Assassin’s Revenge–A David Slaton Novel
Chapter 45: Forty-Five
by Larsen, WardSlaton discovers Mordechai brutally beaten and bleeding profusely from a stomach wound in a chaotic, laundry-strewn room. He immediately calls emergency services but hangs up before providing details. Cutting Mordechai free with a steak knife, Slaton attempts to stem the bleeding with a dishrag, though the injury is severe. Mordechai, barely conscious, reveals he had been trying to rejoin Mossad by intercepting El-Masri’s activities, which led to his current state. Slaton, trained in field medicine, recognizes Mordechai’s slim chances without advanced medical intervention.
As Mordechai weakens, he discloses critical information: Slaton’s family is safe, having gone into hiding after Mordechai impersonated Slaton via their shared communication line. He mentions a mysterious “stick” and hints that Park, an unknown figure, does not have Slaton’s family. Before he can elaborate, Mordechai succumbs to his injuries, leaving Slaton with fragmented clues. The arrival of sirens prompts Slaton to search frantically for the “stick,” suspecting it refers to a flash drive containing vital information.
Slaton scours the apartment, checking Mordechai’s laptop, drawers, and even a jacket, but finds nothing. A half-eaten tuna sandwich on the counter catches his attention, and beneath it lies a flash drive labeled “INSURANCE” with an Egyptian flag. As authorities approach, Slaton pockets the drive, reflecting on Mordechai’s misguided attempt to regain Mossad’s favor by orchestrating an operation that endangered Slaton’s family.
With emergency responders closing in, Slaton escapes through the building’s roof and neighboring stairwell, evading capture. The chapter ends with Slaton vanishing into the night, now in possession of the flash drive but burdened by Mordechai’s revelations and the unresolved threat to his family. The drive’s contents and Park’s identity remain looming questions as Slaton continues his desperate mission.
FAQs
1. What were the key pieces of information Mordechai revealed to Slaton before he died, and why were they significant?
Answer:
Mordechai revealed two critical pieces of information. First, he confirmed that Slaton’s family was safe and not captured by someone named Park, alleviating Slaton’s immediate fears about their safety. Second, he hinted at the existence of a flash drive (“the stick”) containing vital data, later found under a sandwich with the label “INSURANCE.” These revelations were significant because they redirected Slaton’s priorities—from rescuing his family to securing the flash drive, which likely held operational intelligence tied to El-Masri’s activities. Mordechai’s actions, though reckless, provided Slaton with a path forward in the mission.
2. Analyze Slaton’s response to Mordechai’s injuries. What does this reveal about his training and character?
Answer:
Slaton’s actions—calling emergency services, cutting Mordechai free, applying makeshift first aid, and assessing the wound’s severity—demonstrate his combat medical training and calm under pressure. His acknowledgment that Mordechai needed advanced care (“pressure bandages or clotting agents”) highlights his realism and experience in field triage. Emotionally, Slaton’s silent prayer and brief closure of Mordechai’s eyes reveal a respect for life, even amid betrayal. His pragmatic shift to securing the flash drive afterward underscores his mission-focused mindset, balancing compassion with operational urgency.
3. Why did Mordechai orchestrate the deception involving Slaton’s family, and how does this complicate Slaton’s situation?
Answer:
Mordechai impersonated Slaton via a shared phone to instruct Slaton’s wife to go into hiding, framing it as a protective measure. His motive was to “run an op” against El-Masri, using Slaton’s family as leverage to ensure Slaton’s involvement. This complicates Slaton’s situation because: (1) he must now locate his hidden family without direct communication, (2) he discovers Mordechai’s manipulation undermined his trust, and (3) the flash drive (“INSURANCE”) becomes the only lead to reunite with his family or uncover Mordechai’s full agenda. The deception blurs lines between ally and adversary.
4. How does the author use sensory details to heighten the tension in the scene where Slaton discovers Mordechai?
Answer:
The author employs visceral imagery to immerse the reader in Slaton’s horror: Mordechai’s “crimson horror” of a face, “wispy breaths,” and “blood dribbling” from his mouth evoke physical suffering. The simile “like putting a Band-Aid on a colander” starkly conveys the futility of Slaton’s first aid. Auditory cues like “shouted commands” and “sirens” create urgency, while tactile details (the “glistening trail” of blood) anchor the scene’s gruesome reality. These sensory elements amplify tension, making Mordechai’s death feel immediate and Slaton’s subsequent actions desperate.
5. Evaluate the symbolic significance of the flash drive labeled “INSURANCE.” What might it represent beyond its literal function?
Answer:
Literally, the flash drive holds data Mordechai deemed critical, possibly implicating El-Masri or Mossad operations. Symbolically, “INSURANCE” reflects Mordechai’s attempt to mitigate his reckless actions—both as leverage to control Slaton and as a failsafe to redeem his failed op. For Slaton, it represents hope: a tangible link to his family’s safety and a tool to navigate the conspiracy. The drive’s concealment under a sandwich (a mundane object) also underscores the theme of hidden truths in ordinary settings, a recurring motif in espionage narratives.
Quotes
1. “It was like putting a Band-Aid on a colander.”
This vivid simile underscores the futility of Slaton’s attempt to stem Mordechai’s severe bleeding, emphasizing the gravity of his wounds and the hopelessness of the situation despite Slaton’s efforts.
2. “I wanted back in and… this was my ticket. When I saw what El-Masri was doing, I wanted to run an op.”
Mordechai’s dying confession reveals his desperate motivation—rejoining Mossad by orchestrating an operation—which drove him to manipulate Slaton’s family and ultimately led to his own demise. This quote exposes the tragic consequences of his ambition.
3. “Your family… they’re okay. Park doesn’t have them. The stick… look at the stick.”
Mordechai’s cryptic final words shift the narrative focus, revealing that Slaton’s family is in hiding and hinting at a critical clue (the flash drive) that holds the key to reuniting with them. This moment propels the plot forward.
4. “One word was scrawled on the side: INSURANCE.”
The discovery of the flash drive labeled “INSURANCE” symbolizes both Mordechai’s foresight and the lingering stakes of his operation. It becomes a pivotal object tying together the chapter’s themes of risk, betrayal, and survival.
5. “Poor Mordechai. He had wanted to get back in Mossad… Wanted it so bad he’d put Slaton and his family at risk.”
Slaton’s reflection encapsulates the chapter’s central tragedy: Mordechai’s misguided ambition, which blurred moral lines and cost him his life. This quote underscores the human cost of espionage and unchecked obsession.