Assassin’s Revenge–A David Slaton Novel
Chapter 35: Thirty-Five
by Larsen, WardIn Chapter Thirty-Five, Mordechai covertly searches Dr. El-Masri’s office, avoiding the computer due to suspected security measures. He meticulously sifts through desk drawers, finding mundane files and office supplies until he discovers three unmarked flash drives, one labeled “INSURANCE” with an Egyptian flag sticker. Though initially dismissive, Mordechai’s curiosity is piqued by the odd labeling. As Ingrid, El-Masri’s secretary, remains distracted by a phone call, Mordechai hastily pockets the flash drive, narrowly avoiding detection when she returns to her desk.
Ingrid, observing Mordechai’s suspicious behavior through a strategically placed mirror, debates whether to report him to security. Despite her awareness of his actions, she chooses to remain silent, partly due to her personal disdain for El-Masri and her mild affection for Mordechai. Her decision not to intervene unknowingly sets in motion significant consequences, as the stolen flash drive contains critical information. The chapter highlights Ingrid’s internal conflict and her unwitting role in the unfolding events.
Back in his office, Mordechai examines the flash drive, expecting encryption but instead finding a trove of damning evidence. The drive contains a detailed confession from El-Masri, outlining his involvement in a uranium-skimming scheme and revealing his motives. Mordechai realizes the drive serves as El-Masri’s “insurance,” likely intended for investigators in case of his death. The files include comprehensive inventories of illicit uranium shipments, providing Mordechai with irrefutable proof of the conspiracy.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Mordechai decides to leave work early to contact Slaton and share the explosive findings. The chapter ends with Mordechai stepping into the crisp afternoon air, the weight of the discovery heavy on his shoulders. The narrative underscores the pivotal nature of the stolen data and the far-reaching implications of Ingrid’s inaction, setting the stage for the next phase of the plot.
FAQs
1. What crucial discovery does Mordechai make on the flash drive labeled “INSURANCE,” and why is this significant to the plot?
Answer:
Mordechai discovers a trove of incriminating documents on the flash drive, including a detailed confession letter outlining El-Masri’s involvement in a uranium-skimming scheme and comprehensive inventory files (e.g., HEU.INVENTORY) documenting illicit shipments. This is significant because it serves as El-Masri’s “insurance”—a failsafe to expose the plot if he faces harm or repercussions. The unprotected files provide Mordechai with irrefutable evidence to dismantle the operation, advancing the plot toward confrontation or resolution. The drive’s placement in the desk suggests El-Masri anticipated scrutiny, making it a deliberate act of self-preservation or guilt.2. Analyze Ingrid Hoff’s decision not to report Mordechai’s theft. How does her reasoning reflect broader themes of loyalty and consequence?
Answer:
Ingrid chooses not to report Mordechai due to personal grievances (El-Masri’s disrespect) and attraction to Mordechai, prioritizing individual bias over professional duty. Her decision underscores themes of moral ambiguity and the ripple effects of small choices. The chapter explicitly notes that her inaction alters “the course of world events,” highlighting how personal motivations can have unintended global consequences. This moment critiques workplace dynamics (power, gender, loyalty) while reinforcing the narrative’s tension—characters’ flawed judgments drive the plot toward crisis.3. How does the author use symbolism in the chapter, particularly with the IAEA mirror and the flash drive’s Egyptian flag sticker?
Answer:
The IAEA mirror symbolizes surveillance and hidden truths: Ingrid uses it to spy on Mordechai, just as Mordechai uncovers El-Masri’s secrets. The Egyptian flag on the flash drive ties El-Masri’s actions to national identity, suggesting his scheme may have patriotic or political undertones. Both objects reinforce duality—appearances versus reality (mirror) and legitimacy versus corruption (flag). The mirror’s placement also mirrors Ingrid’s complicity; she observes but doesn’t act, paralleling institutional passivity toward the uranium plot.4. Why might El-Masri have left the incriminating flash drive unsecured, and what does this reveal about his character?
Answer:
El-Masri likely left the drive unsecured to ensure its discovery if he were silenced, portraying him as both calculating and vulnerable. His choice to label it “INSURANCE” suggests he anticipated betrayal or danger, revealing paranoia or guilt. Alternatively, it could imply hubris—he underestimated others’ access to his office. The act humanizes him; like Mordechai, he’s hedging bets in a high-stakes game, but his method (leaving evidence in plain sight) contrasts with Mordechai’s stealth, highlighting their divergent approaches to survival.5. How does the chapter build suspense through Mordechai’s actions and Ingrid’s perspective?
Answer:
Suspense arises from Mordechai’s frantic search (e.g., “desperation set in”) and close calls (Ingrid nearly catching him). Ingrid’s delayed realization—watching via the mirror—creates dramatic irony; readers know Mordechai’s theft before she does. Her internal debate (“to report or not”) prolongs tension, while the chapter’s closing lines (Mordechai rushing to contact Slaton) imply impending escalation. The juxtaposition of mundane details (Post-its, sandwich wrappers) with high-stakes espionage heightens realism and urgency.
Quotes
1. “Insurance indeed. He was looking, for all intents and purposes, at Tarek El-Masri’s confession. The kind of mother lode a man in very deep waters leaves with a trusted lawyer.”
This quote marks the pivotal moment when Mordechai realizes the true significance of the flash drive labeled “INSURANCE”—it contains El-Masri’s damning evidence and confession about the uranium-skimming scheme. The metaphor of “insurance” underscores the high-stakes nature of the revelation.
2. “Ingrid Hoff would never know the consequences of that decision. Never understand how, if she had made the call to security, the course of world events in the coming days might have spun in an entirely different direction.”
This passage highlights the butterfly effect of Ingrid’s choice not to report Mordechai’s theft, emphasizing how small decisions can have monumental geopolitical consequences. It foreshadows the unfolding crisis while underscoring themes of fate and unintended consequences.
3. “He half expected a puff of smoke from his laptop, a laughing cloaked cartoon to take over the screen while everything disappeared—it was simply too easy a victory.”
This vivid imagery captures Mordechai’s disbelief at stumbling upon such comprehensive, unsecured evidence. The almost comical exaggeration reflects the surreal nature of his discovery and the high-stakes tension of the moment.
4. “Or maybe the drive was exactly where he intended it to be. He realized that if anything happened to El-Masri, his desk was the first place any investigator would look.”
This quote introduces intriguing ambiguity about El-Masri’s motives—whether the drive’s placement was careless or deliberate. It raises questions about self-sabotage or hidden agendas while reinforcing the theme of calculated risks in espionage.