Assassin’s Revenge–A David Slaton Novel
Chapter 43: Forty-Three
by Larsen, WardIn Chapter Forty-Three, Slaton executes a daring infiltration of Mordechai’s apartment using a tactical rope and the Dülfersitz method, a risky climbing technique requiring no harness. Carefully lowering himself from a neighboring building’s roof, he navigates the sheer stone face with precision, relying on his training to minimize friction and maintain control. Despite the physical challenge, his greater concern is the unknown threat awaiting him inside the apartment. The tension builds as he approaches the window, aware that his mission could quickly turn deadly.
Upon reaching the window, Slaton observes signs of forced entry—removed latches and a gap in the curtains—indicating someone has already breached the apartment. Peering inside, he sees the aftermath of a violent search: overturned furniture, slashed cushions, and a handgun left on the counter. The disarray suggests the intruders are desperate to find something, likely tied to Mordechai’s message about El-Masri. Slaton’s suspicion is confirmed when a thickset Asian man, marked by a distinctive scalp scar, emerges from the bedroom with blood on his hands and a hammer nearby, hinting at torture.
The scene takes a darker turn as Slaton hears a moan from the bedroom, confirming Mordechai is alive but likely in grave danger. The intruder’s brutal methods and Asian identity link him to El-Masri’s killers, raising the stakes for Slaton’s intervention. However, he hesitates to act immediately, weighing the possibility of accomplices and the need for strategic timing. The tension escalates when a distant police siren draws the scarred man’s attention toward the window, threatening to expose Slaton’s precarious position.
As the chapter concludes, Slaton clings to the building’s exterior, his mission hanging in the balance. The sudden appearance of the scarred man near the window forces him into a critical decision: retreat or engage. The chapter masterfully blends physical suspense with psychological tension, leaving readers on edge as Slaton’s careful planning collides with unpredictable danger. The stage is set for a high-stakes confrontation in the next chapter.
FAQs
1. What climbing technique does Slaton use to descend the building, and why is it considered risky?
Answer:
Slaton employs the Dülfersitz method, a rope descent technique that involves routing the rope between the legs, over the hip, across the chest, and over the shoulder without any harness or hardware. This method is considered risky because it relies solely on body friction to control the descent, making it prone to rope burns or loss of control. The chapter notes it is typically an emergency procedure used as a last resort by climbers. Slaton’s lack of gloves and the high-stakes environment (e.g., potential armed confrontation) further amplify the risk.2. How does the chapter build tension around Slaton’s entry into Mordechai’s apartment?
Answer:
The tension escalates through meticulous details and situational hazards. Slaton’s precarious position—dangling outside a window with a Glock—is compounded by the need to avoid detection (e.g., checking for pedestrians or onlookers). The discovery of the ransacked apartment and the bloodied hammer-wielding intruder (“Scarhead”) heightens the stakes. A sudden police siren threatens to expose Slaton’s presence, forcing him into a split-second decision. These elements create a layered suspense, emphasizing the unpredictability of the confrontation and Mordechai’s dire circumstances.3. Analyze the significance of the apartment’s condition and the clues it provides about the intruder’s motives.
Answer:
The apartment’s violent ransacking suggests the intruder is searching frantically for something specific, likely tied to Mordechai’s message about “extensive new information on El-Masri.” The reckless destruction (e.g., slashed cushions, emptied shelves) implies urgency and disregard for concealment, hinting at professional ruthlessness. The half-eaten sandwich and abandoned hammer indicate the intruder’s prolonged, methodical interrogation of Mordechai. The Asian man’s identity also links him to El-Masri’s killers, framing this as a high-stakes intelligence retrieval mission gone brutal.4. How does the author use contrasting imagery to underscore Slaton’s transition from peaceful to perilous circumstances?
Answer:
The chapter juxtaposes Slaton’s past experience repairing a sailboat mast in the North Atlantic—a task challenged only by natural elements like wind—with his current life-and-death scenario. The serene memory of the “North Atlantic Gyre” contrasts sharply with the urban danger of a bloodied hammer and armed intruder. This highlights how drastically his circumstances have shifted in weeks, emphasizing the unpredictability of his profession and the visceral stakes of his mission.5. Evaluate Slaton’s tactical decision-making during the descent. What strengths and vulnerabilities does it reveal?
Answer:
Slaton demonstrates exceptional training (e.g., mastering the Dülfersitz method, securing the Glock mid-descent) and situational awareness (checking for witnesses, assessing the curtain gap). His ability to improvise—using window hinges for stability—showcases adaptability. However, his lack of gloves and reliance on a single rope reveal logistical vulnerabilities. The siren’s timing also exposes the unpredictability of external factors, forcing him into reactive mode. These details paint him as highly skilled but not infallible, humanizing his precision under pressure.
Quotes
1. “In climbing circles it was known as the Dülfersitz method. Absent any harness or hardware, the technique was used to lower oneself with nothing more than a single rope. The method was generally considered an emergency procedure, a last-ditch maneuver used by climbers or hikers to reach a safe place. Slaton doubted very much that was where he was heading.”
This quote introduces the high-stakes tension of Slaton’s infiltration, contrasting the technical precision of his climbing method with the imminent danger he faces. It foreshadows the perilous situation awaiting him in Mordechai’s flat.
2. “What a difference a few weeks make, he thought as he lowered himself in snatches down the sheer stone face.”
This reflective moment highlights Slaton’s abrupt transition from peaceful sailing repairs to life-threatening espionage. It underscores the novel’s central theme of sudden, drastic change in circumstances.
3. “It had been turned over in a reckless search—the kind people undertook when they wanted something badly and didn’t care who knew.”
This description of the ransacked apartment reveals the ruthless nature of Slaton’s adversaries and the critical importance of whatever information Mordechai possesses. It raises stakes by showing the antagonists’ desperation.
4. “The kind for whom throwing people under a bus wasn’t metaphorical.”
This chilling characterization of “Scarhead” encapsulates the villain’s brutal nature in a single vivid phrase. The quote serves as both warning and motivation for Slaton’s impending confrontation.
5. “Slaton was glad to have heard the moan—otherwise he wouldn’t have given odds on Mordechai being alive.”
This stark assessment demonstrates Slaton’s cold professional calculus while maintaining human concern. It heightens tension by confirming Mordechai’s torture while leaving his ultimate fate uncertain.