Assassin’s Revenge–A David Slaton Novel
Chapter 11: Eleven
by Larsen, WardSlaton, the protagonist, wakes in a modest rooming house near the river, preparing for an uncertain day ahead. After a brief breakfast, he secures his room for another night, creating a temporary safe house. Venturing into the city, he observes its unpretentious charm but quickly notices he is being followed. Two men, one in a black jacket and another in a blue ski parka, tail him with amateurish coordination, their movements betraying their intent. Slaton remains cautious, assuming there may be more operatives unseen, and resists the urge to confront them, knowing impulsive actions could backfire.
As Slaton navigates the city, he refines his plans for an impending assassination, adapting to the presence of his pursuers. Their presence suggests a connection to the disappearance of his family, Christine and Davy, heightening his urgency. Despite his anger, he maintains discipline, recognizing that strategic thinking is paramount. He devises a plan to exploit the situation, using his pursuers’ predictability to his advantage. His destination becomes clear: a gun shop in Vienna, where he hopes to acquire specialized equipment for his mission.
At the gun shop, Slaton carefully assesses the environment and the staff, identifying the owner as his best point of contact. He engages the man in conversation, feigning casual interest in firearms while subtly probing for a specific weapon. The owner, initially guarded, warms to Slaton’s knowledge of high-end optics, particularly the Schmidt & Bender T96 scope. This exchange builds rapport, allowing Slaton to broach his true need—a specialized firearm. The owner’s hesitant but intrigued response hints at the possibility of fulfilling Slaton’s request, setting the stage for a critical transaction.
The chapter underscores Slaton’s calculated approach to danger and his ability to adapt under pressure. His restraint in dealing with the surveillance team contrasts with his lethal intent, highlighting his professionalism. The interaction at the gun shop reveals his skill in manipulation and tradecraft, as he navigates the delicate process of securing weapons without arousing undue suspicion. The chapter builds tension, leaving the reader anticipating the next steps in Slaton’s high-stakes mission.
FAQs
1. How does Slaton confirm he is being followed, and what does his observation reveal about the surveillance team’s professionalism?
Answer:
Slaton confirms his first tail by noticing a young man in a black jacket pretending to study an empty menu box—a detail Slaton had previously observed. He identifies a second man in a blue ski parka coordinating via text messages. The surveillance team uses a tag-team approach, but their movements are overly obvious (e.g., slowing when Slaton pauses, empty menu pretense). Slaton deduces they are unprofessional because a skilled team would be more subtle. Their lack of tradecraft suggests they are either inexperienced or not part of a high-level operation, though Slaton remains cautious about potential unseen backup.2. Why does Slaton resist the urge to confront his pursuers, and what does this reveal about his strategic mindset?
Answer:
Despite his anger over Christine and Davy’s disappearance, Slaton avoids confronting the men because he recognizes the high risk of backfiring. He acknowledges that while violence might extract information, it could also escalate the situation disastrously. This restraint highlights his disciplined, strategic approach: emotions like anger are unreliable in operational planning. Slaton prioritizes long-term objectives over immediate gratification, demonstrating his experience in high-stakes scenarios where patience and calculated decisions outweigh impulsive actions.3. Analyze how Slaton’s discovery of the surveillance team influences his plan for the assassination. What key shift in strategy occurs?
Answer:
The presence of the surveillance team forces Slaton to adapt his assassination plan. Initially uncertain, he now integrates their existence into his strategy, recognizing they might be linked to his family’s disappearance. This suggests his original plan lacked critical context, and their presence provides new variables to account for (e.g., compromised operational security). The shift implies a more aggressive or deceptive approach, as seen in his diversionary moves (crossing against lights, fake phone checks) and his visit to the gun shop—a likely step to arm himself for both the assassination and potential confrontations with pursuers.4. What psychological tactics does Slaton employ during his interaction with the gun shop owner, and why are they effective?
Answer:
Slaton uses subtle psychological manipulation to build rapport and lower suspicion. He poses as a casual enthusiast (“a bit of both” collector/hunter) before hinting at his true needs vaguely, avoiding red flags. His shift to discussing the Schmidt & Bender T96 scope—a high-end, niche product—establishes credibility with the owner, who brightens at the mention. This tactic mirrors real-world tradecraft: demonstrating knowledge to gain trust before broaching sensitive requests. The owner’s conspiratorial tone and eventual offer (“I might have something”) confirm Slaton’s approach worked, paving the way for an off-the-books transaction.5. Evaluate the significance of the gun shop setting in the chapter. How does it reflect Slaton’s operational priorities and the story’s broader themes?
Answer:
The gun shop symbolizes Slaton’s transition from passive observation to active preparation, marking a turning point in his mission. Its practical role (acquiring weapons) ties to the theme of resourcefulness, as Slaton must improvise tools for both assassination and self-defense. The owner’s willingness to discuss unconventional weapons also hints at Vienna’s underworld, a recurring backdrop in the story. More broadly, the scene underscores themes of deception and duality: Slaton’s polite customer facade masks his lethal intent, mirroring the “scratched frames” metaphor earlier—a city (and protagonist) whose unassuming surface hides darker truths.
Quotes
1. “The city in the light of day was much as he remembered: classic yet unpretentious, like an art museum that displayed fine paintings, but whose curator preferred the honesty of scratched frames.”
This vivid simile captures Slaton’s observational prowess and the novel’s atmospheric setting. It reflects both the protagonist’s attention to detail and the story’s tone of worn sophistication.
2. “Anger as a strategy was rarely effective.”
A concise philosophical insight that reveals Slaton’s disciplined mindset. This line underscores the protagonist’s calculated approach, even when emotionally provoked by thoughts of his missing family.
3. “He saw no one else, but it was always healthy to assume a bigger detail than could be seen. He figured three was quite possible. Five a stretch.”
This quote exemplifies Slaton’s professional paranoia and tradecraft. It demonstrates his methodical threat assessment process while building tension in the surveillance sequence.
4. “Now, having hooked two trailers as easily as a charter boat trolling for mackerel, his thinking evolved.”
The fishing metaphor effectively conveys Slaton’s tactical adaptation. This marks a turning point where the protagonist shifts from passive observation to active planning.
5. “It is the scope that turns us all into the marksmen we wish we were.”
This wry observation from the gun shop owner provides thematic resonance. Beyond the literal meaning, it subtly comments on the human tendency to rely on tools to bridge aspiration and ability.