slaton consider, and what do they reveal about his operational thinking?
Answer:
The missing passports present a deliberate ambiguity central to the chapter’s tension. Slaton hypothesizes two scenarios: (1) Christine accessed them voluntarily (suggesting non-coercion, since his own documents remain), or (2) they were taken by adversaries to manipulate him (tracking forgeries or leaving false clues). His analysis demonstrates intelligence methodology—weighing evidence (partial money removal), considering counterintelligence traps, and assessing asset compromise risks. The hesitation before taking the remaining passports reveals his calibrated paranoia: he acknowledges their potential as bait but prioritizes operational necessity (travel urgency) over perfect security—a realistic tradeoff in high-stakes scenarios.
Quotes
1. “Not a conformist by nature.”
This simple yet powerful description of the mysterious man in the photograph captures Slaton’s keen observational skills and sets the tone for his analytical approach to the unfolding mystery. It also hints at potential parallels between the subject and Slaton himself.
2. “The mere thought of losing Christine and Davy awakened demons he’d long thought slayed.”
This poignant quote reveals the depth of Slaton’s emotional vulnerability and the traumatic past that shapes his current actions. It explains his intense motivation while showing how his professional and personal histories are tragically intertwined.
3. “If I can’t act rationally, I can’t save them.”
This concise statement represents a crucial moment of self-mastery where Slaton forces himself to regain control. It encapsulates the central tension between his emotional turmoil and the disciplined mindset required for his mission.
4. “How easily the old ways, with their circular logic and storming insecurities, came rushing back.”
This insightful reflection demonstrates Slaton’s self-awareness about his trained instincts and the psychological toll of his past intelligence work. It marks a key transition point where he fully re-engages his operational mindset.
5. “Yes… I was thinking that very same thing.”
This final line, delivered with layered meaning to the Scotsman, reveals Slaton’s resolute determination while hinting at the cyclical nature of his circumstances. The pause and repetition suggest both his strategic calculation and the story’s thematic elements of recurrence.