Assassin’s Revenge–A David Slaton Novel
Chapter 16: Sixteen
by Larsen, WardThe chapter opens with a tense scene in a cold Viennese park, where a thin, bespectacled man with unkempt hair waits anxiously for a clandestine meeting. He checks his phone repeatedly, unsure if his contact will arrive, and reflects on his lack of training for such encounters. The atmosphere is fraught with uncertainty as he questions how long to wait and whether he’s being watched. His discomfort is palpable, heightened by the isolation and the unfamiliarity of field operations, despite his theoretical knowledge of how such meetings should unfold.
Meanwhile, the narrative shifts to an Uzbek operative tracking an assassin near a stand of trees. The Uzbek and his team—a Somali and a Tunisian—coordinate via text messages to encircle their target. The assassin’s failure to act on schedule raises doubts, prompting the Uzbek to investigate. As he cautiously approaches the trees, he spots a rifle propped on makeshift tripods but finds no sign of the assassin. The tension builds as he realizes the setup is a decoy, leaving him vulnerable in the darkness.
In a sudden and brutal turn, the Uzbek is ambushed from the shadows. Before he can react, an unseen assailant seizes him, silencing him with a lethal blade to the throat. The scene is visceral and swift, emphasizing the ruthless efficiency of the killer. The Uzbek’s death underscores the high stakes and danger of the operation, leaving the reader to wonder about the identity and motives of his attacker.
The chapter concludes by returning to the waiting man in the park, who remains oblivious to the violence across the estuary. His patience wears thin as he debates whether to leave, highlighting his inexperience and the precariousness of his mission. The parallel narratives—of the failed ambush and the uncertain meeting—create a sense of impending collision, leaving the reader anticipating the consequences of these intertwined events.
FAQs
1. What are the key details that establish the atmosphere and tension in the opening scene with the thin man in the dark jacket?
Answer:
The opening scene establishes a tense, clandestine atmosphere through several key details: the cold Viennese winter setting, the man’s physical discomfort (hands thrust in pockets, unadapted to the climate), his nervous behaviors (rocking on his feet, checking his phone repeatedly), and the uncertainty about his meeting (“Will he even come?”). The isolation of the park at night, the stray dog’s appearance, and the man’s lack of field experience (“Clandestine meetings were not his forte”) heighten the tension. His awareness of surveillance methods (CCTV cameras, drone feeds) adds a layer of paranoia, making the reader question the stakes of this encounter.2. Analyze the Uzbek’s approach to tracking the assassin and the critical errors that lead to his demise.
Answer:
The Uzbek employs a methodical approach: maintaining distance, using hand signals and texts to coordinate his team, and creating a triangular formation around the target area. However, his critical errors include misjudging the assassin’s timing (the shot was expected by 8:15 but delayed), assuming the shadowy figure was their target without confirmation, and overcommitting to an exposed position. His fatal mistake is rushing into the treeline alone, driven by adrenaline rather than patience. The chapter highlights his lack of situational awareness—he fails to notice the abandoned rifle setup or the assassin’s presence until it’s too late, resulting in his swift and silent execution.3. How does the chapter juxtapose the two parallel scenes (the thin man waiting and the Uzbek’s operation) to build suspense?
Answer:
The chapter alternates between the thin man’s anxious waiting and the Uzbek’s botched operation, creating dramatic irony and suspense. While the thin man worries about being stood up, unaware of the violence unfolding nearby, the Uzbek’s team is actively hunting an assassin who has already outmaneuvered them. This juxtaposition heightens tension by contrasting the mundane (waiting, checking the time) with the lethal (stealth, ambush). The reader knows more than either character, anticipating how these threads might collide—especially when the thin man considers leaving just as the Uzbek is killed, suggesting their fates are indirectly connected.4. What symbolic significance might the abandoned rifle and makeshift tripods hold in the context of the assassin’s tactics?
Answer:
The abandoned rifle, mounted on golf-club tripods, symbolizes deception and the assassin’s ingenuity. The unconventional setup mimics a sniper’s presence, luring the Uzbek into a trap while the assassin remains mobile. The odd texture of the rifle (non-conductive, pliable materials) suggests advanced or disguised technology, hinting at the killer’s resourcefulness. The cold metal barrel, the only traditional part, underscores the contrast between appearance and reality. This ruse reflects the assassin’s skill in manipulating expectations—using the environment to mislead and eliminate threats without direct confrontation.5. Evaluate how the chapter uses limited perspectives to create uncertainty. How does this affect the reader’s experience?
Answer:
The chapter restricts perspectives to the thin man and the Uzbek, denying omniscient insight into the assassin’s plans or the meeting’s purpose. This limited view fosters uncertainty: the thin man’s inexperience leaves him (and the reader) questioning if the meeting is compromised, while the Uzbek’s confusion about the rifle’s absence mirrors the reader’s surprise at the twist. By withholding information, the narrative forces the reader to piece together clues, enhancing engagement and suspense. The abrupt shift to the Uzbek’s death—unseen by other characters—leaves the broader implications unresolved, deepening the mystery.
Quotes
1. “He’d always known it was an open question. That he might be left standing on this semicircle, cold and alone, in the company of nothing more than hope.”
This quote captures the tension and uncertainty of the thin man waiting for a clandestine meeting. It reflects the precarious nature of his mission and the emotional weight of relying on hope in high-stakes situations.
2. “Clandestine meetings were not his forte. Certainly nothing he’d been trained to do. The fact that his first was taking place in a dark park on a cold night did nothing to make it easier.”
This passage highlights the protagonist’s inexperience and discomfort in field operations, emphasizing the contrast between his theoretical knowledge (from surveillance) and the harsh reality of actual covert work.
3. “The doubts began to fester. Multiply insistently.”
A powerful, concise description of the Uzbek’s growing anxiety as the assassination plan goes awry. This quote demonstrates how tension builds when carefully laid plans begin to unravel in real-time operations.
4. “His last sensations on earth were twofold: the sound of a terrible gurgle, and a lightning-like bolt of pain surging into his brain stem.”
This visceral description of the Uzbek’s sudden death serves as a dramatic turning point in the chapter. The clinical yet brutal language underscores the cold efficiency of the unseen assassin.
5. “He would give it five more minutes. If his man didn’t show by then, he would leave.”
This final quote bookends the chapter’s theme of waiting and uncertainty, showing the thin man’s practical decision-making while maintaining the suspense about whether the meeting will occur.