Assassin’s Revenge–A David Slaton Novel
Chapter 50: Fifty
by Larsen, WardSlaton wakes up injured but functional after a strenuous night, driving to Rosenheim where he abandons his car near an IKEA store. Taking a bus into town, he finds himself near the churches of St. Nikolaus and Holy Spirit, contemplating his next steps amid the bustle of everyday life. Despite his physical discomfort and impatience, he is drawn to the open doors of the cathedral, its grand architecture momentarily distracting him from his urgent mission.
Inside the church, Slaton reflects on his fractured relationship with faith, acknowledging his past as an assassin and his distant belief in God. He sits in a pew, offering a simple plea for help rather than bargaining for divine intervention. As he leaves, he donates money and encounters Sister Magda, who engages him in conversation about the church’s architecture. Slaton, revealing his masonry expertise, points out a repair issue, subtly hinting at his skills and past.
Sister Magda, sensing his distress, offers him access to a computer in the church office. Slaton inserts a flash drive he had recovered earlier, hoping to find clues about his missing wife and son. The lack of encryption on the drive surprises him, but the slow computer tests his patience as he anxiously awaits the files. He grapples with the irony of modern technology isolating him from his family despite its connectivity, realizing Mordechai’s interference has severed their communication.
As the computer processes the files, Slaton’s anxiety peaks, his mind racing with possibilities about Christine’s whereabouts and potential threats. The chapter closes with his whispered, desperate question: “Where are you, Christine?”—a refrain underscoring his helplessness and determination to reunite with his family amid the chaos.
FAQs
1. How does the setting of the church contribute to Slaton’s internal conflict and emotional state in this chapter?
Answer:
The church serves as a powerful backdrop for Slaton’s internal struggle, juxtaposing his violent past with his desperate need for hope. The grandeur of the architecture—described with “tall columns” and “intricate gold inlays”—contrasts with his personal turmoil, emphasizing his isolation. Though not deeply religious, Slaton engages in a moment of raw vulnerability, asking God for help without bargaining, which reveals his emotional exhaustion. The church’s physical decay (noted in the “cracking plaster”) mirrors his fractured psyche, while Sister Magda’s kindness offers temporary respite. This setting underscores his moral conflict as a former assassin seeking redemption while fearing his past actions are beyond atonement.2. Analyze the significance of Slaton’s expertise in masonry during his interaction with Sister Magda. What might this reveal about his character?
Answer:
Slaton’s detailed knowledge of masonry—such as identifying the “too-wet mortar mix” in the window repairs—serves multiple purposes. Professionally, it hints at a cover identity or legitimate skill he’s used in his covert life (“In the best of times”). On a deeper level, it reflects his analytical mindset; he notices structural flaws just as he assesses threats. His offer to fix the damage also reveals a desire to contribute positively, contrasting with his destructive capabilities as an assassin. This exchange humanizes him, showing how even small acts of competence (like discussing repairs) provide fleeting normalcy amid his chaotic search for his family.3. How does the chapter portray the theme of technological isolation in Slaton’s search for his family?
Answer:
The chapter highlights the irony of connectivity becoming a barrier. Slaton reflects that modern surveillance—”communications tracking, facial recognition, cameras on every corner”—has ironically isolated him from Christine and Davy. His “single-link plan” failed because Mordechai intercepted it, severing their connection. The flash drive scene emphasizes this: though technology (the computer) offers a potential lead, its “low-resolution screen” and agonizing slowness mirror his helplessness. His whispered question—”Where are you, Christine?“—underscores how digital tools, meant to bridge distances, instead amplify his desperation when compromised by adversaries.4. What symbolic weight does the flash drive hold in this chapter, and how does its discovery shape the narrative tension?
Answer:
The flash drive, found beneath a “half-eaten tuna sandwich,” symbolizes both hope and vulnerability. Its lack of protection surprises Slaton (“Could it possibly be so easy?”), suggesting either carelessness by his enemies or a trap. As a physical object, it contrasts with the intangible digital world that has failed him, representing a concrete clue. However, the slow-loading files prolong his anguish, heightening tension. The drive’s contents could reveal his family’s whereabouts or confirm his worst fears, making it a pivot point between resolution and deeper crisis—a microcosm of the novel’s central mystery.5. Evaluate how Slaton’s dialogue with Sister Magda contrasts with his internal monologue. What effect does this create?
Answer:
Externally, Slaton is polite and measured (“I don’t want to overstep”), using his masonry talk to build rapport. His alias “David” and vague reference to “trouble” mask his true desperation. Internally, however, his thoughts are raw and urgent (e.g., fearing his question “might never be answered”). This duality heightens the tension between his controlled persona and inner chaos. Sister Magda’s warmth (“That is all any of us can do, my son”) briefly pierces his isolation, but the juxtaposition reminds readers that his calm facade barely contains his turmoil—a technique that deepens character complexity and reader empathy.
Quotes
1. “He supposed he believed obliquely in God, if such a thing was possible. If not belief, then at least hope. So many years spent as an assassin seemed another obstacle to faith, and the last two days had dug that hole deeper.”
This quote captures Slaton’s complex relationship with faith—his tentative hope in God contrasted with the moral weight of his violent past. It reflects a key internal conflict as he seeks solace in the church.
2. “No manner of repentance or atonement could undo what he had done. Yet here he was, standing in a church, doing what the casually faithful had done as long as there had been religion: calling on God when you needed Him.”
This highlights the paradox of Slaton’s visit—his awareness of his irredeemable actions juxtaposed with the human instinct to seek divine help in crisis. It underscores the chapter’s theme of flawed spirituality.
3. “It seemed a paradox of the modern world. Communications tracking, facial recognition, cameras on every corner. By striving so valiantly to stay off the grid, the era of connectivity had isolated them from one another.”
This observation critiques modern surveillance society while explaining Slaton’s central dilemma—his security precautions have ironically made it harder to find his family. It’s a pivotal insight about technology’s double-edged nature.
4. “As the tiny wheel spun, Slaton whispered the question he’d been asking for days. On Sirius. In a park in Vienna. In a church pew only minutes earlier. A question, he feared, that might never be answered. ‘Where are you, Christine?’”
The chapter’s emotional climax—this repeated, desperate question encapsulates Slaton’s driving motivation. The rhythmic listing of locations emphasizes his relentless search, while the technological delay (“tiny wheel spun”) mirrors his agonizing uncertainty.