Assassin’s Revenge–A David Slaton Novel
Chapter 32: Thirty-Two
by Larsen, WardThe chapter opens with a description of Kapellerfeld, a quaint European village ten miles north of a major city. Unlike American suburbs, it evolved organically over generations, featuring a school, church, and renowned confectionery. The village maintains a peaceful distance from urban sprawl, offering a secure environment for senior IAEA officers. Slaton arrives under overcast skies, parking a mile from his target—El-Masri’s residence—and proceeds on foot, relying on pre-studied satellite imagery to navigate the area with deliberate, inconspicuous movements.
Slaton’s approach is methodical, blending into the quiet neighborhood with bland attire and minimal interaction. He avoids drawing attention by varying his route and sidewalks, noting key escape routes like narrow alleys. Using his phone, he tests Uber response times to ensure a quick exit if needed. The subdued weather aids his stealth, as few residents are outdoors. His reconnaissance includes logging street layouts and potential chokepoints, all while maintaining the demeanor of an unremarkable passerby.
Upon reaching Eicherstrasse, Slaton observes El-Masri’s house—a modest Tyrol-inspired home with a detached garage housing a BMW SUV. He assesses the property’s perimeter, noting stone walls for easy access and the absence of security cameras or motion lights. The lack of children’s toys prompts a fleeting reflection on whether he overlooked details about El-Masri’s family. As he passes the house, he discreetly captures photos with his phone, noting lit and dark windows to gauge occupancy.
The chapter concludes with Slaton departing the neighborhood, comparing its unassuming security to his past life in Virginia. The mundane setting contrasts with his high-stakes mission, evoking a detached nostalgia. He returns to his car and merges into Vienna-bound traffic, leaving behind a village that epitomizes ordinary life—a stark backdrop to his covert operations. The chapter underscores the tension between Slaton’s calculated professionalism and the quiet normalcy of his surroundings.
FAQs
1. How does the author contrast Kapellerfeld with American suburbs, and what does this reveal about the village’s character?
Answer:
The author contrasts Kapellerfeld with American suburbs by highlighting its organic development over generations, unlike American suburbs that are often rapidly built by developers through clear-cutting and uniform construction. Kapellerfeld is described as a mature, cohesive community with a school, church, confectionery, and transportation links, reflecting its deep-rooted history and sense of belonging. This contrasts with the artificial, mass-produced nature of many U.S. suburbs. The village’s tidiness, security, and distance from the nearby city further emphasize its traditional European charm and stability, making it an ideal place for senior IAEA officers to reside.2. Analyze Slaton’s surveillance tactics as he approaches El-Masri’s residence. What do his methods reveal about his professionalism and experience?
Answer:
Slaton’s surveillance tactics demonstrate meticulous planning, situational awareness, and adaptability. He studies the neighborhood via satellite imagery beforehand, takes a calculated route with right-hand turns to avoid suspicion, and varies his path to avoid repetition. He notes escape routes like narrow alleys, tests Uber response times as a contingency, and blends in with his nondescript appearance. His use of a phone to discreetly capture images of the house and his observation of lighting patterns inside further highlight his tradecraft. These methods reflect his expertise in reconnaissance, emphasizing caution, thoroughness, and the ability to remain unnoticed—key traits of a seasoned operative.3. What details does Slaton gather about El-Masri’s home and surroundings, and how might this information be useful for a future operation?
Answer:
Slaton notes the home’s Tyrolean architectural style, its moderate size, and the presence of a BMW SUV (likely Mrs. El-Masri’s car). He observes the property’s perimeter, including stone walls that could serve as escape routes, and the absence of security cameras or motion lights. He also records the layout of windows, noting which rooms are lit, and identifies potential witnesses (e.g., elderly neighbors). This reconnaissance helps assess vulnerabilities, plan entry/exit strategies, and predict resident behavior—critical for infiltration, abduction, or surveillance. The lack of children’s toys also raises questions about the household composition, which could influence operational timing or tactics.4. How does the author use Slaton’s reflections on his past to deepen the narrative? What effect does this have on the reader’s understanding of his character?
Answer:
The author briefly delves into Slaton’s memory of living with Christine in Virginia, describing it as distant and dreamlike. This reflection humanizes him, revealing a personal history marked by transience and loss. It contrasts his current solitary, high-stakes mission with a past semblance of normalcy, underscoring the sacrifices of his profession. The fleeting nature of the memory also suggests emotional detachment, hinting at the psychological toll of his work. This glimpse into his past enriches his character, making him more relatable while emphasizing the isolation and impermanence inherent in his life as an operative.5. Evaluate the significance of the chapter’s title, “Thirty-Two.” How might it connect to broader themes in the story?
Answer:
While the chapter doesn’t explicitly explain the title, “Thirty-Two” could symbolize a recurring motif, such as an age, a countdown, or a code. Given Slaton’s methodical actions, it might represent a step in a larger sequence (e.g., mission phase 32). Alternatively, it could hint at a personal milestone (e.g., years since an event) or a subtle reference to the address (23 Eicherstrasse) via numerical inversion. The repetition of “THIRTY-TWO” in the text suggests intentional emphasis, possibly foreshadowing a reveal or tying into the novel’s overarching themes of precision, memory, or hidden patterns.
Quotes
1. “Kapellerfeld was small and tidy and clean. And a place where senior officers of the IAEA, apparently, could feel secure.”
This opening description establishes the village as an idyllic, secure setting—a deliberate contrast to the high-stakes surveillance operation Slaton is about to undertake. It hints at the tension between outward tranquility and hidden threats.
2. “Wearing khaki pants, a dark jacket, and a categorically bland expression, he was tedium personified.”
This quote captures Slaton’s meticulous tradecraft as he blends into the environment. The phrasing (“tedium personified”) underscores his skill in making himself unremarkable—a critical asset for surveillance work.
3. “He was happy to see that, in spite of the early hour, a car could be summoned within minutes if necessary.”
A revealing detail about Slaton’s operational mindset—even while assessing the neighborhood, he’s simultaneously planning escape routes. The quote exemplifies the layered preparation of a professional operative.
4. “Not the largest on the street, nor the smallest… the home was not beyond the means of a department head for a major international agency.”
This analysis of El-Masri’s house reflects Slaton’s intelligence methodology—evaluating whether a subject’s lifestyle aligns with their cover story. The observation carries implicit suspicion about possible hidden income sources.
5. “Altogether, it was a neighborhood like a hundred others around Vienna. A place with nominal security to counter a nominal threat.”
This concluding reflection contrasts the mundane setting with Slaton’s heightened alertness. The phrase “nominal threat” carries irony—readers understand the protagonist represents a very real threat to this seemingly peaceful community.